Chapter Text
“You are meeting Jeon tomorrow.”
Taehyung released a long, heavy sigh, his shoulders slumping as the familiar weight pressed down on him once more. His father’s alpha pheromones—deep and steady like aged sandalwood—grew slightly sharper with quiet authority.
This was easily the thousandth time in the past three months.
Kim Seung-ho had been relentless in preparing his only son to meet the eldest son of the Jeon family. Jeon Jungkook. Heir to the Jeon Group. A name whispered with both reverence and envy in their circles, yet the family itself remained shrouded in layers of privacy and power. They controlled vast empires in technology, shipping, entertainment, and more—an iron fist wrapped in velvet.
And here Taehyung was, just twenty-five, being herded into an arranged meeting with a complete stranger.
“I can’t, Appa,” Taehyung said, irritation threading through his usually soft voice. He set his chopsticks down with a deliberate clack.
The sharp ring of Seung-ho’s steel chopsticks hitting the table made the air freeze. His mother, Kim Ji-yeon, shot him a warning glare from across the table, her elegant brows knitting together. The faint floral notes of her omega scent—jasmine laced with warm vanilla—tightened with disapproval.
“Why are you doing this, Taehyung?” Seung-ho asked, his voice low but firm. “He is a Jeon, for God’s sake. Perfect for you in every way. Why can’t you understand?”
His tone softened as he reached across the table. Warm, calloused fingers gently squeezed Taehyung’s hand, grounding and protective after decades of unconditional love.
“Bear… we want you to be in safe hands before… before your mom and I are gone.”
“Appa, stop it,” Taehyung muttered, gently pulling his hand back even as his chest tightened. “You and Mom always bring that up. You’re not that old.”
“Baby,” Ji-yeon’s voice came out stricter this time, though her eyes shimmered with deep worry. Her jasmine scent wrapped around him like a concerned blanket. “Your father is right. You have no siblings. No extended family we can truly trust. They’re all circling like vultures, hungry for the properties and the company shares. You’re our only child. We don’t want you to end up alone.”
Taehyung squeezed his eyes shut, irritation tangling with a familiar, bone-deep fear. His parents weren’t like other rich families. Despite him being an omega, they had supported every dream, every impulsive decision. Their love was fierce and warm. This house, this table, their arms—they were the safest place in his world. The mere thought of leaving them behind made his stomach twist.
“These days every conversation ends with my marriage,” he murmured, half to himself. “But I still don’t want to marry someone I don’t even know. And what if he’s a decade older than me?”
His mother’s glare intensified. “He is just one year older than you, Taehyung. You refused to even look at his photo. You are already twenty-five. You haven’t found someone you like, and you keep refusing every suitable alpha we try to introduce.”
Taehyung’s brows furrowed. He opened his mouth to argue that people could find partners at any age—it wasn’t the 1980s anymore—but Seung-ho let out a heavy sigh and leaned back in his chair. The wood creaked softly beneath his weight.
“If you are not meeting Jeon,” his father said calmly, eyes locked on Taehyung’s, “then I’m giving all our wealth to charity.”
Taehyung’s eyes widened in pure disbelief. “This is nonsense!”
“It is not.” Seung-ho’s voice was pure steel.
Taehyung rolled his eyes, hot annoyance bubbling in his chest. He knew exactly how much the family empire meant to his father—the empire Taehyung himself was being groomed to take over. The threat wasn’t empty. His father was deadly serious about securing this alliance.
'Fuck this shit.'
Taehyung gritted his teeth, jaw clenched tight. He would meet this almighty Jeon Jungkook tomorrow and make damn sure the alpha rejected the proposal in the first five minutes—just like he had with all the previous candidates.
“Okay,” he ground out. “I’ll meet him. But if this doesn’t work out… you both have to stop this marriage circus for the next five years. Deal?”
He raised his eyebrows challengingly at his parents.
