C H A P T E R 1

The Society

It was the smell that began to drive Taehyung slightly mad. Not the loud sound of cackle, wail, and yell that resonated around the house. Not the cracking bones of his on his stiff shoulders and legs. Not the dry throat because of him overusing it. No, he still had more patience than what most people would expect him to have. He had been running through the house he was working as a caregiver just to make the kids have a few bites of their lunch they did not like. Seriously, these kids never knew how to be grateful because if Taehyung were them, he would probably eat three bowls of that complete package of expensive food the family could earn as daily meals. Ignoring his empty stomach and exhaustion, Taehyung succeeded on catching up to the twins and fed each one of them a bite whilst being glared at.

See? It wasn't something Taehyung couldn't handle. But it was still hard to ignore the overpowering smell of alpha that lingered on his surroundings. The smell had a tint of distaste and disgust, it made Taehyung wanted to cower a bit. The reason why the smell was apparent was clear.

It seemed like the father of the kids Taehyung took care of was home. He was one of those alphas that despised omegas like Taehyung. That alpha was the only hindrance that put him off of this work. On the contrary, his wife was a caring kind beta that employ Taehyung out of her kindness. Taehyung was honestly confused on how that woman could end up with her husband, because if it was not because of that alpha, Taehyung would've got more money from those hours of labour working with satanic children of the alpha.

Today was one of the examples. Usually, the beta mom would give Taehyung tips when he received his payment at the end of his shift. A stinking glare and a scoff were what he got along his pay when he bid his farewells to the family. He shrugged off and left the house.

Honestly Taehyung couldn't be more careless about this, not because he was heartless, but because it was already a daily occurrence for him. It hurt to be hated by someone you didn't know, but he was used to it. There were just too many alphas that were too conceited and stupid to be reasonable in this world.

It actually sucked to be living in the society where the concept of superiority could be achieved solely by one's secondary genders. Unfortunately, Omegas were put as the inferior ones because of their physical strength and instinct. Taehyung never once accepted the fact though, as he believed that strength actually came from many forms including minds and emotions. It wasn't like alphas didn't get those ruts that totally erased their human morals and tuned in their animal instincts. It wasn't like all alphas were smart. It wasn't like all alphas were hard-willed. he just didn't understand.

Lucky for Taehyung, the pitter-patter of raindrops had lightened up his mood all the way to his second work place. It was in the middle of autumn, adding the coldness to Taehyung's soft hands which were already numb from the cold. He balled his fists and put them inside his bright red worn out coat, a gift from his mom that he received on his ninth birthday and it had been six years since then.

Immediately, Taehyung found his way in front of a small, cosy flower shop with walls made of wood, creating a comfortable atmosphere around the small shop. 'Singularity' was a moderately sized shop located in the heart of Seoul city, that housed a huge variety of beautiful plants and flowers, enamouring anyone who entered the mini exotic forest. High wooden racks containing many kinds flowers stood beautifully in front of it. A small ding of bells was heard as Taehyung step inside, full excitement pumping through his lithe body, and enthusiastically yelled out, "Good afternoon!"

the bad mood and heavy feelings he felt then just dissipated as soon as he smelled the enticing scent of different flowers, this was the reason why Taehyung felt the best working inside this small shop.

Park Jihoon, a younger beta, waved his hand happily towards Taehyung's way. He was the son of the owner and it was not often that they both are paired together to work. Jihoon was such a sweet boy that really trusted and admired Taehyung, making the omega deemed him as his brother from another mother.

Taehyung soon put on his yellow sunflower apron and approached Jihoon who stood on the counter. There was no customer in sight, so Taehyung used the chance to talk off the younger's ears about his day while the beta did the same to him.

After a while, a young timid alpha boy entered the shop, asking for flower, clearly showing off the sign that he was about to confess to someone. Taehyung smiled excitedly, suggesting a bouquet of pink chrysanthemum which the alpha nodded happily as the answer.

Taehyung had loved plants from a very young age; he grew up on his grandparent's farm, picking strawberries, plucking apples from trees ten times the size of his small body, and picking up wild flowers from the meadow to his beloved mother and grandmother. He only moved to Seoul at the beginning of elementary school, when his father landed a job in the busy city. Even then, his love for flowers did not die, instead it only prospered. It was fortunate to land a job here in Singularity. The raw passion and devotion he displayed towards his job paved a path and gave his mind an idea of what it was that he wanted to do once he grew up, his plans and goals cleared out significantly and became more concrete; he wanted to learn everything about flowers and plants, and share with others the joy he felt through the many stunning flora.

Although the reality was still far away from his dream, it was enough for now, that he knew he could brighten his clients and customers' days with the flower bouquets he made. Life was pretty decent for him, except sometimes when he felt very low and depressed because of the pressure caused by his status and financial instability, or when his whole world seemed to spiral out of his hands; he still could make it until now. it was all okay. call him cliché or something but Taehyung would never be one to give up because he believed: the harder he worked, the sooner the happiness he strived for both him and his mother would come.

