Twilight ||| Oneus

~~25~~

When Keonhee clenched his eyes shut, Leedo spoke up. "It's okay, Keonhee. Just tell us what you think you saw."

Seoho came over and squatted next to the trembling beta, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. That seemed to calm Keonhee enough. "I can't be for sure, but I think it might have been Youngjo's father." They could all hear Hwanwoong take a sharp intake of breath through his nose. "H-he towered over Youngjo... He was a strong alpha, and I figured that no one could make Youngjo submit like that other than his father...

"There was a group of them. We were outnumbered, and the incense blocked our senses. Youngjo commanded for me to run, and while I was backing away, they bound him. I couldn't do anything but run..." Keonhee shook his head in regret and frustration, but there was truly nothing he could do.

The pack remained silent as they allowed the beta's words sink in.

Suddenly, Hwanwoong sprung to his feet with his fists clenched. "We need to get to him!" The small omega shouted, stomping toward the forest, shredding off his jacket as though he was ready to shift. He was being reckless, but he didn't care. He just needed to get to his mate, to his lover.

"We can't just go after him blindly!" Leedo argued. "We need map out a plan!"

Hwanwoong ignored him and continued forward, undoing the first few buttons of his shirt and kicking off his shoes. "We don't have time! There getting further and further away!" he cried. "I have to go now!"

"You're not going anywhere!" Leedo growled. Hwanwoong stopped in his tracks at the command. Leedo would never normally speak so disrespectfully to his Luna, but Hwanwoong was acting impulsively, completely driven on adrenaline and fear. It was a horrible combination that wouldn't allow him to use any sense. "As Head Alpha's second in command, I am ordering you to stop right there. We are going to calm down and put our heads together, and we are going to figure out what the best thing to do is. We won't be helping anything if we storm off recklessly."

Hwanwoong shuttered at the alpha's voice. He had almost forgotten how strong of an alpha Leedo really was. He bent down and wrapped his arms around his knees, cowering in submission.

This time, Leedo spoke softer now that he had everyone's attention and compliance. "Now, let's go back to camp, and get some rest. Tomorrow we can figure out what to do next." No one dared to argue with the alpha temporarily in charge. Dongju linked his arm around his alpha's.

"Yes, okay." Hwanwoong whispered, but he couldn't help the terrified tears that slipped his eyelids.

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The same pungent smell was there when Youngjo woke up.

The young alpha felt groggy, and his head felt like it was spinning. With eyes still closed, he reached up to clutch at his aching head, but he was instantly startled by the sound metal clanking together. He snapped his eyes open at the noise.

His wrist was clasped by a metal chain connected to the wall. It wasn't a strong chain, so Youngjo thinks he'd be able to break free fairly easily in normal circumstances. But he reckons that something in the incense was suppressing his abilities and strengths, so he doesn't even attempt to pull at the chain.

Once he finally takes a moment to check out his surroundings, he realizes that he's in his old childhood room, inside his parent's home. Youngjo wishes that he was surprised by the turn of events, but he's not. He should have guessed that his parents and his old pack would come looking for him. All they cared about was passing on their bloodline. They couldn't allow their sole heir to disappear.

Youngjo scoffed and rolled his eyes, but he was more annoyed with himself than anything. He became too comfortable and didn't even consider the possibility of his father attacking. He just hopes that his pack was left alone... oh god... What about Hwanwoong? He can't imagine how his mate must be feeling at the moment. He just prays that he and the rest of the pack are safe.

The alpha sighs before slamming his head back on the wall behind him in frustration. The disgusting incense was making him feel even more weak the longer he inhaled the scent. The smell seems to have intensified. Falling asleep again sounded nice. As his eyelids started to close once more, he heard the bedroom door creak open.

With tired eyes, Youngjo looked up at the figure approaching him. "Mom?" he sighed.

"Yes, my baby. It's me." She gently gripped his chin in a motherly way, rubbing her thumb across her son's jaw. "It's okay. You're home. You're safe now."

Youngjo cringed at her words, but he couldn't respond before he slipped away into the heavy unconsciousness, his eyelids closing once more.

~~Written by squidster97 ~~