Hongjoong ran his hands through his hair as he went over all the paperwork for the house. He was starting to get worried about money. They were still in a good place, but with two babies on the way, the expenses were going to start going up.

He didn't look up when someone knocked on the door, only because he knew who it was. Yeosang's honey scent washed over him and he immediately felt relaxed.

"What's the matter?" His beta asked, coming to him and forcing him away from his desk so he could sit in his lap and straddle him.

Hongjoong smiled and held him close. "I'm just trying to figure a few things out love."

Yeosang gave him a worried look before leaning forward and nuzzling the mark on his alpha's neck. "What things?"

"It's not that important."

"It's always important to me. You can't handle all this alone, and I can feel you stress in the other room." The younger smirked and rubbed their cheeks together.

"Ok you win." Hongjoong couldn't help but smile as he rubbed his beta's sides. "I'm just trying to plan for the future. Money wise."

Yeosang sat back and worry creased his forehead.

"It's nothing to be overly concerned about right now, but at some point we are going to run out of money. We just need to figure out how to get more... I don't know that I feel comfortable with any of us getting jobs."

"Well it's just settlements around us, so we wouldn't be interacting with humans all the time."

"True. But we've been separated enough. I don't know that I could handle anyone having to be away for chunks of the day." Hongjoong said honestly, pursing his lips.

Yeosang chuckled and kissed him. Hongjoong could feel his teasing nature coming out through the kiss and gave a little whine before wrapping his arms tightly around his beta and burying his face in his neck.

"So what do you think we should do?" The younger asked, patting Hongjoong's back nonchalantly, making him whine again.

"I don't know." He mumbled.

They sat in silence for a few minutes, just listening to each other's breaths. Then Yeosang straightened up a little. "Oh! I have an idea."

Hongjoong didn't move from his position, still slightly embarrassed, but he did ask, "What?"

"What if we use our number one tool? Our wolves. We could hunt and sell the meat and furs, as long as those aren't too damaged of course, to the settlements? And if we have enough, we could even drive the distance to human cities and sell them at their markets. Everyone needs fresh meat."

Finally Hongjoong sat back and beamed up at his mate. "You're a genius. That will be perfect! We can dry out the meat too for the longer trips. Yes!" He connected their lips several times, then proceeded to kiss every inch of his face that he could reach.

Yeosang let out a low chuckle and took the kisses happily, purring at the contact. He returned the affection by running his hands through Hongjoong's hair and playing with the short hairs at the back of his neck.

Hongjoong slipped his hands under Yeosang's shirt, wanting to feel that skin contact even though they couldn't get away with doing anything right now. The pack had agreed to try and keep things like that to when at least most everyone was out of the house.

His wolf stirred, wanting more, but he pushed it aside and settled for their soft kisses and light touches.

It was still perfect.

That night the pack gathered to go over the details. While the idea of making trips to market made them a little nervous, Hongjoong reassured them that it wouldn't have to happen very often for now, and they would set up a schedule to they could take turns going.

Seonghwa and Yunho were out of commission, understandably, even though he tried to argue his case to at least try to help hunt. Jongho shot him down immediately.

Wooyoung and Yeosang said they would both help with hunting. The little omega seemed ecstatic at the thought of being able to help hunt and he hopped up and down in place, a wide smile on his face.

"If we want to get the most out of our hunts, we are going to need to go for clean kills so we can try to harvest the pelt too." Hongjoong looked at each of them. "That means not too much teeth, and no ripping, unless it's one we know will be for us. The more we can sell, the more money we can make and the less trips we will have to take into town."

"We can do that." Jongho said from where he was standing behind a pouting Yunho. "How many people would make the trip into town?"

"I was thinking three. Two alphas and someone else. That would still leave here protected. It might have to drop down to two once Seonghwa gets closer to delivering, but we will see."

"Well, I say we go hunting then!" Mingi said, bouncing off the couch and stretching. Then he flinched when he earned a glare from Yunho and turned so he could avoid the other's gaze.

Hongjoong smiled. "San, Wooyoung, would you like to come this time?"

They both agreed and the four of them left out the back door, stripped down, and shifted.

Mingi took the lead, scenting the air as they traveled deep into the forest. Soon they picked up on a herd of deer.

Alright, let's test this out and see what we can do. Aim for one that is a size you can handle and see if you can take it down on your own. Remember, the less blood the better. Hongjoong looked at each of them in turn.

Wooyoung let out an excited whine as he eyed the grazing deer through the trees. San nudged him and licked his muzzle.

Hongjoong could feel the alpha's worry for his mate, but he himself had complete confidence in the omega. If he had been able to take down Alistar, a deer should be easy.

When he gave the signal, the four of them split up to circle around the herd.

He set his eyes on a nice sized buck near the front of the herd and watched it for a few minutes. When none of the deer showed signs of detecting their presence, Hongjoong attacked.

The herd scattered as the four wolves all honed in on their targets.

Hongjoong could feel his mouth watering at the thought of sinking his teeth into flesh. He stayed close to his buck, nipping at its legs to try and trip it up. But the creature was surefooted and was able to keep ahead of him.

Good. He liked a challenge.

Hongjoong darted around a boulder and put on a burst of speed, running next to the deer as it bounded away from him. Taking a deep breath, he pushed himself to the side and slammed into the buck, sending them both rolling across the forest floor.

He sprang to his feet and pinned the creature to the ground, grabbed its nose in his mouth and whipped his head back and forth to snap his next.

There. That wasn't too hard. Yeosang's idea should be easy for them to execute.

