Chapter 48 CHAPTER 048
Soren sits near the window of the passenger seat of the car. He peeks a glance at Reign, who sits beside him, eyes stoic and staring ahead as if Soren isn't beside him, as if he didn't come to save Soren during his rut.
Soren looks away, swallowing the lump in his throat. He can believe the enigma showed up to save him again; Soren doesn't think he can get used to it.
He silently watches the city blaze with light as it flashes past the window. He tries to pay attention to the streetlight, yet Soren shifts slightly in his seat, fingers curling against his thigh as he tries to ignore the lingering heat under his skin, the way his body still feels too sensitive, too aware that the Enigma is beside him.
Soren doesn't need to be a genius to figure out the Enigma is wearing a scent blocker because he decided to use a fucking scent patch at the back of his neck, yet Soren's insides still twist uncomfortably as he feels his Enigma's pheromones despite the scent blocker.
An Omega like Soren can't take care of him during his rut.
A bitter taste forms in his throat, and he bites back a scoff, but just then, the car finally comes to a stop in front of a private suite. Soren frowns slightly, looking around.
"You will be taken back to the mansion to reunite with your sister."
Soren flinches visibly as the enigma suddenly speaks, catching Soren off guard as his body goes cold. He slowly turns to face him, but Reign is already stepping out of the car.
“Reign…” he calls, but the man is already heading towards the entrance without sparing Soren a single glance. A feeling of dread coils in Soren's stomach. He didn't think he missed the man until now. Why is that?
“Mr. Montgomery is still going through a rut. It’s best you stay away and return home for now, Mr. Fox.”
Reign's secretary says from the front seat passenger’s seat. While Soren watches Reign disappear through the front door of the suite with a longing gaze. Then, he hums in response, and the driver starts the car.
“Wait.” Soren suddenly blurts out before he can stop himself, and the driver hits the brakes.
“Is there a problem, Mr. Fox?”
Soren curls his hand into fists and bites his lip while his heart pounds so hard it feels like it might crack his ribs open. He might regret this later, but Soren can bear with it. Without hesitation, he opens the car door and steps out. He heads straight toward the entrance.
Soren doesn’t know what he's doing, and he certainly doesn’t know what he’s expecting when he slowly pushes the door open to a dark living room with only a few dim lights illuminating the place. He swallows the sudden lump in his throat and slips inside, shutting the door behind him.
“What are you doing here, Mr. Fox?”
Soren abruptly pauses like a deer caught in a trap, and a shiver runs down his spine when his gaze lands on Reign standing just a few feet away. He has taken off his coat, inner jacket, and gloves; he has the sleeves of his shirt folded to his elbows. Soren runs his eyes over the tattoos on his hands, masking the thick black veins, yet they are still visible.
Sore’s breath catches, and he swallows deeply, suddenly aware of everything: his own breathing, the way his skin prickles, and heat lingering in his body. “I…” his voice comes out softer than he intends. “I just—”
“You do realize I am in a rut and coming here is dangerous for you?” Reign stares at him with a tilt of his head as he takes a step forward, a dark look in his eyes that strikes Soren’s core.
“I know…” his voice comes out quietly. He knows perfectly, yet he doesn’t know what the heck he was thinking. “I'm sorry, I'll just leave,” Soren tells him, and in an instant, he turns to leave, not giving the man the chance to respond, but the moment Soren opens the door, his shoulder is grabbed from behind, and he's pulled, his back slammed against the wall, and the glass door slams shut.
For a second, Soren can’t breathe as he realizes Reign is everywhere, towering over him and caging him in, with one hand braced beside his head, the other still gripping his shoulder like iron, while the heat pouring off him is suffocating; it wraps around Soren’s body, dragging at his instincts and clawing at something deep inside him that he doesn’t want to acknowledge.
Soren realizes painfully that the enigma’s rut is getting stronger. Even with the scent patch, it leaks through. It fills Soren’s lungs with every shaky breath he takes, settling in his chest, coiling low in his stomach, and making his legs feel weak. He shouldn't have come here.
Soren’s fingers twitch uselessly at his sides as Reign’s face gets closer now, close enough that Soren can see the faint sheen of sweat on his skin, the tight clench of his jaw, and the way his pupils have blown wide, swallowing the color of his irises. They are predatory.
“Where are you going, darling? Didn't you come here to help me with my rut?” Reign speaks, his voice low and rough.
The words are like a slap to Soren's face because they sound like the truth he doesn't want to acknowledge. His pulse slams wildly in his throat, and his hands clench into fists at his side.
“You don't need me. I'm only your fake fiancé. You have alphas and stronger betas paid to take care of your rut." Soren forces the words, realizing how bitter they sound.
Reign's lips curl into an amused smile. Slowly, he hooks his finger under Soren's chin, lifting his face. “You're jealous,”
Soren's eyes twitch at the statement while his heart pounds faster. “I'm not jeal—”
Reign doesn't let him finish. He abruptly leans in and cuts him off with a kiss squarely on his lips and immediately, Soren sucks in a deep breath but Reign’s hand quickly goes to grasp the back of his head, taking his mouth like it belongs to him and there's nothing soft in the way he devours his lips while Soren struggles to keep up with the Enigma's pace.
TO BE CONTINUED.