With there still being several hours until they were expected back at the courtyard, San and the rest of his pack felt a little restless.

They'd put their food safely in the pantry when they got back to the cabin and Wooyoung spent a couple of minutes fretting over how he was going to divide everything evenly enough to feed all of them but also make the supplies last just in case they couldn't buy more at the next market.

It finally took San pulling him out of the kitchen to get him to stop and calm down a little.

But that didn't last long because the next thirty or so minutes were spent discussing how they wanted to handle the competition.

"Is it wise for all of us to enter?" Seonghwa asked when Jongho mentioned all of them being ready to leave thirty minutes before six.

"Why wouldn't it be? San and Wooyoung can actually be a part of this." Jongho defended, sparing a glance at the two mentioned.

San instantly looked down, hating how often that happened now. And he knew it just pissed Wooyoung off.

The two of them had been separated from the others... all because of the stupid collars around their neck.

"But it will leave the cabin unguarded, and it could put them at risk."

"What? Can we suddenly not take care of ourselves?!" Wooyoung snapped, stomping a foot against the ground at the same time.

Seonghwa flinched at his harsh tone and regret instantly crossed his face. "You know that's not what I meant, Youngie."

"I don't care! I'm tired of this! I don't care what everyone else thinks! I should have to be told to shut up in public!"

The air shifted a little and San found himself glancing at Jongho. The younger looked like he was trying to control his anger, or holding back saying something... He took a deep breath and closed his eyes before he did end up speaking. "No one has told you that, Wooyoung-hyung. But we are trying to obey the rules of the game. We decided to stay, so now we all need to play along in our assigned roles."

Seonghwa nodded next to him and placed a hand over his own heart. "I wish things were different, Youngie, but- "

Wooyoung huffed and stood so abruptly that he shoved his chair away and let it topple to the floor as he ran upstairs without another word.

The silence that followed was suffocating. No one quite knew what to say even as they all stared after their packmate.

"I'm... I'm sorry..." Seonghwa eventually whispered. His voice shook and he bowed his head.

"Don't let him get to you, Hwa." Hongjoong slid over on the couch and placed a hand on Seonghwa's thigh. "We all need to come to terms with this in our own ways."

"If you think about it, I'd say we've all been handling this fairly well for this only being our third day." Yeosang added, his eyes falling to Hongjoong's hand then quickly flicking away.

A small movement San didn't miss even as he turned to look back at the stairs.

"I'll go talk to him." Jongho started to stand, then stopped when San stood first.

"No, I will."

No one argued with him. They knew about his and Wooyoung's bond. He was probably the only one who could give Wooyoung any form of comfort right now.

He took the stairs two at a time and paused at the top when he caught the pretty scent of lilacs. Looking around showed no signs of flowers, so he wasn't sure where it came from, but his scanning did cause him to notice the red lights of the cameras.

Whoever was watching had just seen Wooyoung's outburst... Would that count against them with viewers...?

San sighed a little and turned to Wooyoung and Mingi's bedroom, thankful the cameras wouldn't be able to see them in there. He knocked twice, then opened the door to slip inside.

Wooyoung was curled up on his bed, back to the door, with the hood of his hoodie pulled up as if that could hide him. It was his own form of security that he'd always needed.

The door closed with a soft click when San leaned against it. "Young-ah?" He whispered, knowing full well that his friend would hear him.

He noticed the younger tense just a little and waited patiently. When Wooyoung got like this, he always needed time to work through the thoughts in his head.

San knew he was ready when he heard a tiny sniffle. He instantly moved to the bed, and by the time he had laid down, Wooyoung had turned over to bury his face in San's chest.

"Wh-What's w-wrong with me?" He sobbed, clinging to San like his life depended on it.

"There's nothing wrong with you." San whispered into the dop of his head. "We are all stressed out by what's happening. Everyone just handles it differently."

"I'm tired of being so angry all the time, though." As if to compliment his statement, his fists curled into the back of San's shirt and started to shake.

"Baby, it's okay." San placed a hand on the back of Wooyoung's head and started to rub it gently.

He felt the younger relax a little before sliding his legs to tangle them within San's, pressing them as close together as they could.

A light blush dusted San's cheeks and a tiny smile tugged at his lips. "What can I do?"

Wooyoung didn't do anything for a long moment, then he pulled his head back just a little so he could tilt it up to look into San's eyes.

No words needed to be said. Not between them.

San could see the hidden plea swirling behind Wooyoung's pain. He knew. He always knew.

Their lips connected seconds later, soft, tender, shy, slotting together like they were carved perfectly for the other.

