Wooyoung sighed as he stared at the water falling over the entrance of the cave.

Jongho and Yunho had gone out scouting, looking for food and they also wanted to head into a few of the human cities to see if they could find a job.

They had both insisted that he stay behind since he was still healing from the fight with the alpha wolves.

Jongho had spent a long time mulling over what might have caused that, but the only thing any of them came up with was they were three pack-less alphas who had banded together to try and make their own pack.

The thought terrified all of them. Especially because it was the first contact any of them had had with any other wolves since the battle.

Wooyoung bit his lip and closed his eyes. Memories of Chan flooded his mind as he thought of the battle. Growing up, the alpha had always protected him and made sure he was taken care of. That's why they had chosen each other as mates. It made the most sense. And he had been so understanding when Wooyoung had been diagnosed, even when the omega had been ready to give up.

But according to his old back, Chan was dead. He still didn't fully believe it...

"No." Wooyoung said, shaking his head and fighting back his tears. "He's not your alpha anymore. He's dead. If you can't have pups, the bond could be broken too. Just like the elders said." He told himself, trying to convince himself it was true.

Jongho had taken him in knowing he was unable to give him pups. That made him better than the majority of his old pack. And Wooyoung was an omega in his pack.

He didn't really feel right calling him his alpha yet, only because Jongho hadn't marked him or tried to do anything. Part of him appreciated this, as he knew Jongho was trying to respect him and make sure he was ok with it. Part of him wanted it to happen...

Wooyoung chewed on his tongue as he thought about the kind alpha. And even Yunho. His friend didn't seem bothered by the few times Jongho had shown him any affection. Most mated pairs he knew wouldn't want their mates touching anyone else.

Although, now that he thought about it, Yunho's parents had had pretty open relationships with other wolves, so maybe that's why Yunho didn't mind.

His heart started to race faster as he thought about the possibility of the alpha claiming him, and...,

Wooyoung blushed and buried his face in his hands.

What's wrong? Yunho asked through their link.

Wooyoung jumped and looked around, forgetting the beta wasn't there with him. N-Nothing! He responded quickly, grateful that no one could see his face right now.

I can feel the anxiety coming from you. What happened? Do we need to come back?

N-No. I'm fine. He couldn't believe he was even stuttering through the link. Wooyoung groaned and ran his hand through his hair. I just thought I saw... a snake.

Yunho sent back a feeling of suspicion but didn't say anything.

"Smooth." Wooyoung muttered to himself.

He sighed again and stared around. Time was passing by too slowly and he was bored. He picked up a few rocks from beside him and threw them across the cave floor.

Once caught the edge of another rock and flew out of the entrance.

Wooyoung looked after it, then continued throwing rocks.

Then he heard a splash. He froze and listened. It sounded like something was swimming. Wooyoung dropped the rocks in his hand and worked on pushing himself deeper into the cave so he could hide behind some of the bigger boulders.

He held back a whimper as his leg screamed at him.

Guys. Someone is outside the cave.

What? Jongho sent back.

Someone is swimming, I can hear it.

Try to stay calm. We are coming. Hide what you can and stay low. Yunho said.

Wooyoung could feel their concern as they turned around and shifted.

He did ask they asked, doing his best to gather their things and pull them with him behind a rock.

The sound of fur shaking echoed from the entrance. He could smell that it was an alpha, rosemary snuck through the wet dog smell.

It's an alpha. Wooyoung said, curling up into as tight of a ball as he could with having to keep his leg straight.

Is it one of the ones from before? Yunho asked, picking up the pace.

I don't think so... He doesn't smell familiar.

Scent? Jongho growled.

Rosemary. He could feel them thinking about it but not no response.

The alpha started to sniff around and Wooyoung knew he could smell them. There was no way he was going to be able to hide. He could feel himself shaking and the fear would only make his own scent stronger.

Try to stay calm. We are coming. We are coming for you. Jongho's fear was evident.

