MATED BY DECEPTION

Four

Ruelle read through the reports, brows furrowed in concentration. "Is that all you could find?"

The omega looked at her secretary, tapping her finger impatiently on the desk. "Where are the financial reports, Cecilia?"

Cecilia bit her lip. "Mr. Lorenzo handles the financial reports of the company and has refused to hand them over."

"That bastard," Ruelle cursed under her breath. She ran a hand through her hair, closing her eyes. "Alright then."

Her secretary nodded. "Is there anything else I can get you?"

"Coffee," Ruelle whispered.

"With no sugar?" Cecilia guessed.

The omega hummed and her secetary walked out of the office.

Ruelle looked at the file in front of her, lips pursed in thought. She flipped through the pages. "Should I just—"

The door opened and a man stepped in, prompting her to raise her head. He bowed deeply, almost theatric. "Good morning, Boss."

"Magnus," Ruelle called in warning and the man straightened, a playful grin on his face.

"It's your first day, boss." He sat down on the sofa, crossing his legs. "I couldn't help it."

The omega clicked her tongue in annoyance. "Did you get the information I asked for?"

Magnus hummed. "There wasn't much I could get on him though." He pulled out a single piece of paper from his coat.

Ruelle leaned back in her chair, eyes falling close. "Read it to me."

The other cleared his throat. "His name is Dante Ravelli. He is thirty-three years old and the heir of the Ravelli clan."

"Ravelli clan," the omega murmured, opening her eyes. "I never knew that the leader had a son."

Magnus shrugged. "He keeps an extremely low profile."

"Interesting," Ruelle whispered. "It seems the alpha is a force to reckon with."

"Anything else?" She looked at Magnus.

The other hesitated. "He's engaged."

Ruelle frowned at this. "Engaged?" To whom?"

"Elena DeLuca," Magnus informed. "The marriage is in two weeks."

The omega hummed. "That's enough time."

"Boss," Magnus called, albeit hesitantly. "Are you planning—"

"Don't you have work to do, Magnus?" Ruelle questioned. She shot him a warning look. "Get out of my office."

The other wisely stood up and nearly bumped into Cecilia on his way out. He said nothing to her and she frowned, closing the door as she walked in.

"Is everything okay?"

Ruelle shrugged. "It's that time of the month."

Cecilia chuckled softly, setting the coffee on the table. "Very funny."

The omega took the cup and sipped, nodding in satisfaction at the taste. She looked at her secretary. "Confirm our attendance to the Santoro's anniversary party."

Cecilia frowned. "Is there a reason why—"

"Don't question me," Ruelle cut her off. "And get my dress ready by then."

"You're dismissed."

She ignored her secretary's bewildered look and resumed reading through the file on her desk and Cecilia walked out of the office.

After a few minutes, the omega brought out a cigarette and lit it, watching the smoke curling in the air.

Ruelle sniffed and her nose wrinkled immediately. "It doesn't smell like you..." She put it out, clicking her tongue.

"I need the real thing..."

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

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." He cleared his throat. "The men you sent for the mission are dead, Boss."

"All of them?"

"Only one is alive and he's in a coma."

"Have him killed," the old man ordered. "And send condolences to their loved ones."

Valerio nodded. "What about the—"

"The mission will be put on hold," the Monarch said. His eyes narrowed subtly. "It seems someone is protecting the girl."

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

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."

Lorenzo downed his drink. "I'll be back, little sister."

"Don't bother," Ruelle murmured, not looking away from her half filled glass.

Her brother chuckled and left.

Alone, the omega sighed, looking around. Her gaze dropped when she didn't find what she was looking for.

"Did he change his mind—"

"Evening," a voice said and Ruelle's breath hitched, heart skipping a beat. The familiar scent of peppermint and cigarettes flooded her senses as she lifted her gaze to meet his.

The alpha was staring at her, lips curled with amusement. "Cat got your tongue?"

The omega swallowed. "No..." She cleared her throat, looking away. "Evening to you too."

"I just—"

"Dance with me," the other interrupted, extending a hand.

Ruelle's gaze lowered to it before looking back at him. "Why?"

The alpha didn't relent. "Unless," He tilted his head, eyes filled with mischief, "You're afraid that you're going to step on my toes."

The omega scoffed at that. "You wish."

Holding his gaze, Ruelle reached for her glass and downed the wine before dropping it on the table.

With a deep inhale, Ruelle took his hand.