The Claimed Omega

'Hey, are you waiting for someone?' Minwoo tries to ignore the two female omegas - obviously here after their wild night - who thought it is a nice idea to surround him. Wonho still hasn't got out of the toilet, and he is getting really annoyed with the attention he is getting. Other omegas staring at him with interest are irking him enough as it is, for these two bold ones to have the guts to talk to him in their state is just, pissing him off. He doesn't want to get angry or throw tantrums, afraid that it may spoil his image in front of his mate, but more than that, he is trying to let go of his hatred but things are easier said and thought than done.

'I have a mate.' He replies coldly, still eyeing the entrance to the toilet. He hears them laughing, as if he just told a really good joke. Trying hard not to shove the girl who has her hand on his shoulder, trying to flirt, he clenches his jaws. 'Are you playing hard to get? I kinda like mated alphas.'

Urgh. There is really nothing sexy about that at all. Disgusting, even. As a noble, this kind of bold attempt to sleep with him is normal but usually, people know better than to do it in front of a family restaurant or even out in the open. There is a time and place for this kind of things and now is not it. That being said, there is something else that has been bothering him - the fact that he is not protected against these filthy omegas. This is his first time letting his guard down with his pheromones, wanting to enjoy his time with his omega, so this really came as a shock to him. His sisters are no longer pursued once they bonded but that didn't happen to him, apparently. Yes, he is well aware that Wonho's scent is not lingering on him, but isn't his body supposed to change or something to keep others away too? Since he feels the change - the distaste towards their kind, they should feel the same towards him too. Right?

'Your partner a beta?' Another asks, interrupting his thought. Minwoo clicks his tongue and pushes the hand trying to play with his hair. He really wants to scare these worthless pieces of shits who have no sense of privacy. He can do it.

'…but you don't have a ring… Omo.'

'I like playing catch.' The one on his left whispers which pushes Minwoo off the edge. He said he had a mate, that should be the end of it. What the fuck is wrong with them??!

'Fucking leave me alone!' He growls at them, intensifying his pheromones to intimidate them. Glaring at the two who cowered and shrunk at his command, he almost brought up his hand to hit them before sensing his mate getting closer. Shocking himself at his own action, Minwoo makes a fist. He is a bit taken aback when Wonho suddenly comes straight towards him, bumping hard with the girls, and hugs him, ignoring the others. Minwoo is expecting a drama starting; the females omegas seems like the bitchy kind but none of that happened. In fact, the look on their faces is as if they are just broken out of a trance; they no longer find him attractive. Though he is relieved that happened, it is a bit unnerving, how it did. Somehow, his instinct tells him it is not because of his earlier burst.

'What's wrong?' Feeling the hug getting tighter, Minwoo finally looks down at Wonho. The man who never wants to show their affection in public is holding him tight, it is confusing.

'I wanna go home.'

#####

Minwoo squeezes Wonho's hand as they enter the door, praying that the old folks already forgot about this morning. It is already noon since Minwoo dragged their time outside for a while. Although Wonho didn't look good, he didn't want to go back at once either. He requested to be alone somewhere, just holding Minwoo's hands as he closed his eyes. Wonho was not sleeping, Minwoo could tell, and his grip was shaky and desperate. He wanted to ask but the former didn't want to talk about it and so, he let it go. They only headed home after Wonho looked much better, and after Minwoo was ready to face the parents' wrath.

Thankfully, the mother is busy cooking, preparing the ingredients for tomorrow - the New Year celebration, but the father is disturbingly calm as well. It makes him feel uneasy. As they both sit down in the living room, still refusing to shower, Minwoo springs up as Mr. Seo suddenly speaks, 'I cleared the storeroom for you. It's more comfortable than the living room.'

'Store?' Owh god. This is it.

'Don't worry. It's actually a guestroom, right behind Byeongho's room. We have heater and stuffs. Since you'll be here for a while.'

Minwoo curses inside. He knows the Seos will not treat him like shit so he is confident the room is furnished as said and he will be comfortable there, but he also knows that that means it is harder for Wonho to go to him since he knows they already planned something. Pouting to himself, he hears another surprise.

'I don't like it there.' Wonho just blurts that out loud. And the young omega looks really fed up.

Not wanting to turn to face the old beta, he keeps his eyes on the television. 'Wono-'

'The room creeps me out.' His omega murmurs, 'I can't sleep in there.'

Gulping, Minwoo tries to glance at Mr. Seo. He can tell Mrs. Seo also doesn't like what she just heard, based on the pause of the cuttings, while the old man is breathing heavily through his nose. The man glances back at his wife. Minwoo doesn't know her exact expression but it seems, his father gives in. 'Fine, your sister's coming today anyway. I thought it's easier for them to sleep here since they have a baby.'

'All the more reason why they need to be in the guest room.' Wonho again retorts and the old man clears his throat, obviously not up for an argument. 'Minwoo can just sleep with me-'

'He sleeps here.' Mr. Seo insists, denying his son. Minwoo doesn't know why he is so happy, but he has to stop himself from laughing out loud. Who would've thought he would actually be relieved to be placed here instead of the storage room? Feeling a hand on his upper arm, Minwoo turns around, expecting to see a pout from his omega but instead is welcomed by the back of his head. He is sure Wonho is shooting death glares at his mother who is chopping the onions extra loudly. For the second time today, Wonho is freely showing his affection. He has no idea what had gotten into his mate, but he likes it.