The birds chirped relentlessly loud from outside the hut, indicating the start of a new morning. Hwanwoong blinked his eyes open slowly, squinting since he wasn't ready to wake up, but it's a struggle for him to get up every morning.

When the noise became too ferocious, Hwanwoong was forced to succumb to the new day, unable to rest any longer.

He turned his head to the right, seeing that the space on the furs next to him was left empty. He brushed the back of his hand over the spot. It wasn't even warm, meaning that his mate has been awake for a while now. Youngjo probably went for an early morning hunt since Leedo went the day prior.

The omega slowly sits up, stretching his limbs over his head, letting out a large yawn. Even stretching seemed to hurt his weak limbs. His body was so pathetic anymore. He wraps his arms around his legs, resting his head on his knees.

He wonders when his alpha will be back. Whenever he's gone, the omega can't help but feel so lost.

Thinking of the alpha, Hwanwoong couldn't be more grateful to have Youngjo by his side, though he can't stop the feeling of overwhelming guilt toward him too. Because of him, he's had to leave everything he's ever known. He had so much going for him in life, and Hwanwoong has ruined it all.

Not to mention how hard Youngjo's been having to work since they've left the Blood Moon pack behind just to take care of them both.

It was a good thing that they ran into Leedo when they did. Although Youngjo would always try his hardest and would never admit to it, he was growing exhausted from doing everything himself, so it was nice to have another alpha around to help. And though Hwanwoong hasn't felt the need to grow close or converse with him much, he still feels like he can trust the quiet alpha.

His stomach growls. He rubs his tummy gently, his lips naturally forming an adorable pout. He hopes Youngjo will return soon. But honestly, he feels even more guilty for being so reliant on the older male.

After another half an hour, Hwanwoong could sense his mate getting closer to their pack, which automatically sent a blanket of security and comfort over him.

Soon he could hear his alpha's voice outside of the hut. At first, he assumed that he was just talking to their alpha friend, but he quickly realized that wasn't the case when he heard his mate say, "Hey, it's okay. This is Leedo. Neither of us are going to hurt you."

Hwanwoong tried not to be alarmed, but he couldn't help but be frightened at the idea of an unknown wolf being inside their territory, let alone, a few yards outside of his hut.

Leedo seemed to be just as concerned since he questioned what was happening. Hwanwoong could hear the reassuring, gentle voice of his mate, but it wasn't toward Leedo. What in the world was happening?

Finally Hwanwoong's worry and curiosity got the best of him. He slowly pushed open his hut's door, squinting as the morning sun blinded him. He glanced around the courtyard, searching for his lover. "Youngjo?"

And though his alpha immediately ran toward him to make sure he was okay, his focus landed on the strange wolf standing uncomfortably by himself. Hwanwoong immediately registered him to be a beta by his faint scent and he noticed right away how the beta seemed more than a little timid. He seemed almost scared.

When Youngjo gently asked if the unknown beta, apparently named Keonhee, could stay, Hwanwoong watched as the wolf shifted and kneeled respectfully toward Hwanwoong.

The omega took a moment to look the male over. He was tall, but his body looked frail and slim. And for some reason, Hwanwoong immediately felt like he should take pity on the other wolf. If Youngjo felt comfortable with bringing this stranger into their pack, then he should trust his alpha's instincts.

"Yes." Hwanwoong agreed with a monotone voice, partially because he was nervous, but also because he was indifferent toward anything around him anymore. Nothing has mattered since...

While the alpha's celebrated their new pack member, Hwanwoong turned back around and locked himself in the protection of his hut.

But it didn't take long for the new beta to become settled within their mini pack. Youngjo and Leedo worked hard to build Keonhee a new hut for himself and had it completely finished after only a short couple of weeks. Leedo generously let the beta occupy his hut while he slept outside during the building process.

From what Hwanwoong could tell, Keonhee seemed to have adjusted to pack life with them fairly quickly. He jumped into helping the alphas skin their kills and even offered to prepare a majority of the pack meals. He's very knowledgeable about herbal medicines, which has been very helpful for whenever someone has a small injury or even a minor headache. He would even volunteer to help wash the pack's clothing in the river with Hwanwoong on occasion.

The omega has slowly been coming out of his hole too. He's taken it upon himself to help the pack wherever he saw a need, but because his body is so weakened, there's only so much he can do for now.

Part of the reason for the slight progress in him was actually due to watching Keonhee.

He could tell that something must have happened with the male beta in his past for him to be alone before, but he couldn't decipher what it was. But regardless of his possible past troubles, Keonhee always slaps a kind smile on his face and pushes through each new day.

Whenever Keonhee and Hwanwoong work alongside each other, whether it's doing laundry or weaving baskets, the atmosphere is always quiet, but it's a peaceful quiet. It's comfortable for Hwanwoong. And over time, he's realized that he's really grateful for Keonhee's presence.

He never questions why Hwanwoong is so closed off. He never tries to pry and ask what might have happened. Instead, he mostly lets the quiet resonate between them, only filling the silence with minimal chit chat here and there, and he never expects Hwanwoong to contribute. Their company with one another is enough and Hwanwoong is thankful toward the beta for that.

One evening, Keonhee had the idea to hold a nice celebratory dinner for their pack. It's been months since the four of them have been brought together, and they have yet to do anything special for themselves. They deserved it.

"That's a wonderful idea!" Youngjo brightly agreed to the suggestion.

"We can go hunting this morning and bring home a feast!" Leedo stood, gesturing between him and the other alpha with pride.

Hwanwoong silently nodded along with the idea, but he was unsure about how he could contribute to the event.

"Hwanwoong, would you like to help me decorate the clearing?" Keonhee smiled radiantly toward the omega, which at first caught Hwanwoong off guard, but eventually he slightly grinned back and nodded.

