The war has affected everyone, either in a grand scale, or a lower one. You have watched, along with your comrades and fellow Jedi, the rise and fall of evil over and over, and it has been an endless battle. When you wield the power of heat and justice in the palm of your hand, you feel... invincible— at least until reality hits you hard and fast.

Growing up in a world divided by natural traits that were both unchangeable and unstoppable, you found yourself in the line of fire, surrounded by those traits that should intimidate you; Alphas were a force to be reckoned with, both scarce and destined to be a Jedi, it only served to fuel your fire. The constant need to prove yourself above them was strong, and never once did you back off from a challenge.

Yet, nature is unfixable. In order to hide your true self, the suppressants you took weekly brought you the relief of the drenching pain that heat is— and without a mate, the promise of a heat cycle was terrifying and enough to make you grimace.

The Galaxy was at risk, and caught in between the constant rush of adrenaline and weeks away from the small space you called home within the walls of the Jedi Temple, the news of blockages, shipping contraband and closed interplanetary borders quickly became a nuisance. The shortage of supplies was a worrying situation, and waking up to an empty bottle of pills and a notice of no restocking until further notice gave you another nail to your cross. The Council was promptly informed, but there was little they could do— you were now trapped. A secret that was meant to be permanent was slowly slipping through your fingers. The Galaxy wouldn't approve of an Omega being a Jedi Knight... and most importantly, unclaimed and unmated— it placed you in an extremely risky position.

**

During one of those uncommon but grateful free days, Anakin lowered his lightsaber, wiping a bead of sweat off his forehead. What a better way to spend the day than by sparring? Because there was nothing more The Chosen One adored to do than to push his limits... and show off in the process. The strong scent of his dominant gene oozed off his body like waves, making the air thick, heavy— mixing into a dangerous haze that surrounded you.

"You are acting rather feisty today," he scoffed, running his hand through his wavy hair, exhaling a quick breath. "Can't figure out if I like it or hate it. At least you are fighting less shitty than usual." The banter between you two wasn't new. It came as natural as the low growl that escaped his lips as he lunged forward, moving with a precision that in battle would be lethal.

The proximity itself gave Anakin a strange sensation; an electric feeling that ran down his spine, his nose scrunching in an involuntary reaction. Dodging the saber swinging down his side, he backed off, frowning. There was a shift in the air; something that, usually, wasn't there.

Looking around the room, his nose scrunches again as he sniffed the air. Something was off... but what? Circling the room, he let the scorching heat of his lightsaber die, hanging it on the hook of his utility belt before he stopped, staring at the open windows and then back at you.

"Do you smell that?" he asked, his voice gaining a lower tone, as if it came deep within his chest. Anakin's body language was easy to read— tense, alert, almost predatory. That whiff his nostrils detected seemed to grow stronger... the more he approached you.

He must be going crazy, that was his initial thought. The scent was unlike anything he had ever encountered. It was sweet, sickeningly so. His fingers twitched, both flesh and metal, another involuntary reaction. That damn smell— it ignited something primal, something that until now appeared to be dormant. Anakin's chest filled with a sudden frustration; he couldn't quite put a pin on the source, or what it could be.

"Tell me you smell it too," he continued, chewing on his bottom lip. His blue eyes, dark and— and heated, met yours. The response of his body was immediate, a gentle burn settling in his lower stomach that only grew bigger the more he focused on it. "Am I going insane?"