Seung-ho and Ji-yeon shared a quick, knowing glance across the table. The heavy tension in the room finally eased as small, satisfied smiles curved their lips.
“Okay,” Seung-ho said.
“Deal,” Ji-yeon added softly, her jasmine scent warming again with quiet hope.
~~~~~
12:40 PM
The sharp scent of fresh coffee and crisp paper filled Taehyung’s spacious office. Sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting bright rectangles across the sleek black desk cluttered with blueprints, reports, and open project files. Taehyung sat hunched forward in his leather chair, aggressively flipping through pages, his long fingers gripping the edges a little too tightly.
The new project launch was next month, and he needed everything perfect. Anything to keep his mind off tonight.
The soft knock on the glass door barely registered until it opened. His manager, Min-ho, stepped in cautiously, holding phone.
“Sir… your mother.”
Taehyung blinked, confused for a second, before reaching out and taking the phone. “Yes, Mom?”
A sharp, irritated sigh came through the speaker, laced with the familiar jasmine-vanilla tone that always managed to make him feel like a scolded pup.
“Why are you not picking up your phone, Taehyung?” Ji-yeon asked, voice tight with annoyance.
Taehyung’s brows furrowed. He spun in his chair and started rummaging through the messy piles on his desk. “You called me?”
“Yes. Multiple times.”
He finally found his phone buried under a stack of documents. The screen lit up — silent mode, 8 missed calls from “Mom ❤️”. Taehyung scrunched his nose and let out a small, guilty breath.
“Mom, it was on silent… I’m sorry,” he said, leaning back in his chair and spinning slowly. “Now tell me, what’s so important that you had to call my manager?”
His mother let out a longer sigh, the kind she always used when trying to stay patient.
“I think you remember… You have to meet Jeon today.”
Taehyung groaned loudly, tilting his head back against the chair until he was staring at the ceiling. The sound echoed in the quiet office. He had genuinely forgotten. Yesterday evening, after the tense dinner, he had stayed up late in his room, laptop glowing in the dark, desperately searching for any scrap of information on the Jeon family and especially Jeon Jungkook. Anything he could use as ammunition to make the alpha reject him on the spot.
But there was nothing.No recent photos. No scandals. No interviews. The Jeons were a fortress.
Even the few old images he found were blurry or from years ago. It was like the man was a ghost wearing a crown of power.
Taehyung had even considered swallowing his pride and asking his mother for a photo… but he couldn’t bring himself to do it.
“I remember, Mom,” he muttered.
“Good,” Ji-yeon continued, her tone shifting to something more satisfied. “Jungkook’s secretary just called me asking for your number. I’ve forwarded it to them so they can contact you directly about the meeting place.”
She paused, then added with a soft, hopeful giggle, “He’s taking the initiative, Bear. That’s a good sign.”
Taehyung clenched his jaw, fighting back the irritation rising in his chest. “Mom, please…”
“Dress properly tonight, okay?” she went on, ignoring his protest. “And baby… don’t be difficult. Just give him a chance.”
Taehyung closed his eyes, jaw tight. The memory of his father’s sandalwood-laced ultimatum still weighed heavily on him.
“Yeah… whatever,” he said quietly.
His mother’s voice softened with affection. “Thank you, baby. This could be really good for you. We only want what’s best.”
Taehyung hummed noncommittally and ended the call with a soft “Bye, Mom” before tossing the phone onto the desk. It landed with a dull thud among the scattered files.
He stared at the papers in front of him, but the words blurred. The new project suddenly felt far less pressing than the thought of sitting across from an unknown alpha tonight.
Taehyung ran a hand through his dark hair and exhaled sharply.
'Just make him hate you,' he reminded himself. 'Act annoying. Be rude if you have to. Make sure Jeon Jungkook walks out of there wanting nothing to do with this marriage.'
Just then, his phone lit up with a new message.
