𝐆𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐚́𝐧 || 𝐉𝐞𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐨𝐥

End

When the harvest came, it was all hands on deck. They couldn't manage alone, and it wasn't fair of them to monopolize any more members of Soonyoung's pack. So, they did what Seungcheol's grandpa had always done: they called in the locals.

Seungcheol wasn't sure what kind of response they'd get, but what worried him most was the fact that there was no practical way to hide their five cubs. He paced the kitchen floor, trying to ignore the churning of his stomach.

"They'll be here soon," Junhui said, checking his watch.

It was just before six a.m. They wanted to get an early start.

"There's still time to change your mind," Minghao suggested, as he fed the kittens who were winding their way around his legs. "We can keep the babies up in the nursery, put all the baby stuff out of sight..."

But Seungcheol knew that trying to hide their five kids was no way to live.

"No. They'll be here for three weeks, at least. Even if they don't see them, they're bound to hear them."

As he said it, he heard the first cry of a baby from upstairs. "They're up."

Everyone jumped in, Minghao getting the bottles ready and Seungcheol going upstairs to help Jeonghan bring the babies down.

They'd gotten the hang of carrying them in groups and feeding them in pairs, but Seungcheol was still grateful that they had two members of Soonyoung's pack arriving later that morning to help out.

The timing meant that, when the first of their casual workers traipsed into the house, he, Jeonghan, and Minghao were safely out of the way in the dining room. As soon as they were fed, Seungcheol went out to join the others, giving directions and getting everyone started on what they needed to be doing. Most of them had helped with a harvest before, so it didn't take them long to get to work.

Seungcheol did a few hours but left early to get lunch started and help with the next feed. This time, when the bulk of the hungry workers came in for lunch, Seungcheol had Yunjin over his shoulder and Jeonghan had a baby in each arm.

Kyle was the first person inside, slowing to a stop.

"Oh, hey. Didn't know there were cubs about. They yours?"

"Mine and Jeonghan's," Seungcheol said casually, not reacting when Minghao came in carrying another two.

Kyle did a double-take, and Seungcheol could see him counting.

"Wow," he said after a minute, grinning over at Seungcheol.

"You're some alpha."

Seungcheol shrugged. "Always wanted a big family."

He waited, aware of the tension in the room as the others watched and waited for Kyle's reaction.

"Gotta respect a family man. Terry would have been proud."

"I like to think so." As he said it, Seungcheol realized he meant every word. His grandpa would have loved the idea of a pack finding its home right there in the orchard, bringing the whole place back to life.

Before he could say any more, the rest of the workers piled inside.

"Bathrooms are to the left if you want to wash up. Food is laid out in the dining room. Grab a plate and help yourselves, there's plenty to go around."

Junhui followed them inside, adding, "My brother baked especially for the occasion. You haven't lived until you've had a slice of his apple pie."

The offer of food was enough to get the guys moving, though there were a handful of curious glances aimed at the babies. There was no sense of hostility to go with it, just a few raised eyebrows and some thumbs-up when it became clear Seungcheol was the father. He suspected there'd be more than a few jokes about his virility for the next three weeks, but he could live with that. He'd put up with a lot for the easy acceptance of his pack and his cubs.

"Minghao and I will take her," Jeonghan said, nodding to Yunjin.

"You should join them."

"I'll eat with you."

Minghao's reply was firm.

"Not today. It's their first day. They might not be pack, but we are. And here, in the orchard, you are the alpha. They need to see that, see you."

Seungcheol suspected the two of them had been talking about it when he wasn't around. He grinned and shook his head.

When they were in agreement, there wasn't much that could derail them.

"I bow to your superior wisdom," he conceded, kissing Yunjin on the cheek and handing her over.

"It's good practice," Minghao joked. "For when the pack gets bigger, and you've got more alphas than you can handle."

Seungcheol laughed as he headed inside to join the guys, grabbing a plate and joining the queue. As much as Minghao and Jeonghan were teasing him, they weren't wrong about the need for more members for their pack. Having five vulnerable babies to take care of really underscored how unprotected they were. Maybe Soonyoung and the others were right. Sure, they couldn't exactly advertise for new pack members, but there were subtler ways to let people know where to find them. When he thought about it, a few names and faces always came to mind.

For the most part, they were people he'd lost touch with. No, more than that: people he'd been forcibly separated from by the military in an attempt to stop him from forming a pack. They hadn't just interfered on a professional level, but on a social one too. His father and his commanding officers had always discouraged friendships, telling him that being groomed for leadership meant he needed to be self-contained and independent. It was all lies to serve their own purpose. He could see that now.

Maybe it wasn't too late to reach out, build some bridges, and make up for lost time. And in the process, maybe his pack would find their feet.