Page 22 of Bully for Sale
“What makes you think that?”
“They harass him. Bully him. It’s why I haven’t made a move to be closer to him at school. You told me to stay in their good graces, and I have.”
“It’ll be as good a reason as any for you to pull away from the friendships with the Tenmeter and Maddox boys, I know you loathe them. After this marriage, it won’t matter. Fersee will give us more funds than we’ll ever know what to do with. This is all we’ve ever wanted since Heath turned his back on us.”
Ned chewed his lower lip. “Maybe, but I think Ezer hates me.”
“I’m sure he’s wary of you,” Lidell said, flicking a look toward Hunter. “Given your behavior towards him as relayed to me by his father. But you will prove to him that you’re a strong, good alpha. You’ll protect him. He’ll never be bullied or harassed again with you by his side, no matter how skinny and ugly he is.”
“He isn’t ugly!”
Lidell chuckled. “Oh, I see George wasn’t exaggerating. You’re mad for the boy.”
“He’s just got a lot of growing left to do. It might not even be safe for him to…to…you know, breed yet.”
“George assures me the boy passed the standards at his last medical check-in and was marked as available for potential heats as soon as he turned nineteen, which he did shortly thereafter.”
That surprised Ned, since Ezer was so small. His hips were narrower than any Ned had ever seen on a man. “I don’t know, Father.”
“You don’t have to know. The contracts will be signed. Once you see that the boy consents, your doubts will fade away.” Lidell smiled. “You’ll be a real alpha soon. Servicing your first heat. There’s nothing like it. You never forget your first.”
Hunter hummed his first agreement of the evening and then rose from the table. “If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go pack my things. It’s been an enjoyable time, but tonight has been an interesting dinner that’s made it clear to me that this is the end of it. I appreciate the care you took with me and the payment to my account.” He turned to Ned. “It’s been nice meeting you, and I wish you luck. If you take this boy on, be ready. The small ones are the fiercest.” Then he wafted away as if on a breeze, his long robe drifting around him.
Lidell watched him go with a hint of something other than irritation on his face. It wasn’t quite longing, but it was bittersweet. Then he faced Ned again. “The contract will be ready by next week. You’ll sign it then.” He wiped his mouth with his napkin and rose. “I think I’ll go help Hunter pack.”
Ned finished his dinner alone, taking a very long time in between moments of panic and shots of strange, sordid lust. In the end, he decided he shouldn’t contract and breed Ezer. They were too young, and it was too much to ask of either of them.
But if Ezer was willing….
No. It was absurd. They were too young to become parents.
End of story.
Chapter Seven
“No.”
Ezer’s father leaned back in his desk chair with a smirk. “Oh, but I think yes.”
Ezer had been invited into his father’s study after dinner for a “little chat”. His brothers, even little Rodan, had all stared after them, frozen in their chairs, all aware nothing good came from a post-dinner “chat” with Father.
Ezer’s heart pounded, and blue and green dots swam in his vision. He could barely suck in a breath. He was going to pass out. At least the plush carpet beneath the big chair opposite his father’s desk was soft, so if he hit the floor there wouldn’t be any bruises. He hoped he didn’t piss his pants, though.
Somehow, he managed to stay conscious and gasp out, “I’m only nineteen. Besides, Da won’t agree to this.”
“Dadoesn’t have a say anymore.” How his father managed to make the pet name sound so mocking, Ezer didn’t know, but it was infused with layers of hate and disdain.
Clenching his fists and willing his panic away, Ezer thrust his chin up. “But I do.Ihave a say. I must consent. That’s the law.”
One of the few laws protecting omega rights, and one of the best defenses an omega had against unwanted matings and marriages, was the requirement of a signed contract before a shared heat, and another before a breeding. While it was true some alphas waited until the heat had already begun to obtain signatures on a breeding contract in order to capture an omega when his defenses were down, there was at least always a contract. Without one, an alpha could be prosecuted for rape, one of the rare instances of omega rights trumping alpha lust.
George nodded. “It is the law, yes. And youwillconsent.”
“Why? Because you’ll force me?” Ezer accused. “That’s not consent, and you know it.”
George’s hazel eyes glinted. “I won’t force you, son. I’ll incentivize you.”
Ezer sneered. “Money doesn’t matter to me.”
