“No, take that away.” I squeezed my face, turning away from the cup of wine offered.
Lucien and our other friends looked at me with disbelief in their eyes.
“What’s going on with you, Elian?
You haven’t been drinking for more than a week.”
“Yeah, he returned the drink I mixed for him two days ago.”
“It was supposed to be his favorite.”
“Are you unwell?”
“I think you should visit the hospital.”
The word hospital again.
Why was everyone talking about visiting the hospital?
What was so good about that place other than the consistent bad news?
I wouldn’t go.
Even if it killed me, I wouldn’t set foot into that sinister place.
“I’m alright.
I’m still recovering from the wine we had over a week ago.
I guess I took too much.”
“You barely had any overnight, Elian.” Lucien pointed out.
A little annoyed, I grabbed a cup of juice and left the table.
“Off to get a dude?”
“Yeah.
It’s been a while.”
Ever since I took Sébastien to my bed, it had been hard to take home another.
None of them were up to the standard.
The thought amused and annoyed me at the same time.
But my mood had been so off these days that I felt like I had to let out the steam.
I needed to take one home tonight.
Anyone.
He only had to be handsome.
I hit the dance floor, swirling around while looking for any alpha that somehow hit the lowered bar tonight.
“Hey, Elian.
You good?”
“Yeah, I am.”
“Interested in me?”
“Nah, bud.
Go on.”
The dance floor was filled with dozens of alphas.
I didn’t have to settle for just anyone.
“Elian, you’re free?”
“Yeah, broke up with the last.”
“Alphas are here tonight.
Gotta take another?”
“Sure.”
After searching for more than an hour, all I got were the same questions and volunteers from the ones who caused no stir in my heart.
It was frustrating.
Until I saw one sitting alone in a corner.
My lips slowly curled.
That was it.
Tall.
Broad shoulders.
A little older.
Handsome, too.
Dark green eyes.
Great.
He somehow hit the mark.
I approached and placed down my cup of juice before him.
He picked it up, giving it a taste.
“Juice?” He wrinkled his brows.
“Yeah.
Got tired of taking wine.
Is it that bad?” I laughed at his wrinkled brows.
He dropped the cup and chuckled.
“That’s rare.”
I shrugged.
“Everything always has a first.” It felt uncomfortable talking about my disinterest in wine again.
“Health report?” I reached out.
He handed over a piece of white paper.
Confirming the hospital, the doctor, and the clean slate, my mood got even better.
“My room is empty tonight.”
“I’m free, too.”
I chuckled.
Picking up my cup, I turned around to leave, and he followed behind.
“Hey, Elian!”
Noah’s voice.
I raised a brow.
“Are you always this free now?” He’d been coming to the bar every day these days.
It was unlike him.
“Is your company going bankrupt?”
Noah grabbed the cup from me and downed the juice.
“Don’t worry.
I can still take care of you for the rest of our lives with the amount I have on me.”
My lips twitched.
“Got one?”
“What?”
“An alpha.”
My eyes widened.
I turned around, but he was gone.
Wait, where was he?
Noah threw an arm over my shoulder.
“You forgot your alpha behind?” His mockery couldn’t be more obvious.
I rubbed my forehead.
Why had I forgotten about his existence?
“This is unlike you, Elian.”
I sighed wearily.
“Yeah, right.
It’s unlike me.” Nothing had been like me for a while already.
“You don’t like him, do you?”
I shrugged.
Noah pulled me closer.
Annoyed, I tapped his arm.
“I’m an omega.”
“I didn’t see that.”
I glared at him.
He laughed.
“Alright.
You don’t seem interested in this place.
How about I take you out?”
I raised a brow.
“Really?
You don’t want to have a go with an omega?”
Noah’s expression changed.
“When have I ever gone home with omegas here?”
Oh, right.
That was true.
Noah was the only saint friend I had.
“Let’s go then.” I tapped his hand away from my shoulder and stepped forward.
Noah grabbed my hand, pulling me to walk beside him.
“Elian, I’m so handsome.”
My nose twitched.
“I know.” I wouldn’t deny that.
