Chapter 13 CHAPTER 013
Soren doesn’t know when his life turned into this.
One moment, he was fighting in a basement for money that barely lasted a week, tending to his sick sister and trying to keep his mother from drinking herself to death, and the next moment, he’s standing in front of a half-built building with cameras flashing in his face like he’s a celebrity.
Except he isn’t, he’s just… Reign’s fiancé, a title that tastes strange in his mouth, and he can never get used to. The whole world knows Soren is Reign's fiancé; his face is almost on every billboard and poster. He hates the attention because it means getting his secret exposed.
Soren stands near the front of the site, hands in his pockets, trying to look like he belongs because he is dressed like he belongs. The sun is hot, there’s dust everywhere, and the smell of cement sticks to the back of his throat. Workers move around in hard hats and safety vests, working and shouting instructions. Everywhere is just loud and busy.
Soren glances up at the banner hanging at the entrance of the half-built, reading the boldly written words.
MONTGOMERY CHARITY PROJECT HOUSING & COMMUNITY CENTER BUILDING HOPE FOR RAVENSCOURT
Soren squints at it. Hope. Right.
He shifts his weight from one leg to the other, feeling the eyes on him; reporters, cameras, people with phones, and there’s a small crowd gathered behind the barriers, mostly locals. Some look excited, others look curious, and while others look like they came just to see what kind of person Reign is engaged to.
Soren can almost hear every word...
That’s him?
That’s the fiancée?
He doesn't look like a Beta at all.
The last sentence is what stops Soren from listening further because it hits too close to home. Crazy how people still think he doesn't look like a Beta despite the muscles he has built over the years boxing. Soren looks away from the crowd just in time as a man in a white shirt and a badge walks up to him, holding a clipboard. “Mr. Fox?”
“Yeah.”
The man smiles politely. “I’m with Montgomery PR. We’re just going over the schedule again. You’ll do a short tour, answer a few easy questions, then we cut the ribbon for the media photos. Mr. Montgomery will join you after his meeting.”
Soren nods slowly, trying to act as if he understands because this is what he's supposed to do as Reign's fiancé. “So I’m just… standing here smiling?”
The man laughs awkwardly. “Something like that, sir.”
Soren resists the urge to roll his eyes. He just wants to get this day done and over with. The cameras may not be as blinding as last time at the gala, but he still hates them being shoved in his face like this. At this point, Soren could be mistaken for the president’s fiancée instead of a CEO.
“Alright,” comes his reply and a fake smile.
The man glances around like he’s checking everything is perfect, then leans closer. “This is a charity project; people like seeing sincerity. Try not to look…so bored.”
Soren gives him a displeased look. “I’ll try not to look so bored.”
The man’s smile widens. “Great. Great. Thank you,” he says and walks away quickly.
Soren watches him go, then looks back at the crowd. People wave at him. Soren hesitates, then gives a small wave back.
“Mr. Fox!” a reporter calls. “How does it feel to be supporting Montgomery’s charity work?”
Soren blinks, then steps closer to the microphones. He remembers the etiquette lessons: chin up, smile soft and don’t show teeth like you want to bite. God, this is ridiculous. He prefers fighting over this anytime.
“It feels…” Soren pauses, searching for the right words that won't sound like he's forced here. “It feels good.”
“How does it feel being engaged to the only Enigma in our country?”
“Are you excited to join the Montgomery family?”
Soren almost laughs, but catches himself. Only if they knew. “Sure,” he says, nodding. “I’m excited.”
“Any plans for the wedding?”
Soren’s smile freezes for half a second, but before he can answer, another voice cuts in smoothly.
“I think we should be focused on the project rather than poking into his wedding plans,”
Soren whips his head to the side. He watches as a tall alpha walks toward him like he owns the ground under his shoes, if that makes sense.
He’s dressed neatly, not in a suit but still expensive. He reaches Soren and extends a hand with a charming smile that displays a set of dimples on his cheek. Cute.
“I’m sorry for interrupting, but I thought I could introduce myself. I've always wanted to meet the Beta that stole Reign's heart. I’m Sylvester, Reign's cousin.”
Soren stares at the hand for a second before shaking it. “Nice to meet you,” He offers the alpha a smile.
Sylvester smiles brightly. “The pleasure is all mine. I’m here to help today. Reign asked me to check on the site, handle some things, and make sure you’re not eaten alive by the media before he gets there.”
Soren glances at the reporters and once again resists the urge to roll his eyes. “Too late,” he mutters.
Sylvester chuckles. “You’re doing okay.”
Soren gives him a dry look. “Am I?”
“Yes,” Sylvester retorts like he’s sure. “You look annoyed, but that’s better than looking scared.”
Soren doesn’t respond, but he watches Sylvester closely. The man’s smile is friendly, but Soren has met enough alphas to know friendly doesn’t always mean harmless. All alphas are egotistic and only care about themselves.
Sylvester leans slightly closer, lowering his voice. “Can we walk?”
Soren hesitates, then nods. “Sure.”
