"You're happy, right?" Hongjoong asked as he and Yunho strolled peacefully through the market of a town several miles away from their home.

His beta turned to look at him and tilted his head. "Yes. Why do you ask so suddenly?"

"Because this isn't exactly the life I know you were hoping for." Hongjoong sighed as he stopped at a stall to pick out some fruit."

"Well, you aren't exactly the alpha I was looking for either, but I've learned to make due." Yunho chuckled and bumped the older's shoulder.

Hongjoong stuck his lower lip out in a slight pout. "I know. I'm sorry."

"Hey." Yunho turned him so they were facing each other. "I thought we had moved past all that and decided we were going to work on making each other happy? Where is this coming from?"

The alpha rubbed the back of his neck and grumbled. "I don't know. I guess just seeing how tense things are for our guests made me start to wonder if we acted the same way, or still do."

Yunho scoffed and kept walking. "Yeah, well there's more to them than meets the eye. I was talking with Yeosang the other day and he thinks so too. He doesn't believe their story for a second, and honestly? I don't know if I do either. They all act so... strange."

Hongjoong nodded as they continued to make their way through the market. He had noticed a few things too, mainly the way Seonghwa had an obvious hate for San. Sure, Yunho used to look at Hongjoong the same way... But they moved past that after their pack was attacked.

And now, he was proud to say that he did love his playful beta.

The alpha reached out and took Yunho's hand, smiling as it engulfed his own, while they made a couple of more stops.

They were in charge of any of the shopping that needed to be done since there were wanted posters for Mingi and Yeosang everywhere. It would take time for that fiasco to die down and be forgotten, so for now, the expecting parents were forced to stay home.

It drove Mingi insane, but he did it to protect his mate.

"How long to you think they are going to stay?" Yunho asked a short time later.

"No idea. Seonghwa is pretty jumpy, I can see him trying to convince them to try and leave soon. But Wooyoung seems content for now. I know he and Yeosang are getting a little closer, so that will make leaving hard." Hongjoong started to pull him to the entrance of the town, ready to head home when he paused.

A bulletin board was situated off to the side that had flyers advertising services, things for sale, and missing items. Joining it was also warnings about wanted criminals.

Hongjoong walked forward slowly. He heard Yunho gasps behind him as he pulled a piece of paper from the board and stared at it.

Mingi... We have a problem.

.

.

.

.

"You're a good cook, Youngie." Yeosang said as he watched Wooyoung slice through some vegetables.

The youngest omega blushed and kept his eyes down. "I've had a lot of practice."

"I'm sure Jongho appreciates it when you guys can actually have a home cooked meal."

Wooyoung just hummed and nodded, pretending to focus on what he was doing. His heart hurt each time he had to lie, and it was starting to get to him.

He could feel Seonghwa watching him from where he was situated on the couch with San's head in his lap for once of their forced 'mate sessions' as Seonghwa liked to call it.

The younger couldn't help but feel a little jealous, and his wolf was even feeling it a bit too.

He wanted attention from his mate. Sleeping together at night wasn't enough.

Yeosang started to speak again when Mingi walked into the room. Wooyoung could instantly tell he was stressed about something as he grabbed Yeosang's hand and pulled him from the house.

"What was that about?" San asked, sitting up.

They all exchanged concerned looks but eventually went back to what they were doing.

Jongho came in the back door a few minutes later, returning from a patrol, and looked longingly at San before leaning against the counter next to Wooyoung. "That smells amazing." He said, looking at the pot where Wooyoung was stirring a cream sauce.

"Thank you." Wooyoung bowed his head and closed his eyes, fighting against his wolf as it pushed him to see contact from the alpha.

He was slowly getting better at taming it, but there were still times that it was a struggle. Especially now when it hadn't felt the touch of his mate for a long time. That seemed to be when it was hardest for him. It was almost like his wolf forgot that it was mated to Seonghwa if they didn't have contact for a long time, but as soon as they could be alone, he was thrilled.

Jongho was just about to speak again when the front door slammed open. Mingi stormed inside, eyes bright red, and looked at each of them. "Get out of my house."

Wooyoung froze. Where was this sudden change coming from?

San and Jongho both took their place in front of Seonghwa and Wooyoung to protect him while Jongho held up his hands. "Mingi? What's going on?"