After catching his breath, he grasped the deer at the base of its skull and proceeded to drag it back to the clearing by their house to wait for the others.

Mingi arrived a short time later, dragging his own buck. That was fun. He growled, walked forward to press his nose into Hongjoong's neck.

Yes it was. I think it will be a good way to keep our minds sharp too since we will be doing this every so often. He paused for a moment. San? Wooyoung? How are you two doing?

Silence answered him.

He exchanged a glance again when a gunshot echoed through the trees.

They bolted immediately.

What was that?! Jongho asked from the house.

I don't know. Stay put and protect the others. Hongjoong ordered as he darted through the trees. San! Wooyoung! Answer me!

Several gunshots came from there right, followed by a yelp of pain.

Hongjoong! What is happening out there?

I'm trying to figure that out. He told Jongho, feeling his panic through the link.

He and Mingi burst through jumble of trees and saw Wooyoung and San running through a clearing, if he could even call it running. San was holding up his left front leg and Wooyoung was trying to urge him forward while also turning around to growl at whatever was following them.

Three humans stepped out of the trees and aimed their guns again. Fear was evident on their faces, but Hongjoong was relieved to sense that they weren't Hunters. The couple must have stumbled upon them while hunting.

Wooyoung keep San moving. Mingi said, catching to omega's attention. He turned and pushed San forward while Mingi charged the humans.

They cried out and turned their guns on him. Hongjoong watched as he leapt to the side right before they pulled the trigger. He himself had to duck, no knowing where the bullets would end up.

Mingi's gut wrenching snarl had the humans back pedaling away from him as they raised their guns again.

Mingi! Let them go!

The black wolf halted, his hackles standing on end as he faced off with the humans. When he didn't advance anymore, the humans stepped back into the trees. They still kept their guns pointed at him, but they didn't shoot again.

Mingi snapped his jaws a couple of times in warning as Hongjoong came to stand next to him, also growling.

The humans eyed them with a mixture of fear and wonder. He knew it was because they were bigger than wild wolves, so he showed off his size even more by pulling on his dominance and snarling at them. They stumbled back and ran through the trees.

WILL SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME WHAT IS GOING ON?

It's ok Jongho. Wooyoung finally answered. Even through the link his voice was trembling a little. We are ok now. San and I accidentally ran into some humans... I was too focused on getting away. San is hurt.

How badly? Hongjoong asked as they loped over to the couple.

San was laying in the tall grass, his entire body trembling. There was a large chunk of his shoulder fur that was stained red and he could see several holes.

The bastards had shot him with a shot gun...

Can you stand? Hongjoong dipped his nose to press it into San's side.

K-Kind of... San whimpered as he tried to push himself off the ground. Wooyoung ducked underneath him to take most of the weight until San was standing on his own on three legs.

Just take it slow. Mingi looked behind them to look for the humans. There was no sign of them, thankfully.

We g-got a d-deer. Just to the w-west...

Sannie that doesn't matter. Wooyoung whined as San hopped forward, keeping his one leg bent and off the ground.

I'll get it. Mingi huffed and trotted off.

You should have just stuck with your own deer. I told you I had it. Wooyoung scolded as they made the slow walk back to their house. San whimpered and hung his head.

What happened? Hongjoong sniffed and took up position on San's other side.

I was going after my deer, but she was getting away. San abandoned his and tried to help me with mine. She ended up freaking out and led us right into their camp. We took them completely by surprise, but they ended up chasing after us.

We are ready to help when you get here. Yeosang said. Hongjoong could feel everyone's concern through the link, mixed with Jongho's worry.

When they were in sight of the house, the alpha was pacing back and forth, He stopped and immediately ran over to Wooyoung, who shifted and let the alpha fuss over him for a moment. Then they both turned to San, who was shuddering as he tried to shift.

His howl turned into a cry of pain and Jongho lifted him off the ground to carry him into the house. Wooyoung quickly threw some pants on and ran after them.

Hongjoong waited for Mingi to appear. The alpha just nodded to him and padded over to the deer, stating he would take care of them.

So Hongjoong shifted and ran inside.

San was lying face down on the kitchen table, his hands being held by both Jongho and Wooyoung as Yeosang was bent over his shoulder.

"Joongie, get me a pot or a bowl please. Yunho, there should be some tweezers in the bathroom. Seonghwa, towels." Yeosang said without looking away from San.

Everyone obeyed his orders and he worked tirelessly for the next hour or so picking out bullet shards from San's shoulder. In his human form, it didn't look too bad. There weren't large chunks of flesh missing, but there were multiple holes.

Yeosang had given him an herbal tea to try and lessen he pain, but it didn't take away all of it.

San never took his eyes off Wooyoung as his omega crouched next to him and kept their foreheads connected as much as possible.

When he was finally stitched and bandaged up. They worked to get him settled on the couch while Yeosang cleaned and disinfected the kitchen.

The alpha sighed and leaned into Wooyoung's arms. "I'm sorry." He said, glancing at Hongjoong.

"There's nothing to apologize for. There hasn't been humans out here in months. I'm just glad you're ok." He leaned forward and kissed the top of San's head before leaving him to rest and going to help Mingi finish preparing the deer.

He sighed. They would have to be more vigilant now and make sure they kept away from any humans. There was a chance they would be back after seeing such large wolves. Hopefully not. But he talked quietly with Mingi about his fears.

They both agreed on one thing. Only one or two of them would go out hunting for meat to sell for now. If humans really did start coming back, the more of them running through the trees, the higher chance they had of being discovered.