Page 25 of A Holiday Arrangement

The omega was shaking. “N-no, alpha. I-I’m fine.” It was so clearly a lie.

He didn’t want me near him, but he didn’t stop me as I crawled closer to him and gently removed his arms so I could inspect his body.

Bile rose in my throat. The omega was covered in scratches and bruises. His arms and torso had some clear fingerprint bruises, as well as his hips. His thighs and ass were red and tinted with bruises and welts like I spanked him. There was some dried blood on his skin I didn’t want to think about.

I remembered that vaguely. I had asked him if he was okay. He didn’t tell me to stop, did he? Gods, I didn’t think so. Every time I checked in, he told me he was fine, but I could tell now it was a lie. I went too far and I didn’t even realize it.

I stumbled off the bed, fighting back the urge to vomit. What did I do? How could I have done this?

“I-I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you. Why didn’t you tell me?”

Lennon looked at me, confused, like he had no idea what I was asking from him. “I-I’m fine, alpha. I understand. I-I’m sorry I flinched. It won’t happen again.”

This time, I couldn’t stop the vomit, but it was just a relief I made it to the bathroom before it happened. I rinsed out my mouth and took a moment to compose myself. I needed to take care of the omega. No matter what I was feeling, I couldn’t leave him like this.

When I came back out, Lennon hadn’t moved an inch. He continued to watch me with wide, scared eyes. I sighed as I walked back to him. “Lennon, I need you to be honest with me. I promise I won’t be angry at you, but I need to know if you’re injured anywhere besides the cuts and bruises.”

He squinted at me. “I-I don’t understand what you mean, alpha.”

Fuck. I was going to have to spell it out. “Are you bleeding anywhere? Um, your hole?”

His eyes widened, “Oh! No. No, alpha. I-I didn’t tear this time.”

This time? I was aware that his previous alpha could be violent. It wasn’t a secret, but I understood now I may have walked into a situation I wasn’t prepared for. I’d seen firsthand how strong omegas could be, and I always vowed I’d protect my omega not take advantage of them. I was a fucking liar. Disgusting.

“Lennon, I’m so sorry I hurt you. You don’t need to be frightened now. I promise. Maybe I should speak to your father?”

Lennon jumped to his feet, the fear back full force. “Alpha, please. Please don’t talk to him. I-I’m sorry. I’m sorry I was afraid when you woke. I-I won’t do it again. You can do as you please. I won’t flinch. Just . . . please, alpha. Please don’t say anything to him.”

My mind was racing, but one thing clear was clear: I couldn’t do this. I had no idea what happened to Lennon before this, but I was not the alpha for him or anyone. I was a monster. I couldn’t be trusted, and I hurt this already frightened and clearly abused omega. I was disgusting and didn’t deserve to call myself an alpha.

I didn’t know how, but I somehow managed to stay calm enough to help clean Lennon up and get some food in him. He was still very wary of me, but at least he stopped flinching every time I got close. Once he was calm and sated enough to fall asleep, I slipped out of the room.

I managed to avoid his father, afraid of how he would react, but I knew before I even left the property, I wouldn’t be able to keep this engagement. I couldn’t stay under control. I couldn’t be trusted with an omega.

I kept my plans about breaking the marriage contract, afraid Alpha Mathsons would blame his son, but I still worked to try and find an alpha for Lennon, one who I felt would treat him well. The logic was if I came to his father with an arrangement that would be equally as beneficial as ours, he’d accept it without complaint.

Unfortunately, not all the alphas I contacted were trustworthy, and one of them told Alpha Mathsons . . .

I snapped out of the flashback with a jerk. Gods, that hadn’t happened to me in ages. I needed to get out of here. It was getting colder by the minute, and even with the alcohol in my system, I was starting to freeze.

I realized I had walked away from my family plot and squinted at the grave in front of me, trying to make out the name. I nearly collapsed when I saw where I was.

Lennon Mathsons

Omega son of Simeon Mathsons

Born: March 3rd, 1978, Died: June 16th, 1996

I stumbled away, the liquor in my system threatening to come up. 1996. And yet, it still felt like yesterday . . . .

I was helping Mother with a project when the house phone rang. I looked at her, but she shrugged. Our phone rarely rang, especially this late at night. I went over and answered it.

“Winston house.”

“You fucking bastard. If you’re ending the contract, you do it to my face.”

Shaking, I managed to calm a very angry Alpha Mathsons and told him I’d come to his house and we could discuss everything. I slipped out and ignored my mother’s questioning glances.

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