The Claimed Omega

Completely trying to forget the bad welcome, the old Seos decided to start it all over again. Serving Wonho's favourite cocoa as their beverage of choice, the family took their time to catch up with Wonho's life on campus and how he is doing, trying not to touch on the important matter just yet.

It took a while, but when Wonho was finally relaxed enough to speak normally without distress almost an hour later, he could finally tell them what happened, based on what Minwoo told him. He even showed them the test result he bought with him just in case. His old folks' anger and suspicion subsided a lot seeing the piece of paper, but there were still some distrust in their expression which Wonho doesn't really mind. He knows it will take a while, even he himself needed time to accept it.

'I still don't like him.' His father comments, and Wonho sighs. They only met for a few seconds before the old man made a scene, that is not enough time to judge someone. 'You don't know him yet. He's nice.'

'And you know this Minwoo kid?' That question comes as a shock to Wonho. Of course he knows Minwoo, they came here together for god's sake. He also knows that Minwoo's a noble, and a medic student who can cook, and… he is nice. 'Honey, do you know Minwoo?'

'I am… getting to know him.' He realizes he doesn't know much about Minwoo after all, especially about his family and his past. He only knows about the alpha's two sisters and their cats, his stepmother and what Minwoo likes to do in his past time. He knows this is not enough information to even consider someone to be their mates, but he is not in the position where he is free to choose anyway. But at least Minwoo is willing to come with him today despite knowing what might happen to him, and he even tried to made peace with his friend despite how unfair he thought they treated him. Wonho wants to believe this is prove enough of his sincerity.

He needs to believe it. Because it is all he has.

'And you like him?'

'I don't dislike him.' That is an awkward question. To admit that he likes someone in front of his parents when they are sitting very close to him. Gosh, can't they just accept Minwoo so he can escape this embarrassing situation??

'Is that the bond talking, or is that you?' Wonho frowns. Again, he is not expecting that question. Him liking Minwoo shouldn't be related to the bond. Trust and like are two different things, he should be able to tell the difference… Right?

'Are you sure you wanna be with him?'

'I'm bonded to him…' That is the only reason he can think of right now of why he wants to try being with Minwoo. He cannot say that he is sure of it, but right now, he knows he wants to give them a chance. Minwoo promised to take care of him, and he likes being with Minwoo, that should be enough.

'Wono, you know he's a free alpha, right? You're the only one bound to him.' This time, Mr. Seo stares at his wife in confusion. Wonho, on the other hand, starts to pale.

Yes, everyone had been talking about Minwoo not having his scent on him, but he always thought that is because the bond was not done correctly. He has his questions, but he never doubts the fact that they are mates. But what his mother just said - Minwoo being a free alpha - that is the first time someone ever told him straight to his face.

That is impossible, right? Mates are called mates because they involve two individuals, right?

'Wono, is that true? What eomma just said?'

He doesn't know. He is not confident anymore.

'What bout you and appa? You guys don't bond and yet you stay together…' He tries to change the subject. He doesn't want to think about it. It is getting suffocating.

'We love each other before we decided for marriage. You and that alpha, you didn't like each other when the bond happened. And only now you're getting to know each other. That might not be love, Wono-yah. You can't confuse yourself.'

'What if it's not? As long as we're bonded, feelings don't matter right?' Wonho starts to get defensive over it. He cannot take the questions anymore. He wants them to stop and just leave him alone. Just let him be. Minwoo promised to be with him. They are mates. He wants to believe that.

He needs to believe that.

Wonho furrows his eyebrows as he hears his father sighs. Clenching his jaws, Wonho remains quiet, 'Wonie, your feelings always matter.'

'Wono, honey. You're bonded. He's free. If anything goes wrong, you'll be the only one getting hurt…' She rubs her thumb on her son's hand, 'Breaking the bond first is not a bad idea right? Then you can be sure of your real feelings-' She stops as she hears heavy breathing coming from her son. 'Wono? Are you okay?'

'I don't wanna break it…' Wonho tries his best to speak between his sharp breaths, 'Eomma, I don't wanna be free! They'll co-, the alphas- eomma-'

'Owh no. Wono… breathe.' His mother cups his face, locking his head towards her while guiding his respiration as his father brings him a glass of water. Closing his eyes, Wonho tries to relax himself, his right hand blindly reaching all over to find his bag. He brought his pills with him just in case. 'I'm not asking you to stop seeing him. No. Wono… I just want you to be really sure about this.'

Wonho nods at her, knowing fully well her intention. He didn't mean to have a panic attack, it is just the thought of him being free, and the probability of the night repeating itself is too much to handle. 'Minwoo's a good alpha. He's good…'

'I know. It's okay. If he treats you well, we'll give him a chance.'

#####

Minwoo taps his legs vigorously, anxiously waiting for Wonho to call him back, or at least reply his messages. He told the omega he will go back there if he doesn't hear from him in two hours, afraid that something bad might happen, though he doubts that. At first. But now, only fifteen more minutes to two hours, there is still no reply so Minwoo cannot help but to worry.

Already starting the engine, Minwoo tries to distract himself, at least for another few minutes. He doesn't want to make a scene in case Wonho is trying his best to convince his parents, but he doesn't want to leave Wonho there without him. The look on his omega's face when he walked out the door bothered him.

Bzzz. Minwoo quickly looks at his phone and let a sigh of relief. Wonho just called him back. He wanted to reply but decides to leave right away. Typing would only waste his time.