San, you should get back here. You too, Jongho. Seonghwa said quietly.

Both alphas immediately stopped running and glanced at each other. What's wrong? San asked.

Siyeon is asking about Lizbeth.

Jongho growled and swiveled around. His anger rushed off him in waves, which San couldn't blame him for. The female alpha had all of them on edge.

They had actually been out looking for her pack in hopes that she could finally leave. Unfortunately, there was so sign of them around their territory, so they would have to set up a scouting party to search the surrounding area.

But now that could wait.

San could feel pain coming from his mate. It made him run even faster, spraying snow in all directions behind him.

Why would she want to know about Lizbeth? Jongho asked through a private link. I'm not buying that she knew her.

I suppose it's possible... Aging works differently for us, and we don't know how long Lizbeth had been on her own.

Are you really defending that invader right now? Jongho snapped his jaws near San's shoulder, showing his displeasure.

Of course not. I'm just trying to think of all scenarios. The older alpha glanced at his friend.

Out of all the parents involved with the alpha claiming Avayla's attention, Jongho had been the quietest one. He had always been good at guarding his feelings, but it was even worse since his time with the Hunters... It was possible he would never been the same.

Sorry... Jongho's ears fell back and he focused on the ground in front of him.

You don't need to apologize. I know this is hard for you too. Don't shut us out. San tried to send his love for his alpha through their link, hoping it would help.

Neither of them got a chance to say more, however, because they ran into the twins and their mates talking to Mingi and Yunho in front of the pack house. This meant the path must be completed!

San quickly trotted over to his daughters and hummed happily when they both threw their arms around his neck. "Hi, Dad!" They said in unison.

He turned his head to the left to rest it over Lorelai's shoulder while lifting his right leg up to hug Lizbeth to him.

"Did you finish the run already?" Yunho stepped forward, hugging the large coat he was wearing against his body.

He then offered another coat to Jongho as soon as the alpha shifted before hugging him close to help warm him up. "No." Jongho said into his neck. "Hwa called us back."

"What?" Mingi looked at the house.

"He's fine." Jongho held out an arm to stop Mingi from storming inside. "But Siyeon is asking Woo questions."

Lizbeth looked at her uncle and narrowed her eyes. "This is the alpha Uncle Mingi was just telling us about?" Next to her, Stephan rolled his shoulders and clenched his fists.

Serena was quick to move to Lorelai's side as well. Seeing this made San's wolf churn with pride. He was so happy that his girls had found alphas who cared about them so much.

"Yes." Jongho straightened up. "We better get inside."

San waited for everyone but Yunho to start walking toward the house before shifting and quickly pulling on his shorts and the jacket offered to him.

The beta gave him a quick nod, then they both hurried inside to find everyone gathered in the living room all watching the same thing.

It was like Siyeon and Wooyoung were in their own world. He was in the middle of recounting their first meeting with Lizbeth and the fortune she had told the pack at the time.

Chan was seated next to him, leaning into the omega's side but never looking away from the female.

And she had her eyes glued on Wooyoung, soaking in every word he said. Her fists were balled up and pressed into the top of her thighs, which turned the skin around them white from the pressure.

The entire pack listened as Wooyoung relived the pain of his disease and the heartache he put himself through every day. The only time anyone else spoke was when Yeosang filled in the time he spent with Lizbeth when she had tried to free them from San's parents.

When Wooyoung started talking about Alistar and how Lizbeth came to save him, San couldn't stand off to the side anymore. He hurried forward the second he heard his mate's voice crack to sit behind him and pull him into a hug.

Siyeon started tearing up, and even made a desperate sound in the back of her throat when she heard how Lizbeth had died.

"I'm so sorry." Wooyoung bowed his head. "If it wasn't for me, sh-"

"Don't." San growled. He could feel his mate's pain and knew exactly what he was going to say. "No one is to blame except Alistar, and you made sure he would never hurt anyone else."

Wooyoung laid back against San's chest and nodded. Their son was quick to nod and clung to the omega's arm.

Siyeon watched all of it with a mournful expression. Her eyes were red and swollen, and tear tracks were starting to dry on her cheeks. "He's right." Her voice was raspy, which she tried to fix by clearing her throat. "And she wouldn't have done that if she didn't think you were worth it. Lizbeth was well known for her intuition."

"Yes. I can tell." Wooyoung said quietly. "She was special."

At that, the twins both came forward to join their family. Chan immediately smiled and nestled into Lorelai's arms when she opened them, while Lizbeth sat on Wooyoung's other side.

Pure joy radiated off the omega as he looked at each of his children. "If it wasn't for her, I wouldn't have these three. She gave me hope when I had none."

"They are beautiful." Siyeon nodded to all three kids in turn as Wooyoung introduced them. "Thank you for telling me what happened."

"What was she to you?"

