"Hyung?"

Seonghwa looked over his shoulder with a hum, then smiled softly when he saw it was Yeosang.

"Do you need help?" Yeosang asked, stepping into the pantry where the older Beta had been sifting through the remnants of their food to compile a list for the market.

"I don't think so, but some company would be nice."

A warmth filled Yeosang's chest and he flashed a small smile while leaning against the doorway.

He watched for a few minutes as Seonghwa continued working. He was meticulous in the way he organized and counted and recounted everything.

"Are you okay?" Yeosang asked after a few minutes. After watching Seonghwa, he could tell that the older's hands were shaking.

"N-No." Seonghwa answered right away, surprising Yeosang enough that he stood up straight. "I d-don't know how m-much longer I can do this."

The words had Yeosang instantly pulling Seonghwa into a hug. He wrapped his arms as tightly around his hyung as he could, then gave a soft sigh when Seonghwa bent down just enough to press his face into the crook of Yeosang's neck.

He understood. No matter how often they started to 'figure things out', something else always came up that threw them for a loop.

And... He knew that Yoongi's rut wouldn't be the first one they'd have to deal with...

It was only a matter of time before Mingi and Jongho went through the same thing. They would probably have to talk as a pack soon to decide how they wanted to handle it. Jongho would be a bit easier since he had San, but what about Mingi? Would he ask Hwanwoong? Would Hwanwoong even want to help?

"We are going to figure it out." Yeosang whispered. He ran his hands up and down Seonghwa's back, hoping it would help relax him.

"Everyone keeps saying that... but why does it keep getting worse?" The older whispered.

Yeosang didn't have an answer for that. Not one that would mean anything.

"Come on, Hyung, let's go lay down. I think you need to get some rest." Yeosang started to back out of the pantry and thankfully Seonghwa allowed himself to be guided out of the kitchen.

When they passed through the living room, Hongjoong stood up immediately. "What's wrong?"

Yeosang glanced at him, a small pang of jealousy still trying to build in his chest, and said, "I think he's just a bit overwhelmed, I'm taking him upstairs."

San and Jongho were the only other two in the room and neither one of them looked up from where they were curled together on the couch.

"Can..." Hongjoong started to say, then hesitated.

His unfinished question was answered when Seonghwa held out a hand in his direction. Yeosang had to look away so he could close his eyes for a second and remind himself that he was supposed to be trying to not be this way.

The three Betas made their way upstairs and over to Hongjoong and Seonghwa's shared room, where the beds had already been pushed together.

Seonghwa was quick to crawl into the middle and collapse with a weary sigh. Then he rolled onto his back and held his arms open. "Why are you still standing there?" He said with a hint of a whine.

Hongjoong and Yeosang exchanged a quick look before they laid down on either side of the eldest Beta.

While Hongjoong was quick to wrap an arm around Seonghwa's waist, Yeosang was a little more hesitant and put some space between them.

"This is nice." Seonghwa hummed after a few minutes. "Thank you, Sangie." He turned to look at the younger and flashed a soft smile.

Yeosang's heart started racing and he knew he was blushing. All he could manage was a small nod.

"You are so bad at taking care of yourself, Hwa." Hongjoong said, his tone a mix of scolding and teasing.

"You're one to talk! You would have died from exhaustion a long time ago if I wasn't around to feed you and make sure you get at least some sleep." Seonghwa scoffed.

"That's true." Hongjoong tilted his head back and smiled softly. "I wouldn't be able to do anything without you by my side."

Now it was Seonghwa's turn to blush and he cleared his throat a couple of times.

During that moment, Yeosang looked down and curled into himself a little.

He... He was always going to be on the outside... The third wheel...

"Sangie? What's wrong?" Seonghwa rolled onto his side while Hongjoong sat up. "And don't you dare say nothing."

There was the 'mothering' Seonghwa he'd grown to love so much.

Which didn't help the situation at all...

"Yeosang," Hongjoong started gently, "I thought we talked about this... That... We would try to- to make something work..."

Make something work. Like he was a chore...

"I shouldn't be here." Yeosang went to sit up, but Seonghwa reached over to grab his hand.

"Don't. Let's talk." The older said. "Please?"

"Talk about what?" Yeosang snapped. "Talk about how this place is tearing us apart? Or how Wooyoung isn't here right now? Or how even if we 'make something work' I will always be a third wheel?!"

Both his hyungs freeze at his words, clearly shocked by Yeosang's sudden outburst, which was a very uncharacteristic thing for him to do.

