NOVEL NEXT Chapter 3: I rewarded you
Silas packed his bag and made his way to the private lounge reserved for the alphas, where Lucca was waiting. Upon reaching the door, he knocked lightly.
"Come in," Lucca's deep voice called from inside.
Pushing the door open, Silas stepped in—only to freeze momentarily. Lucca stood before him, shirtless while his toned physique was on full display. Silas instinctively averted his gaze, his fingers tightening around the strap of his bag as he shut the door behind him.
"Come here," Lucca commanded.
Schooling his expression into neutrality, Silas strode forward, stopping a few feet behind him.
Lucca turned to face him, and Silas clenched his fingers at his sides. The broad shoulders, the well-defined chest, the sculpted eight-pack—it was no wonder betas and omegas had spent the last three years whispering about Lucca's physique. Silas had always ignored such conversations, brushing them off as idle gossip.
But standing here now, with Lucca right in front of him, ignoring those details was proving to be far more difficult than he had expected.
"Liking what you see?" Lucca teased, a smirk tugging at his lips as he stepped closer.
"Huh?" Silas blinked, clearly flustered. His grip tightened around his bag's strap as his knuckles turned white. He instinctively leaned back when Lucca invaded his space, only to watch as the dominant alpha casually grabbed his shirt from behind and began putting it on.
"You know, you can wear a shirt from a distance too," Silas muttered, inhaling the faint but unmistakable scent of Lucca's pheromones. This was insane. Lucca was deliberately releasing them again.
"Can you stop that?" Silas finally snapped, brows furrowing in irritation.
"What?" Lucca arched a brow, feigning innocence.
"Releasing your pheromones and getting too close to me," Silas said as he locked eyes with him. "I told you—I hate alphas."
Lucca's smirk deepened. "Too bad. You'll have to keep fighting against it then, Silas." With that, he casually handed over his tie. "Make me wear it," he instructed. "I don't know how to tie a knot."
Silas exhaled sharply, setting his bag down on the couch before stepping closer. Lucca towered over him at nearly 6'4", while Silas barely reached 5'8". He huffed, tiptoeing in an attempt to reach him properly. "You need to lower yourself," he muttered.
Lucca complied, dipping his head, and in that instant, their faces drew dangerously close—too close. Silas swallowed hard, his heart hammering in his chest.
Determined to get it over with, he focused solely on the tie, quickly looping and twisting the fabric around. But in his haste, he pulled too hard—choking Lucca in the process.
A startled grunt escaped Lucca's lips.
"Oh—! I-I'm sorry!" Silas stammered, his face paling as he took a step back, afraid of retaliation.
But instead of anger, Lucca merely grinned at him, amused. "Where did you learn such techniques?" he mused.
Silas frowned. "What techniques?"
Lucca chuckled, tilting his head. "Are you truly that naive, or are you just pretending?"
Silas pursed his lips, not understanding what Lucca meant, nor did he care to ask. Instead, he focused on finishing the knot. Once done, he pressed a hand against Lucca's chest, gently pushing him away.
"It's done," he murmured, looking anywhere but at Lucca's smirking face.
"Silas, look at me," Lucca commanded.
The moment Silas lifted his gaze, a soft, unexpected kiss landed on his cheek.
"Hey!" Silas jerked back, his voice rising in protest. He pressed the back of his palm against his cheek as if trying to erase the sensation. "Why did you do that? I told you—" His breathing grew uneven, anger bubbling inside him.
Lucca leaned back with a smirk, unfazed by his reaction. "I rewarded you, Silas. Is that a problem?" His voice held a teasing edge, knowing exactly how to push Silas's buttons.
Silas was unlike any omega Lucca had ever encountered—rebellious, sharp-tongued, and utterly defiant, not just toward alphas but even betas and some elite omegas.
Lucca still remembered the first time Silas had punched an alpha in the cafeteria two years ago. That moment had sparked his curiosity, and ever since, he had been watching Silas from a distance because he intrigued him.
Lucca strolled toward the cupboard, retrieving a black blazer. He slipped it on effortlessly, adjusting the expensive watch on his wrist before giving himself a once-over in the mirror.
Silas took a deep breath, regaining his composure. "Can I go now? I can't afford to be late for work."
"You're not going anywhere today. I need you," Lucca said, shutting the cupboard door with a loud thud.
Silas's jaw tightened. "I told you—I won't compromise my job."
Lucca barely glanced at him. "I'll compensate you for the work you miss."
Silas scoffed. "I don't need your money."
At that, Lucca finally turned to face him.
For a fleeting moment, Silas forgot his anger. The sight of Lucca in that perfectly tailored black suit, exuding hotness and confidence, sent an involuntary jolt through him. 'Why did he have to look that good?'
"I think we agreed on my terms earlier. Don't make me mad, Silas. I know usually after college hours get over, you become an errand boy for some alphas. But today, no one come to pester you. So, keep in mind that you need to return the favors to me as well," Lucca said with a stern gaze.
"Fine. Pay me as equal as my part-time job. Where do we need to go?" Silas asked.
"To a party. But before that we need to change your clothes," Lucca said with a smirk.
Silas frowned. "A party? Why? And I'm not changing my clothes."
Lucca let out a small chuckle, stepping closer. "What do you mean, why? To have fun, of course." His smirk deepened as he gestured for Silas to follow. "Now, let's go."
Silas sighed, already regretting his decision, but still, he trailed behind Lucca as they left the lounge. 'I wonder what's going to happen in the party. Will there only be alphas? What if Lucca ask me to do something which I don't want to?' he thought and shook his head. 'But I can't even refuse him anymore. I need to do what he wants me to.'