As they entered a large, stone plaza, Hongjoong couldn't help but be slightly impressed by all the work that had gone into building this place.

Thousands of tons of stone must have been brought in just to construct everything from the road they now walked on to the buildings that had been erected in a large circle around the outside of the plaza.

From what he could tell, they looked like they could be shops or places to gather. Some went down separate roads all leading away from the center in a way that could easily be described as north, east, and west.

Hongjoong took note of this so they could use it for directions in the future if needed.

Although that was all he could do before he was distracted by the sheer amount of people crammed into the courtyard.

Whoever oversaw this event had managed to find people of every nationality it seemed. There was no way for him to count how many had gathered, but he'd be willing to bet it was around 500, if not more.

What kind of insanity was this?

"Joong..." Seonghwa said softly, stepping a little closer.

"I know." Hongjoong pursed his lips and sighed through his nose. "Stay close." He said to the others.

He noticed Wooyoung and San holding hands where they were standing between Mingi and Jongho, both looking extremely stressed as they eyed other men and women walking around with collars on, each of them leashed to another member in their pack.

"Yunho, Yeosang, take up the rear." Hongjoong glanced at them and received nods in return. With so much unknown, and so many strangers, he didn't want to risk someone trying to tear apart their pack already.

When he knows Wooyoung and San are surrounded by their... their pack... he starts to survey the area again, trying to gauge how others are feeling, figure out who may have been invited to this show.

He thought he recognized a few American artists, maybe even a couple from Europe. Actors and actresses mostly, a few singers, and some looked like they might have been assigned to a pack together.

There were also several popular artists from Asian dramas and performance groups, one of which made Hongjoong and a few others behind him groan.

"What are they doing here?" Yunho hissed.

Wooyoung also huffed and crossed his arms. "Can't we get one chance to do something without them trying to copy us?? I know they are our direct competition but come on!"

Hongjoong does his best to fight a smile as Chan, the leader of Stray Kids, and the rest of the group, approach them.

"I guess they will let any old riff raff into a show like this." Chan said with a scowl.

"Look who's talking." Mingi growled back.

Changbin and Hyunjin both squared their shoulders, ready to retaliate, but Chan held up his free hand in a fist to stop them. "Don't. They aren't worth our time. We are going to destroy them in this competition, just like we do on the music charts."

"How dare you!" Jongho's fist balled at his side, and he takes a step forward.

Chan smirks in satisfaction, then tilts his head back to sneer down his nose at Hongjoong. "Look at you. How can you call yourself their leader when you aren't even an Alpha."

That struck a chord in Hongjoong, one he wasn't proud of.

In a quick glance at the other team, he could see that Chan was the only one wearing a watch, and Felix and Jeongin had collars around their necks. Their leashes were in the hands of Changbin and Minho, who like the rest of the team, had the necklace hanging around their necks.

So, one Alpha, two Omegas, and five Betas.

Hongjoong couldn't help but wonder how much of a difference having one more alpha in his own pack would make.

"Now is not the time for this." He managed to say through gritted teeth. "Whoever runs this show must see something in both our groups. Can we agree to put our petty differences aside and just... see what happens?"

It was a lot to ask, especially with how often their two groups were known to butt heads.

They'd been rivals for years now, always trying to one up the other group with how big their comebacks could be and what programs they could get on and what endorsements they could get.

Unfortunately, Stray Kids tended to come out on top because of the influence being from a bigger company had, but that never stopped Ateez from giving their all each and every time.

And it was starting to work. The last time they'd competed directly against each other, Ateez had won several performances. Maybe that's what got them a place in this current competition, it was hard to say.

But Hongjoong was not going to let their rivalry flare up this easily. Not when he had his family to look after first.

Before either one could speak again, a bell chimed from the far end of the plaza, drawing everyone's attention.

An eerie hush fell over the area, the sounds were the rustling of clothes and the softest of murmurs.

Then, one of the silver men rose up on a platform. Just as emotionless at the last one, it held both hands up to call for complete silence. Only then did it begin to speak with the same robotic tone, although much louder now, as if it was able to amplify its own voice.

"Welcome all to the Omegaverse Games! As you know by now, you are here to compete with other teams from around the world for a grand prize. If you look around, you will see several cameras set up, ready to record the events going on to broadcast worldwide. Follow our rules and earn the hearts of the people, for our grading system and their votes are what will help you progress. Break our rules, and you will be sent home. Other Androids like myself will be here to assist you with questions, inquiries, and complaints. Now, raise your glass in a toast." It waits for the crowd to do as it asks. "To the games!"

