Life was a little chaotic at the house now that there were two newborns that needed to be taken care of. And with them being only two months apart, they kept everyone on their toes.

The two sets of new parents did the best they could to watch over their own child as best they could, while the other four hunted, cleaned, and ran into town.

About six months after Theo was born, Jongho made a call to Maria asking if she could come by the house to take a look at him. He and Yunho had noticed some slight differences between him and Avayla and were starting to get concerned.

He hoped they were overreacting, but they trusted Maria, so they wanted her opinion.

She was there in just under an hour. "What's the matter?" She asked as Jongho grabbed her hand and brought her to Theo's room.

Yunho was dozing in the rocking chair as he nursed, but he blinked several times when the door opened. "Hey lo- Maria? What are you doing here?"

"I've been trying to figure that out myself." She said with a smile, walking over to pat Yunho's cheek. "How is little man doing?"

"He's doing great. Just hungry right now." Yunho gazed down at Theo fondly.

"Yunho." Jongho growled, moving closer. His beta looked up and bit his lip.

"Ok, we have some concerns."

Maria sat down on the bed and looked at the two of them. "He seems perfectly healthy, what's going on?"

"Well, he just doesn't seem to respond to things the same way that Avayla does." Yunho said, looking down as Theo cooed, pulling his face away. He glanced up at his mother and smiled, waving his tiny hands. Yunho grinned and stuck one finger out for Theo to hold onto for a moment before lifting him up to his shoulder at patting Theo's tiny back.

"What do you mean dear?"

"Well," Jongho ran a hand through his hair. "When we are in a room all together, Avayla will glance around when she hears a new sound or try to focus on whoever is holding her or talking to her. And while Theo will do that too, he really only focuses on who is holding him."

Maria hummed and waiting for Yunho to finish burping Theo before she reached for him. His eyes got wide as he was handed over, but as soon as he saw Maria's face, he cooed again.

"That's right baby, Maria is here!" Yunho said, leaning over. His face fell a little when Theo didn't turn to look at him. "See what I mean?"

"All babies develop differently." Maria said quietly.

"Can we show you what we mean?" Jongho shifted nervously. She nodded in response and the four of them moved to the living room where Seonghwa was playing with Avayla on the floor.

"Oh! I didn't know you were here Maria." Seonghwa said, giving her a wide smile. Avayla tilted her head and let out a little squeal, clapping her hands together.

"Jongho called me. Do you mind if I do a couple of things that will involve Avayla too hun?"

Seonghwa gave them a concerned look but shook his head. "No, what's going on?"

"I'm not sure yet."

Maria moved to place Theo on the blanket next to Avayla. The little girl cooed and reached for Theo, a bright smile crossing her face.

When he seemed to register what was going on, he turned to her and returned the smile, letting out a softer sound.

"Avayla." Maria said. The little girl turned her attention to the kind woman. "Hello my sweetness! How is my precious girl today?" Avayla squealed in response. Then the beta turned to Theo, who was still staring at his 'sibling'. "Theo. Theo, honey?" She tilted her head as he still didn't look at her.

Jongho felt Yunho's hand slip into his as Maria frowned.

"I see what you mean." She said. Slowly, she lifted her hand and wiggled a finger in front of the little boy's face. His eyes widened when he saw it, then followed it as she moved her hand back and forth.

"I don't understand..." Seonghwa said as he watched the interaction. The entire time, Avayla followed all of Maria's actions.

Maria just hummed and snapped the fingers on her other hand behind both baby's heads. Avayla tried to twist so she could investigate the sound.

Theo did not.

"Thank you." Maria said to Seonghwa as she lifted Theo off the ground.

Avayla let out an angry sound as she watched Theo being taken away from her, and Seonghwa was instantly there to try and keep her calm.

As Maria started to walk back to the nursery, Jongho felt his chest tightening. The fact that she wasn't really saying anything worried him. And he could feel Yunho's worry too.

The back door opened and Wooyoung, San, and Mingi walked in. The taller alpha made a beeline for his mate, getting on the floor next to him, while Wooyoung was at Yunho's side in a heartbeat. "What's wrong?"

Yunho just shook his head, but took Wooyoung's hand and pulled him to the nursery with him.

San shot Jongho a questioning look to Jongho, who bowed his head and shook it in response. The four of them followed Maria into the nursery.

She was holding him close to her with one hand placed on the back of his head. Her eyes were closed and she was muttering something under her breath.

When she was finished, a contemplating look crossed her face and she turned to face everyone. Theo's eyes lit up when he saw Wooyoung and he made the happiest squeal while flexing his hands. The omega responded by hurrying forward to take him from Maria. The little boy cooed and locked his gaze on Wooyoung, following is every movement.

