"What is he doing here?"

"I didn't know what else to do... He-"

"Do you have any idea how dangerous this could be? We have no idea who could be looking for him."

"You were already gone, you didn't see how he was being treated, Hyung. I had to do something."

"Don't go acting all tough now, we all know you would have done the same exact thing, Hyung."

"That's... not the point! We have no idea what the hell is happening out there!"

"Actually, we do. He's told us some of it."

"Then... what-"

"It's horrible, Hyung... worse than what's happened to us."

No. It's not...

Wooyoung's forehead scrunched a little as he tried to process the voices swirling around him.

They were so familiar, but they felt... impossible. Out of reach.

He could feel himself surrounded by warmth and had to hold himself back from crying when he remembered that he was a prisoner with Felix.

The younger Omega was the only comfort he'd had, so he tried to move a little closer, needing the extra support for his hazy mind.

But... he wasn't greeted with vanilla, and that sent up an immediate red flag.

Wooyoung's eyes shot open and he could register that there was a body in front of him, but it was definitely notFelix.

"NO!!" He yelled and moved his arms to shove whoever he was laying next to away from him.

"Wait!" They tried to say, but Wooyoung was too far gone to pay attention, even as he felt his wolf trying to calm him.

He rolled away from him... Nikolai... needing to escape once more.

But his sudden anxiety attack overruled all common sense or ability to trust his instincts, so he never registered where he was...

And rolled right into a fire.

Wooyoung's scream was joined by cries of shock and panic as he rolled back the other way, aided by several pairs of hands.

"Hurry! Get him away from it!"

"What the hell just happened??"

"He's in shock, Hyung, give him a little bit of grace!"

"You have no idea what he's been through!"

"Alright, alright! No need to bite my head off!"

"If you would stop being such an Alpha for two seconds I wouldn't have to!"

Someone growled and Wooyoung whimpered. Everything was too much. Shapes moving around his blurred vision, hands touching his body, his arm burning...

But the hands...

They were going to hurt him again.

"N-No! Please!" He yelled in English, still trying to get away from them.

"Wooyoung, I need you to calm down, please." A soothing but stressed voice said.

"Please, just let me go!" Wooyoung wailed, not even realizing the other person was speaking to him in Korean.

"He's having a panic attack, what do we do??"

Suddenly someone was on top of him, completely pinning him to the ground and surrounding him with their own arms and legs.

It didn't help settle his panic, so he kept tossing his head back and forth, hoping to dislodge them before they hurt him again.

"Careful of his arm!"

"Wooyoung!" The voice pleaded right next to his ear.

A terrified wail escaped him... then was suddenly cut off when teeth clamped around his scent gland, not enough to break skin, but enough to give a good amount of pressure. At the same time, a hand worked its way behind his head and grabbed the back of his neck, scruffing him much like a dog might do with their pup.

Wooyoung fell limp as a calmness washed over his body. Calmness, comfort, security.

How was this possible...?

All sound stopped the second it happened, even breathing, as if the world had been frozen for that moment.

Eventually, the teeth left his skin and the hand moved around to cup his cheek in such a tender way. "There you go, sweetie, just relax and breath for a moment, okay?"

Wooyoung nodded slowly and closed his eyes, greatly enjoying the odd numbness he'd been forced into. Especially when a few things started to get a little clearer.

Somewhere to his right, a man with a deeper voice snorted. "Who would have thought our Jiminie would be the one to assert some dominance?"

"First of, fuck you."

"Nope, other way around."

"Secondly, I didn't see you trying to do anything, Yoongi-ssi."

Jiminie...

Why... Why was that...

Wooyoung's mouth opened a little in shock and he blinked rapidly to try and clear his vision. He must have made a sound, too, because the person on top of him was looking down at him with the most concerned, caring expression Wooyoung could ever remember seeing.

Or maybe it was because the person was...

"J-Jimin-sunbaenim?" He croaked.

"Aww," Jimin's lips pushed out into a huge pout, "What happened to Hyungie?"

