Yunho sat off to the side with Wooyoung while the three alphas tried to come up with a game plan. While Mingi wasn't opposed to contacting the colonel, the idea made him nervous.

It made Yunho nervous too... While he had been a huge help to them last time, there was no saying he would be willing to help them now. The Hunters had sworn to kill of their race...

And who knew if he was even still in charge?

Although his parting gift was his phone number saying to call if he was needed, so maybe there was a chance?

He sighed and pulled Wooyoung into a tighter hug. "How are you doing?" He asked softly, closing his eyes and resting his head on top of the omega's.

"I'm doing ok."

"Scared?"

"A little."

"Me too." Their voices were now a whisper. For whatever reason, Yunho had a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach. Something was going to happen, and he didn't like it.

He was just thankful that Theo was home and safe. He missed his little boy terribly and was afraid Theo would hate them for leaving, but he tried not to dwell on those thoughts. At least he had family taking care of him. And Avayla would protect him too.

"What's Ultima like?"

Wooyoung pursed his lips as he picked at his nails. "Honestly? It's actually kind of beautiful. You can tell they put a lot of time and effort into making it a city for them to be proud of."

"City?"

"Yes. It's probably three times the size of the fortress. They built it to last with no intention of having to leave it. It's tucked away in the mountains so there is only on entrance, unless you want to try sliding down a steep cliff, which they have spiked so that's impossible anyway. Everyone seems happy. They have plenty of food and water. They do supply runs to human towns and cities every week, taking several large trucks to haul food and supplies back. But they raise their own cattle, sheep, and I think I heard they even raise elk somewhere."

"Wow. No wonder they are an ancient pack." Yunho had to admit he was impressed.

"All of the houses are nice and spacious, although smaller than ours. They have schools for the kids, plenty of jobs, and their library is impressive."

"And the son? Did he really...?"

"Yes." Wooyoung sighed and Yunho held him tighter. "Although he never did anything until that last day. He was actually really nice, until it came to San. But he was persistent, so the day San snapped he did try to force himself on me. It was my fault really, now that I look back on it."

Yunho gritted his teeth. There was no way this was Wooyoung's fault.

"I could have been firmer with him, but I was hoping he was going to lead us to the spell books. Which, he did, so that ended up working." The omega let out a nervous chuckle as he looked up to where San was glancing at them. "But we all know what ended up happening there."

"Did he have any siblings?"

"One. A younger brother, so the pack still has someone to take over once his parents step down." Wooyoung said as if that was a concern of his.

Yunho just smiled at his friend. "You're too caring sometimes, you know that?"

Wooyoung blushed a little, but nodded. "I know. But when I grew up being treated like shit I don't feel the need to treat others that way. No one deserves that."

Yunho nodded and glanced back at the alphas. Both San and Jongho had soft smiles on their faces, indicating they had heard their conversation.

Jongho locked eyes with Yunho and mouthed 'love you' before turning back to Mingi.

The beta hummed and closed his eyes. They were in for a long night at this rate.

Just as he was starting to doze off, Mingi growled and flopped to the floor. "Fine! We will head back and find the closest phone. But I am not going any further!"

"And I don't want you to." Jongho crossed his arms. "But like I said, I think we are going to need some help, and if he is willing to help us, that will be our best bet. The more power we have on our side, they better our chances will be."

"And wasn't he willing to spare the innocent last time?" San asked, glancing between the two.

"Yes. With some persuasion." Yunho spoke up from where he was sitting. "It wasn't easy, but I think Yeosang is the one who convinced him that we aren't actually that different. His men are a different story, but they followed his orders without complaint. This could work Min."

The alpha huffed and stared back at him. "I know it could. I just... Leaving him in there."

"I know." The beta said, tilting his head. "None of us like it, but like we said before, we are no go to him if we get taken as well. And I really don't want to be in the hands of Primera, or Ultima by the sounds of it. If he's not... Not dead by now, then I'm sure Lance is planning on using him as bait for you."

Mingi's eyes flashed red and he snarled.

"So if you go charging in there, you'll be walking right into his trap." Yunho finished.

"Well and it doesn't help that you two can't go in there!" Mingi's voice rose as he motioned to San and Wooyoung. "That puts us down two men!"

"Hey!" San snapped, standing up so he could tower over Mingi. "You have no room to judge me when we all know you'd do the same thing!"

The air was getting thick with dominance as Mingi bristled and slowly stood up, now using his height to look down on San. "Yeah, but I wouldn't have killed the head alpha's son."

"You would kill anyone who comes between you and Seonghwa. Even one of us."

"You want to test this theory?" Mingi snarled marching forward.

