Hongjoong yawned as he stretched his tense body. Then he opened his eyes and his heart hurt.

Yeosang was sleeping next to him. He had yet to wake up since they had come home... Hongjoong was worried sick and refused to leave his side.

He brought a hand up and ran it through the beta's hair. He watched as Yeosang's eyes darted back and forth under his eyelids as if he was stuck in a nightmare.

"Please. Please wake up..." Hongjoong whispered as he brought Yeosang into his warm embrace.

The beta seemed to shift unconsciously, bringing his nose into the crook of Hongjoong's neck. His wolf stirred in response and wanted more, but Hongjoong would always push him away.

There was a soft knock on the door and Jongho came in carrying a tray with food on it. He had taken over as head alpha while they waited for Yeosang to recover.

Mingi was still hiding out in his room, too ashamed to come out. They all understood and were willing to give him time. Seonghwa spent most of his time in there too.

"Any change today?" Jongho asked, setting the try on the nightstand next to the bed.

"No. But I feel like maybe the nightmares are getting better. I think. It's hard to say." Hongjoong ran his hand through his hair and sat up to take the food tray. "You went hunting?" He asked, seeing that it was a deer stew.

"San and Yunho did. It's not much, but they managed to get one deer for us. They will have to go back out in a couple of days."

Hongjoong hummed and started to eat as he watched Yeosang sleep.

"He's home. Give him some time." Jongho placed a hand on Hongjoong's shoulder. He glanced at the young alpha and gave him a smile. He really admired him. Jongho had proven to be a strong alpha in times of need. "I'm going to go out on patrol soon, but San will be here."

"Thank you." Hongjoong said quietly. Jongho nodded to him before leaving the room.

He finished his meal and set the tray aside before running his hand over Yeosang's arm.

"I miss you, Sangie. I'm sorry you had to go through this... I'm sorry I couldn't protect you when I promised I always would." He closed his eyes and felt a tear run down his cheek. "Look at me," he let out a soft chuckle. "Falling to pieces when I am supposed to be the strong one."

Hongjoong was silent for a long moment. Then he chuckled and rubbed the back of his neck.

"Do you remember the last time you tried to be the strong one? Those boys were making fun of me for being such a small pup. They had all decided to gang up on me and chased me out of the main village. You were always so nosy, so you followed." Tears started to mix in with Hongjoong's laughter.

"Anyway, you tried to tell them to back off, which just resulted in them beating you to a pulp and you yelled at them the entire time while they held me down. But you showed me that if someone as shy and sweet as you could stand up to a bunch of stupid kids, then so could I.

"They never messed with us again after that day. You were so brave, and so beautiful. I'm doing the best I can to be brave for you my love. I promise I will continue to stay strong while you recover. I will keep fighting." Hongjoong leaned forward to kiss Yeosang's forehead before he settled next to him again and held him close.

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San sighed contently as he settled on the couch in the main living room. He had just returned from his turn scouting the territory and was looking forward to relaxing.

He chuckled. None of them felt like they could truly relax, but there was a small sense of peace that had fallen over the home.

There was no sign of any alpha close to their territory, which was surprising with how long they had been gone. He knew the Alpha Pack would think to check here at some point. But for now they were safe.

There was a crash next to him as Yunho dove to tackle Wooyoung. The two of them were happy that they could be reunited and enjoyed wrestling whenever they could to get their energy out since Jongho refused to let them go on patrols alone.

Take it easy you two. Jongho said, but they could hear the amused tone to his voice.

Yunho just chuckled before using his long arms to try and lock Wooyoung in place, but the omega was able to worm his way out and vaulted over the couch and into San's awaiting arms.

With their bond, San knew what Wooyoung was going to do even before it happened, so he was able to predict that Wooyoung was going to come for him and he opened his arms just in time.

But he had other plans in mind than just protecting him.