It always felt like that whenever they stole kisses between rehearsals or late at night when everyone else was asleep.

Tiny secrets that stitched their souls together with a thread that had been created the moment they met. A thread that had been strengthened by their years together, bit by bit.

But the needle hadn't been created until just a few months ago when San finally gained the courage to make the first move.

He and Wooyoung had always flirted with each other, tiptoeing next to the line that would change everything, pushing and pulling and testing.

Then... Wooyoung had a horrible, horrible day.

It started with not getting the part he'd been hoping for in one of their new songs and being told it was because his voice wasn't a good fit. Then, because his confidence was already shot, he ended up continually messing up the choreography they were trying to learn, to the point that their choreographer called it a day.

He managed to slip away before San could stop him, only to be found later curled up in San's room scrolling through a thread of hate comments toward him and sobbing into his other hand.

San had immediately grabbed his phone and threw it aside before pulling Wooyoung into a crushing hug.

He stayed silent while Wooyoung cried and cried and cried.

Once the tears seemed like they were slowing down, San leaned back a little so he could use his thumbs to wipe Wooyoung's cheeks. "I'm sorry you had such a rough day." He whispered.

Wooyoung just sniffled and pressed his face into San's had. "Sannie..."

"I know. But I promise you aren't any of those things, Young-ah."

Another sniff. "I-I'm not?" His voice was so tiny, yet his eyes grew so wide as he looked up at San.

The older's heart swelled and he knew that was the moment. "No, my darling, you're not. You are so, so special."

They stared at each other for a few more seconds before San closed the distance between them to press their lips together.

From that timid, questioning, loving kiss came the needle that forever tied them together with their powerful, red thread.

They felt it, even now, as they laid in bed together, pushing the limits of their bond.

San could feel the change in Wooyoung, how he relaxed in his arms and became more pliant. Wooyoungneeded to feel San's love for him, needed the reassurance that only San could give him.

That was one of the things San loved about him. Despite how loud Wooyoung's personality was with the others and on camera, despite how spunky, how bratty, how defiant, how playful he was, when it was just the two of them... he became a different person and let the walls he used for security crumble, all so that San could build him back up again.

It was a precious side of Wooyoung that only he knew about.

Their lips continued to mold together, even as their bodies rolled just slightly so that San was leaning over Wooyoung.

A floral scent started to fill the room, tugging at San's curiosity a little, but the thought of ending the kiss kept him from investigating.

But one other thing started to distract him... one thing that he wasn't sure he should act on...

No...

San sucked in a breath through his nose to try and ground himself, centering his thoughts even though he could tell Wooyoung was starting to get distracted too.

Yet he didn't realize just how much Wooyoung was struggling until the younger whimpered a little and broke the kiss first.

"San-ah..."

"What is it, my darling?" San murmured through lips pressed against Wooyoung's cheek.

"San-ah... I feel funny..." Wooyoung's voice held enough confusion in it that San lifted his head and studied his face.

"What's wrong?"

Wooyoung moved himself closer, suddenly looking distressed at how much distance was between them even though most of their bodies were still pressed together. "I feel warm... and my head is heavy."

San lifted a hand to rub the side of his head and frowned a little. "You have been under a lot of stress, maybe it's just from that?"

"Maybe..." He paused for a moment, then tucked his nose into San's neck. "Mmmm, this is nice."

A content smile tugged at San's lips when Wooyoung made a gentle, nuzzling motion. He closed his eyes and rotated again so they could lay comfortably on their sides. "It is. But... you know we can't hide in here forever."

Wooyoung kissed his neck a couple of times, even testing the boundaries by adding just a little bit of tongue. "Just a little longer."

They really shouldn't... but how could San even consider saying no?

"Sir, you should come see this."

A camera zooms in to focus on the two boys exchanging tender kisses.

"Aren't those two Omegas?"

"Yes, Sir."

"Interesting. Why would two Omegas act like this? That's not how it's supposed to be... but then again, we don't know everything about this test since we've only studied one group so far."

Another camera flicked onto the screen, giving them a closer look at how tenderly the two boys are kissing.

"The ratings are going up." A girl stepped forward and held out a tablet. "The viewers are pledging more."

"Just for this group?"

"No, there are others that are starting to grow more intimate as well."

"Excellent. Once Madame Curator starts the bidding, we can start selling off footage. If the serum works like we think it will, then things should start kicking into overdrive soon."

"Just a little longer." One of the boys' whispers, though it comes through the speakers loud and clear.

The man smirks and leans closer to the screen. "Don't worry. You have all the time in the world. You're not going anywhere."