Maria turned to look at the new parents and gave them a kind smile. "I want to start by saying that Theo is still a very healthy baby. He has no health issues what-so-ever, so I want you to stop worrying about that, ok?"

Jongho wrapped an arm around Yunho's waist. Both of them nodded quickly.

"I believe I found the cause for your concern, however."

The room was silent as they waited for her to continue, minus Theo's angry sounds when Wooyoung stopped paying attention to him.

"I think that... Theo may have been born deaf."

Yunho gasped and covered his mouth while Jongho tightened his grip on his mate.

"Now I need to stay calm." Maria said quickly. "There is nothing truly wrong with him. He's not hurting, he's not sick. You just need to learn to adapt to how you can better take care of him. While he is this young, it may be a little challenging. But I'd be willing to bet that once he is developed enough to communicate with the pack link, you should be able to talk to him that way."

Maria walked forward and took Yunho's hands. "You did nothing wrong. Theo is a happy, healthy baby. He just needs a little extra help from his family. And I will try to do some research and see if I can find a few things to help you. Humans have developed something called Sign Language. You could always try utilizing that. Or again, you can wait for the pack link. It will set him back a little, I know that tends to open up between ages five and eight, but with his family here to help him, I'm sure he will thrive."

"Thank you." Jongho said quietly, placing a hand on top of where she was holding Yunho's.  "I'm glad we at least have an answer. And you're right." He glanced at his son and felt a pleasant warmth fill his chest. Theo was still demanding Wooyoung's attention, cooing happily as the omega played with his hands. "He's still our perfect boy."

.

.

.

.

Wooyoung chewed on the inside of his lip as San pulled him closer. They were settling into bed after a nice dinner with everyone and he was trying really hard not to damper the mood.

He really hated that his inner demons were coming out. He felt like a horrible friend and pack member...

"Wooyoung?" San said softly behind him. He felt his alpha sit up in bed and turned to face him.

"What is it Sannie?"

"I can't keep quiet anymore..." San said, not looking at him. "It's killing me."

"I don't-"

"Yes you do." San cut him off. "I think you forget sometimes that I can feel and sense everything you feel. Remember Lizbeth said our bond is different?"

Wooyoung looked down, knowing San was right.

"I've been trying to be patient with you. I know how hard this is for you, having two babies in the house. And... I know about the missing pages in the book."

"San, I-"

"Do you want to go look for it?" San finally looked up and their eyes locked.

Wooyoung felt his heart skip a beat as he tried to process what his alpha was saying. "Wh-What?"

"You heard me. Do you want to go look for the cure? I feel like you are never going to be at peace if you don't try. But that means leaving everyone here. There's no saying how long we will be gone. Lizbeth said she spent years searching for it. I believe she even said hundreds of years. Is that what you want?" Tears came to San's eyes as he spoke. Wooyoung could feel the stress, pain, and anxiety behind his words. "I will do it for you, Youngie, if it will make you happy... But I can't take much more of seeing you suffer." His voice cracked as he started to sob.

Wooyoung moved so he was sitting in San's lap and they both gripped each other in an iron tight hug. He nuzzled the mating mark on San's neck and felt him shiver and purr at the action.

Is that what he wanted? He didn't even know if the missing pages were for the cure or not. But... Maybe San was right. Maybe he at least needed to try.

His mate tightened his grip and kissed his mark. Wooyoung wolf churned at the contact, but also seemed to push him to give an answer.

"I supposed we need to talk to the others then." He sighed, and San nodded in agreement. "Tomorrow?" Another nod.

The couple shifted so they could lay down together and just hold each other. He needed the comfort because he knew the reactions he was going to get from the others was not going to be pleasant...

The next evening, San gathered everyone in the living room after Avayla and Theo had been put down to bed. Wooyoung was standing in the corner, avoiding eye contact with everyone until San came to stand by his side.

"Will someone please tell me what is going on?" Hongjoong said, crossing his arms. Yeosang sat next to him, a worried look on his face.

Wooyoung flinched and looked at his alpha for help. San just kissed his forehead and held him for a long moment.

"Woo?" Jongho asked quietly. Hearing the tone of his voice broke the omega's heart, and he knew it wouldn't be the first time tonight.

"You're leaving, aren't you?" Yunho asked, his voice already hoarse.

Feeling his lower lip quiver, Wooyoung turned to his best friend and let out a little nod.

"What?!" Seonghwa and Mingi said at the same time.

Then all of them started talking at the same time, asking what that meant and how could he say that and other things he couldn't pick out.

"P-Please..." Wooyoung said quietly, scrunching his eyes shut. They stopped at once. "This isn't eas-sy for me..."

