"I don't know about this," Jongho whispered as they walked through the woods. They formed a plan the other day regarding the zoo. After doing some research, they have come to the conclusion that the zoo is about a three-day drive, and the city it resides in is a madhouse. It made Mingi and Jongho nervous, the idea of the two alphas being near so many humans and hardly any wolves makes them sick to their stomachs.

But for now, they needed that vehicle to get them there, and the only idea they had when it came to getting one would be borrowing one from their father.

The thought of stepping back into that territory made Jongho's stomach flip, and he was constantly on edge. His pheromones were strong and filling the air with thick tension from the stress he was feeling. But Mingi thought ahead and did something to benefit them both. He had called his mother and told her a small fib, about how he was planning on taking Seonghwa and Yeosang and the kids to the new zoo.

She thought it was an excellent idea, and immediately offered to give her son a minivan for them to use for their trip.

But now came time for them to meet up with her to grab the minivan.

"It'll be okay, I'll be right beside you the entire time. And if you want, you can even hide back before we get too close to the territory and I can grab the van."

Jongho takes a deep breath and shakes his head, "No, I can do this."

Mingi arches his eyebrow, "Are you sure?"

"Yes, just go already," Jongho growls, pushing Mingi forward to keep moving.

Mingi couldn't help but chuckle as he leads his brother back home, knowing the alpha would rather sit at home with the others than go with Mingi. Yet again, he didn't want to look like a bad alpha not fighting for his pack, so Mingi gives a lot of respect for his younger brother.

As they get closer though, Jongho freezes and backs away from the border. Mingi stops and looks at him, his face softens, "Almost there Jongho, it's okay."

"What if he senses I'm here? Mingi are you ready to face Valentine if he comes after me?" Jongho asks, shaking his head, "He said if I ever stepped foot here again he would slaughter me."

"I won't let that happen," Mingi growls, walking towards his brother and placing a hand on his shoulder, "You're my brother. I'll protect you no matter what. I got your back as long as you have mine."

Jongho takes a deep breath, nodding his head before walking once more in sync with Mingi right to the edge of the border. They didn't dare go past it because the sound of an engine getting closer on the path makes them stop. They wait, hearing the tires running over twigs and fallen branches before it finally came into view.

It was an old Volkswagen bus, the vehicle must have been pretty old but it looks to be in great shape. Except for the occasional rust spots Mingi seen, but it was still a beautiful mint color and sounded like it was running pretty well. He smiles when he sees his mother through the windshield, her brown curls framed her soft face as she smiles at her son.

As soon as she stepped out of the vehicle she chuckles, "My baby! It's been way too long!" Mingi chuckles, leaning down to bring his mother in his arms. Only to get his ear tugged on and he grunts in pain as his mother snaps, "You know it's really not nice to come by and visit and not bring my grand pups to see me! I have only ever seen Ana once when she was tiny and only photos of baby Parker!"

"Mom I know-"

"Obviously you don't because I'm still here without a grand baby in my arms!" She huffs, releasing his now red ear as she shakes her head clicking her tongue, "When you come back from this trip to see the zoo, you must bring them over so I can at least have some much needed grandmother time with my grand babies."

Mingi smiles, "I promise I'll bring them by."

The door to the van shuts and Kennedy steps out, smiling kindly when he sees Mingi but freezes when he caught sight of his son. Jongho was tense, hiding behind Mingi with his head bowed. Primrose's smile drops as she felt the grief hitting her, and she stepped forward to take the young Alpha in her arms.

It caught Jongho by surprise, being in Primrose's arms for a warm hug. Primrose whispers in his ear as she rubbed a soft hand down his back, "I'm so sorry for what your father has done to you. It's not right, kicking his own son out and shaming you in front of the pack."

"Mom," Mingi interrupts, placing a hand on her shoulder, "Please don't."

"I'm not meaning any disrespect," she pulled away, cupping Jongho's face softly before she smiles at him, "I'm offering sympathy for my mate's bad choice."

Jongho flinches, but Primrose stepped away and waves Kennedy over, "I figured you would want to see someone. I brought him with me in hopes that you would be here. We had also hoped you have found Mingi's pack and joined him in ruling a territory together. And now that you're here, it's evident you did," Primrose chuckles, and Kennedy races over to take his baby in his arms.

"My baby," Kennedy sobs, wrapping his arms around his son and holding him tight as he kissed Jongho's head and face all over, "My baby I was so worried..."

