Page 37 of Collateral Omega

“Holi?” Sirhe’s voice came through the connector after a long wait.

“You said to connect with you if I ever needed anything… I need…” tears prickled his eyes, but he pushed them away. “I need to put my father to rest. I need credit.”

“What? Your father is dead?” Sirhe sounded shocked as if he cared.

“Yes, I need credit to put him to rest,” Holi repeated. “Please, help me.”

“Of course, tell me where you live. I’ll be there in an hour.”

“There’s no need for that. I just need credit, nothing more,” Holi said.

“No problem. Don’t forget what we talked about, Holi,” Sirhe said, a warning tone in his voice. “No, one must find out what happened between Jamue and that alpha.”

“I won’t tell anyone,” Holi bit out. “Besides, Holi will remember. It’s not like he can forget his true mate.”

“I’ll make him forget. He won’t remember that he was bonded to an alpha.”

What? What was Sirhe talking about? Holi frowned.

“Keep your mouth shut, Holi,” Sirhe said. “I’ll send the credit as soon as I get your credit account.”

“Why does it feel like you’re giving me the credit for my silence?”

“Isn’t that why you connected with me?”

No. He connected with Sirhe because he had no one else to ask.

“You can believe whatever you want,” Holi said. “I’ll send you my credit account information. Please pay me by morning.”

Holi ended the connection. He gasped for air, feeling suddenly weak. He staggered to the bed, and sat there for hours.

When he felt like he had strength in his legs, he stood up and slowly got everything ready for his father’s final rest, all the while holding his tears at bay. Saki helped him where she could, though Holi refused to take anything from her. He was going to do everything on his own. The authorities came and took his father’s remains. Holi paid for the cremation service with the credit Sirhe gave him. He cleaned the house. Packed his father’s clothes to donate to the less fortunate. The house felt so empty without his father, though Holi didn’t dwell on that. He pushed on, getting himself ready to move out too. The council of alphas gave him two weeks to settle his father’s affairs.

After four days, they laid his father to rest. Holi scattered his ashes in the backyard where his father could be with his dad. He tried not to cry, but his emotions got the better of him. Heart-wrenching sobs shook his entire body, making him feel weak all over.

What am I going to do now, father? He silently asked, feeling lost.

You didn’t prepare me for this, Holi accused his father, which made him cry even harder. Saki held him and let him cry as much as he wanted.

“Come,” Saki said when he was done saying his goodbyes. She took him to his room and tucked him in bed. “You’ve done well, Holi. Get some sleep now.”

Holi opened his mouth to protest, but he yawned instead. Maybe he was a little sleepy, Holi thought as his eyes drooped. He’ll sleep for a little bit.

Chapter 11

Xaine

While he was sleeping, the world turned upside down. Or was it just him? Xaine stared at the crowd gathered outside his house. They rushed to the pod as it came to a slow stop in the driveway. Blinding light pierced his eyes as images were taken. Xaine hissed, turning away.

Fucking hell, he growled, rubbing his eyes.

“What the fuck is going on?” he asked Klane.

“They’re here to see you. The house opening was a success.”

“So, they love me now,” Xaine said dryly.

“Well…” Klane said. “I wouldn’t go that far. Let’s just say they didn’t expect the house to be beautiful and fully furnished with the latest gadgets.”

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