Evan Lee's POV
I take a deep breath as I step into the grand dining hall. Ahh… I actually feel good today.
The servant opens the door for me, bowing slightly. The familiar scent of home greets me—expensive wine, polished wood, and freshly prepared food. The long, luxurious dining table glows under the chandelier's soft light.
At the head of the table sits Evander Lee, my cold, imposing father. Beside him, my mother's gentle smile softens the atmosphere, and across from her, my little sister's eyes light up the moment she sees me.
I walk forward, my tone polite and practiced.
"Good evening, Mom. Dad."
Mom smiles warmly. "Good evening, my son."
Eva beams. "Good evening, brother. You look overly handsome tonight."
I chuckle faintly. "Stop being cheesy."
She laughs softly, but my father's stern voice cuts through the air.
"Evan, you've been absent from the office the whole week—and you ignored my calls."
My smile falters. "I'm sorry, Dad. I was caught up with some urgent work. I promise it won't happen again."
He eyes me coldly, then mutters, "Better not."
I lower my gaze, fingers tightening slightly on my lap. No matter how hard I try—no matter how perfect I become—it never seems enough for him.
Then, his voice again. Sharp.
"I heard Vale Biotech launched the same product as us."
"Yes," I answer quietly.
He takes a slow sip of wine, eyes narrowing.
"Rion Vale always wins—and you always fall behind. Don't you feel guilty?"
That bastard's name again. My jaw tightens, and I stare down at my plate.
"Evander, enough," Mom says firmly, placing a gentle hand on my shoulder. "You always say such harsh things to Evan. Look at him—he looks pale. No more business talk tonight. Let's just have dinner peacefully."
I nod silently, keeping my gaze low. My appetite is gone anyway.
Rion Vale's POV
I sat in my office, the faint hum of the air conditioner filling the silence. Gen stood in front of my desk, his expression uneasy.
"What's the update?" I asked, my tone calm but edged with authority.
He swallowed hard. "Sir… the man I hired to keep an eye on Mr. Evan Lee—" He paused, his face paling.
My gaze sharpened. "What happened, Gen?"
He hesitated, then blurted out, "Sir, the man was caught by Mr. Evan Lee's security team."
I stared at him in silence. Useless. My secretary never managed to do one thing right without turning it into a mess.
"Gen," I said coldly.
"I—I'm sorry, sir," he stammered. "I really hired a professional, but I don't know how they were caught—"
"Leave," I cut him off.
He bows and exits in a rush. The room falls silent again. I lean back in my chair, exhaling slowly.
A few seconds later, my phone vibrates on the desk—an unknown number flashing on the screen.
A smirk curves my lips. I already know who it is.
I answer.
"Rion, you bastard!" Evan Lee's furious voice echoes through the speaker. "How dare you do this?"
I smile faintly, amused by his anger. "What did I do?"
"You're spying on me!" he snaps.
"Yes," I said proudly. "I am. Because I want to keep an eye on my omega. What if you cheat on me?"
"Shut up!" he shouts. "Stop with that nonsense, you freaking crazy gay!"
The line goes dead with a sharp click.
I stare at the phone for a moment, "He's really fiery."
I chuckled, setting the phone back on my desk.
"Destiny really gave me an angry little kitten," I murmured, a low laugh escaping my throat.
I whispered slowly,
"I know it's coming. The first rut."
Evan's body may still fight the truth, but I can already sense the change — the faint tremor in his scent, the subtle way his fresh-rain fragrance deepens every time he's near me. My mark is waking inside him, pulsing quietly, spreading its rhythm through his veins.
He doesn't know it yet, but when that first rut hits, he won't be able to hide from me. His body will crave my pheromones, his scent will bloom with mine, and the world itself will remind him who he belongs to.
I leaned back in my chair, exhaling a slow, thin smile. The thought of it — of him trembling, struggling against his instincts, whispering my name — makes the air feel warmer.
Let the world call it rivalry.
But when his first rut begins, it won't be his pride that finds me.
It'll be his body.
And I'll be waiting.
Evan Lee's POV
Ahh… what does this bastard really want?
I didn't think he'd take revenge on me like that. I should've mixed poison in his drink that day — he's getting on my nerves. That crazy gay.
I sank onto the couch, rubbing my temple in frustration. My secretary, Arem, stood silently beside me.
"Sir, please calm down," he said gently. "Your health isn't good. Taking too much stress will only make it worse."
I sighed. He poured a glass of water and handed it to me. I took it and sipped slowly.
I don't know why… but something feels different inside me.
It's like I'm changing. Everything inside me is changing, and I can't figure out what that bastard Rion did to me. It's strange — unsettling.
My hand brushed the back of my neck. That same spot again.
I felt… weird. Not normal anymore.
Arem spoke again, breaking my thoughts.
"Sir, Miss Zoe contacted me. She said you've been ignoring her calls and she's worried. She wants to meet you."
I looked at him. "Arem, tell her I'm too busy with work. Make any excuse you want — I just don't want to see her."
He nodded, then hesitated. I noticed he kept glancing at me — again and again, since morning.
I frowned. "Arem, what's wrong? Why do you keep looking at me like that?"
He hesitated, then muttered softly, "Sir… you're glowing. I mean— you look beautiful. Strangely beautiful today."
My eyes widened. Did my secretary just compliment me?
I stood and walked over to the mirror. My breath caught.
"What the—"
I'm… glowing. My skin shimmered like something precious, touched by light. I ran my fingers over my face, stunned.
From behind, I could still feel Arem's eyes on me until he quickly bowed and left the room.
I turned back to the mirror.
"What's happening to me?" I whispered.
My reflection looked almost unreal — glowing differently, radiating warmth.