He Hates Me, He Loves Me Not

"Marriage and a grandchild."

The words are like thunder to Damon's ears. For a moment, his brain has stopped functioning. Out of all the conditions his father can present, why those two?

Silence descends upon them. Alexander puts his spoon down, and although he doesn't release it, Damon can see the heavy sigh he's holding in his chest. The older Alpha looks as if he's preparing for a long battle with a child who refuses to leave the supermarket without being bought a toy, and the thought of being treated as such irks Damon even more.

Granted, he's been with Heath for years now, but he hasn't even thought about marriage yet, and having children is not in his plans. It's why he told that Omega to—

"Heath is a male beta," Damon says, interrupting his thoughts. He decides to point it out because honestly, is it not obvious enough that Heath can't reproduce?

He turns to look at his lover and sure enough, there's a frown on his face. Heath is staying silent but Damon knows there are a thousand words the Beta wants to say.. Damon is getting tired just thinking about consoling Heath after this.

"I know," Alexander says without delay, "that's why I need to make sure you continue the bloodline before I pass the rest of the Lin Corporation to you."

Damon doesn't ask why this requirement is being imposed on him and not on his Omega brother. It's best not to argue about it right now. Instead, he asks, "And how do you suggest I do that?"

"There are lots of ways," Suzie says, mediating from across the table. Her hands are raised, trying to diffuse the situation when she says, "Surrogacy is always an option."

When no one speaks, she offers a small smile while saying, "I know an institution that specializes in it."

Then, as if highlighting its selling point, she adds: "It can be one hundred percent anonymous if you wish. They pride themselves in their confidentiality."

Suzie slowly lowers her hands, looking a little bit defeated but still smiling. She doesn't try too hard to convince Damon, never stepping out of the boundaries his stepson built for her.

When Damon still doesn't speak after Suzie has finished talking, Alexander breaks the silence with his stern voice, saying, "Ask for an omega to ensure a higher chance of success."

"Oh no, honey." Suzie perks up from her seat, immediately trying to correct her husband. "I don't think they're allowed to request who—"

There's a loud rumble that interrupts her midspeech. Damon belatedly realizes that the sound is coming from him. "I will NOT hire an omega," he says through gritted teeth, growling louder with every word.

Something inside him is displeased at the thought of an unnamed omega carrying his child, his inner alpha fighting to never let it happen. Even though he doesn't want one, he feels … angry and disgusted. It feels as if something that is rightfully his is being stolen right in front of him.

A laugh breaks through his warning growl, the sound jarring in the tense atmosphere. Everyone looks at the source, surprised that the person who barely spoke during dinner can laugh at this situation. Dylan is laughing but his face holds no amusement. His arms are crossed over his chest, his sharp nails drawing blood from how hard he's digging into his skin.

"Of course, you won't," he says when the laughter dies down. "You don't deserve one!"

Damon is not in the mood to have a petty fight with his brother, so he says, "You're not qualified to tell me what I do or don't deserve, Dylan."

"You don't deserve to be a father either." His face twists into a scowl, his eyes shooting daggers at Damon.

"Dylan, don't test my—"

"GIVE ME BACK MY BEST FRIEND, YOU ASSHOLE!"

Dylan lunges from across the table. His chair topples with a loud thud. Plates and utensils fall to the floor. Alexander rushes to hold back his youngest son, but it's too late. There are deep scratches below Damon's right eye.

Damon feels the blood trickling down his cheek before he registers the pain. Although he often got into a physical altercation with his younger brother when they were children, this is the first time he is seeing pure, unadulterated rage on his face.

Right now, Dylan is not Primo Alca—not the top celebrity everyone loves. Right now, he's a thin man with sunken cheeks and bloodshot eyes. There are bits and pieces of food stuck on the front of his shirt, the dinner soup staining the fabric. His pheromones are everywhere, the bitter scent announcing his anger and …. Is that grief?

Dylan doesn't struggle in their father's hold too long. When Suzie pulls him into a hug, the fight in him wears off, turning him into nothing more than a sobbing mess. Fat tears roll down his face as he hiccups on the floor, his breathing ragged from how hard he's bawling.

To say that Damon is confused by the sudden progression is an understatement. He turns to Heath, hoping to find a clue, but he sees the Beta slightly trembling in his seat.

Heath's eyes have not left Dylan since the latter attacked, and now he continues to stare as the Omega openly weeps.

"Bring him back," Dylan cries, clutching onto his mother with shaking hands. "Bring him back, Mom. Dad. Bring him back." He shrieks and he wails, his anguish bouncing off the walls.

Suzie rocks them back and forth while Alexander runs a large hand up and down Dylan's back. Both of their pheromones are trying to calm him down, wrapping their son in gentle and soothing scents.

Although Damon doesn't understand what's happening, he knows it's not the right time to talk about it. It's best to let his parents comfort his younger brother in peace since there's nothing he can do to help. If anything, having him around might agitate Dylan more.

With a nod, he signals to his father that they're leaving. Alexander nods back. That's all the goodbye that they exchange between them.

On the way out, he sees some servants huddling in a corner, whispering to each other. With how loud Dylan is crying, there's no doubt that everyone in the main house knows by now.

As he opens the door to his car, he sees a familiar man rushing inside while holding a heavy bag. It doesn't take long for him to remember that the man is the Lin family doctor. He's not surprised that they called for the doctor—if not for treatment then for preventive measures. After all, Alexander and Suzie won't let their lovechild spiral down in despair.

Damon sits next to a silent Heath in the car. They don't talk. Like that, their family dinner ends.