HIDEOUT (Sequel to SHELTER)

7

***FLASHBACK***

18 years ago, Yifan's pack wasn't in the best of shape. He was too young to lead but he was forced into the roll when the former pack Alpha passed away. Yifan didn't know how to lead so he would often seek advice from the only other person he trusted, his best friend Yixing. However, Yixing wasn't in the camp at the moment.

Yifan found it odd. Yixing never usually left the camp. He was normally in the medical hut since he was in charge of it.

Yifan went around the camp, looking in every den, searching for his friend when he saw his childhood crush sleeping in his den on the bed of fox furs.

"Joonmyeon?", Yifan called his name.

Joonmyeon wearily opened his eyes. When he caught sight of the Alpha, he struggled to sit up and address the Pack Alpha. "Alpha! I'm sorry! It's just...well...my heat is coming soon and your bed smelled nice and Hoseok and Alpha Zitao are in the Omega den right now. I'm sorry!", the Omega said frantically.

Yifan furrowed his brow to distract from his blush. "It's okay, Joonmyeon. I'll let you sleep. I was just trying to find Yixing."

Joonmyeon blinked in thought. "I saw Yixing leaving the camp with Jongdae a while ago."

Yifan was surprised by the news. Were Yixing and Jongdae a couple? He didn't know that Yixing liked anyone. Maybe they were just friends.

"Ok. Thanks for the info. Sweet dreams."

Yifan left his den. He figured he would just wait for Yixing to come back.

***

"We really shouldn't be doing this, Alpha.", Jongdae said nervously as he lay next to Yixing in the middle of the forest.

The Alpha ran his fingers through the Omega's hair. "Don't worry, Jongdae. They'll never find out." Yixing pressed a soft kiss to Jongdae's pouting lips.

"I mean it, Alpha. If anyone else found out, we would be cast out of the pack!"

Yixing frowned. "How would they find out? We've hid our relationship for almost a year now. Why are you worrying about it now?"

Jongdae sat up. Yixing did the same when he realized how stressed the Omega was.

"Jongdae? Are you okay?"

Jongdae was not okay. He willed himself not to cry. He wanted to be taken seriously for once and crying wasn't a good idea.

"I'm just worried that someone will find out about us. That's all. You weren't assigned to be my Alpha and I'm not supposed to choose my own Alpha."

Yixing couldn't tell what had gotten into his Omega. Jongdae was usually a soft-spoken, compliant Omega. It was unusual for him to have a strong opinion on anything.

"Jongdae, just trust me. There's no reason to worry about this."

"Except there is!", Jongdae yelled.

Yixing was stunned. Did Jongdae just yell at him?

"What do you mean?"

Jongdae stared down at his hands in his lap and willed the tears not to come.

"I'm pregnant."

"Pregnant?", Yixing asked, dumbfounded.

"Yes, I'm pregnant! That's why I'm worried about getting kicked out of the pack!"

Yixing nodded, still shocked. "Well...I don't...I gotta go."

Jongdae couldn't believe his ears. "What are you talking about?! Where are you going?!"

"Just...uh...goodbye Jongdae."
***

Yifan had searched the whole camp for his best friend and he still couldn't find him. He was about to forget about it and just wait until he came back, but it was unusual for Yixing to be gone this long. He would almost admit that he was worried, but his friend is an Alpha. He could take care of himself.

"Alpha Yifan!"

Yifan immediately noticed the cry come from one of the back entrances of the camp. He turned his body to see Jongdae, the only other Omega besides Joonmyeon and Hoseok, with tear streaks down his face and breathing heavily. He looked like he just sprinted all the way there.

"Omega? Are you alright?", Yifan asked awkwardly, not knowing what to do.

"Alpha Yixing!! He *sniff sniff* left meeeeee!"

Yifan furrowed his brow. "What do you mean he left you? Where is he?"

Jongdae was barely intelligible through his loud sobs. "He ran away! He's never coming back!"

Yifan's vision went blurry. Was he hearing this right? His best friend ran away from the pack? There were so many things Yifan wanted to ask but he settled for:

"Why?"

Jongdae's cries got louder. "Please don't kick me out of the pack if I tell you!"

Yifan nodded. "I wouldn't kick you out, Jongdae. You know this. Just tell me what happened."

"Can we go somewhere private? It's really serious.", Jongdae pleaded.

Yifan nodded. "Of course."

***

Nine months later, a little Omega boy was born. Jongdae didn't want to name him in fear that he would get attached. As soon as he gained enough strength, he wanted to leave the pack. He couldn't stand being alone without a mate. He didn't want to raise a child alone. He already knew that running away from his problems wasn't the way to deal with them, but he didn't have any other options.

He hated being in EXO. It reminded him too much of Yixing.

A few nights after giving birth, he kissed his child on his head, shifted into his wolf from, and slipped out of camp. He didn't want to look back. He didn't know where he was going either.

***END OF FLASHBACK***