The Claimed Omega

'You think I have time to make food after all this?' She gestures towards her face and hair, 'This takes hours.'

'Then do a simple make-up.' Dongchan comments, only to be met with a sigh from the girl. 'This is a simple make-up.'

Wonho laughs, recalling the time Jiwoo confessed to him that she never wore make-up and only does it for the internship to leave a good impression. She literally wakes up at five in the morning everyday just to seem 'decent'. Honestly, being a woman seems to be hard work.

All that said, Wonho finds Jiwoo to be very relatable. After all, the only difference between them is their physical appearance, and him having his heats. Jiwoo has a lot to prove too. Among the hundred architects in their departments, only around 20 of them are women. Half of that are alphas, and eight of them chose to be part-timers after having their kids. Because of that, they no longer handle their own projects due to the hectic schedule and instead is assigned as project support team. Only two beta women work as full-time architects in their firm.

So yes, Jiwoo has a lot to prove too. Just like him.

She wants to leave a good impression too. Just like him.

'Frozen food is-'

'Can we sit here?' Dongchan was interrupted by a female staff. All three interns looked to the new group of people who are waiting at the edge of the table. Bowing their heads, they continue to eat in silence, not wanting to mind the other group and make things awkward. This never happened to them. The canteen must be really crowded today.

…Not really. Wonho's eyes caught the empty table right behind them.

This is weird.

'Seo Wonho!' He gazes towards his left, to the female alpha seated on the opposite side. She seems familiar…

'Heiran-shi.' The civil engineer he met at the party. He didn't recognize her immediately, having only met her once. So, are they sitting with him because they want to get to know them? Because despite them being acquaintance, their brief conversation and the time passed after that party does not warrant this random overly friendly greeting.

'You guys are interns too?' She asks his friends and they nod, introducing themselves. The atmosphere then turns silent, the three young ones not knowing what to do in the situation. They want to eat, but then notice that the seniors do not have any food with them. Which means they are here to talk.

'Your friends…?' Wonho mentions, just so they will talk and move on from the uncomfortable situation. Heiran looks at the two male alphas with him and chuckles softly, pointing to one of them, 'This guy's Sangmo from IT development.'

The three greet the man, not comfortable with calling him by his name. Heiran then points to the other one, seated right beside Wonho, 'This guy's in marketing. Juwon.'

So, none of them are from his department. No wonder they both seem unfamiliar. Heiran must have a large network to be friends with people from different fields. But then again, she is really friendly so it is not surprising either. He wonders if sitting with random people and talking to them is her way of making friends, because she did that once, during the party. And once again, right now.

'Wonho, right?' The marketing guy, Juwon asks and Wonho nods, not forgetting to look at his friends for help. They have nothing to say though, also finding this whole situation very strange. 'You're bonded.'

'Wh-'

'Yah, that's inappropriate.' Heiran interjects, lightly hitting his friend on his shoulder. Wonho feels his face getting warm from the sudden mention of his bond. Heiran is right, that was not appropriate. Not when it came from a stranger. 'What? I'm just saying that cus he looks young! You're still a student, right?'

'Un-'

'We all are. 3rd year students. Architectural.' Jiwoo answers, her voice higher than normal. She gives Juwon a smile, a wide one where her eyes disappear. It looks sweet, but Wonho knows that is her annoyed grin.

And despite her lovely smile, the man stares at her coldly. Noticing the tensed atmosphere, Heiran looks at her watch and gets up, gesturing his friends to do the same. 'Looks like it's almost time. We'll leave you guys to eat. Sorry for interrupting.' She winks at them and push the two males away. Before leaving, she makes sure to wave them a good-bye, her face bright and still very friendly.

Now left alone, the three friends just stare at their food.

'That was… weird.' Dongchan breaks the silence, and the other two nods a few times. Tilting his head slightly the alpha slowly brings his chopstick to his mouth, his frown obvious as he keeps his stare on the table. 'When DID you bond anyway?'

'Yah, that's inappropriate.' Jiwoo lightly hits Dongchan, an action Wonho finds bemusing because it feels like déjà vu. It is supposed to be so, because Jiwoo was imitating Heiran's actions to lighten the mood. Laughing the awkwardness off, the group of third year students exploring working life continues to fill their empty tummies.

'Around last year.' Wonho suddenly answers, surprising the two who thought they were over the topic. Wonho gives them his famous poker face, making sure to look at them in the eyes before turning back to look at his chicken soup.

'Yah, you can't just give us that answer and stop mid-way.' Jiwoo whines and the other nods. Dongchan keeps looking at him, his face discontent.

'Childhood friend.' Wonho lifts both his shoulder.

'Coursemate?' Again, he lifts his shoulders.

'Club senior?' Wonho smirks, he is not in any club. And Minwoo is not his senior. A big no.

'He's smiling! Getting warmer!' Dongchan exclaims before adding, 'Course senior??'

'High school lovers?' Jiwoo guesses randomly, earning him a scold from the alpha. Done playing and wanting to finish his lunch since they don't have much time left, Wonho nods, just because. Minwoo is his college junior, but explaining how they first met officially and their relationship back then will be complicated. Not to mention, the story about Minwoo chasing him around will seem a bit narcissistic on his part. So Wonho decides to just agree with Jiwoo's guess anyway.

Because, it is the simplest one with the most straightforward storyline. Not that, they will never know the true story anyways so basically, he can make up stories as he wants.

Besides, the excited expression on Jiwoo right now really amuses him.