Chapter 55 CHAPTER 055
Theo stares at him with a clenched jaw, and this time, he gives him what he asks. He slid him a glass of whiskey.
Soren vibrates in delight as he sips from the glass and feels the alcohol burn down his throat. He needs a smoke too. He shoves his hand into the pocket of his jacket and takes out a packet of cigarettes and pops one into his mouth. He looks up at Theo. “Got a lighter?”
Theo scoffs but holds out a lighter and helps him light up his cigarette. Soren beams brightly as he takes a long drag, releasing smoke in the air.
“So, how are you so sure you’re in love with him? Was that sex that good?” Theo continues, tilting his head while his other customers are left forgotten.
Soren pauses for a moment and shrugs. “If it were just about the sex, I wouldn’t be here losing my mind over it, but it doesn't matter. He won’t return my feelings anyway; he’s cold as stone, doesn’t like omegas, and I’m a liar. The contract ends in a couple of months, and this ordeal will be like it never happened.”
The words slip past his lips bitterly, not sure if it’s the drink or just his tongue that’s bitter. He gulps down the entire bottle of whiskey and sets it on the counter. He looks at Theo. "Want to dance?”
Theo hisses. “I’m bartending.”
“Come on. You’re my best friend; you should console me during difficulty,” he stares at the alpha with puppy dog eyes.
Theo pinches the bridge of his nose. “I’m working.”
“And I’m suffering,” Soren shoots back immediately, spreading his arms dramatically. “Which one sounds more urgent?”
Theo gives him a flat look. “Yours is self-inflicted. You slept with your problem.”
Soren gasps softly, placing a hand over his chest. “Wow. Some best friend you are.”
Theo snorts despite himself, shaking his head as he glances briefly at the rest of the bar. It’s not too crowded and is manageable.
When he looks back at Soren, the omega is already swaying slightly to the music, cigarette between his fingers, grin wide, and looking like a mess straight out of a magazine.
Despite signing away his rights and soul, Theo has to admit that the little omega looks happier and full of life. He no longer has those worried wrinkles on his face, with scars that look like they come with his skin. He looks healthier.
“You’re not going to make a scene, are you?” Theo mutters.
Soren beams. “Absolutely not.”
Theo exhales sharply. “Five minutes is all I can spare,”
Soren’s grin widens instantly. “Deal.”
Theo rounds the counter, grabbing the cigarette from Soren’s fingers before he can protest and stubbing it out. “You’re not dancing with that.”
“Hey—” Soren starts to protest, but Theo grabs his wrists and drags him to the dance floor, immediately pulling a hand around his waist and pulling him close. Soren gasps but chuckles as his hands go to Theo’s shoulders, and then they move to the sound of the music.
“Do you think people assume we’re dating if they see us like this?”
Theo shrugs. “People have always assumed we’re dating; nothing new.”
Suddenly, a thought crosses Soren’s mind, and his hand travels to the back of Theo’s head and pulls him closer, going to whisper in his ear. “Do you think Reign will get jealous if he sees us like this?”
Theo chuckles lowly. “I simply think you wish to have me dead, Ren."
Soren giggles, but before he can say anything else, another voice interrupts.
“Theo,”
Soren rips himself from Theo in an instant, both of them turning to look at the Omega, who watches them with a sour expression and even more sour pheromones.
“Castiel,” both Theo and Soren call at the same time, and then look at each other with questioning looks.
“You know each other?” They say at the same time again, before Soren looks at Castiel as realization strikes. “He’s that Theo you were murmuring about?”
Castiel scoffs and crosses his arms over his chest, looking out of place in his designer’s clothes and white fur coat. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Soren giggles nervously and slowly moves away from Theo. “It’s not what you think. We’re good friends, and I’m engaged." He even lifts his fingers to display his engagement ring, only to realize he isn’t wearing it. Soren freezes mid-gesture, eyes wide as the absence of the ring suddenly makes him look guilty instead of innocent. His cheeks heat up, and he scratches the back of his neck nervously.
Theo, on the other hand, raises a brow and smirks, clearly enjoying Soren’s flustered state. “Not wearing it, huh? Big mistake, little beta.”
“Shut up,” Soren murmurs and then nudges Theo’s side, whispering. “You never told me you’re now dating an omega. I would have never asked you for a dance.”
“Do you think someone like me would date a McLaren Omega?” Theo whispers back.
“He’s gorgeous; anyone would fall for that beauty,” Soren counters.
Castiel opens his hands. “Hello, I’m standing right here,” he says, then crosses his arms over his chest and tilts his head, looking at Soren. “Never thought I would see you here,”
“I could say the same for you,” Soren retorts with a small smile.
“I think we have a problem,” Theo suddenly murmurs, nodding towards the entrance of the bar that has a horde of men in black flooding in.
“Oh, for fuck's sake, I just got here." Castiel curses under his breath as he looks at the door, waiting for Caspian, Vikar, or maybe his father to drag him back to his cage, but his brows furrow when he sees a completely different person. A confused sound leaves his lips, and he tilts his head.
“Fuck.” Soren utters at the sight of the cold beta secretary who approaches them with that usual coldness on his features.
“Mr. Fox,” the beta acknowledges.
“Guess my fun time is over. See you some other time, Theo, Castiel,” Soren exhales dramatically, and without a word, he brushes past the secretary and heads for the door without struggle.