Page 94 of Knot Heirs: Serenity's Reign

Serenity shot him a glare. "I need to use the restroom. Wait here."

She ducked into the nearest high-end department store, navigating past perfume counters and jewelry displays to findthe ladies' room. The cool water on her wrists helped, but the reflection that stared back at her looked flushed, golden eyes bright with the telltale signs of an Omega responding to her Alpha.

Not her Alpha. The Alpha. A business arrangement, nothing more.

"Get your shit together," she muttered to her reflection. "You're Marcus Vale's daughter. You run an empire now."

When she emerged five minutes later, her step faltered. Three Omegas—all polished, perfumed and perfectly groomed—had surrounded Darius. One boldly touched his sleeve, another laughed too brightly at something he'd said, while the third positioned herself directly in his line of sight, her body language screaming availability.

For his part, Darius stood like a statue, responding with minimal courtesy, his expression utterly impassive. The scene shouldn't have bothered her—Serenity had witnessed this precise scenario countless times since their arrangement began—but something primal twisted in her gut anyway.

His gray eyes caught hers across the distance, and the change was immediate. His posture shifted, his attention locked on her approach with laser focus.

"There you are," he said, extending his arm again with a knowing smirk that made her want to both slap and kiss him. "Ready to continue?"

The three Omegas scattered like pigeons, shooting venomous glances her way.

Serenity didn't just take his arm—she pressed herself against his side, her fingers wrapping possessively around his bicep. The action was instinctive, unplanned, and entirely transparent.

"Marking your territory?" Darius murmured as they moved away, amusement lacing his voice. "How very... Alpha of you."

Heat flared in her cheeks. "I was merely ensuring they understood our arrangement."

"Of course." His lips curved into that infuriating half-smile. "Nothing to do with the jealousy I can smell on you right now."

"You're impossibly conceited," she huffed, loosening her grip slightly but not releasing him entirely. "As if I'd be jealous of random Omegas throwing themselves at you."

He leaned closer, his breath warm against her ear. "Your scent changes when you lie, Serenity. Did you know that? Like cinnamon with a touch of smoke."

"Shut up," she muttered, but there was no real heat in it.

Darius chuckled, the sound rumbling through his chest and into hers. "The fact that you're possessive... I find it endearing."

"I'm not—" She stopped herself, knowing the argument was pointless. "The files, Darius. We're here for the files."

"Among other things," he agreed, guiding her forward with the confidence of a man who owned not just the sidewalk beneath them, but the entire city around them.

And the worst part was, Serenity found herself responding to that confidence despite herself, even as she mentally mapped their route to the Vale offices where Elena waited.

The boutique doors parted silently as Darius approached, as if even the building recognized his authority. Serenity's breath caught at the interior that unfolded before them—crystal chandeliers cascaded from coffered ceilings, their light fracturing across marble floors in prismatic splendor. Display cases of polished rosewood housed items with no visible price tags—a telltale sign that if you needed to ask, you couldn't afford it.

"Mr. Castellano," a tall Beta woman in an immaculate black suit stepped forward, her expression professionally warm but eyes widening slightly at Serenity on his arm. "What an unexpected pleasure."

Darius nodded once, the gesture somehow both dismissive and gracious. "Vivienne. We'll be browsing today."

"Of course. The new collection just arrived from Milan this morning." The woman's gaze flickered to Serenity with unconcealed curiosity.

Serenity felt Darius's hand press against the small of her back, a subtle claiming gesture that shouldn't have sent a shiver up her spine but absolutely did.

"My companion will require privacy while she selects," he added, his voice leaving no room for questions.

"Certainly. Anything the lady desires."

The lady hasn't agreed to shop here at all, Serenity thought, though she maintained her composed expression. The opulence surrounding her—all sleek surfaces and hushed tones—felt like a gilded cage. Not unlike the position she found herself in with Darius.

"I don't recall agreeing to a shopping spree," she murmured as they moved deeper into the boutique, beyond earshot of the hovering staff.

"Consider it a necessary detour." His eyes, those penetrating gray irises, hadn't left her face since they'd entered. "You'll need appropriate attire for the charity gala next week."

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