"Yeosang, you really need to sit down and rest." Hongjoong said, following after his mate with a worried look as Yeosang cleaned the kitchen.

Wooyoung smiled over at them from where he was sitting with Theo working on a puzzle. The alpha was becoming obsessive now that Yeosang was almost seven months pregnant. And Yeosang refused to stop doing things around the house until he absolutely had to. It was a never-ending battle between the two of them.

Seonghwa, on the other hand was definitely struggling with this pregnancy. Maria thought it was because it started off so stressful, now his body was on high alert. And that sign was obvious when he ended up having a panic attack one time when he and Mingi started getting a little too intimate.

That ended with all of them huddled up in the living room trying to reassure him that he was ok, then lots of tears and apologies from the omega, followed by Mingi whisking him off to their room.

Wooyoung thought they were able to still do a little something because things got really quiet after a while.

Maria did everything she could to try and keep Seonghwa calm and relaxed. And he was trying too. The fact that it was actually Mingi's baby was such a relief to all of them, so that helped with things. But Wooyoung understood why his fellow omega was having a hard time.

It took him awhile to feel comfortable with San again after he was raped by his brothers...

He sighed and ran his hands over his legs while Theo tried to figure out where the piece in his hand went. The boy was cooing to himself, his own way of talking without forming words. Wooyoung ruffled his hair and leaned into the back of the couch.

His legs had healed perfectly, although sometimes he still felt the ghost of his burns if he concentrated hard enough.

Yunho was another story. While his back had scarred nicely, according to Maria, it was evident that he still had a lot of internal healing to do. He could walk on his own now, but there were times that his back would spasm and his muscles would seize, forcing him to the floor. He had managed to keep his screaming under control now, but the first two times he scared everyone, thinking someone was attacking him.

The beta couldn't stay standing or sitting for long periods of time either, and patrols were out unless they were just scouting part of the territory. That was the other thing... His shifting was painful. The first few times he tried, he had to stop and go back because it put too much strain on his back.

The wound had definitely taken some of Yunho's spark away.

And now Wooyoung knew he was going to make it worse...

"Theo!" Avayla called as she came running into the room.

The boy lifted his head and smiled. He always seemed to know when she was calling for him even though he couldn't hear. She ran to his side and leaned over to look at the puzzle, pointing to the empty space where his piece went. Theo clapped his hands and looked up at Wooyoung with proud eyes.

"Good job!" Wooyoung praised, pulling the boy into his lap and getting a big hug in return. "Hey, want to go for a ride?" He asked, more to Avayla, but Theo seemed to understand all the same and patted Wooyoung's cheek.

The three of them made their way outside into the beautiful, spring air. Wooyoung took a deep breath, loving the smell of the new growth in the area.

He quickly stripped and shifted, turning his head to lick both of the kid's noses before crouching down. Avayla got on first, with Theo behind her. He wrapped his arms around her stomach as she fisted Wooyoung's fur. Both cheered as he trotted down the stairs and started taking laps around the house.

This was for him as much as it was for the kids. His stress levels were on the rise and spending time with them really helped to relax him.

But he also hogged time with them for selfish reasons.

He didn't know how much time he would have with them...

A howl sounded from his left, and Wooyoung looked to see San and Jongho running out of the trees. They both came to his side immediately and nuzzled his neck in greeting.

How are the kids? Jongho asked, looked at his son and tilting his head.

Fine, Jongho. Wooyoung said with an amused tone. Everyone is doing fine.

The alpha nipped at his ear playfully before licking Theo's face. The boy giggled and patted his dad's head before poking Wooyoung's side, indicating he wanted to keep going.

Jongho let out a rumbling chuckle before walking slowly back to the house.

That was his mistake.

San crouched low and wriggled a little before pouncing on the other alpha, sending them both to the ground where they wrestled with each other for several minutes.

Wooyoung just shook his head before continuing his usual path.

They stopped by the garden where he stopped to check on the herbs growing there. They smelled strong, which Maria said was the sign that they were ready.

It was time.

.

.

.

.

Yunho exhaled slowly as he bent forward even slower, concentrating on the stretching of his muscles.

"Good." Kenneth said as he ran his hands over the taller's back. "Good, they don't feel as warm today. How are you feeling?"

"A little looser. I do every day." Yunho groan as he slowly rolled his body back into a standing position. Sweat was already dripping from his forehead just from the few stretches Kenneth was walking him through, but he knew it was necessary in order for him to heal properly.

Kenneth nodded as he worked his thumbs in circles along either side of Yunho's scar, trying to keep the muscles there lose. The beta had been a huge help in his recovery, Yunho didn't know what he would do without him. "Good, that's a sign that your body is healing. I don't know if you'll ever be back to full health again, but you look much better than you did a few months ago."

"I feel better too. Physically at least." He said, rubbing the back of his head while glancing at the older man in the mirror.

"I know, we are all there. But this was decided a long time ago. So let's try to stay positive and enjoy the evening ahead of us, yes? Maria and I are going to be here every step of the way."

Yunho nodded and moved to grab his shirt. Kenneth watched as he slowly worked it onto his body. He still couldn't lift his arm all the way, so slipping a shirt over his head was a one handed job for part of it. But Yunho managed.