"Stop!" Wooyoung called, scrambling up from where he was sitting. He ran on shaking legs as he fought against the dominance. "We shouldn't be fighting right now!"

"I can take you any day." San's lip curled as he held his ground.

"I doubt that." Mingi roared and went to lunge forward, but Wooyoung planted himself between the two alphas.

San instantly froze and pulled his mate out of the way as Mingi stumbled forward, trying to stop the momentum he had created.

Yunho ran forward as well, kneeling next to Mingi and helping him up off the ground. "Please, calm down. This isn't what a family is supposed to do."

Mingi let out a sound that was a mixture between a sob and a sigh as he glanced up at Wooyoung. "You've got balls kid... Thanks."

"You're not that much older than me." Wooyoung said with a slight pout as San's arms trapped him against his chest.

At that, everyone started laughing, even the omega.

"Let's get out of this cave and get to a phone. I want to get home as soon as possible." Mingi sighed, running his hand through his hair. "I'm sorry, San. I didn't mean to snap."

The smaller alpha smiled and shook his head. "I snapped first. We are all on edge."

"We need to stay strong and make sure to work together." Wooyoung said, looking between everyone. "We are strongest when we are united as one. Remember that." His eyes flashed gold for a split second.

Yunho smiled at his friend and nodded in agreement, but then he saw a strange look flash across San's face as he pulled Wooyoung closer to him, nuzzling his mating mark quickly.

What was that about?

Jongho seemed to notice it too and moved to stand closer to Yunho, moving his hand so their fingers brushed against each other. He was concerned too.

.

.

.

.

When Seonghwa awoke again he was alone. He was surprised to see that, while he was still naked, he had been cleaned up and was now only chained to the bed by one ankle.

His hands flew to the collar around his neck and found it was padlocked shut, so there was no way he could remove it himself. Which answered his questions as to why his hands were left unbound.

He opened and closed his mouth several times, loving that he was no longer gagged either.

Then the pain came.

He groaned as his lower back screamed with pain and when he went to put pressure on it, his shoulders ached as well.

Lance definitely hadn't been gentle with him...

And as if the very thought summoned him, the door opened and Lance came striding into the room, his hands clasped behind his back.

Following him was a familiar woman.

"Juno?" Seonghwa asked as he pushed himself against the headboard.

"I thought you would appreciate a familiar face." Lance said, his voice void of all emotion. "She will be helping you through your pregnancy, starting with tests. You will take one daily until we get a positive back. I have a few meeting to take care of." His eyes flashed red. "I got reports of a small group of wolves on the edge or our territory and I have sent one of my trusted advisors to investigate."

Seonghwa's heart started to pound, praying that it was Mingi and the others. He knew they would find him.

"But don't worry, I'll be back later for some fun." The corner of Lance's mouth lifted for a split second before he rounded on Juno. "Do what you need to do and get out. No socializing, got it?"

She nodded in compliance as she moved to the cart she had wheeled in with her.

"Someone will be by later to bring you food." Lance finished before hurrying out, slamming the door behind him.

"I'm so happy you survived." Seonghwa said, giving the beta a small smile. Even though she had worked for Alistar, she had treated with him kindness and showed him the first images of Avayla, so there was some string of attachment between them.

Or so he thought.

Following Lance's orders, Juno didn't speak to him as she came over and started taking his vitals. She never showed any sign that she was worried for him as she checked out his cuts and bruises, then took a small sample of blood.

Then he was left alone again as she shuffled from the room.

A couple of hours later, Juno came back with a tray of food consisting of bacon and eggs and some toast with butter. At least Lance wasn't going to be stingy with the food.

"Thank you." He said to Juno, hoping she would speak to him this time.

She didn't even smile at him as she left the room.

He sighed and worked his way through his meal, realizing how hungry he was, but not wanting to eat to fast so he could make it last. Plus it passed the time. A little...

Was this going to be his life now? Trapped in a room to go through daily tests, only getting to see Lance and Juno?

It seemed that way for now when she came back with his lunch, and later on with his dinner. Both times Seonghwa made a point to thank her for the food and both times she ignored him.

When he had finished his meal, he curled up on his bed and thought of his family, using them to help keep his hope burning.

They would never give up on him. Especially Mingi. They had been through too much together for them to leave him behind. Plus Avayla needed him. And he needed her. He missed her small hand gripping his shirt, or the bright laugh she had when playing with Theo.

A tear rolled down Seonghwa's cheek as he pulled a pillow to his chest to hold on to. "Mama will come back to you..." He whispered, holding the pillow tighter.

His heart sank when he heard the door open again and was blasted with alpha pheromones.