Chapter 33 - One Closes Another Opens 1

Minwoo jogs around here for the second round today, hoping to see Wonho again outside the library. Although that is the only place they can be together without his friends, they cannot actually have a real conversation so there is not really any progress in their 'relationship'.

But thanks to a certain young alpha, he knows that Wonho frequently hangs out around the park with his friends, be it for work-out sessions or even for other stuffs. Unfortunately, the timing depends on their mood and he cannot really depend on Chansol to update him every time, knowing fully well it will be asking too much.

Also, given that the group does not hang out every single day, he will only stumble upon the man if he is lucky enough.

And today, he is.

The man is even alone, which is extremely rare. In fact, this is the first time he ever seen Wonho alone outside the library. 'Wonho!'

'Hey, Minwoo! What's up?' Minwoo's heart drops as hears another familiar voice. Turning around, he waves towards the pack's main alpha who is coming back from wherever he was. The older alpha sits down at the table where Wonho is laying with his eyes closed, and invites Minwoo over. Sighing almost inaudibly, Minwoo complies. He can never say no to Sangcheol, afraid that angering him may cause him Wonho. Pack rule and stuff.

In fact, he cannot act freely around all of Wonho's friends. Unfortunately for him, they are always there with Wonho, be it around him, or further, but with the male still in their field of view. Of course, if they let him have a private conversation with the man, he wouldn't have mind this much but they will never actually leave Wonho alone with him for too long. Every single time, when the conversation is getting good, one of them will join in and the dynamic will change.

Mengyao though, he doesn't mind as the guy can probably sense his interest and will tease them if he tries to play around but Junjie and Sangcheol are completely different stories.

Junjie will try to snatch Wonho away and silently threatens him with his sharp gaze whenever Wonho is distracted enough to notice while the main alpha is just, always making him nervous. By just being there, Minwoo will constantly be on guard and works extra hard so that his cover as a beta won't be blown. He will also try not to be as obvious in his pursuit because again, pack rule and stuff.

The alpha, unlike Junjie, is more interested in conversing with him instead of letting him talk to the other, adding to his anxiety.

Finally, there is Chansol. Although he is confident the man will not try to do anything to jeopardize his efforts, he is also too unstable and distractive for Minwoo to trust not telling anyone about their little 'pact'. To him, Chansol is the most dangerous one.

'What's wrong with him?' Minwoo asks as he takes a seat beside the older alpha. He is referring to Wonho's pale complex, more than normal, and his frowning face. He looks really sick.

'His tummy's been bothering him.' Sangcheol replies casually, offering him a drink he probably bought for the sleeping man.

'Is he okay?' Minwoo is getting concerned. A mere stomachache would not cause anybody to look like this. This is something else. Also, why is he outside instead of resting in his room??

'Probably just gastric. He had it frequently during his first year from stress.'

Minwoo frowns deeper. Having gastritis and still walking around? And what the hell is Sangcheol doing just letting him sleep here? Can he scold the man right now?? 'Is he stressed now?'

'Maybe. A lot've been happening…' Minwoo notices the other's sad stare, wondering why. Chansol didn't say anything about Wonho being sick, but he can never fully trust the younger alpha to update him on Wonho's latest situation. On the other hand, he did notice the same sad expression the Chansol bore when he first started talking about Wonho, as if something bad happened. Come to think of it, even the two Chinese have the same look whenever they see Wonho sleeping calmly, though both of them are quick to change them.

'Did he go to the doctor?'

'Yahh. You're acting like his mom.' Sangcheol taps him and laughs a bit, eating his snacks and slurping his drink. Irking Minwoo. 'He's old enough to make that decision. We did ask him to go.'

'Well, did he?' Minwoo almost raised his voice but remembers not to be rude. 

'He did. Calm down. You medic students.' Sangcheol chuckles again and changes his seating position to face the other. 'By the way, how's Taeyang doing? You meet him lately?'

'He's busy with clinical rotations…' Minwoo answers casually, now wanting to get away. Wonho is sleeping and he can never have any special time with him anyway whenever Sangcheol is present. Not to mention, he is really mad at the older due to his ignorance on keeping Wonho healthy. Minwoo just wants to go back to his room and do something else to clear his mind. But who is he kidding? Nobody escapes Sangcheol. Except for Jeongmin.

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Wonho eyes Jinyoung who keeps avoiding his gaze since he got here at the café. He can sense the tensed atmosphere. After a few days of silence, they are finally sitting down to talk about something, and Wonho places his bet on the other's strange behaviour since his heat.

'I can't do this.' Wonho looks up at the now dark blue-haired omega who is playing with the hem of his shirt, seemingly nervous. He knows this was coming, he expected it to come sooner, but it is still shocking to hear it being spoken out loud. And though he is prepared for it, he can still feel a pang in his heart, telling him that a chapter in his life is finally over.

Wonho gives him a smile, a forced one as he is in fact, truly saddened by it. He really like Jinyoung, but he knows that they are in a complicated relationship to begin with. And on top of that, the man has to deal with his disorders. It is too much. He realizes that.

'You don't have anything to say?' jinyoung laughs, clearly trying to hold on his tears. It shocks Wonho who is not expecting that question. Of course he has nothing to say, he didn't expect a break-up when he came here. He needs time to think. 'That's right… it's my choice. You won't try to tell me otherwise…' He continues, his voice soft, trying to cover his loneliness.

'I've been seeing someone else. An alpha. Since the very beginning.'

'You've been…' Wonho swallows. He knows something was wrong with them, but he never expected this. Being cheated on? 'Cheating?'

'I guess you can call that cheating. I mean, let's be honest. We are not really dating. You refused to help me when I needed you the most… he was there to take your place. And you never really want to be involved in what I do, afraid to leave your mark in my decision-making. You don't want to talk about our relationship. You kept on leaving me hanging. You cut contacts for half a year. Were we really dating, Wonho?'

Wonho gazes at the table, trying to process what had been thrown at him. That is true, with the intention of respecting Jinyoung's privacy, he failed to notice the man's necessity as an omega. He made decisions for them both, thinking he was doing the omega a favour, regardless of what the other wanted. Thinking he knew omegas better based on his observations and experience, he never asked, nor take the time to understand the omega's biological needs.

And that alpha did. That alpha filled the void left by him, taking care of his lover physically and emotionally.

Wonho can only blame himself for this situation. This time, it is not his present to be blamed.

'I know you're having a rough time right now. But I can't keep this up anymore. I can't lie to you. I tried to hold on to you, but I can't be with an omega. I wanted to but I just… can't. I'm sorry.'

'Jinyoung-ah… I'm sorry.'

'Let's not meet again. At least, for a while. I still like you as a friend. We are always… just friends.'

'It's impossible to fix right?' He tries, but he knows deep down, he doesn't want it to be fixed. He, too, wants this to be over. Truth be told, he is not prepared to have a forbidden relationship either, but he was afraid to say no, afraid to lose his precious 'friend'.

Jinyoung nods and stands up, ready to leave before turning back at him. 'Not all alphas are like your attackers. I hope you realize that.'

Wonho looks away, not wanting to accept that last piece of advice. All alphas are bastards who only want to fuck omegas. Nobody cares whether he didn't want it. They only care about what satisfy themselves.