Jongho yawned as he rolled onto his back while stretching his arms over his head. It felt good to work his tight muscles like this, but then a better feeling happened.

A warm body moved next to him and nuzzled into his side.

He tilted his head and smiled down at the newest member of his pack as Wooyoung pressed himself into Jongho's side. Then a small smile crossed Wooyoung's face as San tightened his grip on the Omega's waist. The two of them had grown very close, even after Jongho had claimed him a couple of weeks ago.

The only one still struggling with it was Yunho, but he was slowly warming up to the Omega.

Jongho turned his head to the side to look at where his oldest friend was sleeping on his other side. The older's face looked relaxed and with his mouth open slightly, his full lips made it look like he was pouting.

"Jongho?" A raspy voice came from his other side and he turned his head to see San lifting his head off the ground. "Are you ok?"

The alpha took a moment to close his eyes and think. But really, he didn't even need to. "Yeah. I am." He looked back at the Beta and loved the dimpled smile he got in return.

And it was true. For the first time in years, Jongho felt like he was in a good place. He wasn't sure if he could say he was truly happy, mostly because he didn't know what happiness really was, but he was content.

Now he just needed to figure out how to be a good Alpha to his pack. He was starting to regret not paying more attention to his father during his 'Alpha training classes' he used to be forced to go to. But it had always been hard to focus on them when Mingi was the star child and excelled at everything.

And the praise he would get because he was just the perfect son...

Jongho let out a harsh breath and sat up, being careful not to disturb Wooyoung or Yunho as he did. He needed to get outside and clear his head. It had been awhile since his brother had crossed his mind. And it ticked him off. He had already spent his life growing up in Mingi's shadow... He really didn't want Mingi haunting him now.

The cool morning felt good on his face as he stepped out of the little den they had been staying in. The alpha's wolf grumbled at the thought of it. It wanted to find a territory to call home. That was something he was supposed to do, right? Listen to his wolf?

A gentle hand grazed his arm right after Jongho caught the scent of vanilla. "I can feel your distress. What's going on?" San asked, pursing his lips as his ruffled his green hair.

Jongho watched the action with intrigue. The Beta had shared with him that he liked standing out a little, so he used herbs to make a hair dye for himself. It really worked for him too.

"Jongho?" San tilted his head to the side.

The alpha sighed and looked out into the trees in front of them, then back at were the rest of his pack was. Yunho had rolled over so his back was to Wooyoung, but that hadn't stopped the Omega from scooting over in an attempt to cuddle with the Beta.

"I don't know." He started, returning his attention to where San was watching him.

"Jongho, you need to stop stressing about things. Do you see any of us worrying about where we are living? Or what we are going to do for the day?" San stepped a little closer and took his Alpha's hand.

The younger turned his head away, starting to feel ashamed of himself. San was very observant. "I know. I just don't know how to take care of you. Any of you. I don't want to let you down. I never received the training I should have, and the little I did was always compared to Mingi."

San moved so he was standing directly in front of Jongho and took his other hand too. "You need to stop trying to compare yourself to your brother. You are your own person. Jongho, we all chose you. And from what Yunho has told me he was friends with Mingi first." The Beta kept his eyes locked with Jongho as a gentle smile crossed his face. "And it's our job to take care of you too. You need to stop carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders. We are a team. All four of us."

They stared at each other for a moment before Jongho leaned forward and pressed their lips together. It was slow and intimate, and it made Jongho's heart race. San was right, he needed to work on moving on. And if he never saw Mingi again, it would be too soon.

The pair broke apart and Jongho sensed the other two members of their pack stirring. San squeezed his hands and went to join them, with Jongh close behind.

Then the wind changed, and Jongho froze.

His wolf latched onto a single scent in the air. One that made it churn inside him.

Paprika.

San turned and looked at him with wide eyes. "Jongho? What is it?" The other two came to stand next to him.

But Jongho was almost gone.

He growled and spun around, not bothering to undress before he shifted and dug his paws into the ground to propel himself forward. The trees blurred on either side of him as he latched onto the scent. It was close. How had he not realized how close it was before?

Jongho felt everything shift the moment he crossed the border of the territory belonging to the scent.

And he knew the other alpha would be on high alert.

Jongho! Stop! San called out.

No, Jongho don't do this! Please! Yunho added. He used his long legs to try and get out in front of the alpha, but Jongho just shoved him out of the way.

Wooyoung whimpered as he tried to keep up with the others. San, what's going on?

Not now Youngie. San said, also trying to get Jongho to stop.

But he had no intention of stopping. Especially when he could sense the alpha getting closer. Jongho came to a stop at the top of a hill, snarling deep from within his chest. His fur stood up on end and his vision was slowly turning red.

In front of him was another large, black wolf. His tail was wagging and he looked excited.

How. Dare. He.

Jongho let out another guttural snarl before he flew down the hill, ignoring the begs from his Betas as he slammed into his brother's side.

They suddenly became a flurry of teeth and claws as each alpha tried to gain the upper hand.

Mingi had always been the better fighter. Just one more thing that earned him praise from their father. But Jongho was stronger. And right now, he was angry, it was a dangerous combination for an alpha.

He twisted his head around and locked his teeth into the back of Mingi's neck. His older brother let out a yelp and rolled over, smashing Jongho into the earth.

Mingi snapped his teeth next to Jongho's face several times, but never actually touched him. It was a warning. The younger could feel the dominance pressing against him, but he fought against it.

He was the son of a head alpha too. He was strong too!

Jongho roared and leapt for Mingi again, snapping his jaw over and over. He could feel his teeth sinking into fur and flesh. He tried to twist his head to yank some of it lose, but Mingi was always moving and twisting below him.

Then something slammed into his side and sent him rolling away.

Jongho jumped back onto his feet and came face to face with a grey beta that had white on his muzzle, cheeks, and the front of his neck. His eyes were bright blue as he planted himself between Jongho and Mingi.

Who the hell was this?

The beta pawed at the ground and bares his teeth as Mingi came to stand next to him. In the flash of an eye, he darted forward and aimed for Jongho's side.

He never made it.

A howl came from behind Jongho and Yunho slammed into the attacking Beta. They rolled away, allowing Jongho to go for his brother again.

He would not lose this fight.

No. He refused to.

He-

A yelp sounded and Jongho turned his head to see a large white wolf running after Wooyoung.

Jongho instantly recognized the wolf as Mingi's mate, Seonghwa, and was about to run and help when two things happened. San ran to go and help Wooyoung, snapping at Seonghwa's legs to try and distract him while Mingi grabbed Jongho's back leg and swung him in a circle before letting go.

Jongho cried out as he flew through the air and collided with a tree. It knocked the wind out of him, but he shook his head and got back on his feet.

He and Mingi's eyes locked as both alpha's roared and ran for each other once more.

••••••••

Written by flamewhipper