“No! You are not allowed to reject this one. Haven’t you had enough rejecting such good ones before! How long do you think I paid the matchmakers to find you good proposals! But what you insolent brat did!” The beta-mother fumed.

“Then don’t! I keep telling you I don’t want to marry yet!”

“Decent Omegas already start looking for husbands after their first heat. And look at you! 19 and still not married yet!” She chided.

“But I want to be free!” The young omega said in a whining tone.

“Free my foot! Playing games all day! Wandering the streets with your friends! Is this how an omega should behave! How long can you use those suppressants? It’s too risky! You’re lucky enough that your father’s boss proposed for his son. It’s only because of your father’s good reputation that the Vandal family even thought of building a relationship with a middle-class family like ours!”

“But—”

“No buts! You’re coming with us to this weekend meeting. Keep in mind, it’s your father’s boss and his son. If this time you tried anything funny, then don’t blame me for marrying you with that Dmitri!”

“You can’t!” The young omega dramatically shouted, showing an exaggeratedly horrified expression. “How could you threaten to marry your own beautiful son to that ugly Alpha! Have you seen his big stomach! All he does is eat and eat!”

“If you don’t want to marry him then accept this proposal! You’re a damn lucky to even get such a proposal. Have you seen the photo? He’s so handsome and from a powerful, rich family. Also, of the same age as you.”

“Mom—"

“Listen to your mother.” The alpha father who sat in the background, finally interjected without moving his eyes from his newspaper.

Ian made a disgruntled sound of agreement and made his way to his room, looking very displeased.

***

The omega’s family and the alpha’s family were meeting in the restaurant for the first time.

The young master of the Vandal family, Alex Vandal, sat with his alpha-father, Rayson Vandal. His parents were divorced. His mother was also an alpha who now had a boyfriend and lived in a different country and they rarely met each other.

Both Vandals were exceptional looking. Alex was good-looking, handsome and tall. His father was taller than him, more muscular and exuded a mature charm. One look at his father and one could tell he was a man of power. No wonder he was the owner of the big company. Alex had some resemblance to his father.

Ian sat with his parents, looking bored as the two families conversed with each other. The young alpha, Alex, would also ask him a question or two and he would give a short reply disinterestedly.

“Don’t mind him, Alex. He’s a shy kid.” His mother lied while giving Ian a light kick under the table.

Ian blinked his big doe-eyes and gave a shy look to Alex, “Yes, I’m sorry.”

Alex blushed. “No worries. I quite like shy omegas.”

The beta mother looked at her son’s shameless acting, feeling speechless.

Who cares if you like shy omegas or not, young master Alex! Even if you’re handsome, I don’t like you! Ugh! How do I get away from this marriage? Ian thought while chewing his pasta.

That’s when he was hit by an idea. If I can’t reject, then what if I made them reject me! He snickered in his heart.

He put on a troubled expression, opening his mouth as if to say something but closing it again.

Alex took the bait. “What is it? Do you want to say something?” He asked, concerned.

“Yes, I do… I hope the Vandal family won’t take offence to my words. But, spending life with someone is an important matter—" He felt his parents stiffen beside him.

“Alex,” his father warned, cutting him off, while his mother pinched his thigh hard. Ian winched; his expression looked troubled and pained.

“Bernard, let the kid speak.” Alex’s father, Rayson Vandal, spoke in his deep, business voice, and looked towards Ian, “Feel free to speak your mind.” He motioned with his hand for Ian to continue.

“Um…I…That’s…I-I don’t have any objections to this marriage if…if it’s Mr. Rayson Vandal I’m marrying.” Ian gave a shy glance before lowering his eyes.

Rayson Vandal raised his brow.

Alex Vandal, stunned, looked at his father then back at the omega who was peeking shyly at his father, feeling speechless.

And his parents felt shocked to their bones, eyes going wide.

Ian, the troublemaker young omega, was laughing triumphantly in his heart. Now they would have no choice but to back away. Of course, Rayson Vandal won’t agree to marry a youngster like him.

But all his happiness shattered in doubts and his soul almost left his body when Ian saw a smirk form on the handsome face of the alpha! He shivered!

What! What the hell was that for?!