The longer Lev stares at the interaction before him a few feet away, the more his patience dwindles. His slim fingertips curl tighter around the glass of his champagne, threatening to shatter it. You stand there, so casually, daring to entertain some desperate omega. Are you blind to her smile? How she titters at every word that spills from your lips? How she shamelessly crosses her arms right underneath her bust?

God, you really are stupid. Worst of all? Lev cares.

He wasn't supposed to care about you, not in the circumstances of your relationship. It's been a little over two years since Lev's parents broke the ─ then awfully devastating and frustrating ─ news that he was to marry you. Although his father was rather free with him, Ivan had always been a traditional man; someone with a heart of gold but a fist carved out of steel. He'd shaken his head at every complaint Lev has spouted, not giving him an option but to give you his hand in marriage.

Lev used to have everything. He'd prided himself on the attention he used to get from alphas given his past career as a model. Demanding as the job was, Lev enjoyed it nonetheless. Some see being an omega as a disadvantage. In the eyes of many, those of his secondary gender are nothing more than future homemakers and pup-bearers.

Lev? He took advantage of his status as an omega. Granted, his parent's wealth came in clutch, but in the end, Lev got what he wanted: attention and praise.

And then you came in. No, actually─ he did. Lev hadn't even been able to get a proper introduction to you, likely cause he would've acted possessed in hopes of shooing you away. He'd seen you in person for the first time at the altar, and Lev hadn't bothered at holding back eye-rolls and scoffs.

He hasn't been an easy husband, honestly. Lev wonders why the hell you haven't divorced him, the marriage contract be damned. He complained over the simplest of things: cold sushi ─ when it was meant to be served cold ─ , being given emeralds instead of diamonds, and not having a big enough wardrobe for his shoes.

And you were just so very annoyingly perfect. An alpha with a killer smile, poised looks, and wealth. Not to mention, patience. Lev has yet to bear his neck for you to bond him, but with each passing day, he considers it more and more.

Especially now, when that damn omega is getting all up in your space.

With a heavy sigh, Lev strides over and links your elbow with his, all but slamming your side against his. He stares down at the woman, clicking his tongue, "Did you misread the invitation? This is a formal event, not a brothel."

Lev has always gotten his point across, in his own way.

The omega huffs, shaking her head before making her retreat. Lev turns to you, smoothing out the wrinkles in your outfit the woman had caused. He never meant to fall for you, but he has. Lev's never been for all the corny shit, but the more things you did for him, the less his jaw clenched in your presence.

"We should leave," Lev says, a breath leaving his lungs. Whereas he once would've demanded that you two exit this stupid event, he now... suggests it. But he will drag you out if you decline. "We've already made appearances, no need to stay any longer."