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To say that Jason is unhappy with his impending nuptials would be an understatement. Arranged marriages like the one he is expected to participate in are a relic of the past with no place in a modern world. Just because in the past, it was the duty of the pack’s omegas to enter into marriage for the purpose of alliance does not mean that it’s appropriate for Talia to assume that Jason will allow himself to be sold and bought like cattle.
Except.
Except by accepting this marriage, he can keep Damian away from R’as forever. His suitor is powerful, with enough of a dislike for R’as that their marriage will simply be an excuse to rid the world of the man. And no matter how much Jason does not think it is the duty of a pack’s omegas to be bartered for alliance, it is his duty to protect the pup however he can.
Jason has at least been informed that his alpha is not known to be very traditional, so there is some chance for Jason to retain a certain level of autonomy. He does have his doubts though that an alpha willing to enter into an arranged marriage will give him much freedom, but Jason can’t let himself lose too much hope. Besides, if the alpha turns out to be a total piece of shit, Jason can always wait until after R’as is out of the picture to kill him. Talia wouldn’t be pleased, but she doesn't really get a say.
Jason also knows that his alpha is a close business partner of Damian’s sire. So in all probability, he’s an older man. Someone with a lot of power and very little time who is willing to get rid of a long time rival in order to get a pretty young thing to hang off his arm. He will probably be disappointed in what he receives. Jason takes a little bit of vindictive pride in that. As much as Jason plans to behave himself in order to keep his mother and younger brother safe, he doesn’t plan to turn himself into some stepford bride overnight.
As per the arrangement Talia has made using Bruce as a through channel, Jason is to meet his alpha for the first time in Wayne manor. Talia loves the Wayne alpha dearly, but marriage to him is not enough to allow them their escape since Damian was sired out of wedlock. A pesky old custom that means in R’as al Ghul’s eyes, any claim Bruce lays on Talia is tainted and ineffectual. Jason half expected to be married off to Wayne’s son, Richard, but he’s not the alpha of his own pack, which would weaken the claim.
Even though he feels as nervous for a dinner as he ever has, Jason struggles to project an air of calm confidence as he descends the stairs to go into the dining room. He’s dressed to play up the exoticism of a young foreign bride, with jewel toned silks and heavy eyeliner. He’s wrapped in red silks, his fiancee’s color he’s been told. The blessedly opaque fabric of his vest is set off by a sheer under shirt with billowing sleeves that feels a second away from snagging on the jewelry Jason has been piled up with.
The heavy gold collar piece that starts from just under his chin and drapes down his chest with chains and rubies is cold and discomforting, so different from the light leather affair he’s used to. His earrings, which are normally small studs and hoops, have been replaced with larger, more decorative pieces. As his head moves, he can hear the gentle clinking of the charms and jewels hanging off his ears.
Just before crossing the threshold, Jason pauses. He takes a moment to push away his anger at this performance he has to put on. Playing the part of an innocent foreign bride is not something he wants to do, but this marriage must go well for Damian’s sake. Jason feels a hand on his elbow and when he looks down, his little brother is there. He’s dressed in the green and gold colors emblematic of their house and Jason can’t help the twinge of envy that Damian can dress in clothes more like what they are used to, fully covered in the colors of their family. Damian takes Jason’s hand in his own and pulls him down to lightly brush his baby alpha scent across Jason’s cheeks.
“Careful of the earrings. I don’t want you to get snagged.” Jason tries to joke, but it comes out softer than he wants it to. Damian huffs, but backs up just enough to keep his hair away from the jewelry.
“I will never be able to repay this sacrifice.”
“You will never need to.” Jason butts his forehead against Damian. “He might not even be that bad. And you can rescue me if he is.”
Jason takes a moment to enjoy the closeness before stepping back. Once again, he is stopped by Damian’s hand on his arm. As he looks back, Damian draws a gold ring from one pocket. It’s a gorgeous piece, delicate gold filigree studded with ruby flowers and emerald leaves. Jason knows it to be one of a set given to Damian by their grandfather. He slips it onto the pinky finger of Jason’s right hand, the only finger of Jason’s small enough to fit a ring sized for a child.
“You will take it off if you are unsafe?”
“Yes. And you will come get me.” He presses a gentle kiss to his little brother’s forehead and they walk into the dining room hand in hand. Jason doesn't care that this clinginess with his brother might make him less appealing to his future alpha, he needs the steady presence of Damian’s small hand in his to remind himself why he is allowing this to happen.
Bruce Wayne himself rises from the head of the table to greet them. Jason has met the man a handful of times before, so the vague familiarity of his hulking presence is oddly reassuring. He strides over to the two of them and greets Jason formally before bending down to swipe his cheek over Damian’s hair. Wordlessly, he guides them to their seats and pulls Jason’s chair out for him. Jason can believe this solemn man is Batman far more than the public persona of Brucie Wayne.
He hopes that this version of Bruce is the one who is with them for dinner tonight. Jason doesn’t know if he could deal with the overbearing presence of a forcibly ridiculous socialite as well as the anxiety of meeting his mystery husband. Secrecy was the only way to arrange the whole situation without R’as uncovering Talia’s plan, so Jason doesn’t know a thing about his future alpha. Not his name, not what he looks like, not if he knows about Bruce’s hobbies.
Talia sits at Bruce’s left hand. Richard at his right. Two chairs for Damian and Jason next to their mother. An empty chair next to Richard for Jason’s mate. Who Jason is annoyed to find late to their own betrothal dinner. It doesn’t bode particularly well for their marriage to display this level of disregard so early on.
As drinks are brought out and the sound of light conversation fills the room, Jason finds himself getting more and more annoyed at his suitor. Just as he’s about to say something to Talia, the door at the far side of the dining room open. In strides a man, much younger than Jason had expected. He looks like he might even be younger than Jason. Jason’s suitor is fine boned, bordering on delicate, but he carries himself with an air of confidence that only comes from power.
When he sees Jason, his entire body language changes from domineering to sheepish and shy. He bows at the waist, making eye contact when he rises. It’s electric. The ice-chip blue of his eyes is striking where it peeks out from behind his dark bangs.
“My greatest apologies. I’m afraid there was a blockade on the way out of Gotham because of the Arkham breakout. I hope my lateness has not offended you”
His voice is soft and smooth. Not overly loud or falsely lowered in the way some alphas think makes them seem more intimidating. And for the first time since he’s been asked to participate in this scheme, Jason thinks that maybe this could really work out. He rises to greet the alpha, taking care not to catch his blouse on the chair.
“You are forgiven.” Jason says as he offers his hand. The alpha kisses the back of it with a small, but genuine smile.
“Very well then. I suppose I shouldn’t let our first meeting proceed too much longer without us exchanging names.” He makes eye contact with Jason again.
“My name is Tim Drake. And I look forward to adding you and your family to my pack.”