Chapter Text
Taehyung was just a regular omega, living quite normal and boring life. He grew up in Daegu, he had an amazing childhood and parents – until one night an unknown pack murdered them. It was only couple of days before Taehyung’s high school graduation and his life shattered completely. He didn’t attend his graduation and instead fled immediately to Seoul. Not only because he was scared for his life, he didn’t know if the pack that killed his parents would come after him but he also wanted a fresh start.
So he moved to Seoul and started working in a café and he’s been working there ever since. He never really had a dream of going to college, not that he’d get there anyway. Not only because of the lack of money but also because only the smartest omegas had the chance to get there. Colleges were for the most part dominated by alphas and betas, who were fierce enough to pursue their dreams. But Taehyung didn’t mind, he actually liked his job. Sure, it wasn’t anything exciting but the salary wasn’t bad and he loved interacting with people so he was great with the customers.
Korean society was heavily influenced by your second gender, depending on if you were alpha, beta or omega. It was getting better nowadays but there were still a lot of things to work on.
The evolution of werewolves was a long process and people weren’t even shifting into animals anymore. There were only couple of things that people today had from their ancestors. One of them was an eye colour, but only when a person was scared, angry, aroused or felt some other strong emotion – alphas had red eyes, betas had blue and omegas amber. Then there were claws and fangs that would grow when it was necessary – usually in time of danger or mating cycles. Then there were also heats and ruts, Taehyung’s least favourite part. Male omegas couldn’t even bare children anymore, last male pregnancy happened like two hundred years ago so the heats were honestly pretty unnecessary when it came to males. Now they were serving only one purpose – successful mating cycles and bonding between an alpha and an omega. Last trait, that didn’t necessarily have to be always true, was physical features. Omegas tended to be smaller and petite and also very pretty, while alphas were usually tall, broad and with stronger features. Betas were always somewhere in the middle. Taehyung often envied betas, he wouldn’t mind being in the middle.
But he was an omega. He wasn’t short but he was smaller than most alphas. He was slim but also had curves that were catching alphas’ attention. And he was handsome, he wasn’t vain but he knew that he was very handsome, even for an omega. He was twenty one now and in his prime which was making his life harder in many ways. He was unmated and there were a lot of alphas that were coming after him, often just because of his scent.
Taehyung entered the small familiar café and went right to the back and smiled when he saw the familiar mop of pink hair.
“Hey, hyung,” Taehyung greeted warmly and smiled widely when Seokjin turned around and gave him that bright smile.
“Taehyungie! My knight in shining armour, you’re finally here so that means my shift is over,” the older sighed dramatically.
“What happened, hyung?” Taehyung looked at the older with knowing look.
“What? Nothing, everything’s peachy!” Seokjin grinned innocently. Taehyung gave him a look, silently asking to spill it.
“Okay, I had a small argument with a customer,” Seokjin shrugged.
“Hyung, again?” the younger sighed.
“It’s not my fault that some customers are such assholes!” the older spitted: “This annoying beta came in and wanted some sugary-ass caramel moca whatever and when I told her that we don’t have that, she started bitching about how Starbucks does that. So I might have told her that she can go to the fucking Starbucks, buy their slops that haven’t seen coffee from ten miles and shove it up her ass.”
“Hyung!” Taehyung gasped, scandalized.
“What? I am tired of this, Tae, if you wanna something that they have in Starbucks then go to the fucking Starbucks and not a family café that actually sells quality drinks,”
“You can’t just talk like that with the customers. I am surprised that Mrs. Park hasn’t fired you yet, you have at least like one compliant a week,”
“I am not only a barista but also the manager, remember? She’d be lost without me, her little business would go to shit the minute I’d walk out of here,” the pink haired man ruffled his hair nonchalantly and then added: “Anyway, I gotta run, have a date with Joonie. So good luck in here.”
“Have fun and say hi to the hyung for me, okay?” Taehyung gave him a short hug.
“Sure thing,” Seokjin nodded: “See you later, Taehyungie!”
With that, Seokjin left. Taehyung sighed and rolled his eyes fondly. Seokjin could be too much sometimes but Taehyung actually admired him. He was the first person that Taehyung met here in Seoul, in this very café and they quickly became friends. That was three years ago. Ever since they’ve been best friends, Seokjin kinda took him under his wing in a lot of senses and Taehyung was infinitely grateful, he wouldn’t probably last in Seoul for a month without him.
Seokjin was omega as well but he was much fiercer and had bigger mouth. Taehyung’s always looked up to him for his bravery and attitude, he didn’t put up with anyone’s crap, even if it was an alpha or a beta. Taehyung sometimes wished he could be that strong.
Seokjin’s been dating Namjoon for years, they got together even before he met Taehyung and they became official mates a year ago. Taehyung liked Namjoon, he was an alpha, but he was very kind, unlike most of alphas in their society. He never treated him or Seokjin with disrespect and that was definitely nice and something you don’t see every day.
