When Lizbeth woke, she realized she was in bed. Her wolf stirred instantly and it brought her to tears. She curled up into herself as if she could hug her wolf in her arms. She never wanted to feel that emptiness again.

But another emotion slammed into her and it renewed her tears.

How could she do that to the pack? How could she be so damn weak that she would reveal which direction they went?

Her wolf cowered and she got her answer... Because they used scare tactics. They had terrified her, and then tortured her to add to the pain. No one sane could have done any better.

Lizbeth went to push herself out of bed, but she cried out as her arms gave way under her. She glanced at her wrists and the ugly burns and welts there.

They had put wolfsbane in the ropes. And she was willing to bet there had been some in that collar too... Her hand drifted to her neck.

"Fucking Primera scum..." She choked out then slowly pushed through the pain so she could sit up.

Her door opened then and a few of the resident wolves rushed to her side and started fussing over her. She let them for a few minutes, knowing she needed the ointment they were applying to her hands, wrists, and neck for the wolfsbane.

But then she held her hand and stood. "Did they leave?"

"Yes, you've been out for two days..."

"What?!" Lizbeth's heart sank. "No, no, I have to go." She started walking to the door on shaky legs.

"You are still healing! And you can barely walk." Someone tried to grab her but she turned around and snapped.

"You don't understand! I betrayed them. I have to try and warn them."

"Who? Are you talking about that pack who came through here? I knew they'd bring us trouble!"

"Trouble was already going to come. You have NO idea what's been happening north of us." Lizbeth roared and all the other wolves shrank back in submission. She shook her head and forced her wolf down. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to, you know I don't like doing that... But, I have sensed things..." they looked up at her, knowing what she meant. "That pack could change everything. I need to try and help them before it's too late."

Lizbeth turned and went to a jewelry chest on her dresser and pulled out two matching bracelets, much like the matching set she had with Wooyoung. She handed one to the group. "I don't care who wears it, but we can use these to find me. If your bracelet starts to glow, it will point you to me. I will not blame you if you don't come, this isn't your fight. But I have to try."

She held her head high and took a deep breath before walking into her closet to pack a bag. She just grabbed a few things she knew she would need, wanting to travel light. Then she got in her car, hissing as she twisted to put her seat belt on, then drove west.

Even though it brought on a constant headache again, she used her gift to reach out to the surrounding area, hoping to sense the pack of eight.

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"Hey gorgeous." Mingi said, walking up behind Seonghwa to wrap his arms around his waist. The omega hummed in response and leaned into him, closing his eyes.

"Hey yourself. How was patrol?" Seonghwa smiled when Mingi started to rub his baby bump.

"Nothing to report." He said, his tone happy as he turned to kiss the mark on Seonghwa's neck. "How's baby?"

The omega chuckled. "Baby is fine."

"And Mama?" Mingi's voice got softer as he continued kissing on and around the mark.

At this Seonghwa turned around and wrapped his arms around his alpha's neck. He could feel that he was bright red but he didn't care. "I'm fine. You really need to save all this fussing for when I'm further along."

"I'm sorry, I can't help it." Mingi gave him a crooked smile before leaning forward to connect their lips. A chill went down Seonghwa's spine at the connection and he tangled his fingers into in his alpha's hair. He loved the wave of mint that washed over him, it soothed him in more ways than one.

"It's ok, because I secretly love it." The omega whispered before rubbing their noses together.

Mingi growled in response and started backing Seonghwa into a wall, kissing his jaw, neck, and shoulders. The omega felt his knees go weak at the contact and he bit his lip.

Mingi! Hongjoong called out, breaking the moment.

The alpha growled again, but this time in annoyance. What?

Seonghwa covered his mouth to hide his grin as Mingi scowled at the door.

Someone had entered our territory.

On my way.

Mingi kissed Seonghwa's forehead before running from the room. The omega walked after him and watched as he shifted in front of the house and ran to meet the other alpha.

Who is it? Seonghwa asked, not moving from his spot.

I don't know. He isn't familiar.

Just one? Jongho joined the conversation from where he was out back with the others. Do you need me?

Not yet, I think he's wounded. Hongjoong added. He seemed worried.

If he is, bring him here and we can help him. Yeosang appeared next to Seonghwa to stand watch.

They were answered with silence.

Soon all six members were gathered in the living room. Both Jongho and San stood at the front of the group, ready to protect them if need be.

After what felt like hours, Mingi and Hongjoong walked up their drive supporting a limp body between the two of them.

San opened the door for them and they gently laid him down on the couch.

Seonghwa knelt next to him and started pressing a cold cloth to his forehead that Yeosang handed him. "He's really warm. I think he's sick. Maybe he ate something..." He muttered to the beta, who nodded in agreement.

He looked to be a few years older than any of them and he seemed to have a gentle face. His eyes traveled back and forth under his eyelids, showing how troubled he was.

"I don't see any wounds." Yeosang confirmed after looking him over.

"Where was he?" Jongho walked to the other alphas, not taking his eyes of the visitor.

All four alphas were tense. The newcomer was an alpha. A strong one at that, which made it even more puzzling that he was in this state.

Wooyoung leaned against the back of the couch. "Do you think he's from Luna Point?"

"It's hard to say." Hongjoong sighed and chewed on his bottom lip. "There are a few settlements around here. It's possible he is just a lone wolf."

Seonghwa continued to press cold clothes to the alpha's forehead, hoping to cool him down a little as they waited for him to wake up.

Wooyoung would bring new water whenever asked, eager to help out. San followed him like a shadow, his protective instincts on overdrive with the stranger in the house. It made Seonghwa smile as he watched them.

After a few hours, the alpha finally started to stir.

