RTY | MW [✔]

10.

The further away from home they got, the more uneasy Mingyu felt. He was always on edge outside of the pack— his wolf knew where they belonged— but this was different. This was because of Wonwoo.

They traveled for two days without incident, making camp a handful of times as they gathered food and took turns sleeping. Wonwoo's sleep was restless, but then so was Mingyu's. Being away from the protection of the pack's walls, it was only natural that he'd be more alert to danger. For Wonwoo, though, it seemed like something more was going on. The few times they'd both been in human form, Mingyu had tried to broach it with him, but the omega was good at acting like nothing was wrong. And maybe nothing was wrong. Maybe Mingyu was just looking for an excuse, any excuse, to insist that Wonwoo had to come back with them to the pack, where he'd be safe. Where Mingyu could ensure that he was safe. Yeah, that had to be it.

In the early afternoon on their third day of travel, they reached the crest of a hill, and Wonwoo stopped them with a quiet bark. The omega had been mostly silent during their journey, so his interruption meant either something was wrong or they'd reached their destination. Mingyu didn't want to believe it was the latter, but as Wonwoo shifted back, he could see the answer in the omega's face. He shifted too, waiting to hear what he had to say.

"We're close enough," Wonwoo told him. "I can make it the rest of the way on my own."

Mingyu had his arguments ready. "It would be safer—"

"Your trackers haven't caught a recent wolf scent since the day we left the pack. There's no sign of anyone on the road ahead. I can take it from here." There was the slightest hint of exasperation in Wonwoo's tone, but also a sense of reluctance.

"Are you sure?"

He would walk the omega right to his doorway to keep him safe, but that would probably do nothing but terrorize his family. They already had to be hurting since Wonwoo's disappearance and the loss of his mate.

"I'm sure. Thank you, Mingyu. All of you— I'm grateful for your help and your protection. I wish you a safe journey home to your pack."

Minghao stepped up beside Mingyu, a pack in hand. "Just some clothes and food. You can carry it, or if you shift, I'll strap it on."

Mingyu could see it was on the tip of Wonwoo's tongue to refuse, but the omega nodded instead, flushing slightly. "Thanks. I'll travel on four legs from here. It'll be faster."

It was more than that, it always was— Wonwoo wanted to be able to run if there was trouble.

Mindful that the eyes of almost all of their group were on him, Mingyu stepped forward and placed his hands on Wonwoo's shoulders. The omega looked up into his eyes, meeting his gaze.

"Run swiftly, Wonwoo. Be safe."

"Thanks, Mingyu. Your pack is lucky to have you."

Wonwoo stepped back, out of reach of his hands, and shifted. As soon as he was done, shaking out his fur, Minghao hurried forward and strapped the pack onto his back with Joshua's help.

"If you need to run, just bite here, and it'll release. Give it a try," Joshua said.

Wonwoo did as he was asked, and the pack slid off his back. Joshua and Minghao resecured it, each of them patting him as they said their goodbyes.

Mingyu crouched down beside Wonwoo one last time as the others backed off. He lowered his voice, speaking quietly enough that the rest wouldn't hear. This was for Wonwoo's ears only.

"If you're ever in trouble, you know where to find us. As long as I'm alpha, you will always find a welcome in our pack."

A quiet yip was Wonwoo's only response before the fox turned and padded away, heading down the slope and disappearing into the bushes. Mingyu watched until he couldn't hear him anymore, then he straightened and turned. The rest of their group were standing around, some watchful, some bored.