#pbt

Lesley is dressed in a pencil skirt and a blazer with her hair lying flat against her skull as it’s pushed back into a low bun - very professionally and business-like, but what business would Father bring home?

The men at her sides are in suits, but they seem less like ones here to do business and more like… muscle. As if they’re her bodyguards. They remain unnamed.

“Finish your dinner,” my father snaps and the omega in me cowers, but I keep eye contact with him as I slowly bring my fork to my plate again.

Dinner is finished in complete silence and I begin clearing the table. Before I can gather too many dishes, one of my cousins - a bit older than me - rushes in and grabs them from my hands. Her eyes are on her task which tells me my father is still in the room.

“Leave the chores to Jane. You have more important matters tonight,” he tells me in his usual cold tone.

I trail after him, eyes down and feet quick. If he’s addressing me directly like this, our visitors are very important to him. Apparently they’re important to me as well.

My brain wanders, wondering if it’s a match-making interview. I’m only thirteen so I really doubt it. Some omegas are transferred to their intended’s families even younger than I am, but it’s rare. Especially since I presented my secondary gender late; I’ve only been an awakened omega for a year.

Everyone thinks my secondary gender is wrong. They all thought I was to be an alpha, given how headstrong I am. I definitely fall under the “unusual” umbrella. Maybe that’s why Father is starting the interviews early - I’m unusual.

All thought pauses as we enter the sitting room and I’m quick to make my way to my mother’s side. She’s in her usual spot, the white floral couch, so I take my typical seat at her side.

“It’s so nice to meet you all,” Lesley says sickeningly sweetly, breaking the silence lingering since they’ve arrived. “From what little I’ve seen, Alpha Henry,” she turns to my father, “I do agree that our previously discussed arrangement could be followed through with. Is that how you wish to proceed?”

“Yes,” my father says with no hesitation. “I assume you’ve brought the paperwork with you.” It’s not a question. He expects that to be the case.

“Of course,” Lesley nods, robotic smile still firmly in place as one of her companions produces a briefcase I hadn’t previously noticed.

We all fall silent again as Lesley pulls out a packet that gets handed to my father. My mother stiffens between us and I strain my eyes to see what this woman just handed my father. The packet moves too quickly and I don’t get a chance to see the document title.

“The money will be transferred to your specified account by tomorrow morning. So long as you sign tonight,” the weirdly robotic blonde explains to my father.

Money? What is he signing? Omegas are usually the ones bringing money with them into their intended’s family, not being-

I’m being bought.

My jaw twitches and my chest tightens as my eyes flash to my mother. She’s not looking at me, but she flinches when I nudge my arm against hers. Her eyes sparkle with tears that won’t fall.

She knows. She knows and she’s letting it happen.

Hurt, anger, sadness - they all wash over me as my reality crumbles. Or maybe it was never reality, but an illusion. Whatever it was crumbles around me as I listen to my father’s favorite pen scratch across paper.

“Don’t let him do this,” I blurt out to my mother, eyes pleading and desperate as the omega in my head takes over. “Please, don’t let him send me away. I’ll- I’ll stop arguing. I’ll keep my mouth shut, head down, and do what I’m told, but please-”

She pulls her arm away as a single tear slips down her cheek and I freeze. The signed paperwork is handed back to Lesley, who is still calm and smiling.

“The money will be deposited by 9 am tomorrow morning,” the robotic blonde that just bought me assures my father.

Panic courses through me and I stand quickly, ready to run. My chest tightens further as the two men with Lesley stand when I do. They’re not bodyguards; they’re security. And now I’m their target, the one they’re to secure and do as Lesley - or whoever she works for - says.

“Come, dear. It’s time to leave,” Lesley says to me, turning her glossy eyes and robotic smile to me as she stands.

“No,” I beg and fall to my mother’s feet. “Please, mama,” I beg as tears flood my cheeks. “Don’t let him do this. Don’t let them take me away. I’ll be better, I’ll do better, I swear!”

My mother’s eyes are stuck on the wall behind Lesley and her henchmen, unseeing and refusing to look at me. I see her swallow back tears and know that my father has used his abilities as alpha to keep my omega mother silent through this process.

One of the unnamed henchmen lifts my by the arm and I reach for my mother with the other. Screams rip through my chest as I try to claw my way back to my mother.

Weak. Pathetic. Omega. Can’t even fight off a beta keeping me from my mother.

Then I’m dragged from the house, kicking and screaming and pleading. My mother is sent away as we exit the sitting room. I cry harder, sob louder at her lack of presence, and fight my captor harder. He doesn’t seem bothered by my struggles, never flinches when I throw a fist at his chest.

In no time, we’re in a very expensive vehicle. I claw at the door handles, but nothing I do gets the doors open. Lesley continues smiling, otherwise showing no emotion. The car moves and I let out one more primal screech before collapsing on the seats, exhausted and defeated.

“Welcome to your Salvation, omega,” she says. “You’ll be a wonderful asset to our organization.”

"Broken", Not Stupid - fanfic inspiration for Pretty Broken Things