Heat instantly rushed to Wooyoung's face when the mortification set in. He tried to lift his hands to hide behind them, but Jimin still had them pinned to his side, so he just closed his eyes and whined a little.

"There he is." Jimin laughed softly and started to move away. "You really scared us there..."

Wooyoung peeked at him with one eye, then whispered. "So... it wasn't a dream?"

A few different, yet so familiar, laughs followed his words before Jimin spoke again. "No, it wasn't. But I understand why you reacted the way you did. Come on, you hurt yourself..."

Only then did the burning return to Wooyoung's arm and he hissed in pain.

Two sets of hands came from behind and helped lift him up into a sitting position. A mixture of caramel and fresh cotton swirled around him, helping him to relax a little as Jungkook and Taehyung moved slowly.

Shock started to set in again as Wooyoung registered that his idols were right in front of him. It still didn't seem real, but here they were, the three of them all examining the burn on his left arm and muttering to themselves about how they should treat it.

Alpha.

Wooyoung's head snapped to the side when his wolf reminded him that there was someone new here, and even though it really shouldn't have startled him, his jaw dropped when he saw Min Yoongi leaning against the wall, one leg bent and his arms crossed over his just looking exceptionally cool even in his tattered t-shirt and jeans.

The Alpha narrowed his eyes a little and pursed his lips, then looked back toward the entrance of the cave.

"Don't mind him." Jimin said softly. "He's just being protective. His and Namjoon-hyung's instincts have been going haywire ever since we escaped."

"It's u-understandable." Wooyoung tried to swallow the lump in his throat so he could talk, but it refused to budge.

Jimin gave him a crooked, grateful smile and returned to examining his arm. "I'm not sure what to do about this... I don't think the burn is severe, but we don't really have anything to treat it."

"Actually!" Jungkook said from where he was rummaging around in a sack. "We do! Thankfully Jin-hyung had the good idea to raid the cabin before we left." He turned around and held out a bottle of burn cream, a gigantic, proud grin tearing across his face.

"Well done, Kookie!" Taehyung praised, ruffling the younger's hair.

Jungkook leaned into the touch and started chewing on his lower lip a little.

As Wooyoung watched them, he started to accept what was happening, even if it was still surreal.

He started cataloging everything with the help of his wolf.

Yoongi, Alpha. Taehyung, Beta. Jimin and Jungkook, Omegas. By the sounds of it, Namjoon was probably an Alpha, which didn't surprise him one bit.

That just left-

Right as Jimin was about to start rubbing burn cream on Wooyoung's arm, he and everyone else froze, eyes glued on the entrance of the cave.

Wooyoung wanted to ask what was wrong, but he felt his wolf urging him to be quiet.

Listen.

His ears strained, but when he truly started to focus, it was like... like an entire new world started to open up to him.

He could hear the breeze blowing past the entrance of the cave and the birds singing and even water dripping somewhere deeper within the cave.

He could also hear footsteps...

That's what the others were listening for. No one breathed as they waited... not sure if an enemy was approaching.

Slowly, Yoongi pushed off the wall and moved so he was closest to the entrance. His entire body was tense, prepared to fight at the snap of a finger.

Even Wooyoung could feel the protective aura radiating from the Alpha.

But then, just as quickly as it had started, Yoongi relaxed and gave a sigh of relief.

Seconds later, three more men walked into the cave and Wooyoung was star-struck all over again as he watched Namjoon, indeed an Alpha, Seokjin, a Beta, and Hoseok, another Beta, walk in looking exhausted.

They greeted Yoongi with soft smiles and nods of their heads, then froze the second they saw Wooyoung.

"Before you freak out, I can explain." Taehyung said, jumping to his feet and moving to block Wooyoung from view.

Wooyoung peeked around him just enough to see Namjoon nod once.

"When we started the attack, I had every intention of doing what you asked. Distract, free the captives, get out. I promise. But... I heard one of them yelling, threatening..."

Nikolai's words suddenly flashed through Wooyoung's mind, "You are in for a world of pain, you little bitch. Get over here now!" and he let out a tiny whimper.

