Chapter 77 - Showdown 4

Minwoo sits on one of the benches in front of the architectural department's building, hiding his scent like he always does. He has no idea if he will be able to meet Wonho since he doesn't know the other's new schedule. But he is determined, nonetheless.

Playing with his phone, Minwoo refreshes his twitter account before detecting his target coming out of the building; finally, after a few weeks of trying. Chansol is with him but Minwoo knows the other will leave him eventually since their dormitories are on the opposite sides. And just his luck, he doesn't even have to wait long for the alpha to leave his omega alone. Chansol seems to be rushing somewhere, leaving Wonho who has a silly smile on his face.

Shit that smile is cute.

This is the first time he met Wonho after the break. He is still as handsome as he remembered.

Frowning and shaking his head to free himself from the spell, Minwoo prepares himself for another confrontation. Somehow, he already knows what will play out - Wonho tries to avoid him and runs away, he chases Wonho and holds him in place, Wonho ignores him, he gets angry, Wonho either speaks or escapes. At least, that happened once or twice before, so he wouldn't be surprised if it happens again.

Looking around once in a while to ensure the gang is nowhere near, trailing Wonho silently until they are somewhere he can corner the man. He is sure people thinks he is a stalker. He is acting creepy, he realizes that. But desperate times calls for desperate measures. And he is desperate.

Getting close enough for a whiff, Minwoo stopped his steps.

Something is wrong. Wonho doesn't have any scents on him.

Unless he can hide them like Minwoo, which is impossible for an omega, his sweet Jasmine should be filling the alpha's head already. Along with it, Minwoo would have been able to confirm whether Junjie's claim about him being mated is true without going through all this trouble. He would be able to detect Wonho's mate and kill the damn alpha for claiming someone who is supposed to be his.

Damn he is getting all worked up again. All these accusations thrown against him is really stressing him up. Especially because they are claiming him of violating Wonho, a year ago, when he only met the man for the first time on orientation night.

That, he is sure.

Because he was attracted to Wonho the moment he laid his eyes on him, so he would probably remember if he met the omega a few months prior. People just don't change their taste quickly like that. Unless Wonho was an ugly duckling the year before, he is pretty confident about his memory.

'Wonho! Let's talk.' Minwoo finally calls out once they reach the park with only a few people. This is as private as he can get. He notices the wince but instead of stopping, Wonho speeds up, just as he expected. What he didn't expect though, is Wonho starting to run, and that he is so fast Minwoo almost lost him.

'Seo Wonho! Stop right there!' The omega stops as instructed, surprising Minwoo who thought he would have to dash full speed. However, the former doesn't even turn around nor move his head from looking at the ground. Grabbing the chance, the alpha closes their distance and stops in front of the stunned male who still refuses to look up.

He wants to ask a lot of questions but first things first, 'Yah. What happened? Did you tell your friends I raped you?' Yeah, he just asked the man straight to the point because he is pissed and if he drags his time here, Wonho will escape.

Bowing a little to intimidate the shorter male, searching for his line of sight, Minwoo snaps his fingers to get his attention. 'Yah, look at me. Hey.'

He is acting like a thug, he realized that but he is already one in their minds so who cares. 'Do you see these? You best friend went all crazy and punched me because you told them I raped you. You don't think you owe me an apology? An explanation maybe? This is not a simple slap. What next? The alpha's gonna kill me?'

'Yah. I'm talking to you.' Minwoo grabs Wonho's hand but the man pulls it away immediately, pulling it close to his chest, his whole body shaking in fear. And jasmine…

Minwoo frowns. Wonho's hands are in tight fists, his knuckles white, just like his lips…

Shit.

'Wonho, hey… sorry. I wasn't gonna hurt you… I just wanna know what's going on.' Minwoo brings his hand up to caress Wonho's fringe, wet from his cold sweat. The latter doesn't move away but he is vibrating violently, it makes the alpha feel really guilty. He forgot about what happened to the man. Maybe he was too aggressive just now and unintentionally triggered Wonho's trauma.

'Are you okay? Junjie said-' Minwoo gulps. He knows this is not the time, but this is the only chance.

'He said someone force-marked…' Wonho whimpers at the word, backing away slowly as his whole body shrunk. Minwoo curses himself, he forgot it was supposed to happen last year. That is obviously what caused Wonho's trauma in the first place.

Seriously. What is he doing right now? Wonho is scared, and he doesn't want to make it worse, but he wants answers and cannot stop himself from asking all these questions. He doesn't even know what he wants to do right now.

'Ryuu-hyung asked me… Someone I know?' He throws another one anyway, preparing himself for a complete breakdown or the man running away but none of that happens. Instead, Wonho just glares coldly at him, his mouth curves sarcastically. That is when he notices the fact that he can smell the omega right now…

Only him.

Perplexed, Minwoo walks closer, hoping to take in as much scent as he can. Wonho's strong scent might cover his mate's, if that is even possible. If what they claimed about him is even true. He doesn't smell any alpha right now! Is all this a prank or something? Because this is just taking it too far.

'Wonho…' He licks his dry lips, suddenly feeling light-headed, 'What are you doing? Why are they- Wonho, tell me what's going on. Just, fucking talk to me okay?' He pleads.

'You, don't sense any alpha on me…. right?' The low bass can finally be heard, the voice as weak as his own, 'You can smell other people's mate, right? Including your own families'?'

Minwoo swallows again, out of words to say. He doesn't want to answer that. This is not happening. Everyone is playing a trick on him to test him. To test his worth. 'I'm bonded with someone. I didn't know who… I do now.'

'Wonho…'

'Don't come near me again.'

This is not happening. He didn't do it. They never- He would never-

Pulling Wonho close and pinning his shoulder on the nearest tree, Minwoo takes deep breaths to calm himself down. 'I never bit you. I wanted to but I never did it. You know that right? I even bought you the protector!'

'Stop your bullshit, bastard!!' Wonho shoves him away and Minwoo just, freezes. 'Just disappear.'

'Wonho I didn't-!'

'KIM MINWOO!' The noble feels himself pulled forcefully, sending him hitting another bark. With his eyebrows furrowed, Minwoo looks up to the newcomer, still trying hard to calm himself. It is Sangcheol, behind him, his mate holding onto Wonho who still keeps his eyes locked on him. The alpha is pissed but Minwoo is just… tired. 'He did anything to you?'

'He is just leaving.'

The oldest of the four pulls the weakened alpha up, bringing them eye-to-eye, 'I'm not playing around when I told you to stay away.'

Minwoo only stares at him, not finding the will in him to fight anymore. Pushing the hands away from his collar, he walks away, leaving the trio.

He didn't do it. He would never do it. He is not that kind of person.

….but he didn't sense another alpha's presence with Wonho.

He didn't do it.