"Taehyung, wait."

Taehyung didn't bother to stop as he kept walking, listening to the footsteps of the alpha, the one that specifically smelled like rain. His fingers stroked the fur of the calico cat that had settled comfortable in his arms.

"Please...I just wanted to apologize."

"And I accepted your apology." Taehyung spared a glance over his shoulder, noticing the frown on his face. The sound of their heels clicking on the marble was the only sound that echoed around them for a minute.

"I was an asshole," Yoongi said, keeping up with his pace. "I shouldn't have judged you. I'm sorry for that."

Taehyung stopped, turning to face him. "Yes, we both established that you were an asshole." He folded his hands in front of him. "At least this was better than before. It kinda feels like you mean it."

Yoongi sighed, his shoulders slumping. "I'm sorry," he repeated. "You reminded me a bit too much of my ex." He averted his gaze. "It was wrong for me to assume something I didn't know about you."

Taehyung regarded him for a long moment, long fingers buried in cat fur. "Hmm...that's the longest sentence you have spoken since we met. Apart from the parts where you were hell-bent on bending me over."

Yoongi scowled. "I wasn't hell-bent on bending you."

"Yeah, whatever. You're forgiven." He turned to leave.

"That's it?" he asked, disbelief dripping from his voice. The rainy scent was slightly appalled.

"What?" Taehyung looked over his shoulder with a frown. "You want a kiss or something?"

"I don't mind," Yoongi countered. "But I was wondering if you wanna go out for a coffee."

If the alpha was trying to win his favor, he was doing a terrible job at it. "I don't like coffee."

Yoongi didn't seem like the one to give up easily given the way his features tightened with determination. "The place has tea and other beverages too."

Taehyung twisted his lips and then turned around. "Nah...I already had my tea. If this is your way of asking me out, you gotta do better." He pivoted on his heel walking away.

"I wasn't asking you out. It was just a coffee," Yoongi grumbled behind him, though his scent said otherwise.

A smile tugged at his lips. The alpha was cute but if he thought Taehyung was easy then he was wrong. While he didn't care for the extravaganza, he wasn't going to give in easily after the shit Yoongi pulled on him the last time. In the least, the alpha should pull at his hair at least for a week for all the pining and crying he did.

Revenge was so sweet.

He whistled a random tone as he walked away, relishing the soft bitter notes of the rain.

***

Jimin was ready to go to the rehearsal after breakfast. With the room smelling so richly of his alpha, he didn't find it in himself to go out. He ate in his room with Taehyung and came down to see Jungkook ready to leave for work.

"Hi," he greeted as soon as he saw Jimin, a soft smile playing on his lips.

Jungkook looked handsome as ever in his white suit today, the red scarf was wrapped around his neck. The alpha smelled more like him, which appeased the omega. Jimin's smile stretched. The alpha kissed his forehead as he did every time they met. Jimin slightly melted into his embrace, inhaling his fragrant sandalwood greedily.

"You look beautiful, my love," he said. "Blue suits you well."

Jimin had dressed very simply for his dance practice—simple blue jeans, a white t-shirt, and a blue cardigan that was a size big on him. His face was bare, save for the moisturizer and the lip balm. However, the alpha's praise made him feel as if he was dressed for a runway.

"You too, alpha. You look so handsome."

Pink dusted Jungkook's cheeks and it was a remarkable sight. Jimin noticed how Jungkook always found a way to touch him in one way or another whenever they were closer. His touch was always gentle. Even now his long fingers naturally took hold of his hands, thumbs caressing the back of his palm.

"Taehyung and Hoseok hyung will accompany you today," he said, pushing a few strands of his silver hair behind his ear. "I'll see you in the evening."

"Okay." Jimin stepped back from his embrace, clasping his hands in front of him.

The alpha dropped his hands, however, wasn't turning around. He shifted from one foot to the other.

Jimin tilted his head to the side curiously. The alpha's scent radiated nervousness. "Did you want to say something?"

"Ah..." His mouth opened and closed. He shook his head, contemplating. Then he cleared his throat. "Nothing. I-I'll get going then."

