As time passed, things started to face into place for Hongjoong's pack. While it still didn't feel normal, it at least felt right.

Eunkwang, Minhyuk, Changsub, Hyunsik, Peniel, and Sungjae stayed for a couple of days to help them hunt and settle in before saying their farewells and waving with the promise of visiting soon.

The Elite stayed longer, nearly another two weeks, and used their combined skills to also hunt, it also to help with any repairs or cleaning that needed to be done.

Six months had passed, and now that winter was gone, signs of the snow's wraith was still everywhere in the form of fallen trees and ruined landscape.

Siyeon and the others began working without even being asked, gathering everything up and organizing it into piles that could be used for firewood and piles that could be used for other things.

Yubin took charge of repairing the food storage hut that had been damaged by reinforcing the windows so that the same thing couldn't happen again. There was no way any of the little forest creatures would be able to get inside once she was done.

Seeing it brought tears to Seonghwa's eyes and for the first time he thanked the female alphas for all their help and hard work.

That small, seemingly insignificant moment was what truly started the road to recovery for everyone.

Things changed quickly after that. Hongjoong implemented patrols and began working on their finances, muttering about how they'd have to start over once again.

Riley and Jade came to visit as often as they could, but he still had their pack to look after too. Plus, with Jade being five months pregnant, there were some days she didn't feel up to traveling.

The day the Elite decided to go home was a sad one for everyone. Especially Avayla and Maria, who clun to the seven alphas for as long as possible.

"We will come back soon, I promise." Yoohyeon ran her fingers through Avayla's hair and gave a watery smile. She had come a long way with her recovery as well, and while she still had a haunted look in her eyes, much of her strength and old personality had started to return.

"But we want to help in the canyon and back home, too." Siyeon added through her own tears.

"I-I know..." Avayla sniffed, then laughed when Gahyeon latched onto her from behind. "I'm just going to miss you so much.

"And we will miss you." Yubin bowed her head.

"But now we know it'll be easy to visit each other." Minji added, rubbing Bora's back to comfort her. "Only a couple of day's travel in between."

Handong nodded and crouched down to cup Maria's cheek. "And you're welcome to stay with us whenever you'd like."

Maria could only sob and throw her arms around the alpha.

Then Hongjoong stepped forward and bowed his head slightly. "Same goes for you. All of you are welcome here any time."

All seven alphas look at him with wide, stunned eyes. Slowly, they drop tot heir knees in the highest form of respect any alpha could show another alpha.

They were showing him that they viewed him as the more powerful alpha. The one who would always be in charge.

And to prove the respect Hongjoong had earned for himself, even Stephan bowed his head to the females.

They left with proud looks and promises of a visit as soon as possible, leaving just the family to come to terms with the next step in their lives.

.

.

.

.

A few days later, Mingi was working on learning his way around the house so he didn't have to rely on someone being with him every hour of the day.

His pride had taken another huge hit when he'd had to ask Seonghwa to help him to the bathroom when they'd first arrived home...

That was the first route he'd learned by running his hands along the wall.

Now he was determined to learn his way to the kitchen, along with where everything was located. He'd be damned if he didn't figure out a way to feed himself somehow since he couldn't help hunt...

Slowly, Mingi felt his way along the log walls, keeping to the right hand side of the hallway.

He hated that he knew exactly where he needed to go. Down the hall, across the living room, and straight into the kitchen. He'd walked it thousands and thousands of times.

But now... the living room was a disaster waiting to happen. The couch was easy enough to find by keeping his hands in front of of him, and it never moved so he always knew it would be on his left once he was in the living room. Easy. The real problem was if something was left out or fell on the floor.

With a long, sweeping motion, he used his right leg to feel his way to the kitchen.

The softest hint of lemon reached him a few seconds later, and he dropped his arms to his sides with a sigh. "I may be blind, but I know you're there Precious."

Seonghwa made a small, embarrassed sound and Mingi could picture the grimace on his face perfectly. "Sorry, I wanted to be close, you know... just in case."

The alpha nodded and held out a hand, which his mate rushed forward to take. "Thank you." He said softly, then leaned forward to press a kiss to Seonghwa's forehead.

At least that was one thing he could still do right. He could remember Seonghwa's height, even after all the time they'd spent apart.

He left his lips there for a long time, loving the gentle vibration that came from his omega when Seonghwa started to purr with pleasure. Which only increased when Seonghwa stepped closer until their chests were pressed together.

"Mingi..." Seonghwa murmured. His breath tickled the sensitive skin on the alpha's neck and it was the only warning he got before Seonghwa started to leave a trail of kisses, starting from the base of his jaw down to his mating mark.

Instinct had Mingi lifting his other hand up to grip Seonghwa's waist.

But his wounded pride and fear had him pulling his head away. "I... I can't..."

Seonghwa cupped his cheek and pressed a quick peck to his lips. "You can." He whispered. "You can. Let me show you."

Graceful fingers teased the baby hairs at the base of Mingi's neck, pulling him further into Seonghwa's alluring spell.

He knew he couldn't resist his mate. Seonghwa controlled him in every way, with each subtle touch, each whispered word, each loving caress.

So there was no fighting the tug that led him back to their bedroom, or the guiding hands that helped him sit on the side of the bed.

Seonghwa's scent spiked, filling the room with flourishes of bright lemon.

"Hwa-"

"Don't." Seonghwa pressed a finger to his lips to silence him. The rustling of clothes came next and then Mingi gasped when Seonghwa sat on his lap, straddling him and holding onto his shoulders.

Mingi's hands automatically moved to his omega's waist, molding around it like they'd always been there. "Hwa..."

