Hongjoong moved everyone off his lap and walked slowly to the front door. Jongho? Is that you? He called out through the link.

Both he and Yeosang held their breaths as they waited for a response. Even Avayla and Theo stared at the front door with wide eyes.

"Stay here with the kids." Hongjoong said, not looking back as he stepped outside. Whoever crossed the line didn't feel hostile, but if it was Jongho then why wasn't he answering?

As he stood on the front porch, he heard the roar of an engine before he saw the lights from the truck as it pulled up in front of the house. It was a military truck, meant for transporting troops...

Hongjoong clenched his fists, prepared to fight if he needed to.

The truck rolled to a short stop and the back door opened.

Two sets of feet crunched in the snow and Jongho appeared around the side of the door, a weary smile on his face.

Hongjoong sighed and ran forward, practically jumping into the alpha's arms. "Why didn't you answer me?" He asked as he clung to the younger.

"Honestly? I just woke up." Jongho answered with a slight chuckle. "We all did. It's been a long drive." Then he hesitated and looked down.

"What's wrong?" Hongjoong asked, his heart sinking.

"We didn't come back in one piece. Are the kids awake? I... I don't know if they should see us right now..."

Hongjoong glanced back at the house and bit his lip. "While I would usually agree with you, they already know something is up. I don't think we could get them to bed even if we tried. What happened?"

"It's a long story." Jongho sighed as a pained look crossed his face.

They stepped back and the older glanced around the door. He gasped and placed his hand over his heart as he saw Mingi and Colonel Gregson helping Yunho down out of the truck. Jongho stepped forward so his mate had something to hold on to as he stepped down. Then Mingi jumped down and supported Yunho's weight.

"Hey Joong." Mingi said, nodding at him.

Yunho tried to give him his usual wide smile, but Hongjoong could tell that he was in a lot of pain.

Seonghwa was the next. He looked drained and... Lifeless. Hongjoong saw him glance at Mingi once before dropping his eyes to the ground again and following silently behind him.

San was the last one out and he was carrying Wooyoung in his arms. The little omega hissed in pain, but he gave Hongjoong an almost embarrassed smile before reaching out and touching his shoulder.

"Guys..." Hongjoong gasped.

"They are home." Colonel Gregson said, patting him on the shoulder. "That's what's important. We did it. Things should hopefully be over."

Swallowing hard, Hongjoong blinked several times before he shook his head. "Please, Colonel, please come in."

The man just nodded and took up his place at the back of the group.

Jongho hesitated on the porch, his hand on the handle was shaking as he glanced back at Yunho. He got a nod from his mate and opened the door.

"Papa!!" Avayla shouted as they all filed into the house.

Jongho quickly moved to support Yunho as Mingi fell to his knees and pulled Avayla into his chest and held her tight. The little girl was sobbing as she threw her arms around the alpha. Then she lifted her head and cried harder when she saw Seonghwa, who collapsed as well and pulled her to him.

Theo reacted in much the same way, but instead of Jongho picking him up, Hongjoong made sure to grab him before he accidentally hurt Yunho. The boy didn't like it and squirmed while reaching for his parents.

"I know baby, give them a moment." Hongjoong said, trying to hold on tight while Jongho helped Yunho over to the couch.

When he saw Yunho limping, Theo seemed to calm down a little. He stopped struggling at least, but the crying continued as Hongjoong followed behind them.

"How do you want to do this?" Jongho asked Yunho quietly.

"You probably shouldn't put any pressure on your back right now." Colonel Gregson said, hurrying forward and grabbing some pillows off the couch.

Yunho just nodded slowly as the two of them helped him lower himself onto the floor.

Hongjoong glanced at Yeosang, who was standing in the corner with wide, tear filled eyes as he watched his family try to get settled in the house. They locked eyes for a moment and Hongjoong was happy to see the relief in his eyes as well.

