The stranger didn't look convinced. He smirked. "Do l look like a child?"
Junghoon handed the drinks to Jihoon, ignoring the omega's imploring eyes.
Then without warning, he reached out and grabbed the man's throat.
"I told you to leave," he growled.
Junghoon smirked at the hand clawing at him, a futile attempt by the stranger to escape from his grip.
"P..please let me go.."
Junghoon's eyes gleamed with dark delight.. He tilted his head. "I told you to leave, didn't I? But you refused."
The stranger couldn't answer, skin red as he choked and Junghoon grinned in twisted satisfaction.
He did love putting arrogant people in their place.
Jihoon watched as the stranger's eyes fluttered close. His gaze trailed to Junghoon's face, heart thumping at the wild, unrestrained look on the alpha's face.
"Junghoon!" Jihoon cried, holding the alpha's arm. "You are going... to kill him," his voice cracked as Junghoon didn't even look at him.
"Let him go! Please."
Junghoon turned to him, a frown on his face. "Let him go?" he repeated coldly and Jihoon felt his blood freeze in fear.
"After what he said to you?" The alpha shook his head. "He deserves to die."
Jihoon stared at the alpha in surprise. He seemed like a man possessed. "Please... I'm begging you, Junghoon."
"You are begging for his life?" Junghoon scoffed. "So virtuous of you."
"I'm begging for you!" Jihoon screamed, his voice cracking with desperation. Junghoon froze, wide eyed.
"What?" he whispered as if he couldn't believe him.
"If you kill him, you are going to jail!" Jihoon continued, gaze pleading. He sniffed, feeling his eyes water. "... I don't want that for you."
Junghoon finally released the man, who collapsed on the floor in an unmoving heap.
Jihoon made to check him when Junghoon held his arm, pulling him back.
"He is still alive," The alpha stated at the other's raised eyebrow. "Don't touch him."
"Oh." The omega blinked at the possessive in Junghoon's voice. It shouldn't make his stomach flutter, but it did.
He cleared his throat, feeling heat creep up his neck. "Here is your drink."
The alpha hummed and collected one drink. "I bought one for you, Mr Kang," he gestured at the coffee.
Jihoon frowned. "What flavor is that?" He pointed at Junghoon's drink.
The other took a long sip. "It's peach flavor. Its my favorite these days."
"Then why did you buy me coffee?" The omega asked and Junghoon shrugged, throwing away his now empty cup.
"It's suits you."
They got on the bike and rode away while Jihoon stole a glance at the man on the floor, sighing in relief when th stranger's finger moved.
He didn't want to be involved in a murder.
Times passed in silence as they rode to Jihoon's apartment.
"Are you alright, Mr Kang?" Junghoon asked as they reached their destination.
The omega shifted on his feet. "I don't know," he confessed, tucking a strand of his hair behind his ear.
The alpha's eyes softened, an understanding smile on his lips. "You've been through a lot today," he stated and Jihoon smiled softly, meeting his gaze.
"Thank you for helping me with that man," he whispered and watched the alpha clench his jaw, gaze turning icy.
"He deserves to die."
Jihoon's eyes widened at the cold statement and he shook his head in disagreement. "No, Junghoon. It's... okay."
He looked down at his feet. "I'm used to it."
The omega didn't want the alpha getting into trouble because of him.
"It doesn't make it okay, Mr Kang."
Jihoon blinked, lips pursed in confusion. "Huh?"
Junghoon sighed, stepping closer to him. "What he did wasn't okay. Don't allow anyone tell you it's okay to be treated like that."
The omega's heart skipped at the alpha's caring gaze. He looked away, staring at the motorbike instead.
Why was his heart beating so fast?
"Thank... you," he mumbled dumbly and internally scolded himself for stuttering.
Jihoon gasped when the alpha's finger tipped his chin, their gazes meeting. "Junghoon..."
"Mr Kang..." Junghoon's voice was hesitant, low.
Jihoon's breath hitched. "What?" he whispered softly, body taut with anticipation.
The alpha blinked and pulled back. "You should go in."
The omega felt a twinge of disappointment at the loss of contact. "Yeah. I should."
What was he expecting?
His lips curled in a smile. "Take care, Junghoon."
Without waiting for a response, he turned away and stepped into the apartment, promptly shutting the door.
"What was that?" Jihoon placed his forehead on the door, closing his eyes.
"For a moment there, I thought you were finally going to lose your innocence."
"Fuck!" Jihoon yelped and spun around.
He narrowed his eyes at his friend, taking a deep breath to calm his racing heart. "You scared me."
"You are a scaredy cat," Seungho rolled his eyes, crashing on the couch with a contented sigh. He stared pointedly at Jihoon. "Why didn't you kiss him? Wasted sexual tension."
The omega glared at him. "He is my student!"
His friend raised a brow. "How is that a big deal? Is there a rule that prevents you from being together?" he asked and Jihoon shook his head.
There was no rule that explicitly prohibited lecturer-student relationships in Seoul National University. Though for some reason, everyone avoided it.
The omega sat beside Seungho, ripping off his scent patch. "It just sounds wrong."
His friend hummed. "I saw what happened in your school on the news today," he asked and Jihoon was grateful for the change of subject.
"Are you okay?" Seungho asked, pulling him close.
Jihoon cuddled up to him, inhaling his friend's scent. "I don't know. I'm still a bit shaken."
"Don't blame yourself," His friend whispered kissing his temple.
The omega sighed. "Thank you, Seungho."
"There's no need for that between us."
"I love you."
"I love you too, Jihoon." Seungho whispered. "Even though you can be a pain in the ass sometimes," he added and Jihoon gasped.
"Yah!"
The next morning, Jihoon was in a better mood. The omega slowly sipped his coffee as he sat on the couch, watching the news.
After all, he was going to be home till the police finished conducting their investigation. It was better to rewind for a while.
He glanced at his friend, sitting beside him. "Aren't you going to work?"
Seungho smiled brightly. "I got fired from work," he burst into laughter and Jihoon stared at his friend in bewilderment.
"What happened?"
His friend shrugged after he stopped laughing. "I punched my boss," he admitted and the omega's eyes widened.
"You did what!" he yelled and Seungho scoffed.
"He had it coming, okay?" his friend stood up. "Now, he is my ex boss."
"That's—"
A message came in Jihoon's phone and the omega retrieved his phone, opening text.
'Unknown number: I hope you liked my gift'
Jihoon's stomach twisted.
On the TV, the news anchor's voice cut through his thoughts.
'In other news, Yena's case has officially been ruled as a suicide..."
The omega's blood ran cold.