Twilight ||| Oneus

~~25~~

It only takes a fraction of a second for your life to flip and change entirely from what it once was. That feeling you possess when someone close to you suddenly disappears is one of the most heartbreaking. Most people only experience something drastic like this once in their lifetime. For Hwanwoong, he's already been through a life altering occasion like this once before; one of those moments where the life you once knew flashes before your eyes. And unfortunately, it wouldn't be the only time.

For all Hwanwoong knew, it was a typical day in the pack. He had just finished cleaning the pack's laundry, so now he's hanging it on the line to dry between his and Keonhee's huts. The afternoon sun was bright, causing Hwanwoong to squint whenever he looked upwards.

Everything was peaceful as far as he could tell. Leedo and Dongju were enjoying a picnic in the garden together. Youngjo had taken Keonhee with him to hunt, and he could feel Youngjo's happiness. Hwanwoong could feel the warmth in his chest from their bond. That feeling always reassured Hwanwoong of just how serene their life was here.

Hwanwoong subconsciously began to whistle a random melody, one he's never heard of before, but one that seemed fitting for the afternoon.

When he hung up the last of the laundry, the melody ended and Hwanwoong let out a sigh of satisfaction toward his work. He picked up the now empty basket, and that's when he felt it; the shift. He dropped the basket.

That feeling of warmth, comfort, and peace completely shifted in a blink of an eye. Suddenly, Hwanwoong's chest felt heavy, like it was constricting within itself. Hwanwoong's hand grasped at his chest over his shirt, squeezing the fabric forcefully. It was the bond... he knew it was because of Youngjo. Something was wrong with his mate.

Youngjo? What's going on!?

Without a response, Hwanwoong instinctually set off in the direction of where Youngjo and Keonhee left earlier this afternoon. But as fast as the heaviness came, it was suddenly gone. Completely gone.

But Hwanwoong couldn't feel any relief because he couldn't feel anything. The heaviness wasn't replaced by the familiar warmth, but instead, he was left with emptiness. Panic began to set in when Hwanwoong realized that now he couldn't feel his mate at all.

Youngjo!? Baby? Where are you!? Can you hear me? But the alpha never replied, and Hwanwoong couldn't even tell whether or not Youngjo was okay. It was like their mating bond was cut off.

Hwanwoong dashed towards the forest line where he last saw Youngjo and Keonhee disappear, which means Keonhee was the last person to see his mate. He can still feel Keonhee through their pack bond, which is a good sign. Keonhee, what happened? Where's Youngjo?

Once Hwanwoong approached the treeline, he finally received a response. He froze in his tracks. I-I don't know... It all happened so f-fast. There was a smell... like a gas or incense...

Where are you? Hwanwoong tried to contain the alarm in his voice, but he wasn't very successful. He could tell Keonhee was close by, and soon he could hear the beta's footsteps approaching. When Keonhee stepped through the forest line, barefoot, Hwanwoong immediately embraced his beta pack member. Keonhee was shaking.

The rest of the pack appeared behind them, as though they could sense something was wrong. Hwanwoong didn't even notice their arrival until he pulled apart from Keonhee's arms. Hwanwoong was shaking too.

"What's going on?" Leedo demanded to know. Judging by Hwanwoong and Keonhee's distressed scents and faces, something was wrong, and their head alpha wasn't present. "Where's Youngjo? Why can't I feel him?"

"They- They took him." Keonhee stuttered out before collapsing onto his knees.

"W-who?" Hwanwoong's lips trembled.