150.

151.

Could watching someone eat be this delightful?

If someone asked Jimin a few minutes ago, he would have said no. His best friend Seokjin loved mukbang videos, but Jimin didn't share the same sentiment. What was there to watch? It's just someone eating.

But as he watched Jungkook biting into each piece of meat, the twinkle in his eyes brightening with every bite and an appreciative moan, slipping out of his mouth as he chewed, Jimin found it strangely endearing.

For him, the decision to bring Jungkook here was surprising as hell. Because this place was reserved to the people he considered important. He never brought any of his dates here. Perhaps it was the sudden need for privacy that ushered him to book a table here or it was because Jungkook was not like any of his other dates.

Jungkook was full of surprises since they met. The moment he ordered grilled beef, Jimin knew this was going to be different. Honestly, he was prepared for a menu of soup and salads, a few questions about the amount of calories for the waiter.

But the omega had just sat back, star eyed as he placed the orders. When they received the food, Jungkook had held back until Jimin had taken the first bite before diving in. It was once again endearing, also stirred something deeply primal inside him.

"Thank you for the food," the omega mumbled softly before he started eating.

His wolf, that dominant motherfucker had shifted under his skin, nostrils flaring and ears twitching. No omega had ever shown that type of courtesy to them. The alpha clenched his jaw to stop the appreciative rumble that bubbled in his throat.

"Do you like it?" he asked, putting another piece of meat in Jungkook's bowl.

"It's delicious," Jungkook replied and going back instantly to the food. "I love this so much." He held a piece of meat between his chopsticks. "This meat is so tender and juicy. The flavors are just wow."

Jimin beamed, agreeing with a nod. "Told you. More wine?"

Jungkook shook his head. "I have an early morning class tomorrow. This is fine."

"Alright."

Once they finished eating, they settled with a drink in hand. Jimin a glass of wine and Jungkook some water.

"Now let's come to the most important discussion. What makes you think that I'll reject you?" Jimin asked, casually swirling the wine. "You sounded so confident earlier."

Jungkook blinked owlishly. "Um... isn't that obvious?" he asked, tilting his head to the side. "I'm not your type. I've seen the type of people you date and I certainly don't fit the bill." He glanced down at his water. "I have nothing to offer you. Besides, I'm just an ordinary omega, but Mr. Park thinks somehow this is gonna work. I don't know why my dad would think that either. He told me you're a good alpha and he'd be happy to see me settle with someone who will take care of me." He shrugged. "I couldn't outright say no to him after accepting everything he offered shamelessly. Also, I figured it would be okay if the rejection came from you."

The alpha exhaled, taking his time to sip his wine and inhaling the different aromas. "Is that why you offered your statement?"

Jungkook shook his head. "I just wanted to do the right thing." He ran his finger along the rim of his glass. "I stand no chance against someone like him, but with you I might be able to do something. It was horrible to go through something like that and I wondered how many omegas went through this before us." He sighed. "I wasn't afraid for me. I got nothing to lose anyway." He shrugged. "But I couldn't say the same for Kwan and make decisions on his behalf."

I got nothing to lose.

He lost his only parent.

Now that Jimin looked carefully at him, he noticed the exhaustion, barely concealed dark circles and long, untrimmed hair that almost touched his shoulders. Did he even have time to mourn properly? From what he gathered from the Head of their security team, Jungkook had been under their protection for only a couple of weeks. So it couldn't have been long since he lost his father.

"Why do you work so much?" he asked the question niggling at him since the beginning.

Jungkook frowned at him. "The reason why everyone works," he answered after a beat of silence. "We don't get paid enough and have to work thrice as harder than a beta or an alpha. They don't make consideration of our wages for other stuff you know. We are expected to pay the same price as any other gender, but it doesn't apply when it comes to wages. We don't have a choice since many establishments don't hire us easily either."

Jimin mulled over his answer, realizing the reality of the people from the other part of the town was so different from him. And why? Just because they were born as ordinary wolves. The power imbalance has been there for centuries, but at least in the Park Group they paid fairly with added benefits.

"I offered you a paid internship," he said. "The pay would be definitely better than your three jobs combined."

Jungkook bit his lip. "I didn't want to take advantage of your generosity. You already did so much. My accommodation and education is taken care of. I feel bad about accepting it shamelessly. It's just...there's this marriage proposal and it didn't feel right to do it."

"Wonder how you survived in this world all these years, Jungkook-ssi." Jimin exhaled. He understood why his dad chose him. He saw what his dad saw. Selfless with high moral values. "This world doesn't deserve people like you."

Jungkook laughed, a melodious sound that unexpectedly lit his insides. "That's not true," he said. "I'm nothing special."

That was exactly where he was wrong. This omega was one in a million.

"What if I want to date you?"

"Huh?" Jungkook blinked. "W-Why would you do that?"

"Why not?" Jimin challenged.

"B-Because I'm just...me."

"Exactly, Jungkook. It's because you're you." Jimin didn't elaborate and Jungkook didn't ask, shifting in his seat. He checked the time. "It's getting late. Are you done?"

Jungkook immediately stood. "Y-Yeah." He put the glass down and grabbed his bag.

Jimin left the remaining glass of wine on the table and stood. He opened the door for Jungkook to exit before following him out. The drive to Jungkook's dorm didn't take long. The traffic was light and the travel short.

Unfortunately, to Jimin's dismay, the effects of the tea didn't wear off. But much to his surprise, he didn't even feel the absence of it. Jungkook's face was too expressive. It didn't take time to deduce whether he was being sincere or not.

