23.

24.

⚠️ Mentions of loan sharks, threatening ⚠️

"Forgot us already?"

Jungkook jumped, startled, and turned around with wide eyes. His tears weren't even dry, and he still hadn't processed his father's death. Upon seeing the debt collector striding toward him with two of his minions, his blood ran cold.

"Mr. C-Choi..."

Jungkook glanced around, seeing there was no one else in the corridor except them. Mr. Park had left earlier, promising to stop by sooner. His friends were on the way, and there were a few things to be handled. The last person he expected to see was Choi Jun-Seo, aka Shark.

"I went looking for you at the little restaurant you work at." Shark glanced at his watch with a scowl. "Your payment was due yesterday, honey. Shark hates it when he has to go personally for collection." He flashed his yellow teeth, his wretched leather and gasoline scent invading his space. Behind him, the minion's shadows towered him.

"M-My dad..." Jungkook pointed behind him, words choking in his throat and tears burning his eyes.

"Ah, your dear dad." Shark tsked. "But Shark doesn't understand sentiments and doesn't have emotions. You promised you'll pay on time when you borrowed money." He lifted a hand to pat his cheek, and Jungkook flinched away. Shark chuckled, holding his open palm up. "You keep money in this hand, and I get out of your hair. It's just that simple."

"M-My d-dad's funeral." Jungkook shrank back. "I-I need time."

Shark barked out laughter. The next instant, he bunched the front of Jungkook's t-shirt, pushing him against the wall and lifting him so only his toes touched the ground. "Do I look like I give two fucks about your old man?" the alpha growled. "The deal is between you and me." The other two closed around him.

Jungkook clenched his jaw. "I-I don't have e-en—"

Shark slipped a hand inside his pocket, purposefully tracing his skin over the pants before grabbing his purse. He pulled it out and handed it to one of his men. Jungkook could only watch helplessly as the men pulled the money out and counted the notes.

"Not enough, boss," one man stated in a gruff voice.

Shark hissed, "Where's the rest?"

"I-I don't have it," Jungkook replied. "My dad is dead." Tears broke free against his will and streamed down his cheek. "Why are you so heartless? I never missed a payment before. Can't you at least let me grieve?!" He pushed at his chest until Shark let him go, and he dropped to the ground.

Shark ran his tongue over his teeth with a non-empathetic look. He took the money from his man and counted. "You pay the interest for the shortage."

Jungkook clenched his fist but nodded.

Shark immediately smiled. "That's settled then." He took the purse from his men and slapped it against Jungkook's chest. "I'll see you next week. Nice doing business with you, Mr. Jeon."

Jungkook's lips trembled, and his knees gave out when Shark's back disappeared from his view. Violent sobs raked his body. Helplessness and uncertainty weighed down on him. With the bit of money he had taken, he didn't know what to do anymore.

Where does he go from here? Who does he turn to for help?

He couldn't even afford the funeral now. What kind of life was this? Why did he have to go through this? Everything hurt, and everything around him was dark, with no end in sight.

Jungkook didn't know how long he sat there or how long he was crying. Then like a light at the end of the dark tunnel, he smelled a rush of forest around him. Strong pair of arms wrapped around him and squeezed, filling him with assurance and security he hadn't felt in a while.

"It's okay. I got you, son. You have me now." The man held him tighter. "You're not alone, Jungkook. You'll never be alone."

And for the first time, Jungkook let go. He didn't know how long this would last, but he would allow himself a few minutes to be vulnerable. He hoped he wouldn't be judged for this. He didn't have the strength to worry about it, even if he would be.

So he sank into Mr. Park's embrace, taking in all the comfort he could offer. 

25.

26.

27.

28.

"Thank you for everything, Mr. Park. I still don't understand why you're doing all this, but I'm grateful." Jungkook bowed.

Mr. Park's features softened. His calming pheromones washed over him like a gentle wave kissing the sand. Jungkook realized this had been what he'd smelt the entire time and the only thing that kept him grounded throughout the ordeal.

"The reasons don't matter. I just want you to know you can come to me anytime." He produced a business card from his pocket, slipping it into Jungkook's rented suit pocket. "I promised your father I won't let you suffer, and that's what I'll do. I'm always here for you."

Jungkook sighed. "May I ask what you and my dad discussed before I arrived? What is that my dad wanted to tell me before the surgery?"

A solemn look crossed Mr. Park's face. "This isn't the right time to talk about that, son."

"The time is never right." Jungkook glanced away to look at his father's smiling photo in the distance. Flowers littered the hall. He never thought there'd be so many flowers. His father would love this. "I don't like being in the dark. I'm twenty-one and have cared for my dad since middle school. I started working from my high school days." He met Mr. Park's gaze again. "Whatever it is, I'd like to know the truth, please."

Mr. Park regarded him for a moment and then nodded. "I asked your hand in marriage for my son, and your father agreed," he said. He pursed his lips, allowing Jungkook a moment to process the information. "Your father called me because I owed him a life debt. He was afraid you'd be left alone once he passed away. So he wanted my assurance that his son would be looked after, but when I saw your photo, I grew selfish and asked him without overthinking about it." He pushed his hands inside his suit pockets. "My son Park Jimin might not be an ideal alpha, but he has a good heart that's overshadowed by the rumors and gossip mills. He's a man of his word. He'd be fortunate to have someone like you by his side."

