The hot sun beat harshly against Hongjoong's skin, as if determined to paint him all shades of red under it's piercing gaze. He'd been provided a cream to help protect him, but there was still a noticeable tan on his arms from spending a week out in the open.

One week... Plus an unknown amount of time before that from escorting Siyeon and falling unconscious from the rock slide.

If he had to guess, he thought that he and San had been gone for about two weeks now, but it was hard to say for sure.

He glanced over at his pack mate and watched as San tended the fields with his alpha 'sponsor'. They conversed quietly, with Peniel managing to pull a light laugh from San.

Seeing that made Hongjoong feel a little better about their unfortunate predicament. He'd be lying if he said that their 'sponsors' hadn't done everything they could to make sure he and San were comfortable.

But it wasn't home... and he desperately wanted to hold Yeosang in his arms again.

"I'd say these are just about ready!" Minhyuk said, clapping his hands and drawing Hongjoong's attention back to the task at hand.

They were currently standing in the potato field checking it for weeds and any destruction from bugs and critters, which there never was any.

That was one of the many questions swirling around in the alpha's mind...

Minhyuk must have seen it, because he flashed a kind smile and stood up straight while stretching his arms over his head. "I can hear how loud your thoughts are." The beta chuckled, then looked around them to make sure no one else was too close before dropping his voice. "You've been doing well, I will do my best to answer your questions."

Hongjoong pursed his lips for a moment, trying to decide if he could trust the beta or not, then made a show of reaching for a jug of water. "How is it possible to be growing all this in the dead of winter? Why do you so willingly do what the female alphas say? Are you prisoners too? Why-"

"I'm going to stop you there." Minhyuk held up a hand to cut the alpha off. He glanced around one more time, then motioned for them to crouch and start working again. "I will start by saying that no, I am not a prisoner here. I've lived here my entire life, which I have a feeling is quite a bit longer than you've been alive, Pup."

Hongjoong scrunched his nose and fought a growl. He couldn't remember the last time someone called him that. His wolf couldn't decide if it liked the name either, which didn't help.

"I'll be honest with you." The beta continued with a gentler tone. "I'm not sure why you were brought here. I... I don't..." he pressed his lips together so hard they turned white, then whispered, "I don't always agree with Nova's decisions."

"Then wh-" Hongjoong started, but Minhyuk held up a hand again.

"Because she is still the Head Alpha... And... she has done a good job taking care of the pack."

"You're really ok with her treating you this way?" Hongjoong motioned around at all the men working in the fields.

From what he'd observed, the pack made the males do most, if not all, of the manual labor, while he hadn't figured out what the women did to contribute.

Minhyuk seemed to understand the hidden complexity to the alpha's question, though, because he lowered his gaze. "Sometimes we all must make sacrifices we don't accept. However," the beta closed his eyes, "As long as we do what Nova asks, she does everything in her power to take care of us."

"That's not how a pack should be."

"And how would you run a pack?" A voice came from behind Hongjoong, making him jump in surprise.

He'd been so focused on the secret conversation, he hadn't noticed the man, the alpha, walking up on them. Maybe it was also because Minhyuk hadn't reacted either, but Hongjoong still scolded himself while turning to face the new alpha.

Who had a very happy Minhyuk pressed into his side and nuzzling the mating area on his neck.

At first, the new alpha's eyes were dark and appraising, but then they gave way to one of the purest, full face, eye crinkling smiles Hongjoong had ever seen.

"What trouble have you been getting into while I've been gone?" The alpha laughed as he spoke, turning his head to look at Minhyuk with pure joy.

"Oh, you know, just babysitting with Peniel."

Hongjoong crossed his arms with a huff, making a point to move his leg so the chain rattled loudly.

"And here I thought you were trying to start ano-"

Minhyuk was quick to slap a hand over the alpha's mouth. "Shhh!" He hissed, looking around the field with wide eyes.

No one around them paid them any attention, but sudden switch in Minhyuk's scent made Hongjoong's wolf stand on edge.

What's wrong? San asked, leaning into their link to show that he was paying attention.

I'm not sure yet... How is Peniel?

Pretending to work. Distracted. He's paying attention to whatever is going on too.

Watch him. Hongjoong tilted his head back a little and watched Minhyuk and the alpha have a silent conversation between them.

For a moment, the alpha looked concerned, then the wide, playful smile returned to his face. He wrapped his arms around the now sulking beta and looked at Hongjoong again. "Well? You didn't answer my question. I'm curious!"

"And why should I tell you?" Hongjoong asked, then shoved his tongue into his cheek.

The smile just grew wider. Damn this alpha made it easy to like him already and Hongjoong didn't even know his name... "If I like your answer, then I'll tell you."

Hongjoong narrowed his eyes and growled, while Minhyuk slapped the alpha's chest and shook his head. "Eunkwang! Play nice."

"I always play nice!" Eunkwang gasped and placed a hand over where he had been hit. "I could be jealous that you're spending all day with another, younger, and much cuter alpha. Would you rather that? Hmmm?" He dropped his arms to start poking at Minhyuk's sides, making the beta squirm and whine.

The action instantly melted Hongjoong's cold persona. It reminded him so much of how he acted with Yeosang... His Soulmate bond tugged painfully at his heart, telling him that Yeosang was unharmed, safe, and missing him just as much.

There was no way these two were his enemy...

"A pack should be a team." Hongjoong said, his voice trembling with the pain of his missing family. "Everyone is equal, everyone contributes, everyone is important. If one member isn't as good at something, they throw their talents toward something else that another member struggles with. It's all about balance and respect and love, not power and possession and control."