"Thank you for the meal, Mr. Park." Jungkook bowed deeply when they reached his dorm. "And thank you for protecting us that day. You're a good alpha and kind just like your father. I'm forever grateful. Good night to you."

That's it.

It was proof enough that Jungkook didn't take his words seriously. Before Jimin could even respond, Jungkook was out of the vehicle, bowing one more time and walking inside.

Jimin narrowed his eyes. Not that fast, omega.

He jumped out of his car and called out. "You're forgetting something."

Jungkook stopped and turned with a confused expression on his face. He cluelessly patted down his pockets, pulling out his key card and phone. "Everything is here," he stated with a deep frown.

"You forgot me." Jimin grinned. His wolf had decided that instant that they weren't letting this omega walk away that easily.

"Huh?"

"It's our first official date," Jimin said. "I should walk you to your door."

"F-First what?" The omega's eyes popped out.

"Date, Jungkook-ssi." Jimin smiled coyly. "It'd be rude to reject you without any reason."

"I...ah..."

"What?"

Jungkook shook his head.

"Remember, you already agreed to marry me. What's with this now? These dates are for you to get used to me and for me to know how compatible you are with my wolf." He wrapped an arm around his waist, turning him and guiding him into the dorm.

The omega looked too stunned to speak.

They entered the elevator, Jungkook looking lost and cute at the same time. "Floor and room number?"

"4th floor. 404." He sounded breathless and for a moment Jimin's thoughts raced, wondering how he would sound if he were to really make him breathless.

Fuck!

He should control his wolf. Jungkook continued to fidget with his bag, looking anywhere but him. Just when the elevator doors opened with a ding, Jimin thought he caught a whiff of something fruity—sweet and tart—with a nuance of bitter almonds?

Jimin was too lost in this new scent that struck a chord of familiarity but couldn't pinpoint when Jungkook stepped outside the elevator, bowed at him, mumbled a good night and began to speed walk toward his room.

The wolf shifted within the alpha, eyes narrowing at the omega that was running away. With a soft growl, he lunged after him. When he reached Jungkook, the omega was already entering the code with shaky fingers.

Jimin grabbed his elbow and turned him around, a gust of Maraschino Cherry beat over his face. It's him. His eyes widened, nostrils flaring as he finally found the one he was curious about.

"That's not how you say good night," he said, a soft growl lacing his voice and he felt a shudder raking through the omega's frame.

"T-Then h-how?"

Jimin leaned forward, fighting the urge to bite those lips. It was the first day. He didn't want to scare the omega. Just as he reached to kiss his cheek, however, the omega, who was surprised, turned his face.

Both froze as their lips brushed. Jimin waited for a beat. The omega wasn't pulling back.

"That could work too," he murmured, closing the gap between their lips.

"Mmph—"

Jimin didn't remember the last time he kissed someone. It wasn't like he never kissed anyone. He did when he was curious about kissing, but later didn't feel that was a necessary evil when he could just satisfy his sexual needs without it. It was just too intimate.

But he didn't know what overcame him. He just planned to kiss his cheek and leave, but once he had those petal lips brushing over his, there was no stopping. All he could think was how they would taste. He wanted to bite them whenever Jungkook nibbled at it, causing it to redden a little.

It was just a peck, but Jimin already wanted more. Jungkook's cheeks were beet red, lips parted and chest heaving a little. How could someone look so fucked out just by a peck?

The scent of Maraschino Cherry was now at a full blast, making his head dizzy and growing sweeter with every passing minute. Jimin smiled. The omega was definitely taken with him. Up until he had revealed his intention to date him, Jungkook's wolf hadn't bothered to reveal his scent.

Right now, though, it was as if Jungkook had no control over it.

"Once more?" he asked and Jungkook gave a tiny nod.

That was all Jimin needed. Their lips met again and this time it was more than a peck. Jimin sucked his lips between his and licked the seam of his lips, teasing him a little. The alpha wanted more but pulled back, watching how breathless the omega was.

"You're interesting, Jeon Jungkook," he whispered. "I wanna date and see where this goes. I'll be waiting for your text tomorrow. If you don't, then I'll take it that you aren't interested. If you do, then I want to take you out on proper dates."

Jungkook nodded shakily. "I-I d-don't wanna be on a tabloid tomorrow."

A smirk tilted the corner of Jimin's lips. "Is that so?" He stepped closer, their chests almost touching and mouths only inches away. "Don't worry, Omega. I'm planning to hide you from everyone's eyes." His gaze dipped a little, tracing the smooth column of his neck. "You're only for my eyes."

Jimin felt another shudder raking the omega's body and stepped back. He knew the effect he had on the others. For some reason, he wanted the omega to reach him out first.

"Now, it's a good night," he said. "I'll be waiting tomorrow." He began to backpedal toward the elevator. "If you text me, omega, remember, you'll be mine."

Jungkook's eyes widened some more and he just gaped at him. One of his hands, rose to touch his lips and he stood there in the hallway, staring at him in a stunned stupor as the elevator doors closed.

***

A/N: Hey loves, hope you're all doing good. It's been 12 days since my surgery. I'm home and recovering well. I haven't started working since I was told to rest for a month. I need to go for another review before they clear me. I was bored and was slowly writing on phone. I can't sit for long durations yet, so I'm not on laptop. Mostly resting and watching something when I'm not asleep. I'm moving around without straining my body and it's getting better every day. Miss being here and missing you all. Thank you all for your well wishes and lovely messages. *tight hugs* Love you <3