Avayla was in the middle of breastfeeding Kendra when Theo finally contacted her again. It ended up being a good thing, because the alpha would have gone on a rampage if she hadn't been holding their daughter.

But it didn't stop her from snapping at her mate. What the fuck, Theo? What the hell is going on?

I'm sorry, Ava. I truly am, but I need you to calm down before I explain. I have news.

How can I be calm? The only reason I didn't come track you down is because I didn't sense any danger.

I know, I'm sorry. But this is important. Theo sent his regret through their bond, along with concern. Please, Avie. He added in a whisper.

Avayla huffed a sigh, earning the attention of Yoohyeon and Siyeon, who were sitting in the living room with Maria.

"What's the matter?" Siyeon asked

"Theo finally contacted me." Avayla answered through gritted teeth.

Minji walked out of the kitchen and immediately reached for Kendra. "Take a deep breath, Honey. I'm sure he has a good reason."

Kendra started to whine when she was pulled way from her dinner. She reached for Avayla with teary eyes, waving her hands back and forth.

"Shh," Minji said softly. "Mama needs to take care of something." She continued to quietly talk as she took Kendra into her bedroom.

Avayla took that moment to take several deep breaths while adjusting her shirt. She could sense that Theo was patiently waiting for her, and maybe a small petty part of her was happy to drag it out a bit more.

He had kept her waiting all day. No contact, barely any feeling through their bond, nothing. He'd never done that to her before.

And oh, it pissed her off.

"Are you alright, Ava?" Siyeon moved to sit next to her and took her hand. "Did he tell you why he disappeared?"

"Not yet."

"We are here to help however we can."

Avayla looked at her friend and gave her a small smile. She squeezed Siyeon's hand, then closed her eyes so she could focus on her mate. Alright, I'm calmer. What's going on?

The image of a cabin flashed within her mind, along with directions on how to get there. Meet me here, please. There's... There's something you need to see.

Just tell me what's going on, T. Avayla did her best to keep her anger and annoyance in check. She wasn't in the mood for Theo to dance around the problem.

Ava, pl-

Just tell me.

Theo hesitated for a long moment, then sighed. I'm with your father.

At first, Avayla wanted to laugh and accuse him of lying or tell him to stop joking. But... she could feel the truth through their bond. She was standing before the torrent of questions could be unleashed, her small mercy toward her mate so he wasn't bombarded, and was running out the door.

"Ava! What's going on!" Yoohyeon was closest to the door, so she followed first.

"Get my uncles!" The alpha called over her shoulder. There was no time for her to say anything more. She knew she could trust her friends with her daughters, and her wolf believed it wholeheartedly, otherwise it wouldn't have let her run off like this. 

Just as she knew one of them would go find Hongjoong and San, then come and find her.

If her father was really here... She didn't even know how to process that statement. It felt impossible...

Was her mother here too?

Was her father hurt?

Why was he even here?

What had happened to him?

Her mind raced and raced and raced and raced... Just as her legs started moving faster and faster and faster...

Avie, it's going to be ok. Theo said softly.

It's going to be... going... Which meant that things were not fine now.

Avayla was so distressed that she didn't even shift. It felt like even that simple action would waste too much time. Running was the answer. Running and pushing her body to the limits and getting there as quickly as she could.

Her heart raced, shooting the adrenaline she needed throughout her body. It helped her to fly through the trees, dodging them easily, almost as if she were a wolf.

Maybe her two selves had melded into one. She could feel her wolf's fears, urging her to hurry and to run and to be faster.

When she finally reached the cabin Theo had sent her, her mate was waiting for her out front. His face was riddled with worry as he stepped forward and opened up his arms to keep his alpha from barreling into the cabin, raging like wildfire.

Move! Avayla growled at him. Part of her drew back a little when she saw her mate wince, but she needed to see her father.

I can't let you go in like this. These people are the ones who helped me get him here. Don't take your anger out on them. Please, Avie.

Avayla narrowed her eyes, tempted to unleash her wolf entirely and storm past him, but the pleading look in her beta's eyes had her stopping and turning around to try and collect herself.

Seconds later, Theo enveloped her in a hug from behind, nuzzling her mark and whimpering softly. He used every ounce of his strength to smother her with his calming scent, willing her to give in.

What happened? She asked softly while closing her eyes. The alpha allowed herself to lean back against her mate, which earned her a small spike of happiness in his scent.

But that was quickly washed away by whatever he thought next because she could feel him shudder and tense. Nova isn't who we were led to believe she is... I know Uncle Joong had his suspicions, but...

But, what?

Theo signed and pressed his lips against her mating mark. Nova has been holding your father prisoner and... and... He... He's the one who has been contributing to the female alphas getting pregnant.

Everything stopped, yet the world started to spin at the same time. Colors, scents, sounds... They all started to blur and meld together.

H-How long? She managed to ask. She could feel her body swaying in place, right before Theo held her tighter.

He doesn't know. My guess would be shortly after we were taken, though. He... He doesn't look well, Ava...

The alpha threw all her support into her mate, letting him hold all her weight so that she didn't have to anymore.

A few seconds later, a door opened and Theo turned his head to look over his shoulder. That action right there told Avayla that he knew who had stepped out of the cabin because he must have caught their scent.