San pulled the omega too him, but then locked his arms in place, pinning Wooyoung to him and giving Yunho the perfect opportunity to tickle his sides.

"Not fair!" Wooyoung gasped through is laughter. "A-ah! Sanniiieeee!"

The alpha instantly released him and Yunho sat back, rolling with laughter.

"Ok, ok, ok." Yunho said as he caught his breath. "We should probably get started on dinner so it's ready for when Jongho comes back."

Wooyoung was still laughing when he tried to stand up again, but San locked his arms around him and pulled him into his lap. The omega squirmed and reached for Yunho as San attacked his sides a little more.

Then they heard a door open and they all froze. San stood immediately and pulled Wooyoung with them.

Jongho, get back here. He said quickly.

He tensed slightly as Seonghwa walked around the corner, followed by Mingi. He looked so small as he hid behind the omega while holding his hand.

"Hey." Yunho said, breaking the silence. His voice was hard as he came to stand next to, and slightly in front, of Wooyoung.

"Hey." Mingi said softly, staring at the ground.

Jongho... San sent again, keeping the connection personal.

I'm coming.

"How are you doing?" San tilted his head slightly. He genuinely wanted Mingi to be ok. If Seonghwa had stayed with him then things must be looking up.

Mingi coughed to clear his throat, but when he spoke it still sounded pained and constricted. "I'm ok. I... I owe you all an apology... Especially you, Wooyoung..."

San grabbed his omega's hand and noticed that Yunho did the same.

"I said things that I shouldn't have and it's... It's put you in danger..." Mingi still stared at the floor and his shoulders started to shake. Seonghwa turned and kissed his cheek to try and comfort him.

The omega was like a completely different person now that he had officially mated with Mingi. San was happy for them. When he had first met the couple it was obvious that Mingi would do anything for the stubborn omega.

When Mingi finally looked at Wooyoung, Yunho let out a little growl, making Mingi flinch. Seonghwa shot him a harsh look and Yunho looked away.

"I am so sorry." Mingi said, looking back at Wooyoung.

San could feel that his mate was struggling. He had forgiven Mingi a long time ago because he didn't have a cruel bone in his body, but it was fear that held him back. Knowing that an entire pack could use him as a toy, if they wanted to, terrified him.

Then Mingi surprised them all by walking forward and getting down on his knees, bowing his head. "Please, will you give me a chance to make it up to you?"

The door opened and everyone turned to look at Jongho except for Mingi and Wooyoung. Both stayed rooted to the spot, the omega looking at the alpha and the alpha looked at the floor.

"Yes." Wooyoung said quietly.

Mingi seemed to melt in relief. He pushed himself off the ground and the two of them embraced.

San and Jongho both watched cautiously, but Mingi didn't give of any sign of being hostile anymore. He smelled normal and his body language was that of someone who has been broken down. San sighed and walked over to the couple, patting Mingi on the back. "Everything is going to be ok. We all need some time to heal."

Mingi looked at him and gave him a grateful smile. "Thank you." Then he glanced at Jongho.

"We will work it out." Jongho said with a soft smile. "It's what we do as a pack."

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A few more days passed and there was still no sign of Yeosang waking up. Mingi joined the scouting schedule and as long as there was an alpha with them, Seonghwa, Yunho, and even Wooyoung would help hunt.

Hongjoong still left Jongho in charge of everything. He did a good job keeping everything under control so that he could remain by Yeosang's side.

"Hey Sangie?" He said, whispering into Yeosang's ear. "Do you remember our first time together?" He laughed, a small smile crossing his face. "We had just gotten approval from our parents and we could hardly make it through dinner. I think they knew too, because my mom started clearing the table before everyone had finished."

Hongjoong traced circles on Yeosang's shoulders, starting down at his face. "I pulled you from their home and we ran to the hut I had reserved, hoping that everything would go the way we wanted." He started to get a little emotional and he bit his lip. "You looked so beautiful."

