Chapter 64

Esther had said hello to her father in the same monotonous tone that Avi always seemed to use, and Scott refrained from saying anything more than he had to. When Michael began placing food on the table for dinner, Esther stepped out of the room to call her Alpha and inform her that she was okay. Avi pointed to the seat beside him for Scott to sit, and Scott obeyed wordlessly. After Avi sat down, he spoke loudly. "Did you need any help in the kitchen?" Michael came back, and shook his head. "I know what I'm doing." "I know, but--" Avi shook his head once. "Nevermind." Scott couldn't help but marvel at the similarities in Michael and Avi's phrasing. When Esther walked back into the room, she refused to make eye contact, before slowly sinking down to her knees beside Michael's seat at the table. Michael then came back into the room, and took his seat as if Esther didn't even exist. Scott watched on with wide eyes, not used to the treatment. Avi's eyes were locked on his sister as well. "Dad, can't she just sit in a seat like a normal person? You know that's what Mother would want." Michael didn't even hesitate, as if his heart were just dripping these horrible thoughts and it took almost no effort to excrete them. "Yes, well. Mother isn't here to vocalize those things anymore." "That doesn't mean we should forget about it." "You've changed. What is the matter with you? Subordinates belong beneath us." "I'm technically subordinate to you. Does that mean I belong on the ground?" "No. You have Kaplan blood in you. You don't belong below anyone." Scott spoke up then, though he knew he shouldn't. "Esther has Kaplan blood in her too. Just because she's an Omega does not mean she deserves any less than the rest of us. If anyone belongs on the ground, it's me. I'm not a Kaplan." Michael turned toward him, eyes visibly darkening right before Scott's eyes. "You want to sit on the ground? Be my guest." Scott clenched his jaw once, and then pushed out his seat loudly. He knelt down beside Esther, near Avi's chair, and waited. Esther gave him a small smile, but didn't speak, knowing better. Avi let out a loud breath. "Dad, this is ridiculous. No one should be sitting on the ground. Mom would say--" "Well she isn't around to say anything anymore, is she?! Stop telling me what she would say, or she would do, because it's all meaningless!" "Do not shout at me in front of an Omega. Have some respect for yourself." Scott could now feel the fear radiating off of Esther, as it hit him in waves. All he wanted to do was hug her or say something to make her feel better, though he knew he shouldn't.