779.

780.

[I brought back Juwan. I introduced him in Endless Love as Jikook's neighbor turned friend.]

Tension was thick in the atmosphere that morning. For one, things were going out of hand at an alarming rate. The news had leaked to the media and they were eating it up.

Every business magazine and tabloids were speaking about the sudden arrest of the popular model Lee Haneul and her manager. Fortunately, there were no videos out yet. The breakfast was done like a ritual, their expressions tight with tension.

"I had the police confiscate the phones from everyone at the scene and delete the original footage after taking the evidence. They also told the parents not to speak to anyone about this issue," Taehyung told them.

"You did?" Jungkook immediately asked, looking up from his plate.

Taehyung smiled. "I recognized her and knew others would too. So I told the police to take care of the situation first."

Jungkook nodded, his form relaxing. "I don't want anything related to my pup on the internet for public to see."

"Thanks, Taehyung," Jimin said. "For everything. I owe you big time."

"Nah, man." Taehyung clapped his back. "We are practically family. This is what we do."

"My cousin will be here shortly. We aren't gonna let them get away with this," Yoongi said. "Whatever it is, we are in this together."

Jimin nodded again, thankful for them.

Even his hyungs had come in the morning. Namjoon went out to buy some things while Seokjin checked both his mate and pup, telling him they're fine. Minjun had a slight fever and was sleeping soundly. Hoseok was with him since he arrived. Seokjin said it was because of the shock. It only increased Jimin's fury. His pup deserved better.

Haneul was nothing but trouble. He wondered how he even fell for her in the first place. Maybe young Jimin didn't know better and was too naïve.

An hour later, they were all in the living room. Minjun was awake but barely. Namjoon paced the apartment with him as the pup was fussing, feeling restless. There was a knock on the door.

"I'll go. It must be Juwan." He went to the door, coming back with an attorney in tow.

Jungkook greeted him with a hug. "It's been a while, Juwan. Thanks for coming."

"My pleasure, hyung." Juwan smiled.

"Come on, take a seat first," Jungkook urged. "I'll bring some refreshments.

Jimin smiled in greeting. "Hi, I'm Park Jimin, Jungkook's husband."

Juwan took a seat. "I'm Min Juwan." The omega attorney bowed in a greeting. He looked younger than others in the room, but had a very sharp, calculating gaze in contrast to his sharp features. Confidence and determination radiated off him. "Yoongi hyung is my cousin. He told me about your situation," he said. "I'm going to help you in any way I can, Mr. Park."

"Thanks for coming at a short notice, Juwan-ssi," Jimin said. "Please make yourself comfortable. Yoongi hyung is family. So are you."

Juwan's smile radiated genuine happiness and his pleasant floral scent bloomed a little. "Hyung briefed me last night and this morning we received a detailed report from the police station," he said. "I studied the report on my way here. According to them, you dated Haneul and that resulted in her pregnancy. But your family didn't accept your relationship. You took away the pup as soon as he was born and threatened her to sign away the custody of the pup. She also claims that she has been in a life-threatening situation and sought legal protection."

"She tried to kidnap my pup," Jimin growled, his eyes flashing amber.

Juwan nodded. "I'm aware." Just then, Jungkook arrived with refreshments. Juwan took the steaming mug of coffee with thanks. "Haneul claims that she was just there to see her pup once and talk to him because as a mother her wolf was getting restless. She's demanding her rights as a mother." Jungkook let out a growl at that. Juwon, paused to acknowledge his displeasure and continued, "Also, I'm not sure if you're aware but the media caught wind of what happened yesterday." He grimaced. "We need to make our move immediately."

Jimin's face was as hard as a stone. He said nothing as he handed him a black folder.

Juwan immediately put the coffee down to take the file in his hands. He sifted through the documents carefully, eyes growing wide with each page. "Wow!" he whispered in awe. "This is enough!" He grinned, his scent bursting with excitement. "We can fucking turn this entire thing in our favor."

Jungkook cocked his head, glancing between them as Jimin gave Juwan a knowing smirk. "What?" he asked no one in particular.

"Jungkook hyung, your husband is brilliant!" Juwan waved the file at him. "See this."

