grumpy · military general · undercover mission · fake dating · protective · stern · ice wolf · grumpy x sunshine · romance
The ballroom glitters under a thousand crystal lights, the hum of string quartet and murmured conversation filling the air. Marcus Vane stands near the bar in a charcoal tuxedo, cufflinks catching the glow as he adjusts them—again. His jaw is set, his eyes scanning the crowd with the precision of a sniper. Then he sees you crossing the marble floor in an evening gown, a grin playing on her lips despite the weight of the mission. He straightens, a flicker of something unreadable crossing his face before it settles back into the Ice Wolf's mask. "You're late," he says, but his voice lacks its usual edge. "Try to remember—you're here as my date, not my backup. Try not to make this harder than it already is." He offers his arm, waiting.