A few days after he had joined the pack, Wooyoung was feeling slightly more like himself. He felt at ease now that he had been reunited with Yunho.

And Jongho... Jongho was a good alpha. It was easy to see that he had a kind soul, even if he wasn't confident in his abilities.

They were a trio of broken souls. But Wooyoung hoped they would be able to put themselves back together.

He still missed Chan terribly though... He often dreamed of his old alpha and woke up with an awful pain in his chest.

One morning, he woke up feeling particularly empty, so much so that tears were already pouring down his cheeks.

He glanced up at Yunho and took in the peaceful on his face. His lips were slightly open and his cheeks were rosy.

Wooyoung could also feel Jongho sleeping behind him. The alpha's arm was wrapped around his waist.

The feeling made his wolf churn, but not as much as if it would have been Chan behind him.

It was all so confusing...

So he carefully wormed his way out from under the alpha's grip and moved to the entrance of their cave so he could watch the waterfall.

It had become something that calmed him. He liked the security of the small cave too. The area had such a different feeling than the hostility of hold pack.

Wooyoung sighed and dipped his feet into the cool water.

"Hey." Yunho's voice came from behind him.

The omega leaned back so he was looking at his friend upside down and smiled at him. "Good morning. I didn't wake you, did I?"

"Nope." Yunho flopped down next to him and ruffled his hair. "How are you doing?"

"Ok." Wooyoung hummed and lifted a leg out of the water to watch the droplets run across his skin.

"Do you feel up to going for a run today? I feel like we need to get you out of this cave."

Wooyoung turned and looked at him, arching an eyebrow. "Yes Mom."

Yunho stuck his lower lip out in a pout, which made the omega laugh. The waterfall swallowed up most of it, but one high pitched part did catch in the cave itself and sent and echo back to them. "I'm just trying to help."

"I know you are, but I am capable of taking care of myself you know." Wooyoung leaned over to dig a finger into his side, trying to hide just how upset he was. He didn't want either member of his new pack to worry about him. They had just found each other, and for them to find Wooyoung so soon after mating... He felt like he was in the way.

Yunho let out a low sigh before wrapping an arm around Wooyoung's shoulders. "I know where your mind is right now, stop it. You heard what Jongho told you. We are a pack now, and we are all going to take care of each other."

"I hate that you can read me so well." Wooyoung let his head fall into the crook of Yunho's neck.

"I don't."

"Me neither." Jongho chuckled, making both of them jump. "Because I did mean what I said." He said down behind them and ran a hand over Wooyoung's back. "I like the sound of a run. We could see about trying to find something for dinner too while we are out."

"Maybe, but I did just bring down that deer the other day, so we should be good for a couple of more days." Yunho leaned over to scent Jongho's mating mark. "Let's just go out and enjoy and explore."

Jongho stood and rubbed the back of his head. "We just need to be careful. It's only been a few weeks since the war. We have no idea what's out there right now."

Wooyoung felt his gut flip and he looked back out at the waterfall. The war had ruined everything...

"Come on, Youngie. Let's go." Yunho said gently while helping the omega stand. "We can leave our clothes here and just swim out, that way we don't have to get them wet."

The younger nodded and turned his back to the others so he could strip and shift as quickly as possible. He shook out his fur and stretched his legs. It was almost weird to be in his wolf form again, but it felt good at the same time.

A few seconds later, Yunho was rubbing up against him. I forgot how small you are. The beta chuckled while looking down at him.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Rub it in. Wooyoung grumbled. His ears fell back and his tail dropped.

I think it's cute. Jongho said from behind them.

Wooyoung looked at him and knew he'd be blushing if he was still in human form.

The alpha walked forward and tentatively extended his neck so he could lick Wooyoung's cheek. The touch was almost a mix of being intimate and friendly, and Wooyoung didn't quite know what to think of it.

His eyes flicked to where Yunho towered over both of them and he just saw an encouraging nod come front he beta.

Wooyoung bowed his head for a moment, then pressed his nose to Jongho's neck. He could feel the alpha purring and it made his own wolf churn with pride. It was making an alpha happy, that's all it wanted right now.

After another moment, the three of them left the cave and swam across the lake. They shook out their fur and fell into an easy lope as they ran around edge of the water.

Wooyoung loved the feeling of stretching his legs out. Yunho was right, he had needed to get out of the cave.

He watched as the beta used his long legs to get out in front of them. Then he stopped and reared up on his hind legs when Wooyoung got close enough and pushed him down on the ground with a playful growl. Too slow!

Hey! I wasn't ready! Wooyoung whined but twisted on the ground to get his feet under him again. He may be small, but he was at least fast, so he was able to duck underneath the taller and nip at the back of his legs.

Then he took off through the trees.

You can't get away that easily! Yunho called out. He also let out a few loud yaps while sending dirt, grass, and leaves flying through the air behind him.

When he caught Wooyoung, they fell on the ground and started to wrestle. And the omega loved every second of it. For the first time in weeks he felt like his old self.

He and Yunho used to do this a lot, when Wooyoung could manage to get out of the house and away from the glares of their pack. It was a good way for both of them to just let lose and enjoy their time together.

At one point he saw Jongho watching them from a few feet away. His eyes would also flick around the forest as well so that he could watch over his pack.

Wooyoung was about to say something to him when Yunho managed to pin him by using one paw to press his head down and then he sat on Wooyoung's side. Yunho! Get off!

