Chapter 151 - Marking Him 1

'Are you free third week next month?' Wonho lifts his head to look at his partner who is now looking at him, somewhat hopeful. Stopping his stir of the soup he is making, the young architect takes out his phone to reconfirm his schedule. Currently, with the exception of his report to his company, he has nothing planned. 'Do you wanna go with me to Busan?'

'Busan?' 

'There's a doctors' conference for three days…' Wonho nods, considering it. They never been somewhere far away from home, just the two of them. It would always be in groups be it with his friends or with Jeongmin and Jinyoung so this is somewhat exciting. 'What… will I do?'

'I have to attend the conference until evening so… I guess, whatever you wanna do?'

'Okay…' So he would be stuck in Busan alone anyway. He likes travelling but he does not like exploring new places by himself. If he is to be stuck in the hotel room the whole day, he would rather stay at home. 'There's dinner party the second day. You can be my plus one. Third day's free and easy. So?'

'You'll be gone the whole day?' The omega asks his partner. He no longer feel the excitement he felt a few minutes ago but feels rather upset since this will be their first time travelling together after their reconciliation five months ago. And yet, he will be left alone in a hotel room.

'Ermm, only the first day.' Minwoo can see the disappointed look on his omega. He feels bad. Wonho doesn't sulk much right now. He used to, a lot back then especially when he is jealous but not any longer. He matured enough to understand the things that used to upset him six years ago. 

'I'll call you in between? Or you can look around the hotel for things we can do together the third day?' He places his chin on his hand, looking at the soup Wonho puts on the dining table along with his bowl of rice. Lifting his eyebrows a few times to convince his lover, Minwoo cheers loudly as his omega finally nods his head.

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Wonho stares at his phone, tapping his fingers on the bed. Minwoo should be back by now. He spent the whole day walking around the hotel trying to find something fun to do but nothing really caught his attention hence the boredom. He watched a few documentaries on animals and is already at his limit. He needed to play.

Rushing to his feet the moment he hears the door unlock, Wonho searches for the plastic bag he put on the bedside table. He takes the black swim trunks and runs into the bathroom to change. 

'Wonie?'

'Let's go swimming!' Wonho grins, throwing another pair to the tired alpha who stares back at him, taken aback. 

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'Yah!' The alpha splashes the water as he swims awkwardly to catch his mischievous lover. This is his first time swimming with the man. Wonho used to hate playing in the water, he hated how the water reveal the shape his body because it made him feel naked and exposed. It was his trauma talking which is why Minwoo is happy to learn that the omega no longer feel that way. Of course, hearing Wonho telling him he feels safe because Minwoo is around made him more than delighted to accompany his omega tonight despite his exhaustion.

'Ahh, Dr. Kim!' Both the couple stare at the two young males who had just entered the pool vicinity. It is already nighttime so they are not expecting any other guests. Bowing to the newcomers as an acknowledgment, Minwoo swims to his omega who is waiting for him at the edge of the pool. 'You know them?'

'Doctors.' He replies, instinctively standing between his omega and the two alphas. He forgot their names already, not that he bothered trying to recall them. The two men, one with thick eyebrows and the other always smiling, are not mated. And they are younger which challenged Minwoo who unconsciously feels the need to protect his omega. Because, despite them being together and knowing Wonho's feeling, they are still not bonded as they have yet to find the right timing to do so. They didn't have sex lately so his scent is not imprinted on Wonho either. 

He can sense the two alphas are interested in his omega, they are looking his way one too many times.

Minwoo feels threatened. 

'Wanna go there?' He points towards another part of the pool, hoping to get his lover away from the alphas' sight. But unfortunately for him, Wonho wants to stay. They are in a mini pool with bubbles coming out from the bottom. The omega likes the massage-like sensation. Not wanting to interrupt his fun time, Minwoo sadly complies, sitting close to send the other two a clear message.

Wonho is his.

What the hell? Both of them decided to join him and Wonho despite his glare. Did they just ignored his warning? And why the hell are they acting all embarrassed while trying to converse with his Won-

Ah… shit. That's right. He didn't sense it as much because they are always together but Wonho's pheromone is appealing enough to gather alphas around him. If not for Minwoo's noble scent, Wonho won't be able to get anywhere without being pestered by interested alphas. And to make thing worse, the omega is getting excited his pheromones becomes stronger than usual. Now, if he can just tell Wonho to control his scent, that would be great. But Minwoo just didn't have the heart to do so, seeing how much his lover is enjoying himself right now. Asking him to stay alert will probably ruin the mood.

Amplifying his own pheromones to cover his omega's and challenge the two alphas at the same time, Minwoo pulls Wonho towards him. Eyebrow guy is really trying, he even moved to sit closer to his lover and, damn it, he is strengthening his own pheromone to get Wonho's attention.

Owh no, you don't. 

Joining the conversation albeit uninvited, Minwoo rests his hand on his omega's shoulder, rubbing his thumb as a display of affection and dominance. Eyebrow guy got the message and stops his advance though he still bare the longing look but Smiley guy… that guy is just rude. Smiley is eyeing Wonho so much Minwoo had to calm himself down so he won't hit the damned alpha.

'Minwoo?' The call of his name breaks his one-sided duel with the oblivious alpha. Minwoo turns to his side to Wonho, looking back at him worriedly. 

…Wonho just hid his scent. 

Minwoo lets a sigh of relief and lowers his own, finally able to breathe. He didn't realize his whole body is tensed. The action left the other two alphas in confusion as they too, broke from their trance, trying to figure out what happened to the delicious scent calling them a few minutes before. 

'Huh?' Minwoo's eyes widens. Wonho's scent suddenly filled the whole area, stronger than before as if he is nearing his heat and the two men react by increasing their own. At loss for words, Minwoo again amplifies his, and this time, he keeps his hand on Wonho while eyeing Eyebrow and Smiley back to back. He can see the desperation in their eyes, wanting a taste but not wanting to start a fight. Obviously because they know who will win – Minwoo of course.

'What the-?' Okay now Wonho's scent is gone again. Was he mistaken? Impossible! Unless…

…Wonho is looking at him with a stupid grin.