Jongho hated leaving home this time more than any other. There was something about the entire situation that just left him on edge.

Maybe it was because he was the oldest alpha in the group, and the only one left of their pack of eight.

So much responsibility rested on his shoulders right now. Is this what Hongjoong felt like all the time? He had all these 'what ifs' running around his mind while waiting for the others to wake up.

What if they couldn't find the others?

What if he got them lost?

What if someone else was taken?

What if he failed?

They had already been traveling for two days now with direction or plan... All they had to go off of was the original attack sight they had found Siyeon at.

But that was where the trail ended. They hadn't been able to pick up on any scents or footprints. It looked like there might have been a little more snowfall, so that would have erased everything.

They had nothing.

Jongho looked over his pack, how they were all pressed up against each other for warmth. Rhodey and Chan were in the center, where they would be out of harms way if they were attacked, while Stephan and Gunner were on the very outside, with Yunho and Yeosang filling in the gaps so their four omegas would be protected too.

They were taking so many risks traveling with this many omegas. But the twins had refused to stay behind, just like Wooyoung and Seonghwa.

His ears rotated back and forth slowly, trying to pick up on every sound in the forest. Based off what Siyeon had told them, they had decided to head deeper into the mountains. They'd made it further than ever before, so this was all new and unknown to them.

So far things had been quiet and easy going. There hadn't even been signs of any other packs. Which he could understand, this land was harsh and wouldn't be able to support a pack well. Maybe if it was only a mated pair, but once they started having pups, there wasn't enough wildlife and it was too far away from any markets or cities.

Jongho rolled his eyes at himself when the thought entered his mind that maybe they should move out here and just do what they could so that way no one would find them.

I can feel you brooding. Yunho's voice entered his mind, breaking up his thoughts. Jongho looked over to see one eye opened and watching him.

Yeah well... I have no excuse. The alpha rolled his shoulders and turned back to watching the forest.

I know. But it doesn't do you any good.

Sure it does. It gives me a reason to envision all the ways I'm going to rip whoever did this apart. A low, rumbling growl vibrated in his chest and his upper lip curled back in a snarl. I'm tired of seeing our family go through this kind of pain. And it all started with that stupid war.

At that, his beta rose up from where he had been sleeping to come and nuzzle into Jongho's neck. And if it weren't for that stupid war we never would have met.

Jongho's ears fell back and he returned the gentle nuzzling. True...

You'd still be with your old pack and mated to some other wolf. Probably some pretty little omega as a reward for being such a good hunter. Yunho said with a hint of jealously in his tone. And I'd still be wandering on my own. Wooyoung would probably be dead.

Alright, alright. That's enough. Jongho nipped at the back of Yunho's neck. Stop being so dramatic. You know I want no one else but you.

Caught that, did you? Yunho chuckled, then pressed himself into Jongho's side. I know we don't have the Soulmate bond, but I still consider you my soulmate. He added, his voice a mere whisper.

The alpha's heart started to beat a little faster at those words. He churned with pride, knowing that his beta felt that way about him, and he immediately started licking his mate. I love you so much.

A satisfied purr started to come from the beta and the two of them kept watch together until the sun started to peek through the trees.

The rest of their pack started to stir once the warmth hit their fur. They decided to travel a little further and see what kind of prey they could find before dipping into the supplies they had, so Gunner and Stephan lifted the large sacs of supplies onto each other's backs while Yeosang shifted quickly to tie them to the alpha's backs.

Once they were ready, Jongho took up his place at the back of the pack while Yunho led them forward, picking his way through the trees carefully.

They ended up falling into a single file line. It was the safer way to travel, leaving less paw prints behind and they disturbed less foliage. They couldn't be too careful.

Although Chan did break the line a few times to make sure he stayed by Wooyoung's side as much as possible.

Jongho wasn't quite sure how he felt about the young alpha's actions. He knew it was possible for alphas to mature quickly, getting those protective instincts much faster at a younger age, but sometimes it felt like Chan was on overdrive.

When talking to Yunho about it, his beta felt it was simply because of the stress Wooyoung's body had been put under during the pregnancy, and that it was a side effect of the potion he had been forced to drink.

He watched as Chan nuzzled into his mother's side, tail wagging happily, indicating they were having a private conversation about something.

Meanwhile Rhodey was exhibiting all the normal signs of the young beta he was. He followed obediently behind Yeosang, keeping his eyes and ears peeled for any signs of trouble while quietly keeping in place.

A twig snapping to his left suddenly captured his attention and he froze in place, scanning the trees for any sign of movement. He scented the air, but they were upwind of whatever it was...

Then a large buck bolted, running back the way they had come.

Chan was the first to react. He darted forward, weaving skillfully between the trees to get in front of the deer while everyone else fanned out around it to keep it contained.

