373.

374.

375.

"Young Master, I'd have been more than happy to do it if you wanted help with cooking and you know that but you insisted on doing everything yourself. Also you never brought an omega here before or went this far to take care of someone. And I see that omega is still here. Means he must be very special to you."

Jungkook paused upon hearing an elderly woman's voice. He didn't think there would be someone else apart from him and his alpha.

"Yeah," he heard Jimin reply. "He is."

"I see. I can tell you're so fond of him. Did he enjoy the hotpot, young master?"

"He did." Jimin sounded bashful.

"Aww, look at you, young lad. You look so happy and that smile says everything. I never thought I'd live to witness a day you'll fall in love. My heart is content," the elderly woman gushed. "He'd have appreciated your cooking a lot. He's such a lucky omega to have an alpha like you."

"I'm the luckiest among us two," Jimin replied without missing a beat. "He doesn't know I cooked. Well, no one knows I can cook and do it once in a while."

No, alpha. I'm the luckiest one. No one else other than you would treat me like a treasure. And you cooked all that for me.

"Why?" the elderly woman exclaimed. "He will appreciate everything his alpha does for him. You should have told him."

He couldn't see them from here. Jungkook contemplated going back. Was he eavesdropping? He didn't mean to. And they weren't exactly secretive. The woman's voice was so loud that he had no doubt it'll reach his room.

"It's simple, auntie. If the cooking was horrible I could have easily blamed it on you."

"You, little brat."

Jimin's laughter reached him followed by that woman's. Jungkook found himself smiling too. Their interaction was just so heartwarming. Jimin wasn't the horrible alpha everyone feared right now. He was just a wolf who was having a light hearted conversation with an elderly woman.

"But he did enjoy the food. He finished it all," his alpha sounded proud. "My omega eats so well."

Our alpha cooked for us and was worried whether we would like it or not. Jungkook's chest rumbled as warmth filled it. His wolf may be a bit too pleased, sweetening his scent. Why was this alpha too sweet? And why would people paint him as someone he wasn't?

"Alright. My grandpups will be home soon from school. I'm leaving now." Footsteps approached the hallway and Jungkook retreated a bit. He felt a bit shy to be seen right now.

"How are their studies going? Let me know if you need anything." Jimin followed her out.

"They have everything they need. Thanks to you and your kind family. Eldest was the top of her class and her teachers said that she has high chances for a placement in Seoul University." Pride was evident in the older woman's voice. "Youngest is excelling in sports than academics, but we're sure he will find his way."

She must be over seventy and walked slowly.

"You know you could easily take a taxi. I already told you that I'll cover the charges," Jimin said, opening the door.

"Hush, puppy. You're already doing enough. These old bones need some work out every day and cooking for you makes me happy. I have to take care of my heart so I can cook for your pups someday too." She left the home and Jimin waited until she left before coming inside.

"She seems sweet," he said, observing Jimin's kindness extended to other regular omegas too, which immensely pleased him and his wolf. It only assured his omega that the imprint wasn't the only reason for how Jimin treated him. It appeared to be his nature.

Jimin glanced at him with a warm smile and now he wore a white thin t-shirt that hugged his body so well. "She is," he replied. "She used to be my nanny. After retirement she still insists on cooking for me and comes here once a day. Her two sons work in our factory and her late husband used to be my dad's driver when I was a pup."

"Thank you for cooking. It was very delicious," Jungkook said. His alpha needed to know that his efforts were welcome and appreciated. "I loved it."

"Oh, you heard us talking.

The omega nodded. "You looked so different when talking to her," Jungkook said. "I like this side of yours."

Jimin's smile grew warmer. "Yeah? Tell me something you don't like about me," he teased, his hands naturally extending to pull Jungkook closer as if it was his second nature.

Jungkook crashed into the alpha's chest with a bashful smile, hands lifting to tug the white t-shirt he suddenly disliked. "You being on scent blockers," he answered. "My wolf hates that we can't smell you." He pouted.

Yeah, blame it on me. His wolf rolled its eyes. At least that way we can both get that knot.

Jungkook coughed, unexpected by his wolf's sudden interference.

Hold on, let me help you with that. You, human, are useless without my help.

His scent suddenly sweetened, wave after wave of pheromones wafted off him and Jungkook's eyes widened in horror. That wasn't what he meant. He just wanted to get scented. Stop that! He screamed internally and stared at the alpha, whose eyes were slowly shifting to that of his wolf's.

