"Is there anything you want to do today?"

Syri closed his eyes in thought as he pondered. Two empty plates and cups were resting on the wheeled stand beside the bed, utensils set on the plates lazily showcasing the satisfying aftermath of a delicious meal. A small smile tugged on the zeta's lips as Syri conjured an idea. "Do you have horses?" The zeta asked bashfully, unsure if his request would be possible to fulfill. A bright smile shined on Syri's face as Jae nodded.

"Yes, we do. Would you like to go for a ride?" Jae inquired, smiling when the zeta hurriedly nodded his head. "Ok. Let's get you changed," the true blood said as he stood from the bed.

Within the hour, Syri was standing in front of the full-length mirror lining a wall in Jae's closet admiring his outfit. He was dressed in a loose-fitting, buttoned-down white shirt with light pants and knee-high leather boots the color of coffee with cream. Jae soon exited wearing a similar get-up that was composed of a darker color palette with charcoal and black.

Syri's eyes widened as he watched the true blood button the cuffs of his riding shirt as he leaned against the door to the closet. The true blood found his eyes wandering to the zeta's eyes that were still lingering on him. Syri cleared his throat as he realized Jae had made eye contact with him and quickly turned his gaze back to the mirror.

"Ready?" Jae asked as he stood straight. Syri brought his eyes back up to Jae before nodding. "Okay. Follow me," Jae said as he turned from the entrance to the closet and began walking across his room. Syri was fast to Jae's side and stuck to the true blood like glue as the two walked down the hallway.

Syri looked around in wonder as Jae led him through the castle. He had yet to see and experience the castle with exception of Jae's room and the hallway. Servants and workers going about their day never failed in stopping in their tracks to bow to the prince. Little Syri often found himself bowing back in confusion as to why people were bowing, evoking a tender smile from the true blood.

The warm, morning sun welcomed the zeta and true blood as Jae led Syri through several courtyards and out into the yards. Syri took a moment to turn around and gawk at the size of the castle looming before him. Jae, sensing the zeta's footsteps slowing, stopped and watched Syri gaze at the place in which he grew up. Once he had taken in as many details as was possible in the ten seconds he lent himself to gawk, Syri turned and, as his eyes were momentarily blinded from the bright sky, ran into the broad chest of the prince.

"Oh?" Syri let out a small, confused sound as he backed away a few paces. The zeta rubbed his forehead as his eyes adjusted. They were only to widen, however, as he saw the chest of the true blood before him. "Oh, sorry," Syri apologized as he looked up at Jae with an embarrassed expression.

"It's alright," Jae chuckled lightly. "Do you like it?"

"Huh?" Syri squinted his eyes as he looked up, the sun shining behind the prince brightly.

"The castle. Do you like it?" Jae gestured to his home.

"Oh, yes! Very much! It is a beautiful building," Syri responded as he turned once more to admire the castle.

"My Prince!" A strong voice called, drawing the true blood and zeta's attention. The two looked to see a man approaching them with wide strides. A smile appeared on Jae's face as he saw his steed's caretaker.

"Jon!" Jae called back in greeting as the man neared.

"I haven't seen ya around these parts in a good while! How are ya?" Jon inquired energetically. Syri squinted as he looked up at the broad man. He seemed to be in his mid-forties, but he was still quite strong, the evidence being the well-defined arms and broad neck. Strokes of grey highlighted his hair and beard, and wrinkles surrounded his eyes, adding to the sincerity of his smile. He had had a life under the sun filled with labor, but he was a happy man nonetheless.

"I am well, thank you. How are you, Jon?" Jae answered.

"I'm good, as always. What can I do for ya today? Looking for Ajax?"

Jae nodded. "I thought I might be able to find him in the yards," the prince responded as he scanned the wide, green fields spread across the south side of the castle.

"I haven't seen him since morning, but I'd bet he'd come if ya call," Jon said as he set his hands on his hips and joined Jae in scanning the fields.

