Chapter 57 CHAPTER 057
Soren yawns as he walks down the staircases, his body swaying with exhaustion, both physically and mentally; he feels drained, and last night, he had fallen asleep with tears and pressed against the door.
It’s a new day, and that means he has finally realized that he has no place in Reign’s heart, so he should forget about trying. To the enigma, Soren will always be a contracted fiancé he’s going to discard in a year.
The good news is, a year isn’t so long anymore; just a few months left, and he will be walking out with millions to his name.
It’s good that the enigma doesn't like him. It saves him from all future issues that could arise from revealing his secret.
He can already see himself leaving a comfortable life with his sister. Maybe he will leave the country afterwards.
“Oh, hi,”
The greeting pulls Soren out of his thoughts, and he snaps his head up. Instantly, a grin stretches on his face at who he sees standing at the coffee maker.
“Sylvester!” he clamors, reaching the other alpha in an instant. “You’re okay!”
Sylvester nods. “I got discharged yesterday. Coffee?” he offers, holding out a cup of black coffee, which Soren immediately accepts from him.
Soren takes a sip and groans with delight; he didn't think of how much he needed one until now. Sylvester stares at him with a smile, sipping from his own cup.
“What are you doing here?” Soren asks the alpha.
Sylvester shrugs. “Just here to oversee things with Reign and, most importantly, I wanted to see you.”
Soren’s heart flutters as he stares at the alpha with wide eyes. “Me? Why?”
Sylvester’s gaze suddenly turns intense, and slowly, he gets closer, reaching out to tuck a strand of hair behind Soren’s ear, and his fingers linger near Soren’s temple, the touch far gentle.
“Because you’ve been on my mind since the accident, Soren,” he murmurs, his voice dropping to a comforting octave that makes the hair on Soren's arms stand up.
Soren’s grip on the warm coffee cup tightens, and he doesn't realize he has taken a step back until the alpha’s hand hangs in the air. “I don’t think that’s appropriate.”
Sylvester smiles and drops his hand. “Is it not what you think? I’ve just been worried. You took quite the hit too and weren't checked at the hospital. You have been left alone, all by yourself. If I were in his position, with a fiancé like you... I wouldn't leave for days without a word. If you ever need anyone to talk to, I’m here for you. Being with Reign, I believe, can be overwhelming.”
Soren wants to believe that the alpha is merely being kind to him, but… “That won’t be necessary, and thank you.”
It’s already hard dealing with one Montgomery, who's as cold as ice; he doesn't think he wants to deal with the cousin who seems kind and sees Soren as human.
Sylvester nods as if he understands. “That’s fine. I’ll be holding an event soon about omegas and misuse of suppressants; you should come.”
Soren stares at him for a second, then he opens his mouth to decline, but Sylvester cuts him off.
“Even if you’re a beta, don’t say no. It’s a cause worth supporting, wouldn’t you agree?” Sylvester adds, his eyes sparkling with an intensity that makes Soren’s stomach do a nervous flip. “Besides, seeing a fresh face would be the highlight of my evening.”
Soren swallows the lump in his throat. “I’ll... I’ll think about it,” he mutters, taking another sip of the bitter coffee to avoid looking the alpha in the eye.
“That’s all I ask,” Sylvester says smoothly, but at that moment, Soren feels his presence before the enigma’s in the kitchen.
He feels the temperature in the kitchen plummet before he even hears a footstep, the air turning thick and heavy with domineering pheromones, and just like that, the soft, atmosphere Sylvester has created is instantly sucked out of the room, replaced by a cold, suffocating pressure that makes Soren’s heart hammer against his ribs, especially when he recalls all the words the enigma said to him yesterday.
“I don’t recall inviting you to stay for coffee, Sylvester,” Reign begins, his voice low and authoritative.
Soren brings his coffee to his lips, not daring to look at the enigma. He doesn't know if Sylvester feels the sudden tension or not, but the alpha chuckles and drops his cup of coffee on the counter before straightening his coat.
“I guess I’ll take my leave now,” he says, then looks at Soren. “I’ll see you some other time.”
Soren replies with a hum, and without another word, he strides out of the kitchen, leaving Soren behind with the enigma who cares about no one but himself.
Soren doesn't want to see him or talk to him. Without a word, Soren turns to leave, but Reign's voice stops him.
“I see you and Sylvester have gotten close. Do you like him?”
Soren stops in his tracks, his back still turned to Reign. He lets out an incredulous breath. After being called an ‘available choice’ just hours ago, the sheer audacity of Reign’s jealousy, if that’s even what this is, makes Soren’s vision swim with irritation.
“Do I like him?” he repeats, his voice flat and mocking as he slowly turns his head to look at the man, ignoring how handsome he is in those glasses of his, dressed in the most casual clothes Soren has ever seen. Well, Soren be damned.
“He treats me like a person, Mr. Montgomery. He doesn't look at me like I’m a piece of equipment he’s done using for the night. So, compared to you? Yeah, I like him just fine.”
Reign doesn't look offended; if anything, he looks amused, and that pisses off Soren to no end. “I thought you said you didn't read meaning into it, Fox?”
Soren snorts. “Of course I didn't. I’m only with you for the money, and once the year ends, I’ll be out of here. Maybe if Sylvester likes me enough, we could end up together,” he says through gritted teeth, drops his cup of coffee on the counter, and starts to leave, but suddenly his arm is grabbed, and he’s pulled back.
He gasps when he sees a pair of dark brown eyes shining down at him.
“If you like him that much, I’m willing to be a matchmaker,” Reign retorts, eyes drilling a hole into Soren. Shame, Soren can't read them no matter how hard he tries.
Soren’s eyes morph into a glare, and forcefully, he withdraws his hand from Reign’s grasp and starts to leave again until the enigma speaks again.
“Here’s a reminder, Fox. You can do whatever you want once the contract ends, but until then, you’re mine. I’ll advise you not to do something foolish you will come to regret.”
Soren’s hand clenches so hard his nails dig into his palm. He doesn't turn, doesn't give the man the satisfaction of seeing him affected. Without a word, Soren storms out of the kitchen.
Regret.
Soren snorts.
We'll see about that, Mr. Montgomery.