Bondage and Marriage - 27

“Oh…”

As water dripped from beneath the rose bouquet, Noah stepped back slightly, startled.

The man who had blindly thrust the bouquet toward him seemed more flustered by Noah’s reaction, his face turning bright red.

Awkwardly, he fumbled to place the roses back into the vase, but one slipped out, scattering water on the dish Noah was reaching for.

Noah sighed internally, and those nearby began watching the man’s actions with curiosity.

Noah sensed a familiar vibe from the man, whose ears were now red.

Upon recalling, he remembered that at the Thanksgiving party, August had shown clear interest in Noah, though he had been holding freesias back then.

Now, seeing him offer roses, the memory resurfaced.

Though Noah still couldn’t remember his name…

Noah wasn’t one to brag, but everyone acknowledged that he had always been popular.

He wasn’t boasting, it was simply true.

As the youngest son of the Frost family and a male omega, his appeal was broad.

With good looks and a calm personality, it was no surprise that people liked him.

Whether it was because of the Frost family’s background, Noah’s appearance, or his omega pheromones, Noah had experienced countless confessions.

Being pursued was a common occurrence for him.

He even had a few stalkers, though any dangerous ones were swiftly dealt with by the Frost family.

But all of this popularity was from before he got married.

No matter how popular he had been, Noah now had a partner.

Had the wedding been too modest?

He thought the news of his marriage would have spread through society by now, but it seemed this man had missed the memo.

“It’s such a pleasure to see you here.

I…”

The man, overjoyed to see Noah, almost knocked over the vase in his excitement.

Noah, feeling a little sorry for the man who would soon face rejection, planned to subtly let him know about his marriage.

But before he could speak, the man suddenly grabbed Noah’s hand.

“Well, I… I’m studying abroad here, so I know this area well.

If you’re free tomorrow, I’d be honored to have a meal with you…”

Ah, that explained why he hadn’t heard the news—he had been abroad.

The man’s hand was damp from handling the roses, and Noah gently pulled his hand back with an apologetic smile.

He was about to politely explain that he couldn’t go on a date since he was married, when suddenly an arm wrapped around his shoulders affectionately.

Noah turned to see Ian standing behind him.

“Noah, what’s going on?”

Ian asked with a charming smile, firmly gripping Noah’s shoulder.

Noah never quite got used to how Ian acted so lovingly in public.

Not being a fan of romance movies or novels, this kind of thing was hard for Noah to handle.

“I was just greeting someone I know,” Noah replied.

“Someone you know?”

Ian’s lips curved into a smile as he glanced at the man with the flushed face, the rose on the dish, and Noah.

Though Ian’s mouth smiled, his eyes were icy.

Even though they were about the same height, August felt as if Ian were looking down on him from above.

Overwhelmed by Ian’s presence, the man hesitated and stepped back.

His joy at seeing his unrequited love slowly faded as he glanced between Ian and Noah, his face crumpling in disappointment.

“I, I have to leave tomorrow, so I won’t be able to have that meal,” Noah said, gently rejecting the invitation.

By now, August should’ve realized it wasn’t going to happen, but he clung to a faint hope.

“Well, maybe next month… when I return, perhaps we could…”

Despite the tension between Ian and Noah, it was clear what their relationship was, yet August, driven by desperation, continued to hold on.

Though Noah thought he had first met August at the Thanksgiving party, the truth was that August had seen Noah two years prior at a year-end party.

His feelings had grown since then, peaking at Thanksgiving.

Even while studying abroad, he had longed for Noah, so seeing him now felt like fate.

A date was all he could think to ask for.

To make matters worse, Noah’s omega pheromones still lingered, their sweet scent strong.

This indicated that he hadn’t bonded with an alpha yet.

August clung to the faint hope that they hadn’t formed a deep relationship yet.

But that hope vanished as Ian’s expression grew colder, and his eyebrow twitched.

“Next month?

Have dinner with Noah?

That won’t be happening.”

Every time Ian called him “Noah,” Noah felt an inexplicable itch inside, struggling to maintain his composure.

Ian, meanwhile, stepped forward, intimidating the already defeated August, who stumbled back.

“Wh-why are you answering for Noah…”

The man, now shrinking under the pressure, still mustered the courage to ask why Ian was answering.

Ian’s eyes flashed with irritation.

“As his spouse, I think I’m allowed to answer for him.

Don’t you think?”

August’s eyes widened in shock.

“Sp-sp-spouse… so you two… you’re married…”

Realizing that Noah wasn’t just dating Ian but had married him, August staggered, his face crumbling in despair.

His long-held unrequited love was now married, and he couldn’t even muster a word in front of Ian.

Defeated, his shoulders slumped.

“Congratulations on your marriage…”

August muttered weakly, looking at Noah with sorrowful eyes before turning and disappearing into the crowd.

Noah, who had spent years rejecting confessions, was impressed.

Being married certainly made rejecting people easier.

As Ian affectionately wrapped his arm around Noah’s shoulder, he led him away, whispering softly, as if to a beloved partner, “Want to get some fresh air?

You look a bit tipsy.”

Then, in a low voice, he added, “Who was that loser?”

Though August came from a decent company, Ian dismissed him as a nobody.

“He’s the second son of August Enterprises… Ah!”

Ian, pretending to hold Noah affectionately, squeezed his right hip, making Noah flinch.

With everyone around oblivious to their interaction, Ian growled quietly, “How many guys have you been flirting with for things to get like this?”

“I wasn’t flirting with anyone…” Noah mumbled.

Noah was bewildered.

What is this nonsense about multiple people approaching him?

Only August had come up to him, yet Ian acted as if several people were making advances on him.

While Noah had been going to clubs as Noah Frost, he had never been able to date anyone in order to continue attending those clubs.

