The celebration grew louder after the announcement.
Music swelled through the ballroom, rising into something elegant and lively. Guests gathered in small clusters, champagne glasses clinking as congratulations blended with quiet business discussions.
The engagement of Kendrick Walker and Alehandra Peters had already become the center of every conversation.
It had been expected.
But expectations never stopped people from speculating.
"That alliance will reshape half the corporate market."
"I heard the Peters family controls three international shipping routes now."
"Walker stock is going to explode tomorrow."
Damian heard the whispers as he moved between tables, collecting empty glasses.
He tried not to listen.
But it was hard when powerful people spoke as if the world were a chessboard—and they were the ones moving the pieces.
Sometimes it reminded him how far removed his life was from theirs.
Rent payments.
Cheap groceries.
Second-hand furniture in a cramped apartment.
Compared to the wealth surrounding him tonight, it felt like another universe.
Still, he kept working.
Step.
Collect.
Turn.
Repeat.
Routine steadied his breathing. Because every time he slowed down... He remembered the way Kendrick Walker had looked at him earlier. Like he had noticed something. Something he shouldn't have. Damian forced the thought away. It didn't matter. The man was engaged now.... Officially.
Whatever strange curiosity Kendrick felt earlier would fade once the night ended. It had to. Nearby, Kendrick stood surrounded by investors, who offered congratulations. He responded smoothly.
"Thank you."
"We're looking forward to the partnership."
"It will benefit both families."
The words came automatically. Years of training made moments like this effortless. But his attention kept drifting. Not randomly. Purposefully. Alehandra noticed immediately. Of course she did. She stood beside him with practiced elegance, her hand resting lightly on his arm as they greeted guests. To everyone watching, they looked perfect. But Alehandra paid attention to details others missed.
And right now…. She was watching him. "You've been distracted all evening," she said quietly once the group moved on. Kendrick glanced at her. "Busy night."
Her smile remained composed. "Yes." A brief pause. "But not busy enough to explain why you keep scanning the room." Kendrick followed her line of sight before he could stop himself. Toward the service area. Where catering staff moved quietly between tables. He caught himself a second later. Alehandra noticed.
"Someone caught your attention," she said lightly. Kendrick lifted his champagne glass. "Not particularly." Alehandra studied him. "You know," she continued calmly, "I've known you for years." He said nothing. "And in all that time," she added, "I've never seen you watch the staff this closely." That made Kendrick pause.
Only for a moment. But it was enough. He set the glass down. "You're imagining things." Alehandra didn't argue. She simply smiled and turned toward the next approaching guests. But curiosity had already taken root. Near the service table, Damian leaned slightly toward Lena. Lena had worked catering jobs longer than he had, and tonight even she looked overwhelmed by the scale of the event.
"Remind me why we accepted this shift again?" she muttered. Damian huffed quietly. "Because rent exists." "Right." Lena glanced toward the center of the room. "That guy is intimidating." Damian followed her gaze briefly. Kendrick stood surrounded by guests, perfectly composed. Like someone born for attention.
"Rich alpha heir," Lena continued. "Engaged to another rich alpha heir." She nudged him. "Power couple of the century." Damian shrugged. "Good for them." Lena studied his expression. "You met him earlier, didn't you?" Damian stiffened.
"How did you—" , "I saw you bump into someone near the champagne table," she said. "And I saw who it was." Damian groaned under his breath. "Please don't remind me." Lena raised an eyebrow. "What happened?"
"Nothing." Her eyes narrowed. "Damian." "Seriously," he insisted.
"It was just an accident." Lena leaned closer. "Did he yell at you?"
"No." "Did he complain to management?" "No." "Then why do you look like someone just got bad news from the bank?" Damian hesitated. Then sighed. "He asked my name." Lena blinked. "That's it?"
"That's not normal," Damian said. Lena shrugged. "Maybe he's polite." Damian gave her a flat look. "Polite alphas don't stare at people like they're trying to figure them out." She paused. "…Okay, that's strange." Damian rubbed the back of his neck carefully. "You think he noticed you're an omega?" Lena asked. His stomach tightened. "I don't know."
That uncertainty bothered him more than anything else. Because if Kendrick Walker had sensed something through the suppressor… Everything could change. Across the room, Kendrick finally found what he had been searching for.
Damian
Standing near the service table. Talking quietly with another staff member. Even from a distance, Kendrick noticed the tension in his posture.
Careful.
Guarded.
Alert.
Different. And there it was again. That faint scent lingering in the air.
Warm.
Subtle.
Unmistakable.
His pulse quickened.
Strange.
He had encountered countless omegas throughout his life. None had affected him like this. It wasn't overwhelming. It wasn't aggressive. But it stayed in his awareness... Persistent. Impossible to ignore. Alehandra noticed the exact moment his attention shifted again. She followed his gaze.
And this time.... She saw him. The omega near the service table. Talking quietly. Alehandra studied the scene. Then she looked back at Kendrick. Understanding settled quietly into place.
Ah.
Now it made sense. Her smile remained flawless as she greeted another guest. But inside, her thoughts moved quickly. Because Alehandra Peters understood risk.
And that omega... That quiet catering worker.... Had just become one. A sudden chill ran down Damian's spine. He turned slightly. And met Kendrick's gaze. Again. The distance between them was greater now. But the tension felt the same.
Focused.
Heavy.
Unavoidable.
Damian's heart skipped. Why does he keep looking at me?
Across the room, Kendrick tilted his head slightly. And for the first time that evening... He smiled. Not the polite smile he gave investors. Not the practiced smile for cameras.
Something quieter.
More curious.
More dangerous.
And in that moment, Damian understood something that made his stomach drop. The most powerful alpha in the city wasn't simply noticing him.
He was choosing him.