Scent
Genre/Warnings: Omegaverse, Fluff, Romance, Obsession, Fluff, Possessive Behaviour, Scenting, Mated Bonds, Forbidden Romance
Pairings: Alpha Sung Jinwoo x Omga Cha Reader
Summary: A forbidden bond. Y/N Hae-In, his half-sister by blood, yet her scent pulls him in. A possessive alpha who won’t let her go…
Word Count: 2.6k
The conference room of the Ahjin Guild HQ was quiet except for the shuffle of papers and the faint tapping of Jinho’s pen against his clipboard. Jinwoo sat at the head of the table, posture relaxed, one elbow resting on the armrest.
The door opened, and Cha Hae-In stepped in.
She didn’t hurry. She never did. Still in her hunter gear, her golden hair pulled into a low ponytail, strands clinging to the curve of her cheek from the steam of the post-raid shower she clearly hadn’t taken yet. She crossed the room without asking, sliding into the seat beside him as if it was hers by right.
“You’re late,” Jinwoo murmured, not looking at her at first.
“I was making sure your little stunt in that dungeon didn’t get anyone killed,” she replied smoothly, setting a folder on the table.
A corner of his mouth lifted. “That ‘stunt’ cleared the gate in half the expected time.”
Her lips quirked. “That ‘stunt’ also had me hauling two unconscious C-ranks back to the exit while you-what was it again?-‘handled it.’” She leaned back in her chair, arms folding across her chest, the faintest scent of steel and rain clinging to her skin.
Around the table, a few guild members shifted, glancing between them. This wasn’t unusual-Hae-In's and Jinwoo’s verbal sparring had become something of a spectator sport.
Jinwoo finally turned his head to meet her gaze. Close enough that if either of them leaned forward, their foreheads might touch. “Handled it,” he repeated, voice low and steady. “And you know I did.”
She arched a brow, holding his stare longer than most could withstand. “Fine. You handled it. But next time, try not to make my job harder.”
The corner of his jaw ticked. The easy way she said “my job” always made something primal in him itch. They were equals, but she was still an Alpha-untouchable. Not mine. The thought was unwelcome yet persistent.
“Noted,” he said at last, turning his attention back to the agenda. But he didn’t move his arm from where it brushed hers on the table.
The meeting rolled on, touching on gate schedules and resource distribution. Their voices were quieter now, but the tension lingered-sharp, magnetic. Jinwoo didn’t miss the way her hair swayed when she tilted her head toward him to make a point. He didn’t miss the faint curve of her smirk when she caught him looking.
“So,” Hae-In said casually during a lull, flipping a page in her notes, “speaking of the roster, there’s someone I want to put forward.”
Jinwoo glanced at her sidelong. “Another Alpha?” His tone was unreadable, but there was the faintest suggestion of disinterest.
“No,” she said, and something in her eyes shifted. “My sister.”
He stilled. “You have a sister?”
Her smirk deepened at his tone. “Half-sister. We don’t talk about her much because she’s been in America for years. She’s an S-rank. And…” She let the pause stretch. “…she’s an Omega.”
The air in the room shifted, almost imperceptibly. Jinwoo’s focus sharpened. Rare, an S-Rank Omega?. Unclaimed. His instincts stirred before he forced them down.
“An S-rank Omega,” he said evenly, as if weighing the words. “That’s… unusual.”
“She’s strong. Strong enough to replace me if she wanted.” Hae-In's voice held both pride and a warning.
Jinwoo leaned back in his chair, fingers drumming once on the armrest. . “Bring her in tomorrow. I’d like to see for myself.”
Hae-In’s gaze narrowed. “Careful. She’s nothing like me.”
He let the faintest smirk curl his lips. Good. I don’t need another Alpha.
The meeting adjourned shortly after. Jinwoo left first, the weight of anticipation coiled low in his chest- alien, unwelcome, but undeniable. Tomorrow couldn’t come fast enough.
____________________________________________
By the time the next day rolled around, Jinwoo was already at his wits’ end.
Not only had the morning raids not gone to his liking, none of them delivering the precision or results he expected-but his shadows had been restless. They rippled through him as if anticipating something. He couldn’t tell whether they sensed danger or something else entirely, but it did nothing to help his already fraying mood.
A soft knock came at the door before it cracked open. Hae-In peeked in, her hair done neatly today. Jinwoo noticed immediately, he always did. You’d have to be blind not to notice how breathtaking Cha Hae-In was.
He had always wondered how things might have been if she were an Omega. But rules were rules-Alphas could not mate with Alphas. There was no true spark, no lasting bond. That didn’t stop him from letting his gaze rake over her figure with quiet hunger.
“What is it?” he said coolly, still tapping away at his keyboard, the failed mission reports from the morning spread across his desk.
“I’m assuming someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed?” Hae-In teased, still lingering by the door.
“I’m not in the mood, Cha. State your business.”
“Jeez, alright. My sister? You were going to interview her today-she’s already here. Can I tell her to come in?”
