The Second Alpha

by Yofune Shibue

In this heartfelt omegaverse Boys’ Love manga, one omega with a tragic past could find love with an alpha who claims to be his fated mate!

When alpha Morita Souichi prepared for his first day at a brand-new job, he never expected to discover his destined mate! After a literal run-in with his coworker, Matsumoto Takashi, Morita instantly knows that the other man is not only an omega but the person he is meant to be with. There’s only one problem: the ring on Matsumoto’s finger. Yet suddenly Matsumoto goes into heat and Morita’s alpha instincts take over. As they lay entwined together, he hears Matsumoto’s tearful apology to someone named “Haruma.” Is this alpha-omega pair destined for failure?

Genres: Manga, Omegaverse, Yaoi, Boys Love, Romance, LGBT, M M Romance

216 pages, Paperback

First published February 10, 2020

Reviews

[Ben Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

💕 Slice of Life
💕 Co-workers
💕 Older Omega x Younger Alpha
💕 One-sided Slow Burn

I loved The Second Alpha . It's one volume so you get Morita and Matsumoto's whole story here. It's a really heartfelt and emotional story, and even had my eyes watering at points. The romance is a one-sided slow burn (the physical aspect is not slow burn at all as you can tell from the synopsis).

This is the first manga I've read with this relationship dynamic and I really enjoyed it. Hopefully, this author's other works get translated soon!

[Peppa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story dives DEEP into grief, guilt and that painful, tender process of learning to move on… and it was handled with so much care and depth.
I felt every moment of it.

Morita and Matsumoto are just chef’s kiss together. Their connection isn’t just about attraction, it’s built on a growing friendship that feels real and heartfelt. I loved watching Matsumoto slowly open up. He may be an omega, but he’s absolutely Morita’s equal: strong, layered and totally compelling. Their teasing had me grinning, and when Matsumoto showed his assertive side? SO. SEXY!!

And can we talk about the ART? It’s stunning, expressive, emotional and those eyes… they tell a whole story on their own!!

[Daesy · Rating 4 out of 5]

**spoilers**

This manga was really cute, but there was also angst. The omega lost his first mate for an illness and also if they weren't fated mates, they really had loved each other and had been together since high-school, that part was really sad, but I was so happy to see him find another Alpha, and this time was also his fated. 5 years later in the bonus chapter, we also saw them having a daughter. Beautiful story also if sad. For this reason rated 4.5 stars.

[Megan | The Mood Read Queen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Who doesn't love the whole "I made an assumption about you without knowing you" trope and now things are more complicated?

This manga takes place in an omegaverse, which you should probably know before you start. It's a pretty cute, simple story about Morita and Matsumoto, two coworkers who have a connection; however, this connection is complicated by the fact that Morita assumes that Matsumoto is married. I would say that's a spoiler, but I think most readers are going to pick on the many hints dropped at the beginning of the story and figure out pretty quickly that this is simply an assumption, not a fact.

The will they/won't they of their relationship was super cute, but I did appreciate that this story also talks about the past. Both Morita and Matsumoto have lived lives before finding one other, and that gives them more depth. Matsumoto comes across as fairly mysterious, and the intrigue from not quite knowing his past made the story all the more interesting. A very good read, if not particularly memorable, and one I will likely revisit.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

This was just as angsty as I'd anticipated, but for a very different reason. The story focuses heavily on grief and the guilt that can accompany moving on. It was handled beautifully, and there were plenty of heart-wrenching moments.

Morita and Matsumoto are great together, and I love the friendship that builds alongside their love and attraction. I especially enjoyed seeing Matsumoto open up. He might be an omega, but he's also Morita's equal. The teasing is very cute, and Matsumoto's unexpected assertiveness is quite sexy.

I also love the art in here. It's expressive, and the eyes communicate so much emotion.

[Sera Nova · Rating 3 out of 5]

I REALLY liked the art style and I am so happy BL is having more adult settings. With that being said, I didnt enjoy this that much. More of a 1 star, BUT that is just because Im not a fan of the daily life-slow build up that this had. Its story needed it though, so I dont fault it. Just wasnt my cup of tea so I dont feel like it needs a 1 star. If you like to see cute dates and daily life type stories, this is perfect for that.

[Lailah · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reread, because I forgot I already read this. I think this had so much potential to be amazing. I love angsty shit like this, but I think the relationship was too reliant on the fated mates aspect that we didn't really see the two men fall in love. Also Morita did a lot of things that I didn't really like. I wish there was more of a build up of Matsumoto's feelings for Morita and I wanted Morita to offer more understanding towards Matsumoto's situation. It all felt a little off to me. Like it was almost there, but not quite.

[July · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.6

[SS Apple · Rating 2 out of 5]

Entretenida y algo tristecilla, sin embargo, siento que la historia corre muy rápido como para que uno pueda realmente pueda tener empatía con el omega y su situación.

[Elaine White · Rating 5 out of 5]

There was SO much to enjoy about this. As a standalone, it had heaps of plot, as well as lots of chemistry and a dual POV so that we got to see both characters in full detail.

Morita is new to his uncle's design/architectural design company. It's got a touch of nepotism to it, because he constantly admits that he knows nothing, but he is fully aware of it and accepts how lucky he is. Hard-working Matsumoto is sent to pick him up at the airport, where they bump into each other and Morita feels a fated mate bond between them...only to find a wedding ring on Matsumoto's hand.
While Morita is shocked and disappointed, he tries to be good and keep his distance. Matsumoto, however, doesn't even acknowledge what's happening, until well into the evening when a Welcome to the Company drinks night ends with Matsumoto going into heat! He's a rare omega at a mostly alpha/beta company. Interesting, this world has more betas than alphas, which means that fated mate bonds are quite rare and mostly unexpected.