"Okay." Jimin nodded, his smile never wavering.

The alpha's scent, however, dropped a notch just like his shoulders. The corners of his lips pulled down.

"Alpha, wait."

Jungkook stopped immediately and turned toward him, his eyes big and hopeful, scent spiking.

Jimin almost laughed at how eager he looked. He approached the alpha, standing on his tiptoes. Jungkook's eyes were wide, scent expectant as he tried hard to mask it from him.

"See you in the evening." He pressed his lips to his cheeks. It was just a peck, but the way the alpha's scent bloomed was enough to tell Jimin he was pleased.

He watched as the alpha pivoted on his heel almost in a dreamy state, smiling so bright like a Christmas light, walking away with a bounce on his steps.

***

Aunt Kim watched the alpha with tears in her eyes. "Namjoon-ah, did you see that? Our Jungkookie is smiling."

"Yes, mom." Namjoon's smile was soft. "He is."

"Oh, Goddess, I can't believe my eyes." She had a hand over her mouth. "I've been waiting for years to see his genuine smile again."

Namjoon chuckled softly, putting a hand on her shoulder. "Taehyungie is back. Obviously, everything is bound to get back to the way it was."

She nodded. "Jiminie is so good for Jungkook."

"He is."

"I'm really glad it's Jimin and not some pompous omega. I was worried for our Jungkookie." She sighed. "Thank, Goddess. I don't have to worry anymore." She eyed the cat Taehyung carried in his hand. "Are they taking the cat with them? I can watch him for the day."

"Yeah. Taehyung said they wanted to take him to the park later. He had spent the majority of his days in a cage so they wanted to take him out as much as possible," he explained.

"Ah, makes sense." She patted his hand. "Go on. Don't keep him waiting."

Namjoon chuckled. "Ok. Bye, mom. Love you." He kissed her cheek.

"Love you too, son. Both of you take care."

"We will."

She watched him leave with a happy smile on her face. The next one to say good-bye was Jimin and Taehyung. Jimin's hug was warm just like his smiles.

"Don't overwork yourselves, okay? Drink lots of water and take breaks," she advised. He looked so beautiful as usual.

"I will, mom." His grin was brighter than the other days, his scent happy and warm. She loved the fresh bloom of roses. She thought it suited the omega perfectly.

"Will you be back for lunch?" she asked expectantly.

"No, we will grab something to eat from the outside. I don't eat much while I'm rehearsing," Jimin said.

"Alright, then. Go on. Take care both of you."

"Yes, mom." Both kissed her cheeks before leaving and she watched their forms disappearing fondly.

Several things were happening unexpectedly and she hoped everything worked out for them. She knew Jungkook was dealing with the aftermath of Taehyung's actions. While she didn't doubt his capability to handle the problems, she didn't want them to run into any trouble.

"You're worrying again," her mate said, coming to kiss her cheeks as he cuffed his sleeves.

"I'm a mother. I always worry for our children."

Uncle Kim smiled fondly. "They're more than capable of handling whatever comes their way." He patted her cheeks. "Now, go and get some rest. I'll keep an eye on them, okay?"

She smiled. "Okay, alpha. See you later."

Though she smiled outwardly, she couldn't help the niggling feeling in her gut. Then it was a constant worry ever since she was married into this family. With a loud exhale, she went to her, deciding to leave everything in the hands of the Gods.

***

A bike halted with screeching tires in front of the grand mansion. The man quickly parked it, hurrying up the wide stairs and to the inside. His leather jacket flew behind him and tattoos peaked around his neck from under his black t-shirt.

"I have news for the boss," he informed the guards stationed in front of the door.

They regarded him briefly before opening the door for him, gesturing their head to the inside. He hurried inside with a nod, rushing through the long corridor, climbing the spiral staircases that led him to the second floor of the mansion. His foot quickly swallowed the distance, his boots clicking on the marbled floor with urgency.

The boss would be having his breakfast in his office at this time of the morning. He broke through the door with a quick succession of knocks to announce his presence.

