207.

One week.

One entire week.

That was how long he hadn't heard from Jungkook. Jimin knew he was the one who gave an option to the omega, but he just didn't expect him to take it.

Jungkook hadn't texted him the next day or the day after. Or on the days after. But that didn't stop him from peering at his phone screen whenever he had the time. His wolf was pouty and sulky to the point the others began to notice.

So his friends had dragged him out for a drink. It had been a while since the six of them came here. Club Elite was exclusive to the purebred wolves from the upper class. With guaranteed privacy, good music, and drinks, this was a place where they could unwind.

The VIP rooms were on the third floor. The patrons could watch the live band through the one-sided glass wall from the ceiling to the floor. They also could have private parties here away from the prying eyes.

"Come on, bro!" Taehyung bumped into his shoulder. "Grumpy is Yoongi Boongi's trademark. Not yours." They sat on the three-seater couch, with Hoseok on the other side. "You're staring at your phone more than you should. That chic is really hot."

There was a new singer in the live band tonight, but Jimin's mind was elsewhere. He nursed his drink, barely sensing the taste. When the six of them got together, the conversations were always full of fun banters and industry gossip.

Today, however, Jimin wasn't listening to any of them. He was lost in his drink, staring at the amber liquid aimlessly.

Did he scare him off with the kiss? Why did he give him the option to walk away? Why was it bothering him so much? Wasn't this what he wanted?

Still, his mind kept returning to the doe-eyed omega and his scent. Why was this affecting him so much? Jungkook wasn't the first omega to turn him down.

Maybe Jungkook was affected by his pheromones when he allowed him to kiss him. He ran a hand over his face. This wasn't helping at all.

He downed the drink and frowned when he saw the bottle they ordered was already empty. He barely had two glasses. Jimin scowled.

"For someone who wanted to break off the engagement, you're too sulky," Yoongi commented.

"You're acting like Hoseok these days," Namjoon added. "At least he has the decency to admit he's gone bad for his beta."

Jimin scowled. "He's in love with his beta but I'm not."

"But this is affecting you more than it should," Yoongi said. "It's okay to admit it's more than just lust."

"It's just lust," Jimin griped. "And frustration. He's a forbidden fruit I cannot touch. Nothing more."

If it was someone else, he'd have shown up at their doorstep with a gift, trying to convince them why dating him was mutually beneficial. But Jungkook wasn't just anyone.

"Jimin-ah, cheer up! Look at all those omegas there." Taehyung pointed at the crowd. "Pick one, fuck, and move on."

"Don't want them." Jimin rolled his eyes, growling in annoyance. "I need another drink." He slammed the glass on the table. "And this conversation is off the table."

"Ah, jeez. Calm your balls, man!" Taehyung griped but hit the button to summon the staff serving them today. "You're behaving as if you're imprinted on him or something."

Huh?

Yoongi lifted a brow at him and Jimin gulped. Imprinting? That too just after a meeting. He didn't even know Jungkook's scent until much later. How could a purebred wolf imprint on a regular wolf? It was unheard of.

Really? Using imprinting and his name in the same sentence. That was the funniest thing he ever heard today.

To imprint, one must feel a deep level of connection and devotion. There has to be some sort of bond between them in the first place. Jimin and Jungkook had neither.

He averted his gaze with a scoff. There was no way he would imprint on anyone. They didn't even fuck. That kiss lasted less than a minute. What was even there to imprint on?

His eyes? Wide and doe-like. He felt his wolf stir at the memory of those eyes staring at him.

Maybe he was just sexually frustrated. It had been a while since he got any. He wasted too much time on Jiseung. Jimin was one person at a time kinda person. He didn't screw around when he was pursuing someone. Maybe he shouldn't have gone too long without sex. That must be the reason he was feeling like this.

Jimin threw his head back, staring at the ceiling, and let his thoughts wander. He wasn't even surprised when Jungkook occupied most of them. His wolf was restless for some reason, itching to go and confront the omega. What was wrong with him?

