Chapter 27 CHAPTER 027
Soren grins from ear to ear as Reign steps into the interrogation room, looking tall and mighty in his suit, large coat, and, of course, those black gloves that look like they are being used to hide every single crime he’s committed because Soren believes the man is no saint.
“You were saying, officer?” Reign inquires, staring down at the officer with a calm yet heavy gaze.
The officer swallows.
Soren almost laughs out loud. Funny how the man who wanted to teach him some manners just a few seconds ago is now a stuttering mess. Soren shouldn’t enjoy this, but he does, more than he expects. So this is what having power and influence feels like?
“I—Mr. Montgomery—this situation is being handled according to procedure,” the officer manages to say, clearing his throat as the enigma’s pheromones spread controllably to every corner of the room. Soren’s fingers twitch at the raw dominance and clears his throat to get rid of the lump.
He needs to retake his suppressant sooner than usual.
“How long will it take, officer?”
“I-n-in just a few minutes,” the officer continues to stutter. “We are just finalizing the report. He will be out of here soon.”
“Very well,” Reign replies, and without another word, he strolls over to the table, pulls out the chair opposite Soren, and sits down, crossing one leg over the other as if he has all the time in the world, and suddenly, the room feels smaller and colder. One look at the officer and he’s scampering out of the room to get the papers done.
Soren scoffs under his breath. “Thought he was so tough,”
Reign pins Soren with a stare, his fingers drumming calmly on his knee. “Perhaps I should let you stay here for a while. You indeed need to learn some manners.”
Soren snorts. He places his cuffed hands on the table and leans forward. “You regret it now, Mr. Montgomery?"
“I simply think you are more trouble than you are worth, Mr. Fox."
Soren sneers at the words, his blue eyes suddenly glinting mischievously. Feeling bold and bored at the same time, Soren shoves a hand into his pocket and takes out a pack of cigarettes and a lighter. He doesn’t look away from Reign’s stoic face that doesn't change as he pops a stick into his mouth and then he lights it up, huffing smoke into the air. He uses a finger to brush hair from his face and leans back in his seat.
“I think you are right, Mr. Montgomery,” he counters lazily. “I am more trouble than I am worth. Trust me, Mr. Montgomery, a year is a long time, and this is merely the beginning.”
Smoke curls from the cigarette between his fingers, and it drifts across the table toward Reign, who watches him in complete silence. Fuck. Soren is playing with fire, and if Soren keeps up this attitude, Reign might abandon him here and never return, but Soren is tired of seeing that calm, stoic composure. He wants to know what it’s like to see the man snap.
Soren’s eyes sparkle, thinking he’s going to finally get a reaction, but for a moment, nothing happens.
Then Reign slowly removes one of his gloves on his right hand, one finger at a time, without tearing his eyes away from the beta’s face. Slowly, Soren’s smirk falters just slightly.
Once the glove’s been removed, he places it neatly on the table, then reaches forward and plucks the cigarette from Soren’s mouth, and before he can protest, Reign crushes the burning end into the metal table without batting an eye.
“Hey, that’s my cigarette!” Soren whines, watching the enigma discard the cigar on the floor once the fire’s out.
Reign’s eyes stay blank, much to Soren’s annoyance. “You’re testing my patience.”
Soren leans his body even further forward, the same spark of mischief still dancing in his eyes.
“Oh?” he drawls yet teasingly as he pokes his cheek. “I thought you had plenty of that. And what happens when that patience finally runs out?”
Reign doesn’t answer, and that blank look of his doesn’t change, and of course, Soren pushes harder as he tilts his head, studying the man in front of him like he’s a puzzle he’s determined to break; backing down now will only ruin the moment.
“Do you think perhaps your mother is right and I’ll be the one to ruin your reputation? It’s been barely a month, and I’ve created more mess than usual,” Soren grins, and then he chuckles. “Honestly, I’m a little disappointed,” he sighs dramatically. “I thought you’d at least threaten to strangle me by now. Last time, you threatened my sister,”
For a moment, Soren thinks he miscalculated, and has gone too far pushing the enigma’s buttons, as the man still doesn’t move a muscle and only stares at Soren with a calmer face.
Soren sighs. ”Forget it, you are no fun,” he says, leaning back in his seat, but suddenly, Reign moves.
His fingers wrap around the chain between Soren’s cuffs and drag his hands a few inches, pulling the beta closer across the table, and their faces end up inches apart.
Reign’s eyes shine dangerously. “You wanted to be punished? Isn’t being locked up and in cuffs enough, unless…” he trails off on purpose, breath fanning hotly on Soren’s face.
The beta gulps, heart suddenly pounding so fast in his chest it feels like it’s about to rip out of his chest.
Before Soren can answer, Reign’s face drops to his lips before looking up to meet his eyes. Soren’s breath hitches, and the lump in his throat becomes too thick to swallow, his brain incomprehensive.
“…Unless, you have another form of punishment in mind, Mr. Fox,”
Soren's eyes widen at the meaning behind the words. He swallows thickly. “T-hat’s not what I meant,” his voice cracks while heat surges through his body.
A smirk curls lazily, and he tilts his head. “Oh, but that’s not the impression I got, darling. You’ve been naughty for my reaction. You want to know what I do to naughty Betas?”
The heat in Soren’s body intensifies. "What?” he asks almost breathlessly.
Reign sneers, keeping their gazes locked on each other, and he doesn’t get to respond as the door suddenly bursts open without warning, erupting the moment.
Soren jerks away as if whatever spell was cast on him has been broken, as he looks at anything and anywhere but at the enigma.
The officer pauses at the door, looking like he wants to disappear through the wall. He clears his throat loudly. “You’re free to go, Mr. Fox,” he announces, and then instantly, he unlocks the cuffs on Soren’s wrist while Reign rises to his feet.
Once the cuffs are gone, Soren rubs his wrists, and then Reign offers his hand. Soren stares at it as if it’s the road to death. He follows the hand to meet the enigma's cunning eyes.
“Let’s go home, darling,”