Rion Vale's POV:
I was right. That night… I marked him.
But how is it possible? He's human — or at least, he was. Now, his scent isn't the same. My black orchid pheromones have mingled with his human fragrance — that gentle fresh rain — and the result is intoxicating. He no longer smells ordinary. He smells like fresh rain over orchid petals.
He's changing. Becoming something new.
Becoming my omega.
I marked him, and now he's mine. Whether I planned it or not, I can't ignore what I've done. I have to take responsibility.
I stand, watching him lying fainted on the couch, his expression soft, his breathing slow. My soothing pheromones still linger in the air, wrapping the room in a calm haze. It's the only thing keeping him from being overwhelmed.
A small smile touches my lips. I brush a strand of hair from his temple and whisper, "Finally… I have an omega."
But he's also my rival. The irony almost makes me laugh.
Then, his eyelashes flutter. He blinks up at me, confused, and slowly sits up.
"Are you okay?" I ask quietly.
His voice is hoarse when he snaps, "Why are you still here?"
I sit beside him, unbothered by his glare. "Of course I'm here. I marked you — you belong to me. So I need to take responsibility."
His eyes widen with fury. "Mr. Rion Vale, have you lost your mind?"
I only smile. That's when he falters, his body tensing as he feels it — my pheromones brushing against his skin, soothing him even as he fights it.
He stares at me, his tone sharp. "Rion Vale… who the hell are you?"
I meet his gaze and say calmly, "I'm an alpha."
He blinks, looking at me as if I've said I'm from another planet. "Alpha? What the hell is that?"
He stands abruptly, anger coloring his face. "Mr. Rion Vale, you're just a crazy bastard — some delusional gay freak! Get out of my office and don't ever show me your face again!"
I stand too, stepping closer, my presence washing over him. I can feel it — the way his pulse races, the way his cheeks flush just from being near me.
I smile faintly, leaning close enough for my breath to brush his ear.
"You're mine," I whisper. "And like I said, I'm a pure-blooded alpha… and I always take responsibility. You'll understand soon, Evan Lee."
With that, I turn toward the door and leave, his confused heartbeat still echoing in my senses.
I sit in the car, staring out the window, lost in thought — in him. Evan Lee.
I never imagined that my biggest rival, the man I once wanted to destroy, would become my omega. My only one. The thought almost makes me laugh. Fate really has a twisted sense of humor. How can I compete with someone who now belongs to me?
Soon… he won't just be my rival. He'll be my omega wife.
Gen glances at me from the front seat through the mirror, his voice cautious. "Sir, you look… happy. It's strange — after meeting Mr. Evan Lee, your biggest rival, you seem unusually relaxed."
I shift my gaze toward him, the corner of my lips lifting faintly. "Gen, don't you like seeing me calm for once?"
He blinks, then quickly lowers his head. "My apologies, sir."
I lean back against the seat, exhaling softly, my mind tangled in thoughts of Evan Lee — how I'll ever tell him the truth. Who I really am… and what he's become after mating with me. It's not going to be easy.
Evan Lee's POV
"Ahh, this bastard!" I shout, slamming my hand on the desk.
Arem, my secretary, stands stiffly in front of me. "Sir, the whole staff is in shock because of Mr. Rion Vale's sudden visit. Rumors are already spreading—"
"Is the security sleeping while Rion walked in here?" I snap, cutting him off.
He lowers his head. "I'm sorry, sir. We tried our best to stop him, but—"
"I don't want any excuses!" I raise my voice again. "Tighten the security. Next time, I won't forgive anyone."
Arem quickly nods and leaves the room.
I slump into my chair, running a hand through my hair. "What the hell did he mean by 'you belong to me'...?" I mutter. "Crazy, freaking gay…"
Just then, my phone rings. I glance at the screen—My Love, Zoe.
I quickly calm myself and answer, "Hello, babe."
Her cheerful voice brightens the room. "Baby! How are you?"
"I'm fine," I reply softly.
"Then let's meet tonight. I missed you so much!"
A small smile touches my lips. "Okay. Let's have dinner together."
After the call ends, I stare at the screen for a long moment. Zoe—my fiancée. We've been engaged for a year, lovers since university.
I lean back in my chair and close my eyes, exhaustion pressing against my skull. Since childhood, I've tried to be perfect in every way—perfect grades, perfect manners, the perfect son of the Lee family. And after years of pressure and struggle, I finally became that man. The one everyone admires. The one my parents are proud of.
But one mistake…
Ah, damn it. Why did I follow Rion Vale to the restroom that night?
If I hadn't, I wouldn't be in this mess. Who would have thought—the perfect CEO of Vale Biotech Corporation—was some kind of gay lunatic living in his own fantasy world?
I open my eyes, staring blankly at the ceiling. "What the hell is this alpha?" I mutter.
I grab my phone, type the word into the search bar. Nothing. No real explanation, no scientific proof. Just fictional nonsense.
Then how could Rion say it so calmly—I'm an alpha—as if it were the most natural thing in the world?
I set my phone back on the table, my chest tightening. "If anyone finds out I slept with a man," I whisper, "everything I've worked for will be ruined. My perfection, my image—gone. I'll be doomed."
No matter what happens, I need to find a way to get rid of him. I'm getting married soon. I can't let anyone destroy my plans.
I exhale heavily, running a hand through my hair. Rion is gone, yet his scent still lingers in the room—faint, Black Orchid...
And I hate myself for it.
Because somehow, that scent feels calm... and strangely good.
I trace my fingers over the faint mark between my shoulder and neck. It's been a week, yet no matter what ointment I use, the bite mark refuses to fade—almost like it's carved into my skin. A subtle scent lingers there… black orchid. The same scent that clings to Rion Vale.
What is this? I don't understand any of it. And what did he mean when he said he marked me? Does he mean this bite? That I somehow belong to him now?
A quiet laugh escapes my lips, dry and bitter. "He's really lost his mind," I whisper. "Completely insane."