"I don't understand." Avayla shook her head. How could this stranger think she needed a better life? She knew nothing about the life Avayla had!

What do they want? Theo asked through a private link so that Maria didn't hear. Why are they doing this?

The alpha pulled Theo in closer and squeezed. I'm trying to figure it out. Patience, my love. Stay with me. She felt her mate nod against her neck and a soft wave of understanding come from him.

It was going to be too hard for her to translate for him and focus on the growing threat in front of them...

Minji glanced at her fellow alphas, then offered what could be described as a kind smile. It immediately set Avayla's wolf off again and she knew her eyes flashed red.

"I don't think I'm the best one to explain it. Our leader has a vision that she has been working very hard to uphold." Minji said softly.

"Another one? I thought you were the leader." Serena hissed. "What, are you collecting female alphas?"

The six strangers in front of them all glanced at each other. "We aren't collecting them. We are helping them." Siyeon stepped forward, sending out a wave of familiar pheromones at the same time in an attempt to calm everyone.

Avayla bristled instantly and snarled a warning. That trick wasn't going to work on here. Not now.

Serena seemed to be on the same page because she instantly growled as well. "Explain. And tell me why my family isn't here."

"Trust me, it's better that they stayed behind." One of the females with a touch of a deeper voice said.

"Bora." Minji hissed, giving her a sharp warning look that Avayla didn't miss.

The other six members bowed their heads in respect. It was clear to see that Minji held the power in this little group.

She let out a sharp exhale, then flicked a few strands of her purple hair over her shoulder. "Things are complicated. It would have been too difficult for us. I promise things will make sense when we get back home."

Avayla glanced over her shoulder to see Serena glaring at the pack in front of them. Just as she would be doing if her family wasn't here too. "No, I think we deserve answers! Why isn't her family here and mine is?"

"Because of your pups. And because your mate wouldn't go down." Minji said with a sigh.

Memories flashed before Avayla's eyes. The four of them had been getting ready to sit down for dinner when the front door had been kicked in and smoke filled their home. The first thing she had done was pull Kendra to her, trying to protect her baby, but the smoke worked too quickly. She had gone down while looking for Theo, who's blue eyes lit up her dimming world in his need to protect his family.

"How could you do this to us? I- We- That was our home!"

Maria shifted in her arms and let out a small whine. Her fear rolled off her in waves. Avayla could feel that her daughters thoughts were drifting back to her pack-siblings, worried for their safety as well.

"We have a new home, a better home, waiting fo you." Minji clasped her hands in front of her. "We have made it our mission to help protect female alphas. I know it doesn't make sense now, but... we are a rarity in our kind. The possibility of giving birth to a female is low already, and for her to present as an alpha? Nearly impossible." She turned to her pack.

Siyeon nodded and fell to her knees. It was meant to be a form of submission, of respect, but to Avayla, it showed weakness, which was something she could use if needed. "Think about it Ava." The nickname made Avayla start to tremble in rage, but Siyeon kept speaking, "We have the dominance of alphas, the ability to give pups to omegas and betas, and the wisdom and compassion really only seen in females."

"Give?" Avayla shook her head, forgetting her anger when it was quickly replaced by confusion.

The others seemed to share her confusion as well. "Yes. Give." Minji said.

"Unless..." Yoohyeon leaned forward and tilted her head. "Didn't your mate carry your children?"

Avayla froze. Next to her, Theo sensed her distress and rubbed his nose against her mating mark. What is it?

They are talking about how female alphas are rare, and... they think you carried the girls.

Theo's confusion now intermingled with her own, filling the air.

"You carried them?" Yoohyeon's eyes widened and she turned to Minji. "Is that possible?"

Minji's calculated eyes darted over the family of four. Her face remained neutral, not revealing any emotion or thought in her head.

"Of course it is." Siyeon looked at the others. "Lizbeth was searching for that cure for years so she could carry her own children. She wanted it more than anything. Just because it's not a common thing, doesn't mean it's not possible. It's uncommon, just like we are."

Avayla eyed the alpha she had helped nurse back to health. She knew there was truth to her words, but she didn't like it. This whole 'uncommon' and 'rare' thing was pointless. "So what? Why does any of this matter? You still took us from our homes! Our families! How can you be ok with this?"

Shame flashed in Siyeon's eyes and a couple of the others, but Minji just held her head high. "I know this is hard to understand, but I promise this will be for the best. We are going to take care of you and get you set up in a nice home where we will help take care of you."

"And what if we don't want to?" Serena stood up, pulling the shawl tight around her body. "Are you going to force us?"

For the first time, Minji's strong wall fell. Her eyes fell to the ground and her shoulders drooped. "If we have to."

Avayla looked up at her fellow alpha. Confusion passed between them at the entire situation. It looked like the answer was one Minji didn't want to give, but was it because she didn't want to give up their secrets? Or was it because this wasn't her choice?

