Page 9 of Collateral Omega

He needed a minute to psych himself up, Holi thought, as he pushed the door open, but froze when he heard the omegas inside. They were talking about him.

“He shouldn’t be that desperate. It’s disgusting,” one of them said. “I don’t even know why master Aeryl invited someone like him here,” the omega said irritably. “

“Do you know him?” another asked in a soft tone.

“No. I’ve seen him at the Romalin party, Manfild party and Covus party. He was with his father then. They moved around talking to all the alphas as if they were selling something. I heard they’re poor,” Irritable said.

“Really? His clothes are beautiful, and he looks amazing in them. If only I could look as half as good as he does. I would be a catch,” Softie sighed. “Right now, I look blah.”

“Rather a rich blah than a poor bam! No one wants that. His poor status takes away from him. He could have any alpha he wants, but he’s out here searching for drags like the rest of us. But I guess that’s better for us, or we would be sitting in some corner like him looking sad.”

Oh, that’s why no alpha approached him when he walked in. It was because they all knew that he was poor.

How did they find out?

“Bam?” Softie asked with a laugh.

“Like the sound. He literally stopped time when he first arrived. I was sure all the alphas would rush to him and give him all their attention. But I guess everyone knows who he is by now,” Irritable said with a laugh. “He should just give up. He’s not going to find an alpha willing to settle with a poor omega.”

“That’s so sad.”

“Don’t feel sorry for him. Think about yourself.” The sound of water filled the silence. Holi chewed into his nail, stomach churning. “You’re too soft for your own good. If you’re not careful, you’ll end up like him, desperately searching for an alpha. People will call you a social climber like they do him. It’s a matter of time before he’s banned from all the parties. Be careful.”

“I’m not soft. I just feel sorry for him. Why didn’t his father come with him? He looked so lost out there.”

“Do you want to go and talk to him?” Irritable growled, clearly having had enough of Softie.

“No. I…” Holi didn’t hear the rest of what the omega said. He blinked away his tears as he walked away. He thought of leaving and going home. The council of alphas finally made its decision about the Deltta Kohle’s scandal, and it was going to be broadcast live tonight. Holi would rather be home than waste his time here.

But then he thought of his father. He worked hard to get him the invitation. And the reason Holi came alone was because his father got an invitation for one person. Master Aeryl hadn’t been as generous as they thought.

I should try, Holi thought as he forced himself to return to the party hall. There weren’t many alphas and omegas left in the hall when he walked in.

Where did everyone go? Holi asked himself, looking around him.

“They went to the rooms,” someone said behind him. Holi turned around to find a strange alpha standing there. He was well-dressed and had long black hair he kept in a braid. His lips spread into a broad smile as their eyes met. He wasn’t Holi’s type but who cared about such things? Right then, Holi was happy that someone was talking to him.

The alpha pointed somewhere over Holi’s shoulder. “Master Aeryl set up rooms to give us privacy,” he explained.

“Oh…” Holi said, looking where he pointed. He saw an open door that led down a brightly lit hallway. Holi assumed the rooms were somewhere down there. He hadn’t noticed the door when he arrived. And since no one spoke to him, he wouldn’t have known there were private rooms there.

Holi turned around to face the alpha. He found him staring longingly towards the rooms. He probably wanted to go there with someone. Holi wanted to go there too.

They stood there awkwardly.

“Social gatherings are hard to navigate, am I right?” the alpha asked, breaking the silence.

“Yes,” Holi said, breathing easily. Finally, someone who understands. “I’m always nervous.”

“Me too,” he said, his smile widening. He wasn’t the handsomest alpha, and he didn’t come close to master Tarymn, but he looked good when he smiled.

“Do you want a drink?” he asked.

Holi nodded, flushing a little. They walked to a serving bot and got a glass of Red Amber each. The awkwardness returned. Holi tried his best to think of something to say. He didn’t want the alpha to think he was boring.

“I’m Holi by the way,” he said, glad he sounded normal and confident.

“Oh… yes, of course. I’m Lane Killane of the Lamin family. You’ve probably heard of us.”

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