Chapter Text
Seoul, South Korea.
Monday, 1:53 p.m.
"Go get 'em, my little love! Knock 'em dead!!!"
The omega flushed at his mother's words, giving a slight nod as he received a kiss on the top of his coal-black hair, a silent blessing. It was his first ballet class and, like every "daddy’s boy" omega who grew up in a completely delicate environment, this specialty couldn't be missing from his professional resume, alongside his piano and music theory lessons.
Kwon Jiyong truly looked like an ethereal angel on earth, a living personification of a porcelain doll, fragile, seemingly delicate, like the daisies he received from the many alphas courting him daily. The son of Kwon Heesun and Kwon Taecyeon, two successful actors whose names and empires were renowned in both the music and film industries, the omega was practically born with a silver spoon in his mouth. He seemed to have the whole world at his feet.
Many said he was the very definition and personification of perfection in a society of alphas, betas, and omegas. Everyone admired the aura of the young man—adorned with light, unique tattoos, with just one glance from his beautiful brownish-green eyes. Intense, deep, and capable of turning any alpha or beta inside out, as if he knew the sins of their souls with a single look. Despite his sharp, piercing eyes, Jiyong liked to show his personality through his clothing, which included gender-neutral pieces, hair accessories, Hello-Kitty earrings, and any kitten-themed item he could find.
He might have had the world at his feet and thousands of alphas salivating for a moment alone with him, but his upbringing was untouchable, comparable to a winter garden where no one could step, only admire. The omega had pale, immaculate skin featuring only tattoos with deep meanings, perfectly hydrated black hair, and intricately decorated nails. He could definitely attract anyone he wanted. He had been courted many times, some more foul-mouthed than others, but his heart was fixated on one person.
He blew a kiss to his mother's hands before stepping out of the Tesla, clutching his pastel pink yoga bag while looking both ways as he crossed the busy Seoul avenue. Jiyong was anxious; all his classmates from the music department at Seoul National University had been talking about the renowned new dance academy that had recently opened near the campus, and as a unique personality, he obviously couldn't miss out. His heart drummed in his chest as he let a polite smile bloom on his lips upon entering the establishment.
"Oh! Young Master Kwon! What an honor to have you here!" A dark-blonde omega appeared suddenly in front of him, bowing briefly before reaching out to take the young man's white bag. Jiyong glanced briefly at the woman before looking down at her badge. Sana. "Please, follow me. Your classmates are waiting for you!" she said, a perfect smile on her face and an impeccable, youthful appearance.
The omega walked through the corridors, feeling a bit "out of his element" with so many eyes on him. He smiled at everyone and toyed with his fingers as he walked. Being the child of world-famous tycoon parents was a bit strange; everywhere you went, you attracted stares. And Jiyong didn't like stares very much. Or maybe he did?
"It’s right here. If you need anything, just call me, I’m at your disposal!" Sana said, flashing another flawless smile and bowing as she opened the door for him.
Everyone listening to the teacher's instructions turned toward the glass door, causing Jiyong’s cheeks to flush so intensely he felt a slight burn in his ears. He bowed politely before whispering an apology for interrupting. He spotted his best friends from afar and approached them. "Girls, you told me it started at two..." the dark-haired boy whispered, pouting as he sat with his legs in a butterfly stretch, receiving a light pat on his hair from the brunette alpha, Jennie.
Both she and her girlfriend, Lalisa, were also daughters of incredibly famous tycoons, and the two were debuting in a Korean pop group called Blackpink, while Heejin was the only omega studying theater and music, dreaming of becoming a famous actress.
"Sorry Ji, we said the class started at two, but we forgot to mention the explanations started at one-thirty..." Jennie murmured, worried about the omega. She was also a very beautiful woman, winning people over with a single glance from her sharp, graceful eyes, like golden arrows shot by a divine archer. Thankfully, she was well-cared for by her girlfriend Lisa, who watched the scene with a smile. "Are you okay?"
"Yes, my dad ended up running late at the auto shop, so mom had to leave work to bring me," the omega replied, still fidgeting with the hem of his shirt, feeling Lalisa's hand stroking his arm. Lalisa was a totally bubbly and hyperactive omega, but when she wanted to pay attention, this was the gesture she used to keep those close to her quiet. Jennie nodded, snuggling into her girlfriend, who was focused on the lesson. "You can fill me in on what she explained later," he continued, hearing the alpha whisper an "okay."
