MATED BY DECEPTION

Black cherries with a hint of vanilla

The alarm blared on the table and a slender hand sneaked from under the blanket and slapped it into silence.

"So noisy."

The lump under the blanket shifted around, trying to settle on the bed before it stilled again.

The peace was shattered when the door was loudly swung open and the sound of heels clicked loudly on the tiles. The blanket was ripped away from the bed without ceremony.

"Rise and shine, Ruelle!"

The sunlight hit Ruelle's face and she slapped a hand over her eyes. "f**k you, Cecilia."

Cecilia leaned over her, brown eyes filled with excitement. "We have a meeting with the board of directors this morning."

Ruelle turned her face away, voice rough with sleep. "Give me twenty more minutes."

"We're already late."

The omega sighed and opened her eyes. "Fine. Get my clothes ready."

Cecilia beamed. "Right away!"

Twenty minutes later, Ruelle strolled confidently into Moretti Enterprise, a smirk playing on her lips. She glanced at Cecilia by her side.

"Did you get the information I asked you to?"

The other nodded. "I couldn't afford to disappoint you on the first day of being your secretary."

Ruelle chuckled as they entered the elevator. "How many?"

Cecilia's face darkened as the doors slid close. "Only one."

The omega clicked her tongue. "So much for a clean start."

They walked to the meeting room where a man was standing by the door. He bowed immediately he saw Ruelle. "Boss."

"Magnus" she called in warning and he grinned.

"I couldn't help it. It's your first day."

"How angry are they?" Ruelle asked.

Magnus' lips curled in a smirk. "They want to tear you apart, Boss."

"They can try," Cecilia murmured, eyes swirling with mirth.

Ruelle scoffed and pushed the doors open. "Gentlemen," she said as she strode in.

The murmurings in the room quieted and the men in the room exchanged looks as the omega sat down and crossed her legs.

Ruelle didn't waste time. "The chairman said I should meet everyone in this for the benefits of this company."

Her gaze swept across the room before she scoffed. "He said that I could learn from all of you on how to rule. Is that so?"

"You arrived thirty-five minutes late," a voice pointed out and Ruelle glanced to see an old man staring at her with barely disguised hate.

The other continued. "That proves that you're incompetent for this position."

Ruelle tilted her head, observing him. "And you think you're the best for this position, am I right?"

Her gaze slid to his tag. "Mr. Giovanni Lombardi."

The man's expression faltered before he scoffed, looking around the room. "That's a fact, Miss Moretti."

"I've worked harder than anyone in this company and gave my life to it for years."

The rest looked at each other nodding in agreement, while Ruelle watched calmly.

After getting approval from the rest, Giovanni was empowered. He glared at her. "You stroll in like a pompous omega that you are and think that you know anything about taking care of a company."

"We all know that you got this position because of nepotism and not on merit."

His declaration was met with murmurs of approval and Cecilia bit back a smile.

"Your work is commendable," Ruelle murmured, tapping her finger on the desk. She narrowed her eyes at him. "But the accounts of your embezzlement and your involvement in money laundering is a big stain."

Silence hung heavy in the air after her statement.

The omega chuckled softly at Giovanni's shocked face. "Are you surprised that I found out?"

"H-How did you—" The other cut himself off. "I did no such thing!"

Ruelle tutted, not bothering to hide her disappointment. "And you're also a liar."

Sweat coated Giovanni's forehead and he wiped it with a handkerchief. His arrogance had disappeared under the omega's probing gaze, leaving behind a coward trembling in his seat.

His colleagues who supported him earlier now shared looks among themselves, shifting nervously in their seats.

"I didn't m-mean..." Giovanni murmured.

"Your corruption can he swept under the rug," Ruelle murmured and the other sighed in relief.

"Thank—"

"But I don't forgive s****l assaulters."

Giovanni's eyes widened. "What—" He was cut off when a bullet pierced his forehead and he fell back on his seat, lifeless.

The rest panicked in their seats, trying to get up.

"Sit down," Ruelle ordered and they obeyed, shivering visibly. She stood up, handing her gun to Cecilia who immediately took it.

"I don't care what you think of me," Ruelle began, looking at them. "But if any of you betrays me or the company, you'll suffer a death worse than Giovanni's."

"Am I clear?"

"Yes," they chorused, voices shaking with fear.

"Continue your work as you've done," the omega said and stepped out.

Magnus fell in step with her as they walked towards her office. "His name is Dante Ravelli. Heir of the Ravelli clan and he's thirty-three years old."

Ruelle smirked. "It seems my alpha isn't a weakling."

"But there's a problem, Boss."

"And that is?"

Magnus cleared his throat. "He's getting married in two weeks."

Ruelle raised a brow at that. "Interesting."

"What are you going to do, Boss?"

The omega stopped at her door. "We'll see." She glanced at Cecilia and Magnus. "I want to be left alone."

They bowed and left.

Ruelle stepped into her office and ripped off her scent patch. Slowly, the scent of black cherries filled the room and she heaved a sigh of relief.

"Dante Ravelli," she murmured, eyes flashing blue. "My alpha."

***********

The smell of wilted roses filled the hall as Elena knelt on the tiled floor, tears slipping down her cheeks. Her shoulders trembled as she tried to maintain calmness.

"Dante has been horrible to me, Monarch!" she cried, looking up at the man sitting before her. "Our wedding is in t-two weeks and he hasn't even..." Elena cut herself off, letting out a loud sob.