"You DARE come into my house and bring up the fact that I am a wanted criminal, then LIE to our faces about who you are?" His eyes locked onto Wooyoung, making him whimper and hide behind Jongho.

"What are you talking about?" San asked, taking a step back.

Mingi's eyes seemed to dull for a moment as he studied all of them. "Do you really not know?"

"Know what?" Jongho and San said at the same time, starting to get angry themselves.

Suddenly, Wooyoung yelped as his arms were yanked behind his back and Hongjoong started to drag him away while clamping a hand over his mouth.

Jongho spun around at the sound, and Seonghwa cried out. The oldest started to run around the couch, but Yunho stepped in his path. "It's ok, we will take care of it for you." The beta said. Seonghwa gave him a bewildered look and took a step back.

"Hongjoong what are you doing?" Jongho tried to step forward, but the older alpha snarled, making him stop and forcing Wooyoung to submit.

"You know, I never expected something like this from you. You play the roll of a weak omega well." Hongjoong hissed as he dragged Wooyoung to the front of the room to stand next to Mingi and Yeosang.

Wooyoung whimpered into the alpha's hand and tried to pull free as his heart raced. His eyes searched for Seonghwa, begging for help. He even tried through their link too, but Seonghwa we too distracted with Yunho.

"Stop struggling." Hongjoong ordered, making Wooyoung's knees buckle.

"Don't tell my omega what to do!" Jongho growled, clenching his fists.

"This is my house! You are my guest here and Hongjoong is in my pack. He can tell this piece of filth to do whatever he pleases." Mingi roared, towering over Jongho.

The power of his voice made both alphas and Seonghwa drop to their knees. Mingi snapped his fingers and Yunho nervously started to bind San and Jongho's hands. Then he pulled them over to the wall and let them sit against it.

Hongjoong started to bind Wooyoung's arms and his legs, rendering him useless. He was constantly snarling, so Wooyoung was in a continuous submissive state as he shook in the alpha's hands.

Wooyoung's eyes found Yeosang's for just a moment, but the omega wrapped protective arms around his stomach.

Once Yunho was done with the alphas, he stepped over to Seonghwa and helped him up off the ground. "It's ok. You're safe now."

Seonghwa's head snapped up. "Wh-What?"

"We aren't going to let them hurt you anymore, if that's what they've been doing. That's why you've been so tense right?" Yunho glanced back and Hongjoong, who nodded slowly.

"What the hell are you talking about?" Seonghwa said, his eyes flashing gold. "And get your hands off him!" He growled started to move toward Wooyoung.

"Seonghwa, stop! We will take care of him for you." Hongjoong held his hands up.

Yunho moved in front of the older omega again. "You don't need to pretend anymore." He said gently as he held up a piece of paper.

Wooyoung whimpered as the rope bit his skin. He trembled at Hongjoong's feet as he watched Seonghwa's jaw drop and the paper shook in his hand. "Wh-Where did you get this?"

"In town." Hongjoong answered.

Seonghwa covered his mouth with his hand and sank down to his knees.

H-Hwa? What's going on? Wooyoung asked, his voice still shaking in their link.

His mate answered him by lifting his head, a pained look crossing his face. "This is a lie. I will explain everything, but please release them first."

"I don't think that's a good idea." Mingi said, glaring down at Wooyoung.

"Please." Seonghwa looked up at him.

Mingi jerked his head at the two alphas. "Them first. If I decide I like your story then I'll consider releasing the mutt behind me. If not we will be turning him in for the reward money."

Wooyoung looked up at him with wide eyes. What reward money?

Seonghwa gave him a defeated nod.

As soon as San was untied, he started to rush to Seonghwa's side, but the omega held up a hand to stop him, then gave him and Jongho an apologetic look. "I'm sorry." He said, then bowed his head. "Wooyoung and I haven't been honest with any of you."

He set the flyer down on the couch, which Jongho picked up immediately and gasped. "Why does this say that you've been kidnapped?! And... by Wooyoung? What the hell is going on Seonghwa?"

Wooyoung's heart stopped as Seonghwa gave him a sad look. "I never thought this would happen..." Seonghwa sighed. "I am the next in line to take over the Blue Star Pack."

