Numb didn't even begin to describe how Wooyoung felt. There was no known word for the mix of feelings and emptiness swirling within him now that he had admitted to himself that they were there...

He'd tried so hard to be strong for the others, to care for them and follow his instincts, to hide from his own emotions.

Because he was nothing without San... Absolutely nothing. And that was something he shouldn't be thinking or feeling when he had his pack and his children to care for.

It killed him even more when he couldn't be as excited for the twins as he normally would be. But his thoughts had immediately gone to how San should have been there for the announcement.

The twins had understood, of course, and done their best to comfort him while he in turn tried to reassure them that it was alright if they went home, that they would be safer there.

It had been messy and upsetting and... Wooyoung felt so guilty now.

Especially with the others gathering around him. Now they were showering him with apologies and their own guilt for not realizing what he'd been going through. All it did was make him feel worse...

San... He needed San. He needed his alpha.

Pain and longing flowed through his connection with his mate. They both leaned into it and Wooyoung started to loose himself to the endless abyss...

"Woo, Woo please say something. What's going on?" Jongho's voice seemed to echo in his mind.

That was also why he tried to distract by caring for the others... Ever since Ultima, Wooyoung didn't have complete control over his mind sometimes. It was so easy for him to chase the rabbit and loose himself to the fog that loved to swallow him whole. And it was always a struggle for him to find clarity.

It had only happened a handful of times, and usually if something came up to remind him of that time or if he spent too much time away from San...

When his alpha first discovered it, he pointed out the signs and had worked on a game plan for Wooyoung to stay in control.

The most successful way was for him to be with the other members of the pack, even if it meant becoming needy. No one ever minded though, they loved to spoil the omega. That was something that had never changed.

So Wooyoung thought he could stick to that same pattern this time. Fight the fog, help his family, stay in control.

But all the Soulmate talk had not helped and now he'd lost the battle...

Endless tears rolled down his cheeks, even though no sound accompanied them.

"Youngie, what happened?" Yunho asked, his large hand grabbed the back of Wooyoung's neck.

"Where do... do... we need... t-to go?" The omega managed to force out.

He could feel Chan's grip on him tighten, the touch strengthening him just a little.

Once Yeosang repeated what the Seer had said, Wooyoung swallowed the lump in his throat and started to walk in that direction.

He knew the others still wanted answers from him, but right now he needed to get to San as fast as possible.

Within seconds, he stripped, tied his clothes to his leg, and shifted. Chan followed directly after and rubbed against him with a few soft whimpers.

The rest of his pack exchanged looks of worry and confusion before Jongho stepped forward. "Wooyoung, please talk to us. Why didn't you tell us you were feeling this way?"

Because he was weak.

Because he didn't want to worry them.

Because he was trying to be ok.

So many answers flew through his head at once, but he was deep enough that he didn't want to say or do the wrong thing.

Please. The omega whispered. Even just thinking one word gave away how shaken he was, how hollow...

To drive in his point, Wooyoung turned and started walking in the direction they needed to go. Soon, he felt the others scrambling to shift as well, anxious to catch up to him.

Mama? Chan pressed into the omega's side and whined softly. What can I do?

The question made Wooyoung's ears fall back and he wanted to dip is head in shame. But he forced himself to look at his son, his mini San in almost every way.

He licked Chan's head a few times, silent understanding flowing through them that the others would never understand. Continue being my strength.

Chan stood up a little straighter, he was already almost as big as his mother now, and his eyes flashed bright red. Always, Mama.

I'm sorry I've been so-

It's ok. Chan rubbed against him again. It was his way of saying they didn't need to talk about it anymore.

The young alpha had always known when Wooyoung was... off. Their time in Ultima must have solidified that sense, and Wooyoung would always wonder if maybe it was a side effect of the potion he was forced to take.

Before he had a chance to think about it anymore, their pack fell into step and them. Jongho took a spot on his other side and pressed his nose into the omega's neck. Are you al-

No. I won't be until we are complete again. Wooyoung huffed and tried to walk faster.

Jongho was able to easily keep pace as he started to speak through a private link. I thought we promised each other that we'd never lie about these things.

I didn't lie.

Woo.

I didn't... I just tried to hide it because I knew all of you needed me. You were, are, being strong as our head alpha, so I knew you'd need extra support. Especially when that little devil decided to butt into our business.

Jongho huffed a low chuckle. There he is, there's my Wooyoung. He paused a moment to press his nose into Wooyoung's neck again. Don't hide from me. I'm adding that to our promise.