Taehyung picked it up and saw a text from an unknown number. The message was painfully formal:
Unknown Number:~
Good afternoon, Mr. Kim. This is Jeon Jungkook’s secretary. Mr. Jeon has arranged for you to meet. Please find the location and map attached. We look forward to your arrival at 5:00 PM sharp.
A map link followed.
Taehyung stared at the message for a long moment before scoffing under his breath.
This was new. For the first time, an alpha was making him come instead of the other way around. The sheer audacity made his omega instincts bristle.
~~~~~
5:15 PM
The black luxury car slowed to a stop. Taehyung’s driver cleared his throat softly.
“We’ve arrived, sir.”
Taehyung looked up from his phone, rolled down the tinted window, and frowned. This was nothing like he had expected. Instead of a luxurious lounge or upscale restaurant, he was staring at an old, rundown building in a shady part of the city. Dim streetlights flickered weakly, and the air smelled of damp concrete and distant rain.
“Are you sure this is the correct location?” he asked, voice laced with disbelief.
“Yes, sir,” the driver confirmed with a nod.
Taehyung frowned deeper, slid his sunglasses down his nose, and stared at the weathered building. With a reluctant sigh, he stepped out of the car. As he approached the entrance, a tall man in a crisp black suit stepped forward and bowed respectfully.
“Mr. Kim Taehyung,” the man said politely. “I’m Park Jumin, Mr. Jeon’s personal secretary. It’s nice to meet you. I’ll lead the way.”
Taehyung offered a wary, tight-lipped smile and followed him inside. The moment the heavy door closed behind them, he scrunched his nose. The strong smell of sweat, leather, and adrenaline hit him hard. He had never been to a place like this — especially not for what was supposed to be a marriage meeting. It felt like a bad joke.
As they walked further in, Taehyung’s eyes widened slightly. A large boxing ring dominated the center of the warehouse-like space, surrounded by a loud, rowdy crowd of men cheering like hungry hyenas. The atmosphere was thick with testosterone and raw energy.
They stopped outside a closed door near the back.
“Please wait here, sir. I’ll inform Mr. Jeon of your arrival,” Jumin said before disappearing inside.
Taehyung’s frown deepened. Irritation bloomed hot in his chest. The audacity of this alpha — dragging him to this place and then making him wait outside. He was two seconds away from turning around and telling his parents exactly what kind of shit Jeon Jungkook had pulled.
Just as he was about to leave, the door opened again.
“You may go in, sir.”
Taehyung internally fought with himself for a moment, then let out a heavy sigh and stepped inside.
~~~~~
“Jungkook, you are making an omega come there?” Namjoon’s voice cut through the phone speaker sharply, clearly disapproving.
Jungkook sat on the wooden bench, elbows resting on his knees, still catching his breath. His black tank clung to his sweaty, muscular frame, and his dark hair was damp, falling slightly over sharp, intense eyes. The small room smelled strongly of leather gloves, menthol, and his potent alpha scent — deep pinewood.
He sighed, casually wrapping the tape around his knuckles.
“What do you expect me to do, hyung? The match is scheduled for the same evening as the meeting my father arranged,” Jungkook replied calmly, voice low and unbothered.
Namjoon sighed loudly on the other end. “You’re fucking kidding me. I know you’re not interested in getting married, but still… That match is illegal, Jungkook. Inviting your supposed date there is dangerous. What if the omega leaves and tells his parents? If your father finds out—”
“I doubt he’ll even come, hyung,” Jungkook cut in, voice bored. “You know how our circle works. The moment he sees this building, he’ll turn around and leave. No need to worry.”
Namjoon exhaled in frustration. “Kook, you’re being reckless—”
The door opened and Jumin stepped in.
“Mr. Jeon, Mr. Kim Taehyung has arrived.”
Jungkook’s eyebrows lifted slightly in genuine surprise. He hadn’t expected the omega to actually show up.
“I’ll call you later, hyung.”He quickly ended the call with Namjoon.
Jungkook tossed his phone onto the bench, rolled his shoulders, and stood up, his powerful frame casting a long shadow in the dimly lit room.