He pulled Yeosang close to him again and sobbed into his shoulder.

"Why are you crying then?"

Hongjoong pulled back and looked down. Time stopped.

Yeosang was looking up at him through heavy eyelids. A small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.

"Oh, oh Sangie." Hongjoong pulled him close and they both wrapped their arms around each other. "Sangie." He started kissing his cheeks and forehead. "I th-thought I had l-lost you."

"I thought I lost you to. When they..."

"Don't say it. I don't want to think about it." Hongjoong said, tightening his grip. "How are you feeling?"

"Tired... But happy." Yeosang sighed, rubbing his nose against Hongjoong's neck.

There was a knock on the door and Jongho came in with food again. "Hey, we made some dinner, are you... Oh!" He froze when he saw that Yeosang was awake. "Oh Yeosang!"

"Hey, Jongho." Yeosang said weakly, making a move to sit up. Hongjoong grabbed him instantly.

"Easy, take it slow."

Yeosang visibly paled and swayed as he sat up. Jongho set the tray down and rushed to the other side of the bed to help support him. "I'm ok. Is that food? I'm starving." He said, eyeing the bowl of food.

Hongjoong chuckled. "I'm glad to see your feelings toward food haven't changed." He grabbed the veal chop that he was guessing Seonghwa grilled up and started to cut it up for Yeosang. His beta picked up a couple of pieces and popped them into his mouth.

It made him feel so much better much better when he saw some color come back to Yeosang's face. His eyes started to light up too.

Jongho left to get another veal chop and Hongjoong could feel how excited everyone was through the pack link, but he was grateful that they didn't come swarm them. He thought he heard Jongho telling them to stay away.

Yeosang ended up eating most of Hongjoong's dinner too, but he didn't care.

His mate was home, and awake.

When they finished, Hongjoong helped his shower after he said he felt dirty. He loved getting to pamper and take care of the beta. He wanted to make sure he felt safe and loved now that he was home. And it make him feel even better that Yeosang made sure he was touching him in some way, either by holding his hand or resting his head against him.

"I love you." Yeosang whispered as Hongjoong helped to dry him off. "I knew you would come for me. Even though I couldn't feel you anymore, I knew you would come for me."

Hongjoong felt his heart skip a beat as he stood and stared into Yeosang's soft, golden brown eyes. "I would never give up on you, my angel. I was lost without you." Then he leaned forward and did the think he had been dying to do ever since Yeosang woke up.

He kissed him and pulled him in close. Yeosang instantly melted into his arms and brought his hands to the back of his head.

This feeling was home.

Hongjoong placed his hands on Yeosang's thighs and picked him up to carry over to the bed. The beta whimpered and opened his mouth, letting Hongjoong slip his tongue in. He groaned as he tasted Yeosang for the first time in months.

He didn't know if it was be time, or if he was delusional, but he could have sworn that Yeosang tasted as sweet as his honey scent smelled.

"Are you sure?" Hongjoong whispered as he laid Yeosang down on the bed.

"Yes." He answered immediately. "I need you. I need to feel you. And I need you to make me forget."

Hongjoong felt his heart break at those words, but he would do everything he could to heal his beta. So in a quick movement, Hongjoong stripped himself and nestled in next to Yeosang to reconnect their lips. His one hand danced over Yeosang's skin, wanting to touch every surface of him.

Yeosang whimpered as goosebumps rose over his skin. He twisted on the bed so he could tangle his hands into Hongjoong's hair.

The alpha's wolf roared to life, wanting to leap forward and take back what was rightfully his. He wanted to erase every trace of the scumbag that defiled him.

But Hongjoong took a deep breath and pushed the wolf aside. He started to kiss along Yeosang's jawline, keeping every single move slow and deliberate. "I love you." He sighed as he moved to the beta's neck. "I love you."

"I love you too, Joong. Please, I need you." Yeosang said, tightening his grip on Hongjoong's head.

