32.

33.

34.

35.

Jungkook cursed under his breath when he noticed Shark and his men entering the small restaurant he worked at. The people shrank back, moving away from his path.

Sweat coated Jungkook's brows and he swallowed his nervousness. Hiding the tremble of his hands, Jungkook approached the men. 

"Mr. Choi..."

"Ah, what an obedient little omega." Shark grinned, putting a hand on his shoulder, squeezing it once. "See, this is how you greet someone like me."

"C-Can we step outside?" Jungkook requested, glancing around the establishment and noticing the way few patrons and staff paled.

"Why?" Shark asked, following his gaze. "This place is so good." He grabbed a chair, pulling it right into the aisle and sitting on it. "I like it here."

Jungkook swallowed. He couldn't even bring himself to wipe the sweat off his brows. He eyed the two men behind him. "Mr. Choi, I was going to visit you after the shift."

"Oh, really." The alpha's grin widened but there was no shift in his scent, telling him the excitement was all fake. "I was in this area and wanted to save you some trouble." He crossed his legs. "I can let you suffer, can I?"

Jungkook shrank under his intense gaze. One has to fear men like Shark. No one dealt with them if they had a choice. He'd been desperate and had no one to turn to for a huge sum that was required for his father's treatment. He wrung his fingers, trying his best to hide the tremble of his hands. However, his scent betrayed him, telling everyone how nervous he was.

"Mr. Choi, I-I didn't get paid this week," he whispered. "I-I'll give you the money as soon as I get my pay."

Shark laughed out and threw a glance over his shoulder. "Did you hear that now?" he asked and the lack of amusement in his voice was the only sign the he wasn't pleased. The smile on his face stayed and that was scary as ever. He turned to fix his glance on Jungkook. "Didn't I tell you Shark doesn't care for reasons or emotions? You promised me to pay back with interest and now I'm here. Do you know how much petrol cost these days? Who's gonna pay me for all that fuel?"

"M-Mr. Choi, please..."

Shark chuckled. "Heard the funeral was grand." He uncrossed his leg and leaned forward to rest his elbows on his knees. "That you spared no expenses. Shark don't like liars."

Jungkook's eyes widened. "N-No. That wasn't me."

Shark jumped to his feet so quickly that Jungkook stumbled backward, hitting a chair and grabbing onto a table for purchase. The loan shark stalked toward him like a predator with a hardened look on his face.

"I-I'm not lying," Jungkook said. "M-My friends helped. I swear. That wasn't my money. Please...I'd never lie to you."

Shark grabbed a fist full of his hair and tugged. Jungkook let out a pained whimper, holding his hands in an attempt to ease the pain on his scalp. "Did I ask for excuses, boy?" Shark growled. "You knew you had to pay my dues, didn't you? If you have such rich friends, then why didn't you arrange it with them?"

"I'm s-sorry," Jungkook sniffled. "Please...I promise I'll pay as soon as I get my paycheck. I-I won't miss the payment again."

"Promises mean nothing to me, omega." Shark threw him to his men, who caught the stumbling omega and held him up with a steely grip. He grabbed Jungkook's cheeks, fingers digging into the flesh as he turned his face this way and that. "I have a better solution. You can work in my club for a week." His eyes trailed over his trembling frame with a wolfish grin. "Alphas would love a strong omega like you."

Panic filled him and he began to struggle in their arms. "W-What?"

"Take him." There wasn't an ounce of mercy in his eyes. "Shark doesn't offer money if he doesn't have a way to retrieve it back."

"Please...no." Jungkook thrashed. "Don't do this. I'll pay. Please...just give me one chance. I'm not lying. Please...please let me go. I won't miss another due again. Please..."

Shark lifted his brows and eyed his men. "What are you waiting for? You want me to show you how to do this?"

The men began to drag him outside, ignoring his pleas to let him go. However, just as they reached the car, Jungkook smelled a whiff of forest. His head whipped around, gaze connecting with Mr. Park, who was hurrying toward him.

"Stop right there," Mr. Park roared. He reached them, pushing the men off Jungkook and pulling the omega behind him. Jungkook slumped with relief, clutching the back of Mr. Park's suit. His knees shook and he barely kept himself up.

"Ah, who is this savior?" Shark asked, coming to stand in front of Mr. Park. The loan shark was not a purebred, but he was vile. "Smells clean and rich." He tilted his head to the side. "Shark don't deal with the likes of you. You're on the wrong side of town."

A beta stepped between them with a briefcase and opened it in front of Shark. "This is everything Jungkook owes you along with the interest. He's no longer in your debt." The man closed the briefcase and threw it at one of Shark's men. "Count it."

The men hurried to count and nodded at Shark once they were done.

Shark cocked his head to the side. "Hmm...you have rich friends, omega. I'm more curious now."

"Leave," Mr. Park growled. "You got your money. Don't trouble him again."

Shark scoffed and then grinned. "You're right." He gestured at his boys. "Come on, boys." He glanced at Jungkook. "Pleasure doing business with you, Jungkook. If you ever need money again, you know where to go." He threw a salute at his direction before pivoting on his heel and leaving in his car.

Jungkook bit his lips, suppressing the relieved sobs. Mr. Park turned to put a hand on his shoulder. "Come on." He led him away.

36.

***

A/N: Don't forget to comment/interact. Let me know if you're enjoying this. See you later. My Twitter (X): chimmyxkookies