Chapter 144 CHAPTER 144

Chapter 144 CHAPTER 144
The following week at the university, Soren notices the shift in the air, or it could be that he’s being paranoid. 

Walking down the hallways, Soren notices the glances he gets from the students as they whisper and murmur among themselves, and the moment he turns the corner, the sea of students gathered there entirely parts for him, and they press their backs against the lockers, almost like Soren is the Grim Reaper here to take their souls to hell.

A quick snort escapes as he walks past them. It seems the rumors have spread like an uncontrollable wildfire.

"I heard he broke Carter's arm in three places," a girl whispers loudly to her friend as Soren walks past.

"That's nothing; he stabbed Gab too. I heard he’s from some mafia family; that’s why he’s so skilled. He’s a killer; stay away from him," another girl hisses back.

Soren rolls his eyes, adjusting the strap of his backpack. Well, he isn't going to correct his backstory. If that’s what they really think, then so be it. 

It keeps the annoying, arrogant rich kids out of his personal space.

"Soren, everyone is staring at us," Liam murmurs, walking so close to Soren that their shoulders are brushing. 

The Beta adjusts his glasses, looking more elated by the attention than scared, and then he holds up some cash. “A senior just offered me his lunch money so I wouldn't tell you to beat him up. I didn't even know what to say. You’re the most popular guy on campus now; everyone is talking about you. I’m so lucky I met you first."

Soren sneers but doesn't say a word.

Liam continues. "Do you know some of the Alphas are actually trying to figure out how to invite you to their tables? It’s the first time a Beta is so popular in this school."

Soren snorts. They’ll be shocked to know he’s an omega. "I'm entirely booked," he smirks, pushing open the double doors of their lecture hall and walking in with his smirk widening. 

Well, there’s nothing wrong with a little bit of popularity.

~~

The moment the school's hours are over, Soren is too excited to run back home and curl up in Reign’s clothes as he waits for the Enigma to return home, but the moment he arrives at the parking lot with Liam by his side, he’s welcomed with a squealing crowd. 

Soren frowns and pushes to the front, and there, leaning casually against the hood of an SUV, is Reign, dressed in a pair of black pants, a shirt with sleeves rolled up to his elbows showcasing the tattoos on his strong arms, and a pair of glasses; he looks like the total daddy.

Soren bites back a grin. Seems the Enigma is his ride home.

“Do you know who that is?!” Liam suddenly nudges at his side, beaming with excitement while his eyes shine as they stare at Reign like he’s staring at a god.

Soren shrugs, feigning nonchalance. “No, I don’t.”

Liam throws him a look and goes back to staring at Reign immediately. “That’s Reign Montgomery, the only Enigma in our city; he’s the richest and wealthiest man on the fucking planet! The whole world knows him… well, except you.”

Soren shrugs one more time and crosses his arms over his chest; he keeps his face neutral. "Is that so? Never heard of him."

"Never heard of him?!" Liam shrieks in a whisper, his jaw hitting the ground as he grabs Soren's shirt. "Soren, he's a billionaire! A literal living legend! What is a man like him even doing at a university like ours? He probably owns half the buildings here!"

“50 bucks says I can go over there and kiss him. Wanna bet?” The words slip past Soren’s lips before he can stop them, and everyone around him suddenly seems to gasp in shock. He's in the mood to play. 

Liam’s jaw drops so low. “Are you insane?!” he hisses. “That’s Reign Montgomery! You’d be dead before your lips even get within three feet of him! That man breathes, and people fall to their knees! And also, he has a Beta fiancée.”

Soren finally smiles as he looks at Liam and those around him who suddenly seem to be interested in the bet. “50 bucks says I can have him kiss and shove my tongue down his throat. Who’s in?”

Instantly, people start throwing in money, murmuring how he can’t do shit, and simply bluffing. 

Once Soren’s palm is filled with money, he counts every cent of it and hands it to Liam, who looks at him worriedly, like he will never see his crazy friend again.

“Watch and learn,” he smirks and sharply turns, then he crosses the parking lot with a determined jaw and naughty smile while everyone holds their breath as they watch. 

Reign raises a questioning brow when he sees the lanky steps the omega is taking to reach him until he stops right in front of him.

Reign’s face twitches into a smile. “What did you do that has everyone watching so keenly, kitten?”

"I'm trying to make some quick cash," Soren whispers back, his blue eyes gleaming with mischief. Then he steps closer and stands on his tiptoes to reach the height of the man’s lips. "They bet I couldn't shove my tongue down your throat. I'd hate to make a liar out of myself."

An amused smile tugs on Reign’s lips. “Oh, is it that so?” he murmurs, and then without warning, his hand snakes out, wrapping firmly around Soren's waist and hauls him flush against his broad chest, trapping the Omega in his hold.

A collection of deafening gasps echoes across the entire parking lot. 

Several students stumble backward, while Liam's jaw drops so fast his glasses slide off his nose and hit the floor.

Soren smirks, and then his hand travels to the back of Reign’s head and pulls his head down for a passionate kiss that instantly earns another round of gasps. Soren shuts his eyes and leans more into the kiss, melting like a puddle until the Enigma breaks it.

"How much did you make?" Reign rumbles softly, a smirk playing on his face as he looks down at his dazed mate.

Soren blinks up at him; a breathless yet triumphant grin spreads across his face as he turns his head toward the frozen crowd. "Enough to buy us dinner, Mr. Montgomery. Now, wait here while I claim my cash prize."

With that, Soren pulls out from Reign’s arm and goes back to the frozen crowd and holds his palm towards Liam, who looks like he’s about to pass out from shock. Soren grins and takes the cash from Beta’s hand, then he rushes out to ruffle his hair.

“I’ll see you tomorrow, bye.” He waves, and with that, he turns and walks back to Reign, who suddenly has the car door open for him.

Soren places a quick kiss on his cheek before slipping into the car while Reign moves over to the driver’s seat and drives out of the parking lot.

~~~

Sylvester’s shoes echo loudly on the floor as he pushes in through the doors of the underground laboratory, and in the center of the room, a large flat-screen TV is playing the evening news.

"...authorities are completely baffled by the sudden spike in missing persons cases across the city. Over twenty Omegas have reportedly vanished without a trace in the last three weeks..."

Sylvester’s lips twitch into a twisted smile as he walks past the locked cages of omegas at the corner, dressed in the same white hospital gown that falls over their skin and pale bodies.

He pushes his way through the glass doors that lead to the main lab to find Dr. Mira frowning over the chart in her hand.

“What do we have, Mira?” he asks as he grabs the lab coat hanging on the side and slips it on.

"It’s failing, Sylvester," Dr. Mira states bluntly, her voice detached from the horrific suffering happening in the cages behind her. "Every single variation of the serum I create breaks down. They won’t affect an alpha, let alone an Enigma. They are useless against Reign. I told you, regular omega blood is completely useless to us; no one in these cages is a match. You need to stop bringing in omegas. We only need Soren."

Sylvester’s jaw clenches as he slowly turns around, looking at the rows of cages filled with the kidnapped, exhausted Omegas. "If they are of no use to the cause, then dispose of them.”

Dr. Mira’s eyes twitch at the order, but she doesn’t say a word.