"I know." The alpha whispered, sucking on one of Yeosang's nipples. He nipped at it, making the beta jerk a little and then whine.

Hongjoong then placed his hand on Yeosang's knee and let it slowly drag up his leg, squeezing a little as he got higher before wrapping it around his already hard member.

They both started to get needier as they continued. Hongjoong didn't know how much longer he would wait, so he brought his fingers to his mouth and started sucking on them before bringing one finger to his entrance and pushing it inside.

Yeosang immediately tensed and made it seem like he was going to pull away, so Hongjoong reconnected their lips. The beta moaned into it and instantly relaxed, so Hongjoong slipped in another finger and started moving in and out of him.

He could feel the beta squirming next to him. So he broke the kiss and moved to suck gently on his neck. "Alpha..." Yeosang whines, his wolf starting to come out. "Please take me alpha."

Hongjoong couldn't refuse the request. He spread Yeosang's legs wide and spat on his hand to try and lube up his member before lining it up with his entrance.

Sapphire blue eyes stared at him, filled with all the love Hongjoong knew was coming out of his own red eyes as his alpha stirred with excitement.

It wasn't every day you got to mate with the love of your life for a second time. They both knew it to. The excitement and anticipation made their skin crawl as Hongjoong grabbed Yeosang's hands and laced their fingers together. He leaned forward to place their hands on either side of the beta's head as he pushed himself inside.

Yeosang's head tilted back with pleasure, but he kept his eyes open and glued to his alpha's eyes. His mouth opened as he gasped at the stretch, then he bit his lip.

"You're beautiful." Hongjoong purred as he bottomed out. "Perfect. Stunning. Mine." The last word came out as a growl as he started to thrust into Yeosang.

"Yes alpha. I'm yours. Make me yours again. I need my alpha. I need to feel you." Yeosang panted before stretching his neck out to kiss Hongjoong again. They both inhaled deeply as the alpha picked up the pace.

Their bodies melded together as they connected on another lever. It was as if they were one soul, finally reconnecting after going through so much pain.

It was the best feeling ever.

Hongjoong grunted as he felt his knot starting it to form. He almost didn't want it to. He loved hearing his beta's sweet voice as he moaned and whimpered into their kiss. Their hands squeezed each other tighter as the pleasure built.

Then he broke the kiss and sucked on the part of his neck where he would renew his mark. Yeosang gasped and tilted his head, begging for his alpha's teeth to break the skin.

And he did just that as his knot burst and Yeosang sprayed their chests at the same time. He licked the wound clean and then tilted his head as Yeosang nudged his head with his cheek. The beta wasted no time in marking his alpha.

They both cried out as their bond slammed into them again and Hongjoong swore he climaxed a second time as his entire body became numb with pleasure.

Yeosang wrapped his arms around Hongjoong, pulling him closer and kissing his mark over and over again. "My alpha. My love." He sobbed.

"I've got you baby. I'm here."

They worked tirelessly to comfort each other as they both were slammed with several emotions at once.

"Never again." Hongjoong whimpered. "Never again..."

The couple rolled onto their sides and continued to kiss each other, getting impatient for Hongjoong's knot to go down.

He ended up knotting Yeosang for a second time a short time later, their wolves pushing them forward with a need to feel each other again after such a long time. They didn't care if the other's heard them either, although Hongjoong was pretty sure they had gone outside to give them some space.

He couldn't have asked for a better family. They stood by his side through the horror they all faced when he had been ready to give up. They helped him bring his mate home. They fixed him and healed him, and he swore he would be the best alpha for all of them.

Hongjoong promised himself that night that he would do everything in his power to make sure his pack was never ripped apart again. And if they were, he would never give up on them, just like they didn't give up on him.

Yeosang hummed as he nuzzled his mating mark with his nose. Hongjoong's would purred at the touch and he tightened his grip on the beta.

He was complete again.