Seonghwa couldn't believe this was happening right now. He had thought he'd never have to deal with them again, but here he was, stuck on a horse with one of the Blue Star guards right behind him.

The only reason he wasn't putting up more of a fight was because Wooyoung was somewhere behind him surrounded by the most dangerous pack in this area. And if either of them made one wrong move...

He tried not to think about it.

Instead, he went over story after story in his mind of what he could tell his parents that would spare Wooyoung's life.

The one he was leaning toward was going to be closer to the truth. That Seonghwa had wanted to run a way after the ball and Wooyoung tried to stop him, but then stayed with him in order to keep him company.

The marks were going to be hard to explain though.

If he said that an alpha forced them that may work, but it was going to be hard to hide his love for Wooyoung, especially if his family threatened the omega...

Seonghwa closed his eyes and tried to calm his racing heart.

This truly was his worst fear, and he had no idea how he was going to get out of this.

Just the thought of seeing his parents again didn't sit well with him either. They had such backwards views of the ranks, although they were always willing to overlook it when it came to Seonghwa. But only because he was their flesh and blood.

Then his stomach flipped.

What if they had an alpha lined up for him?

The very idea made his wolf bristle. It didn't want to be with any other wolf. It already had its chosen mate.

Seonghwa bit his lip when tears came to his eyes.

For the first time his wolf showed that it only wanted Wooyoung. The idea of being with an alpha upset it.

"Sir? Are you ok?" The beta behind him asked. There was genuine concern in his voice, but Seonghwa couldn't help but roll his eyes.

He chose not to answer. Distress rolled of the beta to the point where Seonghwa felt a sick satisfaction from it.

Wooyoung? Can you hear me? He asked once more for his check in. They were both terrified their link would be destroyed at some point during the journey.

Yes. The younger's voice was so weak...

Have they hurt you?

Not yet. But I don't like the way they keep looking at me... Wooyoung whimpered. And I can't feel my hands.

Seonghwa couldn't hold back the growl that came to his chest. It made the beta behind him flinch, but thankfully he didn't say anything. I'm going to get you out of this. I promise.

Wooyoung was silent for a long time. Seonghwa could feel his pain through their bond. He was just about to speak when the younger started to. We both know that won't happen. They think I kidnapped you. You won't be able to protect me...

Youngie, don't sa-

And that's why I will tell them the story is true.

Don't you dare. Seonghwa could feel his anger rising. He gripped the saddle horn in front of him and tried to control his temper. It was a good thing the horses were trained to be around wolves, otherwise the one below him most likely would have bolted.

And I will tell them we were taken by alphas who forced themselves on us... Which is why I'm pregnant. That way they won't get made at the mark on your neck. You are their heir, your parents will do everything they can to protect you. Wooyoung's voice sounded so lifeless. He had already accepted the fate he was putting on himself.

I will order you to keep your mouth shut if I need to. I'm not playing, Woo.

Neither am I, Hwa. You're only going to cause more trouble for yourself if you try to defend me. I... The young omega's voice started to tremble even through the link. I don't want to see you get hurt because of me.

Dammit Wooyoung, stop this now! Seonghwa growled.

"Sir?"

"Let me off this horse now!" Seonghwa knew his eyes had to be bright gold right now as he twisted in his seat.

Now the horse started to get nervous and it spun in a circle.

This allowed Seonghwa to look at Wooyoung for the first time in hours.

His heart shattered.

The Blue Star guards had ropes wrapped around his chest to keep his arms pinned to his side, but also to keep his back straight while in the saddle. It was safe to assume that his wrists were bound as well given his comment about his hands.

Wooyoung's eyes were closed, but that didn't stop the silent tears that were pouring from them.

Another beta was seated behind him. He held onto the reins with one hand while the other one kept a knife out. It wasn't pointed directly at Wooyoung, but it was in his line of sight as a silent threat.

The sight made him furious.

"Sir, we can't do that."

"Let me off!" Seonghwa twisted in place and tried to knock the beta off, but the other was prepared and grabbed his wrists to pin them behind his back.

"I'm sorry, Sir, but we have our orders. We need to take you home."

"Let go of me! I order you to let me go!"

No one paid attention to what he was saying. Instead, they slipped a piece of cloth into his mouth to silence him.

Seonghwa continued to struggle for a moment, but he stopped when a soft presence touched his mind.

Wooyoung didn't need to say anything, but just the fact that he was reaching out to connect them was enough to calm the older down.

But it also weighed him down with the feeling of utter defeat.

There was no way they were going to get out of this easily. And the chances of someone coming to help them was slim to none as far as he was concerned.

No one could match the power of Blue Star.

They ended up riding through the night, never at a fast pace, but if there was an open stretch of land they would urge the horses to go faster while those in their wolf forms would speed up and run next to them.

Seonghwa's heart started to pound faster when he recognized the forest surrounding his old him. He could feel Wooyoung's stress as well, and the pair of them would talk occasionally, but Wooyoung would always fall silent and shut himself off after a few minutes.

Time seemed to stop when the front gates appeared. They opened with a groan to reveal the rest of the royal guard lined up to welcome them home.

They dismounted and his wrists were released and the gag taken away. Seonghwa kept his head held high as they walked up the front steps leading to the palace.

"Seonghwa! Oh my baby!" His mother came running out ornate doors. Her black hair whipped around behind her and he hike dump her dress so she could run faster.

He would be lying if he said he wasn't heartsick as soon as he saw his mother. As awful as she had been to him sometimes, she was still him mom and there would always be a connection there.

She slammed into him so hard that they stumbled for a moment. Seonghwa wrapped his arms around her waist to steady them and buried his face in her neck.

"Oh my boy. Are you ok?" She pulled back and started to run her hands over his cheeks and through his hair in the caring way that only a mother could do.

"M-Mom." He choked out. "M-Mom, ple-"

"Is that him?!" His mother screeched, looking over his shoulder and pointing. "Take him away IMMEDIATELY!"

"No!" Seonghwa spun around and saw Wooyoung being hauled up the stairs. His head was bowed in defeat and he looked like he was trying to curl in on himself to protect his stomach. "Let him go!"

The older omega tried to run forward, but his mother held him back. "Seonghwa, what are you doing? You don't need to be under his control anymore. We are going to take care of him."

"Mother, stop this now! It isn't what you think!"

The beta started to pull him inside, cooing softly over him.

It wasn't until he felt the dominating presence of his father that Seonghwa collapsed and fell to his knees. "Lock that mutt up and get him out of my sight."

Wooyoung... No... I'll get you out... Seonghwa whined and looked up once more.

A broken omega looked back at him, sparing one final glance. I love you. I'm sorry.