"Is your wolf being naughty?" Jimin quipped, lip quirking to the side. "Mine too."

"Oh. I just..." Jungkook scratched the back of his head. "I don't know why it's behaving this way."

Jimin caressed his cheek. "Because it likes me a bit too much."

Jungkook's cheeks grew hot.

"What about the human side? Does he like his alpha?"

"Of course, I do," Jungkook sounded offended. "How could you ask me that when I already told you what I want?"

Jimin inched closer. "What do you want?"

"You." Jungkook's eyes widened when he realized what he just said. Oops.

Jimin laughed, the sound rich and deep. The corners of his eyes crinkled and for a moment, he looked younger than his age. The omega stared at him, unable to tear his gaze away from his face. His alpha was extremely handsome and he still couldn't believe Jimin wanted to be his mate.

"It'd be a pleasure, Cherry Blossom." The alpha embraced him tighter. "I'm yours and you can have me anytime you want. But I just wanted to give you proper courting." Jimin once again caressed his cheek with the back of his hand. "After years, when you look back, I want you to remember these cute little dates I'm going to take you and tell our pups how I courted you before mating you. As impatient as my wolf is right now, we wanted to do this right."

That warmth increased two-fold in Jungkook's chest. Why was his alpha too sweet? "I'd love that," he whispered.

Jimin, however, backed him up until the back of his knees hit the couch. "That doesn't mean we can't have fun." He winked and his smile turned into a smirk. A very handsome one that caused Jungkook's heart to flutter and stutter. "The good and naughty kind of fun."

His chest rumbled and scent sweetened with a tinge of arousal. Of course his wolf would love that. That shameless ball of fur was always out of line when it came to Jimin. A tingle coursed through his body. And just like that Jimin's scent washed over him. Like a greedy person, Jungkook opened his mouth, inhaling it through his mouth and nose. But unlike before it wasn't coming at him in waves. It was just there and it wasn't enough.

"A purebred wolf can override scent blockers at will," Jimin explained, running his nose along his jaw. He pushed him to lie on the couch before climbing on top of him. "Knowing I have your consent must be the sexiest thing ever," the alpha growled. "Knowing you're fully mine is exhilarating." He hovered above him. "We're going to have so much fun, Cherry Blossom."

Jungkook gasped as Jimin lowered himself on him. Body to body, the alpha was heavy but the weight was more than welcome. The omega hugged him, wrapping both his legs around his waist. He'd never been this close to anyone before and the proximity alone was doing this to his body.

"Jia told me something," Jimin mumbled against his jaw. "If we're gonna take this to the next stage then I should consider putting you on birth control." The alpha pulled back. "What are your thoughts on it, omega? Do you want to be in it?"

Jungkook blinked and was sure his cheeks would be positively red. "Um...s-should I answer right now?" he asked.

Jimin laughed. "Take your time, Cherry Blossom. It's just something we should think about. I'm on board with whatever you decide. Since you're still in college, I think it wouldn't hurt to wait for a few more years until you feel ready."

"Oh." Jungkook's eyes widened.

His alpha would allow that? He didn't think about that yet. Well, he didn't think dating was in his near future. Surviving itself was a task and how could he think of dating? But now things are different. He had an alpha and they were already talking about pups.

In a society where the alphas decided everything and an omega had very little say about pups and childbirth, he didn't think he'd be given a choice in that matter. Don't big families expect an heir first?

"What are you thinking?" Jimin asked.

"Just...I-I can decide that?" he asked because he couldn't believe it was his choice. "Like for real?"

"Of course." Jimin frowned. "It's your body. Despite me being here to support you, it's you who's going to do all the hard work. In my eyes, you're still young to be a father." He ruffled his hair. "This is an age to just study and enjoy your life as a student with no other responsibilities weighing down on you. And yes, it is and it'll always be your choice, Cherry Blossom. I firmly believe every omega has the right to decide when they should get pregnant and no one should be forced to bear a pup when they aren't emotionally or mentally ready for it."

Jungkook's bottom lip trembled and he lunged to hug his alpha, a sob breaking out of his chest.

"Hey...what did I say?" Jimin sounded confused. Panic rose in his scent. "Baby, did I say something wrong? I didn't mean to hurt you."

Jungkook pulled back and pressed their lips together. He pulled back to look into his alpha's eyes. "You're the best alpha one could ask for. I'm so lucky." Then he kissed his alpha again.