Seonghwa shifts his eyes to look outside as his family is talking about how they will have to make their yearly visit to all the packs around them to ensure peace is kept.

"Word has been getting around that Bloodbane and Essence haven't been getting along as of late... They insist that Essence possesses magical abilities that they've kept hidden from all of the other packs for years. They're getting more and more aggressive about that fact, and we've received information that they are plotting an attack that will lead to war," Seonghwa's mother, Park Hyejin, says.

Seonghwa's mother has always been very assertive for an omega and this has rubbed off on Seonghwa as he's grown up. Seonghwa always admired his mother for her ability to speak confidently in front of the alphas of the pack, and their family. Seonghwa learned a lot from her, but he does not want to engage in this conversation. He's never liked talk of war. He's never been much of a talker in general, actually.

"We're going to have to leave tonight then, but we can't visit Bloodbane first. If we did, then they would suspect something since we typically visit them towards the end of our yearly trips. As the pack leader of Chrysalis, we must take this seriously. War is the one thing we have been trying to prevent for so many years, and we have done so successfully so far. I'm not going to allow that to change now just because of Bloodbane and their nutty assumptions of Essence," Seonghwa's father, Park Gyungho, explains, expanding on his wife's thoughts.

Seonghwa listens mindlessly to his parents' speech to the higher tier wolves of their pack, keeping his face neutral.

"While we are gone, we are entrusting the Han family in the upkeep of our pack values and pack in general. Every year, they have done a wonderful job keeping everyone in check, especially our visitors coming to learn about our customs and values," Gyungho goes on, in the end, bowing towards the Han family sitting on the left side of the table.

Seonghwa shifts his eyes once again, this time to look towards the Han family. His father has been wanting him to try and get along better with the Han's daughter, Eunji, but Seonghwa had no interest in getting to know her. Seonghwa doesn't have much interest in getting to know anyone, really.

The Han family all stand up and bow in understanding and respect towards the Park family at the head of the table.

"We must get to packing for our journey, now. I know that you all understand, and thank you for taking such wonderful care of our pack ahead of time," Hyejin smiles and also bows before all of the Park family leave the meeting house and go back to their own home to pack for their trip.

Seonghwa goes to his room and gets out his backpack. This is what they all use while traveling long distances. These backpacks are made so that when they shift into their wolf forms, it stays attached to them, so there is no issue with that. It's something that Chrysalis has used for many years since they must travel quite frequently, even aside from the Park's yearly trip around the packs. The Chrysalis pack is a decent distance away from most things, but it doesn't bother them. They've always preferred it that way, to always keep their pack grounds on the original grounds that they originated from.

Seonghwa looks out the window longingly at the pack members doing their daily duties. He dislikes having to leave his home, but he would do anything for his pack and for his family. His pack is his family. Being a male omega like Seonghwa is, is very rare for Chrysalis, and especially for the Park family. Being of pure and royal bloodline as they are, Seonghwa is basically a one in a million chance.

Because of Seonghwa's circumstances, his family raised him to be a very strong person, physically and mentally. Being raised like this, along with his pack having so many rules and values to memorize and keep at the forefront of his mind at all times, Seonghwa has grown to be distant with people outside of his family. Even within his family, Seonghwa isn't very emotive or talkative.

Seonghwa finishes packing everything he will need for the trip into his backpack and sits down on his bed to rest for a moment, knowing he will be running all night to get to the first pack they're visiting. They always stay the night at the pack grounds they visit since they have to travel so long to get to everyone. That is something Seonghwa is especially not looking forward to. He never liked the attention his family always received when they would stay with the packs. Families of each pack would always bring them gifts or food, and it always mad Seonghwa feel uneasy... Guilty, even.

"Seonghwa, come on, son. We must go now if we want to get to Eclipse by the morning," Gyungho calls from outside of Seonghwa's door.

Eclipse? Seonghwa doesn't recall ever visiting them before.

Seonghwa gets up and puts his backpack on, clasping it in the front before he opens the door for his father, looking at him with a confused look.

"We haven't visited Eclipse before, but considering Bloodbane has been discussing going to war with Essence, we need to visit every single pack this time. We must make sure that the peace is kept between all of the packs. I'll be damned if I let Bloodbane ruin the peace we've maintained for so many years," Gyungho curses under his breath, walking out to the front of their home with Seonghwa.

Seonghwa just hums, keeping his head and eyes straight as they walk, maintaining his perfect posture as they get to where his mother and two siblings, Dohyon and Areum, are. Seonghwa is the youngest out of the three, his brother Dohyon being the eldest and his sister Areum being the middle child. Dohyon has been spending a lot of time with their father recently, learning the ways to lead a pack. Seonghwa has also had these lessons, but Dohyon is an alpha male wolf and he is older, so he holds the seniority over Seonghwa. Seonghwa was never too worried, though. He knew he would never be the head of the pack like his father, but that didn't stop his discipline. Seonghwa has always followed the pack rules. He thinks back through all of his life and he doesn't think he's ever broken a rule before.

Just before the Park family is about to head out, Gyungho starts to speak, "Now, I know I say this every time we go, but make sure to be on your best behavior while we are visiting. These packs are taking us in for the night and I will not stand for any of you being disrespectful. I expect each of you to hold to our standards and rules. Punishment will be in order if you are to break our rules."

All three of the children nod and do a small bow to their father. They've all gotten this spiel before; it's the same one their father gives every time they go anywhere.

~

The Park family has been running for a few hours now. They're only a few minutes away from the Eclipse pack grounds and Seonghwa starts to feel a bit uneasy about the new place they've never visited before. Eclipse starts to come into view and it looks as if it's in ruin. The grounds are barren with not a lot of greens and the buildings seem like they haven't been updated in years. Are we too late? Did war already fall upon this pack?