---

It was around nine in the evening when Taehyung had finally done his shift and stepped his foot inside his humble abode, where his beta mother must have already been waiting for him on their small living room to eat late dinner together. Taehyung smiled just thinking how he missed his dear mother also wondering about what kind of leftover food his mother brought from her work this time. After calling out his presence and putting his shoes on the small, rusty, old racks just next to the door, a calming voice of taehyung's mother was heard from the living room to answer him and usher him to get there fast.

She sounded giddy, Taehyung happily thought, eager to greet his mother and tell her all about his days. Too much for his excitement and expectation, what he found as soon as he lightly jogged to the living room was not only his mother, but also a stranger hot on toe.

Taehyung could only stare, confounded, bowing his head as greeting which the stranger man copied politely. An alpha, coming from the strong smell, stature, and his self-carriage. Sensing Taehyung's questioning stare, Taehyung's mother told them all to sit themselves on the table.

"Taehyung-ah, I'm sorry that this is quite sudden," Taehyung's mother began. "You must be tired from work and still I pushed this meeting to happen now, but I was just so excited, for this had been what I've been waiting to happen since for ever.

"Taehyung-ah, meet Park Myunghwan, " the woman gave a loving smile to the man that sat next to her which smiled back as lovingly, much to Taehyung's shock. "He is the one that hold my heart in their hand for a while. We care for each other incredibly much." The man--Park Myunghwan as said--held taehyung's mother's hand softly, encouraging her as she talked about their blooming relationship.

It would be lying if Taehyung said he was not shocked to the core, he had never even imagined his mother to have a significant one when all she did daily was work, work, and work. Taehyung had also been focused to work so they both could finally have their own decent home with comfortable lifestyle; that was what happiness meant to Taehyung all this time, and to bring this blatant show of affections and love so real brought fondness to Taehyung's heart and tears to his eyes. If this was the happiness his mother wanted to achieve too, then what could Taehyung do except support her wholeheartedly? He was just shocked that it had come too sudden without he could prepare anything.

"It's pleasure to finally meet you, Taehyung-ah," Myunghwan said, smiling handsomely, offering a warm hand which Taehyung accepted in a friendly handshake. "Your mother had told me lots 'bout you, young man. Never had she lost any chances not to show how perfect and good of a son you are. I can see now how you both resemble each other now." From the corner of his eyes, Taehyung could see how hard his mother tried to contain her tears and happiness. Guess, help came when least expected.

"Pleasure to meet you, too, Myunghwan-ssi," Taehyung gave a shy smile. "I hope I didn't disappoint because Mom just really likes to brag off," he said humbly, giving a boxy grin.

"Oh, there was no way, my son," the man chuckled heartily, seemingly already smitten with the little family.

Soon the three fell into comfortable conversation to know each other better whilst enjoying their late dinner which was unusually much more luxurious than Taehyung used to have every day. When time passed, they all finally were sated, hunger satisfied, heart contented, and mind happy as the man finally bid his goodbye, not forgetting to give a fleeting kiss that sweep off Taehyung's mother's feet.

---

"Hmm, so, almost in his fifties, alpha, two alpha kids, a government official... what's more to tell, Mother?" Taehyung teased her mother relentlessly as they comfortably laid down on their shared bedroom because their flat only had one.

The woman giggled, "He is a kind gentleman, that he is, always giving me coffee and sweets every day, treating me lunch in some bad days, helping me when I need it."

Taehyung sighed happily, "You must really like each other."

"I might like him too much, Taetae, I might perhaps love him," Taehyung's mother said dreamily.

They kept their silence for a while, lost in their mind, thinking about different things but still revolving around the same man. Taehyung mused wistfully, "Are you really sure about this one, Mom? He is an alpha, too."

Taehyung's mother's smile didn't falter, instead she moved so she faced her son completely, hair patting her only son so softly and lovingly that Taehyung almost purred giddily. "Is it bad that I'm jealous of Misun-ssi, our neighbour? She has Youngjin-ssi."

"What?" Taehyung stared at his mother, confused.

"Every night she gets to go home to the person she loves," she said plaintively. "All I want to do is go home to a full, loving, sweet family."

"You do that already, Mom," taehyung said sadly.

"Of course, Taehyung-ah, you are the home that I always go back, too. But would this be a home when there's still no happiness we can get here? I can't provide for the both of us and I can't always lean on you all the time, Taehyungie. You always work so hard just for me, all I want from you is to feel happy and study your likes for your future peacefully," she looked at her son with the most honest expression, exposing all her fears plainly. "This opportunity, when there's this gentleman lending his help so selflessly, I can never miss this. If I did that, I would never give what's best for you, Taetae-ah. I think it might kill me.

"I know you so well, son, even when you're always smiling and cheering me, you still need a father figure in your life. Myunghwan is an alpha, but let's hope for the best that there are still many alphas who are just as kind as Myunghwan is. It's time we move from past, my love. It's about mulling over it no more but studying from it.

"And to answer your question: yes, I'm sure of Myunghwan. We've talked about this and we're not at the age about young love anymore. This relationship comes out form great responsibility, essential, and love, I am indeed sure of it."

Taehyung didn't really have any words to say back so he just opted to hug his mother tightly and meaningfully as he sobbed in both sadness and happiness for the both of them. And just for that, they both fell on a deep slumber with no plaguing nightmare picturing of a raging alpha leaving them to the darkness.