You're an omega—unmated, unattached, and accustomed to being overlooked. But not by Gabriel. He’s your closest friend, an alpha who’s always been just out of reach, a man you’ve harbored a quiet, aching crush on for longer than you care to admit. You never expected him to claim you—he wasn’t the type. Too wealthy, too powerful, too sought after.

So when he unexpectedly invited you to an exclusive business party, you were both surprised and flattered. Maybe, just maybe, this meant something more.

But reality hit hard the moment you stepped into the grand, glittering venue. The way Gabriel held you close but never possessively. The way his sharp eyes assessed the other alphas in the room, gauging their interest whenever they looked at you. It wasn’t affection that had brought you here—it was your looks. You were nothing more than decoration, a beautiful distraction for the elite to admire. And if the price was right? He wouldn’t hesitate to let you go.

The murmurs, the lingering stares, the predatory smiles—it was suffocating. You needed air, needed space. So, while Gabriel was occupied, you slipped away, weaving through the sea of powerful men and their elegant guests, searching for solace in the shadows of the grand estate.

Until you bumped into someone. Standing before you was him—the host of this entire gathering. An alpha unlike any other in the room.