Protection

"How was the break?" The guy asked, drawing a chair to sit beside Jimin. Taehyung suddenly rolls his eyes without responding to him. They both ignored the guy.

"Not interested? Hmm, Hi. I'm Kim Seokjin. Call me Jin," He smiled, averting his attention to me, and reached out for a handshake. So he's the one in the second rank? I awkwardly smiled and reached out for his hand.

"Are you hungry?" Taehyung questioned, suddenly interlacing his fingers with mine before Jin touched my hand, so I turned to look at him in shock.

"What are you doing...?" I mouthed him while staring at our hands but Taehyung said nothing and held my hand firmly on the table. What the hell?! Jimin stared at us with his eyes wide open in confusion. Seokjin glanced at Taehyung unsurely and lowered his suspended hand when Taehyung wouldn't let me accept his gesture.

"I'll order something for you to drink," Taehyung turned to smile smugly at Jin, who was glaring at Taehyung. I pulled our hands off the table.

"It's very uncomfortable," I pushed his hand off mine under the table.

"Three caramel macchiato, please. Water for this guy," Taehyung waved at the waiter, then nodded at Seokjin. He was clearly irritated by Taehyung's rude attitude, so he turned to look at me instead and smiled.

"Jang Sora. How's your stay at their place?" Jin asked while smiling at me. Wait. How did he know my name?

"Uh- Uh-"

"How did you know?!" Taehyung snapped, turning to look at Jin in shock. How the hell did he know my name?!

"Dear Taehyung-shi, I am Kim Seokjin. What doesn't a worldwide handsome know?" Jin smirked, leaning against his chair with a prideful look. Worldwide handsome...?

"Guys!!!" Another hyped and tall guy appeared. He dragged a chair from the table next to ours and sat at the end of the table.

"Oh god..." Taehyung groaned and rubbed his forehead in irritation. He seems to hate them. Jimin darted me an apologetic look.

"Oh! New face! Jang Sora? Jin told me about you. I'm Jung Hoseok," The stranger excitedly smiles at me from across the table. What the heck. I feel so insecure. What are these people? Stalkers?

"How did you guys know?" Jimin asked Jin and Hoseok.

"The highest Alpha in the rank knows everything, dear Chim Chim," Jin teased Jimin, whose face turned red at the nickname.

"Don't call me that!" Jimin snapped angrily at Jin.

"It's kinda cute though," I smiled at Jimin reassuringly. The name is cute and it fits his mochi cheeks. Jimin rubbed his face in embarrassment.

"Talking about alphas, what are you Sora? I don't know about your rank," Jin questioned, turning to look at me again.

"I'm no one, just an ordinary person," I shrugged at him. Seokjin pursed his lips and glanced at Taehyung suspiciously. Taehyung remained quiet and spread his arm on the couch... over my shoulder, but didn't touch me.

"Eh? How did you get in here? You must be lying! Are you an anonymous alpha?" Hoseok asked and brightly chuckled at me. I turned to look at Taehyung, who was super irritated by their presence. He doesn't like them, huh?

"Don't forget- I'm in a rank above you Hoseok-shi. I can do whatever I want," Taehyung smirked at Hoseok, so the alpha rolled his eyes at Taehyung. Everyone seems to be proud of their ranks. I'm merely an average. I'm feeling really good right now *sarcasm*.

"Oh? What is this low life girl doing here?" A familiar voice piped into the conversation. As expected, I turned to find Minah standing beside Jungkook.

"That's none of your business," I dully stared at her, so she darted me a shocked expression. Tsk...

"Wow, someone isn't afraid of Kang Minah..." Jimin chuckles at Minah's upset expression.

"You shouldn't be here, you'll get everything dirty," She fired me a cunning smile.

"I won't get the place dirty, but be careful with your rude behavior though. You might end up polluting the entire campus," I countered, clasping my hands together. I smiled when her mouth dropped open.

"I really like this girl. You're actually beating Minah in this argument," Jin laughed at Minah.

"Oppa!" Minah smacked Jungkook, so he turned to look at her in bewilderment when she started hitting him.

