Castle Tryst, 23:30;

"I cannot believe I get to call you my Sister-in-law now!", Xi Yue walked up to the Bride, her eyes sparkling with excitement. It was at her wedding that Xi Yuan had introduced Rong Xinghe to the Xi family elders for the first time in New York. He had even confessed his feelings to her back then, in front of the Statue of Liberty, oh-so-romantically. Xi Yue, herself being a staunch Rong Xinghe fan, couldn't begin to describe the joy this marriage brought to her. After all, how many people in the world were fortunate enough to be able to call their idols their family, huh?

"Ah, thanks, Honey.", Rong Xinghe laughed with surprise as her eyes traveled to the woman's protruding belly, "Congratulations to you too, I must say!", she added then, nodding faintly at her husband next.

"It's a girl.", Xi Yue grinned, placing Rong Xinghe's hands upon the bump, "Six months. I really hope she grows up to be like you."

"Come on. She'll be perfect in her own unique ways.", the woman smiled.

After chatting for a few more minutes, Xi Yue climbed down the stage with her husband by her side. Sighing at how adorable they looked, Rong Xinghe turned to her darling, "She is glowing!", the girl whispered to him.

"You are, too.", Xi Yuan smiled, turning to the girl to adjust her hair, "I have never seen you so jovial before."

Rong Xinghe stared at the man in a daze, her heart at ease tonight. He was right. Throughout the entire day, never once had this smile disappeared from her lips today. She was, for the first time in ages, genuinely at peace. She was really happy.

It was a foreign experience to her, truth be told. To not worry about Country X's or her family's or her darling's safety. To have had one pleasant day in her life with no tragedy whatsoever.

"Oh my, Xiao Xinghe, you look breathtaking.", Li Jungah reached the couple, Xi Chongkun following behind her calmly.

Now that the wedding was over, what remained was a whole night of the reception, planned by none but Xi Wei and Zhi Al, the two most prominent party hosts in Country X. With performances ranging from Asia's famous boy band Zeal to the Youth Team NGO's kids, it was also an event that was to be broadcasted live across the world, for each one of these acts were prepared so to honor Xinguan. Throughout the night, the couple was to meet each one of their guests in person, too, while their families danced and drank. But the two had no objections in regards to it. As long as everyone got to enjoy themselves, they could definitely bear with the formalities now, couldn't they?

_______________

Khalij Wedding Hall, Afghanistan;

01:30;

"What's the update?", Jackson Marshal said into his headphone's mic, as he sat inside an old, and shabby surveillance van, "Aftaab Ali is there or not?", he asked.

"Yes, Sir.", the relatively younger man mumbled, walking with a tray of Gajrela bowls in his hands, "He is here.", he reported, "Talking to his assistant."

"Is there no other man he's chatted with?", the Hybrid groaned, leaning back in his seat, his eyes fixed to the screens in front of him, "Anyone suspicious?" Ahmed Ali Fadhil was supposed to be in there. At this wedding. It was his nephew's, after all. They'd been so sure that he'd show up here. To communicate with Aftaab Ali, to the least, about Country X. But no progress. None, so far. How exhausting!

"No.", the young boy, about twenty years old, his name Asad Rehman, replied. It was a risky game he was playing. Supporting those who opposed Lashkar ul-Mujahidin, or the Great Commander, for that matter. He was aware of the risks, of course. But he didn't care anymore. Not after what'd happened four years ago, to his family. It was a miracle already, that he'd walked out of it all, alive. Alone, still. With no one to go home to.

"Sir...", the man whispered, glancing warily at everyone around him.

"Yeah?", Jackson sat up, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Will I get to meet her?", Rehman questioned, "The Military Chief."

"Uh-huh.", the man smiled, noticing nervousness in the boy's voice, "Soon. Why?"

"She must be beautiful. I never saw her, but when she talked to me over the phone this time, her voice... it was angelic.", Asad said, "Just like my elder sister's.", he added then.

"Whether she's beautiful or not, you can tell for yourself later.", Marshal stated, "But for now, just focus on the mission. Don't get distracted, alright?"

"Yes."

As the line went quiet, the Hybrid opened the van's back door, letting Abram Orlov in. As the man passed him a cup of warm tea, Jackson shook his head, signaling their situation so far. Asad Rehman was one of the locals there. In Afghanistan. One of the victims, desperately waiting for his turn to fight back. To voice his rage, and to put an end to this madness around them. To terrorism. For a man to watch his Mother and Father get shot in the head, and to witness his sisters being sold to other lustful beasts as if they were some goods; how helpless he must've felt. And useless, to not have been able to protect them.

Of course, Rehman would step up to act as an informer. To do anything that helped to defeat these monsters, and to avenge his family. To get a chance to see his sisters again, given they were still alive. People like Asad could never be bought off, for their fury was a result of pain buried deep within their souls. And that was the reason Rong Xinghe had chosen him for something so crucial.

"Xinghe got married.", Orlov said after some time, "Just got a Morse Code from Elijah."

"Wow. Unbelievable, don't you think?", Jackson smiled, "And incredible. She said she would never marry."

"I know.", the Hybrid laughed, "Our Alpha has brought in a King to our pack now."