Class proceeded smoothly. Everyone was impressed by the instructor's demonstrations as she performed pirouettes and steps that many considered impossible, as if she were dancing on invisible strings like a marionette. They were extremely delicate and perfectly precise.
When the clock struck five in the evening, the omegas and the few alphas present let out a collective sigh before being dismissed. Jennie and Lisa walked ahead, while Heejin and Jiyong followed slightly behind. They laughed and chatted about their university professors being totally irritable during weekly exams while they drank water and freshened up with creams and perfumes in the academy’s hygiene area.
"Ah, damn..." the equally dark-haired omega, Choi Heejin, muttered, typing a quick text and hitting send. Jiyong finished his water and adjusted the Hello Kitty clip in his hair, applying a bit of gloss to keep his lips hydrated. "My brother is coming to pick me up," the omega said, while Jennie and Lisa continued gossiping about something interesting in their world.
Heejin looked at them with a tired expression before turning to Jiyong. Usually, the brunette alpha gave Heejin a ride. "Ji, would it be too much to ask for you to walk with me? I know your mom is probably waiting, but my brother always parks across the street near a bar, and I’m just not in the mood to hear alphas catcalling me right now."
Jiyong’s eyes widened, and he murmured "no problem" before finishing with his hair clip and spraying his expensive Yves Saint Laurent perfume. The cold breeze hit Jiyong’s skin hard as he stepped out of the academy. The cloudy, restless weather signaled an approaching storm, the wind messing up his previously tidy hair.
They walked a few blocks until they reached a vintage bar that was playing old music. The merciless wind made both the omega’s nose and cheeks turn a bright red. Jiyong huddled into his thin sweater, clutching his bag carefully—it held expensive perfumes and lip glows from brands that would give him a heart attack if they cracked. His mind was restless; as he waited for Heejin’s brother, he found himself building expectations. His friend always said her brother attracted countless girls and boys, and how much she hated going out with him because of it.
Jiyong had never met Heejin’s brother; he had only heard comments here and there, whispers and rumors, besides being Heejin's personal psychologist whenever she got annoyed with the partners her brother brought home. The siblings shared an apartment. Even though he had never met the much-discussed alpha, for some reason, the mere mention of his name made Jiyong’s skin tingle—like a warning whispered by fate to be careful in the coming minutes.
As if sensing her friend's unease, Heejin let out a short laugh.
"He is in-suf-fer-a-ble, just so you know, Ji," she stated, tying her silky long hair with a pink elastic while looking down the busy street. "He acts like he owns the world just because he's desired; his ego is through the roof. I’m already apologizing if he offends you or drops a pickup line. Don't take it to your little butterfly heart."
"No problem, Hee." Jiyong gave a small smile, huddling further into the thin shirt that was doing the bare minimum to protect him from the cold. His phone buzzed, but before he could open his bag, the sound of screeching tires echoed as Heejin whispered a "speak of the devil" under her breath.
A black Porsche Cayenne braked in front of the bar, blaring PARTYNEXTDOOR on the radio, immediately drawing the attention of some nearby omegas. A guy stepped out, looking like he owned the place—tall, muscular, wearing a tight "dry-fit" gym shirt, black jeans, and totally beat-up Vans. His short black hair was being tossed by the wind as he untangled a strand from his golden industrial piercing. That shade of gold that glows against tanned skin.
Truly, Choi Seunghyun looked as if he were sculpted by the hands of Michelangelo.
The black dry-fit shirt clung to his body like a second skin, highlighting his firm chest, while his hair fell carelessly over his forehead. He was holding a cigarette. There were dozens of tattoos on his left arm, almost covering it completely. His dark, chocolatey eyes were fixed on the static omega beside Heejin, locked onto Jiyong before the boy could even realize it.
The omega felt the air leave his lungs.
Gods!
That alpha was nothing like what Jiyong expected. That gaze. That mouth that held another piercing. The slouchy yet dominant posture, like a wolf ready to devour. Jiyong felt his stomach do a thousand somersaults.
