Chapter 330: Late night with you

Seoha’s POV

I can’t believe I get to relive my past without oppression.

We’re in my old neighborhood and his hands are in mine. Taesan’s large body is a protective shield, many people who recognize me as the weak omega are avoiding my gaze, and I feel so powerful.

If I dare point out any of them to Taesan, I’m sure there would be twenty brutal murders tonight, and I don’t want that.

"I used to bring my laundry there when I couldn’t do them in heat" I point to the little building and Taesan doesn’t look impressed.

"You went out when you were in heat?" he asks.

"Yes. Daeshin used to be busy and he used to stay away from me during my heat" I start to explain and Taesan growls.

"But Minjae used to take a break from work just to take care of me. And because his boss had to give two breaks—one for his own heat and the other for mine—he could only spend one full day with me" I say.

"I had to take care of myself. I have to wait till it was late enough to run down the street with my laundry and everything. Daeshin didn’t like when I went into heat..."

"I’ll kill him again. I’ll find his grave, dig him out, and kill him one more time for you" my alpha interrupts me and I laugh softly.

"There’s no point. What if you get sick from doing that? Who’s going to help me with the boys and our princess?" I purr as I press my body into his.

"Fuck. Baby, when we get home, we have to make a calendar to keep track your heats" he says solemnly and I laugh again.

He’s so defensive. I need to get his mind off worrying about me. "Oh! That store" I point at one of my favorite stores.

"You want that?" he asks.

"Yes, they have the best tteokbokki" I say with excitement and he leads me into the store immediately.

"Hello, please take a seat!" the store owner greets and we pick a place to sit.

Taesan looks out of place in this room, but orders for us and I take my time to look around. Everything about this place is still the same. The decorations, the people, and the mix of delicious smell.

"It feels like coming home" I whisper to him and he stares at me with those sharp eyes.

"Should I ask the owner to open a store next to our home for you?" he asks and I shake my head. "No. Don’t do anything like that" I say, blushing at Taesan’s extravagant ways of showing his love.

A server places our meals on the table and I bow my head in gratitude. My smile grows wider at the sight of the meal. I don’t hesitate to take a bite. I shut my eyes to savor the meal and tune out the other people in here.

"Hmm, this is so good" I say while chewing the big bite and Taesan shakes his head slowly. He looks smitten by me and I’m sure it’s not my imagination.

This moment reminds me of the time he bought me food. I remember how I hated him less after the small gesture and I remember the way he sat in front of me to make sure I ate it all.

"You keep staring at me" I say with a hand over my mouth.

"You’re cute" he responds.

"You’re not eating?" I point at his untouched tteokbokki and he shrugs before pushing it to me.

Oh.

I smile with my eyes and finish up my meal. I take his serving and eat it up too. I try my best not to look at Taesan who is watching me with fondness.

"I like when you eat" he says softly and I blush, focusing on the delicious food in my mouth.

I enjoy eating so much. I’m sure he knows I’ve been secretly eating less to lose some weight. Kang Taesan...I don’t deserve you, do I?

When I’m done eating, Taesan pays and we walk out of the store together.

"I feel so full" I say with happiness.

"Do you want anything else?" he asks and I point down the street.

"Let’s just walk, the night air is so cool" I say and he nods in agreement. The alpha looks over his shoulder and a man comes out of the shadow with a simple silver and black cane.

Oh no! I forgot about his leg.

"Taesan...your leg" I gasp, feeling selfish for making him walk around with me since we stepped out of his home. I can’t believe he has been enduring the pain and didn’t say a single word in complaint.

"I’m so sorry, I don’t know how I forgot..." I whine with guilt and he chuckles softly.

"It’s okay. I really want to do this with you, Seoha" he says, taking the cane in one hand and holding my hand in the other.

"We can go home now" I suggest.

"No, let’s go. I like seeing you shine like this" he says and my bottom lip juts out in a small pout. This man...I love how much he loves me.

My omega purrs with love and a young lady stands in front of us with a phone in her hand.

"Excuse me..." she says in a small voice and Taesan switches from his softness to an intimidating look immediately.

"I’m sorry to bother but...you’re Mountain Atelier’s Kang Taesan, right?" the girl asks and I nod when Taesan refuses to speak to her while glaring.

"I’m a huge fan. Can I get a picture, please?" she asks with excitement in her eyes.

"Yes, a picture would be nice" I say with the same level of excitement in my tone as I pull her close to Taesan.

My alpha looks offended with me for the two seconds I’m away from his side. I don’t hide my laughter as I take the girl’s phone and take the photo for her.

The picture is awful. Taesan looks like he’s about to strangle her and she looks blissfully unaware, smiling like she just won a lottery.

"Taesan-ssi, can you please give us a smile?" I tease and Taesan gives a fake business smile.

"This is better" I say, handing the phone to the girl. She views the picture and squeals. "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" she says, bowing a hundred times before running off.

"You still have fans!" I say to Taesan once she’s gone and he gives me a death glare.

"Don’t do that ever again. If anyone wants a picture of Mountain Atelier and you’re not in it, they won’t be getting anything" he says sternly and I hug him.

"But you are Mountain Atelier, not me" I say softly and rest my head on his chest in the middle of the walkway.

"You are mine, I am yours. We are one, Seoha. You are Mountain Atelier too" he says and I smile softly at him.

"Let’s keep walking?" he asks and I steal glances at his leg in worry. "I’ve been getting better, baby. Don’t worry too much about my leg, walking with you is healing" he says and I sigh.

"Okay" I agree reluctantly.

We continue to walk and I continue to tell him random stories of my life in this neighborhood. I show him my favorite places, the places with happy memories, and I tell him every small detail that don’t really matter.

The alpha listens with diligence and it warms my heart.

We get to my mother’s house, the one I was supposed to stay in after I left Daeshin.

"This house..." I trail off as I notice how empty it looks from outside.

"Yes, your mother’s house. We’re tearing it down to build a safe home for the people my grandfather and Shin Yechan traumatized, abused and left homeless" Taesan says and my eyes fill with tears.

Really? This means a lot to me. If I had a safe house after mom died, I wouldn’t have moved in with Daeshin and I wouldn’t have been at my aunt’s family’s mercy.

"I’m happy. I love it" I say to Taesan and he kisses my head.

If we stay here longer, I might start to sob, so I squeeze his hand lightly. And just before we take a step to leave the house, it starts to rain.

The rain grows heavy in minutes and it’s like going right back to the beginning.