Kang Minhyuk, looked up from his coffee mug. He was a handsome man in his early thirties. His black hair was perfectly styled away from his face. The boss placed the coffee mug on the table, glaring at him. His lips twisted with distaste upon seeing him.

Of course, he wasn't the one he wanted to see in the morning. But he had no choice. He'd be punished if he didn't relay everything he knew. He fumbled with the pockets of his jacket and found the pamphlet for the charity show.

"The orphanage just called all their previous sponsors to inform them that Park Jimin is performing at their charity show this year," he informed. He pushed the pamphlet toward him on the table. "It's happening in Hotel Del-Canto."

A wide smile lifted the corners of his mouth. "Finally." He grabbed the pamphlet with a wild smile. "Jimin is coming right to my territory." He traced the pamphlet with a vicious smile. "Inform our men. If they fail this time, I'll kill them myself."

The man shifted from one foot to the other. "Ah, sir, but..."

"What?" he snarled. Minhyuk didn't like people talking back to him. Mostly he spoke and the others listened.

"The dragons have taken over the protection of the hotel." He clasped his hands in front of him, thankful for the distance between them.

Minhyuk slammed his fists on the table. "What did you say?"

The guy swallowed. "I...um...I heard JK took over the hotel security. I saw his consigliere in the hotel this morning."

Minhyuk growled. "First, he killed my men and then stole that omega." His fists clenched. "If the council did nothing then I'll end him myself."

"Yes, boss." He nodded.

"I'll have someone call the hotel. Have some of our men disguise themselves as the hotel staff and join the payroll starting today." His features tightened. "I'll have that omega in one way or another."

"Yes, boss."

***

"JK," the councilmen greeted with a faux smile when he entered the conference room.

"Hello, Mr. Choi, Mr. Song, Mr. Jo." He inclined his head in a greeting, shaking their extended hands.

The council of fifteen members was formed three decades ago by the international crime syndicates to sort the issues among the gangs without violence. His father was one of the prestigious members. Everyone respected them and obeyed the council code. Jungkook had an idea why they were here.

"We heard you rejected La Cosa Nostra's proposal," Choi said. He was a man in his late fifties. One of their closest allies when his father was in reign. Now he'd become the council member with his son taking over the gold smuggling.

"I did." He gestured to them to take a seat as he occupied his chair, crossing his legs at the knee.

"JK, it's time you choose an omega. The code—"

"I'm aware of the code, Mr. Song. I didn't know the council is now considering personal issues like mating."

"It's our duty to ensure the code is followed. You're an unmated alpha in your prime and when you're in such position, we need to ensure you have a heir who could succeed after you in business.," Mr. Jo said.

"I still have time."

"You violated our code of conduct, JK." Mr. Song scoffed. "We received a petition. You killed Kang's men last month and stole his omega."

Jungkook let out a loud growl, startling the men. "My omega." His eyes flashed red. "Jimin is mine. Kang breached the code by going after Jimin. He drugged my omega and tried to kill Taehyung when he fought them. I was merely protecting what's mine."

They shared glances with each other, their discomfort evident in their scents.

"JK, you didn't have an omega last month," Mr. Jo said. "According to the reports, Kang is courting the omega."

Jungkook slammed his fists on the table with another growl. "That's bullshit."

Namjoon intervened by putting a hand over his hand on the table, gently patting. "JK always had an omega. Weren't you the one always complaining that JK isn't even indulging with any omegas casually?" He tilted his head to the side.

"That's...ah...of course," Mr. Jo said. "The alphas his age are all about fun. I was just encouraging him to have some fun. That's all."

"JK hasn't been with anyone in the past three years because he was seeing Jimin. He just kept it a secret to protect him from his enemies. They met in a family get-together through Taehyung, my little brother, and have been in a relationship."

They once again shared glances. "This changes things," Song said.

"Still, he should have come to the council instead of killing them and taking the matters to his hand," Mr. Jo said.

"Screw me that I killed the son of the bitches and saved my omega and Taehyung on time instead of reporting to the council, filing paperwork and waiting for you to investigate." Jungkook shrugged. "The code doesn't say I have to report my personal business to the council or anyone for that matter. My omega rejected Kang. He still went after him, which is unacceptable. I should have intervened sooner, but my omega stopped me saying it'd cause problems and that he had it handled."