Nope! I win. Hey Jongho, come here. He turned his large head to his alpha.

Jongho tilted his head and his tan fur caught a few rays of sunlight, making it look almost gold where it wasn't mixed with black fur.

Even in wolf form he's ticklish.

Yunho don't you dare! Wooyoung whimpered and started to twist beneath the beta.

Oh? Jongho hurried forward, wagging his tail.

His side, right here. Yunho indicated a place on Wooyoung's side by slapping his tail against it.

The omega twisted again, but Yunho lowered his head to nip at his ear. Yunho... Please! He tried to knock Yunho's paw off his face.

But it was too late.

Jongho used his claws to dig into Wooyoung's side and started to tickle him.

It made Wooyoung squirm even more beneath Yunho and his whimpers grew higher in pitch.

A deep chortle came from both Yunho and Jongho as they continued to attack his sides.

S-S-St-top! Please! Wooyoung's legs flailed as he continued to try and break free. Guys!

They continued tormenting him until it was obvious that the omega was having a hard time breathing, then they finally backed away and let him calm down.

Wooyoung rolled onto his other side so he didn't have to look at them while he let his racing heart slow down. You guys are mean. He whined and curled into a little ball.

You're such a baby. Yunho teased.

Then Jongho's face appeared and the alpha leaned over him and licked the tip of his nose. I'm sorry. Please forgive me? He asked, although Wooyoung could see the smirk on his face.

He watched the alpha for a moment, then jerked his legs around to knock Jongho off his feet.

The alpha landed with a huff and stared at where Wooyoung let out an excited whine this time and rolled on the ground.

Yunho joined in and the three of them spent some time running around and bonding.

When the sun started to set, Jongho felt they should head back to the cave so they had some protection.

They walked back, with Wooyoung trailing behind. He caught onto the scent of something that made him pause.

What is it, Woo? Jongho asked, stopping to look back at him.

I don't know. The omega answered. His nostrils flared as he scented the air.

Suddenly, a yowl came from the nearby bushes and two mountain lions charged at Wooyoung from either side of him.

He yelped and bolted while Jongho ran forward without hesitating.

One of the lions tired lunging for the omega again, but he kicked out his back leg and caught it on the jaw, stunning him for a second.

This allowed Jongho to grab it by the back of the neck and he hurled it into a nearby tree.

It didn't get up.

Yunho circled around and growled at the second lion, but it did its best to ignore him.

The creature was very thin, so this was a desperate attempt to find food, and Wooyoung was small enough that the two of them might have been able to take him on.

Jongho ran forward and snapped his jaws at the big cat. It jumped back and swiped at him, but the fear was evident in it's eyes.

The alpha's eyes glowed bright red and he stood up as straight as possible to tower over the creature. He let out a deep, rumbling roar that had both Yunho and Wooyoung trembling behind him.

Thinking better of the situation, the lion turned tail and ran into the forest without a backward glance.

Jongho turned around and hurried to Wooyoung's side. Are you ok? Did they hurt you? He started examining Wooyoung throughly to make sure he wasn't wounded.

Yes. I'm fine. Wooyoung turned so he could lean into the alpha. He had a calming presence that helped him ease out of the slight panicked state he had just been in. Thank you.

The younger rubbed their heads together and stood up a little straighter so he could drape his neck over Wooyoung's to pull him in closer. It was nothing. I think they just got the jump on us, but they were both pretty weak.

Yeah, this one was definitely close to starving. Yunho said from where he was examining the body of the first lion. It's probably our fault. We've been hunting in their territory. His ears fell back against his head and his tail dropped between his legs.

Wooyoung felt his chest tighten and he let out a low whimper. Can we go home? He asked, not liking that they were responsible for another animals life. It felt different knowing it was a predator.

Yes. We can go home. Jongho said softly. He wrapped a leg over the omega's back for a moment, then moved so they could both stand and make their way home.

Once they reached the cave, Yunho worked quickly to start a fire for the three of them to warm up beside and cook their dinner.

Wooyoung sat off to the side, just watching the mated pair work together as if they had know each other for years. It made him feel out of place, but it was endearing at the same time. Jongho would rub the back of Yunho's head lovingly whenever he walked by, which caused the beta to look up at him with a wide smile. That was followed by Yunho not so subtly checking the alpha out because he had decided to walk around without his shirt on.

It was something Wooyoung didn't mind seeing either, although he felt embarrassed about it. This was still unknown territory for him.

Youngie, stop it. Yunho said through a direct link.

Wooyoung looked up at him with wide eyes and the beta just gave him a knowing look.

I already told you, it's fine. Only because it's you. Anyone else is off limits. Yunho winked at him before turning back to the meat in front of him.

Then Jongho surprised the omega by sitting down behind him and pulling him into his lap. Jongho let out a content sigh and leaned against the cave wall while wrapping his arms around Wooyoung. "I had fun today."

The older blushed and nodded once. It took him a moment, but he allowed himself to relax and turn so that he was laying against Jongho and tuck his head into the crook of the alpha's neck.

He felt safe, especially when Yunho came to join them. He wrapped his long arms around them both and let his head rest on Wooyoung's shoulder.

The three of them took the time to just sit together and enjoy each other's company, and Wooyoung found himself getting lost in the pine and oak scents that engulfed him.

They would be ok.

Yes. Wooyoung believed that somehow, they would be ok.