As soon as Yunho was situated on the floor, Hongjoong but Theo down and the boy immediately ran to his mother. The beta had tears running down his face as Theo laid down next to him and nestled into his side, placing a hand on his cheek.

Jongho dipped down so he could lay down behind his son, who turned and patted his cheek a couple of times too. It looked like he was having a hard time deciding who to look at, so Jongho gave him a soft smile, kissed his forehead, then helped him turn around so he was facing Yunho again.

The head alpha glanced back at where the other set of parents was still holding their girl, who was babbling things about them leaving her and being mad that they were gone for so long. But she also asked if Seonghwa finished what he had had to do and Hongjoong didn't miss the hurt that flashed across his eyes when Mingi looked away from him.

Something happened... Hongjoong could tell that much but he would wait to ask about it.

Then he felt a gentle tap on the shoulder and looked to see San standing there. "You should probably call Maria..." He said quietly.

"Why? I know she'll want to see you all, but that can wait."

"Trust me. Just call her." The younger alpha said before returning to where he had placed Wooyoung on the couch.

Yeosang had gone to sit next to him and the pair was holding each other tight.

Hongjoong bit his lip and stepped into the kitchen to call Maria as San asked.

.

.

.

.

Seonghwa couldn't believe he was home right now. He didn't even know how long he had been gone, but it was too long in his book.

Avayla clung to him, picking him over Mingi to cry into. He ran his hand over her back and shushed her softly. "It's ok, Mommy's home. I'm here."

He tried to look at Mingi, but he only had eyes for their daughter. Which made sense to an extent, but his alpha hadn't spoken to him since their hug in the great hall back at Ultima.  He could feel the rage and conflict pouring out of Mingi and it scared him... but more than anything he just wanted to be in his lover's arms again...

At one point Yeosang came over to check on them and give them a hug, welcoming them home. The house was a little chaotic as everyone tried to find their place again, and two crying children didn't help that.

Colonel Gregson did what he could to make sure that both Yunho and Wooyoung were comfortable, which was a relief.

After about an hour or so, both kids had cried themselves to sleep, and as much as it killed Seonghwa to do so, he knew Avayla would sleep better in her bed and away from the conversation that was about to happen.

As he stood to take Avayla to her room, Mingi suddenly pulled her away and rushed down the hall. "Mi..." Seonghwa started but he was gone.

He watched as Jongho took Theo to his room and locked eyes with Wooyoung, whose jaw was set with anger. Seonghwa just shook his head and ran his hand over his cheek. When had he started crying?

"Are you ok?" Yeosang asked, coming over and holding out a hand. Seonghwa took it and pulled himself off the floor.

"Y-Yeah, just a bit overwhelmed" Seonghwa mumbled as the beta pulled him into a hug. As his honey scent washed over him, the omega found himself smiling, He had missed his friend so much.

"Come on, let's get you situated. I have a feeling this is going to be a long evening." Yeosang said quietly as he pulled the older behind him.

The pair sat together on the couch, with room on either side of them for their mates. But when Mingi entered the room, he went to stand in the corner, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed.

Seonghwa felt his heart breaking as he looked down at his hands. He wished Mingi would just talk to him, even just look at him, to give him some hope that things were going to be ok.

But it was going to be awhile, or at least that's what it felt like when Wooyoung suddenly stood up. He hissed in pain and San immediately tried to get him to sit back down, but he pushed his alpha away and rounded on Mingi. "What the hell is your problem?"

The room was silent.

"Look at me, Mingi!" He shouted, his fists balled up at his side.

Mingi did, raising his head up and looking down at the omega.

"What the hell is wrong with you? How can you do this to Seonghwa right now?"

"Youngie... Please..." Seonghwa whispered as more tears came to his eyes. He was worried this was just going to make things worse.

"No!" Wooyoung shouted. "He is being selfish right now! And I'm tired of it. We have all been to hell and back, and you more than any of us deserve to be comforted by your mate, and what is he doing? Ignoring all of us except Yunho!"

