Wooyoung huffed as he kicked a stone while walking through the trees. He didn't even know what he was looking for.

Fires just needed dry branches, right?

He stopped and just stared at the ground, starting to feel numb...

Everything was happening so fast and he still didn't know how he felt about everything. But he knew he was making Seonghwa feel like shit, and he was ok with that.

His tongue had always gotten him in trouble back home. It's what got him in trouble with his father so much and got him locked up...

And he knew it would most likely get him in trouble with Seonghwa, but at this exact moment he didn't care. The alpha wasn't... normal.

He was more submissive than other alphas and didn't seem confident in his abilities until his wolf took over. Then it was obvious he was an alpha.

If anything, Seonghwa just needed to learn to trust his instincts and trust himself. Then he would learn how powerful he could really be.

"What am I saying?" Wooyoung groaned as he ran his hand through his hair. "I don't want him to figure that out. Then I'm royally screwed."

He spent a little more time gathering whatever wood he deemed appropriate for a fire and followed Seonghwa's alluring cinnamon scent back to the clearing.

The alpha was still skinning the deer. Very well, Wooyoung had to admit. The skin was perfect, and would be good for something to sleep on at night.

Wooyoung started clearing an area and digging a hole in the dirt before piling the sticks he found. Then he stared at it, not sure how to actually get the fire started. He bit his lip and looked over at Seonghwa.

The older must have sensed his unease because he looked up and arched an eyebrow. "What's wrong?"

"Um... I got wood."

"Good. Start the fire." Seonghwa looked down at the deer again.

Wooyoung felt himself bristling. "Maybe you should get your head out of your ass long enough to ask me if I even know how to start one!" Wooyoung snapped, throwing a small branch at him.

Seonghwa snarled and red eyes flashed in Wooyoung's direction, but he closed his eyes and took a deep breath. His gazed softened a little bit as he set down the rock in his hand and stood slowly. "I apologize. I shouldn't have assumed you knew how to start one." He voice was so soft and gentle now.

Wooyoung looked down at the ground, ashamed that he didn't know how to do this. Now that he was here, it seemed like an essential skill... But it hadn't been part of his training since he was raised with the assumption he would be serving his alpha in a pack house.

He watched as Seonghwa found a couple of pieces of wood and set one flat on the ground while placing the other one perpendicular to it. He started rubbing his palms together quickly, moving his hands up and down, to get the stick to spin against the other one, creating friction.

They sat in silence for a few minutes, Wooyoung leaning forward to soak in what Seonghwa was doing, until he gasped in surprise when small embers appeared.

Seonghwa was quick to place the stick in the fire pit and blew on it gently.

Wooyoung felt his wolf stirring as he watched Seonghwa's lips pushed to focus the stream of air on the small source of heat.

After a moment, the other branches caught ahold of the flame and a fire crackled to life.

"Wow." Wooyoung said, getting lost in the dancing flames in front of him.

"Now you know." Seonghwa said.

The pair locked eyes for a moment and Wooyoung thought he saw a look of admiration there before Seonghwa returned to the deer.

****

Seonghwa woke him up early the next morning.

Wooyoung groaned and rolled over, wanting nothing more than to sleep another two, three... five hours. But the alpha wouldn't leave him alone.

"Get up." He snarled. The tone of urgency he had made Wooyoung open and rub his yes.

"What..." He mumbled.

"We need to leave. The alpha of this territory is nearby."

Wooyoung sat up and looked around, his heart racing.

Seonghwa had already taken care of the fire and rolled up the deer pelt he had left to dry overnight.

"We are going to have to leave the carcass behind, we have no way to carry it." Seonghwa said, staring at it with a hint of sadness in his eyes.

"We can catch another deer." Wooyoung found himself wanting to comfort the alpha and went to place a hand on his arm, then thought better of it and stepped away.

After one last scan of their makeshift camp, the two of them took off at a brisk trot.

Wooyoung had no idea where they were going, but he figured following an alpha who would protect him out of instinct would be better than running into an alpha who would try and take advantage of him again...

But truly, he just wanted to go home. He would do anything to earn his father's love back. Except maybe go in the cellar... But anything else. His father's cruel words still echoed in his head.

Part of him even missed the idea of being with Rex. At least he had some form of respect and had been waiting for the official mating ceremony to do anything with Wooyoung...

After several hours, Seonghwa paused and held up a hand.

Wooyoung stopped and looked at him, tilting his head, but the alpha just motioned for him to be silent as he crouched down and carefully set the deer skin down.

I sense something up ahead.

The omega took a step back as Seonghwa's voice entered his mind. How stupid could he be? He had completely forgotten about the bond that would be between the two of them.

Then the panic set it. If he could hear Seonghwa, did that mean his pack bond was gone? Would he be able to communicate with his father? What was going to happen to him now?

Tears came to his eyes as he took a few more steps back and he covered his mouth.

Seonghwa spun around and ran to him, placing his hands on his shoulders. "What's wrong? What happened?"

Concern crossed his face as he looked over Wooyoung.

The omega shook his head and pushed Seonghwa away. "Y-You ruined everything!"

Seonghwa's mouth opened a bit as he stumbled back.

"Y-Y-You... I can't... What if I c-can't talk with my father?!" Wooyoung stuttered as he pointed to his head.

"Why would you want to talk to that asshole ever again? Have you even looked at yourself?" Seonghwa asked, his eyes getting a little darker as his wolf started to show itself. When he didn't get an answer, he projected an image of what Wooyoung looked like into the omega's mind.

Wooyoung fell to his knees. He still had bruises all over his face and arms. Pulling up his shirt, he saw the bruises littering his chest and stomach... It didn't surprise him. It wasn't the first time...

"Now, shut up and stay quiet." Seonghwa snarled, making Wooyoung's mouth snap shut. "I think there are humans nearby."

He motioned for Wooyoung to follow him. He did so reluctantly, and had to keep a hand over his mouth and nose to stifle the small whimpers and sniffles that came from him as his emotions flooded him.

Stupid, weak omega...

Seonghwa had been right. Several yards in front of them was a human camp. But their scent was weak.

The alpha's eyes lit up as he looked around the camp. "Let's take what we can carry and get out of here. We can sort through it later." He turned and sighed before hurrying to Wooyoung. "I need you to take a deep breath and focus, Wooyoung." His tone was still harsh, but there was no order in there. "This is important if we are going to survive out here."

Wooyoung nodded and followed Seonghwa down the hill so they could raid the camp. A few gunshots were heard in the distance, but they were at least a mile away, so they had time.

They managed to get two sleeping bags and two packs filled with pots, medical supplies, and even some food and canteens for water.

A little bit of guilt tugged at Wooyoung's heart as they walked away from the camp, but Seonghwa was right. They needed these things if they were going to survive out here.

And it was obvious that Seonghwa was on a mission to find his own territory. It was like he needed it to prove that he was an alpha.

Wooyoung hesitated at one point and looked back the direction they came from. His home and everything he knew was that way. His head and part of his heart told him to go back and beg for forgiveness.

But his wolf told him not to.

As did the alpha who sighed and grabbed his wrist tightly and pulled him further away from his home and into the unknown.

****
Written by flamewhipper