He could swear on the heavens that he had never once dated anyone, nor had he ever kissed anyone, maintaining a pure(?) body.

Of course, Ian completely ignored Noah’s explanation and continued to act high-handedly.

“Stay right here until I come back.

If I see you move even a single step or playing around with someone else, it won’t be fun.

Got it?”

Ian threatened Noah as he cornered him into a quiet corner of the lounge, where few people ventured.

Ever since he had driven August away, Ian’s furrowed brow showed no sign of relaxing.

“Got it…” Noah replied gloomily.

But as soon as Ian left, Noah’s eyes sparkled as if he’d never been downcast.

“He said it wouldn’t be fun if I played around with someone else?

Well, I think it’ll be quite fun…”

Noah sat quietly in the chair and watched Ian’s retreating figure.

Though he hadn’t gone too far out of sight, Ian kept a fair distance.

After glancing back at Noah once, Ian soon started talking to someone else.

It was the group that included the person with the Russian accent, and their conversation quickly became lengthy.

Noah tapped his foot and looked around.

In this lounge, there were far more Alphas and Omegas than Betas.

This difference in ratio was a common feature in most communities.

Just like how more than half of sports players are Alphas, and a large portion of childcare workers are Omegas, the upper class has always had a high proportion of Alphas and Omegas.

Alphas naturally tend to seek dominance and occupy leadership positions, and they are more likely to form relationships with Omegas than with others.

Their children inherit these genetic traits, leading to more Alphas or Omegas, and the cycle repeats.

As a result, the proportion of Betas in the upper class has gradually decreased.

However, in recent years, the influx of new rich people following the wars has increased the number of Betas in these circles.

Anyway, the important thing was that there were quite a few young Alphas in this lounge.

Noah, sitting in his chair, looked around innocently.

Before Ian could come back, he hoped someone would approach him.

And as if answering his wish, less than five minutes had passed when someone noticed Noah sitting in the corner and walked over.

The person looked like they had just become an adult.

“Sind Sie allein hier?”

However, the question was in German.

Noah, who only knew English and French, blinked in confusion.

Taking this as encouragement, the man grinned widely and sat next to him.

Noah sensed the distinct and powerful pheromones of an Alpha coming from the man, and as he sat down, the pheromones became even stronger.

The man sat beside Noah and began to speak enthusiastically in German, a language Noah didn’t understand.

Noah tried responding in both English and French, but the man, much to Noah’s confusion, continued speaking firmly in German.

Glancing over at Ian’s direction, Noah saw that he was still deep in conversation with others.

Resigned, Noah turned his attention back to the German man.

Hmm… should I just listen to him ramble until Ian comes back?

“Uh…?”

But then, the man started inching closer, trying to wrap his arm around Noah’s waist and touch his thigh.

Noah tried to pull away and furrowed his brow, saying “No,” but the man didn’t seem to care.

Even if he had lived in Germany all his life, there was no way he didn’t understand the word “No.”

This was clearly intentional.

If they were in a club, maybe it would be different, but Noah had no intention of indulging this man, especially since he was playing the part of the “happily married Noah Frost and Ian Miller couple” as Ian had said.

Noah shook his head and tried to push the man away, but he was unyielding.

Now, the man even grabbed Noah’s arm and tried to pull him to his feet.

Instinctively, Noah looked towards where Ian was.

Just a moment ago, he had been deep in conversation, but now… he was nowhere to be seen?

Confirming Ian’s absence, Noah debated his next move.

Tanner had definitely taught Noah some self-defense techniques, but most of them were too severe, like gouging out eyes or hitting the throat hard enough to crush the airway.

Using those here didn’t seem appropriate.

Besides, causing a scene here wasn’t an option, so it seemed better to head down to the lounge and ask a staff member for help.

Just as Noah decided to leave the lounge and took a few forced steps, being dragged along by the man, he heard a cold voice.

“And what do we have here?”

Noah looked up to see Ian standing right in front of them, having seemingly appeared out of nowhere.

Ian’s expression was neutral, but anyone could tell that his eyes were filled with displeasure.

The German man, who had been dragging Noah along, froze at the sight of the Alpha who had suddenly appeared.

“Ah, Ian!”

Relieved, Noah called out cheerfully.

Not only had the annoying German guy shown up, but now Ian had also arrived, which meant tonight would be fun.

Noah twisted his arm free and stepped back, while the German man muttered something in his language.

However, as Ian stepped forward, the man’s words quickly diminished.

Ian growled menacingly as he pushed the man back by his chest.

“What was that?

Say it again.”

“…”

“I said, say it again.”

Even Noah thought Ian seemed scary.

The German man, who had been so bold earlier, shrank back just like August had.

Well, Ian could be pretty intimidating when he looked like that…

Besides, this guy was younger than August, so it was only natural that he would feel overwhelmed by Ian’s presence.

In no time, the man, who had been so insistent earlier, retreated with his tail between his legs.

After the man disappeared, Noah glanced at Ian nervously, his blue eyes darting about.

He seemed pretty upset.

Why was that?

Did something go wrong in his conversation with those other people?

Ian, now looking at Noah, had an even more furrowed brow than before.

But since Ian had helped him, Noah felt a bit grateful and smiled sheepishly.

“Um… thanks for helping me out…”

Ian’s expression, which had been one of pure irritation, shifted slightly.

It went from very irritated to just somewhat irritated and bewildered.

He stared at Noah for a moment, then crookedly smiled.

Grabbing the arm that the German man had touched, Ian said with a smirk, “If you’re thankful, you should pay me back.

And I don’t think you’re in any position to be thanking me today.”

At Ian’s words, Noah’s heart raced.

His heart, which had never raced for anyone who had confessed to him before, always beat faster when Ian did things like this.

Obediently, Noah let Ian lead him away.