Taehyung put on an apron. He was grateful that in this café, besides the apron, they didn’t have to wear any uniform so he could be in his own, comfy clothes.
It didn’t take long for him to go behind the counter because there was only one other barista and Taehyung didn’t want to make them do everything by themselves.
Another day in his work begun. It was nothing special, really, just people coming, ordering a coffee and sometimes something sweet and then they left again. Most of people were taking to-go but some of them would sit down by the small tables for a while.
Taehyung loved making a small talk with people and people loved talking to him. He had this soothing effect on people, as most of omegas did, and he was sweet and chatty and many customers appreciated that. They had a lot of regulars so it was always nice to see a familiar face.
“You have some plans for tonight after the shift, Jisoo?” Taehyung was chatting with his beta co-worker. She was really nice, he liked her and they often had shifts together. They weren’t super close but they could be considered friends.
It was almost eight p.m. and they didn’t have many customers at this time of the day. There were only couple of people sitting by the tables, usually college students working on papers or being on a date. There was still an hour left till the closing hours but it would be over in no time.
“Nothing much, I am just gonna hang out with friends for a while,” Jisoo smile and gave him the same question.
“I am going home to my boyfriend,” Taehyung gave her a small smile, not talking more about the topic and he was grateful that Jisoo was not asking for more.
Their short chat ended just as quickly as it started because a new customer came in and made his way right to Jisoo. Taehyung busied himself by cleaning a counter so they had less work at the end of the shift.
The door opened and Taehyung felt suddenly like all air was kicked out of his lungs. His knees buckled and he had to brace himself against the counter.
An overwhelmingly strong scent filled the café and Taehyung felt his inner omega curling into himself in fear, ready to submit. But there was also something else in it, almost like an invitation.
Taehyung slowly turned around and nearly stopped breathing for the second time. There was an alpha coming right towards him. It wasn’t an ordinary alpha, Taehyung could immediately tell. Everyone in the café looked restless by his presence. Couple of omegas were squirming, alphas were wary and even betas, who weren’t usually affected that much were uneasy too.
Taehyung shot a desperate look towards Jisoo. She just sent him an apologetic smile because she had her own customer. It was like their agreement, Jisoo or Seokjin were usually serving strong alphas because Taehyung was too week for that and easily affected. Jisoo, as a beta was fine and Seokjin was, well Seokjin.
But now, Taehyung had no choice. He tried to compose himself as much as possible and put on his most charming smile.
“Hello, sir, welcome to Café Napoli, what may I do for you?” Taehyung spoke up in the steadiest voice he could gather. The strong scent of the alpha in front of him was filling his nostrils and he almost felt dizzy. He never felt like that. And the fact that the man in front of him was absolutely breathtaking wasn’t helping at all.
He was obviously couple of years older than Taehyung, his hair was dark brown and parted, showing sharp eyebrows. He looked like he was carved by gods themselves. He was tall, his shoulders were broad, his thighs were thick and even though he was covered by clothes, Taehyung knew that he had to be muscular. His facial features were sharp and even though his eyes were round and lips full, he still looked manly and hot. There was a glint in his eyes that was screaming ‘dangerous’. He was wearing all black – skinny jeans, boots, shirt and leather jacket and he was staring right back at Taehyung with intense eyes.
“I’d have an Americano, please,” the stranger spoke up in a smooth voice and Taehyung nearly whimpered.
“Milk, sugar?” the omega got out. It wasn’t a usual way to ask things but he was glad that he could speak at all at the moment.
“No, nothing,” the alpha said.
Taehyung nodded and turned around to busy himself with the coffee machine. He breathed out and in deeply which was a bad idea because the scent attacked his senses once again. He could feel the alpha’s gaze on his back and even though part of him was absolutely terrified, another part of him was enjoying the attention. The fact that this handsome, strong alpha was looking at him was making him smug.
“Will that be everything, sir?” Taehyung asked quietly when he turned back around with the coffee.
“Yes, thank you…” the alpha looked at him with slightly hooded eyes. Then his gaze fell on Taehyung’s name tag and he added: “…Taehyung.”
Just hearing his name coming from his lips made Taehyung internally scream. The alpha took out his wallet when Taehyung told him the price and Taehyung couldn’t tear his eyes from the stranger’s hands as he was searching for the cash. His arms and hands looked so strong and they were decorated by prominent veins. Taehyung felt a tiny prick in his stomach that he realized was a hint of arousal. Fuck, that can’t happen. The omega looked at the alpha with wide eyes and took the cash from him.
“Keep the change, darling,” the alpha gave him a loop-sided smile. Taehyung normally hated when alphas called him pet names because it was like a sign of degradation but hearing it coming from this man left Taehyung just gaping.
“T-thanks, we hope you’ll enjoy the coffee and come again,” Taehyung said his usual line.
“I sure will,” the alpha nodded with a small smirk and just like that, he left the café. The atmosphere went back to normal after the mysterious alpha left. Taehyung leaned back against the counter and breathed out. He’s met his fair share of alphas in his life, some of them were very handsome and very strong just from the first sight. But there was something about this man that left Taehyung weak in his knees. Why was he reacting to that alpha like that? Especially since he already had an alpha boyfriend.
