34 Meeting Ashton

The two-hour silent ride came to an end, and Arren was awake the entire time. He was fixated on the scenery outside. He also had no idea where they were going. Only he noticed that as they drove, the houses seemed to get fewer and fewer.

He had expected them to go to a police station, but their destination appeared to be far from the crowded city center. At some point, the car entered a tunnel, and Arren noticed that the only car or road they were using had become the official one. After a few turns, Arren noticed that the security was tightening, and he could see well-equipped soldiers patrolling the area, saluting every time their car passed by.

Arren had no idea where they were. This was his first visit to this location. No matter how innocent and oblivious he was, he would notice that they appeared to be entering some forbidden area of the Empire.

Even as a noble, he knew nothing about this place. Perhaps he had become ignorant as a result of his years of evasion in the upper nobility circle. What Arren didn't realize was that this was a top-secret military base that only the Empire's top officials could access. This site also housed some of the Empire's most important laboratories and technology. The important cases and interrogations were also held there, which was why Ashton was there. Arren's case and investigation were obviously top priorities for Spade.

He was still stunned when the alpha's deep voice awoke him, "We're here,"

Arren turned to face the alpha, his face pale and tense.

"Uhm, where is this place?... Am I allowed here?" he asked, his voice low and even shaky. Nah, he always thought of him as a little extra in this novel or world, and he didn't want to be involved in some confidential matter at all. The location screamed top secret or something. Arren was brave, yes, but when it came to things like this, his bravery vanished like smoke.

"Of course, you're welcome here," the alpha said, slightly chuckling at Arren's expression. "Or, you don't want to meet him anymore?" he asked, raising his eyebrows at Arren. His handsome face still has a playful smile on it.

Arren frowned and cast a threatening look at the alpha. He was well aware that he was mocking him! This alpha... really was so hateful. He quickly calculated the pros and cons while thinking about it. He would just meet that fucker for ten minutes and not like he would wander in the place, right? So, he found the situation still within an acceptable range of risks. He nodded after making his decision.

"Who said I don't want to anymore? I'm not scared at all. Yeah, why would I?" Arren nodded and spoke confidently as if he was just convincing himself through it all. Spade just shrugged as he step out of the car first. Spade nodded at everyone so they wouldn't greet him. If they greet him, he wouldn't know what the reaction of his little omega if he heard them.

Arren, the little omega, obliviously stepped out of the car, like a meek rabbit clinging to the alpha. He was terrified of seeing anything he shouldn't see. He didn't want any involvement or complicated matter biting him in the ass later, so he chose to remain silent and pretend to be blind and deaf for the duration of his stay in this base.

Perhaps the alpha read his mind because he stopped teasing Arren and they started walking to the secret base. Arren, who had become suddenly obedient, only knew that they were entering the elevator and were accompanied by guards again; he simply followed the alpha. He only noticed them entering some sort of room a few minutes later. Arren found it difficult to observe the area due to its tight security. The corridor was quiet but brightly lit. Even pheromones couldn't be detected. Arren noticed how well-behaved the soldiers and guards are at this location.

Once inside, it was just the two of them. The guards did not follow them. Arren took a look around the room; it was a simple room with nothing in sight. A closed door stood in the center of the room. He tilted his head, certain that the person he desired to meet was inside.

"Is he there?" Arren asked his tone not as playful as before.

"Mn," the alpha said solemnly, looking at Arren. "Only ten minutes," the alpha reminded about their agreement.

Arren could only nod; what else could he do? He didn't have any choices anyway. "Yes, ten minutes is enough."

Spade looked at him again for a few seconds before walking towards the door, which he did not open. He simply clicked something, and the door and wall became transparent. The inside of the room was visible to them.

Arren saw the room behind the door. The room was clean and simple. There was a small bed to the side and something hidden behind the curtains, which he assumed was the mini bathroom or toilet. Even though the room was simple and small, the situation was still humane. Someone appeared to be sleeping in the bed.

The man was Ashton. The fucker who drugged him. The root of his many nightmares. Arren didn't notice, but his fists were tightly clenched at this time. He hated this guy... so much.

Spade, at the side, with his dark expression, push some buttons and a loud alarm resounded in the room. Because of this, it startled awake the man sleeping inside. The man was rather distraught at first however when he noticed that there was someone in the room, his expression became fearful and startled. However, due to the soundproofing system, Arren couldn't hear what Ashton was saying.

The alpha ignored Ashton, who turned as white as a sheet when he saw him. "I will give you ten minutes," he paused, "you can just push this button and you can speak with him," Spade instructed Arren.

Arren only nodded, but he smiled slightly to reassure the alpha that everything was fine. Spade reluctantly leaves Arren alone in the room to give him privacy. For that, Arren was thankful.

When he was the only one in the room and Ashton was on the other side of the screen, he breathed a sigh of relief and calmed his nerves. Arren locked his gaze on the man on the other side, seizing him and observing his condition. The arrogant alpha appeared thinner and paler since Arren last saw him. While the treatment was commendable, he was still a criminal in the end, and anyone could see that his condition was dire.

While Arren was watching Ashton, the latter recognized him. Arren noticed how Ashton's expression changed and became more complex, his chapped lips trembling slightly. Arren witnessed everything. His phoenix eyes squinted in mockery as he looked at the fucker. He had no sympathy for assholes like him.

Arren didn't know why, but he expected his blood to boil and all his pent-up emotions to burst forth at the sight of Ashton. However, now that Ashton was in front of him and saw his poor condition. He didn't feel much anger while it lingered; it wasn't what he expected. In the end, he just felt lost. That's right, Arren was completely lost and didn't know what to do.

He's fantasized about beating up Ashton in more ways than one these past few weeks, especially after all his nightmares and inability to sleep. Every day, he vents his rage and longs for this moment. He was now at a loss for words. Arren had the thought to mock himself for being confused now that he had the opportunity. No, not that he was confused, probably because he found out that... Oh, the asshole wasn't doing much better either; Ashton's fate was far worse than his own.