~ Trigger Warning:
This chapter contains themes of psychological manipulation, coercion, and loss of bodily autonomy. It includes depictions of grooming, memory interference, and non-consensual actions within a familial relationship (incest-adjacent implications). There are also elements of emotional distress, dissociation, self-directed anger, and physical reactions to trauma (including vomiting).
The chapter further explores identity instability, betrayal by family members, and the realization of long-term manipulation and control.
Koba
While Colt closed and locked the bathroom door, I staggered to the sink, almost running face first into it. I stared at my reflection, trying to make sense of this situation. I'm assuming the worst. Just because I'm unsure I can trust her doesn't mean she'd disregard my consent. She would know I would never consent to any incest-like activities. There is a perfectly reasonable explanation to all of this.
The mirror reflected back someone who was dressed sharper than usual. The man in the mirror had a darker and edgier presence to him. He was not the curated heir. The man in the mirror was not the polished diplomat I was used to. He looked like someone on the verge of becoming. Becoming what? I did not know yet. I wanted to find out, though.
I stared into my own violet eyes and searched. I felt Colt's presence guarding the door. Every moment since he was brought into my life, I've become more thankful for him. Knowing my time was limited, I focused on trying to remember when I started giving Minette "special massages". At first, I remembered nothing. So I decided to try from a different angle. "What do I remember doing when I would come to spend time with Minnie?"
My mind went hazy. I remembered crippling headaches and pain from my essence surging. In her presence, the headaches eased, and the pain was soothed away, but the how occurred during long blocks of missing time. I recalled Minnie always encouraging me to vent about Nyxara's clingy behavior or how it seemed like we were drifting apart. Minnie would give advice that only seemed to make matters worse. Then a memory surfaced of her current assistant meeting me at the elevator like she did tonight, and the moment she said special massage…I remembered nothing until I woke up with my head on Minette's lap.
I leaned closer to the mirror. What has been happening to me? Why hadn't I remembered these moments so clearly before? The longer I held my own gaze, the more I felt resistance. Not externally but internally. A mental block. My own essence had formed a mental block against something. I'm knee-high in the shit now. I can only go forward. I pushed against the block. Move! Like it had been waiting for my permission, the block dissolved like mist.
For a split second, my reflection in my vision cracked. Gravity flipped. Gold flashed beneath violet. Heat surged through my body like my lava flowed through my veins. I only escaped busting my head open because Colt held me up when I lost control of my body. He eased me onto the closed toilet seat. He held me up as images one after another slammed into me.
Not clear at first. Just fragments. The scent of oil. Minnie's voice lowered to a breathy murmur. Music too soft and sensual. My hands gliding over brown skin that was not my fiancée's. Then the memories became clearer and sharper. I wished they hadn't. The massages quickly crossed over the line of what would be considered clinical or professional.
The massages were intimate in nature. I felt violated. Manipulated. Betrayed without reason. Repeatedly. Mother and Father knew. Maybe not the details, but they knew their Omega daughter had been enchanting her Alpha brother to do incest-like acts. Their only condition was that there would be no direct touching of her private areas or intercourse.
The sounds of her laughter rang in my ears. Her sighs brushed my skin. Her satisfaction tangled with her sweetly rotten scent. The image of a wand humming in my hand. I want to erase the memory of her saying my name like I was an eager and willing participant in any of it.
She violated me. They allowed her to violate me. I had been so twisted up in their restrictions that I was weak to her manipulation. Waves of guilt, shame, rage, and myriad other emotions made my stomach squeeze. Dinner and dessert were about to make a reappearance.
Colt had me up and bent over the toilet so fast, I couldn't even process any of it until I finished retching. I vaguely noticed that Colt had set a protective barrier covering the whole bathroom. I weakly gave him a thumbs up. He stoically nodded, concern obvious in his touch.
Just on the edge of my unblocked memories was a memory of me biting Nyxara on her inner thigh. But I had already unpacked enough trauma for the night, so I consciously put up another block. I will deal with that later. Right now, I need to process what I've already unblocked.
Now emotionally and mentally drained but still in enemy territory, I had to hold myself together until I returned to those waiting for me. So with Colt's assistance, I went to the sink to brush my teeth and wash my mouth out. The absurdity that Colt actually had an emergency go-bag in his dimensional space for me actually lightened my mood enough to bring an amused smile to my lips.
