My Way ||| Ateez

33

Seonghwa had managed to procure uniforms for everyone easily. Things were still so relaxed within the walls, it was... Odd...

They must be taking some time to either plan or refresh or... Something. It made him nervous.

He led the way in, staying close to Hongjoong as they surveyed the area. They decided to split up from Jongho and Yunho so they didn't bring too much attention to themselves by traveling in a group of four, but they always stayed within each other's sight.

As always, the pack link was suddenly gone once they were inside the walls. It made Hongjoong jumpy,

Seonghwa brushed his fingers against his hand to try and keep him calm. "Yeosang will be somewhere inside the fortress. I'd be willing to be anything. It's the most protected area and the passages underneath are a maze." He whispered as they strolled through the market.

Everyone from Alpha Pack milled around, stopping by stalls to get food or supplies from farmers and crafters. They really had built a small town or city here just for their kind...

"How are all these alpha's able to control themselves?" Hongjoong asked. He ground his teeth together, trying to fight his own dominate side.

"Deep breath. I don't know, but I hope we can find out. We should start with trying to explore the tunnels. Or at least finding a place that we can stay and listen."

Hongjoong nodded and they moved forward. Jongho and Yunho shadowed their movement and they entered the fortress shortly after them.

Seonghwa turned his head to the left and the other's got the message and turned to go that way. At least both he and Yunho could pull off being alphas. Yunho because of his height and Seonghwa because he had been raised by them.

A few alphas walked through the halls as he and Hongjoong descended below the main floor. No one acknowledged them. Things really were relaxed within the walls. Mingi's father must have not expected someone to be able to get away with an inside job.

They just needed to find their family. And the passages underneath the fortress seemed to go on forever.

At one point they crossed paths with Jongho and Yunho. They looked nervous. "Anything?" Hongjoong asked, looking around and scenting the air.

Seonghwa did the same. They were alone.

"No. Although I did hear an alpha saying he was going to visit basement three later to claim his lottery." Yunho said, wringing his hands. Jongho took them in his own and the beta immediately calmed.

"Let's head down to basement three then." Seonghwa turned and looked around. "I think there are stairs over there."

"We passed some on the way here." Jongho pointed at a hallway.

"Ok," Hongjoong looked between all of them. His eyes flashed red as his head alpha instincts took over. "Take one pass through, and if you don't find anything then we will head to the surface and meet outside of came to we can fill San and Wooyoung in. I don't want to spend too much time down here. Sound good?"

Everyone nodded and they split into their groups of two again.

"I don't like this." Hongjoong whispered as they found the stairs.

"I don't either... But I could see them thinking there's so many alphas here that they don't need to do worry about anything. I mean, I've been sneaking in and out of here for weeks now." Seonghwa said, pushing the door open to the third floor.

They both froze.

The floor reeked of betas and omegas and the walls were lined with doors. Cells. The third basement was cells for the 'breeders'.