It only takes a fraction of a second for your life to flip and change entirely from what it once was. That feeling you possess when someone close to you suddenly disappears is one of the most heartbreaking. Most people only experience something drastic like this once in their lifetime. For Hwanwoong, he's already been through a life altering occasion like this once before; one of those moments where the life you once knew flashes before your eyes. And unfortunately, it wouldn't be the only time.

For all Hwanwoong knew, it was a typical day in the pack. He had just finished cleaning the pack's laundry, so now he's hanging it on the line to dry between his and Keonhee's huts. The afternoon sun was bright, causing Hwanwoong to squint whenever he looked upwards.

Everything was peaceful as far as he could tell. Leedo and Dongju were enjoying a picnic in the garden together. Youngjo had taken Keonhee with him to hunt, and he could feel Youngjo's happiness. Hwanwoong could feel the warmth in his chest from their bond. That feeling always reassured Hwanwoong of just how serene their life was here.

Hwanwoong subconsciously began to whistle a random melody, one he's never heard of before, but one that seemed fitting for the afternoon.

When he hung up the last of the laundry, the melody ended and Hwanwoong let out a sigh of satisfaction toward his work. He picked up the now empty basket, and that's when he felt it; the shift. He dropped the basket.

That feeling of warmth, comfort, and peace completely shifted in a blink of an eye. Suddenly, Hwanwoong's chest felt heavy, like it was constricting within itself. Hwanwoong's hand grasped at his chest over his shirt, squeezing the fabric forcefully. It was the bond... he knew it was because of Youngjo. Something was wrong with his mate.

Youngjo? What's going on!?

Without a response, Hwanwoong instinctually set off in the direction of where Youngjo and Keonhee left earlier this afternoon. But as fast as the heaviness came, it was suddenly gone. Completely gone.

But Hwanwoong couldn't feel any relief because he couldn't feel anything. The heaviness wasn't replaced by the familiar warmth, but instead, he was left with emptiness. Panic began to set in when Hwanwoong realized that now he couldn't feel his mate at all.

Youngjo!? Baby? Where are you!? Can you hear me? But the alpha never replied, and Hwanwoong couldn't even tell whether or not Youngjo was okay. It was like their mating bond was cut off.

Hwanwoong dashed towards the forest line where he last saw Youngjo and Keonhee disappear, which means Keonhee was the last person to see his mate. He can still feel Keonhee through their pack bond, which is a good sign. Keonhee, what happened? Where's Youngjo?

Once Hwanwoong approached the treeline, he finally received a response. He froze in his tracks. I-I don't know... It all happened so f-fast. There was a smell... like a gas or incense...

Where are you? Hwanwoong tried to contain the alarm in his voice, but he wasn't very successful. He could tell Keonhee was close by, and soon he could hear the beta's footsteps approaching. When Keonhee stepped through the forest line, barefoot, Hwanwoong immediately embraced his beta pack member. Keonhee was shaking.

The rest of the pack appeared behind them, as though they could sense something was wrong. Hwanwoong didn't even notice their arrival until he pulled apart from Keonhee's arms. Hwanwoong was shaking too.

"What's going on?" Leedo demanded to know. Judging by Hwanwoong and Keonhee's distressed scents and faces, something was wrong, and their head alpha wasn't present. "Where's Youngjo? Why can't I feel him?"

"They- They took him." Keonhee stuttered out before collapsing onto his knees.

"W-who?" Hwanwoong's lips trembled.

When Keonhee clenched his eyes shut, Leedo spoke up. "It's okay, Keonhee. Just tell us what you think you saw."

Seoho came over and squatted next to the trembling beta, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. That seemed to calm Keonhee enough. "I can't be for sure, but I think it might have been Youngjo's father." They could all hear Hwanwoong take a sharp intake of breath through his nose. "H-he towered over Youngjo... He was a strong alpha, and I figured that no one could make Youngjo submit like that other than his father...

"There was a group of them. We were outnumbered, and the incense blocked our senses. Youngjo commanded for me to run, and while I was backing away, they bound him. I couldn't do anything but run..." Keonhee shook his head in regret and frustration, but there was truly nothing he could do.

The pack remained silent as they allowed the beta's words sink in.

Suddenly, Hwanwoong sprung to his feet with his fists clenched. "We need to get to him!" The small omega shouted, stomping toward the forest, shredding off his jacket as though he was ready to shift. He was being reckless, but he didn't care. He just needed to get to his mate, to his lover.

"We can't just go after him blindly!" Leedo argued. "We need map out a plan!"

Hwanwoong ignored him and continued forward, undoing the first few buttons of his shirt and kicking off his shoes. "We don't have time! There getting further and further away!" he cried. "I have to go now!"

"You're not going anywhere!" Leedo growled. Hwanwoong stopped in his tracks at the command. Leedo would never normally speak so disrespectfully to his Luna, but Hwanwoong was acting impulsively, completely driven on adrenaline and fear. It was a horrible combination that wouldn't allow him to use any sense. "As Head Alpha's second in command, I am ordering you to stop right there. We are going to calm down and put our heads together, and we are going to figure out what the best thing to do is. We won't be helping anything if we storm off recklessly."

Hwanwoong shuttered at the alpha's voice. He had almost forgotten how strong of an alpha Leedo really was. He bent down and wrapped his arms around his knees, cowering in submission.

This time, Leedo spoke softer now that he had everyone's attention and compliance. "Now, let's go back to camp, and get some rest. Tomorrow we can figure out what to do next." No one dared to argue with the alpha temporarily in charge. Dongju linked his arm around his alpha's.

"Yes, okay." Hwanwoong whispered, but he couldn't help the terrified tears that slipped his eyelids.

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The same pungent smell was there when Youngjo woke up.

The young alpha felt groggy, and his head felt like it was spinning. With eyes still closed, he reached up to clutch at his aching head, but he was instantly startled by the sound metal clanking together. He snapped his eyes open at the noise.

His wrist was clasped by a metal chain connected to the wall. It wasn't a strong chain, so Youngjo thinks he'd be able to break free fairly easily in normal circumstances. But he reckons that something in the incense was suppressing his abilities and strengths, so he doesn't even attempt to pull at the chain.

Once he finally takes a moment to check out his surroundings, he realizes that he's in his old childhood room, inside his parent's home. Youngjo wishes that he was surprised by the turn of events, but he's not. He should have guessed that his parents and his old pack would come looking for him. All they cared about was passing on their bloodline. They couldn't allow their sole heir to disappear.

Youngjo scoffed and rolled his eyes, but he was more annoyed with himself than anything. He became too comfortable and didn't even consider the possibility of his father attacking. He just hopes that his pack was left alone... oh god... What about Hwanwoong? He can't imagine how his mate must be feeling at the moment. He just prays that he and the rest of the pack are safe.

The alpha sighs before slamming his head back on the wall behind him in frustration. The disgusting incense was making him feel even more weak the longer he inhaled the scent. The smell seems to have intensified. Falling asleep again sounded nice. As his eyelids started to close once more, he heard the bedroom door creak open.

With tired eyes, Youngjo looked up at the figure approaching him. "Mom?" he sighed.

"Yes, my baby. It's me." She gently gripped his chin in a motherly way, rubbing her thumb across her son's jaw. "It's okay. You're home. You're safe now."

Youngjo cringed at her words, but he couldn't respond before he slipped away into the heavy unconsciousness, his eyelids closing once more.

~~Written by squidster97 ~~