"Is everything alright?" A gentle female's voice said.

Avayla vaguely remembered Theo telling her about an Annabelle that he'd met. This must be her. That's what made the most sense to the alpha's distressed mind right now.

"Can I get you anything?"

Theo shook his head and returned his attention to his mate. Avie, you can see him another time if this is too much. Angelo has promised to keep him safe.

She was about to speak with rosemary and vanilla drifted toward her.

"Avayla! What happened?!" Hongjoong called out.

The couple turned to see their uncles running toward them, with Minhyuk and Eunkwang close behind, and Siyeon leading the way.

"Are you alright?" Siyeon ran straight for her and skidded to a stop so that there was enough room for Hongjoong and San to stand in front of her as well.

But no one had a chance to say anything before Hongjoong growled and swiveled to face the cabin.

.

.

.

.

Hongjoong's eyes locked on the female beta standing in the doorway. She gave a little squeak and dove to the side, right before both he and San charged inside.

This couldn't be possible.

He didn't want it to be true.

But...

His scent was here.

His weak, tarnished scent, one that Hongjoong missed so much, was here.

And there he was, laying on a bed, looking...

"Joong?" Mingi's voice was raspy. He turned his head slowly so he could smile up at his alpha.

Ming was thin, so incredibly thin. His skin was sickly and gray, and it sunk in several places, showing off Mingi's cheek and jaw bones, as well as his collarbones peeking out from under the blanket.

And oh, Hongjoong felt like his heart was going to crumble into a million pieces at the sight. He rushed forward and fell to his knees next to the bed. "Mingi, what- I don't-"

"It's alright." Mingi lifted a hand up, which Hongjoong took in his own without hesitation. San also joined in, wrapping his hands around Mingi's wrist and whining softly. "It's so good to see you. Both of you."

So much needed to be said... to be asked... to be felt... Hongjoong didn't even know where to start.

Seeing Mingi here was the last thing Hongjoong had ever expected when Siyeon had run to the fields to let them know that there was an urgent matter that called for their attention.

And he didn't get a chance to say anything else, because the door opened once again and Avayla was running around the bed to fling herself into the other arm Mingi had opened for her.

The young alpha sobbed openly, nuzzling into her father while babbling nonsense. It was a touching sight to see, one that had Siyeon, Eunkwang, Minhyuk, and the other betas in the room staring at with open mouths.

Alpha vulnerability was scarce here, that much was continuing to be proven true.

Hongjoong couldn't bring himself to leave Mingi's side, and San apparently felt the same way, because neither of them budged. But that didn't stop him from watching Siyeon closely.

He was surprised to see tears in her eyes.

She made no move to try and stop the reunion, even stepping aside to allow others to get closer. And since there was no sign of danger coming from her, Hongjoong allowed himself to return his attention to his pack mate.

When everyone was able to collect themselves and calm down, they all listened patiently as Mingi told his story.

It was so painful to listen to, and San had nudge him a couple of times to remind to keep his wolf under control.

But it was so hard. Hongjoong wanted to rip Nova's throat out now more than ever. The fact that she even dared to think that this was ok to do!

It made Hongjoong's blood boil.

And Avayla... She was silent through all of it, though she did exchange a few looks with Siyeon.

Once Mingi finally finished, he closed his eyes and let out a long sigh as a thick and heavy silence fell over the room.

"I still..." Eunkwang said finally, his voice low and hoarse. "I can't believe she'd do this."

"Me neither." The male beta said from where he was standing in the corner of the room. "But now that I see all of you..." He glanced at the female next to him and shook his head.

"And to add to it, if the alphas are all loosing their babies or dying, she's going to be looking for more ways to make this work, right?"

"What?!" Mingi, Avayla, and Siyeon said at the same time.

So many other things happened at once too.

Avayla took a protective stance over her father while also giving Siyeon a worried look.

Mingi tried to sit up a little bit and glanced at Hongjoong, fear swirling in his eyes.

And Siyeon let out a whine and sank to her knees.

Eunkwang was the first to react, rushing to her side, just like any good pack mate would do. "What's the matter?"

"Y-Yoohyeon... She..."

"She was chosen..." Avayla finished for her.

Hongjoong pursed his lips and felt his chest rumble with a low growl. He could see how scared Avayla was, this Yoohyeon must be one of the Elite, one of her friends... "We need to end this." He said, squeezing Mingi's hand. "I was already planning on trying to leave tonight, but..."

"We can't." San said, glancing at his alpha with a look that said he meant business. Pride for his friend flowed through Hongjoong as San continued, "We can't let her hurt anyone else."

"I agree." Eunkwang sighed. "I don't think she's doing what's best for the pack anymore. This isn't the direction we wanted this pack to go." He licked his lips, then peeked at Siyeon. "Right?"

For the first time since he originally found her, Hongjoong really took Siyeon in. She was beautiful, graceful, and she had a hidden power in her fit for any alpha. Yet she looked so small right now, so scared.

Scared for Yoohyeon.

Siyeon had no idea that any of this was happening... and Hongjoong felt his hatred toward her melt just a little bit.

Especially when she wiped her eyes and locked eyes with Eunkwang. "Right."