~5:20 PM~
The heavy door clicked shut behind Taehyung with a dull thud, sealing the noisy chaos of the warehouse outside. The private room was dimly lit, the air thick with the scent of sweat, leather, and a powerful alpha pheromone that hit him like a wall — deep pinewood mixed with smoke and raw adrenaline.
Taehyung’s eyes slowly scanned the room before landing on the man standing in the center.
Jeon Jungkook.
He was wearing simple black shorts and a fitted black tank that clung to his sweaty, well-defined muscles. His right arm was covered in intricate tattoos that snaked all the way up to his chest, disappearing beneath the fabric. A silver piercing glinted on his lower lip, and his jawline looked sharp enough to cut glass. In the low, golden lighting, Jungkook looked dangerously hot — like a predator who had just stepped out of the cage.
Taehyung gulped.
This was the ghost he had spent hours searching for online. No clear photos, no personal details. And now the man was standing right in front of him, looking like this.
Jungkook gave a polite but clearly fake smile and extended his right hand.
“Jeon Jungkook,” he said, voice low and smooth. “Sorry for making you come all the way here.”
Taehyung stared at the offered hand for a second before shaking it. Jungkook’s grip was firm and warm.
“Kim Taehyung,” he replied. He opened his mouth to say something — anything — to end this ridiculous marriage talk, but a knock on the door interrupted him.
“Sir, they’re waiting for you,” Jumin’s voice came from behind the closed door.
Jungkook glanced at the clock on the wall and shouted back, “I’ll be there in five!”
His gaze returned to Taehyung, sharp and direct.
“I’ll tell you this straight,” Jungkook said without wasting any time. “Reject me, Taehyung-ssi. Cancel this marriage.”
Taehyung’s mouth fell open in disbelief. “What?”
Jungkook nodded. “Alpha rejecting an omega doesn’t look good. It’ll damage your reputation. So reject me. I’m ready to take all the blame.”
Taehyung stared at him, unsure whether to feel relieved or furious. The fact that Jungkook was also uninterested in this marriage was great news… but he couldn’t reject the alpha. His father’s threat still echoed in his head — 'all wealth to charity'.
He shook his head firmly.
“I can’t. I don’t care what others think, Mr. Jeon. You do the rejecting.”
Jungkook frowned. “I can’t do that either. Once an omega faces rejection from an alpha, it damages their image. I won’t put you through that.” He paused, then added, “I’ll find another way. Anyway, nice to meet you.”
“Once again, sorry for dragging you here. My schedule was packed. My team will escort you out safely. Goodbye.”
Jungkook moved past him toward the door.
The casual dismissal lit a fire in Taehyung’s chest. The sheer audacity — this alpha acting like he was the center of the universe. Taehyung refused to leave empty-handed.
Just as Jungkook reached for the door, Taehyung spoke, his voice dripping with disbelief and disgust.
“You run illegal boxing?”
Jungkook paused. He turned around slowly, a smirk tugging at his pierced lip.
“I don’t run it,” he said, amusement clear in his tone. “I participate. And I win.”
Taehyung scoffed, rolling his eyes. “Overconfidence.”
Jungkook’s eyes narrowed, clearly challenged. He took a step closer.
“Self-belief,” he corrected. “I win. I always win. This is my 18th match, and I’m going to win tonight.”
Taehyung felt irritation flare at the alpha’s unshakable confidence. “You are so full of yourself, Mr. Jeon.”
Jungkook let out a low chuckle and stepped even closer, towering over him.
“Be my guest today then.”
Taehyung shook his head. “I don’t have time for this.”
Jungkook nodded, then reached over to the bench and picked up a brand-new black mask. He held it out to Taehyung.
“If you’re coming… wear this.”
Taehyung took the mask, fingers brushing against Jungkook’s.
What the hell am I even doing? he thought, staring at the mask. This arrogant bastard just invited me to watch him fight in some shady underground ring like it’s a casual date.
