Clarice Phillips arrived to demonstrate that she could take significant advantage of the connections between the families. She intended to propose a brief peace treaty to Aster, but to hell with peace!
A moment of strange silence hung in the air.
Aster directed his gaze to his blood brothers in that world, individuals who shared part of his flesh and bone. Clarice, with her pale face and clear, almost transparent skin, presented sharp and perfect features. Her body leaned slightly forward, while her hair floated gracefully over her clothes.
Oliver, tall and of imposing beauty, exhibited sun-tanned skin and elegantly refined attire. However, there was something strange and reserved in his gaze, as if it were explicit that he and Damián did not share the same essence or substance.
Oliver's blond hair reflected the light like the sun's glow on ice blocks, capturing the intensity of his gaze.
Aster assumed a censorious posture. Looking at Oliver and Clarice, he asked bluntly, turning his thoughts into questioning words, "Do you think we are not made of the same material as you two?"
Oliver immediately replied, "You act as if all events are part of a game, where each participant is dealt their cards and starts playing."
"And this game has no rules." He continued.
"You ask who's winning, but who's winning what?"
"And who's losing? Is losing what?"
Aster responded with conviction…
"Does my pride hurt yours? I bet it does. And what about my sensuality and pheromones? Do you wonder why you believe I live as if I have a diamond where my thighs meet?
You will never erase me from the Campbell family history with mere words tossed to the wind."
Damián cut through the air with his words.
"It's evident that the contemporary ABO world has not settled its debt regarding its omega citizens. Instead of honoring the sacred bond that is the AO connection, the inhabitants of this world issue omegas an invalid check returned with the inscription: Insufficient funds."
However, we refuse to believe that the bank of justice has gone bankrupt, representing morality here. We refuse to believe that there are not enough resources in the vast coffers of opportunities in this prejudiced and dogmatic world.
We are unique and unrepeatable.
"Being in love is closer to insanity than reason, Clarice," replied Damián.
Clarice, if you desire Callum, that toxic alpha, so desperately, stand up and do your part for him; fight and win him back!
"Do you have no sense of danger? Do you have no sense at all? Asked Oliver, looking firmly into Damián's eyes.
What were you expecting? — Damián said harshly. — Panic"?
Do you want us to run or cry? (with a strong mocking tone)
Oliver paled at the sight of Damián. His beauty was just the packaging for a complex and fascinating treasure.
There was no obvious docility or submission in the omega's eyes in front of him. Unlike what is often seen, they were challenging eyes.
"I won't discuss this matter further with you." Aster retorted.
"No need to worry. We're leaving first. Intervened Oliver, stepping away with his sister, Clarice."
Gritting his teeth slightly, Oliver pushed aside the complex and curious thoughts and spoke to Clarice:
"It's understandable, considering that both of them have no proper family or education. They do as they please; they're crude.".
Watching the two walk away, as drinks circulated the venue, Damián spoke while pouring himself a drink: marital maxims or sentimental machinations? What kind of crazy situation is this?
Aster asked Damián, and, seeing his complicated expression, added, I urgently need another dose of this drink."
Then Murphy's Law decided to make its appearance!
If anything can go wrong, it will. And, of course, it will be in the most inconvenient way possible, at the most inappropriate moment, and causing the maximum damage.
As Aster and Damián turned around, they noticed the approach of Nathan Caller and Ryan Byrne, advancing without hesitation.
With casual grace, they walked without showing signs of approval or disapproval.
The only soft feature about Ryan Byrne was his lush brown hair.
It shone like a fur coat, tied with an elastic near the nape of his neck. He was handsome from head to toe.
Nathan Caller had light hair and blue eyes. Tall and broad-shouldered, he had the appearance of a Viking—strong and dangerous, but with a notably youthful touch.
His lips curled to one side, forming a half-jovial, seductive smile.
"What are you two doing here? — he asked, casting a curious glance around".
"I wonder. What are your true intentions at this moment?"?
*Shouldn't there be intense physical preparation for both of you? We're shooting in three months or two months; can you remember?
Bombarding them with questions, he continued, why are you at a party? How did you get in? Who are you with? Honestly, I don't care. You two are well-paid.
Whatever it is, it doesn't matter. Nathan Caller spoke with haughtiness. We'll accompany you, and in thirty minutes, the four of us will leave together.
Aster began to say:
"Your arrival is entirely inappropriate, Nathan Caller. Why didn't you pretend you didn't know us?"?
"We already have companions."
"Yes, Aster replied with feigned innocence. I'm accompanied by my Alpha. And Damián is also with his "Alpha."
"Don't say that; Nathan Caller replied with the appropriate kindness of a gentleman."
"Are both of you crazy? You are betas, beautiful, but betas; I've never felt pheromones in both of you, never felt... How did you manage to commit to Alphas?"?
Ryan Byrne stared intensely at the two betas he was arguing with. The two betas in front of him were beautiful and disturbing creatures.
He watched them with an unreadable expression.
It was no surprise that the two betas had managed to associate with Alphas from the "High Society."
Aster spoke with an intriguing expression as if the conversation were among friends. Imagine exciting scenes, insane jumps, skiing for almost 24 hours, and crushing new snow. Nathan Caller, how significant are your big scenes?
Rescues and support for avalanche accidents: do you know what I'm talking about?
I'll end both of you! Damián said it with ice in his voice!
Ryan Byrne displayed a rare, large smile in public.
Looking at Damián, he spoke: Are you threatening me?