His alpha wrapped an arm around him, and Hwanwoong could tell that he was wearing a goofy grin without even looking at him, happy to see a bit of the man he fell in love with again.

The pack worked to put together a special evening for themselves, and everything came together quite nicely.

Keonhee and Hwanwoong worked extremely hard for many hours to decorate the courtyard. They tied together vines of wildflowers and draped them over new posts surrounding the fire pit area where they typically eat. They even made sure to use their nicest baskets to pick some fresh berries to serve with their dinner.

Youngjo and Leedo outdid themselves with their hunting, so they must have been fairly excited. They were able to bring back a giant buck, two squirrels, and three crabs, more than enough food to last them for several days.

Keonhee quickly got to work on preparing the freshly skinned squirrels. He smiled widely when Hwanwoong came over to assist him. Across the clearing, Youngjo and Leedo worked on skinning the huge buck.

Hwanwoong watched his lover working so hard to perfectly separate the hide from the flesh, but then he noticed something interesting.

Leedo was looking in their direction, and his attention seemed to be on the tall male beside him. It was a look that portrayed curiosity more than anything. He was studying the beta.

When the alpha finally noticed that he had been caught, he instantly looked away, putting his focus back on his task.

"Hey," Hwanwoong gently nudged at Keonhee, which startled the older at first since Hwanwoong rarely initiated conversations.

"Yes?" Keonhee wondered.

"I think Leedo is interested in you." Hwanwoong wasn't sure why he was letting the other wolf know this. Something about Keonhee just made him feel like he should. "He keeps looking this way toward you."

Keonhee let himself slip a glance at Leedo, and his body shivered. He looked slightly uncomfortable even.

Because of that, neither one said anything more about it as they continued to work on the evening's meal.

"Here you go, my love." Youngjo said as he passed a clay plate full of food over to his mate and pecked the omega's temple before preparing his own.

Keonhee sat beside Hwanwoong, kindly waiting for everyone else to grab their own food before he got his, but Hwanwoong noticed Leedo on the other side of the fire glancing at the beta again. With a plate piled high with venison, Leedo decided to come over and hold the food out to Keonhee. "Here," he blurted awkwardly, avoiding any eye contact.

"Oh, um, thank you." Confusion crossed Keonhee's face, but he accepted the alpha's kind gesture with both hands and with a nod.

When Leedo sat back down in his spot, he glanced at the beta another time, and Hwanwoong noticed that the young alpha seemed to be contemplating something. But the older quickly shook his head to get rid of the thoughts.

The rest of dinner was absolutely wonderful. With tummies full, the group of four just sat, basking in one another's company and getting to know each other better under the setting sun. Youngjo comfortably wrapped a secure arm around his mate since the temperature was growing cooler. Hwanwoong snuggled into him.

"Ah, I'm so glad we did this. Thank you for the suggestion Keonhee." The alpha sent a warm smile toward the mentioned male.

"I agree," Leedo spoke up, "It's the first time that we actually felt like a real pack since we've been together. And the flowers were a nice touch."

Keonhee blushed at the two alpha's compliments. "Aw, thank you... it was nothing really. We all put a lot of effort in. The flowers were Hwanwoong's idea." It was true. Hwanwoong actually suggested making the floral vines.

"They're beautiful, baby." Youngjo told his omega, sounding full of pride, and kissed the top of his blonde head.

When the conversation seemed to dissipate, Leedo spoke up again. "So I was thinking about this the other day, but we never actually declared a pack leader."

Everyone silently thought about the alpha's words. They've never talked about having a leader for their pack before. They were just starting out, so the conversation has never come up.

When no one said anything right away, Leedo continued. "Well, I think it should be Youngjo."

The mentioned alpha's eyes widened and he pointed at himself in question.

"I agree," Keonhee added. "You were so caring and kind when you brought me in, and all of us look up to you in some way."

Youngjo nodded with a bashful smile, his cheeks turning pink at their kind words.

Hwanwoong sat silently, listening to the discussion between the other three wolves. They were so caught up with the topic that they didn't notice Hwanwoong shrinking back into himself again. Them talking about this started the long spiral of thoughts that ate away at him for months all over again, just when he was coming out of his shell too.

The omega agreed that his alpha would make a wonderful pack leader someday. He always knew that he would've been a great Pack Alpha for Blood Moon, and he would have been by his side to help him lead. But he had to go and screw it all up for him.

"So it's decided!" Leedo cheered, clapping his hands together.

"And that would make you the pack Luna, Hwanwoong." Keonhee beamed adorably.

And that did it.

A single tear trailed down the omega's face, but before anyone could catch it, Hwanwoong wiped away the evidence with the back of his hand.

Why did he have to feel this way? He'd ask himself. He was doing so good too.

He scoffed under his breath at the idea of him being a Luna, even for this small pack. How could he be a Luna if he can't even provide pups for his mate to carry on the bloodline. He's useless.

He clenched his eyes shut as more of the negative thoughts invaded his mind.

Keonhee would probably make a much better Luna. At least he's hardworking, friendly, a good cook, and handy with herbal medicines. He'd be a perfect Luna for them. Hell, he'd probably make a better mate for his alpha too.

That thought destroyed him.

Youngjo must have smelt his lemongrass scent spiking. When he felt a reassuring squeeze from his alpha on his waist, his mind suddenly cleared, forcing him back into reality.

He could tell that the older was excited and honored, and he refused to take this away from Youngjo again. They could deal with the pup problem later when it approaches, and if they asked Hwanwoong to step down because of it, then he would at that time.

For now, he forced a sweet grin on his face and whispered a gentle, "Thank you."

~~Written by @squidster97~~