Mingi growled in warning as his eyes flashed red, but still he didn't speak.

"Wooyoung, please, your legs." San begged, tugging at his mate's arm.

"You know what he went through! It wasn't his fault! He didn't ask for this!"

Mingi flinched at his words and looked away, biting his lower lip as it started to tremble.

"What, are my words to tough to hear for the 'big bad alpha'?" Wooyoung sneered as he crossed his arms.

Seonghwa closed his eyes as Yeosang pulled him into a hug. "What is going on, what is he talking about?"

"That's what I would like to know, why don't we all just take a deep breath and try to calm down." Hongjoong said, moving to stand in between Wooyoung and Mingi.

Jongho came walking down the hall and his eyes widened when he saw what was going on. "Wooyoung! What on earth are you doing! You shouldn't be standing on your legs right now!" He said, rushing to the omega's side.

"I'm giving Mingi a piece of my mind, like you should have done hours ago." Wooyoung snapped, jabbing his finger into Jongho's side.

"Alright, please. I don't want to do this right now." Hongjoong begged. Seonghwa could see he was struggling with keeping his wolf under control.

This was all his fault... Maybe he should have killed the baby back at the fortress, then this wouldn't be an issue...

Hongjoong was about to speak again when there was a knock at the front door. Maria stepped inside quickly and her smile faltered when she saw the state everyone was in. She locked eyes with each one of them, but she saved Seonghwa for last.

The old beta was too smart for her own good sometimes. She discarded her coat on the floor and rushed to kneel in front of Seonghwa.

The omega heard a gasp come from both Hongjoong and Yeosang as they realized what was going on.

Hongjoong rounded on Mingi. "Ok now I'm in agreeance with Wooyoung. Why are you being so cold to Seonghwa right now?"

"Because it's not his..." Seonghwa whispered, his lip trembling as he couldn't even bring himself to look at Maria.

Yeosang sobbed and took his hand, squeezing it at Seonghwa leaned into him again, seeking some form of comfort.

"No..." Hongjoong said, looking at all of them. When he was greeted with silence, he moved to Seonghwa's other side and took his free hand. "It doesn't matter. It doesn't. You have our support."

"But not from the one who matters..." He said softly. He saw Mingi flinch in the corner. Good, he hoped that stung...

Mingi stormed out of the house, slamming the front door behind him.

Seonghwa started to cry again as both Hongjoong and Yeosang wrapped and arm around him.

"I'm just going to do a quick check up, ok?" Maria said softly. Seonghwa just nodded and closed his eyes and Maria's soothing hands worked their way over his stomach. He felt himself calming down instantly and let out a little sigh. "Someone get Mingi back in here." She said, her voice stern.

Colonel Gregson hurried outside while the pack looked at her.

Maria tilted her head to the side and closed her eyes as she kept moving her hands.

The door opened and Seonghwa peeked over his shoulder to see the Colonel dragging Mingi in by his collar. If it wasn't for the situation, Seonghwa almost would have laughed because he looked like a pup being dragged around by the scruff of his neck.

Maria stood and crossed her arms, glaring at the alpha. "You should be ashamed of yourself young man." He flinched at her words. "How could you be so cruel to the man you chose as your mate? After what he's been through? I can only guess. Are you a man, or aren't you?"

"You have no idea what I'm feeling right now!" Mingi shouted, finally looking up from the floor.

"And have you taken the time to find out what Seonghwa is feeling?" She snapped, making him flinch again. "I'll take that as a no. Well again you should be ashamed of yourself."

"Maria, please..." Seonghwa whispered, wanting nothing more than to just curl up in a hole and disappear.

"Maria, what are you getting at?" Hongjoong asked, standing next to her.

She sneered at Mingi, her distaste for him evident at this moment. "You have a lot of groveling to do boy. Because that's your baby in there."