*
Seokjin was soundly asleep when he was woken up by a phone call. He groaned and cursed, picking the phone, not looking at ID.
“Kim Namjoon, I swear to god, I told you not to-“he started in stern voice.
“Hyung?”
Seokjin stopped when he heard a tiny voice on the other end of the line. He immediately sat up and lit up the bedside table lamp, hearing Taehyung’s distressed voice.
“Hyung, can you come?” the younger omega sniffled.
“I’m on my way,” Seokjin said curtly, not asking for anything as he already got up and started dressing up. This wasn’t a first phone call he got from Taehyung in the middle of the night.
He drove to Taehyung’s place and soon he was knocking at his door. The omega opened it and went to sit on the sofa without any word, curling in the corner. Seokjin took off his shoes and went right to the kitchen to make them some tea. They’ve been through similar scenario more times than he could count, in all parts of day and night.
“What did he do this time?” Seokjin asked quietly when he put two mugs of steaming tea on the coffee table. Taehyung was still curled up and his eyes were red, telling Seokjin that he was crying just before he came.
“He came an hour ago, he was drunk,” the younger got out quietly.
“What’s new,” Seokjin rolled his eyes in annoyance.
“He…he wanted to have sex but I refused,” Taehyung continued in tiny voice: “I told him that I don’t wanna sleep with him when he’s drunk and he…he got angry and yelled at me that I am good for nothing. That he can’t even fuck me when he wants to.” Taehyung’s bottom lip was trembling as he was speaking.
“Oh, Tae,” Seokjin looked at the younger with pity and moved closer so he could pull the omega into a secure hug: “You know that what he says is not true, right? He’s an asshole, you are not just some cum bag and you did the right thing. If you don’t wanna have sex with him then you are right to refuse him.”
“But now he’s angry,” Taehyung whimpered: “I was so scared for a minute, hyung, I locked myself in the bathroom and didn’t leave until he left the apartment. You know how he gets sometimes…”
“I know, honey,” Seokjin sighed and pressed him even closer. He hated that prick. Jihoon, Taehyung’s older alpha boyfriend. He was the definition of entitled douchebag who thought that everyone sits on their ass just because he was an alpha.
Taehyung got with him almost two years ago. He barely knew anyone in Seoul and a lot of alphas were courting him and Jihoon just charmed him completely. He was so smitten by the alpha that was seven years older. He was so handsome and strong and Taehyung couldn’t believe his luck. First couple of months were amazing but then things changed. He started treating him like trash, he was sometimes even beating him and Taehyung was too weak to fight back. He tried, of course he did, but it was always only worse.
“You have to get away from him, Tae,” Seokjin spoke up after a minute of silence. Seokjin knew very well about Jihoon. He found out by accident months ago when Taehyung came to work with a bruise on his cheek and then he spilled everything.
“I…I can’t just leave him, hyung,” the younger protested.
“I know you are scared but you can’t go on like this,” the older sighed: “That is not how an alpha is supposed to treat you, Tae, believe it or not. An alpha that really loves you would never hurt you,”
“How does Namjoon-hyung treat you?” Taehyung looked up at Seokjin. He’s been always envious of their relationship.
“He’s…he makes me happy, you know? Like, all the time. He’d do everything for me, he takes care of me, he makes me feel special and loved. And that is how it’s supposed to be, Tae,” Seokjin smiled slightly as he was talking about his mate: “Alphas can be assholes, we both know that, but the alpha that really loves you would never do anything that’d hurt you. Alpha that really loves you is always there to take care of you, to protect you and to love you. Believe me, Jihoon doesn’t love you.”
“I…I don’t think I love him anymore, hyung,” Taehyung admitted: “But I can’t just leave him, he wouldn’t let me.”
“I once told you that I can ask Joonie to handle it,” Seokjin looked at him encouragingly. This wasn’t a first time they had this conversation. Namjoon loved Taehyung and he’d do that for him, he’d do that for Seokjin’s best friend in a heartbeat.
“This is my business, hyung, I don’t wanna drag you or Joon-hyung into this,” the younger shook his head resolutely.
“But you will never get rid of him like that. You are stronger than you think you are, Tae, but he is still twenty eight years old alpha that doesn’t hesitate with the violence. I am just worried about you. I could ask Joonie for his pack to take care of it. I don’t like them but…you’d never hear from him ever again, I promise,”
“No, hyung, as I said, this is my business,” Taehyung insisted stubbornly.
“The only way for you to get out of this would be finding yourself an alpha that would really love you and save you from him,” Seokjin sighed. Yes, that was what Taehyung needed and he’s been waiting for that for almost two years. Not that he’d want to just use some alpha to get rid of Jihoon, he really wanted to find someone that he could love and that would love him back. He needed someone strong and fearless. For couple of seconds, his mind involuntarily trailed off to the alpha from the café.