Stuff happens...stuff I can't talk about, because it would be super spoilery. However, there is amazing chemistry between Morita and Matsumoto. There's incredibly written angst, about how Morita worries that Matsumoto is being neglected, mistreated, even ignored by his mate/husband, and even some great pacing that lets the little secrets trickle through the plot when necessary.

I LOVED the indecision and uncertainty of Matsumoto trying to figure out what to do about his fated mate bond with Morita. He tries to hard to ignore it, but fate keeps drawing them together, forcing accidental meetings, work forced-proximity and even accidents that pull them together.

The ending was lovely and the five years later page was adorable!

[Chelsea 🏳️‍🌈 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not super memorable. The love confession comes pretty quickly considering their lack of many interactions. Not a ton was made with the alpha/omega tropes as much as the fated pair aspect. Somehow, there’s still a lack of consent despite that, so, bravo I guess? It was a bummer to see so many books using the ABO trope and I’ve only read one where consent was important.

Anyway, neither character was all that developed. They introduce a character’s sister for some reason because she seemed to only exist as a third party for her brother to talk to and to tell the alpha guy where to find him.

Maybe with more time this could’ve been more interesting. As it was, it was just not very exciting, interesting, or memorable.

[R. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Morita is fresh out of college starting at his family's company when his fated mate ends up being the employee sent to pick him up. Matsumoto seems to take things in stride and doesn't blame Morita for his instincts, except he's already married, marked, and wearing a wedding ring. That makes things all the more confusing when these two continue to be drawn together in some rather compromising situations. Morita tries to keep his instincts in check, but can't help finding any flaw possible in Matsumoto's mate as instincts tell him he'd be the better alpha. It's a very different twist on the usual omegaverse dynamic, but still has instinct taking the reigns far too often.

[Rive · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this would be a story where a neglected spouse seeks comfort in the arms of a lover after said lover falls heads over heels at first sight and, given how the ABO dynamic is usually put to use to move stories forward through sex only, I was pleasantly surprised. The way it depicted how relationships start and evolve differently from one another and how both are very unique without a point of comparison really warmed my heart. Wish it would have been a little longer, but at the same time it's perfect as it is.

[Bee C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very heartfelt story of an alpha and omega that are fated mates. Morita meets Matsumoto and instantly knows they are fated to be together. Matsumoto on the other hand is married but when he goes in heat who is there to help him? 😮😏 Morita is there every time to help and he becomes upset that this never present husband seems to not care. When he learns the truth he’s so sorry and feels so selfish and tries to make things right. This one shot gives a lot of feels. The ending is a happy one and the last page is just so cute!

[L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

That was;;;; so good;;;;

I really loved their relationship, and Matsumoto's gentle and cheerful personality overall. But more than that -- I am on the record as saying I adore interesting takes on the omegaverse genre, and the idea of an omega getting a second mate? Exploring what happens after your mate dies? So interesting, and so very well done. I almost liked the exploration of grief and debate over moving on more than the main relationship, but I think I liked it so much because of how much I liked the main relationship. They just really worked together.

[Zian B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I usually have mixed emotions about Omega-verse mangas but, I really enjoyed this story. Morita and Matsumoto’s gradual relationship evolution was very interesting and sweet to see. I also really liked that despite this story being only a one-shot, it still managed to feel like a slightly longer manga series. Also, the first official chapter in this volume being an informative glossary of sorts about the omega verse was extremely amusing and helpful to have.

[Urdadsfavorite · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book had me like this 😳 the entire time
romance was so cute but my only complaint was that the first sex scene was most definitely 100% rape and its suddenly okay bc they’re mates and the guy doesnt care that much? the victim blaming himself just made me so fucking sad
if we just ~remove~ that scene from the book id give it 5 stars but that just made me so uncomfy

[Brenna Henderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

So much angst. Now I’m normally a angsty kinda gal. Give me an enough to make me sad for them but give me lots of fluff to make up for it. This was so much angst so little happiest. I would love to read more based on the last bonus chapter set five years in the future. Show me them with their baby(babies) and with a starting business.

[Alexander · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't expecting this one to hit me in the feels, but dang did it come out swinging towards the end.
This one was really cute and sweet, and I'd definitely recommend it if you like omegaverse, second chances, and younger top x older bottom.

The only thing is I wish we would've got a little bit more with the single page at the end. For a single volume though this was really good.

[Mari · Rating 3 out of 5]

This started out with the tired trope of an alpha unable to resist an omega in heat 🤨 Y'all. I'M tired 🫡

The emotional bits could have been more emotional but the whole rushed fated pair, we are in love thing was so anti-romantic. A lot of telling and not showing. Pushy.

Cw of sa/dubcon

[Frank Chillura (OhYouRead) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness!!! I’ve never read an omegaverse where the omega had an alpha already before meeting his fated mate.

This was so much sadder than I thought it would be. It turned from a hot smutty book to one with so much emotion. It was really beautiful and I wish it wasn’t a standalone!!!!!

[Heather Cat · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was OK. What brought is down for me was some of the alpha's behavior. Just because you think someone is in a shitty situation, does not mean you can do as you please. Perhaps try getting their POV on it? Ask if they want the help/attention?

[Swathi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not your typical omegaverse. The omega was strong and independent which was lovely and the alpha wasn't the over the top personality. I thought they both balanced each other well. It is really about moving on from past pain.

[Readingshadowwolf · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

[alessia kacbufi warner · Rating 4 out of 5]

struggente💔

[OtterM · Rating 4 out of 5]

立马就猜到前夫去世了，真是俗套到不行的展开啊...但画面很干净很舒服，所以就随意地打个四星。

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was kind of sad

[Luna]

3.5

[Jennifer Lavoie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just sobbed my face off. Good story, lovely art.