“I’m capable, too.
Physically and everywhere else.”
I laughed.
“Tell that to your omega, Little Noah.”
His hand tightened on my wrist.
“I’m older than you are.”
“Alright.
Old man.”
He smiled.
We left the bar together, abandoning my sea of friends who were still waiting for me to return with an alpha.
Well, I was leaving the bar with one.
Too bad he wasn’t the kind of alpha they expected.
“Your car or mine?”
I glanced at my newly bought expensive car, and my heart ached slightly.
It had been more than a week since I got it, and yet, I hadn’t driven a single alpha with it.
This was all Sébastien’s fault.
He raised the bar so high that everything else looked mediocre.
I forcefully tore my eyes away from the car.
“Let’s go with yours.”
Away from the heartbreak.
Noah grinned.
He took my hand and led me toward his car.
Looking at his hand, which wouldn’t leave mine, I shook my head wearily.
Noah would always be clingy.
He drove me to the Star Restaurant.
Stepping into the starry place, it felt like I had entered a new world altogether.
No noise.
No crowds.
It was a world apart from the nightlife I was used to.
However, it somehow comforted me, making me feel less grumpy.
I saw Noah typing some things on the entrance screen, and after that, he took my hand and led me in.
“I’ve never been here.”
“It’s stranger that you came with me tonight.”
I would rather stay in bars than come to such a quiet place.
It would have been such a bore.
“Do you like it here?” Noah asked, helping me to a seat.
I glanced around.
The whole area was slightly cold, yet not enough to make one shiver
The air was filled with stars, and outside the window, the world looked more beautiful than ever before.
“Hm.
It’s nice.”
“I’m glad you like it.”
Our meals were soon served.
It was late at night, so every meal was light and without many calories.
Noah and I ate in silence.
“Did my dad tell you to convince me to visit the hospital?” I asked, pushing the empty plate aside.
Noah straightened up.
“He did.”
My mood fell.
“But don’t worry, I won’t.”
“I know how much you hate hospitals.”
“Then…
what will you do?”
Noah rubbed his brow.
“Let’s talk about that after tonight, okay?”
“Don’t worry.
I won’t force you to go to the hospital.”
I looked into Noah’s eyes, knowing he was telling the truth.
He wasn’t like my father.
He would never deceive me.
The smile on my face returned.
Resting on the table, I glanced around the room, trying to see more of the beautiful scenery around me.
Then…
There he was.
Sébastien.
At the eastern corner of the restaurant, Sébastien sat with an omega sitting across from him.
His cold grey eyes had softened considerably.
On his lips was a smile.
Not polite.
More comfortable, like he was home.
He cut steaks and pushed them toward the male omega with eyes filled with expectation.
The omega received it.
His pretty face was covered in warm smiles as he ate and chatted with Sébastien.
The two looked so happy together.
Like the newest couple in town.
“That’s Sébastien.”
I heard Noah say.
My eyes quietly fell on Sébastien’s face, and I slowly nodded.
A smile curled on my lips.
“He looks good, doesn’t he?”
“His smile is so beautiful.”
Silence.
“Yeah, right.
He looks really handsome.”
“That’s his childhood friend, by the way.
Everyone says Sébastien has a crush on him.”
Oh?
I was taken aback.
There was such a person who could make Sébastien have a crush on them?
“Why are they not married then?”
“They are not even together yet.”
I was even more surprised.
Really?
How could that be?
“The omega went abroad for a few years and only returned a week ago.”
Hearing that, I finally understood.
It wouldn’t be long before they got together then.
Noah stood up.
“Let’s go.
We’re done.”
I nodded, peeling my eyes off Sébastien and his date.
“Let’s leave.” I glanced at the time.
“The night is still young.
Let’s hit the bar again.”
Noah agreed.
He paid the bill, and we left the restaurant.
Staring out at the night sky, I couldn’t stop thinking about the wild night I had with Sébastien about three weeks ago.
I rubbed my nose.
This wasn’t good.
I suddenly missed the refined, aged whiskey pheromone again…
“Noah, let’s go wild tonight.”