"I said," Seonghwa silenced him again, but this time with a kiss. He kept it short, but then whispered against his alpha's lips, "don't."

The attractive drop to his omega's voice made Mingi growl and he initiated the next kiss.

It was something they'd done only a few times since being home, but hunger and need drove Mingi to push himself.

He ached, the longing for his mate burning intensely within him.

If Seonghwa wanted to do this, then he'd put his faith in their bond to help him through.

So Mingi gave in.

His hands started to roam over his omega's body, mapping out each curve, each beautiful stretch mark, the scar from Trinity's birth. He could picture it all perfectly, even as he had to relearn his mate's body at the same time through just his touch.

Seonghwa let out a groan when Mingi's hand passed over his nipple and the younger stopped to roll it between his fingers.

"Alpha!" Seonghwa arched into his touch and Mingi felt his pants growing wet from Seonghwa's slick.

Wanting more, he dipped his head down to find Seonghwa's other nipple. He ended up mouthing at his pec a couple of times, turning the motion into open mouthed kisses with lots of tongue to cover the fact that he kept missing, but he eventually found his target and sucked. Hard.

Seonghwa arched his back even more, forming a beautiful line that Mingi traced from the top of his spine down to his ass.

Which led to him slipping his fingers through the supple cheeks to tease at the leaking entrance hidden between them.

"Seonghwa." Mingi growled, teeth scraping against his skin. "Hwa."

"Mingi."

His name sounded so sweet coming from Seonghwa's lip, and Mingi hadn't realized just how much he'd missed hearing it.

For weeks, all he'd focused on was imagining Seonghwa's voice. Even if he started to forget the details of Seonghwa's face or how gentle his hands were or just how vibrant and beautiful his blue eyes were... Mingi refused to forget the pure, silkiness to his omega's voice.

"Say it again." He begged as he pushed two fingers deeper into his mate.

Seonghwa whined at the stretch, but he still ran his fingers through Mingi's hair while saying, "Mingi. My Alpha."

Hearing that, Mingi surged forward to claim his omega's lips. It was messy, mostly because he missed at first, but Seonghwa fixed it by tilting his head a little more and their tongues twisted together while their moans of pleasure started to increase.

At one point, Seonghwa slipped off Mingi's lap so they could both stand and get him undressed.

Then the older guided him so he could lay on his back.

Hands blindly reached for Seonghwa until their fingers interlaced. They squeezed as hard as they could, providing the perfect support for Seonghwa as he lowered himself onto Mingi's length.

One of the things mingi had feared the most was that he would panic as soon as it happened... that he would feel like he was back in the room with Nova and that... thing...

But... he didn't.

Not one thing made him feel like he was back in that prison.

It brought instant tears to his eyes and he couldn't help but let out a ragged, ugly sob.

Seonghwa bent over to press gentle, soft kisses to his eyes. "Shhh. It's alright."

Mingi wrapped his arms around his mate to hold him close and started kissing every surface he could reach. When he nosed his way along Seonghwa's jaw and found the impression of his mating mark, a low rumbling growl escaped him.

Then he groaned when Seonghwa clenched around him in response. "Alpha, please!" He cried at the same time.

The words were music to the alpha's ears and there was something about not being able to see that made everything sound and feel so much better.

For the first time... he didn't completely hate being blind.

Mingi snapped his hips up a couple of times and they both cried out at the sudden increase of pleasure. Especially when Seonghwa began to roll his hips as well.

They worked together, limbs tangling, bodying grinding, lips kissing, hands roaming. All of it sending tingles and heat and passion coursing through them.

It was the best thing Mingi could have asked for. Hearing how much he pleased his mate, even with his fumbles and mistakes, was just the boost to his pride that he desperately needed.

He knew he would never be the same. He'd have to get used to doubting himself and second guessing things and worrying about what the others thought of him... He knew his mind was damaged.

But this... Feeling his connection renewing with his mate, hearing the delightful moans of pleasure his touch brought, feeling the way Seonghwa clenched around him...

That was all him.

That was something he'd always be able to do. And by god he would continue to do the absolute best he could.

It wasn't much longer before his knot started to form. It was a sensation he wasn't quite ready for, if he was being honest, but that was only because it had been a long time since it had happened.

The insane amount of pleasure that slammed into him when in burst and locked him together with his omega was so strong, he nearly blacked out.

Yet somehow he managed to push through it as he held onto his omega, running his hands over every inch he could reach.

Even if he couldn't see, he could ingrain every curve, every line, every mark, every scar into muscle memory.

"I can feel you thinking." Seonghwa chuckles before placing a few tender kisses to Mingi's mark.

The alpha just chuckles a little and holds Seonghwa as tightly as he can. "Thank you for this." He whispered after a moment.

He feels Seonghwa lift his head up and imagines the slight line of concern known to crease his forehead. "You don't need to thank me. It's-"

"You know exactly why I'm thanking you, so just take the compliment, Precious." Mingi cards his fingers through Seonghwa's soft hair and sighs. "Always so stubborn."

"You're one to talk." Seonghwa playfully slapped his chest.

With a small huff, Mingi can't help but agree.

"But... How do you feel?" There was no missing the slight worry in Seonghwa's tone when he asked.

"Honestly? This is the best I've felt in a long time."

"Really??"

Mingi smiled and used his hand to trace the lines of Seonghwa's face down to his lips so he could lean in for a kiss. "I love you." He whispered after pulling away.

His omega let out a relieved sob and nuzzled into his neck before they slowly rolled into their sides while they waited for Mingi's knot to go down.

He hadn't lied.

Laying there with Seonghwa, holding his mate in his arms, smelling his scent... it made him feel complete.

And he knew that things could only get better from there, just as long as he had his mate by his side.