Two days after they were locked inside the exhibit, the small pack of three was given their first challenge. They stood huddled in the far corner and watched as Jin, Tae, and Tanner brought in one of the alpha males from the other side of the barrier.

From studying the pack, they had determined that there were two males who constantly fought for dominance and power seemed to shift back and forth between two of them. The one being brought in was the current leader of the pack.

He was a white wolf with peppered black spots that made it look like his fur was always moving. And he looked mean. There was no other way to describe it. They had placed a muzzle over him, which ended up being a good idea because as soon as he laid eyes on the strange wolves he lunged forward, yanking Tae and Tanner behind him.

"Easy Ronan!" Jin jumped in front of the wolf and blew a whistle that had all of the wolves cringing.

Yunho growled back in warning and made sure he was the one in front. He knew he was the bigger wolf and he could easily snap this one's neck if he needed to. But Wooyoung had said not to harm them for now. They couldn't risk upsetting the humans.

Tanner glanced in his direction and his lip curled up in a sneer, like he was daring Yunho to step out of line.

"This isn't going so well." Tae grunted when trying to pull the male back. "Are you sure about this?"

"Boss told us to start introducing them, especially if we are going to bring them into the other programs. We need to know more about them." Jin turned around and looked at Yunho. "But this side is their territory for right now and he needs to learn that. Once we get them on better terms then we can work on merging the two packs."

Yunho snorted. Yeah. Right. This guy thinks he knows so damn much.

I mean, he's not wrong to make us meet their alpha first. Hongjoong pawed at the ground. But I don't like this 'other programs' thing they keep mentioning. What exactly is it that they plan on doing?

No idea. Yunho stood up as tall as he could and growled at the other wolf.

Jin stood off to the side and watched the interaction. Yunho found the way he narrowed his eyes and rubbed his chin infuriating, but at least he hadn't done anything to try and hurt them.

"This is getting us nowhere." Tanner sighed and started waving the cattle prod in his hand around in circles. "We are supposed to be experts in this, can't we just make them get along? The people want a show!"

"Tanner, you're an idiot." Jin glared at him. "And don't even worry about everyone else. Right now these wolves are my first priority, and I will do what I can to keep them safe."

"Don't be such a downer." Tanner leaned against the wall and kept twirling the weapon his hand.

The alpha wolf calmed down a little and decided to stand there and just stare at the group of three.

What is it doing? Wooyoung asked, poking his head out from behind Yunho. The omega's nerves were rolling off him and he kept himself low to the ground.

No idea. By the looks of his body language I think he's just trying to figure out what is going on. Yunho kept his posture firm.

But when Wooyoung moved forward a little, the male suddenly lunged forward and yanked the leash attached to the muzzle. It snarled and snapped its jaws as much as it could, even frothing at the mouth a little.

Hongjoong immediately reacted and lunged forward.

"No!" Jin and Tae both lunged for the leash, but the wolf was faster.

He collided with Hongjoong and tried to get the upper hand, but the muzzle made it so he couldn't do much more than simply pin Hongjoong to the ground. Which was never going to happen. Hongjoong was bigger and smarter. With a few quick nips, Hongjoong was able to tackle the male to the ground and pinned it. He snarled right in the wolf's ear, making sure it knew who was really in charge.

But he didn't hurt it. The three of them had decided to no harm the domesticated wolves unless it was a matter of life and death to try and stay on the human's good side.

So he started to back off.

But that didn't stop what happened next.

While the wolf stayed laying on the ground in a form of submission, Tanner came up behind Hongjoong and jabbed him in the side with the cattle prod.

Yunho ran forward, letting out a deep, guttural growl, but the man was smart and kept Hongjoong in between them.

The older beta howled in pain and started to spasm where he stood, indicating that the electricity was on high enough that it locked up his body.

"TANNER!" Jin roared. He ran forward and tackled the man, sending them both rolling across the forest floor.

Gasps, and a few screams, came from the spectators on the other side of the trench, but Yunho didn't care.

He was bending over Hongjoong and sniffing him cautiously. It seemed like the electricity had stopped so he pressed his nose to Hongjoong's neck. Joong. Are you ok? Joongie please answer me.

Bastard... The older replied weakly.

Next to them, Wooyoung grabbed the cattle prod in his teeth and whipped it around so that it smashed against the hard rock wall. Then he hurried over and started rubbing against Hongjoong too, letting out small whines.

Yunho lifted his head up and glared at where Jin was scolding Tanner. We have to figure out how to get out of here. If only it wasn't so heavily guarded. He looked up at all the video cameras set up to watch the enclosure. They had also noticed that there were security guards who patrolled the zoo at night, but three of them always stayed close to their exhibit.

They realistically wouldn't be hard to take down, but getting across that trench was the real issue. Yunho knew he could probably make it, and maybe even Hongjoong, but he wasn't sure that Wooyoung would be able to. Which would mean they'd have to figure out how to sneak through the back halls and that was just too risky.

After a few minutes, Tanner marched out through the gate and Tae started working on dragging the wolf through the gate as well. Jin followed shortly after muttering under his breath. He slammed the gate behind him and made sure it was locked.

Yunho walked over and sniffed at it. He could easily yank it open if he needed to, but it would be too risky.

Yunho? Wooyoung looked over at him. His ears fell back and he laid down next to Hongjoong to press their bodies together. How are we supposed to get out of here?

I don't know, but we will figure it out. The older trotted over and laid down so he was next to Wooyoung, but so he could also lay his head down on Hongjoong's stomach.

There's no way Mingi and Jongho will find us here... Wooyoung sniffed and tucked his nose underneath Yunho's neck.

Don't give up. We will figure this out, and I know they won't give up on us. Yunho closed his eyes and said that to himself a couple of times.

He knew his alpha, and he knew Mingi. The brothers were two of the most stubborn alphas he had ever met. If anyone would figure out where they were being held and how to get them out, it would be them.

At least, he hoped that was true...

••••••••

Written by flamewhipper