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Jungkook dropped the phone beside him and glanced at the pup sleeping peacefully on his chest. His cheek was squished to the chest and tiny lips formed a pout. With a smile, he nuzzled into the pup's hair.

Jimin arrived with the pup in the afternoon. Just like Yoongi said, the pup clung to him as soon as he saw him. Jungkook remade his nest with Yoongi's help and rested because that was all he could manage. He sure would have to call in sick for work. There was no way he could make it to school looking like this.

He also decided that he would use scent blockers and keep this mating to himself. Maybe he would just inform the principal. That was the best course of action. As per the government policy, all the wolves in their society were entitled for eight days leave when they mated.

Earlier, he also heard Jimin talking to his HR, explaining about the sudden mating. They ended up arguing but in the end Jimin was given an option to work from home instead.

Jungkook knew Jimin wasn't treated properly at work. He made a note to talk to his dad about it later. For now, he would relish this serenity. His alpha was preparing dinner for them while he snoozed with their pup. This was truly heaven.

He kissed the top of Minjun's head. She thinks she won, but fate has other plans. This time karma is finally serving. He smiled. In an unexpected turn of events, everything was in his favor and Jungkook wouldn't have it otherwise.

Jungkook honestly did not care what she thought about him. Talking to her was like talking to a wall. However, he was done being silent. He had always avoided her because he didn't want to waste his time with the likes of people like her. But today, he couldn't help it.

Ever since his dad spoke about the pack and family business, he had been at an edge. It belonged to him and his bloodline only. There was no way he would allow cheap stakes like Sohee or Minhyuk anywhere near it.

His grandfather's mistake was marrying that woman. He would make them all regret for how they treated him and his dad all this long. Jimin was an unexpected golden egg he found and he could see how this could work in their favor.

If anyone was worthy of the Jeon Groups, then it was Jimin. His features hardened with determination. The next time he went home, it would be as the pack omega with his alpha by his side. His grandma could go to her early grave for all he cared for. She never cared anyway. What difference this was gonna make?

Probably, he should find a way to take even those meager shares from their hands so they would know what would happen if they messed with the wrong crowd. His thoughts began racing as he sank into his pillow.

His time would come and it would come soon.

326.

327.

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"Jimin!"

"Hey dad." Jimin grinned involuntarily. Jungkook's dad had that effect on him. He had this air of comfort surrounding him. Jimin waved at the screen.

Jungkook's dad was sharp as ever. His gaze slid down his neck with a frown. "Is that..." He pointed a finger at his neck through the screen.

"We are mated," Jimin said with a chuckle, pulling his t-shirt down so the material didn't irritate his skin. "You were right about your son. He didn't know how much force he should exert in a bite for a temporary claim."

"Don't tell me." He shook his head.

Jimin shrugged. "I'm his now."

Jungkook's dad was silent for a moment. Then he boomed with laughter and began to clap his hands. The sound echoed through the screen and vibrated along the walls of the washroom. Jungkook was resting with the pup, so Jimin came to the guest room and locked himself in the washroom for privacy. He needed to get his father-in-law's blessings first.

"That's my son!" he boomed. "Ha ha ha! My little bun is an adult now." He wiped the tears off his eyes. "Gods, his mother was just like him, you know? She's this tiny little thing who looks so meek. But you're fool if you fall for her appearance. She was the cleverest omega I ever met, but she was also the clumsiest and careless." He smiled fondly. "Just like my pup, she also despised science. She didn't know how temporary claiming worked."

Jimin laughed out loud. "Wow. So...she marked you first?"

His father-in-law smiled sheepishly. "She was the hottest when she did that I tell you and gods, I fell even deeper when she looked so smug after that. You know what she said?"

"What did she say?" he asked curiously.

"That she wasn't the least bit worried or upset because it meant no one could steal me from her."

This time Jimin laughed even louder. "He definitely takes after her," he commented. They both laughed together for a few more moments. When they quieted, Jimin said, "I want to marry him. The marks alone are enough but I want to make everything legal and add his name as Minjun's other parent in his birth certificate."

Jungkook's dad nodded in understanding. His smile widened. "Of course, son. Leave it to me. I have enough connections to pull a few strings. Minjun is not just your pup, he's my grandson and is also the heir to the Jeon pack and business."

Jimin's eyes widened. Minjun? Pack heir?

"Your dad is a stubborn mule. Bet he doesn't even realize he already have a purebred alpha pup as a heir. Just wait until I rub it off on his face."

Jimin gaped at him. "Ah...I thought you were friends."

His father-in-law leaned forward. "We are. Doesn't mean I don't think of him as my competitor or that I want to push ahead in the race." He winked. "Did you speak to my son?"

"Briefly," Jimin replied. "Actually, he was the one who wanted to marry first. I wanted to give him some time. But we ended up mating before that."

"You have no idea how happy I am," he admitted. "After what happened, I began to lose hope. I didn't think that my pup would find love again or find someone who won't take advantage of his wealth. On top of that, there is family politics. My dad and grandfather built this business from the ground. I can't let it fall into the wrong hands. They won't hesitate to play dirty, but I can't force my son to choose a life he doesn't want either. I'm really happy that this happened."

Jimin nodded.

"I'll handle the paperwork. Are you working this week?"

Jimin nodded again. "They rejected my leave request. I'm working from home."

His father-in-law frowned. "That's against the labor law."

"Tell that to my employer, would you?" Jimin chuckled. "They've always been like that. When my Minjun was little, it was a nightmare." He exhaled. "I was new and had to work twice as hard to earn my place. My pup would often fall sick because he grew up without a mother or an omega's comfort. They wouldn't even allow me to take off. The scented clothes could only do so much, but I can't afford to take off either. I needed the money. The pay was good. Then I hired a nanny and things somehow settled until she quit. Things were spiraling and Minjun's attitude was changing. I felt like I was failing as a father. But then Jungkook came into our life. Suddenly, everything feels like he's the only piece that was missing from my life. Now everything is as it should have been."

Jungkook's dad watched him intently. "You're a great father, Jimin."

Jimin smiled. "I'm not sure about that. I try."

"You remind me of my younger self when I see you," Jungkook's dad said. "He's a sweet pup but he suffered a lot because he was a motherless pup too. You know, some days it feels like I'm lacking as a father. That I'm failing. But then some days I feel like I'm on top of the world because my son was so happy about something I said or did."

"You're the best thing that happened to Jungkook. He speaks so highly of you and how he always looks up to you. If some day my pup talks about me like Jungkook talks about you, then it would mean I have done something worthwhile in raising him," he admitted. "I don't even know if I'm doing the right thing."

"I'm certain one day he would," his father-in-law said. "My pup would only choose the best. He has chosen you. I know you will be the best mate and a father."

Strangely, Jimin felt a weight lifting off his chest. This was what meant to have a father figure in life. For years, Jimin had longed for just one word of support from his dad. His father giving him an ultimatum didn't even feel like a bad thing, but he wished his father had at least offered some sort of verbal support or a direction when he felt like he was stuck in life. Today, hearing a simple word of assurance from Jungkook's dad felt like a mountain of support.

"Thank you for saying that," he said. "It means a lot."

His father-in-law smiled. "You need to hear it often, kid. I'll catch you later,okay?"

"Thanks, dad."

***

This update was commissioned by Len.