Chapter 130 CHAPTER 130
Chapter 130 CHAPTER 130
Castiel sits patiently in the visiting room of the juvenile detention center, a flask of food sitting in the chair in front of him before Cassian steps into the room a few minutes later.
The little young omega drags his feet while staring at the floor and fondling the hem of his shirt. He doesn't sit down once he's in front of him, and he doesn't dare lift his head to look at him either.
“Sit. I brought you something to eat,” Castiel says softly and pushes the flask towards the omega, who finally takes his seat but doesn't dare touch the flask and continues staring at his hands. “Don’t worry, it’s not poisoned,” Castiel adds, and the boy immediately snaps his head up and pulls the flask to himself.
“I don’t think it’s poisoned; I just thought I didn't deserve your kindness,” he murmurs, holding the flask to his chest. The little action is endearing, but Castiel feels nothing for the boy. Castiel won’t harm him, but that doesn't mean he isn't going to suffer for letting Caspian use him.
“Yeah, you’re right, you don’t deserve my kindness.”
Tears immediately sting in Cassian’s eyes, and he nods in understanding and continues to keep his head lowered. He sniffles and cries.
“Who’s Fliex?” Castiel suddenly asks, recalling the boy had agreed to Caspian’s plans for this name.
“A boy,” Cassian murmurs, but when he lifts his head to see the look in Castiel’s eyes, he folds and starts ranting. “We met at school, but he has a heart condition; he spends most of his time at the hospital. Caspian found out about us and threatened his life. He’s already dying; I just don't want to lose him yet.”
Castiel’s cold gaze rests impassively on the crying boy across from him. The raw panic in Cassian’s voice doesn't move him, and neither does the fear bleeding from his scent; if anything, it leaves him completely numb. “So you traded my life and my child’s life for a boy,” he says softly, his tone completely flat, devoid of any warmth or anger.
“I was scared, and I didn't know you were pregnant. Cas! I swear I didn't know!” Cassian sobs, scrubbing at his wet cheeks with his sleeve, his shoulders shaking with violent hitches. “I know it doesn't justify what I did, and I'm ready to pay for it.”
“What if I kill Fliex? Will you still say those words?” Castiel inquires blankly, and Cassian cries even louder.
“No! Please, Cas, no!” Cassian chokes out, dropping to his knees on the cold floor of the visitation room, his hands reaching out in a desperate, pleading gesture. “Kill me instead! Take my life; do whatever you want to me, but please leave Felix out of this! He didn’t do anything! He doesn’t even know about any of this! It’s my fault. It’s all my fault! I am sorry!”
Castiel watches the boy cry and plead for a long time before he stands up. Then he reaches out to tap his head, and Cassian immediately freezes, his tear-filled eyes meeting Castiel’s cold ones. “Don’t worry, Cassian, I am not cruel; I won't touch the innocent,” he whispers, his voice smooth and terrifyingly calm as his fingers lightly stroke the boy's trembling hair. “I’m not going to touch a single hair on your precious Felix’s head. In fact, I’m going to make sure he gets the best treatment this country has to offer, but I’m going to make you pay every minute for what you did.”
Fresh tears pour down Cassian’s blotchy cheeks, a heavy gasp of profound relief breaking from his throat. “Cas… oh god, thank you… thank you, Cas, I—” He bows his head until his forehead is touching the floor while Castiel turns and walks away without looking back.
~~~
Castiel has spent two nights without his Alpha, and finally, he’s fed up and tired of putting on a brave act; he needs his Alpha.
Castiel arrives at the Rosier company during lunch while carrying a lunch box in his hand. This time, he has no issue with the receptionist, who immediately bows to him as he makes his way to the elevator.
Seconds later, he walks down the hall that leads to his mate’s office, his steps quickening as he gets closer. He doesn’t bother knocking as he pushes the door open but immediately comes to a stop at the sight that welcomes him.
Theo’s secretary, Felicia, stands closely behind Theo, who is seated and focused on whatever is written on the papers spread across the table before him while she bends over his shoulder, her chest brushing against him. Castiel tilts his head, his eyes slowly moving between the two of them while they both snap their heads up at the same time before she moves away from him, a flush on her cheek that Castiel doesn't miss, but Theo’s gaze softens at the sight of him.
“You can leave, Flicia,” Theo dismisses the secretary, and she doesn't waste another second as he runs out of the office while Castiel walks deeper into the office.
"Didn't know you were on a first-name basis with your secretary," he states, a bite behind the words as he steps closer to the table. He places the lunch box on the table and leans forward with his palm resting against it. “What? We’re merely apart for two days, and you’re trying to replace me with your secretary?”
Theo stares at him for a few seconds, almost as if he is trying to determine whether he is actually standing in front of him or if his mind is playing some cruel fucking trick.
Castiel. His mate is standing right there.
For two days, Theo has forced himself to stay away, convinced that giving Castiel space was the only thing he could do after their argument. He had slept on the couch again last night, barely getting any sleep because every damn part of him wanted to walk into their bedroom and pull his stubborn Omega into his arms, and now Castiel is here, holding a lunch box, looking beautiful and jealous, but Theo doesn't fancy the last words that came out of his mouth.
“That is not funny, Castiel.”