Mingi growled as he pushed through the storm. He and Hongjoong had decided to push through the storm, wanting to get home as soon as possible and San had eagerly followed.

The wind blew snow and ice into their sides, chilling them to the bone.

There were a couple of times he thought he saw the flashes of silver again and it made him stray from the path as he tried to follow it.

Mingi! Mingi I think we need to stop! Hongjoong called out.

No. We have to get home. I worried something is going to happen.

What are you talking about? The smaller leapt forward to stand at his side. San joined them, shivering violently.

I've... I've seen things that make me nervous. I'm worried that... Mingi paused as a large gust of wind pummeled them.

San whimpered and leaned into Hongjoong.

We can't stop. We've been up here for too long. Hongjoong said, pushing forward.

Mingi just nodded and placed himself in between the other two and the wind, hoping to shield them since he was stronger right now.

What are you afraid of? Hongjoong asked after a few minutes.

I... I'm just being paranoid. Mingi said when he saw the weary look on Hongjoong's face. He didn't feel like he should burden his alpha with his paranoid thoughts of ghost wolves. Let's just focus on getting home.

The three of them continued to help each other down the mountain. They used the downhill slope to their advantage a few times, letting the loose snow carry them down, or they would lay down and just slide for a little bit as long as it felt safe.

One time Hongjoong had to grab the pack in Mingi's mouth to keep him from sliding over the side of a drop off. Both he and San worked to pull him back onto the path where the waited for him to collect himself before he slid further down the path.

As the sun started to set and they neared the base of the mountain, the storm finally let up.

San wobbled as he stumbled forward. He only made it a few steps on flat ground before he collapsed. Hongjoong didn't make it much further.

Jongho! Seonghwa! Yunho! I need some help!

We're coming. Jongho answered quickly.

Mingi felt them shift as he nuzzled both alphas to make sure they were ok. Their eyelids fluttered, showing signs of life.

Minutes later, Jongho and Yunho slid to a stop next to them. Both whined as they checked on San. He licked Jongho's muzzle once before his head fell to the ground.

Where's Seonghwa? Mingi asked, looking around.

He went for a perimeter run. I expect he's on his way. Yunho looked around as well, sensing Mingi's unease.

Seonghwa, are you close?

He was met with silence. Mingi felt a chill run down his spine.

Seonghwa. Answer me.

Still nothing.

Yunho. Mingi turned to him, but the beta was already running along the perimeter. He then turned to Jongho and they both shifted. They slung all the packs over their shoulders after dressing and bent down to pick up the alphas, hurrying back to the house.

"Where is Avayla?" He grunted, panic seeping into his voice.

"Sleeping. Seonghwa put her down about an hour ago."

Mingi's heart was racing. Where was his mate?

Yeosang and Wooyoung were waiting in the living room. The beta took the packs and hurried to get the snowbells in the large freezer they had set up in the storage room while Jongho started pulling out blankets to wrap around the wolves.

Wooyoung whined loudly as he laid down next to San, licking his face and muzzle.

"They will be ok, Wooyoung." Mingi said. "They are just exhausted."

Mingi... Yunho called out.

The alpha shifted as soon as he stepped outside, running to the spot where he sensed Yunho waiting for him. What is it?

I see signs of a struggle. And I can smell Seonghwa. Yunho lowered his head and stepped aside as Mingi investigated the area.

His blood boiled when he two smelled Seonghwa's strong lemon scent, indicating that he was in distress. He started snarling as he shuffled around, scenting everywhere trying to find signs of the attacker. What happened?!

I don't know, but I can't find a trail either.

WHAT? Mingi spun around and snapped his jaw in the beta's direction. Yunho flinched away from him and stumbled back.

Mingi, we will find him...

THEN GET YOUR ASS MOVING AND HELP ME FIND MY MATE!

Mingi didn't even react when Yunho's legs collapsed under him and he fell to the forest floor, whimpering. M-Mingi...

WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED TO MY MATE? HOW CAN HIS SCENT JUST DISAPPEAR? The alpha marched forward, advancing on Yunho. HOW COULD YOU LET HIM GO ON A ROUND?

H-He w-wanted to stret-tch his l-l-legs... Yunho forced out, now laying on his side and exposing his throat.

Mingi was just about to respond when something slammed into his side. He roared as he rolled to the side and sprang up to see Jongho standing in between him and Yunho. His eyes were blood red and foam was forming at the corner of his mouth. Stand. Down.

Don't you DARE speak to me that way! Mingi snapped his jaw as he ran forward.

He never reached his target.

Another body slammed into him and sent him rolling across the forest floor.

This time it was Wooyoung, whose gold eyes flashed as he too planted himself between Yunho and Mingi. He was a little spitfire that was for sure.

Once that thought crossed his mind, Mingi froze and realized what he had done. He immediately shifted and got down on his hands and knees. "Fuck. Yunho I'm so sorry..." He said, tears already rolling down his cheeks.

Jongho just snarled in response and pawed at the ground.

Mingi lifted his head up and glanced at the trio in front of him. But then his eyes drifted to the tree just to the right of where Yunho was slowly pushing himself off the ground. "No..." He gasped. "No, please no."