Jungkook’s expression suddenly softened into a boyish, genuine smile — the first real one he’d shown. It was charming, almost mischievous, and it made Taehyung’s stomach flip unexpectedly. His omega instincts reacted to the alpha’s potent scent and that smile, sending a warm shiver down his spine.
Taehyung quickly shoved the feeling away.
No. Absolutely not. This changes nothing. This is the perfect chance to show my parents how reckless and unsuitable he is.
“I’ll save the first row for you,” Jungkook said with that lingering boyish grin before walking out.
~~~~~
Jungkook’s team escorted Taehyung to the best seat in the front row. He now wore the black mask, surrounded by several of Jungkook’s security personnel. The atmosphere was electric and overwhelming — loud roars, thick smoke, the metallic scent of blood and sweat, and the heavy pulse of excitement in the air.
Taehyung felt increasingly anxious as he scanned the crowd. High-profile faces mixed with rough-looking spectators. Even a few omegas were present. This place was dangerous. He stood up, ready to leave, when the crowd suddenly erupted in a deafening roar.
Jungkook entered the ring.
Upper body completely bare, sweat already glistening on his sculpted torso, highlighting every line of muscle and the intricate tattoos covering his right arm and chest. His demeanor had completely shifted. His face was hard, eyes dark and focused like an unleashed beast. The playful alpha from the private room was gone.
Taehyung sat back down without realizing it.
The opponent was a massive alpha, heavily built and clearly a professional boxer. Taehyung scoffed under his breath.
'He’s so overconfident… He really thinks he can beat someone who looks like that?'
The bell rang.
~Round 1~
The bigger alpha charged forward immediately, throwing a heavy punch that connected hard with Jungkook’s stomach. The sound of impact echoed. Taehyung winced sharply, letting out a small, involuntary whine as he clutched the edge of his seat, almost feeling the blow himself.
But Jungkook barely flinched.
He absorbed the hit, then exploded into motion. He dodged the next powerful swing with razor-sharp precision, slipping under the arm and countering with a vicious uppercut that snapped the opponent’s head back. The crowd roared.
From there, Jungkook took control. He moved like liquid lightning — light on his feet, constantly circling, feinting left then striking right. Sharp jabs kept the bigger man off balance, followed by heavy hooks that landed with brutal accuracy. His footwork was flawless, never wasting a single movement.
Taehyung watched, completely transfixed. Every punch Jungkook threw carried controlled power. The way he read his opponent’s movements was almost scary.
~Round 2~
The massive alpha tried to corner Jungkook, throwing wild, powerful swings. One grazed Jungkook’s jaw, but Jungkook used the momentum against him — ducking low and delivering a devastating body shot combination that made the bigger man grunt in pain and stagger backward.
Taehyung’s heart was racing. His hands were clenched so tightly his knuckles had turned white.
~Round 3~
It ended faster than expected.
Jungkook feinted once more, then unleashed a perfect three-punch combo — jab, cross, hook. The final hook connected cleanly with his opponent’s chin. The big alpha dropped to the mat like a sack of bricks.
The referee rushed in.
One… Two… Three…
The match was over in just nine minutes.
The referee raised Jungkook’s hand high in victory. The entire warehouse exploded in cheers.
Taehyung sat in stunned silence. It had looked almost effortless. Jungkook’s skill, speed, and ring intelligence were undeniably top-tier. For a split second, Taehyung even felt impressed — almost proud.
Until Jungkook turned toward his section.
A mischievous smirk curled on his lips. He looked straight at Taehyung through the roaring crowd and winked. Then, with bold, playful arrogance, he blew a kiss directly toward him.
The entire arena turned to stare at Taehyung’s seat.
Taehyung’s face burned with embarrassment beneath the mask. The sudden wave of attention made his stomach drop.
He shot up from his seat immediately.
“That cocky bastard…” he muttered furiously, pushing his way out through the crowd. “So fucking full of himself.”