The two of them walked out into the living room and Yunho smiled when he say Wooyoung laying on the floor between Theo and Avayla. They all had a coloring page in front of them, and Wooyoung's was just as messy as the kids.

When Theo sensed he was in the room, his Son immediately popped up and ran over to him. Yunho picked him up with his left arm and nestled him on his hip before placing a large kiss on his cheek. "How's my boy doing?" He whispered, rubbing their noses together.

Theo tapped his own chest and smiled. He was doing good and was happy right now. Then he leaned forward and rested his head against Yunho's chest and cooed as they walked into the kitchen.

Maria turned when she heard them and placed her hands on her hips. "Well there's my special boy! Are you ready to help me with dinner?" She said, leaning forward to look at Theo before motioning to a bowl on the counter.

He nodded quickly as Yunho set him on the counter, standing next to him while handing him the bowl. It had some sauce that she was making, that was probably already done, but Theo liked participating in things, so he would often be put in charge of a bowl he could stir.

Which he happily did, watching with wide eyes as the sauce sloshed around in the bowl.

Maria chuckled, then looked at Yunho. "How are you doing, honey?"

"Fine." Yunho said, not looking away from Theo.

The female hummed in response and returned to the elk fillets she was preparing. Yeosang came in a few minutes later, followed closely by Hongjoong, who was carrying a tray of dried herbs. "Where do you want these Maria?"

"Just on the counter. I'll add them in just a few minutes, I'm just waiting for the mixture to boil." She said, moving to check on a large covered pot on the stove. "It's almost there. How about you take this out to the grill, Theo's got the sauce for it."

Hongjoong nodded and took the food outside. Yeosang sighed as he went to sit on the couch to watch Wooyoung and Avayla color.

Theo made small grabbing hands at Yunho, so he turned and moved him to ground so he could run back and join them.

The back door opened again and Mingi came in, followed by Seonghwa, who went to sit next to Yeosang on the couch, groaning as he did.

"Hey Yunho, how'd stretching go?" The alpha asked, moving to lean against the counter with him.

"It went good, Kenneth said that my muscles are loosening up so I just need to keep at it."

"Good, make sure you don't slack on doing it." Mingi said, leaving the unspoken statement hanging in the air.

Yunho sighed. "I won't. I know you guys will keep on me too."

"Yes we will." Mingi placed a hand on his shoulder and kept it there as they stood in a comfortable silence.

"Jongho and San still out for a run?" Yunho asked after a while.

Mingi hummed and glanced at the door. "I think Hongjoong is going to call them back soon though. So we can all have a nice evening together."

And they did. All twelve of them sat in the backyard around some tables they had shoved together and just enjoyed the company. There were a few awkward silences that passed over them, but someone always forced out a joke or a new topic to talk about.

As the sun started to set, Yunho was having a harder time keeping his emotions under control.

Theo came to sit with him, resting his head on Yunho's shoulder as he started to doze off.

Avayla was headed that direction too, so Mingi pulled her from her chair and made his way into the house.

Yunho went to follow him, and Wooyoung jumped up as well. "I'll come. I want to say goodnight." The younger said.

Theo cooed when he saw Wooyoung walking next to them and reached for him.

The omega happily to him and kissed his cheek. "Bed time my boy, come on." He said, holding Theo tighter.

The two of them got Theo situated in bed and Wooyoung gave him one last, long kiss on the forehead. "He's so perfect."

"Yeah, he is." Yunho whispered, reaching for Wooyoung's hand. They walked out of the room and shut the door gently before he pulled the younger into a hug. "And so are you. You don't have to do this." He said into the top of Wooyoung's head. He could feel the tears that had been building up all day coming.

"Yes I do. I'll never be happy unless I try." Wooyoung whispered back, pressing his forehead into the taller's chest. "I'm strong. I can do this. Hell, apparently I could rule a pack if I wanted too." He added, making them both chuckle.

They made their way back into the living room and were greeted by the other six members of their pack.

Everyone surrounded Wooyoung, each taking their turn to try and convince him not to do this, but also passing on their acceptance of his choice.

"It's going to be ok. I have faith I can do this. Just promise me one thing." Wooyoung said, looking at each of them. "You won't let this stop you from living. You have kids to take care of, with two more on the way. I do not need the guilt of something happening to those kids, or so help me I will haunt you from the grave."

Everyone flinched at his attempt at a joke, but still gave him a smile anyway.

"Please. It's going to be so much easier for me if I know you are still going to take time for yourselves. I want to hear at least one of you screaming your mate's name." The omega said, winking at them and drawing a nervous laugh. "I especially need you guys to take care of San." He added, his voice getting softer now.

His mate rushed forward and pulled him into a hug, squeezing him tight. "Let's not talk about that." San whimpered.

"No, I need you guys to promise. Please." Wooyoung said, his voice getting hard.

"We promise, Woo." Jongho said, reaching for Yunho's hand as his voice cracked.

Everyone else nodded as well and they all moved into another group hug.

Then Maria cleared her throat. Kenneth had an arm around her shoulders as they both looked at them nervously. "Are we ready?"

Wooyoung stepped forward and looked at the glass of white liquid in Maria's shaking hand. "Yes, I'm ready."