Page 1 of Collateral Omega

Prologue

Holi

“Are you sure we should be here?” Holi whispered to his father as they walked into the Covus house. Holi couldn’t help but feel like he didn’t belong there. The Covus family was extremely wealthy. Their beautiful house was massive. The sight of it made Holi nervous. Everybody on the planet knew about the Covus family. The family didn’t exactly hide its not-so clean business activities.

“It’s alright. We must use every opportunity that comes our way to find you an alpha. Even if it means associating with people we don’t like,” his father said.

Holi nodded, shoving his misgivings away. It wasn’t like they were going to live in the house. They’d find him an alpha and then leave, Holi thought, trying his best to relax.

“Everyone looks beautiful,” he commented as he and his father walked past a group of alphas and omegas. Holi nervously pulled on his clothes. They were new. His father had taken him to a tailor in preparation for the party. Holi knew he needed the expensive clothes for a wealthy alpha to notice him, but he felt uncomfortable in them. He felt like he was putting on a show, lying about who he was.

“You look beautiful too. Don’t let them intimidate you,” his father said, scanning the room. He rubbed his hands together contemplatively, making Holi nervous. When his father did that, Holi knew he was up to something.

Holi followed his father’s gaze and quickly looked away when he saw the alpha his father was looking at. The alpha looked out of Holi league. And he was an aggressive alpha, if Holi was not mistaken.

“Father, not him,” Holi whispered.

“Why not. He’s handsome.”

“I don’t like aggressive alphas. They’re too much.”

“Are you sure? We can’t be picky.”

“I’m sure,” Holi said. “I want an alpha like dad. He was sweet and he treated you right. I want that kind of connection with my alpha.”

Holi blushed just thinking about it.

“And you think an aggressive alpha can’t give you that? How do you know? You haven’t met any alphas as far as I know.” His father turned to him, giving him an assessing glance.

His father was a traditionalist. Well, as far as Holi getting bonded was concerned. His father didn’t allow him to go anywhere or have any friends. He didn’t want Holi fraternizing with alphas or finding a heat partner because he wanted Holi to remain pure. But Holi believed it was because they were poor. Holi didn’t have anything to offer an alpha except his body.

“I haven’t,” Holi said quickly. “I read about it. They say that aggressive alphas are possessive and domineering. I don’t think I can handle one.”

His father stared at him for a few tense seconds before he went back to scanning the room for another alpha.

“I understand. It takes a special kind of omega to handle an aggressive alpha. And I don’t want you to get bonded to an alpha who won’t make you happy. Go get me a drink.”

“Are you sure? The doctor said you mustn’t drink.”

“I’ll be fine. One glass of spirit won’t kill me.”

Was he sure? Holi stared at his father, worriedly. His father’s health wasn’t what it used to be. Although he pretended to be alright, Holi knew he wasn’t.

“Go.” His father gently pushed him toward the other side of the room where most of the omegas were gathered waiting to be served drinks from a makeshift bar. Three omegas stood out to Holi. Dressed in colourful long shirts and pants, they stood to the side chatting. Holi looked from one to the other. They were gorgeous and confident in a way Holi wished he could be. He tried not to feel inferior standing next to them. Holi automatically took a step back to give them a little room, then stopped himself.

What the hell am I doing? I have every right to be here. Father got an invitation from master Covus the same way they did. Besides, none of them knew him. For all they knew, he was just as wealthy as them.

So, act like it, Holi told himself.

He straightened his shoulders and lifted his chin loftily. The omegas paid him no mind as they chatted on. Holi turned away from them, feeling weird that he cared what they thought of him. He tuned them out and looked around the large room for any potential alphas. But their conversation dragged his attention right back to them. They chatted about someone who was supposed to be at the party but wasn’t.

“It’s been an hour since we arrived,” Blue said, staring anxiously at the door, “and he hasn’t shown up yet.”

“I hope he doesn’t come,” Yellow said, visibly cringing. “I’m scared of meeting him.”

Who were they talking about? Holi slid closer to hear more.

“Me too,” Red said in a low voice. “His presence makes me nervous. He’s overwhelming. And his eyes are scary. I felt like I was suffocating whenever he looked at me.”

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