Alpha & Omega // Ateez // P.SH

- 8 -

«Why doesn't any of the other wolves patrol like we do?» Ellinor asked Hongjoong one evening she joined him for an evening round in the city.

«They feel it isn't necessary. It's been 10 years since the last war, there are no threats at the moments.»

«But we disagree?»

It was touching how she said «we», she already felt part of the pack.

«No, I'm afraid a new war is closer than anyone believes. There have been evidence of things changing within the clans recently. This city is important when it comes to ruling.»

«How so?»

«We are so close to the hometowns of several of the clans. And in the chaos that were among the clans after the last war, everyone is bound to get involved. I think they'll all join, whether they want to or not.»

«But what about the humans living here?»

«Thats why I'm protecting the city. The humans are innocent in all of this. Usually they don't get mixed up in our disagreements, but a war would be worse. Then things might happen here on the streets. We have to make sure that doesn't happen.»

It was scary how serious he was about this. She already trusted him completely, so if this was his worry, it was real.

—

Ellinor was out patrolling the woods with Seonghwa the night the disagreements started. They had left home as usual, and when they came outside the walls they had undressed and shifted, with their backs to each other. Seonghwa was getting used to the beautiful silver wolf with the dark ears. She was a sight to be seen.

They were on their way across the plains when they both suddenly became aware of a large group of wolves further south. They had to stay outside the walls, but they had to get closer to know. Seonghwa was communicating with Arian and Jongho who both were working on the walls tonight. There were rain in the air and it was freezing cold, but none of that mattered to the wolves.

--

«Arian!»

Hongjoong was gasping for air and for a second he couldn't move. Then the pain released, and Hongjoong quickly got out of bed. Yunho who had also felt it, did the same.

«I'll make sure the basement is ready,» Yunho said.

Hongjoong stopped for a moment to look at his mate. «This time it's serious,» he said and grabbed his hands.

«I know,» he said, he could feel it. Yunho kissed his mate. «Be careful. I love you.»

«I love you, babe,» the alpha whispered before running into the hall.

Everyone was on their feet. Through the pack-link they had all felt the attack on Arian. Now it was clear to them that Jongho was also under attack. Even Seonghwa was getting closer to danger. No one got dressed, quite the opposite. They threw away their nightwear and shifted to their wolves inside the house. They never did that. This was, however, an emergency like they had never seen before.

«San and Mingi, you'll go towards Arian and Jongho. Sunwoo, you'll patrol the other side of town, this could be a decoy attack. Give us an immediate alert if you see anything out of order. Yunho will give the rest of you things to do for the humans. And remember, if needed you will lock yourselves in the cell. No one can reach you in there. Promise me, Yunho, that you will lock yourselves in there if we don't return.»

«I promise,» Yunho said, his voice serious. He kissed Hongjoong one last time before the alpha shifted and ran out the door with the other wolves.

Yeo, Woo, Helena and Livv ran to their designated parts of the city. Yunho activated the alarm system this city luckily had. The humans didn't understand that what they were told were a lethal threat, actually were werewolves. If they had known, they never would have cooperated. Especially not since the ones helping them also were wolves. But they knew nothing. The alarm on speakers woke the entire city up, and soon the humans were running to the safety rooms under the city where they were all locked in, secure with the electricity no alpha could get through. They were safe.