Jinwoo nearly groaned. He’d forgotten entirely about the interview. He gave her a curt nod, signaling for her to do so, and started looking for the file. But then-
It hit him.
No. It slammed into him.
A scent-warm, alluring, intoxicating-rolled through the room, making his nostrils flare and his pupils darken as he inhaled greedily. Notes of honey, coffee, a sunny afternoon, and sweet vanilla wrapped around him in a way that made every nerve stand on edge. His shadows stirred restlessly. His inner wolf howled.
And it wasn’t Hae-In.
“Cha,” Jinwoo called through clenched teeth.
“Yes, boss?”
“Your scent. It’s… changed.” His voice was low, wary. His eyes stayed locked on her, tracking every movement. The scent was around her, but it wasn’t hers.
“Oh? In a good way or a bad way? I did change my shampoo-lavender is quite lovely.”
Lavender?
The pen in his hand creaked under his grip, seconds away from snapping in two. Lavender was not the scent that was unraveling him.
“Bring her in,” Jinwoo managed, the words edged with something sharp. Hae-In gave a small nod and left the room.
He flipped through the papers with deliberate slowness, half grateful-half desperate-that the scent belonged to someone else. Maybe Cha had passed by an Omega in heat on her way here. Yes. That was reasonable. Logical. Jinwoo told himself this twice, three times, trying to believe it. Because if the person who owned that scent walked into his office, he wasn’t sure he could keep control.
The file came open in his hands:
Cha Y/n . Twenty-three years old. Graduated from the University of California with a degree in life sciences before awakening as an S-Rank Hunter. Affiliated with the Hunter Guild in America, involved in multiple successful missions.
Impressive. Very impressive.
His gaze locked on the final detail.
Second gender: Omega.
A shiver ran down his spine. She would be the first Omega in Ahjin if he hired her. It was a risk-a lone, unmated Omega in a den full of Alphas. But Jinwoo trusted his people. They wouldn’t dare touch her. Not under his protection.
A soft knock broke his thoughts. Jinwoo straightened in his seat, steeling himself.
“Come in.”
The door eased open, and in stepped a petite girl, no taller than 5 feet. H/c hair curled neatly, framing a face with wide, doe-like eyes and a soft smile, made more arresting by the small dimple in her cheek. She wore a blush-pink blouse tucked into a pencil skirt, a gentle elegance in every step.
She held two cups of coffee.
The scent rolled in behind her like a tide-coffee, vanilla, and honey. It was hers.
Jinwoo’s inner wolf howled louder, clawing against the cage of his control. His fingers tightened on the desk as if anchoring him to reality. His pulse roared in his ears.
“Good morning! I’m Cha Y/n!”
Her voice was soft, warm, bright—like sunlight spilling into the room. Jinwoo barely registered her crossing the space to place one of the coffees on his desk, or the way her smile seemed to make the air itself lighter.
All he could hear was his own inner voice, low and certain, thrumming through his bones:
Mate.
~~~~~~~~
The coffee sat untouched on Jinwoo’s desk.
Not because it wasn’t good-he hadn’t even tasted it yet-but because every time he lifted the cup, the scent of its giver rose with the steam and threatened to undo him.
Cha Y/n sat across from him, hands folded neatly in her lap, posture straight but not rigid. She gave off an ease that most S-ranks didn’t have-a warmth that made her seem smaller than the room when in reality, the room felt smaller because of her.
Cha lingered by the door, arms crossed loosely as if this was just another casual introduction. Jinwoo knew better. She was watching her sister. And he was watching her sister. For very different reasons.
“Alright,” Jinwoo said, voice low, measured. “Why don’t you tell me a little about your experience in the field?”
Y/n brightened instantly. “Of course. I joined the San Francisco Hunter Guild at nineteen. I started as a support, mostly handling logistics and extraction. But after my awakening, I shifted into active fieldwork. I’ve cleared over a dozen S-rank gates and served as team lead for four.”
Her voice was like silk over steel-soft but certain. Jinwoo’s gaze dragged over her face, the way her lips curved slightly when she spoke, the subtle flush in her cheeks. His wolf pushed forward, closer, closer, she’s yours.
He forced himself to lean back in his chair instead. “Impressive. And your… second gender never caused issues with your team?”
Her brow furrowed slightly at the question, but she kept her tone light. “Not really. Most of them were professional about it. And if they weren’t, I made it clear I could take care of myself.”
The corner of Jinwoo’s mouth tugged upward, not from amusement, but from something darker. You shouldn’t have to take care of yourself. Not when you have me.
Hae-In cut in, “She’s understating. She once put a full-grown Alpha on the ground in under thirty seconds.”
Y/N laughed softly. “That was… a misunderstanding.”
Jinwoo’s grip on the armrest tightened. “I’d like to hear about that incident.”
“Oh—uh—it was a training match that got a little heated. He didn’t respect my boundaries, so I showed him why he should.” Her eyes glinted with quiet defiance before softening again. “It was nothing dramatic.”