Mr. Song sighed. "I'm sorry for this, JK. But Kang was pretty convincing with this petition. Not to mention there was no information or whatsoever from your side. It doesn't help that no one knows about your omega." They looked at each other. "Kang says you are holding Jimin forcefully."

"Both Jimin and Taehyung were in critical condition," Namjoon piped in. "Kang has already filed the report by then."

"This is a sensitive issue," Mr. Choi said. "Stealing one's omega is a violation of the code. Do you mind if we talk to Mr. Park?"

Jungkook shrugged and gestured toward Namjoon. His second-in-command nodded and grabbed their desk phone.

"I'll get my brother on line for you," Namjoon said.

Mr. Choi laughed. "Namjoon-ssi, we don't want to talk to your brother. I think we made ourselves pretty clear when we said we wanted to talk to Jimin-ssi. He's the omega in question."

Namjoon lifted a brow. "Jimin is my brother too, Mr. Choi. He's Taehyung's blood bond and our family honor that."

"Oh." Their discomfort increased.

Jungkook smirked. They wouldn't have expected that. To the public, Jimin was an orphaned omega. No one would expect a blood bond that automatically made him a family member of the Kims.

"A blood bond you say..." Mr. Choi continued. "Is this registered? May I ask what happened?"

Of course, Taehyung the genius was clever to register Jimin as his blood bond. So their brotherhood was legal and there was nothing anyone could do. Once Taehyung came back, Namjoon had added Jimin to their family tree as well.

"Yes, it's registered. It's an accident," Namjoon answered just as the phone began to ring on the other end, the sound filling the room. The three council members waited for him to elaborate, which Jungkook knew he wouldn't.

"Hello." His omega's melodic voice was slightly out of breath.

"Hey, Jimin-ah, it's me." Namjoon leaned on the table with his elbows.

"Ah, Namjoon hyung... Is this your number?"

"I'm calling you from our office."

"Oh, okay. Did you want something? Is my alpha okay?"

Jungkook's alpha was immensely pleased with the question and wanted to let their omega know that they were perfectly fine. However, the three men were watching keenly and he held back his alpha.

"Yes, I'm fine. There's something Namjoon wanted to talk to you about," he replied.

"Ah, okay."

"Jimin-ah, we have three gentlemen who wanted to talk to you about something."

"Okay?"

"Mr. Park, this is Mr. Choi," the councilman greeted. "I'm sure you know who Kang Minhyuk is. We—"

"Kang Minhyuk is a bastard who can't take no for an answer. He's lucky my alpha hasn't killed him yet," he growled.

Jungkook felt that growl reverberating through his body and shooting straight to his cock. Who thought his omega's growl could be this sexy.

The councilmen looked among each other.

"Oh, yes, um...about that. You aren't held against your will, are you? We are the council members of the international crime syndicate. We—"

"Why would my family hold me against my will?" Jimin didn't let them finish. "My alpha kept our relationship a secret to protect me. If you wanted to know what happened, that bastard has been harassing me for the past two years. Despite telling him that I'm not interested and refusing his gifts. He bribed my manager and assistant, drugged me and his men tried to—" Jimin paused and they all could hear his growl of displeasure. "If they aren't dead already, I'd take pleasure in gouging their eyeballs out before killing them once more." His voice has changed to that of his wolf and Jungkook took that as his cue to intervene.

"Omega..."

There was a moment of silence at the other end. "Yes, alpha." It was still Jimin's wolf, but his voice was softer than earlier. He could tell that by the growl lacing his voice and the lack of usual softness.

"I'm so proud of you," he said. "If someone is troubling you again, kill them first. Ask questions next." His gaze lifted to meet that of the councilmen, his lips lifting to form a sneer. "Anyone thinking my omega is a helpless kitten should know he's a wolf with claws and fangs—that he will never bow to anyone."

In the opposite end, there was silence again but it was broken by a loud purring sound and Jungkook smiled.

