Chapter 32 CHAPTER 032
It takes almost an hour before his driver arrives, and when the luxury car finally pulls up at the side of the street, waiting for Castel to get in, he lets out a sigh. His eyes drift over to Theo, who waits for him to start moving.
“You're a real pain in the ass, you know that?” He says, and then he tilts his head, a small smile stretching on his lips. Naughtily, he takes a step forward; Theo takes one back.
“Your driver is here; you should go, and I'll advise you not to return here,” Theo tells him coldly, eyes drilling a hole through his face.
Castel rolls his eyes. He shoves his hand into his pocket and takes out a card, pushing it into the alpha's palm. “If you ever change your number, give me a call. Goodbye, Alpha Theo,” he gives him a smile before walking away, and Theo watches him go, getting into the car, and a second later, it drives off.
Theo stares at the card in his hand, with the name ‘CASTEL MCLAREN’ written boldly at the top. Shame. Theo thinks, and without another thought, he rips the card into pieces and walks back to the bar with his hands shoved into his pockets.
~~
Castel's jaw clenches as the car pulls up at the front of the hell he called home, with bright lights shining from the outside making it seem harmless.
The driver quickly steps out and opens the back door.
“Welcome home, sir.”
Castel doesn’t move from his seat, and for a moment, he just sits there, staring at the large doors of the mansion like they personally offend him, knowing what's waiting for him behind those doors.
Exhaling sharply, he finally steps out. Castel walks inside without a word, his expression already shifting into the cold mask he always wears here. And when he arrives in the living room, he finds him waiting; the man he called father, standing there in the middle of the room with his arms held behind him, and immediately, his cold eyes pierce through Castel's face while his jaw is clenched tightly.
“Where were you?” He inquires in a frosty tone.
“Out,” comes Castel's flat reply.
“That wasn’t a question.”
“Well, that’s unfortunate because I’m not in the mood for an interrogation,” Castel tells him, and then he turns to walk away, but suddenly, two guards appear from nowhere, blocking his path. Castel's hands ball into fists as he sharply turns to his father, who's now lighting up a stick of cigar.
“Vikar told me you cancelled on him for the second time in a row. So, I'm going to ask you again, Castel. Where were you?” The man takes a step forward, huffing a cloud of smoke while his deadly eyes stay locked on Castel's face.
“I told you, I was out—”
Castel doesn't get to finish his words as the back of his father's palm strikes his left cheek, and the sound echoes in the large room. Castel’s head snaps to the side, and for a moment, everything goes still as the sting spreads across his cheek and burns sharply and humiliatingly. His eyes well with tears, but he refuses to let them fall.
“Do not lie to me,” the man says coldly, taking another drag from his cigar.
Castel tastes blood where his teeth cut the inside of his cheek. His fists tighten at his sides, nails digging into his palms. “I wasn’t lying,” he grits through his teeth.
His father exhales smoke directly into his face. “You canceled dinner with Vikar for the second time. Do you have any idea how disrespectful that makes this family look?”
Castel lets out a bitter laugh. “Oh, I’m sorry. Was I supposed to sit there while he inspects me like cattle again? I am a fucking human, not merchandise." He stops himself from yelling, holding back his anger while his knuckles turn white from how hard he clenches them.
“You are exactly what this family needs you to be. You should learn from your omega brothers; they know what's at stake.”
“The only thing at stake is your pride and your godforsaken company. They don't mind being auctioned for the highest bidder; I fucking do.” Castel spits back, his voice shaking with anger.
His father’s eyes narrow slowly, dangerously. “Watch your mouth.”
“Or what?” Castel challenges. “You’ll hit me again? It’s nothing new, is it?”
The man exhales slowly, rubbing the bridge of his nose like Castel is nothing more than a headache he’s tired of dealing with.
“You seem to forget something,” he starts, his voice calm but dripping with condescension. “You were born into this family because I paid a lot of money to your mother to have you, just like your brothers. Every single thing you enjoy in this life came from me.”
If looks could kill, the man would have dropped dead from Castel's venomous gaze. He doesn't need to be reminded that he was only a product of too much money. His mother left the moment she got paid, and the greedy witch never reached out to him. It's the same with his half-siblings. Their mothers only cared about the money.
“I made sure you had the best education, the best home, and the best everything. Why?” He continues with a scoff. “Because you are valuable to me, and let’s not pretend otherwise. As an omega, you have no future in society. Omegas exist to serve alphas. All I’m doing is helping you fulfill the only purpose you were ever meant to have.” He reaches out and brushes the strand of hair on Castel's face. “You're the most valuable to me. You will meet with Vikar, you will agree to the marriage, and whatever else you want from you.”
“You want me to marry a man who's four times my age?” Castel’s voice cracks slightly despite how hard he tries to keep it steady.
“Yes.” Mr. McLaren answers without missing a beat. “He is what my company needs right now since Caspian has failed to get Reign Montgomery's approval and signature. Perhaps I could make you the heir to my empire,” he smiles widely.
“I'm not interested,” Castel forces the words.
“Now, you don't have a choice, do you? Have some rest tonight; you will meet Vikar tomorrow, and I'll make sure of it.”
With a dismissive wave of his hand, the guard grabs Castel's arms and starts to pull him along, and Castel goes without struggle because it's pointless. He's still going to be locked up no matter how hard he fights back.
A lone tear rolls down his cheek.