Jungkook immediately took the file. Yoongi and Taehyung moved in unison to peer over his shoulder. The omega let out an audible gasp. "S-Surrogate?" he asked with wide eyes. His gaze raked the pages, reading faster and sifting through the pages as if his heart was in his throat. "I-Is this real? I'm not seeing things, am I?"

Jimin smiled. "It is exactly as you see."

"This paper clearly states Lee Haneul is a surrogate. She agreed to donate her egg and rent her womb for a certain term in exchange for money. She is supposed to stay in the hospital during the term of her pregnancy and she cannot claim any rights over the pup after its birth," Juwan explained excitedly. "Here is proof that she took money from Mr. Park and hospital receipts. She even said there's no connection between her or Mr. Park and it was nothing but a business arrangement. It's not just that, hyung. Look, Mr. Park even added your name as the omega parent. He also changed the hospital records. Legally, he's yours."

Jungkook let out a choked sob, launching himself at the alpha while the others except Seokjin, Namjoon and Hoseok looked stunned with the revelation. The omega's scent fluctuated with so many emotions. He cried in the alpha's arms.

"Hey..." Jimin rubbed his back. "I love you, honey bun."

"Y-You c-changed everything." Jungkook hiccupped in between his sobs.

"I did."

"H-He's mine."

"Only yours."

"Jimin, you sneaky ass." Taehyung clapped his shoulder. "How did you even think of this? I guessed you just had his custody but this? Oh, my god! Respect, dude."

Jimin grinned. "She didn't deserve to be his mother after how she behaved. So, I spoke to the doctor and my lawyer, drafted an agreement that would cut all her ties with my pup. At that time, I mostly did it out of spite, but after Jungkook came into my life, I realized it was time to change a few things. His dad helped me pull a few strings and the doctor remembered me. He was happy my pup found a loving father and was glad to help."

"You didn't tell me about this," Jungkook complained.

Jimin kissed the top of his head. "I wanted it to be a surprise for your birthday," he said. "Didn't think I'd have to pull this out right now."

Jungkook nodded. "You're really amazing."

Jimin smiled. "Just as you are."

"This just made my job easier. I'll talk to my senior and get things moving," Juwan said. "We need a proper strategy for the media. We need to decide how much you want the public to know and handle it accordingly." He gathered his things. "Can you email me a copy of these documents? And oh let me know once you have decided, let's meet again and go over everything."

"Sure," Jimin said. "Jungkook's dad is on his way back to Korea. He took the next flight home as soon as he heard. Our PR team is already working on a statement as we speak."

Juwan nodded. "Can you run it by me once it's ready? It'd be great if we can be on the same page."

"Of course," Jimin agreed.

Juwan excused himself. Yoongi went to send him off while Jungkook sank further into Jimin's embrace.

"I don't want the public to know Minmin is not from me." He pouted. "He's mine and the world should know as such."

Jimin sighed. "Sure, honey bun. Then that's what we will tell them." He kissed his forehead. "I won't let anyone claim our pup. You are and will always be his dad."

Jungkook's scent was sweet. "God, I love you so much."

"Love you more, honey bun."

781.

782.

In the afternoon, Jimin received the least expected pair of guests. His hyungs had left them to relax. Taehyung had some business to attend to and Yoongi just went back to his apartment. Jungkook and Minjun were asleep on the couch. Minjun's temperature had gone down but the pup was still upset.

His mom stared at him in the eye. "We're here to see Jungkook," she announced. "I-I heard what happened and... Is he okay? The pup." Her face contorted with worry. "How is the pup? They said he fought a purebred alpha." Her troubled scent enveloped him.

"They're both okay," Jimin answered.

"I-I know we aren't allowed to see your pup. We will just see Jungkook once and leave. I..." She cleared her throat. "My wolf...it won't settle. I need to see your mate. I need to make sure he's alright."

His dad shifted uncomfortably behind her, but the turmoil in his scent told him enough. Jimin debated for a moment and his grip tightened on the door knob. He hesitated for a beat and then opened the door wide.

"They're asleep on the couch," he mumbled, not meeting either of their eyes.