His eyes fluttered open and he let out a small groan. Then he sat up quickly and pressed himself into the couch when he saw the eight wolves gathering around him.

Seonghwa was there immediately, kneeling in front of him. "Sshhh, it's ok. We're not going to hurt you." He held up his hands to show he meant no harm.

The alpha's eyes flashed between grey and red as he tried to control his wolf. "Wh-Where am I?"

"You are safe. Do you remember what happened to you?"

"Um..." He pressed the heel of his hand to his head and cringed. "No... I remember hunting and stopping to get a drink... Then nothing."

"Where did you get a drink?"' Hongjoong asked, coming to stand in front of him.

"There was a river that curved around a large boulder..."

"I know where that is." Mingi stood and walked to the door.

"Yunho, go with Mingi. Watch each other's backs." Hongjoong nodded at both of them. The couple left without another word.

The alpha watched them leave, something unreadable in his eyes.

Seonghwa tapped his knee to draw his attention again. "They will be ok, they are just going to scout. Do you have any family nearby?"

"No." He said quickly.

"What is your name?" Hongjoong asked, eyeing him carefully.

"Jasper. I've been on my own for years now. I should have been more careful." The alpha groaned and leaned forward, clutching his stomach."

Seonghwa placed a hand on his shoulder. "San will you get him some water please?" He felt the alpha tense under his hand. "It's ok, but you should try getting some fluid in you and see how you handle it."

He just nodded and sat up slowly. His eyes narrowed as San walked around the couch and handed him a glass. "Thank you." He said quietly and brought the glass to his lips. His eyes followed San as he went to stand by Wooyoung.

Then he turned to study everyone else in the room. "You, you are a pack?"

"Yes." Hongjoong said, a harsh note to his tone.

"I don't mean to offend, packs just haven't existed out here for a long time."

"Well we keep to ourselves so you don't have to worry about us."

Be nice. Seonghwa said, shooting him a sideways glance.

I don't like this. He gives me a funny feeling. Hongjoong answered, not taking his eyes off the visitor.

You're just being protective. We are fine. Yeosang moved to his side and took his hand.

Jasper kept looking around. "Thank you for helping me. Most people wouldn't."

"We have been through enough hardships, we don't want to see anyone else suffer." Wooyoung said with a bright smile. San wrapped his arms around him and beamed.

The alpha turned to see who was speaking to him and he tilted his head back a little as he watched the mates smiling at each other.

Seonghwa tilted his head a little. There was something familiar about the stranger that he couldn't quite place. But now he felt himself starting to agree with Hongjoong. There was something... off. He was about to say something when the door opened and Mingi and Yunho walked it.

"We didn't see anything out of the ordinary." Mingi said, moving to stand behind Seonghwa. "The water and surrounding area was fine."

"Maybe it was something I ate." Jasper said, his grey eyes travelling over Mingi, down to Seonghwa, then down to his stomach.

Seonghwa bristled and stood, backing away from him. "If that water sits well then you should be fine. You can rest a little while longer, and then-"

"Don't worry, I don't want to take advantage of your hospitality. If I may take some time to recover I will be out of your hair before the night comes." Jasper bowed his head.

"That will be fine." Hongjoong said. Everyone keep an eye on him. Don't leave him alone.

Yes alpha. They all said at the same time.

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San pulled Wooyoung with him outside so they could curl up in one of the oversized chairs they had bought. It was the perfect size for a couple to sit there and relax.

"You're adorable, you know that?" He whispered, nuzzling his mark.

The omega giggled and wrapped his arms around San, burying his face into his chest. "I know." It was the time that Wooyoung was skipping his heat so he was a little clingier than normal, but San loved it.

It gave them an excuse to be left alone too, so while the others stayed inside to watch Jasper, they could duck outside.

"What do you think of him?" San asked after a few minute. He brought a hand up to stroke the back of Wooyoung's head.

"Jasper? I don't know. I think everyone is just on edge. I say we trust him until he gives us a reason not to."

San smiled into the top of Wooyoung's head and gave him a kiss. "I love you, Youngie."

The omega hummed and tried to pull San closer. "And I love you. Now quit talking and just hold me." He said with a slight whine. San chuckled and rubbed his cheek against the top of Wooyoung's head while he held him tight.

But he couldn't stop thinking about the alpha. There was something about him that make his wolf nervous, but he couldn't place what it was. Maybe Wooyoung was right and he was just being protective. He couldn't help it though. He had his world in his arms right now and he wouldn't let anything take him away.

His wolf purred as Wooyoung's breath slowed and a small moan escaped his lips, indicating he was asleep.

San smiled as he looked into the trees. There were too many nights he would lay away just to hear the cute sounds his omega would make while he slept.

The back door opened, and he lifted his head to see Jasper walk about and stretch his arms. "Oh." He said when he noticed San watching him. "I'm sorry, I didn't know anyone was out here. I needed some fresh air."

San just hummed and returned his head to rest on top of Wooyoung's.

"You all seem close." The alpha came to sit in one of the chairs on the deck. San just blinked in his direction. "It must be nice."

"Why aren't you in a pack?" San asked, trying to be polite.

Jasper pursed his lips and glanced at him. "My pack abandoned me." His voice got a little deeper. The hair on the back on San's neck stood up on end. "When I was a pup."

Hongjoong... He called out.

There was no answer.

"Because I was the runt of the litter." Jasper grinned.

Another hand appeared in front of San and placed a cloth over his mouth while another hand pinned him to the chair. He watched helplessly as Jasper held one up to Wooyoung's mouth before pulling him away and slinging him over his shoulder.

"Take him inside and tie him up with the others."

San's eyelids grew heavy. The last thing he remembered thinking was how did he know what happened to him, and then he blacked out.