Yeosang tried to pull his hand away again, but Seonghwa just tightened his grip. He was still staring at the younger Beta, but now there was pain swirling in his eyes. "Yeosang-ah, I am so sorry if I made you feel that way." He whispered.

"Why are you apologizing? Neither one of you knew about my feelings. And this is exactly why I kept them to myself, because I've known about your feelings for each other for a long time now." Yeosang scoffed, attempting to break free again.

Hearing that made Hongjoong frowned and he slowly crawled over Seonghwa so he could sit next to Yeosang and take his other hand, effectively trapping him.

Which made his skin crawl.

"I wish you hadn't hidden this from us for so long," Hongjoong started to say, "But... I understand why. I know our profession makes any kind of relationships..."

"Difficult?" Yeosang ground his teeth together and scowled down at the bed.

"Yes." Hongjoong squeezed his hand. Then his sage scent started to get a little stronger, which only made Seonghwa's hazelnut scent react as well.

Yeosang didn't understand why until a hand gently cupped his chin and forced him to turn his head.

To look directly at Hongjoong.

He immediately gulped and tried to pull away, but the slightest change in pressure on his chin hand him staying in place.

"But everything is different now." The older whispered, his cheeks turning a light shade of pink. "So... I promised I would try; we would try."

Yeosang barely had time to swallow before Hongjoong closed the distance between them and pressed their lips together.

It was a timid kiss, one that ended up being more like an extended peck but... It was still a kiss.

When Hongjoong pulled away, Yeosang's eyes were still open in shock and his back was rigid.

The two older Betas exchanged a quick, worried glance before Seonghwa moved a little closer. "Sang-ah? Are you alright?"

Yeosang startled slightly and looked at Seonghwa as if he hadn't heard the question.

But he had...

And he didn't know how to answer it.

"You're not a third wheel, Yeosang." Seonghwa lifted a hand to caress the younger's cheek. "Yes, Hongjoong and I have had feelings for each other for some time now. But that just means that both of us get to learn to love you too."

The words brought tears to Yeosang's eyes and he let out a strangled sob.

Seonghwa was quick to pull him into his arms, then slowly lowered both of them back to the bed, this time with Yeosang in the middle.

They let Yeosang work through his feelings for what felt like ages. Any time he was about to calm down, he thought about how embarrassing his reaction to all this had been and it just started the cycle all over again.

Hongjoong and Seonghwa held him the entire time, both whispering soft words to him or rubbing his arms and side.

Eventually, though, he was able to calm down enough that he was just sniffling softly with his face pressed to Seonghwa's chest.

No one spoke for a long time, not until there was a gentle knock on the door followed by Jongho's strong charcoal smell. "Hyung?" He called softly.

Hongjoong sat up, but when Yeosang tried to move too, Seonghwa tightened his grip. The action made Yeosang smile a little and he finally wiggled an arm out from between them so he could hug Seonghwa back.

"What is it?" Hongjoong asked.

"Namjoon-hyung is back with the others. He said the territory looks secure and they found a few rabbits in the snares we left. Jin-hyung also caught some fish for dinner."

"Thank you, Jongho-yah. We will be down in a bit." Hongjoong answered with a small sigh.

"No, it's okay. I just wanted to give you an update. I'll let you know when the food is ready."

The door closed a few seconds later, then Hongjoong laid down behind Yeosang again.

A gentle kiss was placed on the back of his neck. Yeosang shivered a little, which made Seonghwa chest rumble with and amused chuckle.

"Rest, sweetheart." Seonghwa whispered before kissing the top of Yeosang's head.

All he could do was give a tiny nod. He didn't trust his voice right now, nor his ability to say something even remotely intelligible.

Yet... something in him... his wolf... told him that it was okay to stay silent.

That his pack would take care of him.

Madame Curator sighs as she flips through the reports on her desk. She had just been given the updates on the live broadcasts for the 'show'.

Numbers were dropping, and it seemed as if fans were starting to get upset by what their idols were going through. Some had even started petitions to get the show shut down.

She just scoffs and flips to the next page.

Their opinions don't matter and they will never be able to stop her experiment from happening.

She has too many powerful companies in her pocket that will keep protecting her and funding her work.

While the public's opinion of the crap and lies they were being given was decreasing, the ratings and money was still continuing to climb.

A list of requests had been included, and Madame Curator smiles when she sees that her pack's escapades have been some of the biggest sellers.

Especially when Tressor got involved.

