(ZEVRAN)
Behind Austine, the photos of each omega were illuminated on a screen.
My eyes were drawn to the photo of Asa.
My body seemed to reach for that photo, even as I struggled with intense confusion. Not only was I absolutely not interested in taking an omega, but the boy was also way too young for me. I was thirty-three, and according to his paperwork, Asa was only twenty-three.
Nearby, Nigel gave a lusty growl as he stared up at the photos of the omegas. "I wouldn't mind any of them coming home with me," he said. "But I have my eye on one in particular."
My stomach churned because I had little doubt which omega he was referring to. The way he'd pawed and sniffed at 334 had made that very clear.
I grabbed another flute of champagne from one of the servers, and I drank it down in three gulps. I felt unusually anxious tonight. Perhaps my anxiety was simply because I hadn't been to one of these auctions in so long. It was definitely a strange thing to watch living beings bought and sold for cold hard cash.
The auctioneer banged the gavel, and things were put in motion.
All the other photos were taken away except for the picture of whatever omega was currently on the block.
I watched as one by one, omegas came up for bidding. The crowd was eager tonight and free with their money. Each omega seemed to reach a number higher than the one before.
When 334's photo finally appeared behind the auctioneer, I was four glasses of champagne in, and buzzing with confusion and frustration.
I seemed to crave that young omega, which made little sense.
I didn't want an omega. I had no desire to take an omega into my home to breed. My heart still ached for Lukas. Whether it had been ten years or twenty, my heart would always grieve for him.
But as Nigel raised his paddle to bid on 334, resentment surged through me. Whether I wanted an omega in my home or not, it seemed wrong to let that beautiful creature go home with an alpha as vile as Nigel. God only knew what he'd subject that poor boy to. Nigel was a perverted, cruel alpha.
I gripped my paddle in my sweaty hand, tempted to raise it if only to save 334 from Nigel.
Don't be stupid.
When Finlay suddenly raised his paddle and outbid Nigel, relief flooded me. Yes. Yes. That situation would be fine for 334. Finlay would be a kind and loving alpha to that boy. He'd cherish him. He'd be gentle as he knotted the young omega, filling him with his seed.
It's handled. Finlay will be a good alpha to 334.
But peace didn't settle on me as I'd hoped. I shuddered as my chest continued to ache. I had a splitting headache, and I squeezed the skin between my eyes.
Perspiration broke out on my face as I struggled not to raise my paddle.
What was wrong with me?
I did not want an omega in my life. I'd had the best. There was no point in ever taking another omega. If I needed an heir, I'd use a surrogate. Lots of alphas do that these days. It would be purely clinical, and there would be no guilt.
The bidding was going in Finlay's direction, but then suddenly Nigel held up his paddle and yelled, "One hundred thousand dollars."
A gasp went through the crowd because the highest bid so far for any of the other omegas had been fifty thousand dollars.
Finlay scowled and met my frazzled gaze. "Shit. I… I can't beat that," he hissed.
While Finlay had plenty of money, he wasn't as rich as Nigel, and neither of them were as rich as me. I glanced at Nigel, and his smug face made my skin crawl. He knew Finlay couldn't meet that bid.
A sense of panic spread through me, and I felt like I couldn't breathe. Nigel was going to win the auction. 334 was going to be dragged to his home and probably abused horribly in the name of breeding.
Bile rose in my throat, and I turned to Finlay. "Bid higher. I'll cover you."
Finlay blinked at me, looking uneasy. "No, Zev. I… I can't owe you that much money. It would take me an eternity to pay you back."
"Then don't. It doesn't matter."
"For God's sake, Zev. You can't buy my omega for me. That's humiliating."
I clenched my jaw, panic rising. Something about 334 seemed to call to me. The boy wasn't even there at the moment, but still, the soulful eyes in the photograph made my insides churn. "But he's going to win. Nigel is going to win 334 if you don't take my offer to help."
Looking grim, Finlay gave a sharp shake of his head. "Zev, no. I can't do that. I'd rather lose than have you purchase my omega for me. I have some pride."
"Going once," the auctioneer said. "Going twice."
A wave of panic swamped me, and I raised my paddle. "Two-hundred thousand dollars," I growled.