If this other female alpha was the one with the power, then it was possible that the six in front of them could have been ordered to round up other females for their pack.

And if this leader really held that much power... then there was something much bigger going on. 

Avayla took a long moment to think about everything that had happened. This group of women was clearly capable of taking them out if they needed to. Unfortunately Maria and Kendra made tat a lite too easy, for both Avayla and Theo would do anything to protect their daughters.

There was no fighting their way out of this.

We have to go with them. She said to Theo, capturing his beautiful brown eyes with her own. I'm so sorry, I can't see any other way around this... I'm sorry I couldn't protect you...

No, Avie. Theo shook his head. No. There's nothing we could have done. Even though his voice was calm, there was still the underlying note of fear hidden.

"We should get going if we are going to make it back before dark." Handong said softly. "I know it's been a long day, but I'm sure you will feel better if you slept in a bed and could get a bath."

As much as she hated to admit it, Avayla had to agree. If they could get to a place that was a little safer, then maybe she could start to think of a way to get them out of this.

One confirming nod from Serena had them all agreeing to go.

Theo was quick to help her stand, wrapping her smaller hand in his much bigger one, then taking Maria's hand in his other one while Avayla kept Kendra close to her chest.

There was no way she was letting any of her family out of her sight.

Serena took up a protective position right behind her while the other six alphas flanked them on either side once the camp was packed up.

Traveling was slow, mostly because of Kendra. While she was good about not being to fussy, she made it so they couldn't transform and travel any faster. Not comfortably, at least.

It also gave Avayla the chance to fill Theo in on everything that had been said. His confusion was understandable, as well as the pain he felt for being taken away from their family.

Especially his mom.

Theo and Yunho had always had such a special bond, the thought of them being apart broke Avayla's heart.

His eyes continued to dart over the mysterious alphas around them. She knew he was trying to pick up any ticks or quirks they might have. Where his ears failed him, his eyes and nose were never wrong.

He started listing off all their scents once he learned them, ingraining them into his and Avayla's minds so they could be prepared.

Siyeon they already knew, her ginger scent was unmistakable. The rest came with time.

Minji, cinnamon. Bora, basil. Handong, a light garlic. Yubin, sweet cherries. Yoohyeon, a strong, salty, ocean scent.

Together, they intermingled in a way that shouldn't work, yet it did, which told the couple that these alphas were very close.

After a few hours of traveling, a new, pineapple scent filled the air right before a blonde furred wolf came bounding forward. She was a smaller alpha, probably about Wooyoung's size or a little bigger, and her tail wagged happily as she padded over to rub against Minji.

A silent conversation passed between them, one that had the wolf glancing at the newcomers several times.

"That's Gahyeon." Siyeon provided softly. It earned her a glare from Avayla, but she ignored it for the moment. "She's the youngest out of our little group, so she usually stays behind for her own protection."

Gahyeon's muzzle curled in a slight snarl and her eyes narrowed at the comment.

"Come, we are almost there." Minji said, a note of happiness entering her voice. Even the others had perked up a little at the prospect of returning home.

The trees started to clear, giving way to rolling hills and hundreds of wildflowers dotting long, flowing grass. They were on the other side of the mountains that had always been their backyard, opening up a world of new things.

Avayla could already pick out a few plants she didn't recognize.

It made her nervous. She didn't like not knowing her surroundings, or that if she found the river she was close to home, or that Riley and his pack were close by, or that Gunner was always there to help her.

The thought of her brother had Avayla slowing her steps. Their family had to know by now that they were gone... right?

Would they come looking for them?

Would they even be able to find them?

A gentle hand squeezed her shoulder and Avayla turned to see Serena's tear filled eyes looking at her. "I miss them too." She whispered.

"Do you think they are ok?"

"I'm sure they are. And I know they will come for us. If I know my brother, Stephen has already started searching." She looked down and sighed. "We've never been apart before..."

Before Avayla could respond, Maria let go of Theo's hand and moved to stand next to Serena, taking her hand instead.

The young beta had always had this calming aura around her. She instantly brought father a sob from Serena, but a smile as well. "Thank you, Sweetie." She ran her fingers through Maria's hair.

"Mama, what's going to happen to us?" Maria whispered, looking up at her parents.

Avayla handed Kendra over to Theo before crouching. "We are going to stick together, just like always, ok?" She reached up to gently rub Maria's cheek. "I promise I'm not going to let anything happen to you or your sister."

The young beta nodded, showing the strength she had inherited from her father.

Pride instantly rushed through Avayla. She leaned forward to kiss her daughter's forehead before turning back to where the now seven alphas were gathered and waiting.

"Together." Serena said, taking in a deep breath.

"Together." Avayla agreed.

Together. Theo's sweet voice filled his mate's head, calming her nerves instantly.

That was the most important thing. They would get through this, as long as they stayed together.