Seonghwa's father and mother stop them before they reach the entrance.

"Eclipse is a very poor and weak pack due to a war many many years ago that wiped them of their power. I know you all were thinking why it looked so run down, so please don't bring it up to their people. Now, let's shift and greet Eclipse nicely," Hyejin explains to her children.

The three of them nod at their mother and then all go behind the trees to shift and change back into their almost regal-looking attire. Seonghwa dresses out into a traditional white robe along with his family. All of their clothing is white, as it is their pack color. All of the wolves in Chrysalis have white fur and are required to wear white clothing. They're quite hard to miss.

Seonghwa stays quiet as he and his family walked into Eclipse, being welcomed as soon as pack members see them. Everyone knows the shifters that wear white robes, they're the highest tier leaders among the wolves.

Seonghwa doesn't look around much, keeping his eyes straight ahead of himself as he walks with his family. He's stopped in his tracks when what he assumes the head alpha of the Eclipse pack comes up to greet them. Why does he look so young?

"The Park family of pack Chrysalis, welcome to Eclipse," the alpha bows deeply as he welcomes Seonghwa and his family into his territory.

Seonghwa feels something aching in the pit of his stomach as he watches the man rise up from his deep bow, but he keeps his face emotionless. He's overwhelmed by the beautiful rose scent that's radiating off the man greeting them. 

Who is this man?

Gyungho and Hyejin immediately bow back, followed by Seonghwa and his siblings.

"Thank you so much for having us, San. We appreciate you aiding our stay here while we are visiting," Gyungho is the first to reply, always being sure to show his gratitude and respect to each and every pack.

Seonghwa doesn't miss when the alpha, or San, as his father referred to him as, looks at him for a moment too long.

Seonghwa can feel his wolf inside him stirring as the ache in his stomach refuses to go away. Instead, it rises up further into his chest, rippling through his veins. Seonghwa keeps calm, maintaining his cool composure whilst a wildfire is spreading within him.

What is going on...? 

"I don't believe I've ever met any of your children, have I, Gyungho?" San asks, looking at each of them, but lingering his gaze on Seonghwa the longest. San knew right when he laid eyes on the man who smelled of lavender. This would be his mate in the future. He felt it deep inside himself, his wolf immediately yearning for the omega standing in front of him. San wonders if Seonghwa is going through a similar feeling as him right now. He can't tell, the omega seemed almost emotionless when he looked at him.

Dohyon steps forward first, bowing to San, "I am Dohyon, the eldest child of the Park family. Thank you for having us."

San smiles, nodding in respect to the eldest son.

"I'm Areum, second eldest of the Park family. Thank you for having us," Areum bows next in quick succession, smiling at San when she comes up.

San nods once more, appreciate let how distinguished the Park family truly is. Chrysalis must whip them into shape young, he thinks. He's heard that their pack is extremely strict with rules and has many celebrated customs. San doesn't know if he could ever live with so many rules to uphold.

Lastly, Seonghwa steps forward and goes into a bow, "I am Seonghwa, the youngest of the Park family. Thank you for having us," he says, almost on autopilot. The same introduction every single time they meet someone new. Seonghwa doesn't mind, he appreciates the order of things, but he dislikes so much interaction. Especially to this man. Seonghwa wants this feeling inside of him to go away. Perhaps if he just ignores it and stays away from this man San, it will go away, but even if he ignores him, he knows the scent of rose will linger.

San smiles a bit too big after Seonghwa's introduction, finding him much different from his other two siblings. He seems so closed off, so distant. San wonders what is going on inside of his head.

"It's a pleasure to meet all of you finally. Your father has visited once or twice alone, but it's nice to meet the rest of his lovely family," San says, keeping his bright smile as he turns, "Let me show you what I've prepared, come along."

San walks towards a small cluster of homes, stopping in front of one of the larger ones, "Here is where you will be staying, I hope that it is to your liking. You're welcome to roam around the grounds while you're here as well, of course. Tonight is actually a special night where all of the pack sits around a bonfire to tell stories. You're more than welcome to join us for that."

San notices how Seonghwa's expression hasn't changed much since he first laid eyes on him. He must not have felt what he did during their first meeting, San thinks to himself. 

"Oh, San. There's no need to be so formal with us, son. Relax a bit, you're young like my children. Perhaps you all could become friends or some sort in the short period we are here visiting," Gyungho suggests, always liking when his children make friends with the surrounding packs since they will soon be the heads of Chrysalis before long. Having many allies is very important in keeping peace among the pack clans.

San smiles and nods with respect, "Of course, of course."

Gyungho and Hyejin enter the home San has prepared for their family, followed by Dohyon, Areum, and lastly Seonghwa. Seonghwa keeps his eyes straight, not giving San a lasting glance as San had given him while he left to go into the home.

San can't help but smile as he watches Seonghwa go in, hoping that he likes the rooms he prepared -- well, he hopes they all like it, not just Seonghwa, of course. He laughs a bit at his own thoughts. Maybe they all will really come out to become friends. San has wanted to see new people for a long while, but due to Eclipse's low rank, no one really comes anymore. Since no one has come, the pack is no longer able to thrive, keeping it in it's weak and quite poor state.

San wasn't born yet when the war happened that stripped Eclipse of ranking and power, all he knows is he would never wish it on any other pack. He would like for peace to be kept as long as possible. San starts walking around the Eclipse grounds, wondering why Chrysalis would be visiting when they haven't before. Only Gyungho has been here previously.

Could something be stirring within one of the other packs? San can't be sure.

End of Chapter One