He wanted to ask who the Alpha was. He wanted a name, a face, and the chance to make sure they never breathed near her again.
Instead, he said, “Good. Boundaries are important.”
They moved on to questions about her combat style, preferred weaponry, and specialization in gate environments. She answered each one thoughtfully, sometimes gesturing lightly with her hands, the faint scent of her skin drifting toward him with every movement. His shadows quivered under the desk, restless.
Halfway through, she leaned forward to explain a particular strategy she used in water-heavy dungeons. The motion brought her scent closer-honey, vanilla, coffee-wrapping around his senses like a vice. His wolf growled low in his chest, a sound only he could hear.
Take her. Mark her. Now.
He swallowed hard, speaking evenly. “That’s a clever approach. I can see why your success rate is so high.”
Her smile in response was bright enough to burn.
Hae-In shifted against the wall, glancing at her watch. “I’ve got another meeting, but you two can finish without me.”
Jinwoo didn’t move, didn’t blink, until the door clicked shut.
The moment it did, the air changed.
Without Cha’s presence, the space between them felt electric, charged. Jinwoo leaned forward slightly, his gaze locking on hers. “Do you always bring coffee to your interviews?”
She laughed softly. “Only when I think the person I’m meeting might need it.”
His fingers curled slowly on the desk. She’s thoughtful. Kind. Mine.
“I appreciate it,” he said, voice quieter now. “Though I think it’s the best cup I’ve ever had.”
Her cheeks flushed faintly. “Well, I’m glad you like it.”
He did. He liked everything. Too much.
By the end of the interview, he’d asked every standard question-and a few that weren’t on the form at all-just to keep her in the room a little longer. When she finally stood, thanking him for his time, he rose as well, unable to stop himself from tracking every movement.
Her hand brushed the edge of his desk as she turned to leave.
He nearly followed.
____________________________________________
He hired her.
Of course he did. He would be a fool not to hire his fated mate-make sure she worked for him, keep her close. Even though her scent alone drove him to madness, he had to restrain himself. She didn’t know how much of an effect she had on him, and he intended to keep it that way. For now.
He wouldn’t dream of forcing anything on her. The only shred of common sense and respect tethering him was held by a thin thread, telling him to wait….allow her to come to him, to feel the same, to fall in love with him. He knew he was playing the long game, but it was worth it.
“One orientation and two preliminary assessments?” Beak Yoonho, Jinwoo’s fellow S-rank and friend, murmured as he flipped through Y/n’s file in Jinwoo’s office.
“Yes. She’s quick on her feet-I don’t think she’d need more assessments.” Jinwoo felt her aura and strength even from the papers. She was an elemental manipulator, specializing in fire and ice. Formidable. He didn’t think she needed the assessments, though they were necessary to understand her style and how it might complement the team. Either way, her position here was written in stone.
“Cha should be done with her orientation soon. Who’s assessing her?” Yoonho glanced at his watch. Jinwoo stood from his desk, and Yoonho followed him out toward the training facilities.
“The first round will be Choi Jong-In, and you’ll do her second round. I’ll oversee everything, of course,” Jinwoo said as they reached the upper deck overlooking the training floor.
The room was large but not as vast as the other training halls. Below, Choi was warming up, fingers flickering with flames. Upon sensing their presence, he waved to them. Jinwoo was about to return the greeting when his body tensed-the scent entered the hall.
She stepped onto the mat wearing leggings and a sports bra. Her arms and midriff were visible, and Jinwoo was anything but okay.
He nearly salivated. She looked gorgeous, her friendly smile lighting up the room as she introduced herself to Choi. She smelled divine, and Jinwoo felt his heart stop. His fists clenched against the railing as their assessment began.
She moved like a goddess-like she owned the floor. She was indeed an S-rank and more. Jinwoo watched a bead of sweat roll down her neck and in between the valley of her breasts. A shiver of pleasure ran through him. Flashes of imagined touches, kisses, and whispered moans played in his mind as he struggled to keep it together.
How it would feel to kiss along her neck, to lick her nape and taste her skin-oh gods, what he would give to taste her. To feel her quiver under his fingers. To hear her moan and beg for him when he thrusts deep-
“Isn’t she perfect?” Hae-In's voice stopped Jinwoo from imagining further. He straightened, cleared his throat, and subtly adjusted his pants.
“Yes. She’s quite impressive. I’ll get ready for my assessment with her.” Yoonho excused himself to prepare.
Hae-In leaned on the railing beside Jinwoo, watching him hungrily watch her sister.
“She’s my sister, boss,” Hae-In reminded softly, making him snap his eyes to her.
“I’m aware,” he said coldly, his possessive alpha shining through.
“Good. Because she’s too pure, and I’d hate for anyone to corrupt her.”
Too late, Jinwoo thought. He wanted to corrupt her, worship her, love her, own her, mark her… ruin her.
____________________________________________
A/N: I had this in my drafts for a while!