"Damn it, Seunghyun, where were you?! I tried calling but you never remember to take it off airplane mode!" Heejin cursed again, tossing her backpack to the alpha before turning to the paralyzed omega. "Ah, this is Jiyong, my best friend. I asked him to walk me because you always park by the bar and I can't stand idiots drooling over me anymore."
The alpha, Seunghyun, raised an eyebrow featuring another piercing. Fuck, the alpha seemed made of piercings. He dropped his cigarette and crushed it with the tip of his worn sneaker. He leaned in slightly, appearing even larger as he shamelessly scanned the other omega. "So you’re the famous Jiyong?" His voice was drawn out, raspy. He gave a slight nod. "Choi Seunghyun."
Jiyong swallowed hard. The alpha’s gaze lingered a second longer than it should have—long enough for a shiver to run down the omega's spine. The heat of that stare burned like fire on his skin, yet it made his body tremble with something he couldn't quite identify. Seunghyun’s look was intense, dominant, as if he were studying every line of his face, every secret of his soul. The omega coughed awkwardly. "Kwon Jiyong..." he replied, a shy smile gracing his pink lips. "It’s a pleasure to meet you..."
Choi adjusted his posture, his eyes still locked on the omega as if trying to read his mind. His gaze traveled lazily down Jiyong’s curvy silhouette, stopping at the silver Hello-Kitty pendant on his chest. His eyes continued their trail, noting the manicured nails, before moving back up to the Hello Kitty clip in his hair.
Everything was so... delicate. Almost feminine.
He smirked, clicking his tongue. "Are you sure it was a good idea to have him walk you, Heejin? Because it looks like he’ll break if I even touch him." His deep voice echoed, laced with irony. "I doubt any other alpha would be afraid to mess with you standing next to this little doll."
Jiyong’s mouth went dry, his eyes fluttering in perplexity at the comment. Excuse me?! His heart pounded harder as his cheeks grew even hotter and his ears felt like they were on fire. Wow, Heejin wasn't kidding.
"Back off! Jiyong is the baby of the group! Stop teasing him. Besides, I can defend myself, okay?!" Heejin cut in, grimacing at her brother's clear provocation. Even though she had warned him, she knew her brother would say something "cute." She noticed the weather worsening and looked at the omega, who had his arms wrapped around himself. "Ji, your mom is late, isn't she? Want us to drop you home?"
Jiyong swallowed hard again. Indeed, his mother was taking longer than usual, but the message on his screen said she’d be there soon. He smiled at Heejin. "No need, Hee..." he replied shyly, avoiding eye contact with the alpha. "My mommy is on her way..."
Seunghyun let out a raspy laugh, lighting another cigarette and cupping his hand over it so the wind wouldn't blow it out, his eyes never leaving the omega. "Of course she is," he murmured, his tone dripping with mockery. "I bet she was responsible for that little clip in your hair, too." He leaned against the car and crossed his arms. A heavy, tense silence settled between them, broken only by a howling, freezing gust of wind that made Jiyong close his eyes and huddle deeper into his thin shirt.
He shivered, which didn't go unnoticed by the alpha. With a quick movement, Seunghyun grabbed a leather jacket from the backseat of his car—the windows were already down—and tossed it at the omega. Not gently. It was a rough, blunt gesture, heavy with possessiveness. "You're gonna end up sick in that little princess outfit," he threw out, his voice acidic and slow, like a burning gulp of whiskey. "Give it back to Heejin tomorrow. Without fail. And without a scratch."
Kwon held the jacket with a hesitant touch, feeling that the fabric was still warm and carried a woody scent with hints of nicotine. He looked at the alpha again, as if asking for permission before putting it on, feeling the jacket's warmth envelop his frozen body. He closed his eyes and let out a sigh of relief before the alpha’s voice returned.
"But seriously, Heejin, he looks like he’ll break if a strong wind hits him." Seunghyun’s voice was lower now, almost grazing the line of provocation and danger, as he tilted his head and let his eyes roam Jiyong’s body again. His gaze returned to Jiyong’s brown eyes, watching the way the omega’s throat moved as he swallowed hard. Slowly, continuing the taunt, he added: "I’ve never seen an omega with decorated nails." Seunghyun commented in a low voice, his eyes sliding from the omega's face to his hands. "So feminine... such a little princess thing."