"Yes, I am, and you will follow my instructions, or I will throw away all the secret footage in the media. I will reveal everything to your friends, fans, investors, and the press."
Nathan Caller didn't give up and invested again, drawing the attention of the two omegas:
"I know this is a high-society party, and even though you two have connected with excellent alphas, we are protected by really powerful people with investments of several million".
While the four exchanged polite offenses disguised as smiles, amenities, and threats, the crowd erupted in curiosity. That's because such a captivating friendship couldn't be lost from public view.
Soon, everyone wanted to know about the relationship between the four.
Beatrice Phillips had a mischievous gleam in her eyes. She was watching Sarah Campbell when she spoke.
"I think they've known each other for a long time. They seem intimate; maybe ex-lovers"?
It was an unpleasant surprise for Adam to find Damián and Aster talking to Nathan Caller and Ryan Byrne like old friends.
"Always yours," he thought.
So, Adam approached and stood next to Damián. It seemed like he was preparing to smile, but he wasn't smiling.
"Do you two already know each other"? — Damián?
For a moment, it seemed like the four were about to explode on each other, like gladiators. A brief silence, more valuable than a thousand words, emerged.
Then, the four continued as if all the previous tension didn't exist or had simply evaporated into the air. They had a common goal: to minimize changes in the scenario quickly.
Damián and Adam adopted socially acceptable and typical behaviors and appearances of a couple, and the two alphas noticed, making Nathan's blood freeze in his veins. He knew that Adam Kadman was about to get married, but he never imagined it would be with the beta, who was one of his stunt doubles.
But what if this beta were an omega?
Adam's words were inserted to emphasize to the two alphas the sociability of the couple, making them appear normal together. However, Ryan Byrne quickly realized that yes, those two had destroyed him; it was only a matter of time. However...
In response to Adam's question, Damián replied, "Yes, we know each other!" As soon as he heard Damián's words, Adam quickly greeted the two: "He already knew them." The question was how Damián and Aster knew them.
Adam continued with a speculative air as if seeking an explanation for this unexpected turn.
Aster began with an explanation. It is not an exaggeration to say that:
"Ryan's visuals are sharp in the scenes he directs. Besides being a talented researcher, he is always a great filmmaker, capable of exploring and extracting winning cards."
In this case, the most appropriate move was the reference to Damián's painting, "Martyr," which reflects one of the most intriguing moments in Nathan's latest film. At the height of confinement, Nathan Caller's characters and the antagonist, Richard Quinn, confront each other. This painting also appears during the film.
Adam looks intrigued at Damián, but Ryan Byrne feels a strong suppression as if Adam were showing that Damián was his. Nathan Caller smiles brightly, changing the discussion.
We were talking about the types of "snow" that skiers and snowboarders compete on. Powder is the type of freshly fallen snow on the mountain, fresh and untouched.
Aster promptly confirmed, as the country (M) is very cold and has many ski resorts. After a while, we found out that we had something in common: a love for snow. Snow, for those who appreciate skiing, can be as soft as feeling like you're floating on a cloud.
To ski this type of snow, you have to be one of the first to descend the slopes after a night of snowfall. The more days of heavy snow, the better the snow conditions.
We're finalizing the final details, he says, occasionally glancing at Aster, who is so close to him that you can see through his eyes. Ryan Byrne was silent, his mouth unable to keep up with his thoughts. "Adam Kadman?"
The Omega wasn't joking about how his luck and misfortune were thrown like dice before him. Damián could destroy him. This situation was unbearable for Ryan! His life would crumble! Adam could sense that there was something there, but the four didn't seem willing to be honest.
Every hair on Aster's neck stood up as he turned to see Callum approaching.
"Be careful; you better step back," Callum growled before Nathan's scared face. Where did he come from? This was all that needed to happen on that wonderful night.
Easy, Callum. He wasn't doing anything unusual. Nathan looked at Aster gratefully, aware that this wasn't exactly true. Aster gently stroked Callum's arm in an attempt to calm him, ignoring how strong and warm he was. It seemed like he was about to explode with anger.
"Who the hell is he? Do you know each other?" Callum roared, making Nathan flinch. No, he didn't want to answer. Aster was shocked by Callum's absurd behavior.
Realizing the situation was getting out of control, Damián quickly spoke to Adam:
"Adam, please take care of your idiot friend." Damián could see Adam persuading Callum calmly to clarify the issue as a good friend.
After talking to Adam, Callum got a brief explanation and didn't seem as angry as before, which was a relief.
Aster was instantly drawn to the green eyes and completely immobilized. All he could think about was the voice, the smell, and the touch.
The relentless power that Callum had over him overshadowed his intelligence, and his heart beat rhythmically in his ears.
Callum's green eyes shone as if they could penetrate Aster's soul. He leaned in again, and his lips touched softly.
"I like that," he almost whispered. Well, that phrase is causing great confusion in Aster's intoxicated mind.".
Callum and Aster leave that awkward encounter, with Callum guiding him away as he pushes people trying to approach. Four pairs of eyes watch the couple walk away.
"Wait here"—don't" go anywhere. With a smile, Callum returns with two glasses of champagne, handing one to Aster. He carefully slides his free arm around Aster's waist, pulling him closer. Showing everyone at that gala dinner that this omega was his company.
Aster's legs weaken. Damn Callum, and damn him too, for relishing in this feeling.
Nathan Caller and Ryan Byrne bid farewell to Damián and Adam, quickly leaving at the same time and moving through the crowd. The two friends quickly moved away from the crowd, trying to keep a pace that would take them away as quickly as possible. That moment needed to be digested.