The group of four traveled without rest through the night. The Hunter's scent was still too close for them to feel comfortable.

They did their best to stay away from any paths and tried not to touch any of the trees or bushes, but their fear made their scent stronger. And the major problem they had was that they didn't know the area.

San was the only one who had any experience picking his way through unknown territories, so he led the way most of the time. But as the sun started to rise, their pace started to slow down.

"Jongho, I don't know how much longer we can keep this up." Yunho said as he started to drag his feet.

It had been almost 24 hours since any of them had slept.

"I know." The alpha sighed, turning to look at his two mates. Yunho could barely keep his eyes open as he held Wooyoung's hand so that they didn't get separated. "San?"

The other alpha stopped and turned around. He ran his hand through his hair and bit his lip. "We might be able stop for an hour or so, but one of us should keep watch."

"I can do that." Jongho dragged his hand over his face. "We should find a more sheltered place though. Can you two last a little longer?"

They both nodded and Wooyoung started walking again, pulling Yunho behind him.

Both alpha's smiled and they started to pick their way through the trees.

Eventually the came across a small collection of boulders jutting out of the ground. San trotted over to it and checked out the area. It smelled clean of any wolves and would provide some cover for them. He turned around and waved the other three over, a bright smile on his face.

"Let's stop here!"

The others ducked into the alcove and Yunho immediately sank down with his back against one of the boulders. Jongho came to his side and cupped his face. "What do you need?" He asked, kissing his forehead.

Yunho hummed and wrapped his arms around the alpha. "I just need to rest." He nuzzled his nose against Jongho's mark, letting the comfort that came from it wash over him before moving to lay down on his side.

Jongho rubbed his head for a moment, smiling down at the already sleeping beta. He looked so cute with his mouth slightly open and his hand curled up by his head.

Then he heard Wooyoung give off a small whine as he crawled up next to Yunho. The taller opened his arms and pulled Wooyoung into his embrace. The younger turned so his back was to the beta. Jongho chuckled and leaned forward to kiss the omega. "Get some rest you two."

He stood and stifled a yawn. San was sitting off to the side, very obviously trying to look anywhere else but at the exchange that just happened.

"You need to get some sleep too. Like I said, I'll keep first watch. If I don't sense any danger, I'll wake you up so you can watch for a little bit and they can keep resting. Deal?"

"Sounds good." San said as he nodded a couple of times. "Just stay alert, and if there is anything that feels off, we need to leave immediately."

Jongho nodded and slipped out into the open and carefully pulled himself up on top of the boulders. He scented the air. The Hunter's scent was faint. They had time.

Down below, San ran his tongue over his teeth a few times before he rolled on his side to look at his sleeping pack members. Yunho's arm was wrapped around Wooyoung's stomach. The omega's hand was stretched out in front of him.

Not knowing what came over him, San adjusted himself so he was mirroring the omega, his arm stretched out and he moved just close enough so their fingers brushed together. San smiled as his wolf purred at the contact before he drifted off as well.

After a couple of hours, Jongho was having a hard time keeping his eyes open. The Hunter's scent hadn't gotten any stronger so he was just about to go wake up San so he could rest when he noticed something else.

"Fuck." He jumped down. "Guys! Wake up!" He ducked under the rocks and noticed for a split second the contact between San and Wooyoung before his pack sat up.

"Are they here?" San asked, rubbing his eyes.

"No, but we have a different problem." He looked at Yunho. "I think those alpha's are nearby."

Yunho visibly paled. "Are you sure?"

"Yes. I can smell three of them nearby. I think it's time for us to shift. We will move faster that way."

Wooyoung jumped up and moved to hug the alpha. "Are you sure you can handle it? You didn't get any sleep."

"I'll be ok." He kissed Wooyoung's forehead. "Let's go."

The four of them quickly stripped and stuffed their clothes in their packs before they all shifted. San shook his grey and black fur, glancing over at the orange and white wolf next to him. He had to fight back the twinge of pain that came from seeing the omega walk up to nuzzle his alpha.

Let's go. Jongho said, nudging both Yunho and Wooyoung with his nose.

Which way? San asked, bowing his head and stepping out of the way.

You lead. You've done a good job keeping us ahead of the Hunters. I trust you. Jongho blinked at him and nodded his head.

San lifted his head up in pride and turned to lead them out of the boulders. Jongho took up the rear, making sure to keep his pack in sight. San could immediately smell the alphas too, now that he was out in the open.

They did not smell friendly.

He glanced over his shoulder once and then broke out into a run. The alphas were too close for his liking. He had run into some alpha packs before and they were not pleasant. Generally the alphas who banded together like this were scavengers who liked to take what they wanted and enjoyed bullying others.

And if these three had encountered them before...

San thought hard as he ran, trying to think of some place they could go. He had been all over this forest, but there was nothing that came to mind. I think we need to head to a human city still.

Is there one nearby? Yunho asked, trying to mask the fear in his voice.

Several miles to the north of here. It's not a big one, but we might be able to find a place to hide. San looked to his left and slowed down. Too late...

He and Jongho moved to the front of the pack, protecting the other two.

The three alphas appeared in front of them, hackles raised and teeth bared.

They don't look happy to see you again... San said, moving closer to Jongho.

He noticed one of them was missing a chunk out of his face.

Yunho whimpered and took a few steps back.

The two packs stood facing each other for a moment, then the lead alpha straightened and shifted. "Well, look who we have here." He tilted his head and flashed a wicked smile. "We were hoping we'd run into you again."

Jongho snarled at him.

"Oh, little alphas. You really want to mess with us? Why don't you just hand over the omega and the beta and we will leave you two in peace."

