Jihan’s POV
“Oh dear, you look lovely. Don’t worry—he’ll like you,” Mihyun said softly, smoothing a crease in my sleeve.
My heart leapt so hard it almost hurt.
He’ll like you.
I nodded, smiling even as my pulse skittered wildly under my skin.
I’d been vibrating since the moment I woke up—excited, terrified, painfully aware of every inch of myself.
I’d changed outfits three times.
Checked my reflection until Yunjoo threatened to confiscate the mirror.
I told myself I was being ridiculous.
But I couldn’t deny it anymore.
I wanted to see him.
When we entered the private room, I spotted Wonbin immediately.
He was already seated, shoulders relaxed, head tilted down toward his phone.
He didn’t look up.
Not even when the door closed.
Not even when Mihyun’s scent filled the room.
The thrill in my chest faltered.
Just a little.
I told myself it was nothing.
He probably hadn’t noticed yet.
Alphas get distracted.
Powerful alphas especially.
I stood straighter anyway, smoothing my palms over my thighs, forcing myself to breathe evenly.
Then seconds passed.
And he still didn’t look up.
My excitement thinned into something sharper.
Something uncertain.
“How rude,” Mihyun teased lightly, her voice sing-song.
“You didn’t even look at us when we came in.”
Wonbin finally spoke, still not lifting his gaze.
“Mom, I smelled you before the door even opened. No need to look.”
The words landed too casually.
Too easily.
My cheeks warmed instantly.
Of course he could smell us.
Of course he’d known I was here.
Which meant… he’d chosen not to look.
The thought made my stomach twist.
I sat down quietly, folding my hands together so he wouldn’t see them shake. New chapters come out on g.com first.
It’s fine, Jihan.
Calm down.
You’re reading too much into it.
Still, my omega hummed restlessly, caught between anticipation and a sting of disappointment.
We ordered food.
Mihyun carried the conversation effortlessly, her laughter filling the room.
I followed her lead, answered politely, nodded when appropriate.
But I was hyperaware of him.
Every time Wonbin shifted in his seat.
Every time his thumb paused on his screen.
Every fleeting glance he threw my way—so brief it almost felt imagined—sent a rush of heat straight through my chest before he looked away again, walls snapping back into place.
He barely spoke.
Didn’t ask me a single question.
Didn’t even pretend to be interested.
And yet… I couldn’t stop watching him.
Couldn’t stop wanting his attention like it was something I was meant to earn.
Why does he make me feel like this?
When the food arrived, I focused on eating, on Mihyun’s voice, on keeping myself together.
But then her phone rang.
“Oh—excuse me,” she said, standing.
“I’ll be right back.”
The door closed behind her.
Silence fell heavy between us.
My heart pounded painfully loud.
I considered standing up.
Leaving.
Pretending I needed the restroom.
Anything to escape the unbearable awareness of him sitting just across from me, close enough to feel but not touch.
Then his phone rang.
“Yeah,” Wonbin said, voice low.
“You can come over. My mom already left.”
The words hit me like a slap.
I froze mid-bite.
The door opened.
The scent reached me first—sweet, sharp, confident.
Another omega.
Beautiful in a way that felt effortless.
He walked in without hesitation, without fear, straight toward Wonbin.
Like he belonged there.
Wonbin barely reacted, just tipped his chin slightly.
“Say hi. That’s Grandmother Kim’s grandson.”
The omega smiled easily, eyes flicking to me.
“Hi. I saw you at the party last week—with Wonbin’s brother. Are you his fiancé?”
The question hollowed me out.
I swallowed hard, forcing my voice to stay steady.
“Nothing’s official yet,” I said carefully.
“Our parents haven’t confirmed anything.”
So no, my heart finished bitterly.
I’m not.
Wonbin finally looked at me then.
Really looked.
His gaze was sharp, unreadable, cutting straight through me.
“Are you done eating?” he asked.
My breath caught.
“Ah—yes.”
“Then let’s go. We have somewhere to be. I’ll pay.”
Something in his tone—so final, so certain—made my heart lurch painfully.
Not we.
Not us.
Just… an order.
“Oh—no,” I rushed, standing too quickly.
“It’s fine. I’m meeting someone too. You can go ahead.”
His brows drew together slightly.
“Didn’t Mom send your bodyguards home?”
“They’ll meet me,” I said, lying too smoothly.
“My friend is nearby.”
I handed my card to the waiter before he could say anything else.
Before I could embarrass myself further by hoping he’d stop me.
When I stepped outside, the air felt too cold.
I barely made it a few steps before my chest started to ache in earnest—sharp, humiliating, unbearable.
My fingers fumbled as I called Chansoo.
“Chansoo-yah,” I cried the moment he answered.
“I’m coming,” he said immediately.
“Don’t move.”
When I saw him, I ran.
He caught me easily, arms wrapping around me like a shield.
I pressed my face into his chest, breathing him in, grounding myself in the familiar safety he offered without question.
As he guided me away, holding me close, I still couldn’t stop thinking about Wonbin.
About the way he barely looked at me.
About the omega who walked in like he belonged.
About the promise that hovered over my life like a sentence.
It hurt.
And worst of all—
I knew I’d still look for him again.