Jongho shifted and was still crouching in front of Yunho, but he spoke slowly. "What's going on Mingi?"

The alpha crawled forward, his hands shaking as he reached for the tree.

Carved into its truck was a large 'L'.

.

.

.

.

Everything was fuzzy as Seonghwa opened his eyes. He blinked several times, trying to focus on his surroundings.

The first thing he noticed was that he was tied to a chair, his arms wrapped behind it and bound tight. His legs were tied to the chair as well, and he was gagged.

He tried testing his bonds, but he could barely shift his wrists, and when he tried to push the gag out with his tongue it wouldn't budge.

Where was he? How did he get here?

He tried reaching out for the pack link, but it wasn't there.

Then he remembered the collar.

Seonghwa let out a muffled groan as he started to struggle more. Who had taken him? He thought only Primera had access to these collars. Did someone from Primera survive?

He could feel the skin on his wrists start to split as the ropes rubbed him raw. It hurt, but he needed to get out of here.

His mind went to Avayla and the rest of his pack. Were they ok? He started to scream into his gag at the thought of someone harming his baby.

Please. She had to be ok.

He had to get out of here.

.

.

.

.

Wooyoung shoved his nose into San's cheek, trying to get him to wake up. There was much that needed to be done and he needed to be filled in on what was going on.

Plus he had missed him.

Yeosang was trying to do the same with Hongjoong.

Both alphas groaned and started to move a little. Hongjoong slowly started to shift back into his human form the more he awoke.

San blinked several times before lifting his head up and licking Wooyoung's nose.

Sannie! You're ok! Wooyoung whined, moving to rub his entire body against his alpha. He couldn't control the multiple whimpers that escaped him. I was so worried about you. You're never allowed to do that again. I'm not worth it. You could have died and I wouldn't have known. Well, I would because part of me would have died too, but still, you're ne-

Youngie, baby, breath. San said with a slight chuckled as he lifted a paw and placed it on top of Wooyoung's head, forcing it to the ground.

Sorry. Wooyoung said, looking down. San... Seonghwa is missing.

What?!

I don't know what happened. He went out on patrol and never came back. Mingi is outside ripping apart trees trying to calm his rage... He tried to attack Yunho...

San snarled a little, glancing around for the beta.

He's ok. He's in with Theo and Avayla. Maria is on her way here to prepare the spell for us and help watch the kids. I think Mingi, Jongho, and Yunho are going to go look for him. Wooyoung glanced over at where Yeosang was filling Hongjoong in. Hongjoong isn't going to let Yeosang go anywhere, and I'm sure Yeosang will fight for him to stay... I don't know what's going to happen...

We will figure it out. For now let's wait for Maria. San's ears fell back as he stared at the back door.

Wooyoung nodded and nestled into him, humming at the contact with his alpha.

When Maria finally arrived, everyone gathered in the living room and told her what had happened. She looked extremely worried, but agreed to stay and help after giving Kenneth a call. He was going to bring some bags over later.

"Now how do we want to work the spell?" She asked, wringing her hands.

"Well, I figure the three of us can go search for Seonghwa, or see if we can find any clues. If it's just him then we should be able to take him down easily and free Seonghwa." Jongho said, glancing at Mingi. "And Wooyoung and San can work on transforming and breaking the spell and come back here to check in. Then they can form the pack bond with Hongjoong again."

"Ok, I'll get started on the mixture. Someone pack them a bag and some supplies. I'm not sure how long the actual transformation will take."

Everyone hesitated, so many unsaid things hanging in the air.

Hongjoong eventually sighed and turned to the wolf couple. "Now you two listen to me. Don't worry about us, ok? We can handle things here. You need to do whatever Maria tells you and focus on breaking the spell on you. And," He smirked a little, "I'm sure there are... Other things... That you'll be wanting to do. Take care of yourselves. If anything bad happens, we will come to you. But we all need to try and stay calm," He turned to the whole room. "That's the only way we will find Seonghwa. Jongho's right. It'll be three against one, so I'm sure everything will be fine. And they've got to be nearby. He can't have gotten far."

Everyone nodded, confirming their alpha's command.

.

.

.

.

The door opened and Seonghwa stopped struggling. He was facing away from it, so he had no idea who had walked in.

"He's been struggling I see." A higher pitched male said. "I guess that's to be expected."

Someone else hummed.

The hairs on the back of Seonghwa's neck stood on end.

"Are you sure you want to be alone with him?" The man asked, then whimpered. Seonghwa assumed he had received a harsh look from whoever was with him.

The omega made sure to sit up straight and jut his chin out a little to show he wasn't to be messed with.

But that crumbled as soon as the alpha male stepped in front of him with a wide, twisted grin and messy silver hair.

Seonghwa's heart stopped and fear immediately took over.

Now he understood the flash of silver Mingi had seen.

"Hello, Seonghwa. Long time, no see. You're looking well." The alpha reached out and caressed Seonghwa's chin before grabbing it harshly. "I've been dying for this moment for over six years. Now it is my time to shine. And I get to do it by taking away the one thing my enemy loves the most. I'm going to make you mine."

Seonghwa whimpered as he was forced to stare into the stone cold eyes of someone who he never thought he would see again.

Lance.