Chapter 38 CHAPTER 038
Hate and alcohol burn in Castel's guts as he bends over the sink of the restroom while the so-called party he’s been dragged to against his will goes on behind him. He knows it’s only a matter of time before his so-called fiancée comes to find him.
Castel lets out a broken laugh as he lifts his head and stares at his reflection in the mirror, dressed in the finest and most expensive clothes, while the makeup covers his bruises. Oh, how much Castel wants to destroy this perfection face—the polished McLaren façade—and turn it hideous. He traces the edge of his jaw lightly, feeling the swollen skin, imagining what it would be like to rip the expensive suit, smear the makeup, and let the world see the cracks, the flaws, and the anger.
Maybe he would finally be free. So lost in his thoughts, he doesn't hear the sound of the door opening, nor feel the extra presence in the restroom space, until a voice punctures through his eardrums.
“You okay?”
Castel whips his drunk gaze to the person watching his hands on the tap; Castel squints his eyes at a redhead he can swear he has seen before. Just then, the stranger turns his head to look at Castel, and both their eyes widen.
“You!” They blurt out at the same time.
Castel sneers and looks away, his body swaying from the awful amount of alcohol in his system. “The Beta with the bitter coffee. What are you doing here?”
The Beta scoffs and crosses his arms over his chest. “My name is Soren."
Castel snorts. “And I’m Castel, the pleasure,” he says, but he sways along with the words, and immediately, Soren reaches out to catch him before he hits the wall.
Castel smiles at him. “You have a unique scent for a Beta.”
Soren hisses. “Yeah, I get that a lot. You are drunk. Do you need help calling someone?”
Castel chuckles and pushes the helping hands away. “I’m not drunk; I can move perfectly fine on my own. I’m heading back to drink more. Come join me, pretty Beta."
Castel doesn't wait for the beta’s reply as he swings the door open and steps out, but the moment he walks down the hallway that leads him back to the awful party, he comes face-to-face with his fiancée.
“There you are,” Vikar smiles widely as he reaches out for Castel’s wrist, but the omega immediately yanks his wrist from his grasp.
“Don’t touch me. You smell gross,” Castel barks, stepping away from the older alpha.
Instantly, the smile fades from Vikar’s face. “You can’t embarrass me every single time we meet."
Castel smirks. “And what are you going to do about it? Hit me? I told you, Mr. Stone, you picked the wrong Omega. And I’m not going with you,” he says, and sharply, he turns to walk away, but the alpha grabs his wrist.
“Don’t you dare walk away from me!” He pulls Castel's back while he struggles, but just then, someone else grabs Castel’s other wrist. He whips his head to meet a familiar pair of blue eyes.
“Let him go,” Soren says, and without hesitation, he pulls Castel from the alpha’s grasp and to his side. Castel immediately hooks his hand around the beta’s arm.
“This is between my fiancé and me. Whoever you are, you should stay clear of things that don't concern you,” Vikar threatens, eyes piercing through their faces.
“I’d rather die than go with you,” Castel spits.
Soren nods. “If he doesn't seem interested, you should let him go, and for my identity…” he shoves his hand into his breast pocket and takes out a card, throwing it into the alpha’s hand. “I am Soren Fox. If you have a problem, send an email to the Montgomery mansion, but right now, I’m taking this omega with me."
Vikar stares at the card with malicious eyes. “You are Reign Montgomery’s Beta Fiancee,”
Soren smirks. “I’m glad you are well-informed. Enjoy the rest of the party.”
With that, Soren hooks his arm around Castel’s waist and takes him along, while Vikar watches with cold eyes till they go from sight
~~
Castel leans against the beta who took him out of the party, and fuck, he never thought he would crave fresh until now as the wind brushes against his face. It feels almost good to be alive.
“You have a driver to take you home?”
Castel looks at the beta who spoke and smiles instead, leaning in to sniff his hair. “You are an omega, aren't you?” He blurts out without thinking, and Soren freezes, whipping his head to meet Castel’s drunk gaze, and a look of fear flashes in his eyes, and instantly, he lets Castel go, and he drops to the floor with a thud.
“Ouch!” Castel pouts as he hits the ground while Soren looks around their surroundings. Lucky there’s no one in sight, and once confirmed, he squats down and grabs Castel’s chin, forcing their eyes to meet, and Soren’s blue eyes have lost every form of friendliness and go fierce; the sight sends a shiver down Castel's spine, but he chuckles despite himself.
“Relax, your secret is safe with me, and no one can smell you. I’ve always been extra sensitive to smells, and it was a lucky guess,” Castel sighs dramatically. “Life’s so unfair to us omegas. To the rest of the world, our only worth is to be a breeder with no free will. We omegas should stick together and face the hardship of the world, and make those worthless alphas realize we are more than just breeders and property to be owned. What do you think, new friend? We can conquer the world together.”
Soren tsk as he lets go of the omega’s chin, realizing he bought himself trouble, but he nods in agreement. He touches around the omega’s pocket and finds his phone. “Anyone I should call to take you home?”
Castel nods. “Theo,”
Soren frowns deeply. “Theo?” he repeats and immediately goes through the contacts in the omega’s phone, but the name doesn't appear in the search box. “There’s no Theo."
Castel chuckles. “That’s because he doesn't want me. The one I want doesn't want me. I’m all alone."
Soren tsks, and just then he hears voices. He turns his head to the entrance of the hall to see guards searching rapidly. He doesn't need to be a genius to know they are probably looking for them, and Soren is tired of this party. He looks back at the drunk omega.
“Come on, I’m taking you home with me.”