Both Jongho and San stepped back, while Yunho retreated to stand by Hongjoong.

"Wooyoung was a servant in my palace. And we did the one thing forbidden to our race. We fell in love." Seonghwa glanced at his mate and gave him the softest of smiles. No one spoke, so he continued the story. "We kept our relationship secret, for obvious reasons, but one night my parents hosted an event to give me the opportunity to pick the alpha I wanted to be mated to. None of them were good enough for me. All I want is to be with Wooyoung, despite what my wolf says. So we ran away. He didn't kidnap me. It was actually my idea to leave. We met San and Jongho on the road shortly after I had my heat. We left so quickly we didn't grab any suppressants. The four of us agreed to travel together for protection, but Wooyoung and I hid our history from them."

The two alphas looked pale, but Jongho also looked upset. "Why?"

"Because I was scared of your reaction, and that you'd want to take me back. And as you know, we can't go back there. My life might be spared and my indiscretion covered up, but I wouldn't be able to protect Wooyoung." Seonghwa's voice faltered, then he bent forward so his forehead was pressed to the floor. "Please, please let him go, and we will leave without any protest. We just want a chance to be together."

The room was silent as both mated omegas waited for an answer.

"Mingi..." Yeosang said softly, going to stand in front of his alpha. "They gave us a chance. Let's give them one."

The alpha huffed and ran a hand through his hair. "I don't know, it sounds like they've lied to their alpha's too."

"We aren't their alphas." Jongho said, his voice cold and bitter. "We just pretended to be to protect each other." He reached over and took San's hand, drawing a shy smile from the older alpha. "Seonghwa and Wooyoung are mated with each other. I am sorry for lying to you as well. We only did it because we know what the penalty is for being with a wolf of the same rank. But I swear to you, San and I had no idea about where they came from." His eyes flicked to Wooyoung. They showed the betrayal he was feeling right now and it broke the omega's heart.

Their hosts exchanged stunned looks as an uneasy silence fell over the house.

But then Mingi turned around started to untie Wooyoung. The omega stayed still, not wanting to push his luck.

As soon as the alpha stepped away, Wooyoung counted to five, then scrambled over to Seonghwa before anyone changed their minds.

They collided and wrapped their arms around each other, the older immediately rubbing his nose over and kissing Wooyoung's mark.

Then he started to shush Wooyoung gently when the younger let out a few soft whimpers. "It's ok. No matter what we are staying together, ok? And we are not going back there."

Wooyoung took a moment to collect himself before he slowly turned to face the two alphas standing behind the couch. "Jong-" He stared, wanting desperately to apologize to him.

He didn't get a chance... Jongho spun around and walked out the back door, slamming it behind him. San was quick to hurry after him, slipping out of the house much quieter than his future mate.

Wooyoung covered his mouth with his hand and bent forward, scrunching his eyes and releasing the tears that had built up.

Seonghwa pulled him in tight and placed several kisses along the side of his head, trying to keep him calm.

"Get out of my house." Mingi said, his voice low and even.

"Mingi, let them stay." Yeosang stepped forward, looking up at his alpha. He held up a hand when Mingi started to speak. "We have lied before too. They were just protecting themselves. We are wanted too. The only safe ones here are Hongjoong and Yunho."

The alpha and beta both exchanged a worried look before turning back to Yeosang as he continued.

"Mingi, let them stay. They have shown how sorry they are, I think we can find it in ourselves to forgive them for hiding something like this."

The taller pinched the bridge of his nose, then pulled Yeosang into a hug. "I really don't like you sometimes." He grumbled as he nuzzled the mating mark he had given to his omega.

"Now we both know that's not true." Yeosang smirked.

"Yeah. I know." Mingi gave hm a quick kiss before turning to the omega pair in front of him. "I'm sorry for how we treated you, Wooyoung." He said softly before he turned and left the room.

Yeosang just shook his head before walking over to Seonghwa and Wooyoung. He knelt beside them and pulled them into a hug. "Don't worry, we will figure this out. We won't do anything else to harm you, and I promise, we won't turn you in with your old pack either Seonghwa."

The oldest omega gave him a single nod before closing his eyes and burying his nose into Wooyoung's brown hair and squeezing him once more.

***
Written by flamewhipper