Since he didn't have a pack, Jongho fell naturally into the point position while Yunho and Yeosang flanked the poor creature.

It didn't stand a chance, especially when Chan spun around to rear up and snap at its neck.

The deer instantly faltered, catching one leg on a rock, and dropping its head to just the perfect angle that Jongho could leap onto its back and sink his teeth into its flesh.

Once the deer was down, they all took turns eating their fill. It was too cold and would take too long for them to shift, skin and cut up the deer, and then cook it, so they had collectively decided to just stay in their wolf forms to save time.

Alright, let's keep going. Jongho said when it looked like everyone was finishing up.

Yunho trotted over him and licked some of the blood from his muzzle. Yes, Alpha.

Jongho shivered and watched him walk away with a playful little strut. Then he couldn't help but shake his head when Wooyoung came running up behind him and jumped onto his back, then proceeded to chew on his ear playfully.

Chan ran over to nip at Wooyoung's tail, wanting to join in on the fun, followed closely by Rhodey.

Not too loud. Jongho warned. He glanced at where Stephan was standing off to the side with the twins, waiting for a signal that they were going to start moving again.

He had offered to have them join their pack, even just for this short time, so they could communicate, but the other alpha hadn't wanted to. He explained that it was nothing against them, but he was a head alpha and didn't want to bow down to someone else, which Jongho respected.

Jongho, we shouldn't delay. Seonghwa moved to stand beside him, watching the members of his pack with a mixture of love and fear. Gunner was by his side, doing his best to take care of his mother with the absence of his father.

I know. Come on you two. Let's- He was cut off by a distant howl.

All of the froze once their heads snapped in the direction it came from.

The howl was long, echoing around the trees and making it hard to pinpoint its exact location.

Then another one answered, closer this time.

There was another pack in the area.

Everyone in the pack gathered together, standing in a circle facing out so that no one could sneak up behind them.

The howl didn't sound threatening, if anything it was just a call to the area. But Jongho didn't want to take any chances.

Thankfully he didn't, because not five minutes later, a large, brown wolf stepped out of the trees. It was clear that he was an alpha, just by the way he carried himself as he surveyed the group of ten before him.

Jongho hadn't sensed that they had passed into any claimed territories, so right now they were at a bit of a stand off. There was no reason for either side to be hostile, and so far the other alpha didn't seem aggressive.

In fact, he started to study Jongho, his eyes flicking over Jongho's fur coat with extreme interest. Then he lowered his head to the ground, a sign that he wanted to talk.

Yunho stepped forward to stand next to his mate, lending his strength, while Jongho also bowed his head. Be careful.

I always am. Jongho pressed his nose to Yunho's shoulder once before he and the other alpha both shifted and pulled on a pair of pants and a jacket that had been tied to their ankles.

"That's quite the pack you have there." The alpha said with a deep, booming voice. "What brings you so deep into the mountains?"

"I could ask you the same thing." Jongho said, keeping his tone even but firm.

The other alpha flashed an amused smile before ruffling his blonde hair. "Fair enough. A few members of my pack and I are out hunting. It's not the best place, but the winter has been rough this year."

"Yeah, it has." Jongho nodded. "We did just get a nice sized buck, so maybe you will get lucky too."

"You still haven't answered my question."

Jongho scrunched his nose and looked over is shoulder. He could see the others looking to him for his leadership. Right now was the moment that could change everything for them... He could say they were just traveling and hopefully they could move on. Or... Jongho could ask about his missing pack members.

With that question came so many more variables though. This alpha could be behind who took their pack members, or he could know nothing at all, or he could have some clue as to how to find them, or it could trigger an instant fight at the accusation.

So many things could go wrong...

Did Jongho dare risk it?

"I don't mean any of you any harm." The alpha said. "I imagine something must be wrong if you're risking taking four omegas and two pups this deep into the mountains."

Jongho let out a long sigh and took the weight of his decision on his shoulders. It was his responsibility as the acting head alpha of their pack. "We are looking for the rest of our pack. They were taken a few days ago."

"What??"

"We took in a female alpha who had been injured close to our borders. Two of our alphas were escorting her to try and find her pack, they have yet to return... And shortly after they left, three more of our alphas were taken."

"That's horrible. I am so sorry to hear that. My pack is not far from here if you'd like to com ad get a full meal and some protection. My name is Minhyung. I'm one of the lead alphas and I-" The alpha paused and looked over his shoulder.

Another wolf came out of the trees, an omega with light tan fur, came trotting forward, whining softly. He glanced at his alpha first, then Jongho, and froze. His eyes flashed bright gold before he jumped behind a tree to shift.

When he stepped back out, Jongho's heart started pounding in his head.

How? How was this possible?

"Jongho?" The omega asked, stepping forward while Jongho stood up and took his own step.

"Wooseok?"