Stay calm. San said, feeling Jongho's anger rising. He's trying to get you to lose control.

The alpha laughed. "So you want to do this the hard way? I'm fine with that. I kicked your ass the last time, you just got lucky with the distraction your omega gave you. Trust me, he will pay for that one. But I look forward to ripping you apart."

Jongho snarled as the alpha shifted again and the three of them advanced forward. The one missing part of his face never took his eyes off Yunho.

Yunho, Wooyoung, I want you two to run as fast as you can. Jongho said.

No, I won't leave you. Yunho said.

You heard him. They are here for you. I want you to run. Jongho ordered.

Both of them whined in response and then started backing away, trying to fight his command. San glanced at them and nodded. Go.

Wooyoung and Yunho fled.

The wounded alpha split off to the side and San went to give chase but the third alpha lunged forward and pinned him to the ground. He twisted and snapped at the alpha's legs, working hard to knock him off balance. He snarled, trying to tap into his dominant side, but it had no effect on the other.

The alpha snapped, locking onto San's neck and shook his head quickly. San yelped, but managed to push his back legs into the alpha's chest, digging his claws in and pushing him away.

Meanwhile, Jongho and the lead alpha continued to stare each other down. Jongho knew the other alpha was bigger and probably a little stronger, but he had two mates to protect, and that gave him all the strength he needed.

Getting impatient, Jongho ran forward, the alpha reacting at the same time, and they collided in midair in a tangle of teeth and claws. They fell the forest floor and rolled around, both trying to fight for dominance.

Then the alpha managed to sink his teeth into Jongho's shoulder. He cried out in pain.

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Yunho nearly faltered when he heard, and felt, Jongho's pain. Wooyoung whimpered next to him and he did stop.

No, we have to keep going. Yunho said, even though he too wanted to run to help his alpha.

But he's hurt. Yunho, I can't... I can't lose another mate. Wooyoung looked at him and started to go back, but he was stopped by a low, deep snarl.

The wounded alpha stalked toward them, asserting his dominance. Both wolves whimpered and back away from him.

Wooyoung, run. I'll try to hold him off.

No! I won't leave you alone. Wooyoung tried to move in front of his friend even though his entire body was shaking.

The alpha laughed at them, then shifted. Where he was missing a chuck of his flesh as a wolf, it appeared as a knarled scar that deformed the side of his face down to his neck. "You should have kept running. SHIFT."

Both Yunho and Wooyoung cried out in pain as they tried to fight the order. But when he yelled it a second time, they both trembled and shifted back into their human forms.

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San danced in circles around the alpha he was fighting. While the other was bigger and stronger, he was lighter on his feet. He could tell he was pissing the alpha off and that's what he wanted.

If he was pissed off, he would get reckless.

The alpha lunged for him and he jumped out of the way, swiping his paw at his muzzle. They repeated this a few times, but then the alpha just charged forward.

San leapt out of the way then spun on his feet so he could jump onto the alpha's back. He dug his claws into the other's sides and then he sank his teeth into the alpha's neck. The alpha shuddered and cried out in pain, but San refused to let go.

He readjusted his grip and pulled, ripping the back of his throat out.

They fell to the ground and San rolled onto his feet. But the alpha didn't get up. He spun around to help Jongho, who was pinned beneath the lead alpha.

Running forward, he knocked the alpha off Jongho and snapped at the alpha's throat, driving him back.

Then Jongho howled in pain while spasming on the forest floor.

Something was very, very wrong.

Go! San called out, placing himself between the alpha and Jongho.

Jongho didn't need to be told twice. He scrambled to his feet and took off. Be careful. He called back to San.

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"Let him go!" Wooyoung called from where he was hunched on the ground. He tried to push himself up, but he was pretty sure the alpha had broken a few of his ribs.

The alpha ignored him as he tightened his grip on Yunho's neck where he had him pinned against a tree. The beta tried to push him away with his legs, but the alpha pressed his body against him, rendering him helpless.

"Please stop!" Wooyoung cried out through his tears, dragging himself across the ground.

"It's payback time." The alpha growled.

Wooyoung mustered all his strength and pushed himself off the ground, grabbing a sharp rock and lunging forward, driving it into the alpha's back.

He snarled and dropped a gasping Yunho to spin around and backhand the omega, sending him flying away. He stormed after him, pinning him to the ground and slapped him again.

Dazed, Wooyoung reached out to his sides, looking for another weapon.

Then a gunshot echoed through the trees.

The alpha flinched and lifted his head up, snarling at something in front of him.

Wooyoung wiggled out from underneath him and pulled himself to Yunho's side. The beta was barely conscious.

They watched as the alpha shifted. Another gun was fired

The alpha staggered, then ran at whatever was attacking them.

Woo! Yunho! Jongho slid to a stop in front of them, breathing hard. He whimpered, nudging both of them with his nose. They both wrapped their arms around him, burying their faces in his fur.

Run! San said, suddenly running up to join them. It's the hunters. Let the other alphas deal with them. We can use it as cover. But we need to go, now! Jongho, can you carry Yunho?

Jongho nodded and crouched down. Wooyoung helped the beta get on Jongho's back. Then he turned and saw San crouching next to him. He quickly swung his leg over and held on tight.

San sped away, Jongho close by his side.

Gunshots could still be heard behind them, as well as the howling of the alphas.

They ran as fast as they could with no destination in mind. Their only goal was to get away and stay together.

Then San scented something familiar and he took a sharp turn to the right. This way!

Jongho didn't question him, but followed behind. San had proved himself today, and he now trusted the alpha with his life.