They walk along the site, stepping around cables and stacks of wood. Sylvester looks around as they walk. “This project is important.”
Soren hums. “Yeah. That’s what they said.”
Sylvester glances at him. “You don’t believe it?”
Soren shrugs, unsure where the conversation is heading. “I believe it’s a building.”
Sylvester laughs again, like he finds Soren entertaining. Soren doesn't know if he should be offended that he's being taken for sport.
“You’re not wrong, but it’s more than that. It’s supposed to be a safe place. Housing. Support services. Community center.”
“For who?” Soren counters, even though he knows the answer to that question.
“For people who need it.”
Soren snorts. “That’s a nice way to say poor people.”
Sylvester’s smile doesn't fade; his brown eyes twinkle. “Yes. Poor people. Displaced people.”
Soren frowns. “Displaced?”
“Projects like this always come with problems. You should know this isn’t just charity, it’s also politics, keeping our image and maintaining control over public opinion." Sylvester shrugs casually as if he's talking about the weather. “It is normal for families like ours.”
Soren scoffs, and this time, he really rolls his eyes. “Must be nice,” the words came out with sarcasm, but Sylvester chuckled instead.
“I can see why Reign likes you. Anyway, this isn't the only project Montgomery is entirely working on, and I am in charge of it.”
Soren tilts his head. “What?”
“It’s an advocacy for Omegas. For Omega rights, protection, and freedom to decide what they want to do with their bodies other than letting their families or society decide.” Sylvester continues, and Soren’s breath hitches in his throat, his brow twitching.
Sylvester keeps talking, not noticing the small shift in Soren’s face.
“I’m tired of seeing them forced into suppressants just to hide who they are. They should have a place in society too, not behind alphas and being treated as nothing but whores.
Soren’s fingers twitch slightly in his pockets. Suddenly, the lump in his throat becomes too thick to swallow. “W-why are you telling me this?”
Sylvester smiles warmly. “I want allies. Betas, Alphas, anyone who isn’t blind. I can't go to Reign, obviously, he hates Omegas.”
Soren’s breath catches. This has to be some sick coincidence, right? It just so happens that he advocates for Omega, and Soren just turns out to be an Omega hiding behind suppressants. Coincidence.
“You okay?” Sylvester suddenly asks.
Soren forces a shrug, finally swallowing the clot in his throat. “Yeah. Just… hot.”
Sylvester studies him for a moment, like he doesn’t fully believe him, but he continues anyway. “I need all the support I can get. You might be a Beta, but I'm sure you understand, Mr. Fox?”
Soren nods. He wants to tell the alpha to shut up. He wants to tell him he doesn’t understand. He wants to—
Suddenly, a shout cuts through the air, cutting through his thoughts. Soren turns his head toward the crowd just in time to see something flying his way; it's a bucket, and Soren doesn’t get the time to react as cold water slams into his chest and face, pouring down him in one heavy wave, and soaking his suit instantly.
Soren stands there in shock and disbelief as the clothes cling to his body and water drips from his hair and every part of his body. He blinks water from his eyes while the crowd seems to go wild with shouts and flashes of cameras.
“Mr. Fox, are you alright?!”
Soren nods. At the moment, it’s as if his brain has stopped functioning, and nothing seems to be making sense. He can’t even find his voice. He feels exposed.
He lifts his head to Sylverster, who is already taking off his jacket, but at the same time, Soren watches as men in suits suddenly appear, like they were hiding in the walls, coming from nowhere. They move through the crowd, pushing people back and scanning faces. Soren realizes those are Reign’s guards.
“Here,” Sylvester offers his jacket, and Soren almost reaches his hand out to accept, but suddenly, a large coat is thrown over his shoulders, wrapping him whole with warmth before he is pulled into a hard chest.
Soren’s breath catches again, this time for a different reason as Reign’s voice comes quietly near his ear. “Don’t move,” he says.
Soren obeys almost on instinct as he stays pressed against Reign without moving a muscle while Reign’s grip stays firm and possessive.
Reign lifts his gaze over Soren’s head. “Find her,”
It doesn’t take a minute before the guards are dragging a woman, forcing her to her knees in front of them and holding her arms tightly while she struggles and curses, trying to pull away.
“Let me go!” she yells. “Let me go!” Her eyes are wild when she looks at them, breathing hard. “You!” she spits, pointing at Reign. “You ruin everything! Your people destroyed my home! You destroyed my home to build your fucking charity project! You all are monsters!”
Soren’s stomach drops slightly. He can’t believe he is getting hate for something he knows nothing about.
“My children slept outside for two nights! Two nights! And you’re here smiling for cameras like you’re some saint!” she continues to yell.
Reign looks at the men holding her. “Take her away,” he orders, and the men don't hesitate as they begin to drag her away.
Soren finally finds his voice. “Wait, where are you taking her?” he looks up at Reign.
Reign looks down at him with a dark gaze. “You shouldn't worry yourself over that. Let’s get you out of here.”
Soren gulps, but he nods. He’s told not to worry, but somehow that makes him worry even more.