Getting closer to Ellinors forest, everyone was told not to stray. There were a lot of traps that they risked setting off. It was important to keep their defenses strong. Everyone was safely guided through, and as they lightly ran the last bit to Ellinors little cabin, their relief was tangible. Ellinor took charge indoors while Seonghwa did the same outdoors.
Helena of course got the bed. She was checked from top to bottom again. She felt slightly better already, and their focus was for her to eat and drink, and of course, rest. Mingi happily took the job with keeping Helena warm at all times, laying beside her in bed. It was quite touching watching how he cared for her, how his tear dropped into her hair when she slept, how gently he touched her arm when he woke her up to eat a little more. You would often see him with a hand on her tummy.
While Woo and Yunho helped Ellinor indoors, Seonghwa showed everyone else around the forest. They learned where all the traps were. There was a lot to remember, but they did their best. All of this Ellinor had managed to keep up alone. That was impressive.
«If all of this was already in place, what on earth did you do with all that free time?» San asked, nudging Seonghwa.
«We stocked food, firewood and... we got to know each other better.»
«Got to know each other better,» San snickered. Even though wolves didn't exactly laugh, they could all imagine Sans dimpled laughter.
«Oh shut up,» Seonghwa said, but he was honestly just happy to be together with his pack again. Happy that his mate was okay, that the pack had welcomed her with open arms and that they were pretty safe now.
As security was their main concern at the moment, only half the pack slept, while the other half patrolled throughout the night. Helena became stronger by the day, and soon Mingi was ready to help with patrolling the forest.
Seonghwa was carrying water from the river to the cottage. On his third and last round, Ellinor came around in her wolf.
«Shift, please,» he said and put his buckets down.
«I'll be cold,» she protested, but she still ended up doing as he asked. He pulled the naked woman close to himself.
«I'll keep you warm, babe.»
«Thank you,» she smiled and kissed him. Her arms slid under his jacket.
«I miss you,» he said into her hair.
«I'm right here, silly.»
«You know what I mean. We had gotten so used to being alone, having the cottage to ourselves.»
«I miss that too.» She kissed him again, more passionate this time. She wanted to prove to him that she felt the same way. «Do you think we'll ever live in a house again, with enough bedrooms for everyone?»
«I hope so. I think so.»
«Until then...»
He smiled at her cute face. «Until then we'll just have to make do, right?»
«Exactly.»
—
Winter turned to spring, but not until a big winter storm had forced the pack to stay mostly indoors for days on end. By the time the storm was over, they all agreed that they couldn't do another winter like this, with only the small cottage as housing. They were too many, there was no privacy and come summer they would also have a newborn pup in the pack.
Spring brought warmth and they were able to roam more freely around the woods. Ellinor was happy that they all got to see how beautiful her forest could be. It was a really beautiful time, they all grew stronger, healthier and cooperating had never been easier.
--
«Honey?» Ellinor found her way into Seonghwas arms. He was laying on a skin rug by the fire, not far from the cottage. On warm spring evenings like this they often slept like people, even though being outdoors.
«Yes, my love?» he said with a sleepy voice, the sound of the fire crackling always make it difficult to keep your eyes open.
«I'm getting closer to my Time again,» she said, and all of a sudden he was wide awake.
«How close?» he asked an tried to sit up. She held on to him, she just wanted to feel his arms around her body.
«Not that close,» she giggled.
«Damn it,» he chuckled and kissed her.
«A week or two, maybe?»
«How do you know?»
«I feel it,» she said. This was difficult for an alpha to understand. There wasn't any set rules for how long there was between each Time. Each omegas body adapted, to nature, to what happened around the omega, the stress or lack of. Like the time she was attacked by a group of alphas in the city and her Time was triggered early. «Maybe we should plan what to do when it arrives?»
«What is there to plan?» He kissed her neck, close to their mating-mark. «We know what to do. We practiced.»
«We did,» she chuckled. «And we've gotten pretty good at it, I'd say.»
«Mhm,» he whispered against her skin, kissing his way down her body.
«But if we do that while my Time is here, there's a chance it'll result in a pup, and... Is this the right time?»
«I can't imagine anything better than a mini-Ellinor running around these woods.» His voice made her shiver.
«We're not living in ideal quarters at the moment. Mingi and Helenas pup will be arriving any time and there's really not room for anyone else in the cottage right now.»
«It'll be okay,» he said. She had trouble talking with his lips on her skin. «Don't you think?» His hand had found its way to her heat.
«I hope so, but... I'm worried.»
«I can use protection,» he whispered. «If you want. That's no problem, my love. But I don't think I can stay away.»
«No!» The thought made her gasp. «I'm gonna need my alpha. I want you now and forever.»
«And I want you, now and forever.» He found his place between her legs, took his time to tease her a little before finally sliding into her. «I love you, Ellinor.»
«And I love you, Seonghwa.»
—
They had discussed what would be the safest place for them to go when her Time came. From last round they knew it would be forceful, it might affect all the alphas. They needed to leave the cottage, it wasn't even considered to have the others leave. Helena could give birth any d ay, and to Ellinor and Seonghwa this was almost an adventure. They packed up some things and went towards the uninhabited mountains behind the forrest. A few days, just the two of them. Just what they needed after months together with the entire pack.
Of course, Helena went into labor while Ellinor and Seonghwa were gone. They had talked about this. It would be completely impossible for Ellinor to stay back during her Time, so this would just have to go the way it would go. Over the pack-link they quickly talked about it. To not disturb each other more than they needed Ell and Seonghwa would go further into the mountains, to get out of reach from the link.. When you were in labor it was impossible to turn off the link, and the same often went for when you were in your Time. It would be better this way.
«I wish I could have been there for Helena,» Ellinor said sadly when they finally settled down by their fire late that night.
«I know, darling, but we'll have to make the best out of it. When we get back you'll get to meet a little pup.»
«I can't wait!»
«And I think we can figure a way to pass the time.»
She giggled as he kissed her mating-mark.
YOU ARE READING
Alpha & Omega // Ateez // P.SH
WerewolfEllinor feels drawn to the city. After 10 years alone in the forest, why would she seek the dangers in town? And especially now, so close to her Time? Ellinor is saved by Yunho, and meets the pack. Who hides among the pack members? Will they still...
