+Chapter 17+

Asher watched the Omega press herself against the far car door like he had tried to eat her up, her sharp gaze fixed on him.

He chuckled under his breath and swiped a thumb over his lip, looking away. He could cancel his plans for the night and take her inside even though she'd be protesting, but he was entertained by this back and forth.

Jael had a sour look on his face as he stepped on the gas, wishing he could light a cigarette.

He had been expecting Asher to be spectacularly turned down seeing how much aversion the Omega held towards him, he hadn't planned to get front seats to his boss' makeout session.

Next time he would remember to take one of the cars that had a partition to spare himself.

Caspian was tense throughout the ride, never leaving his defensive position. He had quickly gotten over the heated kiss, plagued by much more darker thoughts.

What would happen to him when they returned from the function? He couldn't just say no to Asher, this was the entire reason he was bought after all.

There was also the function, he might end up being found out at the function and it would be all over even quicker.

Lost in all of his worries, the journey ended quickly for Caspian. He didn't even remember to be self-conscious about Asher kissing him in front of an audience.

He sat up straighter when Jael and Asher immediately got out, wondering if he was supposed to do the same.

He reached for the door handle at the same time that Asher opened his door and offered his hand. Caspian eyed the polite gesture with suspicion, not eager to get into Asher's personal space again.

Asher picked up on this and made a gesture of surrender, stepping back to let the Omega come out by herself.

Caspian sighed in relief at this, gently placing a leg out of the car. He took a step forward and instantly tripped on his dress, falling right into Asher's arms.

"Starting to think that you should have taken my hand?" Asher's quietly teasing voice said.

"Yes, sorry." Caspian muttered, straightening up.

Maybe he was being too fearful, Asher wasn't going to try anything out in public like this. He couldn't believe the night was just starting, he wanted nothing more than to leave.

Asher cocked a brow at this response, noting that she tended to apologize a lot. He offered his arm again, half-expecting her to turn him down.

Caspian took the offered arm and tried to steady his breathing. He would deal with the danger that was Asher later, for now, he needed to get through the night.

The function was held at a hotel, uniformed valets walking around offering their services. Jael disappeared into the darkness after he got them to their destination, leaving just him and Asher.

Caspian was so focused on not breaking his ankles that he didn't even have the time to be self-conscious about standing so close to Asher, the guards at the door quick to let them in.

He wasn't sure what he expected from the function but as it was one that a Mafia King was invited to, maybe he should have been a little more cautious.

A rotund man with several gold chains around his neck and two scantily clad women hanging off both his arms walked up the moment they stepped in.

His belly laugh was thunderous, the women wearing glazed smiles. "I was starting to think you wouldn't show up."

Asher's smile was cold, nothing like the amused-filled ones Caspian often got. "It would be disrespectful to miss a party thrown in my honor."

Caspian took in this information quietly, he hadn't known about that. He knew nothing about Asher.

The man laughed again, he was rotund and huge, almost as tall as Asher. Caspian avoided his little beady eyes, hoping that he wouldn't be required to speak while Asher made small talk.

"Already found an Omega?" He went right on, those beady eyes striping Caspian down. "And I already made arrangements-"

"I don't need it." Asher cut him off, taking a step forward.

Caspian would hide in Asher's fur coat if he could, he didn't like the looks the sleazy man shot him. He was relieved when they started walking to where the party was held because it meant that he didn't have to stand directly in his line of sight.

The hotel was magnificent, with high ceilings and classic gold decor, so the party was a stark contrast to what he had expected.

He had been expecting a ballroom with lots of light and softly playing music, but instead, he was led into a dimly lit hall. It was only lit up by colorful backlights, spine-shaking bass playing.

It was near impossible to listen in on Asher's conversation with the man who had come personally to welcome them, it wasn't like there was much to hear.

It was clear that they were simply having small talk as more important conversations wouldn't be held out in the open.

Caspian didn't even mind, he rather preferred this ambiance because it would be much easier to hide his little slip-ups. He wasn't even required to say a word, just like the other women, he just had to stand there and look pretty.

The women were even the least of his problems because a lot of them looked drugged out, if anything, he got more curious stares from the other men.

He was so happy to be off his feet when they got to a table, everyone wanted to have a conversation with Asher, and he was forced to stand by his side.

Even at a table, they didn't get a breather because another couple walked up to them but this time it was a woman that spoke to Asher. She held an enormous Alpha on a leash, black eyes wicked as she approached the table.

"Silvia," Asher drawled.

"You didn't even ask about me, I'm hurt." She sashayed over to gently trail black-tipped nails down his chest.