With a hum, she tilts her head and starts pondering how she could make things more exciting again. The next event will certainly help, but maybe she can add something to make it even better...

Her computer pings next to her and she turns to see a message from one of the men monitoring her pack.

'The cameras were successfully installed'.

A video clip comes next, which she plays immediately.

Madame Curator licks her bright red lips, then smiles as she watches one of the Alphas from Pack One in bed with both his mates.

Her Omega is pinned beneath him, crying out in ecstasy.

This will make a wonderful video to sell, which she tells the man to start working on.

As she continues to watch, she can't help but wonder if this is it.

If this will be how she learns if the new serum will work...

"M-Mingi!" Yunho whimpered from where he'd been pinned against a tree.

The Alpha in question growled, right before latching onto his neck and sucking the skin as hard as he could.

Just seconds ago they had been walking together through the trees, desperate for some alone time together to continue talking.

Then it was like a switch had flipped and Mingi's cinnamon scent had exploded.

"M-M-Mingi! Wh-What's gotten in-" Yunho gasped when he felt teeth scrap against his skin.

A jolt of pleasure rocketed through his spine, forcing him to arch his back from the tree. He also curled his hands into Mingi's back, fisting his shirt as he tried to hold on for dear life.

"So good. Smell so good." Mingi's deep voice rumbled in his chest.

Alpha. Alpha!

Yunho bit his lip to hold back a cry that threatened to escape him.

His wolf liked this, that much he was sure of, but he wasn't sure how to take what Mingi was doing.

But then he realized how hot the younger was.

Right before Mingi started to grind against his leg.

"Oh f-fuck." Yunho hissed through gritted teeth.

How was it possible that both Yoongi and now Mingi were experiencing their ruts at the same time??

And how the hell was he supposed to handle this?

Yunho slid his hands around Mingi's shoulders so he could force them between their bodies and tried to push the crazed Alpha away. "Mingi! Snap out of it!"

"No. My Beta. Want my Beta." When Mingi pulled back to say that, Yunho sucked in a breath at how red his eyes were.

"Min, please, we can't do this here. And wouldn't Sannie be better? Or Hwan-"

The growl that cut Yunho's words off made him freeze.

He watched as Mingi glanced in the direction of Oneus' cabin, then shook his head while scrunching his face. "H-" The Alpha growled again and gritted his teeth. "H-He can't... H-He doesn't..."

"Okay, okay, don't hurt yourself." Yunho cupped his cheek and tried not to whine with worry. "But we should go back to the others."

"No!" Mingi pinned him against the tree again and started to scent him furiously.

Yunho's hands were still between them, so he was able to push the younger away. Sort of. But it was enough room that he could look Mingi in the eyes. "We can't do anything out here. We need to get you somewhere safe."

Help Alpha.

Mingi seemed to consider what was being said for a few seconds, then his eyes faded back to their normal, beautiful brown. "Y-Yun..."

"I'm here." The Beta said quickly, cupping Mingi's face with both hands.

"H-Hurts..."

"I know, so let's go back." Yunho tried to pull the Alpha with him but Mingi shook his head.

"N-No, I don't- I don't want anyone else to help." Mingi was starting to pant now. Sweat rolled down his forehead, sliding across his rosy skin.

Yunho's chest tightened at his words.

Mingi wanted him.

"But we don't have anything." The Beta tried to reason. He knew this would be harder than when Mingi helped San and Wooyoung with their heats... because he didn't naturally produce any slick...

"Don't need anything." Mingi clenched his eyes and shook his head again before he started looking around.

The forest was covered in pine needles and fallen leaves, but a short distance away, there was a clearing that still had a large patch of grass.

Suddenly, Yunho was being pulled in that direction and he had to work hard to not start panicking. "Wait! Mingi-yah, this is crazy!"

For a second, the Alpha looked over his shoulder with a playful look.

Then the rut hit again and Mingi started to push Yunho down onto the ground.

But not before he pulled off his jacket and shirt to lay down at an attempt for something Yunho could lay on.

The Beta was pressed against the ground within seconds, protests still tumbling from his lips. "Mingi! We can't! We need to let the others know what's happening. We can't stay out here for as long as this lasts. We-"

He was silenced by Mingi's lips on his, and even with the current situation, Yunho felt the spark he always did when he and Mingi had stolen kisses in the changing rooms or the bathrooms or in their dorm rooms.

And that spark melted every bit of resistance, broke down every wall, crushed every bit of doubt.

That spark made the love he had for the Alpha grow and grow and grow.