"I guess you have your answer now," Namjoon said, ending the call.

Jungkook's phone pinged with a text and he had a hunch who it was. He grabbed his phone and walked out of the room, leaving Namjoon to handle the men. He went inside one of the empty rooms and opened his phone.

From Tae:

Bitch, if you're trying to bribe his wolf...you succeeded

To Tae:

I'm not trying to bribe anyone

From Tae:

Yeah, then can you explain why I have an overgrown fur ball lounging on top of me and licking my makeup off???

To Tae:

He what?

Jungkook called him immediately, only to be greeted with wolf barking and whining with Taehyung's attempt to get him off.

Sudden panic rose in his chest, remembering what Taehyung told him about Jimin's wolf. Did he feel threatened again?

"Tell me he's alright."

"He is alright."

Jungkook visibly relaxed. "What happened? Why did he shift?"

"He shifted the moment you finished talking and prancing around as if he found a bounty. Then he decided he needs to share his enthusiasm with me and here I am pinned to the fucking cold floor by a hundred and fifty-pound wolf."

He heard the wolf growling at him and Taehyung yelped.

"Stop nipping at me, Minnie. Your wolf is fucking bigger than your human form. Do you know that?"

There was a huff from the wolf followed by another growl.

"What do you mean the floor is cold?" Jungkook asked, wondering if the dance studio didn't have a proper heating system.

"I've been telling you so much and that was all you got?" Taehyung's voice rang with disbelief. "How could you do this to me? Do you not care for me at all?"

"You will survive." Jungkook rolled his eyes. "Tell me. Is this normal for him to shift like this?"

"I think so. He normally shifts when he's emotionally overwhelmed. He's just happy I guess. This bitch has a praise kink and oww. Oww. Stop that!"

Jungkook chuckled already imagining what would have happened.

"Bad wolfie. Jiminie would never hurt me like this," Taehyung complained. "Ah, God. Looks like your best friend is gonna be here all day. Can you send someone to save me from this wolf?"

"Just call Hoseok hyung. He's just outside in the car."

"And risk this one going for his throat? No, thanks. I'll manage to get his butt off my chest. I deserve a spa break after all this."

Jungkook shook his head with a smile. "You can have whatever you want as long as my omega is happy."

"What about me, Googie? Do I not have to be happy?" He could imagine him pouting.

He rolled his eyes. "Bitch, don't think I don't understand that you both are a package deal. You'll leech off everything I do for my omega. You can stop being dramatic."

"Minnie, did you hear that? He called me a bitch. A fucking bitch. Gosh...I'm so happy I can die now."

Jungkook sighed exasperatedly. Taehyung had always been a dramatic ass.

"You know what should give me more kisses so he will spoil the both of us."

The wolf grunted more like in an agreement and Jungkook flushed. His cheek still tingled from where Jimin kissed him this morning. Namjoon had been teasing him all the way, calling him whipped. He'd just kept quiet.

"Okay. I'll just let you both be. Talk to you later."

"Bye, bitch."

Jungkook huffed. It was Tae's love language and he was glad no one else heard them. He didn't realize how much he was missing the bickering until now. Suddenly he felt as if he was fourteen again. His chest was warm, something he hasn't felt in so long. A feeling he'd missed so long.

He sighed, calling Yoongi, who answered in the first ring. "Mambas might be onto something. Tighten the security," he warned. "Choi, Song, and Jo just left. They spoke to Jimin and he spoke exactly how we wanted him to speak. La Costa Nostra could be trouble. There were two calls from them this morning."

Yoongi hummed. "I did some research. Isabella isn't someone who accepts defeat easily. She takes pride in her beauty and there's no one who had said no to her before. They will see this as a blow to their ego."

"As if I give two fucks about their pride or ego."

Yoongi chuckled. "Personally, I didn't like her for you anyway. I'm at the hotel now."

"Alright, just be careful."

"You too."

Jungkook had a feeling that Minhyuk won't hesitate to play dirty. Then, he wouldn't hesitate either.

Bring it on, Minhyuk. I'm ready for you.