Jongho sniffles as he buries his face in his mother's neck, but from what Mingi can tell Kennedy tenses and makes Jongho look up at him. Then tilts his head to the side. Kennedy gasps, covering his mouth as his eyes water, "You..."

"I have a mate now," Jongho nods, "you would love him mom."

Kennedy smiles, tears fell from his eyes as he hugs Jongho against him again and doesn't show any sign of letting go. Mingi couldn't help but smile as he looks at his mom, "Does dad know..."

"No," Primrose shakes her head, "And he won't. He has been busy more than ever here lately, quite frankly he hasn't even been spending quality time with any of us. I'm worried about him Mingi, he's going to run himself thin..."

Mingi sighs, "When you're the only Alpha in charge of everyone in the pack mom, it's going to be hard."

Primrose sighs, "It's gotten worse ever since Jongho and San left. Then shortly after Hongjoong and Yunho left... I don't know, it took a huge toll on him and he's trying to pass it off that he's fine. Really, I think it just made his heart colder towards us all."

Mingi shakes his head, bringing his mom in his arms and kissing the top of her head, "I love you mom, thank you for letting me borrow this."

"You're welcome sweetie," she giggles, "Now go take everyone to the zoo, especially Hongjoong and Yunho." Mingi winces and she hums, "I figured they found you too. You all can't stay away from one another. Make sure you bring those babies by after your trip."

••••••••

"You have everything? Clothes? Body wash, plenty of socks?" Seonghwa frets over the suitcases in the back of the van with one hand as he carried Ana on his hip with the other.

"Babe, I assure you I got everything," Mingi chuckles, wrapping his arms around Seonghwa's waist.

"What about the charger for the phone?" Seonghwa asks, arching his eyebrow, "In case I need to get ahold of you."

"It's in the front pocket of the back pack between the drivers seat and passenger seat," Mingi assured him once more.

Seonghwa sighs, bouncing Ana on his hip as he faces his Alpha, "I'm sorry, I'm just nervous-"

"I know," Mingi whispers, connecting their foreheads together and Ana coos up at them as she chews on her pacifier, "I know you're scared. I am too, believe me. But we will get them back, and we will be home as quick as we can. I'm not leaving you guys alone for more than a month."

"If you're gone for a month I will strangle you when you get back," Seonghwa snorts, "I mean it Song Mingi, do not be gone for more than a month or I'm coming after you."

Mingi chuckles, giving his mate a quick peck on the lips before cupping his face, "Just trust me when I say I'm coming home and I'm bringing everyone back with me. Okay?"

Seonghwa arches his eyebrow before sighing in defeat, nodding his head. Mingi once more places his lips on Seonghwa's, kissing him more slowly before pulling away to take Ana in his arms. She smiles at him, her blue eyes shine as she squeals behind her pacifier, "Duh dah dah!" She chants his name behind it, nuzzling her face in her father's chest happily.

"Oh my happy girl," Mingi chuckles, kissing her forehead and her chubby cheeks, "Be good for mommy and Sangie. Daddy's going to be gone for a bit but he's coming back. He's bringing back Uncle Joong and Uncle Woo and Uncle Yunho."

She coos, suckling on her pacifier peacefully until Mingi hands her back to Seonghwa. She whines, reaching for him with furrowed brows and pouty lips. Mingi walks over to Yeosang, who was waiting his turn patiently to say good bye to his Alpha and so the Alpha can do the same for his son. As soon as he could, Mingi wraps his arms around Yeosang and hugs him close to his chest. The Omega whimpers, burying his face in Mingi's chest, "Please bring them back safely. All of you come home safely."

"We will be home before you know it," Mingi whispers back, pulling back to gently kiss Yeosang's forehead and lips, then takes his son in his awaiting arms.

Parker's small brown eyes were wide and the four month old baby boy grins largely when he sees his daddy has him in his hands. He coos softly, opening and closing his hand towards Mingi as he waved his arms excitedly. Mingi chuckles, kissing his son's face all over before nuzzling his nose in Parker's dark hair, "Be good for mommy my son, I'll be back home before you know it and daddy will be right back to doing tummy time with you."

Parker made a soft noise as he yawns, his little Yeosang like nose wrinkles as he licks his plump lips before looking around lazily. Mingi smiles, kissing his head once more before handing him over to Yeosang. Jongho and San were standing off to the side, already having said their good byes to the pack and promising to return with the others safely.

They load up in the bus, and once everyone buckled their seatbelts, Mingi starts the bus up and begins to drive.

Leaving his Luna and his omega and two pups behind to hold down the fort until he returns.

••••••••

Written by @luckyhwa98