The room stilled.

"I've been trying to stay strong for all of you, especially Yunho and Seonghwa. But... I need to be strong for myself too." He pulled out Lizbeth's book and heart a couple of gasps. "There are pages missing in here..."

"Youngie, no..." Yeosang said, covering his mouth with his hands as tears came to his eyes.

"I don't know if they contain the cure." He continued, looked down at the book. "But I don't think I'll be able to rest unless I try. I was also thinking, maybe we can find something for Theo too." He glanced at Yunho and Jongho and felt his heart crack even more.

They looked like they were in so much pain too.

This was going to be hard for all of them.

"I feel incomplete." They started to protest, all except San, who held his hand up to stop them. "I know you all say differently, and I love you all so much for it. But I do. I can't help it..."

Yunho finally stood up. "We have never viewed you that way Youngie!"

"Sit down!" San snapped, stepping forward.

"What did you just say?!" Jongho leapt to his feet, his eyes flashing red. "You," he jabbed a finger at San, "Do not get to tell my mate what to do. And YOU!" He turned on Wooyoung, who flinched away from his dominance, "Are not going anywhere!"

Wooyoung felt his knees buckle and he fell to the floor.

San moved in front of him and snarled at Jongho. The two of them faced off as tension filled the room.

"THAT IS ENOUGH!" Hongjoong roared, taking on his role as head alpha. Everyone turned to look at him and bowed their heads. "Now we are going to let Wooyoung finish and then we will discuss as a family what is going to be done. GOT IT?"

He was met with silence.

Wooyoung took a moment to collect himself, then looked up to meet Yunho's watery gaze. He flinched when he saw the betrayed look on his face. "Yunho... Please..." He whimpered, then he showed submission by bowing to his friend and getting on his hands and knees. "Put yourself in my shoes... Imagine a life never being able to have Theo... And you, Seonghwa, with Avayla... That is how I feel."

He heard movement and froze.

Long arms brought him up into a hug as Yunho buried his face into Wooyoung's neck. He returned the gesture and they both started to cry. He knew his words and rung true, and there was no arguing with them.

Soon he was engulfed by Yeosang and Seonghwa too.

He didn't know how long they stayed there for, but it was well after all the tears had run out. When they finally stood, he was pulled into a rough hug by Jongho. He could feel the alpha shaking, trying to stay calm. "I don't want you to go..." He whispered.

Wooyoung just held onto him and rubbed his nose against where his mating mark used to be. Both wolves purred at the contact.  "And I don't want to go. But I need to..."

"I know..." Jongho said, fighting back a sob.

Mingi and Hongjoong were the last to embrace him, taking their time as well.

"When do you leave?" Hongjoong asked as they broke the hug.

"Tomorrow." Wooyoung stepped back to stand next to San. "But I want to make a make a promise to you. San and I discussed this for a long time and... We decided on five years." The others exchanged glances. "If we don't find anything in five years then we will come home."

Crooked smiles broke out on his pack's faces as they heard this.

"I don't want to turn into Lizbeth, searching for years upon years. I want to come home one day, if you'll still have me."

They all rushed forward and pulled both him and San into hugs. "Of course we will!" Hongjoong said, speaking for all of them. "You are our family. You will always have a place here, no matter what."

The next day, everything said their final goodbyes. Wooyoung held both Avayla and Theo for a long time, working hard to memorize every curve of their faces.

He had made each of them a locket that smelled of lavender and rosemary and Hongjoong promised to refresh the scents whenever they started to fade. That way he and San would still be present, in a way, for the two pups.

They had packs made up with clothes, bandages, food, and other necessities for the road. Hongjoong had even made a special trip to the bank to withdraw them a large amount of money that he forced them to take.

All of the final concerns were brought up, the main one being what if the pack moved? Hongjoong promised to leave them a sign if they did. They picked a tree near the edge of the territory that they marked with two joined hearts.

Two hearts for mates. For the two packs made one. For the family they would always be.

If the pack moved they would bury something under this tree for them.

After another round of hugs and tears, San and Wooyoung stripped and shifted. He nuzzled into his alpha's neck before they turned to look at their family one last time.

They waved in unison while both San and Wooyoung let out a long, mournful howl.

Then they turned and ran away from their home and forward.

Into the unknown.

End

Well my friends.... So comes the end of My Way!! What did you think??

Please don't have me too much; this just seemed like such a natural place to end it.

But don't worry -- it continues in 'Our Way'!!

I want to thank you all for the love and support I've gotten from this book. It means the world to me and I hope you'll join me for the sequel.

Really, from the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU.

As always, I love you all so much

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo