Someone He Could Lean On

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"What did you think was the reason I was hiding the fact that I was an Omega?" Maverick started, putting down his utensils. He looked at Tian Zi and was genuinely interested in what the Alpha thought of him hiding his identity all his life. Tian Zi had seemed uninterested when he first learned the truth, but he should have at least had something in his mind.

"Well... I thought you hated being an Omega, since you have two Alpha brothers. I don't really know. That's just usually the reason but why are you asking?" Tian Zi replied, shrugging his shoulders, not really knowing what to say since he never really thought of it that much. Yes, he was curious, but it was also not related to him so he had never dwelled on it.

"Hmm. Since you wanted to know, it's only right to tell you from the start. I never despised my gender. Yes, when I was young I asked why I had to end up as an Omega and not like my brothers but I learned to slowly love and accept myself later on. My father, on the other hand, was not very happy that I turned out to be an Omega. He didn't particularly hate Omegas, he just believed that they were useless and me being one would be a hindrance to his plans. He didn't need one as his son." Maverick conveyed with a bitter smile. The main reason why he had gotten into his situation now was because he wanted to be helpful and at least be acknowledged by his father, even if it was just a little bit.

Unfortunately, the path that was given to him at that time wasn't the best option, so he tried to keep it a secret. However, he didn't know that his father had known it for years now, and had just let it happen. That just meant, he truly didn't care about him; that as long as he was going to benefit from it, he didn't care if his child was being used.

"I hid my identity because my mother said that if I was able to hide my gender and act like an Alpha, Father would be happy. Although she made sure to tell me that there was no problem with my gender, I knew that being an Alpha would have made things a lot better. It saddened me, but I just knew that if I listened to Mother, Father would be less cold to her." Maverick continued. The bitter smile on his lips remained. His appetite had long vanished so he briefly pushed his plate a little, indicating that he would no longer eat. Tian Zi was the same. The story felt a little more solemn than he'd expected so he couldn't afford to leisurely eat while listening.

"Uhmm, would you like to continue this talk in the living room? I can offer you some wine if you want to drink." Tian Zi offered. Maverick only smiled and nodded, so they soon left the dining table and went to the living room. A short while later, the butler served them a bottle of red wine. Tian Zi poured wine into the two wine glasses and served one to the Omega. Both of them comfortably settled on their chosen seats as they sipped on their drink. No one was talking yet. Tian Zi now realizes there is more to Maverick's story than what he initially thought, so he gives him enough time to prepare himself. He knows this kind of thing isn't easy. And he was right! For Maverick, having someone he can share this with and listen to him was something new and was kinda overwhelming.

"I'm sorry. This is the first time I'm telling my story to someone. It's kinda overwhelming... not in a negative way, but rather positively." Maverick smiled sweetly, glancing in Tian Zi's direction. His eyes filled with appreciation.

"No, it's okay. Take your time. I know now that this was not easy for you. Just tell me if you're uncomfortable, I wouldn't force you to tell me something you're not comfortable with."

"It's fine. This will come out to the public soon anyway. I'm just hiding before that happens. I don't have the courage to face Quinn and Ash when they learn the truth." Maverick smiled again. He really appreciated that Tian Zi was being so considerate of his feelings, but now he had gathered all of his courage to finally tell someone. He also braced himself that if by any chance the Young Alpha's treatment towards him changed, he would leave on his own accord and would not disturb him ever again.

"Okay. Then I'll listen to you carefully. I'm here when you're ready." Tian Zi smiled back. Maverick is a very soft-spoken person, he's timid around people he is not used to but also seems to be very submissive. Tian Zi is surprised that the Omega fooled everyone into believing that he was an Alpha. Although it is true that Alphas are not all dominant, most Alpha's are dominant in a way despite being a submissive type.

There was a couple of seconds of silence between the two as they continued to slowly sip on their beverage. It was not until Maverick put down his drink on the coffee table that he took a deep breath and started talking.

"Father wasn't the one who gave this to me... Another person did." Maverick started and caressed his neck. The bitter smile he had earlier returned as his lips ever so slightly trembled at the mention of his injury. He didn't dare watch Tian Zi's reaction and just continued on with his story.

"Father might have violent tendencies, but he really only does it occasionally. That's when he's very angry, …like earlier today. I made him so angry he gave this to me, before asking me to never show my face to him again..." Maverick continued and this time touched his cheek and cut on his lower lip. As Tian Zi listened, his thick brows frowned and he confusingly looked at Maverick because if not his father, then who could have done such a thing to him?

"Then who did?" Tian Zi couldn't help but ask, putting his wine down as well.

"He's someone who took my innocence from me..." Maverick hesitantly replied. His eyes suddenly started becoming hot, remembering the first time he was lured into that man's trap. He was desperate for his father's acknowledgement, like any neglected child, that he did whatever he could to be able to achieve his goal. But in the end, he wasn't acknowledged. Instead, he was despised and even more shunned upon. Yes, he was already 18 at that time but he was one sheltered child. He was protected by his brothers and even, at some point, by his father, …although not for the same reason. So for a long time, he was naive before that man came into his life.

"I've never declined him before so when I did, this happened to me. I was violated by him and a lot more others. I couldn't do anything because it was true that I was no longer innocent, it was also true that letting him do whatever he wanted one more time didn't make a difference, but I still refused because I could no longer hold back and receive all the humiliation." Maverick began to sniffle, making Tian Zi even more confused. He didn't know what Maverick was actually talking about because what he was hearing was something he couldn't imagine to happen to Maverick Sullen, one of the esteemed Young Masters of the Sullen household.

"Wait... I don't understand. Can you make it clear to me?" Tian Zi interrupted, raising his hand to indicate that the Omega should slow down a bit.

"I-I was sexually assaulted... and I couldn't refuse because what difference did it make? It was a huge project and he said he would vote f-for Father's fa...vor... i-if I did what he wanted one last time. H-he said it was the last time b-but he lied to me..." Maverick mumbled, trying to prevent himself from crying but in the middle he still choked his words and began bawling in pain. He could have struggled, but whenever he faced that man, his knees would start to tremble, terrified. He suddenly wouldn't know what to do, in fact, when an Alpha aiming to dominate him touched him, he would have the same reaction. It's a psychological thing that he couldn't control no matter what. And despite all that, despite his cries, whenever they used him, his body would react just like an Omega would. He hated that part of himself and it always messed up with his mind. He also hated the fact that he still trusted his words after all this time.

"W-Who?" Listening to Maverick's words, Tian Zi's brows formed a deep angry frown. Who wouldn't? Hearing someone telling a story about them being sexually assaulted and crying in pain and sorrow, anyone would feel the same as him. He knew that this was still pretty common, even at this age, for Omegas to be taken advantage of and treated as sex slaves, but he never really thought almost all the Omegas he knew had the same experience. First of all, his Eldest Brother's wife, Daniel, was also assaulted. He was also pretty sure, Ian Andrews, had the same encounter before, and even Fyre, and now Maverick!? He has definitely lost his hope for humanity. Omegas are eagerly fighting for their own rights but learning what Maverick had gone through, Tian Zi thought that this dream is still too far in the future.

"Y-You're not disgusted by me?" Surprised by Tian Zi's angry tone, Maverick finally glanced in his direction and looked at the Alpha with wide eyes. He was so sure he would be seen as a whore but instead, Tian Zi was getting angry in his stead. He knew Tian Zi was a good man but this was unexpected even for him.

"Ha? Why would I? If there's anyone who I feel disgusted with, then it's those people who assaulted you. You are innocent. I am proud of you for being able to share this with me, you must have been carrying this all this time." Tian Zi said and stood up to sit next to Maverick planning to give him a comforting hug.

"B-But... I agreed to it. I'm not innocent. I-I enjoyed it!" Maverick insisted, his tears streaming down non-stop looking at the Alpha still in disbelief. He wasn't innocent. He enjoyed it, or at least he thought he did. That's what they told him even though it was painful for him, his body reacted so he must have.

"Did you really? Or you were forced to believe that?" Tian Zi asked with a serious expression. Meanwhile, Maverick couldn't reply because he really didn't know. He grew accustomed to it and eventually he was convinced that maybe he did enjoy the sex despite his tears. But now hearing the Alpha's words, he's starting to doubt it again.

"That's what I thought..." Tian Zi said and finally pulled the Omega into his arms and hugged him. Because of this, Maverick bawled again. His heart was so heavy and painful but at the same time relieved that someone took his side, unlike his father who let it happen, even sold him for his own benefit, Tian Zi was there to support him. They weren't even that close to each other but he was so nice.

"This must have been eating you all this time... You can cry all you want. You are safe here with me and from now on, I will do my best to help and protect you in your brothers' stead. But I truly still believe that you should tell them before it's too late. They could misunderstand you if they learn it from others." Tian Zi said with a soft and gentle smile. On the other hand, Maverick only nodded because he could no longer speak due to his crying which lasted quite some time before he started calming down, still hugging the Alpha. Tian Zi didn't mind at all because Maverick needed it and he was genuinely willing to help. He really hated those kinds of people and if his mother and father knew this, they would surely do the same.

"I-I'll also help you... I'll talk to Fyre and apologize for what had happened years ago. It's the least I could do for all your help." Maverick suddenly said between his sniffles before he finally pulled away, wiping his tears. His whole face was red, especially his eye and nose, avoiding Tian Zi's gaze in embarrassment.

"What are you talking about?" Hearing Fyre's name, Tian Zi was confused although he quickly thought that Fyre might also be able to help Maverick. In fact, he would definitely help.

"You probably have already forgotten about it but don't worry, I'll fix it." Maverick smiled this time, his tears finally started drying. Tian Zi might have already erased it from his mind but women and Omegas are different when it comes to the person special to them. Maverick was so sure that the only reason the two hadn't ended up together was because of the misunderstanding he created back then.

"I don't really know what you are talking about, but you really don't have to thank me. It's only natural to help someone in need. For now, let me hear more about those people who hurt you and plan out how we will be able to destroy them. Fyre can also help... well, that is if you don't mind him knowing that you're an Omega."

"I don't mind. I don't want to hide the true me anymore."

"That's good to hear. I will ask Fyre to visit tomorrow then. The sooner the better, he will be of great help to us if you want this person down." Tian Zi assured. Because if there was anyone that Fyre hated the most, it was also those kinds of people.

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To be Continued...