Siyeon brought her knees to her chest and closed her eyes. "She was many things. Guardian, mentor, role model, sister. My pack is not like yours... but everyone is family, even if it's not by blood. She helped raise me and my sisters..." She paused, then added, "Mother." Her voice was barely above a whisper now. "We were devastated when she left but... we knew she'd never truly be happy unless she had a pup of her own, even if someone else raised it."

Jongho turned to lock eyes with Hongjoong. They both clenched their jaws but didn't say anything.

"I'm sorry for your loss." Wooyoung offered.

Siyeon just nodded and kept her eyes on the floor. When it was obvious she wasn't going to say anything else, the pack dispersed to go about their day.

Which meant Wooyoung was quick to pull the twins into the kitchen and shower them with kisses and questions. "How are you? How is the house? Did your heats go ok? Wha-"

"Mom!" Lizbeth started laughing and placed a hand over his mouth.

"Breathe!" Lorelai added. "Everything went just fine."

Wooyoung frowned into his daughter's hand but didn't try to talk anymore.

His alpha rolled his eyes and pulled the omega to his chest. "He's been worried sick."

"Have not!"

"Have too." San, Lizbeth, Lorelai, and even Chan said at the same time.

This caused Wooyoung to pout and storm over to the freezer and start pulling out food for dinner that evening, which was followed by a chorus of laughter and Chan running to his side to help.

I promise your daughters were in good hands." Serena quickly pulled Lorelai to her and brushed her hair aside before grabbing the back of her neck. Then she let her thumb rub up and down over Lorelai's mating mark.

"I'm sure they were." San leaned against the counter, then froze when he sensed Siyeon enter the room. With her still being so unfamiliar, his wolf was on high alert and didn't appreciate her sneaking up on him.

When he turned to face her, he noticed the alpha watching Serena and Lorelai. More specifically every move Serena made.

"Can I help?" She asked, turning to look at Wooyoung.

"Actually," everyone in the kitchen turned when Hongjoong spoke from the other side of the room. "I would like you to come with me." He didn't even try to hide his displeasure.

San pressed his lips together. He knew that tone. His alpha was done messing around.

"We haven't been able to find any sign of your pack. You look like you're doing well enough, I'd like you to help us look." Hongjoong tilted his head back, asserting his dominance.

Siyeon looked like she wanted to hesitate, but thankfully she didn't. Instead, she nodded and followed him from the room with one last glance in Serena's direction.

One nod from his alpha had San hurrying over to Wooyoung to kiss the side of his head before following as well.

The three of them stripped and shifted into their wolves outside, shaking out their fur and stretching before slipping one by one into the path in the snow.

Are you sure you don't need me or Mingi? Jongho asked. Even though he asked both alphas, San could feel the younger pressing against his mind and urging him to be careful.

Yes. There's too many in the house right now. I'd rather you stay and protect them.

There was a long pause before Jongho said quietly, Yes Alpha.

Hongjoong huffed and flicked his tail. The only time anyone answered him like that was if he ordered them to do something, or he didn't like his answer.

San scrunched his nose and took up his position behind Siyeon. Her delicate , blonde ears were constantly swiveling back and forth.

Once they made it to the edge of their territory, Hongjoong stopped for a moment to give the pack one final message. I want things to get back to normal, so if we do not return tonight, don't worry.

What?! Wooyoung exclaimed. San also looked at his alpha with surprise.

Everything will be fine. Hongjoong continued, talking over the protests coming from his mate and everyone else.

This isn't what we discussed. Jongho growled.

I know, but I was thinking on the way here and... I want her gone. She seems nice enough, but there is too much stress that's come with it.

Did you know? San flinched when Wooyoung contacted him privately.

No... He bowed his head a little.

Is he crazy? I'm coming there ri-

No you're not. San cut his mate off with a slightly harsh tone. I trust Joong, always, so it's fine. I'll help him find Siyeon's pack and come back to you as soon as possible. He could feel his mate's anger, which made him say, I love you too.

He didn't get an answer. Wooyoung must really be mad at him... San's ears fell back and he tried to contain a whine when he felt a wall between him and his mate.

Just be careful then. Yeosang said softly. San knew that the beta was giving off some calming pheromones just by the tone of his voice. And hurry back.

I will. Their head alpha promised. Then he spoke directly to San. I'm sorry. I really wasn't planning this.

Don't worry about it. The younger alpha extended his neck to lick Hongjoong's muzzle. Let's just get this over with.

Hongjoong stood up a little straighter before looking at Siyeon. She dipped her head in a nod, then the three of them crossed the pack's border.

San hoped they could finish this quickly, but he would do whatever his alpha needed.

He took up his place behind the female alpha once more, then followed her up into the mountains, praying they'd come across any sign her pack was till in the area so she could go home at last.