Rion Vale's POV
I sat in my office, eyes fixed on the tablet screen. "Gen," I said calmly, "hire two men to keep a close eye on Evan Lee. Make sure they're specialists — I don't want a single mistake."
Gen frowned, confusion flashing across his face. "Sir, why are we monitoring Mr. Evan Lee? We already have the upper hand over Lee Biohealth System. Why bother keeping tabs on him?"
I lifted my gaze to him slowly — my overly curious secretary. "Gen," I said in a low voice, "are you telling me you don't love your job anymore?"
He immediately straightened. "I—I'm sorry, sir. I'll make the arrangements right away."
"Good."
He hesitated again, glancing at his tablet. "Sir, there's one more update," he said carefully.
"What is it?"
"Tonight, Mr. Evan Lee has a dinner scheduled with his fiancée."
I froze for a moment. "He has a fiancée?"
Gen nodded. "Yes, sir. Mr. Evan Lee is engaged and reportedly plans to marry soon."
I leaned back in my chair, the words echoing in my mind. Engaged. My jaw tightened. How can my omega even think of belonging to someone else?
"Find out where he's having dinner," I ordered.
Gen blinked, clearly curious now. "Sir… forgive me, but Mr. Evan Lee is your rival. Why are you chasing him like—like a lover?"
I turned my gaze to him — sharp, cold, and enough to silence him instantly. "Gen…" I said quietly.
He paled. "I'm sorry, sir. I'll find out immediately." He hurried out of the office, the door closing behind him.
A faint smirk tugged at my lips. My omega… I exhaled slowly, leaning back in my chair. I want to smell him again.
Evan Lee's POV
I sat calmly in the luxurious restaurant, surrounded by soft music, glittering chandeliers, and the lingering aroma of expensive colognes and perfumes.
Every single scent in this place irritated me.
God… what's happening to me?
Beside me, Zoe leans close, her manicured fingers brushing mine — a picture of elegance and devotion.
It should be a perfect evening. A perfect couple.
But something inside me feels unbearably wrong.
Zoe rested her head on my shoulder, her voice soft and affectionate.
"Evan, didn't you miss me?" Zoe's voice is gentle, laced with affection. "You're always so busy. I feel like I'm the only one who misses you."
I manage a smile, practiced and polite. "It's not like that, Zoe. Work's been demanding lately, but I'll make it up to you."
Her laughter is soft, warm. "You'd better. We're getting married soon, and I want you all to myself."
I nod, forcing another smile, though her closeness suffocates me.
I should have loved this moment — this warmth, this closeness — but instead, Zoe's nearness felt suffocating. Her scent, once familiar and comforting, now made me feel sick.
And her perfume — god, her scent — makes me dizzy, like I might vomit right here.
I loosen my tie discreetly, pretending to adjust my collar.
"Evan, baby? Are you okay?"
"Fine," I lie. "Just tired. Let's eat."
She nods, smiling again. I touch my shoulder — the mark. It's warm.
The Black Orchid
That scent again.
And then, my eyes shifted.
Rion Vale.
He walked in with his usual calm, dangerous aura — tall, composed, wearing a perfectly tailored black suit that made the entire room turn to look. His presence magnetic, commanding.
And his eyes… his sharp, dark eyes locked directly on me.
What the hell is this bastard doing here?
I looked away immediately, pretending not to notice. Zoe smiles, oblivious. "Evan, try this," she says, offering me a bite.
She leans closer to wipe my lower lip, and that's when it hits me—her scent, her closeness—I can't bear it anymore.
I push back my chair and stand abruptly. "I need to use the restroom," I say, forcing a calm smile before walking away. Each step feels heavier than the last. My stomach twists; the air around me feels suffocating.
Inside the restroom, I brace my hands against the basin. Cold water runs steadily from the tap, echoing in the silence. My reflection stares back at me — flushed cheeks, trembling lips, a faint glimmer of confusion in my eyes.
I unbutton the top of my shirt and glance at my shoulder. The mark—it's glowing softly.
"What the hell is this…" I whisper, my voice barely audible over the running water.
The door opens.
Rion Vale walks in, his presence cutting through the air like a blade. His gaze locks on me, a subtle smirk tugging at his lips.
"Are you okay, Evan Lee?" His voice is smooth, too calm, too familiar.
That scent again—black orchid. It curls through the air, rich and dark, yet inexplicably soothing. My body tenses, but at the same time, something in me eases. My pulse quickens for reasons I don't want to understand.
He steps closer.
"Why are you following me, Rion Vale?" I say sharply. "Do you have some kind of death wish?"
He leans in slightly, his voice a whisper against my ear.
"Are you sure you can kill me?"
Before I can react, he pulls me into his arms.
"What the hell are you doing?!" I shout, struggling, but his strength is unreal. I push, but my body feels weak — too relaxed.
His lips brush my neck as he inhales deeply.
"You smell like an exclusive omega now," he whispers. "After mating with me, you carry my scent — fresh rain on black orchid petals."
"What the hell are you saying?!" I bark, still trying to push him away. But his warmth, his scent… it's too comforting. My body betrays me — for a moment, I stop fighting. The world fades.
Finally, I manage to shove him back. The air between us trembles.
He smiles, calm as ever. "What's wrong? Don't you like it?"
I stare at him, furious. "You're insane! I told you—I'm not gay, and I'm not interested in you!"
He doesn't even flinch. That same maddeningly confident smile stays on his lips.
"And I told you," he says softly, "I'm not gay. I'm an alpha. And you… you're my omega."
I stared at him in disbelief. How could he say such insane things so calmly?
For a second, I can't even breathe. He says it like it's an undeniable truth, as if the universe itself agrees with him.
It really felt like I'm arguing with a man who had completely lost his mind.
I sigh, my chest tight. "You're out of your mind," I mutter, brushing past him. My hands still tremble, the mark on my shoulder still faintly glowing as I walk out of the restroom—away from his intoxicating scent.