"And when I saw that it was the Omega that had been put on display the most, I..." Taehyung's voice started to tremble, "I just couldn't risk him being taken again. So I threw a rock at that bastard and grabbed his wrist to get him out of there. I guess I just couldn't let go, so I... brought him back here."

Taehyung bowed his head a little, acting very submissive, as if he'd done something wrong.

Wooyoung didn't like seeing it and was about to say that he could leave, and he wouldn't tell anyone he'd see them, when Hoseok started to laugh and bounced forward to give Taehyung a hug.

"Well of course you did! And what are the chances that we came across a fellow idol??" Hoseok's attention turned to Wooyoung and his wonderful, heart-shaped smile grew. "It's nice to finally meet you, Wooyoung-ssi!"

"Hobi." Yoongi warned, causing the Beta to look at him with a pout.

"It's fine." Namjoon said, silencing all of them. "You did the right thing, Taehyung-ah." Finally, the smile representing Namjoon's gentle soul appeared as he and Seokjin walked over to sit next to Jungkook.

The Omega leaned over so Namjoon could scent him, melting into his side with a happy little purr.

When Namjoon turned so he could do the same thing to Jimin, Wooyoung blushed heavily and suddenly felt like he was intruding.

"Are you alright?" Namjoon asked once he was done, and it took Wooyoung a moment to realize the Alpha was speaking to him.

His eyes shot open and he immediately bowed his head low in respect. "Yes, Namjoon-sunbaenim. Th-Thank you."

"Aish, isn't he just adorable??" Jimin laughed, then placed one finger under Wooyoung's chin to force his head back up.

Wooyoung's heart started to race when he was met with one of the most amazing smiles he'd ever seen.

"I think I speak for all of us when I say you don't have to be so formal." The older continued, moving his finger to tap Wooyoung's nose once before he returned to treating the burn.

"He's right." Seokjin chuckled with amusement. "Given our situation, formalities are the least of our worries."

Wooyoung's blush deepened and he shrank back into his shoulders a little bit.

By then, the rest of the pack moved to sit around them, all of them exchanging quick greetings by scenting each other and whispering how glad they were that everyone was safe.

"So what ended up happening?" Jungkook asked. "I'm still mad you made me stay here; I could have helped." He added with a disgruntled pout.

"After what we saw today, there's no way we were going to risk letting you two anywhere near that pack." Namjoon's stern voice had Jungkook shying away and looking slightly ashamed. The Alpha was quick to take his hand before he continued. "Anyway, after the captive Omegas scattered, I had assumed we all split up to make sure they stayed safe."

Taehyung shifted in place a little and sniffed.

"The one I ended up following freed himself by using a boulder, then hid out there overnight. I didn't feel right leaving him, so I stood watch all night to make sure no one found him. Then I followed him until I heard him cry out and run forward, then a bunch of voices welcoming him back."

"The girl I followed made it back to her pack almost right away." Seokjin hummed. "But it was in the complete opposite direction of here, that's why it took me so long to get back. I didn't feel safe traveling at night."

"Me neither." Hoseok said next. "I actually ended up staying nearby the pack that my girl returned to. It was quite touching to see her welcomed back. Poor thing."

Yoongi sighed heavily and ran his fingers through his long, black hair. "The three I trailed seemed lost, like they didn't know where to go. I only left after watching them knocking on the door of a larger cabin, but they seemed nervous... I hated to leave, but I felt like I needed to get back here."

Wooyoung ticked off each of the captive Omegas in his head. Namjoon must have followed Felix, so a huge weight lifted off his shoulders knowing that Felix had made it home safe. Then the two girls who had been taken before him, and...

"They were Tressor's original Omegas." He said, keeping his eyes on the cave floor.

"What?!" Several of the others said at the same time.

"Please tell me you're joking." Hoseok whispered.

