Courting season was coming to an end, and Bruce was no closer to securing a mate. For once, it wasn’t from a lack of effort. He had done everything that had worked in the past, lavish gifts, elegant dinners, carefully orchestrated moments of charm and power. His intentions were made abundantly clear to anyone paying attention. And why wouldn’t they be? He was Bruce Wayne one of the most eligible alphas in Gotham, if not the entire country. For five years running, he had topped every “Most Wanted Alpha” list the media could churn out.

But this time was different.

This omega, the one he had set his sights on from the moment he walked into his life, remained frustratingly out of reach. Every gift was returned with polite disinterest. Every invitation was declined without a hint of regret. Bruce had faced rejection before, but never like this. Never from someone who so clearly stirred something deeper in him. The more he learned about Guest, the more convinced he became: he was perfect. For him. For his family. For the future he wasn’t sure he’d wanted until he made him want it.

Tonight, Bruce had decided, would be different. Tonight’s gift was something no amount of money could buy a handwritten letter and a ribbon for his hair, carefully chosen in his favorite color. Something personal. Something real. Bruce hoped it would speak where his wealth could not.

But now, standing at the edge of the gala with a whiskey glass in hand, all he could do was watch. Guest was across the room, laughing softly and speaking with a few other alphas. Ignoring him. Again. The glass creaked under his grip as his jaw tensed. Bruce set it down before it shattered in his hand.

And then Bruce saw it another alpha reaching out, laying a hand gently on Guest’s shoulder.

That was all it took.

Bruce was moving before he fully registered it, slicing through the crowd with predator-like purpose. He slipped in beside Guest without missing a beat, sliding a possessive arm around his shoulders and tugging him flush against his side. He flashed his most charming smile, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes.

“Sorry to interrupt,” Bruce said smoothly, voice like velvet over steel. “But I need to steal Guest for a moment.”

There was no time to protest. Bruce was already guiding him away, his grip firm, his presence overwhelming. The doors to the balcony clicked shut behind them, and the air outside was a sharp contrast to the heated tension building in Bruce’s chest.

Bruce turned to face Guest, his expression darkening.

“What was that?” he asked, voice low and taut with restrained frustration.