His mother rushed inside while his father hovered hesitantly behind her. He was a stubborn wolf just like him so Jimin decided to cut some slack and pretended he didn't notice the way he kept fisting his hands or how tensed he looked or how despite trying so hard, his scent betrayed him.

"Oh, Goddess." His mother's hands flew to cover her mouth. "That looks so terrible."

She knelt beside Jungkook and her hand hovered over his bruised jaw. It was then she noticed the pup. Only Minjun's face was visible underneath the blanket and Jungkook had his face turned the other way that showed only the injured side of his jaw.

Her scent burst out of her in waves, barely in control as she finally saw his pup. A soft simpering sound left her mouth as she tried to hold back the sob. Jimin tried not to get choked on the souring scent. He could tell how she was getting choked up on her emotions and sadly, he couldn't derive pleasure from it.

His father was right beside her, wrapping a hand around her and releasing calming pheromones, but he was no better. This would have happened sooner if they hadn't been so stubborn. Or maybe he should have tried to reach them once more.

A silence settled among them and Jimin gave them space to process the moment. They were meeting their grand pup for the first time after all. His mother sniffled silently and he saw his father discreetly wiping his tears so no one noticed.

Their hands trembled and he could tell they were fighting the urge to touch the pup and scent him. That was how wolves greeted each other and their offspring. However, they won't be able to do any of that because they were practically strangers to his son. What a terrible fate it was. Jimin supposed nothing could be worse on them than this for abandoning them all these years.

Jimin scoffed. Grandchildren definitely had the power to bring even the most stubborn mule or in this case a wolf to his knees after all.

After fifteen minutes, they were finally in control of their emotions. His mom gently touched Jungkook's bruise. "That fucking bastard. How could he hit an omega like that? How dare he!" she hissed under breath.

"He's got a death wish," his dad growled.

"Jungkook broke his ribs. He was caught off guard," Jimin offered without meeting her gaze. His mate was far from weak and they should know that. But he didn't expect his mother to pounce at him next.

"You stupid wolf!" she growled. "How could you be so careless?"

The hiss silenced Jimin. For a moment, he felt like an unruly pup getting scolded by a mother wolf.

"Your mate is pregnant and he told me he's in his first trimester. Do you even realize how delicate this period is for him? The pup is most vulnerable during the first few months. Things like this can do serious harm. How could you just tell me that he handled it?!" She pushed at his chest. "He shouldn't have been in the position to handle it in the first place!"

Jimin knew. It was just the situation was entirely out of his hand and he was already beating himself over it. "I hired bodyguards for him," he said weakly.

"Mina, calm down." His father pulled her back. "The kids are gonna wake up."

"He's a father of one and he doesn't even understand the risks," his mom continued. "I told you that bitch is trouble. She and lemon sucking face." Her chest heaved. "I never got a good vibe from that woman. She always had that look on her face but you would never listen. Look where she got us. Your mate and pup are in danger because of that bitch."

"Mina..." His father tried to calm her down. "That's enough, honey. I'm sure he knows all that already."

Her wolf was acting out and was in full control. Jimin clenched his jaw but said nothing. But again what a turn of events. He never thought his dad would be the one to hold his mom back.

"Park Jimin, tell me you got this covered. Tell me that bitch won't get away with this." She poked at his chest. "Tell me she isn't getting anywhere near my grandson or my son-in-law."

Jimin's features tightened. "I got it covered, mom. She is going to hell for this," he promised.

She stared at him for a long moment before she relaxed a bit. "That's good then." She glanced at Jungkook. "Make sure he rests well and doesn't take any stress. Don't let him eat too much junk. I heard he has an obsession with chocolate," she listed and her shoulders sagged. "Just...just be careful alright. And don't let him overwork."

Jimin nodded.

"You can tell us if you need any help," his dad offered again. He didn't meet his gaze.

"No. I'm good. This is my mess. I'll clean it up."

His dad sighed. "Let's go, Mina. The pup is already distressed. He shouldn't meet us in such circumstances."

She nodded shakily. "You will call us if your need something?"

Jimin didn't want to say yes, but he nodded either way. He didn't plant to use their help. There wouldn't be any need for that. He got it covered. "I'll walk you to the door."

783.