Chapter 40 CHAPTER 040
Theo slides a glass of champagne to his 13th customer of the night. He lifts his head, cold eyes sweeping around the bar, finding it filled as usual with drunk alphas who think the world revolves around them as they flaunt the omegas on their laps like some property, while betas barely own any space.
“Busy night, huh?”
Theo turns his head towards Rue, who makes herself comfortable on the stool, popping her elbow on the counter and resting her chin on her palm.
“When is it not?” he replies flatly, already reaching for another glass.
Rue leans closer, eyes glinting with mischief as she smiles. "Want to have fun after your shift ends?”
Theo throws her a look and answers with a blurt. “No,”
Rue rolls his eyes and withdraws. Of course, she knows he’s going to reject her. They only have sex during their ruts without having to go find a total stranger to spend it with, but that doesn’t stop the feeling surging through Rue’s veins whenever she looks at him or he finally spares her a glance other than a cold look.
Rue clicks her tongue, watching the sharp line of his jaw, the way his sleeves are rolled just enough to reveal his forearms, and his tattoo. “You’re no fun,” she mutters.
“I’m not here to be fun,” Theo replies, tone as dry as ever.
“You’re not here to live either, apparently,” she shoots back.
Theo throws her a look, and before anyone can say more, the bar door swings open with enough force to draw attention as almost every head turns in the bar, and the music tones down a little.
Theo’s brow furrows as a group of alphas steps in, well-dressed in black suits. They move fast, spreading out across almost every corner of the bar, and before anyone can react, they start trashing the place as customers erupt in screams.
“Hey!” Theo yells as he quickly moves out from behind the counter as a bottle shatters against the wall and tables are flipped like they weigh nothing, drinks spilling everywhere as customers scramble to get out of the way.
One of the men grabs an omega by the arm, shoving him aside like trash. Theo’s vision sharpens as he moves even faster, grabbing the man’s wrist and twisting it just enough to make him release the omega before kicking him across the stomach, and he crashes to the floor.
Suddenly, Theo is surrounded; the alphas circle him like predators, blocking every exit. Guess they are here for him; he can take them without breaking a sweat, but before any of them can attack, an unfamiliar voice cuts through.
“Hold on,”
Theo whips his head fast to watch as an older alpha walks through the entrance, with a cigar trapped between his lips and a silver cane to weigh his balance. He walks towards Theo like he has all the time in the world…well, Theo doesn’t.
“Who are you and what the fuck do you want?” Theo’s voice comes out sharp, crammed with irritation as he squares his shoulders, ignoring the men still circling him.
The alpha takes a slow drag from the cigar and exhales before fixing his gaze on Theo. He stares at him, scanning him head to toe. “You must be Theo, the one my third omega son has been… obsessing over.”
Theo’s jaw locks, and his eyes turn murderous. “I don’t know who your son is?”
“Castiel McLaren. I believe the name rings a bell.”
Theo’s expression doesn’t change at the name, but something sharp flashes in his eyes before it’s buried just as quickly. “…Does it?” he counters, tilting his head. “Should it?”
The older alpha stares at him for a long moment, and then he chuckles. “I see, so this is the kind of man he’s been embarrassing this family over, someone who denies his existence,”
Theo’s gaze drops briefly to the ash before lifting again. “If you’re done talking, get your men out of my bar.”
The man’s eyes finally darken, and he lets the cigar drop to the floor before crushing it under his boot, and then he takes a threatening step forward, eyes glaring with malice while the air thickens with domineering alpha pheromones.
“You don’t talk back to me. The likes of you are like ants at the palm of my hand. I can crush you faster than you can blink,”
Theo snorts. The universe just sent another reason to fuel his hate. “You came in here, destroyed my workplace, and started throwing threats around because of your son’s poor decisions? I have nothing going on with your son.”
“You are a fine young alpha with potential; it would be a shame to get rid of that potential, so I will give you a chance to back away before it’s too late. You can consider it a gift… one last chance to live without consequences.” he holds his hand out, and one of the men places a few bundles of cash. The alpha smirks before he throws the money right at Theo’s feet. “I believe that should be enough for someone of your status. Stay away from my son; you won’t get hurt, and this little place of yours stays intact.”
The money hits Theo’s chest before it hits the floor. And without another word, the older alpha turns and walks out of the alpha, his men immediately following after him.
“Wow,” Rue remarks as she appears beside Theo from nowhere. “I can see why you hate the rich so much. Are you just going to let that go?”
Theo unballs his fist and pokes his inner cheek before giving Rue a look that says whatever battle the McLaren started, Theo is going to finish it. He doesn’t take threats lightly, and most importantly, no one tells him what to do.
“You are definitely not going to let this go, are you?” Rue grins as she has it all figured out.
“No,” comes Theo’s reply as he turns and walks back to the counter.
Perhaps it’s time he lets himself have a little bit of fun with the third omega of the McLaren family.