Keonhee would be lying if he said the next several weeks didn't take a tole on him and the rest of the pack. Things were still very tense between Leedo and Seoho but the two of them were at least acting civil toward each other.

And Seoho's rehabilitation was rocky at best.

They had spent many late nights alone in the hut they shared with Seoho bent over a bucket throwing up whatever food he had managed to eat that day. He also had horrible night sweats and would cry out in his sleep constantly.

Keonhee rubbed the back of his head gently and hummed a nursery rhyme from his childhood to try and soothe the omega after one particularly bad purge.

"You... don't have... to do this..." Seoho panted. His knuckles were white from where he was gripping the bucket and he let out a small moan of pain.

"I told you I'd help you through it. No one should go through this alone." Keonhee said softly. And he meant it. He didn't believe anyone should have to suffer alone, and he never wanted to see it happen again.

No matter how much Seoho fought back, Keonhee would do whatever he could to make sure he kicked his addiction.

They had decided to cut it all off at once, which was taking a much harder tole on the omega's body. There were a few times that Keonhee had gone to check on Dongju's pregnancy and he had come back to find Seoho crawling toward his garden.

That was another problem in itself... He was the only one that still knew of the unexpected pregnancy. It had been his idea to keep it a secret after talking with Leedo. They both knew how hard Hwanwoong was bound to take it and neither of them wanted to cause their Luna that kind of pain.

But they wouldn't be able to hide it forever.

He's getting worse. Leedo reached out through a private link. We can't wait much longer to tell the others. He needs stronger medicine than what you've been able to make.

I know... I've been trying to do some research on stronger herbal things, but... The beta sighed and closed his eyes. I'm sorry, Leedo. I'll try to talk to them soon. I think it'll be better coming from me.

Thank you... You're really great, you know that?

I know. Keonhee smiled sadly even though he knew the alpha couldn't see him. If only he knew...

"You don't have to stay here with me." Seoho groaned. "I can feel how tense you are. You reek."

"I'm not go-"

"Just go. I'm going back to bed." The omega huffed and faceplanted in his furs. After a couple of seconds, light snores came from him.

Keonhee rubbed the back of his head a couple of times, then took the bucket to get it cleaned out in the river.

On his way there, Youngjo stepped out of his hut and stretched his arms over his head. "Keonhee! I was just about to come and find you. Would you like to go hunting with me? I was thinking you could use a little break."

"Yeah, that would be great actually."

Hwanwoong appeared next to him and reached out for the bucket. "I'll take that, you go. And I'll keep an eye on Seoho too. How's he doing?"

Keonhee twisted his lips to the side and glanced at his hut. "I'd like to say he's doing better, but it's hard to say. I've never helped anyone through this before, but I have witnessed addiction so I know how bad it can be." His eyes fell to the ground and he ran his foot back and forth over the dirt.

"Well let's get you out of here for a bit." Youngjo jerked his head to the side and Keonhee followed him to the outskirts of their home. They both stepped behind a tree and tugged their clothes off before shifting into their wolf form.

I don't think I've ever told you before, but your wolf is stunning. Youngjo's tail wagged a little before he rubbed his body against Keonhee's.

The beta let out a little purr and felt himself shrink a little in embarrassment. Thanks. He had always been proud of his multi-colored coat, but this was the first time hearing anyone compliment it.

Let's go.

The pair picked their way through the trees, looking for any sign of prey nearby. They had hopes of bringing down two deer or something bigger if they could since they had so many mouths to feed now.

After about a half an hour, Keonhee finally worked up the courage to talk to his alpha. Youngjo? There's... something I need to tell you.

The alpha paused and tilted his head. What is it? Is Seoho giving you problems?

No... It's actually about Dongju. Keonhee whined a little and sat down so he could bow his head in submission. He's... Youngjo, he's pregnant.

Youngjo swayed in place a little and sat down before he fell over. Distress rolled off him in waves and his ears fell back against his head. Are you sure?

Almost positive... That's why he's been so sick recently.

We just can't seem to catch a break... can we? The alpha looked up at Keonhee with such pain that it broke the beta's heart. What am I supposed to tell Woong...

Keonhee was confused as to why Youngjo would be nervous about telling Hwanwoong, other than it was something that was unexpected for the pack. With all the tension it wasn't really the best time to bring a pup into the world. But he could tell there was something there... Youngjo was extremely stressed about something, and Keonhee didn't like feeling that.

Youngjo? He asked softly. Are you ok?

I will be. This is just... so much. Sometimes being the strong one in the pack or relationship is hard.

The beta did his best to not react. Youngjo needed him right now. What can I do?

You do so much already. Youngjo whispered. He's my mate, I'll figure out something...

I can help you though.

Youngjo lifted his head and moved back so he could lock eyes with the beta. One of these days, you're going to tell me why you find the need to help everyone around you without any regards as to your own health or safety. You need to take care of yourself too. The alpha's shoulders heaved with a sigh. Let's go. We still need to find food.

The entire mood of the hunt shifted after that. Keonhee was constantly watching Youngjo to make sure he was ok, and the alpha was drifting off into his own realm of thought.

Which distracted both of them from their surroundings.

Keonhee noticed it first, and then Youngjo.

There was a pungent smell in the air. It made their eyes water. What is that? Youngjo's head whipped around. I don't like this. Get back home.

Keonhee didn't argue. They both spun around on their hind legs and started to run at a quick pace through the trees.

But the smell followed them. It almost seemed to be herding them. If they strayed too far to the left or right it grew stronger.

That's when Keonhee realized it was also herding them away from their pack. Youngjo...

I know. I can't reach them either. I think we are too far away...

Keonhee whined and looked around. His heart stopped when he saw shadows darting through the trees. Or at least... he thought they were shadows? His vision started to swim before his eyes.

Next to him, Youngjo's head started to droop a little and he stumbled over a rock.

They must be... burning something... Keonhee forced out.

Keonhee, I need you... to run... as fast as your long legs... can take you... tell the others... Youngjo panted.

I won't leave you.

Don't make me order you. Youngjo managed to lift his head up enough to shoot the beta a glare. Go, Keonhee! They need... to know what happened! The alpha tripped once more and this time he fell to the ground.

Keonhee could feel himself fighting to stay upright as well. His entire being felt like it was being ripped in two. He didn't want to leave his alpha behind, and he knew Hwanwoong would kill him for doing it, but at the same time...

GO!

The beta crumpled under the order and turned around to start running as fast as he could.

It only took a few strides for the smell to go away from him, though. As soon as it was gone, his head felt so much clearer. Youngjo, it's gone! Come o- He turned around to look at his alpha and his heart stopped.

Several wolves now had him surrounded. And there was one that almost looked identical to him, but only bigger. Keonhee instantly knew it was another alpha, and by the way he was making Youngjo submit to him... he had a sinking feeling that it was Youngjo's father.

No one else would have the power of another head alpha like that.

He took a few steps back and bowed his head as he attempted to fight Youngjo's order, but it was no use.

Keonhee knew he would be useless against the powerful alpha. Useless... and a coward...

His entire body trembled, and he whined when he started to smell the awful odor again. And he couldn't feel Youngjo anymore through the link.

The alpha was completely cut off.

Things became even worse when some of the wolves shifted and bound the alpha's limbs together, as well as his muzzle, then shifted back to drag him across the forest floor.

There was only one thing Keonhee could do now...

As tears of fear rolled through his fur, he ran as fast as his shaking body would take him. He needed to get home and let the others know what happened. He needed to protect the only wolf he was willing to call his alpha.

~~written by flamewhipper~~