"Moh?" He grunted, rubbing his arm in pain.

"Say something!" She snapped at him.

"You should leave, this isn't a place for you," Jungkook exhaled, turning to look at me. Ouch.

"Can you please shut up, cousin? You're no better than her, you're like her dog. Always doing what she wants," Taehyung glares at Jungkook. OUCH.

"Ooooooooh," Hoseok covered his mouth as he stared at Jungkook, who grimaced at Taehyung.

"Don't start with me Taehyung. Weren't you obsessed with someone too? Hah, I'll leave it here and you know you shouldn't bring her in here!" Jungkook snapped. I flinched in panic when Taehyung angrily shot up from his seat.

"Tae-"

"You're taking sides with all these alphas? The ones who want to rip you apart?! Sure, go ahead. Sora isn't an alpha, at least I know she doesn't intend to murder me in my sleep. Have fun with your snake friends!" Taehyung sneered, grabbing onto my arm and Jimin's.

"Kaja!" Taehyung snapped, roughly pushing past Jungkook and Minah, leaving the rest staring at each other in shock.

"I'm an alpha too," Jimin whispered sadly as he followed Taehyung.

"You're an exception. You weren't born to be an alpha. You climbed the rank by yourself, so I respect you for that," Taehyung turned to face Jimin and gave him a reassuring pat on the shoulder.

"Jinja?" Jimin weakly smiled at Taehyung.

"Yeah, so let's go and enjoy ourselves. I hate those assholes, Taehyung nodded at Jimin.

"Oppa!" A feminine voice called out for one of the guys.

"What?" Jimin and Taehyung answered, turning around at the same time. Huh, it's that Mira girl again, except she's not alone.

"Who's this girl? I've been wanting to ask you?" She asked with her arms folded while glaring at me as a gang of students watched us.

"Really?" Taehyung rolled his eyes at her. I think she hates me...

"Come on- let's go," Taehyung shook his head and pulled me towards the exit.

"She's not in any ranks. What are you doing with her? You know if you don't clarify... she'll be in danger..?" Mira called out. Taehyung stopped abruptly in his tracks when he heard her words. He breathed heavily before turning around to face her again.

"You're in the 5th rank, Shira-"

"Mira! It's mi-"

"I don't give a fuck about your name! I'm the third rank and you're in rank fifth! That means you can't harm me or anyone under my protection!" Taehyung gritted his teeth, glaring fiercely at her.

"You can only protect your household," Mira smirked, pretending to be tough as she glared at Taehyung. She looks like she's going to tear up.

"She's in my household," Taehyung replied sternly. A dense crowd started to form around us, so Jimin stood behind me to keep the people away.

"Yeah but she's not an alpha," Mira glanced at me. I feel so bad right now. There are so many eyes staring at us.

"So what? What's your point?" Taehyung asked while staring at her in frustration.

"Why are you protecting her? You should be forming alliances with other alphas," Mira gulped and tried to keep her chin high. But Taehyung was towering over her.

"I'm allied with my cousin and the Park. What are you talking about?" Taehyung questioned. Is she doing this for attention? Because I don't get what she's saying either.

"Not that kind of allies. I mean you should date an alpha to strengthen your-" Mira gulped and glanced down at her hands. What.

"Huh? That's none of your business. Let's go-"

"She's saying you should date her," Jin dawdled, pushing through the crowd. Taehyung stops dead again.

"Isn't that right Shira-shi-"

"It's Mira."

"Ah, yes. Mira. Do you get it now?" Jin asked Taehyung who seemed a bit lost.

"I don't like you," Taehyung coldly stared at Mira. Ouch. Tears formed in her eyes as she stared at him with a hurtful expression.

"Is it because of her? You know you can't protect an average, right?" Mira asked and glanced at me with an envious expression. Taehyung took a deep breath and turned to me.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have brought you here- but please go along with whatever I'm going to say next," Taehyung whispered in my ear, so I blinked and stared at him in confusion. Huh?

"There are three things I can protect as an alpha. That's my family, my friends or allies, and my girlfriend," Taehyung declared, slowly turning to face Mira with a dead expression. Everyone gasped loudly at his words. What.

