Chapter 16
A Reminder Of The Past
Alex's POV
Leaving Lucas's office and checking the time, I was almost running late for the dinner Sophie talked about with Grandpa.
The moment I got into my car and hit the road, memories from years ago came rushing back.
When I lost my mother, my world crumbled before me. I didn't know what to do anymore because she was my everything... my entire world... and now she was gone. My father was the reason she was no more, and seeing his face at home pissed me off no matter how hard my sister tried to calm me down.
I was afraid I might end up killing my own father, so I decided to spend time with my first love, Chen Hao. I could never forget his scent—a sweet, comforting ocean mist with sweet peach and subtle jasmine, soft and inviting. He was the only one I found comfort with. I didn't call to tell him I was coming, but I knew he would be home as usual.
The moment I stepped inside his house, another Alpha scent hit my nose. Not just any Alpha, but a familiar one.
I hurried to his room and found him naked on the bed, fast asleep.
"Chen!" I shouted, boiling with rage as I saw love bites all over his neck. Coming closer, the heavy Alpha scent on his skin was sickening.
He woke up in shock, stuttering.
"Why is my best friend's scent all over you?" I growled, my chest burning.
"I can explain, Li... it's not what you think!"
I slammed on my brakes right in the middle of the road, stopping the car as the past washed over me. There was no way Lucas would hurt me like that, right? He wouldn't deceive me the way Chen did?
I hit the steering wheel angrily again and again.
I fucking smelled another Alpha on him today. I couldn't lose him too. I wouldn't. I was going to claim him as mine and make sure every other Alpha backed off.
Taking a deep breath, I drove off.
I finally arrived at the restaurant. It was an old, historic building where stories said kings from past eras used to dine with their families and nobles. I understood why Grandpa loved it here—it made him remember his younger days.
"You're here," my sister said, opening her arms for a hug, but I stepped back. "I don't need your hug. Is Grandpa inside?"
"You annoying brat." She pulled my ear, as annoying as ever, but I loved my sister.
"Let go." She laughed and released me.
"Yes, Grandpa and Dad are inside. But remember what you promised me at the office?"
Right as she said this, a black car pulled up. The door opened to reveal Zheng... the last person in the world I ever wanted to see again.
My fist tightened until my knuckles turned white. My sister quickly grabbed my hand. "Breathe, Alex... you promised."
I let out a low laugh. "I'm fine, sis."
"Look who we have here," Zheng said, stepping closer with a smirk. "Alex, my best friend. How long has it been? And Sophie, you've gotten more good-looking."
"Oh, Zheng. You're not looking bad yourself," Sophie said. "I was shocked when Dad told me you were back in town." She kept her hand tight on my arm to keep my Alpha temper in check so I wouldn't lose my mind.
"Yeah, I heard Alex was in town and I missed my best friend, so I came back for him. Did you miss me, Alex?" He asked with a wink.
"You bastard. I am not your best friend, so get lost." I turned on my heel and headed inside, my sister following close behind.
"Greetings, Grandpa," I bowed my head.
"Grandson, how are you?"
"Fine, Grandpa." I took a seat right next to him, ignoring my father completely.
"Son," my father spoke up. "I told Father of your great accomplishments, and how an omega your sister mentioned has finally won your heart. It seems we will have a wedding to plan after your welcoming event tomorrow."
I turned and glared at my sister. She immediately looked away.
What a snitch.
"I'm so proud of you, grandson," Grandpa said softly. "Your late mother would be proud too. I'm sure the omega you picked is beautiful and loving."
I just nodded, not knowing what else to say. Right then, that idiot Zheng joined the table and chimed in.
"Alex, that's so unfair of you. You should have told me about your new omega. You should bring your lover to dinner next time. What do you think, Grandpa?" He had an evil smirk on his face, and right now, I wanted to smash his head into the table.
"Sure," Grandpa smiled. "Let's have dinner with my future omega-in-law."
"The food is getting cold," I said sharply to change the subject.
While we ate, Zheng kept putting meat onto my plate, acting like I was his secret lover.
"Here, have some drink," he said, pouring my glass.
"Look at you two," Grandpa chuckled. "I admire your friendship from childhood. Even though you were separated by moving to different countries, you're still so close."
"Distance is no barrier to our friendship," Zheng said, glancing at me. "I care for my best friend very well."
I slammed my spoon onto the table. Everyone stopped and looked at me.
"I need to use the restroom," I muttered, standing up and walking out to get some fresh air.
Damn that jerk!
Who did he think he was? After betraying me, he thought he had the right to call me his best friend?
"So I was thinking... why don't we go out and have fun together with your omega?"
I spun around to see Zheng standing behind me.
"Get the hell out of my sight. I told you years ago that our friendship was over, and I never want anything to do with you again."
"Oh, come on. That happened years ago," Zheng sneered. "You should be happy it happened. At least now you know Chen never really liked you. All I cared about was your happiness."
I let out a dry, bitter laugh. "You're a total psycho. Get lost."
"By the way, your new omega... is he cute?" Zheng leaned in, his voice cold and nasty. "I'd love to meet him... maybe we could all share—"
Before he could finish his sentence, my fist landed hard across his face.
"You bastard!" I roared. "Don't you dare go near my omega, or I'll kill you!"
Zheng wiped the blood from his lip, his eyes flashing dangerously. "Now I'm really interested in meeting this omega of yours... maybe I'll fuck him and send you the video. Or better yet, we can do it together, bestie."
"You animal!"
I threw another punch. He blocked it, shoved me back, and slammed me against the wall. Both of our heavy Alpha pheromones flared out into the air, thick and suffocating as we clashed.
"STOP IT, BOTH OF YOU!"
Grandpa's booming voice rang out. My sister rushed over to pull us apart.
After a harsh scolding from Grandpa, we both apologized to him. I was the first to leave, walking straight to my car and driving off into the night.
What was that back there?
We were both S-class Alphas, but why did his pheromones feel so heavy and dominating? If Grandpa hadn't stepped in, that fight would have turned ugly.
I made a vow to myself right then as I gripped the steering wheel tight—I would fucking kill that bastard if he ever stepped anywhere near my cutie.