It was when San felt himself dozing off that he forced himself to untangle his limbs from Wooyoung, then lean over to tug Wooyoung out of bed.

The younger sighed in defeat and let it happen, although they didn't stop him from acting like dead weight.

A playful smile tore across his face when San started to struggle, although San wasn't really putting his fell strength into it either.

"Come on, Youngie, we need to get back to the others." San said with a pout.

"But I don't want too." Wooyoung whined back.

San just rolled his eyes and gave a harder tug on Wooyoung's arm to yank him out of bed. It made Wooyoung huff a little, but he followed San from the bedroom and back downstairs without arguing anymore.

Six pairs of eyes locked onto them as soon as they came into view and San hesitated on the stairs.

Hongjoong was the first to move, offering a soft smile and motioning for them to come join the rest of the pack.

Behind him, Wooyoung took his hand, needing to draw on some of San's strength as they slowly walked to sit on one of the couches.

"Are you alright?" Seonghwa asked, leaning forward and looking worried.

"I'm fine." Wooyoung licked his lips, then bowed his head. "I'm sorry for getting upset earlier."

"It's alright, we understand." Hongjoong said. He glanced at the others before speaking again. "We were talking, and... What would you two like to do about the competition?"

San turned so he could give Wooyoung his full attention and the two of them shared a silent conversation, just through their eyes.

There was a fire in Wooyoung's eyes, one fueled by his previous anger and the competitive spirit he had within him.

So it came as no surprise when he said, "I want to participate."

A proud smile appeared on Hongjoong's face, and he clapped his hands together. "Excellent. Then we will go together as a team, and we will dominate."

Everyone in the room cheered and soon they all started theorizing about what the events could be.

Time seemed to fly by now that they had something to look forward to. Wooyoung fixed a simple lunch for everyone of rice and fish, and before they knew it, it was time for them to head back to the courtyard.

Jongho led the way, shoulders squared and eyes scanning the trees for any sign of danger.

A few other packs meandered in the same direction, though they stayed far away from their pack, once again shrinking away from their size.

The only ones who didn't shy away, much to their surprise and curiosity, was Oneus.

The group of six had gathered a few paces away from the courtyard, chatting softly amongst themselves, when Keonhee noticed them approaching and waved at them.

Yunho waved back hesitantly. "I wasn't expecting to see them here."

"Me neither." Mingi tilted his head. "They aren't exactly the competitive type."

"Well... be civil if they decide to speak with us." Jongho said with a slight growl. "I certainly don't trust them, or anyone, but there's no point in starting a fight."

It was a subtle order that any leader would give, and San found himself nodding for his alpha without really even thinking about it.

No one else argued either, all of them falling in line behind Jongho while they slowly made their way toward the courtyard.

When the time came, an Android appeared from inside one of the buildings and plastered a large poster on the side of it.

Jongho immediately surged forward, catching San off guard and tugging on the leash a little, which in turn tightened the collar around his neck for the split second it took him to follow after the younger.

His intimidating look, clenched fists, and toned arms had other packs stopping in their tracks to let them pass.

San had to admit he was impressed, but he also found himself realizing Jongho's arms did seem a little bigger.

"Alright." The younger said, narrowing his eyes to focus on the list. "It looks like a pretty standard event; one we've done before."

Hearing that had the others gathering around with a buzz of excitement.

Hongjoong hummed to himself, then read off the events. "Wresting and archery are going to be easy. The challenging one will be the scavenger hunt, especially because it doesn't give any details here."

"And that's the only one we can all do..." Wooyoung huffed. "I could wrestle! This is- "

"I know, Hyung." Jongho cut him off and sighed. "But remember- "

"I know." Wooyoung clenched his jaw and crossed his arms over his stomach.

San was quick to place a hand on his lower back and leaned over so their bodies were touching to try and comfort him.

It must have worked, because Wooyoung's glare faltered, and he tilted his head to rest it on San's shoulder.

"Alright, who wants to do what?" Hongjoong asked. "There are people waiting behind us."

"Let's play to our strengths." Yeosang said. "Jongho and I can do the wrestling. Maybe Yunho too if he wants to participate in both? But then Yunho, Mingi, and both Hyungs can do archery. Then we all do the scavenger hunt."

"I'm fine with doing both." Yunho rubbed his hands together, a large puppy-like grin of excitement lighting up his face. "This is going to be awesome!"

Seonghwa took the pen hanging by the poster and filled out each event with their pack name and the names of each participant in his neat, perfect handwriting. "There. We are ready for tomorrow."

"Good." Jongho smirked and looked at his pack. "We are going to win; I can feel it."