Page 32 of Collateral Omega

“I’m sorry to disappoint you,” Holi said as he got closer. “I’m not interested in him. He’s old enough to be my granddad. I might be poor, but I’m not hopeless.” Holi lied. He was beyond hopeless, but he wasn’t going to settle for anything other than what he wanted, even if he never got what he wanted. He was going to remain true to his feelings.

Master Yom and the alpha laughed.

“Who do you think you are?” master Yom said, rage filling his eyes. Holi took a step back.

Master Yom stepped closer, invading Holi’s space. “You are in no position to be picky. Your father sounded desperate earlier. I had no choice but to reassure him that I'd find someone to take you in. Lavert might be old, but he’s interested in you despite your circumstances. Take that as a blessing and accept him. This planet is not kind to poor omegas,” he whispered in a harsh tone.

“I know.” Holi blinked away tears. “Thank you for trying to help. But I can’t agree to this.”

Master Yom flinched as if he’d punched him. “Suit yourself. Tell your father to never connect with me again. I won’t be humiliated like this,” he huffed out and stormed away, followed by Lavert. Holi stared after them, wishing he could take his words back. He didn’t mean to insult him. Master Yom was only trying to help him. His father trusted him. That must mean something.

Shit. He ruined everything with his big mouth.

Holi rushed after Master Yom and Lavert to apologize. The alphas turned down a hallway, engaged in a heated conversation. Holi heard every word as he caught up with them.

“I’ve never been this humiliated in my entire life, Yom. You had better teach that insolent omega a lesson. He needs to learn his place.”

“I will, don’t worry. His father will never hear the end of this,” Master Yom bit out. “They are social climbers who don’t deserve to be among us. I’ll make sure the omega is never invited anywhere. Their vile and shameless behaviour of hunting for an alpha stops here.”

“Good,” Lavert said. “I would like to imagine the omega withering away alone somewhere cold and desolate. I’m surprised he hasn’t been thrown into some commune house by now. A lot of poor omegas have left their homes. I hope they take him very far where there are no alphas. That would make me feel better, knowing no other alpha is enjoying what I couldn’t have.”

The bitterness in Lavert’s voice had Holi stopping in his tracks.

“He is breathtaking, isn’t he? It’s a shame something like that will go to waste.” Master Yom smacked his lips, making Holi cringe. He retraced his steps, his heart aching with every step he took. He shouldn’t care what they said about him. He knew how it would go before he left home. But knowing didn’t take away the pain ripping through him.

This was the last time, Holi told himself over and over as he made his way out of the house. He stopped walking when he saw a familiar face.

Jamue.

Holi hadn’t seen his cousin in a long time.

Holi sighed, longing to go to his cousin. He was so lonely. It would be nice to hang out with someone close to his age. Holi wanted to ask Jamue about his life. Was he seeing any alpha?

He probably was. Jamue was a couple of years younger than Holi. He was close to entering his first heat if he hadn't had his heat already. Uncle Isa probably had alphas lined up for him too. Some wealthy alphas from good families.

How lucky.

A pang of jealousy sliced Holi’s insides, and he felt like screaming and doing something really…really bad because he was having a hard time of it.

Why did he have to suffer? Why did Uncle Isa hate him so much? One word from his uncle and he would have a better chance of meeting an alpha. His father wouldn’t have to beg vile alphas like master Yom to help him secure a match.

Holi stared at Jamue. He looked amazing. The jealousy intensified within him. Bad thoughts entered Holi’s mind, but he shoved them away.

This was Jamue. The omega had been nothing but sweet and kind to him whenever they came across each other. He was the only person who acknowledged that he existed, well him and his alpha brother Sirhe. But Sirhe was a rare sight. The alpha hardly attended any parties. He was too busy with his health centre, oblivious to what was happening around him.

Just say hi and leave, Holi told himself as he took a step towards Jamue, but he noticed that he wasn’t alone. Uncle Isa was staring directly at him. His grey eyes narrowed in displeasure.

Holi waved, telling himself that it didn’t matter. Uncle Isa turned and walked away. His rejection hit Holi harder than he thought it would. Jamue’s tiny smile pulled him close. Holi couldn’t bring himself to walk away from the omega. He was nothing but kind to him.

“He couldn’t wait to meet me, huh?” he asked, looking towards the direction Uncle Isa had disappeared. “He always acts like he doesn’t know me. I don’t understand him,” Holi said, even though he knew there was beef between their fathers.

He didn’t even know what it was about. It was just there. Sometimes Holi convinced himself that it was because they were poor, and his uncle didn’t want to associate with them.

Jamue opened his mouth and closed it, lost for words. He clearly couldn’t come up with any excuse for his father. There was none.

“Enjoy the party, cousin,” Holi said.

“Wait.” Jamue gripped his arm.

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