"What's happening?" I asked, turning to look at Jimin who was also in shock. WHAT DID I MISS?! WHY THEY BE LOOKING AS IF SOMEONE DIED?!

"He just said... you're his girlfriend," Jimin muttered, turning to look at me. WHAT.

"Yah!" I gasped, smacking his arm in disbelief. How can he?

"An average girl? Really?" Mira asked with tears in her eyes. Why would he say that... I can't process-

"I'm taken so move on. Don't bother shedding your tears for me," Taehyung sighed, pushing past the crowds. How can he say that? To the entire school? I already have a boyfriend!

"He'll explain it to you, please trust him," Jimin tried to comfort me as Taehyung angrily made his way towards his car. Yoongi will kill Taehyung if he knows about this.

"Taehyung, take me with you too. I came here with my driver," Jimin rounded the car and hopped into the back seat, so I got into the passenger seat. Taehyung drove out of the parking lot in silence.

"Tae-"

"I know! I'm sorry! It's my fault- I didn't know she likes me," Taehyung snapped, cutting me off. Are we in trouble?? He looks so anxious...

"Yeah, but you didn't have to say you're dating me," I sighed. I feel so horrible.

"Ani, you don't know Mira. Her family is involved in the dark side," Jimin chuckled uncomfortably.

"Her household is famous for getting rid of people. Of course not the alphas, but people like you? You'll disappear mysteriously under her hands," Taehyung sighed heavily. Oh, wow. Like an assassin?

"How does saying I'm your girlfriend helps?" I asked, turning to look at him as he turned the steering wheel. It doesn't change the fact that I'm still an average.

"You're under his protection," Jimin responded shortly, so I turned to look at Jimin in the backseat.

"How does that work?" I asked, turning back to Taehyung.

"As an alpha, I can choose to protect anyone, even the ordinary. Just a few though, it's rare for an alpha to do that because we usually only protect our household and our allies. But I have the power to protect an ordinary person too, like you," Taehyung briefly glanced at me. There's more to this game of theirs? When will it end?

"And..?" I pressed.

"When an alpha claims their possession or protection of something or someone, no other alpha can harm it. They can still harm the alpha though, but never their possession," Taehyung replied.

"Wait, so they can't touch me- but they can hurt you?" I questioned while staring at him with my wide-open mouth.

"Yeah, I'll have to go down first if they want to hurt you or my family. And I'm just protecting you from her, she's dangerous. If I don't claim you, she can freely harm you and I'm sorry. I'll talk to your boyfriend if you want," Taehyung sighed heavily.

"No, I'll talk to him," I leaned back against the seat to process the situation. Ah~ What is all this?

"And that's why we have allies, Sora-shi! In case things go wrong, you still have the protection and support of another household," Jimin poked his head forward with a cheeky smile. Ah, he's very bubbly. How did a person so warm become friends with a person so cold? Taehyung and Jimin are totally the opposite of one another...

"Oh?" Taehyung whispered in surprise as we entered the mansion.

"Who's that?" Jimin asked in confusion. I turned to look at two familiar people standing with Mr. Jeon and Mrs. Kim.

"Eomma... appa..." I whispered in shock. I fumbled with the car handle and rushed out of the car as soon as it came to a halt.

"Eomma! Appa!" I ran towards them in tears.

"Sora!" Eomma gasped, welcoming me in her arms as tears started to roll down my cheeks.

"I miss you," I shrieked happily.

"You look well," Appa patted my back. I smiled at my father and gave him a crushing hug.

"What are you doing here? I'm barely-"

"We just want to see you and discuss some things. But don't worry, we're here because we mostly miss you," Eomma rubbed away my tears.

"I miss you so much," I smiled at her.

"Oh, yeah. We brought someone with us," Appa grinned at me. Huh?

"Who-" I felt a light tap on my shoulder, so I turned around to face the person.

"Hey," Yoongi smiled brightly at me. My heart stopped beating when I found Min Yoongi standing before me.

"I MISS YOU," I screamed, excitedly pulling him into a bone-crushing hug.