The man before her was old, hair fully grey and face wrinkled. Though his black eyes were full of coldness and he looked at the omega calculatingly.

He glanced at his surbodinate. "Valerio, bring that i***t to me."

Valerio nodded and left the room.

The man looked at Elena. "It's shameful for the future daughter-in-law of the Ravelli family to be on her knees."

"Get up."

The woman obliged, wiping her tears. "Thank you for your kind words, Monarch."

"My grandson is an i***t to treat such an amazing omega like you badly," the old man stated and Elena brightened at the praise. She smoothed her dress.

"I'll set him straight," he promised.

Soon enough, the doors opened and Dante walked in. The alpha's eyes narrowed slightly at Elena before his face turned to a mask of indifference. "You called for me, Grandfather."

"Yes," the other man replied. "Your wife has complained about your terrible behaviour towards her."

"The Ravelli men pride themselves in treating our women with respect," he continued, gaze narrowed. "I won't have you sully our name with your stupidity."

Dante bowed his head. "It won't happen again."

Elena smirked in triumph. She quickly masked it with a look of dejection when the alpha glanced at her.

"For your sake," the old man stated, staring at him coldly, "it shouldn't."

"And get ready for Santoro's party," he instructed. "You'll be going with your fiancé. Don't embarrass me."

Dante nodded, his expression solemn. "Yes, Grandfather."

The old man hummed. "Take your fiancé for a shopping trip or whatever you youngsters do these days. That should help your relationship."

Elena beamed and grabbed Dante's arm. "I've been dying to get more dresses for my closet."

"My old clothes are becoming boring."

The alpha nodded. "As you wish, Grandfather."

With that, they left and the old man looked at his surbodinate. "Keep an eye on that boy. He's up to no good."

Valerio nodded. "Yes, Boss."

***************

Gentle music played in the hall that was bathed in the golden light of the chandeliers that hung from the ceiling. Guests moved around in their expensive clothes with their arrogance clinging to them like a second skin conversing and sharing fake smiles over their wine glasses.

Ruelle stood at a table with Cecilia by her side, leisurely sipping her wine. "This party is boring as usual."

The other giggled. "But you dressed to kill."

The omega smirked, taking another sip of her wine.

Ruelle wore a long, vibrant red backless dress with thin straps and a daring slit that revealed her smooth legs. She paired it with elegant red high-heeled stilettos to match. Her makeup was light and natural, with dark eyeshadow and soft nude lips, perfectly balancing the bold dress and her hair cascaded down her back.

She glanced at Cecilia. "There's a reason why you're my secretary."

"And also your favorite cousin!" the other said and the omega rolled her eyes.

"I was surprised that your changed your mind, little sister," a voice said behind her. "Makes me question your motives."

Ruelle didn't bother to turn. "I don't owe you an explanation, Lorenzo."

The other smirked and sidled beside her. He winked at Cecilia. "Hello, little cousin."

Cecilia gave him a tight smile before looking at Ruelle. "I'm going to get more drinks."

She didn't wait for a response and hurried away. Lorenzo clicked his tongue. "Scaredy cat."

Ruelle glanced at him. "You caused this."

Her brother gasped dramatically. "I did? I I never did anything to—"

Ruelle smelt him before she heard his voice. The scent of peppermint prodding at her senses, making her stomach flutter.

"Evening to you both," a voice greeted and her heart skipped at the smooth but commanding tone.

She lifted her eyes and stared into his. "Evening."

The alpha's eyes glinted with amusement and Ruelle swallowed involuntarily.

Lorenzo chuckled. "Dante Ravelli, right?"

""Yes." Dante answered smoothly, looking away from her. "It's a pleasure to meet you." His gaze slid bad to Ruelle. "And you."

"The pleasure is ours," Ruelle said, grateful her calm facade didn't falter. She sipped her wine again, the bitter aftertaste grounding her.

"Dante!" a woman called and grabbed the alpha's arm. "I've been looking everywhere for you!"

Her gaze slid to Ruelle and she tightened her grip. "Who are your friends?"

"We're not friends," Ruelle answered, looking back at Dante.

The alpha subtly raised a brow at her and she smirked at him.

The woman caught this exchange and she tugged at Dante's hand to grab his attention. "Father is looking for you."

"Let's go."

The alpha nodded at the both of them before letting himself be pulled away.

Lorenzo clicked his tongue in annoyance. "So arrogant."

"I thought since the Santoro family hosted the party, it would be better." He took a sip of his wine. "It's f*****g boring."

Ruelle watched as the alpha walked further away and her lips curled in a slow smirk. "The party has just begun, big brother."

Lorenzo huffed. "Weirdo."

Dante stumbled slightly through the corridors, grasping at the walls for stability. The air was filled with the scent of peppermint and the faint notes of rut as the alpha tugged at his tie, irritated by the heat simmering underneath his skin.

"f**k," he murmured, ripping off his scent patch. It fell to the floor, soaked in his scent.

As Dante reached the last door, the scent of black cherries reached his nose and he inhaled. The pheromones were cloying and sweet and his c**k stirred in interest with every breath he took.

Unable to bear it any longer, the alpha pushed the door open and his knees nearly buckled as the scent of black cherries with a hint of vanilla.

The room was dark, save for the moon that shone through the blinds.

A small whimper caught his attention and Dante walked forward, eyes falling on the figure laying on the bed.

A slender hand stretched towards him, blue eyes flashing with need. "Want... you..."

"Alpha..."

Dante growled, eyes flashing gold. "Mine."

"My omega."