He is just a regular omega. He couldn't have even taken you properly. Why are you pining after him? he scolded his wolf.

"Jimin-ah, if this is affecting you so much, go and talk to him," Hoseok said. "Maybe your wolf sees something in him."

"I've been telling him to text him for the past two days," Taehyung piped in. "Uncle Park is Jungkook's guardian and he is under your scholarship program now. You have plenty of reasons to talk. Also, the court hearing date is nearing. Just hit him up, bro!"

Jimin sighed. Text him and say what? Why was that omega even taking up too much of his thoughts? It was frustrating and really annoying.

Another omega, Yejun, who Jimin got acquainted a few weeks before meeting Jiseung had been trying to reach him from different numbers, sending him several texts and asking him for another date. But Jimin ignored it all; his wolf was hung on this one omega that shut them out.

If Jungkook was playing hard to get, it was definitely working. If this were some other omega, he'd have gone chasing after them just for the fun of it. The thrill of the chase was something else, but his hands were bound. Jungkook wasn't just any omega.

And maybe his ego and overconfidence were a little bit bruised. Jimin would never admit that aloud. Jungkook was clearly affected by his scent, he saw the way the omega reacted after the mere brush of their lips.

Fuck. I'll never know how he tastes.

Definitely addictive, his wolf suggested.

Curse him for making such a promise. Now, no matter what, he'd have to honor it. Who knew it was going to bite him in the ass. He was too confident that the omega would come back.

Thank God his friends didn't know the depth of his thoughts and how much his wolf craved for this omega. The funny part was that Jimin still wasn't ready to settle. Yet, he had no qualms to risk it for this omega.

What are you doing to me? Why are my thoughts so contradicting so much?

"Your drinks, sir."

Jimin's head shot up, eyes wide and nostrils flaring upon hearing the familiar voice. "Jungkook?"

He didn't mean to call out loud. Jimin didn't even realize the speed at which he straightened at his mere voice. Startled doe eyes, met him, and froze.

He wore a black t-shirt embroidered with the Club Elite logo that was tucked into beige pants. Black face mask covered the lower half of the face and his wavy black hair cascaded around his ears. Five heads whipped up the next instant, all turning to face the omega.

"Mr. Park," Jungkook acknowledged with a deep bow.

Jimin was annoyed that he wore his face mask again. And that the scent blockers were hiding his intoxicating scent from him. But they were in the company of the others.

Get your shit together.

The alpha cleared his throat. "Hope you're well and no one is troubling you." He kept his tone professional with an impassive mask on his face.

"Yes, sir," Jungkook replied almost immediately. The alpha couldn't tell if the omega was smiling. He clasped his hands in the front fingers fidgeting. "Everything is fine."

Is he biting his lip now?

Jimin nodded, feeling awkward as to how to prolong the conversation.

"So, this is Jungkook!" Taehyung joined. Ignoring the death glare Jimin sent his way, his best friend continued, "You're so brave, Jungkook-ssi. Jimin wouldn't stop talking about you."

Jimin elbowed him hard, and Taehyung grunted with a grimace.

"We didn't know you worked here." Jin smiled. "I'm Kim Seokjin. We are all Jimin's best friends."

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Kim." Jungkook bowed in greeting. "I work here on weekends."

"It's nice to meet you in person, Jungkook," Yoongi added. "You did great standing up against Jun-Myeon."

"It was nothing, sir."

The tip of the omega's ears turned pink, which was the only indication Jimin got about his emotions. He still remembered how easily Jungkook got flustered and bloomed under praising words.

A deep scowl tugged at that corner of his mouth. It should be his words that flustered the omega. Hoseok nudged him with a knee while Namjoon just acknowledged him with a nod.

"Jungkook-ssi, why don't you bring us the most recommended items from the menu tonight?" Hoseok spoke. "Oh, and one more bottle of this, please."

"Sure, sir. I'll be right back." He bowed before leaving and Jimin's gaze was automatically glued to the omega's back side, trailing down to admire the way those tight beige pants hugged his legs.

