The city lights shone like scattered diamonds through the glass walls of the high-rise banquet hall. The hum of polite conversation, the clinking of glasses, and the faint scent of expensive perfume filled the air. Shen Yaojin's chest tightened as he followed Lu Zhiyuan through the crowd, every step deliberate, every movement of the alpha precise—commanding attention without trying.
God, I hate how he makes me feel… Yaojin thought, jaw tight. Like I'm both invisible and completely exposed at the same time.
Zhiyuan's hand brushed Yaojin's lower back—not a touch to soothe, not a gesture to guide. Just a claim. A reminder that in this room, in this world, Yaojin belonged to him whether he liked it or not.
"You're quiet," Zhiyuan said, voice low, almost a whisper meant only for him.
"I'm fine," Yaojin muttered, though his ears burned at the alpha's gaze.
"You're not fine." Zhiyuan's eyes flicked around the room, scanning the crowd with the precision of a predator. Then they returned to Yaojin. "Pay attention. Someone is watching."
Yaojin stiffened. Lin Meiqi, of course. She leaned against the edge of the buffet table, eyes sharp, nails tapping rhythmically against a champagne flute. Her smile was perfect—cold, calculated, the kind that promised trouble.
She's been waiting for this, Yaojin thought. And somehow, I'm the bait.
Zhiyuan's grip on his arm tightened slightly as they passed her. Not enough to hurt, but enough to make Yaojin acutely aware that he wasn't allowed to falter.
Lin Meiqi's eyes followed them, a faint tilt to her head as if calculating the best angle for a strike. Zhiyuan noticed immediately. He didn't say anything, but his jaw tightened, and Yaojin felt the air around him grow heavier.
Mine, he reminded himself silently.
Across the hall, Bai Lianyi sipped his wine, casually observing the room while Han Zexu fiddled nervously with his cufflinks. Every few seconds, Zexu stole glances at Lianyi—hesitant, curious, trying not to let the alpha notice.
Lianyi noticed anyway. The faintest of smirks curved his lips. This omega is going to be interesting, he thought.
"Relax," Lianyi said quietly, leaning slightly closer to Zexu. "You don't have to pretend with me."
"I'm not pretending," Zexu replied, though the slight tremor in his voice betrayed him.
Lianyi's smirk deepened. "Good. I hate facades."
The air between them was electric, subtle but impossible to ignore—a slow, creeping tension that neither wanted to rush but both felt building.
Back at the main table, Lin Meiqi finally made her move. She approached Yaojin, heels clicking against the polished floor.
"Shen Yaojin," she said softly, voice dripping with sweet venom. "I didn't expect to see you here so… unguarded."
Yaojin's jaw tightened. "I'm not unguarded."
"Are you?" she asked, tilting her head. "Because from where I stand, you look… very delicate."
Zhiyuan stepped forward before Yaojin could reply, placing himself between them. "Stay away from him," he said quietly, deadly calm.
Lin Meiqi's eyes flicked to Zhiyuan, assessing, calculating. "Interesting," she murmured. Then she smiled, lips curving in a way that promised war. "I'll remember that."
Zhiyuan's gaze returned to Yaojin, dark and possessive. Yaojin felt a shiver run down his spine.
Mine, he thought again, powerless against how his heart responded.
Dinner began. The conversation was polite, shallow for the most part, but Yaojin couldn't stop noticing the subtle ways Zhiyuan dominated the table—how he positioned himself closest to Yaojin, how his hand rested lightly on the back of Yaojin's chair when Meiqi passed, how every glance from her was intercepted by a glare from Zhiyuan.
I hate him, Yaojin thought bitterly, and yet I can't stop noticing him.
Halfway through, Lin Meiqi tried again. She leaned toward Yaojin, voice soft enough that Zhiyuan might not hear.
"You always seem so… obedient."
Yaojin swallowed, but Zhiyuan's hand tightened on his arm, pulling him slightly closer. "Obedient doesn't exist when it comes to mine," Zhiyuan said, almost casually, but his tone was enough to make Yaojin's stomach twist.
Lin Meiqi's eyes narrowed. She withdrew smoothly, a predator regrouping. Zhiyuan's gaze never left Yaojin.
Yaojin felt heat rise to his cheeks—not embarrassment, not shame. Something else entirely. Something dangerous.
Meanwhile, Bai Lianyi guided Han Zexu through a different kind of battlefield. The office discussions, the subtle corporate maneuvers, and the occasional teasing remark from Lianyi all made Zexu's pulse race. Every time Lianyi's fingers brushed against Zexu's while pointing at a document, the omega's heart skipped a beat.
"You're overthinking," Lianyi said softly. "Relax. You're with me now."
"I… I'm trying," Zexu admitted, voice quiet but steady.
Lianyi smiled faintly. "Good. That's all I ask."
The slow tension between them was a contrast to the fiery, dangerous possessiveness at Zhiyuan's table—but just as intoxicating in its own way.
Dinner ended without disaster, though Lin Meiqi's smirk promised the next move. Zhiyuan escorted Yaojin back to the car, his grip on the omega's waist firm, protective, claiming. Yaojin kept his expression carefully neutral, but the heat in his chest betrayed him.
"You handled her well," Yaojin said quietly once they were alone.
Zhiyuan's smirk was faint but satisfied. "She'll learn. Everyone learns eventually."
Yaojin looked out at the city lights, chest still tight. He knew Zhiyuan was right. The alpha didn't just dominate the room. He dominated everything. Yaojin didn't like it… but he couldn't deny it either.
Mine, Zhiyuan had said. And Yaojin, despite himself, had no answer.