When Alpha Prime Major Kim Daebak was asked to become the Paladin to the current king of Korea, he was very reluctant to accept the job. It hurt to even think about returning to the city where he lost everything. It would have been easy to pull some strings and get out of having to accept the transfer. But when the edict of the Elders arrived just a few minutes before his transfer orders came, he knew he would never have a say in this matter.
The Tree of Life needed a pure blood alpha protector and he was the only full blooded Alpha still in the military. Giving the protection detail to civilians was out of the question. Especially since the military would have no say in who was on the detail. Logically, he knew it wasn't possible to wiggle his way out of this assignment. It was a long term posting with all the pros and cons that came with leading a hybrid unit like the Strays.
Scuttlebutt was that the Strays were the decedents of the Originals. He was pretty sure one of them could have done the job. But unfortunately for him none of them were Alphas. Reports were saying that the current Pack that was living in Red Raven didn't have an Alpha. Under normal circumstances the Pack would have fallen apart. This Pack became stronger.
As the fog settled over the city, Daebak lost count of just how many hours he had driven around city. He had been briefed about the changes that had happened since he left. But seeing the changes for himself was a shock.
Go home.
Daebak pulled over and looked around. Pulling off his headphones, he ran his hand through his black hair.
You need sleep, old son he thought to himself as he pulled into the parking lot of a hotel close to his family home. Quickly getting out of the car, he grabbed his rucksack. As he started to walk away from the car, he heard the voice again.
Go home. Go to where it began. To the place that started this journey.
The voice startled him so bad that he dropped his rucksack. Doing a quick visual sweep of the street, he found them deserted. But the voice sounded so real. Deciding to follow his gut, he picked up his rucksack off the ground and walked back to the Impala.
But where am I supposed to go?
To him home was the Kim estate. He hadn't been back there since the murders. after the murders that happened at the estate he decided to leave and join the army. He often called it his journey. But, per his mother's wishes, the house was rented to the current resident pack. He couldn't just intrude because an unknown voice told him to.
People will die if you don't. Please.
Maybe checking on the estate was such a bad idea. Besides he had a legitimate reason for being there. It was still his family home; even if he hadn't visited the estate in over 10 years. Not trusting himself to drive, he locked his rucksack in the Impala and started walking in the direction of Kim estate.
It took him fifteen minutes to reach the edge of Kim territory. He leaned against the nearest tree as his memories over took his mind. Forcing his memories into his mind place, he managed to walk a few feet before an overwhelming feeling of fear and grief flooded his senses. Unable to put up his shields, he dropped to his knees and let out a howl of pain.
Before he could regain control and get to his feet, he was tackled sideways, feet and fists of his assailant trying to hit him everywhere at once. He was about to retaliate when he got his first good look at his attacker. He was a young boy - five or six years. He gently pushed the kid away not wanting to hurt him. But the kid tackled him again with a roar.
"Enough!" He used his Alpha voice - as his sister liked to call it- as he grabbed the child's wrists and looked into his eyes. The child looked away but continued to struggle as tears streamed down his face. Daebak felt the fear and grief rolling of the child in waves. Using the grip he had on the child's wrists, he pulled the child close and whispered soft assurances in his ear. As he pulled the child away from his chest and gently wiped the tears off the child's face Daebak couldn't help but wonder why he was out in the woods alone.
"Are you OK little wolf?" He asked softly and the child nodded against his chest. "Wanna tell me your name?"
"Kai."
"Cool name."
"Umma gave me that name. Appa said so."
"Can you tell me what happened?"
He got another head nod "The Dark Ones. They came outta nowhere and attacked my family."
Daebak's heightened senses caught the sound of wood snapping in the distance. Grabbing the kid by the waist he got up off the ground and ran.
"Which way is home Kai?"
The child pointed to the northern direction. "Right in the middle of the forest."
He ran as fast as he could with the extra weight. The unknown assailants were closing in and would overtake them soon. He took a small detour and pulled to a stop in front of the tree house he and An built when they were kids. He was surprised and relived to find it intact.
"Climb. Quickly little wolf. we don't have much time." Daebak turned towards the way they came, keeping watch for any Dark Ones.
Kai climbed up and peeked over the edge, patiently waiting for more instructions "Mister, I am up."
"Kai. Listen. This is very important. No matter what you see or hear, don't come down from up there until I or someone from your family comes to get you, do you understand?" Daebak pulled off his coat and shirt and draped them both over the ladder. "Use these to stay warm."
The child nodded and pulled the rope ladder up. Daebak looked up at Kai and smiled. "Don't worry, little wolf. I'll be back. I promise."
Kai watched as Daebak ran in the opposite direction in which they came. After using Daebak's shirt and coat gave him to hide, he tried to reach his father through his bond.
Appa please come find me. I am scared