Page 24 of Collateral Omega

‘Another Covus Alpha To Gain From Our Misfortune,’

'Xaine Covus: A Saint Or The Devil Himself’.

“Did you see the articles on these sites? They are disheartening. You’re only trying to help, but they’re making it seem like you’re going to gain something out of it.” Klane said.

“It’s fine, Klane,” Xaine said. “I don’t need their approval.”

Dr Micha kept Xaine at the health centre for a couple of more days, and then he discharged him. Xaine returned home and threw himself into work. Running Covus Holding and buying houses around the capital to transform them into commune houses kept Xaine busy.

If he wasn’t working at the office, he was working at home. Day in day out he was at building sites negotiating with contractors and suppliers. He could delegate the work, but he wanted to handle it himself. Xaine wanted everything to be perfect, and he could only achieve that if he did it himself.

At first, the contractors treated him with disdain and hated that he came to their building sites, but eventually they warmed up to him seeing his vision.

“The renovations on the first house are halfway to completion,” Xaine said. “Ninety-nine to go.”

“You need to slow down,” Klane warned as they drifted to one of the new houses he’d bought. “I know you want to do good, and you are under a lot of pressure, but you can’t go on like this. When was the last time you slept?”

Xaine shrugged. He couldn’t remember the last time he slept. He did go upstairs to his room every night, but he ended up working. If he did sleep, it was for a few hours. Funny enough, he didn’t feel tired. He felt energized like he could go on forever.

“I’m fine,” Xaine said.

“Are you sure? Don’t you feel off?” Klane asked worriedly.

“What do you mean off? I feel fine. I am energized and excited about something for the first time in my life. And all you do is stress,” Xaine said, impatiently. “Please stop before you stress me out too.”

“Its…” Klane glanced at him and then looked away.

“What?”

“I know how important the project is,” Klane said. “The whole planet is waiting for you to fail. But you can’t kill yourself. You must take care of yourself.”

“Okay, I’ll sleep once the project is done. Happy?” Xaine said. They arrived at the house. It was a double storey building with an overgrown yard. It was a little older than the houses he’d bought around the capital, but it would do. Xaine walked up the driveway and then stopped.

“Are you coming?” Klane asked. The beta sounded like he was miles away.

“Klane?” Xaine said as the world around him went dark.

Chapter 7

Holi

“What kind of rotten luck is this?”

Holi came to a stop just outside the cooking station. He stared down at the flowers he’d picked for his father a few minutes ago to cheer him up. His father sounded so distraught; Holi doubted flowers would do the trick.

“I haven’t received any invitations since the Aeryl party. This is a disaster.”

“No, don’t say that. Something will come. Holi will get bonded,” Saki said, soothingly.

“When? Holi can’t meet an alpha in this house. He must be out there.”

“Have you thought about going to your brother?” Saki asked. A tense silence followed her question.

“I mean, he’s someone you need right now. His family is one of the wealthiest on the planet. One word from him and Holi would be invited everywhere. He could help you, Lile.”

Uncle Isa could definitely open doors for them. If only his father would go to him. But Holi knew he wouldn’t, even though his uncle was bonded to one of the wealthiest alphas on the planet.

And his cousin Sirhe owned Dladr Academy Health Centre. Holi had another cousin too, Jamue. Jamue was sweet and kind. Holi liked him and wished they could spend more time together. That would mean their fathers had to be civil towards each other. Holi couldn’t see that happening any time soon.

---