"To the games!!"

The words seem to thunder through the courtyard as 500 voices said it all at the same time.

Hongjoong and the rest of Ateez followed suit, raising their champagne glasses high and downing the bubbling, golden liquid with everyone else.

It was surprisingly sweet, making Hongjoong lick his lips with delight when it was finished.

"Damn, if that's the kind of quality we are going to get, we are set!" Yunho said, his face lighting up with renewed excitement.

Several others around them started to talk as well, but the Android called for silence once more so it could continue talking. "Take the rest of today to meet with others, explore, or simply rest. Official judging won't begin until tomorrow. You'll receive a delivery soon with starter supplies and a list of activities you can participate in to earn points for your pack. After that, all resources must be gathered or made on your own."

With those parting words, the Android bowed and started walking off the stage and over to where a few more had appeared.

Already people were gathering around them, some with a sense of urgency as they asked questions or inquired about things.

They were too far away for Hongjoong to hear, however, so he turned back to his members and crossed his arms over his stomach. "What do you guys want to do?"

San looked around. "I wouldn't mind exploring a little. Maybe we can find something early that will help us? I don't know that I really want to talk to anyone."

"I agree." Seonghwa said, eyeing what looked to be a group of marked Alphas gathering nearby.

"I kind of want to talk to one of the Androids, though..." Yeosang stepped forward. A worried crease marked his flawless skin between his eyes.

"How come, Sangie?" Wooyoung asked.

"Did you not notice how we could understand it perfectly? It was speaking in Korean. And it's obvious that not everyone here speaks Korean... so how did they know what it was saying? How did we understand it? How did we all understand it at the same time?"

Yeosang was as observant as ever, and his questions made Hongjoong scowl with his own concern. "I hadn't even thought about it."

His eyes caught movement, and he noticed Stray Kids following Chan away from the courtyard. They were headed in the same direction their cabin was.

Great... he'd been hoping for a little distance from the other group. Hopefully they weren't placed too close together...

"It's clear they have pretty advanced technology." Jongho said, continuing the conversation. "I mean, how many Androids do we see in day-to-day life?? If they can make or buy those, who's to say they don't have some sort of fancy automatic translator thing?"

"True." Yeosang scrunched his nose. "Just how much money do these people have?"

Mingi opened his mouth to speak, then paused when he noticed something. "You've got to be kidding."

"What?" Several of them said at the same time, then turned to look in the direction he was facing.

Yet another surprise was walking toward them. Thankfully it wasn't quite as unpleasant as seeing Stray Kids, but it was still quite a shock to see another rival group making their way over.

The quiet and more reserved Oneus followed after Youngjo, looking around cautiously. He had a watch around his wrist and was holding a leash connected to Hwanwoong's collar. Gunhak also had a watch, and Dongju, Keonhee, and Seoho had on necklaces.

"We were wondering if maybe you'd been chosen too." Youngjo said politely, then led a bow for his group, showing Ateez the respect they always had whenever the two groups came together.

While they were still considered competition, things had always been civil between the two groups, especially after they'd been featured on a gameshow together.

Returning the gesture, all of Ateez bowed when Hongjoong did, earning a few strange looks from people still gathered nearby.

"This is a nice surprise." Hongjoong said honestly. "How are you guys feeling about everything?"

"Weird." Hwanwoong huffed. He kicked at a rock by his foot. His normally playful smile was nowhere to be seen.

Wooyoung seemed to know exactly what he meant, because he stepped forward and said, "Me too."

The two Omegas shared a glance and some of their tension seemed to ebb away.

"We weren't expecting... well, any of this." Gunhak looked around at the other contestants still milling around.

An orange glow started to take over the area, giving the stones a warmth that was pleasing to the eye, not unlike a warm fire.

Hongjoong glanced at the sun disappearing behind the trees. He hadn't realized it was that late.

"We didn't either." Mingi said for him when he didn't answer. "This is much more in depth and intense."

Everyone nodded in agreement and an uneasy silence fell over them. Even though there was so much they could really talk about, the situation as a whole was strange enough that it felt a little awkward.

So Hongjoong took the lead again and bowed to Youngjo and the others, who all bowed back, then the two groups separated and tightened to talk amongst themselves.

"So, what should we do, Hyung?" Jongho asked softly.