"So we are eating here?" Taehyung eyed the side dishes. "I thought we were just snacking."

"I changed my mind," Hoseok said in an easy tone. "I'm quite hungry."

"You just wanted to keep the omega here a bit longer," Taehyung accused. "And give time for Jimin to gather himself because," he drawled and poked Jimin's cheek. "Jimin, really. Remove that scowl from your face. You look like a pouty pup who was denied his favorite candy."

"I do not," he scowled more, but he sounded petulant and couldn't help it. He didn't recognize the person he had become in front of this omega. However, he appreciated the distraction.

The omega hadn't given any indication that made him feel as if he was uninterested. He'd told him that he didn't want to end up in a tabloid.

Is it because of my reputation?

There was no point in talking about it anymore. The omega didn't want him. Jungkook apparently worked here, and Jimin would just treat him like he would treat any other staff. There was nothing more. He sighed.

The rest of the night flew by eventlessly, with everyone engaging in various conversations. Jimin barely touched the food or his third drink, but fortunately, they left him alone for the most part, and he appreciated that.

Soon, they were done. Jin and Namjoon left a hefty tip. Jimin was the last to leave the room. He met the omega's eyes and nodded curtly. His wolf would get over this. Maybe it needed to be pegged down a notch because he was too proud.

"Mr. Park!"

Jimin stopped, not expecting Jungkook to call him or attempt to make a conversation. They were in the hallway that led to the elevators. The loud music inside the club was distant, and the walls muted the vibration of the beats.

The others didn't wait for him, riding the elevator as if he wasn't with them in the first place. He didn't fail to notice Taehyung's smirk as the steel doors closed.

When he turned around, finally seeing Jungkook clearly without his face mask under the bright lights, he noticed the exhaustion in his eyes. The omega pocketed his mask and stared at him intently.

"Jungkook-ssi," he greeted. When he saw him earlier, he didn't attempt to talk or behave as if they were familiar because Jungkook had made his choice, and Jimin had promised to respect his decision.

The omega looked conflicted and shifted in his feet. "About um... the text."

"It's okay, Jungkook-ssi. I did tell you that I'll respect your choice." Jimin forced a smile. He gave him the option to walk out, then why was he bummed out about it? Why did he feel so bitter? He wanted to leave. Why were they even having this conversation in the first place?

"I-It's not that," the omega stuttered.

"You don't owe me an explanation," Jimin said. "It's alright." He inclined his head and whirled around to leave, only to stop when he felt a gentle grip on his suit sleeve.

"Please... Alpha, listen..."

Alpha.

Jimin paused, his wolf going haywire and clawing at his chest. His heart sped up, and he slowly turned, eying the two fingers, pinching his sleeve. He didn't want to stop. He wouldn't have if it were anyone else. But that pleading tone and the word alpha came out of the omega's mouth and held him hostage.

Jungkook let go, looking timid. "It's not what you think," he said again.

"What did I think?" Jimin despised the tone he used. He didn't mean to, and his wolf shrank back when Jungkook flinched. "You didn't text me. I got my answer. What's there to talk about? Are you gonna tell me that you were unable to text me? If so, what stopped you from doing so? It's been a week."

This time, when Jimin closed the distance menacingly and confrontationally, Jungkook didn't flinch or move back. Jimin didn't understand why his wolf was so upset with Jungkook ghosting him for a week. They weren't even together, and Jungkook promised him nothing.

"M-My heat."

It was barely a whisper, but Jimin heard it clearly. His brain took a few seconds to process, and when he did, Jimin grabbed the omega's wrist—marveling his slender and delicate wrist—dragging him into the VIP room they were in earlier.

As soon as they stepped inside, he promptly pushed the omega against the door, crowding his space with a racing heart. Jungkook looked startled and flustered at the same time.

"Your heat?"

Jungkook flushed red. "Y-Your scent..." he whispered. "It triggered my heat that night."