Wooyoung knew the alpha was getting closer.

"You can come out, I'm not going to hurt you." A soft voice said from the other side of the boulder.

The omega froze and held his breath.

"I know you're there. I promise, I'm not going to do anything. I'm sitting down right now."

Wooyoung heard shuffling. The alpha seemed calm. There was no threatening pheromones coming from him.

He knows I'm here. He wants me to come out, but he's not ordering.

Stay put. Jongho ordered.

Wooyoung felt it through the bond and was grateful. Now he couldn't move without causing himself pain because he would be breaking a direct order.

"Ok, if you won't come to me I'll come to you." The alpha said, keeping his voice low.

"N-No!" Wooyoung said, then clapped a hand over his mouth.

He heard a small chuckled and felt his face turn red. "I'm not going to hurt you. As soon as I got in here I sensed you were injured."

"I-I'm fine. Please j-just go. My pack is on their way back." Wooyoung said, hoping it would chase the alpha away.

"Why did they leave you by yourself? You weren't abandoned, were you?" His voice got a little harder with the second question, like the thought of it offended him.

"No, they didn't abandon me." Wooyoung answered, trying to keep his voice firm.

"Good." The alpha said.

They sat in silence.

We are almost home. Is he still there? Yunho asked.

Yes. But he is just sitting somewhere nearby trying to talk to me. I haven't even seen him yet.

"How did you get hurt?" The alpha asked. His voice was so small, Wooyoung had a hard time believe he was an alpha.

"We got attacked by other alphas."

"Ah. I guess that makes sense as to why you are scared of me."

Then Wooyoung heard movement again and he saw a shadow moving across the wall. A head poked around the corner. The alpha had a sweet face and slightly wavy blonde hair. He looked curious as he studied Wooyoung.

"Ouch, that looks painful." He said, looking down at the omega's leg. "Your bandage looks like it needs to be changed though. Have you been alone for a long time?" Concern crossed the alpha's face.

Wooyoung just stared at him, not sure what to say. He could sense that his pack had reached the lake, so they would be here any second.

And right on cue, a deep, rumbling growl echoed through the cave. A second one soon joined it.

The alpha's head turned quickly and he held his hands up. "I mean you no harm." He said quickly.

He stayed in place as Yunho ran past him and pulled Wooyoung into his arms and dragged him further into the cave.

When he wasn't behind the boulder anymore, Wooyoung could see Jongho's wolf snarling and staring down the other alpha. His eyes flashed red and his fur stood on end.

And yet, the alpha stayed calm.

"What are you doing here?" Yunho asked as he pulled some pants on before hugging Wooyoung again.

"I could sense someone was hurt to I came to investigate." The alpha said, not taking his eyes off Jongho.

"Where is your pack?"

"I don't have one."

Yunho's grip tightened on the omega and Jongho's snarls got louder. They all knew that the alpha could have easily taken Wooyoung away since he wasn't marked.

Wooyoung turned into Yunho's neck, shivering at the confrontation in front of them. The beta's large hand ran through his hair trying to calm him down.

You're not going anywhere. Yunho said, sensing his fear. "Why don't you have a pack? Where are they?"

The alpha shrugged. "They left me when I was a pup. I raised myself."

Wooyoung bit his lip. So that's why he seemed to get upset when he asked if he had been abandoned. There must be some pain there even if the alpha tried to play it off.

Jongho and Yunho exchanged glances. "Well we are back now, so you can leave."

The alpha didn't move. Jongho snarled at him.

"If I may, I've come a long way, and I would love to share a meal with you."

Wooyoung glanced at where the alpha was still kneeling.

No. Jongho said to them.

But Yunho sighed. He hasn't shown any sign of being a threat.

Jongho snarled again, but then he sat down.

"We are low on food. You can stay if you help us hunt." Yunho said, looking at Jongho.

Wooyoung missed the silent conversation that happened, but he knew they were planning something.

"I can do that." The alpha dropped his arms. "My name is San."