"That's..." Jungkook frowned. This wasn't what he expected Mr. Park to say at all. Why would his father agree to something like that? What was that life debt Mr. Park mentioned about?

"You don't have to agree," Mr. Park cut his line of thoughts. "It's just a wish of this old man. You can say no, and I'll never bring this up. Apart from that, I'd like to become your guardian." He offered a tight smile. "No one can replace a parent, but I'd like to assure you that you're not alone. Please let me take care of your education and expenses. Allow me to fulfill my promise to your father," he pleaded.

Jungkook watched him unblinkingly. He was taken back by the kindness this man was exuding since they met. Mr. Park was nothing but kind, soft-spoken, and understanding. He gave off none of those dominant alpha vibes for a purebred. His eyes held a lot of fondness, and he didn't see any hidden motive.

"I can't m-marry..." Jungkook didn't know what else to say, but there was an understanding in Mr. Park's eyes.

"I know this isn't the right time and you'd need to grieve." He glanced at his watch. "I have to leave for a business trip that was scheduled months ago. I cannot cancel or postpone right now." He looked apologetic. "But that's my personal number, and I'll be available for you any time. I'll meet you after my return."

Jungkook nodded.

Mr. Park patted his shoulder. "I understand I'm still a stranger to you. Take your time and do not worry about any of these expenses. This is what I owe your father."

Jungkook once again nodded and watched him leave with a heavy heart. He was alone but then there was this alpha who appeared out of nowhere and claimed he wasn't. He didn't know what to think of anything. It was too much to process at this moment.

But he also had a feeling that there was more to this. He needed to talk to Mr. Park again. He quickly saved Mr. Park's number and pocketed his phone. Whatever it was, it had to wait. 

29.

[Time Skip]

30.

"Thank you for everything, Mr. Park. I still don't understand why you're doing all this, but I'm grateful." Jungkook bowed.

Mr. Park's features softened. His calming pheromones washed over him like a gentle wave kissing the sand. Jungkook realized this had been what he'd smelt the entire time and the only thing that kept him grounded throughout the ordeal.

"The reasons don't matter. I just want you to know you can come to me anytime." He produced a business card from his pocket, slipping it into Jungkook's rented suit pocket. "I promised your father I won't let you suffer, and that's what I'll do. I'm always here for you."

Jungkook sighed. "May I ask what you and my dad discussed before I arrived? What is that my dad wanted to tell me before the surgery?"

A solemn look crossed Mr. Park's face. "This isn't the right time to talk about that, son."

"The time is never right." Jungkook glanced away to look at his father's smiling photo in the distance. Flowers littered the hall. He never thought there'd be so many flowers. His father would love this. "I don't like being in the dark. I'm twenty-one and have cared for my dad since middle school. I started working from my high school days." He met Mr. Park's gaze again. "Whatever it is, I'd like to know the truth, please."

Mr. Park regarded him for a moment and then nodded. "I asked your hand in marriage for my son, and your father agreed," he said. He pursed his lips, allowing Jungkook a moment to process the information. "Your father called me because I owed him a life debt. He was afraid you'd be left alone once he passed away. So he wanted my assurance that his son would be looked after, but when I saw your photo, I grew selfish and asked him without overthinking about it." He pushed his hands inside his suit pockets. "My son Park Jimin might not be an ideal alpha, but he has a good heart that's overshadowed by the rumors and gossip mills. He's a man of his word. He'd be fortunate to have someone like you by his side."

"That's..." Jungkook frowned. This wasn't what he expected Mr. Park to say at all. Why would his father agree to something like that? What was that life debt Mr. Park mentioned about?

"You don't have to agree," Mr. Park cut his line of thoughts. "It's just a wish of this old man. You can say no, and I'll never bring this up. Apart from that, I'd like to become your guardian." He offered a tight smile. "No one can replace a parent, but I'd like to assure you that you're not alone. Please let me take care of your education and expenses. Allow me to fulfill my promise to your father," he pleaded.

Jungkook watched him unblinkingly. He was taken back by the kindness this man was exuding since they met. Mr. Park was nothing but kind, soft-spoken, and understanding. He gave off none of those dominant alpha vibes for a purebred. His eyes held a lot of fondness, and he didn't see any hidden motive.

"I can't m-marry..." Jungkook didn't know what else to say, but there was an understanding in Mr. Park's eyes.

"I know this isn't the right time and you'd need to grieve." He glanced at his watch. "I have to leave for a business trip that was scheduled months ago. I cannot cancel or postpone right now." He looked apologetic. "But that's my personal number, and I'll be available for you any time. I'll meet you after my return."

Jungkook nodded.

Mr. Park patted his shoulder. "I understand I'm still a stranger to you. Take your time and do not worry about any of these expenses. This is what I owe your father."

Jungkook once again nodded and watched him leave with a heavy heart. He was alone but then there was this alpha who appeared out of nowhere and claimed he wasn't. He didn't know what to think of anything. It was too much to process at this moment.

But he also had a feeling that there was more to this. He needed to talk to Mr. Park again. He quickly saved Mr. Park's number and pocketed his phone. Whatever it was, it had to wait. 

31.