"Stop looking at me like that, sir. As not just your assistant but also your personal butler, it is within my purview to make sure to be ready for any occasion. Including personal hygiene. Luckily, your outfit from Master Finn has bio-waste resistance glyphs embedded, so your outfit is as clean and fresh-looking as before." Colt's prim demeanor was a comfort in this hostile environment. He is the only reason I'm not having a complete breakdown right now.
I will have to get Papa Sullivan a big gift to thank him for putting Colt in my life. "Colt, make a note for us to speak with Mama Azalea and Uncle Finn about what Papa Sullivan would like as a gift. He connected us, so we should give him our thanks." As Colt made the note, I saw something I didn't know androids could do. He was blushing. In the engagement dissolution negotiations, I have to at least try to get the chance to talk to the minds behind their android department. These androids are truly unreal.
Colt helped me back over to the toilet to sit down. He handed me some crackers and water. I looked at the items, then back at him. He huffed as he went over to the sink to wash his hands. "Just assume I'm well prepared and stocked for anything and everything. If you wanted to burn bridges right now, we can fight our way out of this glittery hell. I have guns, blades, and even some grenades on hand."
I blinked slowly and ate my crackers, processing the fact that my android assistant apparently is also carrying around a small armory. "I'm not ready to do anything that would cause the Matriarch and the Second Consort to return from their trip early, but thank you for letting me know you are ready to help me start a war. I appreciate your dedication." I couldn't help the laugh that came out after saying all that.
I think he is showing off to help stabilize me. I'm not suppressing, but I can't break just yet either. With my trauma paused for now, I finished my snack and organized my unblocked memories. I needed to understand the full series of events that got me to this point. I clearly remembered hiring a team of licensed spa technicians for Minette two years ago. She had requested the use of one for after her tours, stressful idol appearances, or she just needed to soothe her "inner omega."
So as a doting big brother, I established a team for her. I remember considering hiring one for Nyxara, but Minette talked me out of it, saying that as a Beta, Nyxara would probably prefer books or artifacts instead of girly pampering. Looking back, what person, male or female, would turn down being pampered? I am such an idiot and fool.
At first, Minette was happy with her spa team. But then after that weekend when I was severely ill during my couples trip with Nyxara, she dismissed the masseuse. She said she didn't like the scent of them. She said she wanted me to be her masseuse until she could find a replacement. She gave plenty of reasons why I should be her interim masseuse. She said I was spending less time with her, so she missed having sibling bonding time with me. She convinced me when she told me practicing on her would make me a better mate for Nyxara.
She reminded me that omegas were more sensitive and required more, she can be the test subject to try things out with so I won't have to make those mistakes with Nyxara. She assured me that the sessions would be educational and safe. That Nyxara knew of our sessions and didn't mind me practicing on Minette.
Stupid. Stupid idiot. No wonder Nyxara just wants to cut ties. I wasn't always under their influence. I can't blame the breaking of her trust completely on Minette and my parents. I can admit now that I did not want to give in to my doubts. I didn't want to tear my family apart based on suspicions. Now I can only make amends and deal with the consequences.
As each session began to toe the line more and more, allowances occurred that I wouldn't have agreed to if I was in my right mind. Charm woven through suggestion. Scent thick and sweet and coercive. She blurred my memories so I wouldn't remember clearly what I hadn't consented to.
When my head began to pound again, I got up to wash my face in the sink. After splashing my face a few times, I gripped the counter. "Schedule a check-up with Dr. Youngblood." Colt pulled out his phone with a nod. While he arranged things, my mind wandered.
What else have I forgotten? How much of my life was my choice? How much of my pride and devotion has been shaped by manipulations?
A sharp knock sounded muffled at the door. "Scion Dillard? Your princess is waiting." Her voice was pleasant. But her words reminded me that I was stuck in this bathroom, on this floor with a female I had too many violent emotions towards. My stomach dropped. I don't know why I did it, but I guess my instincts knew better than I did consciously.
I reached for Sullivan psychically. —Papa. Help.—
My mind had decided it was done with this emotional rollercoaster. My control was yanked away from me. The world tilted, and the pressure in my skull spiked. Heat in my veins surged again. I glimpsed my eyes in the mirror, they were golden, then everything went black.