Page 10 of Suddenly His Alpha

“You’re as bad as those other omegas… only caring about money and prestige. Unlike you, I don’t give a damn about good breeding and wealth,” Beckett snapped. “Fate doesn’t either. We don’tchoosewho we’re mated to… but if I’d had a choice, I think I would definitely pick a man like Tulla.”

“Of course you would,” Titian argued back.

“What in the hell is that supposed to mean?”

“Nothing,” Titian snapped before crossing his arms over his chest. It was glaringly obvious Titian wasn’t happy with fate’s choice.

What had caused the hatred between the two? Beckett paused a moment, thinking back to his own childish dislike for Tulla. How small and silly he’d been back then, but he’d not been like the other alphas. He’d wanted so much to fit in, only to eventually realize he needed to stand out and be his own man.

It had taken a long time for him to come to terms with who he was and accept himself. Now he could only hope to be a good enough man for his omega and right the wrong of their past by showing Tulla who he really was.

“What did Tulla ever do that was so wrong? Besides not being as rich as you thought he should be?”

Titian lifted his chin arrogantly, but said nothing for a moment. “He’s a wet blanket. Whenever we wanted to have fun, he’d go into some rambling diatribe and ruin our excitement.”

“And just what would these rambling diatribes be about?”

“How we were repressed… that we were sheep to the slaughter, doing what was expected of us. That we should rebel and do the unexpected, as if that would do us any good. He was a spoilsport,constantlyruining the day. And when we told him to stop bothering, he ignored us.”

As he should’ve.“Omegasarerepressed in our society. He wasn’t lying.” He saw it every day and did his little part to ease some of the suffering. He wanted to do more—but he was only one man.

Titian scowled. “Itisthe way it is. Either you remain optimistic and accept your lot in life or you’re forever unhappy—and who wants to live a sad, miserable life?” Titian lifted one brow. “And I didn’t seeTullafighting the oppression when you had him pinned to the wall out there.”

Heat filled Beckett’s face… partially in shame.

Partially with the fact that that need he felt wasn’t gone from his system. He eyed the wall again, and clenched his fist.

“Either Father or Papa will be here soon enough.” Titian paused. “Father, I’m sure. Papa won’t want to leave the party. He is hosting, after all.”

His father would likely be happy for an excuse to leave.

“Exactly what I need. More people to gang up on me and tell me my omega is less than worthy.”

Titian glared. “Your disdain for our family is duly noted.”

“What?” Beckett asked, turning to his brother.

“We realize how you look down your nose at us.”

“I don’t look down my nose at y—”

“You do!” Titian scowled, interrupting. “You do and you damned well know it.”

Beckett eyed his younger brother, knowing there might be a seed of truth in the statement. “I only believe there should be more equality in this province. With the wealth we have, no one should suffer. Is that so wrong of me to think?”

“There will always be the haves and the have nots.Always.It does not make us terrible people to be born with means.”

“No, we’re terrible people when we don’t use those means to help others!” Beckett glared at his brother. “That’s what I can’t abide. We would let omegas and their children live in poverty when we could stop it? That’sevil. Pure and utter evil, brother.”

Titian looked away. He said nothing, as there was no real argument he could make.

“I know I’m not the brother you wish I was. I’m not like other men and I won’t sit idly by when there’s suffering in this province.”

“I never said you weren’t the brother I wished for,” Titian whispered. He lifted his gaze. “But do not stand in judgment against me for not thinking exactly as you do.”

“I stand in judgment of you because you choose to be blind, when I know full well you can see,” Beckett murmured.

Titian tilted his head, tossing his long braided hair over one shoulder. “I see a world were I have little to no power… other than what little I can wield over my alpha. Do not stand there for one minute and think to proselytize to me. Alphas have everything and we have nothing. We’re less educated. We’re imprisoned behind a wall, coddled little omegas, ripe for birthing. We have little chance to have a job, or find some meaning outside of birthing and raising our children. The one thing I can enjoy is the security of wealth. Living a life of luxury… it’sallI have. It’s theonlypower I have. So go ahead and judge me, myalphabrother. You will never understand what it’s like to be an omega.”

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