Chapter 36 CHAPTER 036
Castel expected it when he opened his door the next morning to see the number of guards at his door. He stares at their faces, and they look back emotionlessly, like robots who know nothing other than to follow orders.
“Mr. McLaren, we’re ordered by Mr. Stone not to let you out without his orders.”
Castel tilts his head at the guard who spoke as he leaned against the doorframe. “He did, now, didn’t he? Perhaps, you’ll love to come in and have a cup of coffee to loosen the stress off you?” He says with a mocking smile, and of course, Castel expects the looks he gets, like he has grown an extra head on his shoulders.
With a hiss, Castel slams the door shut in their faces and makes sure the lock is in place. He’s used to being locked up anyway, by his father, by his father’s businessmen who fail to have their way with him because Castel didn't hesitate to bite off a piece of their flesh, and of course, Mr. Vikar Stone. They all think Castel is too feisty and impossible to control.
They claim his omega siblings are better at satisfying their father’s clients. They claim he’s too rough to be an omega, and Castel likes his reputation—anything to keep those filthy alphas from him—and Castel’s sure the number of times he’s been locked up is more than his age. In time, he has gotten used to the enclosed doors, the mocking walls, and the loud silence. Castel has already made a home with his reality. They don’t need guards; Castel will gladly stay locked up as long as he doesn’t see their faces. The silence and the darkness of the room are now welcoming, and the walls are even tired of him.
With a tsk, he strolls back to his bedroom and lies on the bed, and immediately, his mind wanders to the alpha who walked away despite his distress pheromones. Theo, the only alpha whose pheromones and scent Castel can stand, and the only alpha who has rejected him more than once.
“Stupid alpha,” Castel murmurs under his breath as he turns on his side, staring at the world outside the glass window. Perhaps this is his fate: not being wanted by the one he wants. But then again, Castel has never been the one to believe in fate; he believes in carving a way out for himself, and that’s by making them believe they were in charge of his fate. His father, his siblings, Mr. Stone, and every other alpha who has wanted him—they all believe they are in charge of his fate.
Slowly, an eerie smile curls at his lips while his eyes stay glued on the window and watch as the cloud darkens with a storm. Guess they messed with the wrong McLaren Omega.
Alpha Theo will be his ticket out of his hell, whether the alpha likes it or not. And if Theo refuses to help him… then Castel will make sure the alpha has no choice.
~~
Theo rolls his glass of whisky while his mind stays lost at sea. He sits, resting against the counter of the bar, while the loud sound of music and people laughing and drinking comes only like a fading sound to his ears.
The bar is full tonight. Normally, Theo would be working, telling people to stop fighting or throwing someone out for getting too drunk, but tonight he isn’t doing any of that.
For a moment, he can’t believe he’s letting some rich, bratty omega live rent-free in his head. He scoffs and finally takes a sip of his wine, only breaking free from his thoughts when he feels someone sit beside him. Theo reels his head just in time as Rue steals his glass and drinks from it. He snorts and shakes his head.
The alpha female playfully hits his side. “You look like someone died,” she teases. “A penny for your thoughts.
Theo scoffs. “No one died.”
“Then why do you look like that?” Rue counters.
Theo pokes his inner cheek and keeps himself from replying.
Rue raises a brow. “You’ve been sitting there for almost an hour.”
Theo glances at the clock on the wall. Has it really been that long? He shrugs. “Just tired,” he lies through his teeth. Lying is better than the truth.
Rue snorts. “Bullshit.”
Theo rubs against his temple and sighs. “Drop it.”
Rue smirks because he knows she won't, as she leans forward across the counter. “Is this about the omega?”
Theo’s head snaps up slightly. He tries to hide it, but she can see the way his brows twitch.
Rue smirks. “Yeah. I thought so.”
Theo scoffs and signals the bartender for another glass of whiskey. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he lies again.
“Please,” Rue says, rolling her eyes. She continues. “You were with a rich omega here yesterday, then disappeared with him, then came back looking like someone kicked your dog. So what happened? You know I’m going to keep asking, so you should tell me what I want to know.”
Theo lets out a laugh, and as soon as the bartender delivers his order, he takes a sip and retorts. “He’s engaged.”
Rue’s eyes widen in realization. “He didn’t look engaged. He looked like he was really into you,” she leans even closer to whisper. “You like him? I can help steal him from the wedding.”
Theo laughs. “I don’t think that will be necessary. I thought he looked cute, nothing else. And…” he adds immediately when Rue opens her mouth to poke her nose into his business again. He opens a finger to her face. “Quit being nosy. I won’t tell you more.”
Rue hisses. “I only asked because I was jealous that someone could get your attention when I’ve been struggling for years.”
Theo snorts at that, shaking his head as he takes another sip of his drink. “Yeah, sure. You’ve been struggling.”
Rue narrows her eyes at him. “I have,” she insists, jabbing a finger against the counter. “Do you know how hard it is to flirt with a brick wall? Because that’s what you are.”
Theo chuckles under his breath. “Sounds like a you problem.”
Rue glares at him. “You’re unbelievable. I hope that Omega gets married and you can’t do anything to have him; then you’ll realize how much it sucks.”
Theo swallows his drink, and his fingers twitch on the glass as the words strike harder than they should. He sneers. “I never said I wanted him. He’s more trouble than he’s worth, and you know me, Rue; I don’t go looking for trouble.”
Rue hisses. “Whatever,”