"I wish I was..." Wooyoung's lower lip started to wobble a little and he pulled his arm away from Jimin, much to his displeasure, so he could wrap his arms around his stomach. "I-I don't know what happened to them while they were there... but I was locked in... in a small room with the other three." He could feel the others exchanging looks.

"Wooyoung." Jimin's voice was soft but demanding. "Did they do something to you?"

The younger flinched and closed his eyes.

"Jimin-ah, what-" Yoongi started to say, but the Omega cut him off by holding up a hand.

"The way you reacted this morning was not normal, sweetie, you were terrified." Jimin gently placed a hand on his knee.

He couldn't say it. He couldn't. Because that would continue to make it real.

But his silence was enough for Jimin to raise up and pull him into a hug. Then Jungkook and Taehyung were there, all surrounding him and trying to calm him down. It didn't really work... until both Jimin and Jungkook started to purr. The gentle rumbling resonated with Wooyoung's own wolf so much that he even started to purr a little himself.

"Bastards." Yoongi growled. "Those fucking bastards!!"

"Hyung, now's not the time." Namjoon said quickly, although his voice was strained as well. He turned back to the group huddled together on the floor. "I need you to tell me everything that's been happening."

Taehyung was the first to speak up, relaying everything Wooyoung had said the night before about the competition, the points, how they were drugged, and the rules.

Wooyoung only had to fill in a few pieces, telling them the purpose behind the courtyard, why Tressor was Head Pack, and about the training classes and competitions. Thankfully they let him do it at his own pace, but neither Jungkook nor Jimin left his side.

"So, the 'whole world' has seen you go through all these awful things?" Hoseok's voice sounded hallow, so very unlike him.

"I try to tell myself that that part is a lie..." Wooyoung admitted softly. "It... It helps..."

"There's no way they would get away with this." Namjoon stood up and started to pace. "There are too many laws against this. No sane person would let this happen. If it's being filmed, it's all in secret, for whatever purpose this is."

"Which is obviously researching how this change affects us." Seokjin stood with him. "We know that's what they were doing with us. I'd bet anything we were the first successful trial they had so they used the same serum on everyone else because they knew the transformation worked."

"I fucking love your mind." Namjoon turned to the Beta and grinned. "I was thinking the same thing." He walked over to Seokjin and kissed his cheek. "Now they must be seeing how the change varies between different people and different dynamics." He suddenly turned around and looked at Wooyoung. "What is your pack like? It's the rest of your group, right?"

Wooyoung froze for a second, then jerked his head in a stiff nod. "Y-Yeah, all eight of us are here. And... I don't know... It's been hard, but we've only been here for..." He started counting on his fingers, trying and failing to figure out exactly how low they'd be on the island now. "Two-ish weeks?"

"That's it??" Jungkook gasped. "And that pack is acting like that?"

"Easy, Kook." Hoseok placed a hand on the back of the younger's neck, making him slouch a little in response.

Jimin clenched his jaw. His scent soured a little, giving away how upset he was. "So you've barely even touched the surface." Then he leaned down and turned his head so he could look up at Wooyoung. "Have you had your heat yet?"

Red was probably a generous term to describe the color that tinted Wooyoung's face, neck, and ears.

He couldn't believe that Jimin just asked him that so casually! Like it meant nothing!

His heart started to race again as another overwhelming wave of anxiety crashed into him. And it only grew worse when the entire pack shifted closer, most reaching out like they wanted to comfort him.

But Jimin spoke first and placed his hands over both of Wooyoung's cheeks. "Hey, hey, hey. It's alright. I promise it's not a big deal, but we just want to understand where you're at in this change. Both Jungkook and I have had a few now. We all know about it." Jimin's voice was so kind, so gentle, so soothing. "Namjoon-ah and Yoongi-yah have both had ruts. I know this is all new to you, but we just want to help."

Wooyoung frowned a little, feeling so on edge after hearing Jimin address his hyungs like that... So informally... So... So full of love.

His eyes wavered a little as he looked at the older Omega, questions bouncing around all over the place.

Jimin seemed to understand and slowly lowered his hands in favor of leaving them on Wooyoung's knees. "How about we tell you a little about us, hmm?"