As Hongjoong spoke, Eunkwang's expressions changed. His smile faded and an air of seriousness fell over him. "You are the Head Alpha."

It wasn't a question, so Hongjoong simply nodded to reply.

Eunkwang took a very slow, deep breath, then said, "Tonight," before kissing Minhyuk's temple and walking away so fast it was as if he was never there.

The beta watched him for no more than three seconds, then turned to Hongjoong and jerked his head down once more. They quickly returned to their task, although it was more like they were just pushing dirt back and forth.

"What just happened?" Hongjoong asked when he couldn't handle the awkward silence anymore.

"Not here." Minhyuk murmured.

"Wha-"

Minhyuk lifted his head, his eyes flashing blue as his wolf surged forward, to cut Hongjoong off, but something else beat him to the punch.

A familiar scream or cry of shock, it was too loud and high pitched to tell, but Hongjoong instantly bristled in defense and stood up again.

All he caught a glimpse of was a flash of platinum blonde hair before a precious body slammed into him at full force. It was quickly followed by another one that towered over him from behind, which forced the three of them to sink to the ground in a pile of tears.

Avayla and Theo both hugged and scented him furiously, whimpering and trying to speak at the same time.

Soon Maria wedged her way into the hug too, more hugging her mother than Hongjoong, but he didn't care.

Even San came to join them, or more so Peniel allowed him to come over, and he ran a hand down the back of Theo's neck.

How is this possible? Are you alright? Hongjoong asked, falling easily into his old habit of talking through the pack link, but when he got no response, he repeated the questions aloud.

"W-We're fine." Avayla sat back on her heels and wiped the tears from her cheeks, though more quickly replaced them. "But what are y-you doing h-here? This doesn't make any s-sense! Are M-Mama and Papa here?"

The questions poured out of her like an overflowing fountain and Hongjoong couldn't help but smile before cupping her chin. "Deep breath, Ava. I'm sure we can get all of our questions answered with time, but I want to know what happened to you? Where is Kendra?"

Avayla answered the last question by looking over her shoulder at where three female alphas stood together, one holding the baby, and one that had Hongjoong moving in front of everyone and snarling viciously.

Siyeon immediately recoiled and stood behind the other two alphas while Avayla placed a hand on his shoulder. "Don't, Uncle Joong. I'll explain." The sincerity of her voice made Hongjoong stand down, but he still didn't look away from Siyeon.

That is, until Minhyuk appeared in his line of vision and hissed, "Stand down before you get us all in trouble. Others are already staring, and right now you are threatening one of Nova's Elite."

"She's the one who destroyed my family. It's HER fault we are here!" Hongjoong could feel his entire body trembling. His wolf urged, begged, pleaded for him to shift and tear the she-wolf's head off.

Then another beta blocked his vision, making him instantly relax.

Such was Theo's power.

The boy's forehead creased and he tilted his head, and Hongjoong just knew the boy was telling him that it was alright.

Hongjoong trusted his instincts and closed his eyes so he could reign in his wolf.

As much as he didn't like it, Minhyuk was the next to speak, his tone still low and urgent. "I suggest we move somewhere more private. Peniel, will you get us excused from work, please?"

The alpha nodded and handed the end of San's chain to Minhyuk before running through the field and out of Hongjoong's sight.

"Let's go." The beta urged. He pulled on both the chains, drawing Avayla and Theo's attention to it. He sensed her getting ready to say something and hissed without moving his lips, "Later. Get your child and come with us."

"Do it." Hongjoong said, carding his fingers through her hair before allowing himself to be led away by his 'sponsor'.

But that didn't stop him from tuning in to every single thing that happened when Avayla, Theo, and Maria walked over to the trio of female alphas.

"Ava, who is that?" One asked with a curious tilt of her head.

"That is my alpha. My Head Alpha." She answered, her tone not as harsh as Hongjoong expected it to be.

The one who asked the question glanced back at Hongjoong with wide, wondering eyes. "He is?"

"Yes." Avayla said while reaching for her daughter, who was handed over without question. "I will see you later, ok?"

The three alphas all exchanged worried but sad glances, which confused Hongjoong.

What are they doing here? I don't understand... San moved closer to him, watching Avayla and Theo just as intently as Hongjoong was. Do you think-

I don't know... Hongjoong said, to afraid to hear San's question aloud even though the same thing was flying through his own mind.

If Avayla and Theo were here, where was the rest of their pack? He knew they weren't hurt because both he and San would have known if something had happened to their mates, but that didn't stop him from worrying...

He wasn't allowed much time to think as Minhyuk hurried from the potato field. He was keeping his emotions contained, although Hongjoong could see the veins in his neck bulging from stress.

A few minutes later, he opened the door to a modest cabin, ushering Hongjoong and San, then Avayla and her family inside before slamming the door.

"Min? What's going on? I thought-" Eunkwang appeared around the corner, drying his hands with a towel.

"We have unexpected additions." Minhyuk whispered. He gave the alpha one, long look, then handed the end of Hongjoong and San's chains to them. "I'm trusting you. Just while we are inside."

The two looked at each other, confusion circulating through their link. "What is going on?" Hongjoong asked, looking between the mated pair in front of them.

Eunkwang lowered his hands and chewed on his lower lip for a moment. "You need to understand that what we say cannot leave these walls." His voice held a power to it that made Hongjoong's family all shiver. Eunkwang was speaking as an alpha now, one that was not suppressed by Nova.

He looked at each of them, waiting for nods of acceptance before grinding his teeth together and nodding himself.

His mate spoke next, saying something that lit a fire in Hongjoong, one he desperately needed.

"We want to help you get home."