Page 20 of Collateral Omega

Life is so hard, he moaned into the mattress. He sat up when the door was pushed open a few minutes later.

“Father, I…” he begun, but trailed off when he saw Saki. “Oh, it’s you.”

“You seem happy about that,” she said. Holi nodded, lying back down. “I told your father to give you a minute. He’ll be in here soon.”

Holi groaned, hiding his face in the pillows.

Saki snatched them away. “What happened?”

“Do you think I’m a social climber?”

“Did someone call you that?” Holi nodded. Tears prickled his eyes, but he shoved them away. “I’m sorry to hear that. People can be cruel.” Saki sat down on the bed and pulled him into her arms.

“I felt stupid the whole time I was there,” Holi said.

“That’s because you haven’t lived enough. You’ve been stuck in this house with your father while there is a whole world out there. Your father needs to let you live a little.”

“I don’t want to do this anymore, Saki.”

“I know. But you might not have a choice. The whole planet is going crazy. I’m sorry things are not going your way. But you must be tough to survive, especially now.”

“Are you telling me to continue?”

“No, that’s your choice,” Saki said, touching his cheek softly. “I’m saying things are changing, and you might have to make decisions you’re not proud of. If you’re ever faced with that kind of situation, don’t feel bad. We’ve all made bad decisions at some point in our lives. Don’t feel stupid or incapable…fight. And never give up.”

Holi pulled away and stared at her. Why did it feel like she was saying goodbye?

“Saki?”

“Shh…” Saki said, pulling him back into her arms. “Everything is going to be alright. Just focus on what you need to do to get a better life for yourself. Don’t worry about anyone else, not me, your father, no one else but yourself. Okay?”

Holi nodded. But he wasn’t sure the kind of life he wanted was attainable. Finding an alpha was proving to be the hardest thing he’s ever done.

“How long am I supposed to wait out here? I feel left out,” his father said from the other side of the door. He knocked impatiently. Saki and Holi looked at each other and burst out laughing. “I’m coming in!”

Chapter 6

Xaine

“Are you sure you want to do this?” Klane asked as they drifted down the airway.

The beta managed to find the medical facility where Deltta Kohle was being medicated, but he didn’t seem to be happy about it. Dladr Academy Health Centre was an excellent facility situated in the heart of the capital, run by Dr Micha. And Xaine had an appointment with the alpha in thirty minutes.

“Yes, I’m sure,” Xaine said.

“This can’t be healthy.”

“I don’t care.”

“Master?”

Xaine clenched his jaw impatiently. “Let it go. This is going to happen whether you like it or not.”

Klane clamped his mouth shut, though Xaine could tell the beta had more to say. Xaine didn’t want to hear it. He’d made up his mind.

“And the omega?” Klane asked. Xaine didn’t have to ask which omega because Klane had been hinting at the subject the whole week.

“I don’t want to talk about him.”

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