With the gentlest of motions, he managed to coax Wooyoung into relaxing and letting Jimin take his arm again so burn cream could be applied once more.

"Like Jimin said," Namjoon continued for him, "Those of us who can have been through heats and ruts, so we know what you can expect and can answer questions. We've experienced our senses getting stronger, our wolves emerging to guide us."

"If anything, we kind of like it." Seokjin's lips twisted to the side in a sheepish smile. "It's brought us even closer than we were before."

"And I'm sure you know all about that." Taehyung teased, forcing Wooyoung's blush to stay.

"Tae." Yoongi's warning tone came out again and Wooyoung couldn't help a tiny smile when he realized that the Alpha was the silent observer and protector, there to keep everyone in line.

"What??" Taehyung whined. "Come on, we all know he's one of our biggest fans!" He turned around with his wide, boxy grin and reach up to pinch Wooyoung's cheek.

The younger whined and wished that the ground would just swallow him whole so that he didn't have to be embarrassed by this anymore.

But when he heard a few gentle, fond chuckles come from the others, he was able to relax and shyly peek up at Namjoon again through his eyelashes. The Alpha was watching him with an expression Wooyoung couldn't quite place... Pride? Admiration? Appreciation? He wasn't sure, but it made his wolf churn like crazy.

"Anyway." Seokjin said with a dramatic sigh. "As I'm sure Jimin gave away a minute ago, this change has affected us in many ways. Including our relationships with each other."

"We are like an actual pack now!!" Jungkook beamed and swayed back and forth where he was still sitting on Wooyoung's other side.

"So... you're all..." Wooyoung started to say, then hesitated.

"Yes." Namjoon finished for him with such a tender tone. "We are all together."

"Some of us are closer in some ways than others." Hoseok giggled, then shot Yoongi a teasing look. "Some of us like to pretend they aren't interested, but when his rut comes around..."

"Yah!!" Yoongi pretended to lunge forward, making Hoseok squawk loudly and roll away while laughing. "You don't know what you're talking about!"

"Oh he knows exactly what he's talking about." Jimin twirled one finger in his direction.

Yoongi's eyes narrowed a little and Wooyoung was suddenly hit with a blast of bourbon that had him tilting his neck to the side, exposing it for the Alpha...

And both Jimin and Jungkook did the same thing.

"Alright, alright." Namjoon sighed heavily and pinched the bridge of his nose. "We don't need to go scaring the kid off."

For the first time, Wooyoung found himself laughing, really laughing. And even though he could hear it echoing through the cave, he couldn't seem to stop.

Soon, everyone else was either smiling or laughing with him.

And tension that may have been there before was nonexistent. Especially for Wooyoung.

He'd looked up to BTS for so long now, seeing them bicker and tease like that felt... like he was home.

And he was so grateful for that feeling. It helped to ease some of the pain that came from the past few days, allowing him to look at Namjoon when he finally calmed down to ask, "So... What now?"

The Alpha's smile faded a little and he took a deep, long, slow breath. "I say we give it one more day, then we leave before sun-up tomorrow to get you back to your pack."

Wooyoung's wolf started going crazy at the idea, desperate to get back to his Alphas.

And he was desperate to get back to them too...

Especially San.

But he found himself tilting his head slightly. "We?" He tried to keep any form of emotion out of his voice, but he must have failed because an amused twinkle entered Namjoon's eyes.

"Yes. We. If Taehyung thought you were in danger, I'm not going to let you go by yourself." Namjoon looked around at his pack, arms crossed over his chest and a determined look on his face. "Plus, I want to see for myself everything that's been going on. Knowing there's another pack out there we trust gives me a lot of comfort."

His gazed ended with Yoongi and the other Alpha gave a firm nod of agreement. "Me too. Maybe with their help..." Yoongi pursed his lips and huffed a little.

A long silence followed where no one seemed to even dare to breath.

Then Yoongi lifted his head high and a small, pure red glint flashed in his.

"Maybe we can get out of here."