My scent triggered his heat. His alpha howled, and he puffed his chest.

"Were you going to text me?" Jimin asked hopefully, his wolf perked up with his ears upright in attention in his mind.

Jungkook nodded shyly. "I almost did. In the haze of my heat." He bit his lip. "My omega... it um... it wanted our alpha." The last word was whispered breathlessly, like a gust of air ruffling his hair. "I-It wanted you."

Our alpha.

He wanted me to serve him in his heat.

Jimin closed the gap until their chests were touching, faces only inches apart. "Yeah?"

Jungkook slowly blinked up to stare into his eyes. "I deleted your number in a few moments of lucidity I had so I wouldn't embarrass myself. Then, when it was over, I had no way to contact you immediately." He looked down, staring at some spot on his chest. "I was going to ask your dad for your number, but then I saw you here. I was mmph—"

Jimin kissed him. All restraints that were holding him back from kissing the omega senseless then and there snapped, and he gave in to the temptation.

Jungkook gasped, but then moaned beautifully against his mouth. The alpha didn't hold back this time. What if the omega changed his mind later?

He cupped the omega's face with both hands and tilted his head, kissing him deeper. He licked the seam of his lips and plunged his tongue inside to finally taste the omega properly.

Jungkook fisted the front of his shirt, and Jimin relished in the little breathy and gasping moans he let out. Never had he felt this insane urge to ravish someone and ruin them for everyone else.

The omega tried to kiss him back, his movements slightly clumsy, sloppy, and unsure. But he opened his mouth, letting Jimin claim him entirely.

Jimin sucked on his tongue, smiling when Jungkook let out a soft whine in his throat. He never thought kissing someone could be so exhilarating and addictive.

The omega was so pliant, allowing him to take and take. When Jimin pulled back to see Jungkook's face, he felt gobsmacked with what he saw.

Jungkook's eyes were closed, lips parted, and cheeks tinted red. His breathing was erratic, and the omega clung to him like he would fall if he didn't hold too tight. Jimin felt his breath hitch when his eyelashes fluttered like butterfly wings before opening. Then he was staring into blueish orbs.

Beautiful.

So beautiful.

"You're mine now," he growled. "I won't let you take it back."

Jungkook shuddered in his arms, eyes falling shut and baring his neck with another soft whine. Jimin's nostrils flared, and the lack of scent was beginning to annoy him.

"Answer me, omega," he growled. "Are you mine?"

Jungkook only whined, baring his neck more.

Jimin ran his nose along his jaw. He pulled back to hold his chin and forced him to face him. "Words, Cherry Blossom. Do you wanna be mine?"

"Y-Yes," the omega stuttered, sounding breathless. "Yours, alpha."

Jimin couldn't help the surge of protectiveness rushed over him. Alpha. He called me his alpha. And in his mouth it sounded so right.

"That's right," he growled possessively. "I'm your alpha." Then, without warning, he bit down on his neck, over where his scent gland was located.

Jungkook let out a surprised yelp, his body going lax as he bared his neck for the alpha. He sucked the skin between his teeth, nipping and kissing. In a matter of seconds, bursts after bursts of Maraschino Cherry washed over the alpha.

Jimin growled, burying his nose into the cherry heaven. "You smell so fucking delicious. Gonna eat you up."

Jungkook hiccuped, releasing a noise that was a mixture of a moan and a whimper.

"You'd love that, wouldn't you?" Jimin lifted his head, eyes blazing as he stared at his omega. "Did you think of me during your heat?" He pulled the omega impossibly closer. "Did you wish it was me instead of your toys?"

Jungkook whimpered, lunging forward to hide his face in Jimin's neck. His scent sweetened, body growing hot under Jimin's palms.

"Is that right?" Jimin teased but sobered when he noticed where they were. "We need to leave," he announced. "Because we need to talk."

Jungkook pulled back and blinked as if he was coming out of his daze. Jimin caressed his cheek, beaming when the omega leaned to his touch.

You'll be the death of me, Cherry Blossom.