"I feel like we should head back and talk without prying eyes and ears." Hongjoong said, side-eyeing a group of men and women gathered nearby. "I have an awful feeling in the pit of my stomach." His hand drifted up to hover above his midsection as he spoke.

The others mirrored the motion, all of them nodding as if they felt it too.

A weird... churning or almost bubbling sensation...

As one, they turned in the direction of their cabin, walking in the same formation as before, and again Hongjoong notices that Oneus is heading in a similar direction.

Maybe the game organizers had tried to put packs close to each other that spoke the same language?

Just one more thing to ponder...

When they returned to the cabin, the sun had completely vanished behind the trees, though there was still enough light they could see where they were going still. Which was helpful because now was when they noticed there were no streetlights or lanterns anywhere.

The forest would be completely dark at night.

At least their cabin had front porch lights to welcome them... home? Was there any other word they could use to describe the beautiful cabin filled with everything they'd need but also buzzing with the watchful eyes of the cameras?

Cameras that Hongjoong now took note of on the main floor. One in every corner of the living room, dining room, and kitchen. None in the bathroom, just as promised.

He also went upstairs while the others waited for him to do a quick loop of all four bedrooms. None of them had cameras... So, the organizers had kept their word there. That made him feel a little better at least. Although there were two in the hallways so viewers could see when they entered their rooms.

With an exhausted sigh, he lopes down the stairs and pauses when he sees the others gathered around a large box.

"It was dropped off when you went upstairs." Seonghwa said, motioning for him to come join. "I'm guessing it's our supplies."

Hongjoong nodded at Jongho, who opened the box and pulled out the letter on top. "Ateez. Inside you will find everything you need to get you started, including dinner on us tonight. Please enjoy with the understanding that the games truly begin tomorrow. We advise you get used to using your assigned subgenders as greetings as well as other terms known in the omegaverse world such as pack, mate, etc." He scrunched his nose at that before continuing. "Inside you will also find a list of what you may participate in to earn points, as well as who can participate. Stay strong, be smart, play well."

"Great." Wooyoung sighed. "Just one more thing to set my nerves on edge. There had better be something decent to eat in there to make up for it."

Next to him, San's eyes creased with fondness, and he looped an arm around the younger's waist. "I'm pretty sure anything will be good right now because I don't know about you guys, but I'm starving!"

They all turned back to Jongho for him to pull the next item out.

One by one, he emptied the contents of the box onto the coffee table for them all to see. A list of events, first aid kit, survival kit, two flashlights, two coils of rope, a hand axe, a small toolbox, a bundle of different varieties of seeds, two boxes of fire starters, four knives, a pouch with fifty gold coins, and a basket with large cuts of beef and a small bag of rice.

"Fuck." Mingi breathed, his large hand wrapping around the handle of the axe. "They really want us to fend for ourselves, don't they?"

"How are we supposed to get food? These seeds are going to take forever to grow!" Wooyoung picked up the packets and shook them. "There's no way they expect us to be here that long!"

"Do they expect us to hunt...? Like an actual wolf pack?" Yeosang asked with his soft, timid voice. He shuffled a little closer to Seonghwa, and the older immediately pulled him into a comforting hug.

"That is the point of this whole thing, isn't it?" Yunho said, picking at his lower lip. "So, we do what we do best. Buck up, learn the game, find what we excel at, and kick some ass!"

Once again, their energizer worked his magic, because they all couldn't help but give small smiles and lean into each other for support.

"But first, let's eat!" Jongho turned to Wooyoung and in a rare moment for him, widened his eyes and started to beg. "Hyuuuuung, I'm starving!"

Wooyoung's bright, contagious laughter followed and the tension in the room eased for the evening because of it. He hurried to the kitchen and started marveling at some of the equipment and appliances he'd been dreaming of owning.

Listening to him talk nonstop, while sometimes could be annoying as hell, actually helped Hongjoong relax a bit. It gave this strange place some semblance of home while he flipped through all the things to do there.

The first one he noticed was survival classes like hunting and foraging. There were also games where they could compete against other packs in feats of strength and strategy.

At the bottom of the page was a note stating that the market would be open every other day.

That sparked a bit of curiosity, maybe there was where they could get more supplies or food.

But for now, it was all just a guessing game.

And as the wonderful aroma of cooking meat filled the cabin, Hongjoong and the rest of his pack let themselves drift into a false sense of security...

... not knowing the secrets lurking... waiting... watching... in the shadows.