Chapter 30 CHAPTER 030
Castel never turns down a challenge, especially not one that looks this pretty and dashing.
He grins as he walks into the bar next day, dressed expensively in a black inner top that's tucked into high-waisted trousers, with a beige knit cardigan that drapes over his shoulders with its falling heavily at his wrists and a pair of heels that clicks loudly on the floor, announcing his presence as heads reel his way and, of course, his pheromones that smell sweeter than normal, mixed with his perfume.
Castel even took his time to fix his makeup today, while his shoulder-length hair was held in a messy ponytail. One thing for sure, he's not leaving unless he catches his latest obsession.
With his hands shoved into his pockets, he walks over to the bar, wearing a smile as his gaze falls on the alpha behind the counter as a bartender. Castel slams a few bills on the counter as he sits on a stool. “Whiskey,”
Theo's gaze goes from the dollar bills to Castel's smiling face with a cold look on his own. “A glass of whiskey doesn't cost that much.”
Castel places his forehands on the counter and leans closer. “Actually, I'm not paying for just a drink. I'm paying for a night with me, and if you think I can't afford it…” he smirks and slams his phone on the table with the large digits of his bank account on display. “… if my looks can't do it, perhaps money can, and that's just a tip of the iceberg, alpha,”
Theo’s eyes move slowly from the glowing numbers on the phone screen back to Castel’s face; the look of disapproval on his face grows even stronger. “I'm not interested,” he says, turning away, and when he returns, he places a glass of whiskey on the counter. “Drink up and leave.”
Castel's mouth opens and closes like a fish out of water while humiliation burns into his system. He doesn't think he can handle being rejected for the second time, but his pride screams louder.
Castel tilts his head slightly, eyes glinting with mischief. “If money doesn’t impress you…” He leans a little closer. “…what does?”
Theo doesn’t even spare him a glance as he wipes the counter with a rag, as if Castel isn’t even worth the effort of a reaction, and when he looks at him, his dark eyes are sharp and unimpressed.
“Not money,” he replies flatly.
Castel raises an eyebrow. “Then what?”
Theo leans his elbows on the counter, staring directly at him now. “Decency,” he retorts, then nods toward the pile of money on the counter. “Something you rich people usually run out of. This isn’t a place for omegas like you but if you are that desperate for an alpha’s attention, you should find someone else. I’m sure almost every alpha here will want to be bought by your money and play your boy toy,”
Castel blinks, offended. “I’m not desperate,” he counters.
Theo scoffs. “Could have fooled me.”
“You’re very rude for someone working in customer service,” Castel states, picking up his glass of whisky.
Theo snorts. “You’re not a customer.”
Castel is starting to think he is wasting his time and effort on the alpha, and the universe seems to agree with him when a girl shows up from nowhere. She approaches Theo behind the counter with a big smile, and then she grabs his face and pulls him in for a kiss.
Castel freezes, and the glass in his hand pauses halfway to his lips as the scene unfolds in front of him.
Theo stiffens for a second, clearly not expecting it, but he doesn’t immediately push her away either. The girl laughs softly against his lips before pulling back, her hands resting on his shoulders.
“Missed me?” she chirps happily.
Castel’s fingers twitch, and his grip on the glass tightens. He should have known. He rolls his eyes and slams the glass of wine on the counter, grabs his phone, and storms off.
Theo watches him walk away towards the exit before he goes out of sight. He turns to the girl with a cold look. “I told you not to kiss me in public, Rue,” he wipes his lips.
Rue smirks. “What? Did I blow your chances with the pretty omega? He looks rich and out of place here. Don’t you hate people like that, or is he some kind of exception?”
Theo clicks his tongue and shakes his head. “He’s not. And he’s definitely not my type.” He glances toward the door where the omega left and exhales. “Honestly, I’m glad he’s gone. He looked like someone who could be taken advantage of too easily, and those alphas wouldn’t stop staring.” he motions his chin towards the corner and shakes his head.
Naive Omega. He has no idea how ugly the world can be.
Rue turns her head towards the direction he’s referring to and sees no one. “What alphas?”
Theo lifts his head, eyes moving to the table where a group of alphas once sat but there’s no one in sight. His jaw immediately clenches, and he tsks in annoyance. He slams the rag on the counter and places his hand on his hips. “Those bastards,”
~~
Castel walks down the lonely pavement of the street, hugging his arms around himself to shield himself from the wind.
The night air bites colder than he expected, or maybe it just feels that way because of the irritation simmering in his chest.
“Stupid alpha,” he mutters under his breath. He couldn’t believe someone like him could be rejected by a mere bartender.
He’s Castel McLaren for fuck sakes, one of the prettiest omegas in this cursed city, but then again, Castel should have known. No one could resist his charm unless they were taken and devoted.
The signs were glaring but he chose to ignore them.
Stupid bar. Stupid alpha. Stupid idea.
If Theo doesn't want him, hundreds of other alphas would gladly take his offer.
TO BE CONTINUED…