The omega's ears fell back again and he was tempted to argue, but one subtle nudge from Chan had him sighing. Fine.

Thank you. Now Jongho took a chance to lick the omega's neck a couple of times. It was such a comforting action, one that Wooyoung hadn't realized he needed. I love you, Wooyoung. Jongho whispered.

Wooyoung turned to look at his other alpha with tear filled eyes. Another thing he didn't know he needed... I love you, too.

There was no missing the way Jongho's eyes lit up after Wooyoung said that. He grinned and wagged his tail, making the rest of the pack perk up with his contagious energy.

The alpha licked Wooyoung's muzzle once, turned to lick Yunho's, then ran forward while saying to everyone, Let's go get our family back!

Howls erupted amongst them as they all tilted their heads back. Eight voices, all in perfect harmony, reaching out to the vast forest in front of them. Rhodey and Chan enjoyed weaving between everyone, their higher pitches blending perfectly with the older voices in the pack.

As one, the pack started to run faster. Jongho, Gunner, and Yunho had the rucksacks tied to their backs, but they weren't hindered one bit.

After being cooped up in the cabin and with the other pack, it felt amazing to simply run. Dirt and snow flying behind them, air ruffling their fur, hearts pounding in their chests.

Now that they were truly on the move, Wooyoung felt his mind growing clearer, even as it started to narrow its focus on their destination.

San. He was going to see San soon. He was going to get to be in his alpha's arms again.

The very thought made the omega run faster. The rest of his pack fed off the same feeling.

It had been too long since they'd been one, too long wandering around without a destination, too long without answers.

But now, they just needed to make it over the mountains.

Which was easier said than done.

Winter was still very much at its full power. A few hours after their journey began, they hit a powerful storm.

The winds were strong enough that the snow blinded them. They ended up forming a line, with Yunho and Jongho switching off who was in front, while everyone else bit the tail of the wolf in front of them so they could stay together.

If they were smart, they would have found a place to stop and rest. But the discussion never even happened. Not with the knowledge that they were finally getting somewhere.

Even the kids didn't mention stopping. They obeyed every order given to them by their elders, staying in the middle of the group where they could be easily looked after.

They traveled well into the night, pushing through freezing wind, deep snow that clumped and matted their fur, and dangerous avalanches that threatened to sweep them away.

And one nearly did.

In hindsight, they would probably agree that they were foolish for not resting sooner, but they were almost over one ridge, so they'd decided to push forward for a little longer.

Gunner was in the lead, pushing through the untouched snow and clearing a path for everyone else, when the groan of snow and ice shifting made them pause.

Then it started to shift.

The groan grew louder right as a giant cracked shot through the hard layer of snow in front of them.

Gunner was the first one to be taken, sliding down the side of the mountain with a scared cry. But Yunho thought fast and grabbed the rucksack on the alpha's back to pull him back to safety.

They all huddled together after that, using their combined weight to fight off the rushing snow that slammed into the for what felt like hours.

Rhodey and Chan were kept in the middle, where they stayed curled together, forming a sturdy center to their formation.

Once the avalanche finally stopped, the pack shook out their fur as best they could and surveyed the change around them.

There was still snow everywhere, but parts of the mountainside had been revealed.

Including what appeared to be a cave that had been buried for what could have been years.

Jongho took the lead after that, taking his time to pick his way through the loose snow until they reached the cave.

It was even colder than outside, and ice covered the walls around the entrance. But further back it was just smooth stone.

The alpha was the first to shift back. He dressed as quickly as he could, then pulled out some wood they had gathered along the way to start a fire, which he fueled generously and built it so big it nearly filled the entrance.

It was glorious.

The cave warmed up after a few minutes, allowing everyone to shift back.

With weary limbs, they pulled out their blankets and pillows to make a makeshift bed on the cave floor. They cooked some of their food using the fire and went to bed with full stomachs.

At first, Wooyoung thought he'd have a hard time sleeping. Every single fiber of his being was on edge, anxious to find San and the others. Yet... he also felt oddly at peace. Slumber came so easily, pulling him toward the dark void of dreams.

Maybe it was because he was nestled in the middle of his pack, their warmth and love mingling with the fire to create a warm barrier around him.

Maybe it was just his exhausted body, heavy from the day's travels through the storm, begging him to let it rest.

Maybe it was his wolf coming forward, easing him mind and reassuring him that he was safe and that everything would be ok.

Or maybe, just maybe, it was because for the first time since they'd left home, they finally had a goal, a little bit of a plan.

For the first time since leaving home, the pack had something that had always fueled them and given them strength.

Hope.