**********2 Days later*********
The Vayne Corporation's grand atrium had been transformed into a spectacle — shimmering lights, glass podiums, journalists packed shoulder-to-shoulder, mics pointed forward like weapons ready to fire.
Flashlights exploded every few seconds.
The air buzzed with questions, gossip, and the hunger of an entire city waiting for a headline.
Today was the official announcement of their engagement.
A corporate alliance marriage.
A bond that would change business empires.
And the first time the world would see Arion Vayne and Lian Veris standing together.
Lian Veris — POV
Lian swallowed down his nerves for the fiftieth time.
He stood backstage, fingers fidgeting with the edge of his blazer. He had dressed carefully — a soft cream outfit that complimented Arion's sharp charcoal suit. It wasn't flashy. He didn't know how to be flashy. He just hoped he looked presentable.
But the moment he peeked out at the blinding maze of reporters, he regretted breathing.
Crap. So many cameras. So many people. So much yelling. Why are they all screaming? Are they screaming names? Are they screaming questions? Are they screaming at me? I think they're screaming at me.
He took a small, terrified step back—
A strong hand caught his wrist.
"You'll be fine," Arion's low voice murmured from behind him.
Lian jumped. "M-Mr. Vayne—"
"Arion," he corrected gently.
Right. They were fiancés now. Even if only on paper.
Arion stepped closer — so close his presence swallowed the noise around them. "Stick by me. Ignore everything else."
"But the reporters—"
His fingers tightened around Lian's wrist, warm and grounding.
"Just follow my lead."
Lian's pulse tripped over itself. "O-Okay."
------------------------------------------------
The moment the pair stepped out, the media exploded like fireworks.
"CEO Vayne! Is this a real engagement or a corporate stunt?"
"Mr. Veris! Are you qualified to marry into the Vayne family?"
"Isn't he too ordinary for an Alpha like you, CEO Vayne?"
"Did the Veris family force this arrangement?"
"Rumors say the Omega isn't from a prestigious background—!"
Lian flinched.
His shoulders curled inward, but Arion reacted instantly.
Without hesitation, he moved in front of Lian, placing one firm hand on Lian's waist, the other subtly guiding him behind his own body — a shield.
The cameras went INSANE.
Arion's voice was lethal calm:
"Watch your tone. He has a name — Lian Veris. Address him properly."
Silence.
Then a wave of murmurs.
Arion continued, voice cold enough to frost glass:
"And no one is 'qualified' or 'unqualified' to stand beside me. That includes him."
Lian stared at Arion's back. Strong. Unshakeable. Protective in a way Lian never expected.
But before he could breathe relief—
A deep, authoritative voice cut through the crowd:
"Quite a statement, Arion."
The reporters instantly turned.
And Arion's grandfather, Elder Vayne, walked in.
The old man carried a presence so heavy that even the media stepped back on reflex.
Tall, dignified, sharp-eyed — the kind of Elder Alpha whose authority didn't require introduction. Rumor said he built the Vayne empire from the ground up.
He had not attended the family meeting last time.
He had refused, actually.
And now… he was meeting Lian for the very first time.
Arion's back stiffened.
"Grandfather," he greeted carefully.
Elder Vayne's eyes slid over Arion before landing on Lian.
Scanning. Judging. Calculating.
Lian felt like a fragile vase about to be dropped on marble tiles.
"So," the elder finally said, voice carrying across the hall, "this is the Omega you are marrying."
Lian bowed awkwardly. "G-Good afternoon, sir."
Elder Vayne's brow lifted. "Polite. At least he's not rude."
Lian wasn't sure if that was praise or a bare-minimum compliment.
Then the old man stepped closer.
And closer.
Way too close.
Lian fought the urge to flee behind Arion.
Elder Vayne's gaze was piercing. "Do you understand how heavy the Vayne name is?"
Lian swallowed. "I—I'll try my best to—"
"Trying is not enough," Elder Vayne said sharply. "You must—"
"Grandfather."
Arion's voice sliced through the tension.
Without hesitation, Arion stepped between them, blocking Lian from the elder's line of fire.
The reporters gasped.
Arion's jaw was clenched tight. "You're overwhelming him."
Elder Vayne raised a brow at his grandson's defiance. "Since when do you protect someone this quickly?"
Arion held his grandfather's gaze unflinchingly. "Since he became my fiancé."
Lian nearly choked on air.
"CEO Vayne! Does this mean the engagement is more than a business alliance?"
"Is there real affection involved?"
"Mr. Veris, do you feel protected by him?"
"Are you living together yet?"
"Is the bond already forming?!"
Lian's cheeks went scarlet. "N-No! I—I mean— We're not—!"
Arion pulled him close by the waist.
The entire room screamed.
"Enough questions," Arion said coldly. "We came to announce our engagement, not to be interrogated."
He leaned down, voice low near Lian's ear:
"You're trembling."
"I—I'm fine," Lian lied.
"No," Arion whispered, "you're not."
And he tightened his arm protectively around Lian's waist.
The reporters nearly fainted.
Elder Vayne narrowed his eyes, watching every interaction.
Arion stepped to the podium, still keeping Lian close.
"My engagement to Lian Veris is official," he announced. "And it is not a matter for public debate."
The room went dead silent.
"He will be treated with respect," Arion continued, voice iron. "By the media. By the business world. And by the Vayne family."
Elder Vayne's fingers twitched — the only sign of surprise.
Lian stared at Arion, chest tightening in ways he didn't understand.
This wasn't part of any agreement.
Arion didn't have to defend him like this.
He didn't have to look at Lian with that steady, grounding gaze.
He didn't have to hold him so securely.
But he did.
As soon as they left the stage, Lian exhaled shakily.
"Thank you," he whispered. "For…everything."
Arion didn't release his hold on Lian's waist.
"You were nervous," he said simply.
Lian looked down. "Sorry."
"Don't apologize," Arion murmured. "I'm responsible for guiding you through this."
He meant it professionally.
Probably.
Maybe.
But Lian's heart did not care about logical interpretations.
Arion cleared his throat, stepping back slightly. "Let's go. There's still the family dinner."
Right.
Dinner.
With Elder Vayne.
Lian's knees trembled.
Arion saw it.
And without hesitation — he took Lian's hand this time instead of his waist.
A more intimate hold.
Warm. Firm. Anchoring.
"Don't worry," he said quietly. "I'll be beside you."
Lian squeezed his fingers back before he could stop himself.
"…Okay."
Neither of them let go.