It was few days since Jongin had left with Kris, Chen and Chanyeol on a hunting trip. Suho had been left wondering why Jongin was angry with him after the incident at the lake. The very next day, Jongin had left for a hunt leaving an uneasy Yixing and Suho behind. But In a way it was a blessing in disguise as it gave time for Kyungsoo to slowly warm up to Suho.

The little omega had sat with him over dinner and quizzed him about the places he had been to. Before they parted, Kyungsoo had mumbled an apology for his rude behaviour during the first few days on Suho’s arrival. He said, “I was more angry at Jongin than you.”

Of the alphas only Xiumin and Sehun stayed back to guard the pack while the others had gone on the hunt. Both alphas were mild mannered and enjoyed spending time with the omegas and their only beta, Luhan. They were building a small house for Suho despite Suho’s protests. While the alphas were sweating it out with the hard labour the omegas were helping with the mortar mixing and bricking. Suho himself was still protesting.

“I am not going to stay long. I don’t need a home.”

“Interesting choice of word there, no one mentioned anything about a home. We are just building a guest house, which for the time being you will be using.”

Suho coloured with embarrassment at Luhan’s observation.

Luhan patted him on his back and said, “Suho, you are nowhere near breaking the bond with Jongin. You are not letting him feel your mind and he is refusing to explore the bond without you letting him in. You might as well settle down for the long run.”

Suho sighed, “you have done so much for me already. I don’t want to impose on your pack anymore.”

“Our pack Suho, our pack! As long as you are bonded to Jongin and living with us you are part of the pack.”

Suho didn’t know how to reply to Xiumin on that. So he just nodded dumbly.

“Hyung, if you are done standing around why don’t you come here and hand me the nails one by one.”

Sehun smirked as Suho scrambled to help him effectively ending the conversation.

They had worked through the evening and had almost completed the structure. Luhan, Baekhyun and Tao were heatedly discussing colours to paint the house. Tao wanted baby blue while Baekhyun wanted pale green with leaf patterns. Luhan was arguing the merits of manly maroon. Suho was being absolutely no help as he was trying to agree with all three. Yixing, fearing that the house would end with a bizarre combination of baby blue sealing, maroon walls with crazy leaf patterns all over them declared that they should just leave it to the alphas to surprise them.

Xiumin had gone on patrol while Sehun was at their store house chopping firewood. By the time both alphas returned and Luhan had cooked and served dinner, the discussion had moved on to furniture. After their baths, they had all decided to wait for the alphas that had gone on the hunt and would be returning that night. Suho was feeling sleepy and was unconsciously nodding off while he was leisurely swinging his legs hanging off the porch. Luhan, fearing that Suho might hit his head on the rails pulled him to his lap and started petting his hair. Yixing remembered his discussion with Chen and wondered how many of his pack mates have noticed how protective they have become of Suho.

“A room is not complete without a dressing table. Suho hyung deserves one.”

“Tao, unlike you Suho is not that vain, he would prefer a study table to a dressing table.” Baekhyun insisted.

“But he is so pretty; he will look so good if only he takes a little bit of more care.”

“You mean apply make up like how you do Tao. Kris does encourage your weird es.”

“Xiumin hyung, Baekhyunnie is mean…” Tao’s whine was enough to grate on the eldest alphas ears.

“Ah, Baekhyunah, knock it off.”

“Why is it …”

Baekhyun never finished his sentence as Sehun who was dozing off in the hammock abruptly jumped down into a crouch. Xiumin too had sensed the new scent and both alphas bared their teeth ready to pounce. Suho started in his sleep even as Luhan tried to calm him, he suddenly started thrashing about. Yixing and Tao joined Luhan in his efforts to calm Suho down. Sensing the unfamiliar alpha smell in the air, the alphas and omegas retreated into Luhan’s home.

Suho’s thrashing had become worse and he was screaming himself hoarse by then. He was holding his head and was doubling over himself in pain. Xiumin realizing that Suho’s sudden seizure might have something to do with the smell of the strange alpha pulled him into his chest. He made Sehun envelop Suho from the other side and let Suho breath in the smell of the alphas of his pack. 

The two alphas rocked him for a few minutes until Suho calmed down. 

“Yixing, get a sleeping draught quick. Kyungsoo, Tao and Luhan, get as many shirts of our pack alphas, especially Jongin and Kris as you can and make a nest on the bed.”

Baekhyun and Yixing ran next door to get the medicine while Kyungsoo, Luhan and Tao ran the other way.

Suho had started mumbling something and was clinging to Xiumin’s shirt. His breath was hitched and he was shaking in terror.

Once Yixing gave the sleeping draught, Sehun poured it down Suho’s throat and made him gulp it. In a few minutes the others had returned and had made the bed as suggested by Xiumin. By then, Suho’s hold on Xiumin had loosened.

“Sehun, carry him to bed and cover him up so that he can only smell us.”

The strange alpha smell had become stronger by then and the cloying scent affected the other omegas as well. Xiumin pulled Luhan into a tight hug and whispered into his ears to take care of the others.

“Luhan, lock the door and stay inside. Until Sehun or I come back do not open the door for anyone.”

With a last glance, Sehun and Xiumin ran outside to deal with the intruder.