Jiyong clenched his fists, pressing his lips together to keep from offending the man. The blood rushed to his face; he was starting to get genuinely stressed. Heejin had warned him, but she made it sound like her brother would just tease him and leave. This guy was being totally irritating!
The dark-haired boy let out a heavy sigh, his heart dancing with the retort on the tip of his tongue. "Excuse me?!" he asked, still polite, though his voice was a bit shaky and loud. Seunghyun laughed softly—a raspy, drawn-out sound, almost intimate. He stepped closer to the omega, who was now red with anger. They were dangerously close now; the wind carried the woody scent mixed with cigarette smoke directly into Jiyong's nostrils.
The alpha took a drag, looking the other man up and down shamelessly. "Fuck, but that’s what you look like," he retorted, his voice deep and saturated with sarcasm. "All put together, full of bows, jewelry, smelling like red berries..." he said, his eyes landing on the omega’s lips, noticing the gloss. "You even put on makeup, look at that."
Jiyong bit his lower lip by reflex, feeling the words sink into his skin like sharp, provocative claws. His stomach turned, his face burned, yet he didn't yield. He wanted to go to his room and confess his anger to his plush kitten! Surely, Mr. Whiskers would understand!
He glanced behind the alpha, seeing that Heejin seemed to notice nothing; she had her headphones on and was nodding along to music inside the car. He opened his mouth to try and ask politely again, but stopped.
Because responding would be giving Seunghyun power.
And the way he looked, the way he smiled—it seemed he was anxiously waiting for exactly that.
Silence.
That was the only non-verbal response he gave the alpha. Then, a brief honk caused them both to look toward the arriving car. The window rolled down slowly, revealing the warm and slightly worried smile of Kwon Heesun. "Ji! Sorry I'm late, pup!"
The omega took a deep breath, murmuring a "thank God!" He snuggled into the jacket wrapped around him and jogged to his mother's car. Before he could get in, he looked back at the alpha finishing his cigarette, seeing that the man was still watching him. Jiyong cleared his throat. "About the jacket..."
"Tomorrow." The alpha, sensing the omega's hesitation, spoke in a firm, deep voice, notably dropping the feminine nicknames. "Without fail."
Jiyong just nodded, not answering. He got into the car firmly and closed the door, his face burning with shame and anger. He wished he hadn't met this irritating person Heejin complained so much about! In the driver's seat, Kwon Heesun watched the scene as if she were in a cinema with a bucket of popcorn.
She glanced at her son sideways with that look only mothers have. The scent of the masculine jacket flooded the car’s interior the moment he sat down. Wood, leather, cigarettes, man. Heesun arched an eyebrow, her eyes going straight to the oversized coat swallowing her son's frame. "Well, glory be... did that hunk lend you his jacket?" Her voice was light, almost musical, full of curiosity and disguised malice. She nudged the omega with her elbow. "Tell Mommy everything!"
Jiyong gripped his seatbelt, avoiding her gaze. "Mommy!!!" he groaned, feeling his cheeks heat up even more as he summoned the courage to answer. "It’s not what it looks like... He’s that brother Heejin is always complaining about..."
Heesun smiled happily. She loved teasing her son, but she knew where to stop. "It’s not what it looks like... Pull the other one, it’s got bells on." She leaned closer, raising her eyebrows at him. "Smells like a gym alpha. It’s actually good, isn't it? Strong... intense." She paused, sniffing the air with exaggerated flair. "Dignity of a True Blood Alpha. How delicious... I want grandkids by tomorrow."
"Mommy!!! Please!" The omega whined, hiding his face in the jacket, drawing a laugh from his mother. Heesun smirked but said nothing more. She pulled the car away with her usual elegance, but the silence inside the vehicle was far from neutral; it was charged, alive—a mirror of the storm brewing inside the boy in the passenger seat.
As the car finally pulled away, Jiyong could still feel Choi Seunghyun’s gaze burning his skin. He felt the heavy warmth of the jacket on his shoulders as if the alpha himself were still holding him—as if the scent left in the fabric were a kind of invisible mark. And deep in his chest, something pulsed. It wasn't anger. It wasn't fear. And it definitely wasn't indifference.
It was the cruel, sweet taste of a challenge, and the dangerous intuition that this provocation was only the first act of what was to come.