"I'll do that. Thanks, Jon."

"Anytime. Is there anything else I can do for ya?"

Jae nodded his head. "We're good, thank you."

"Of course," Jon bowed in respect before turning and striding towards the third courtyard where the stables were located. Jon sneaked one peak at the pink-haired male with the prince before continuing on his way. The man was curious as to who the male was, but if the prince did not introduce his guest, Jon had no right to inquire, so he went on his way to continue his work.

Syri watched the big, broad man leave before turning to Jae who was still scanning the fields.

"Syri." Jae's voice sent tingles down Syri's spine even though it was soft. The zeta looked up at the true blood and waited for him to continue. "I am going to call Ajax, and I am going to have to use my alpha's voice. Will you be alright?" By this time, Jae had turned to face Syri. His expression was serious as he awaited the zeta's answer.

"I'll be okay. Jisue is the only alpha who has been able to affect me, and I think that is because he's my mate." Syri trailed off at the end of his sentence, barely whispering the last two words. "I've read that zetas are only affected by their mate's voice."

"Are you certain? I'm a true blood. I've never used my voice around you when you were conscious. I don't want to hurt you."

Syri thought for a few moments before answering, "You may affect me as you set my mark, so you may want to support me just so I don't collapse. Also, it may be good to find out whether your voice will affect me or not now rather than later." The zeta added a smile as he said this to make it sound not as critical.

The true blood pondered for a few seconds before agreeing, "Okay. If you don't feel well, let me know immediately."

Syri nodded in response as the prince looked towards the fields. Syri followed the true blood's gaze to the fields and got lost in the grass flowing elegantly in the wind, so he did not notice the true blood step close to him until he felt Jae's hand wrap around his waist. Heat rushed to the zeta's cheeks as Jae's grip around his waist tightened, and he was pulled into the true blood so they were flushed against each other. Syri swallowed before slowly looking up only to be met with Hyuk's golden eyes. The zeta's heart fluttered at the prince. He was absolutely stunning. The wind ruffled the hair on his forehead gently, and his golden eyes were looking into the zeta deeply.

Hyuk closed his eyes and brought his head down to press it against Syri's forehead. The moment Hyuk pressed his head against the zeta's, Syri's world felt so calm. A sense of security spread through the pink-haired male as the prince held him. Hyuk soon brought his head back up and turned to the fields. Opening his golden eyes, the prince let out his call. It began as a rumble in his chest. Syri's ears perked as he heard the birth of the call, and he closed his eyes as he felt it whilst leaning into the true blood.

The call then spread to the prince's throat before resonating throughout the fields. Syri felt the prince's voice reverberate through his body, and he instinctively bowed his head. The zeta's heart began to speed as memories of the forceful submission flooded his mind.

Calm down, Syri. This isn't like that. Jae would never hurt us. Aska's words echoed in Syri's head as the zeta began to succumb to the trauma. Aksa's words calmed Syri, and his heart slowed to its regular pace.

You're right, Aska. Jae is not like Jisue. Syri relaxed his body and enjoyed feeling Jae's call resonate through him.

Hyuk strengthened the call after a moment and extended the reach of his summon. Syri's chest began to grow warm, and his knees began to feel weak. The prince sensed Syri's knees beginning to give out, so he tightened his grasp around the zeta. The heat rose to Syri's head, and he became light-headed. Syri remained surprisingly calm. Submitting to Jae did not hurt, nor was it terrifying; it felt quite good. It was as if the zeta was swooning.

The sound and feel of Jae's call created the urge to hum in the zeta. Syri did not know why, but he wanted to release his voice and make it intertwine with Jae's. He wanted his voice to be heard alongside the true blood's. So, without even realizing it, Syri began to hum.

The sweet melody of Syri's voice reached Jae's ears within the first second, and his heart hummed with joy. An unexplainable happiness entered Jae's soul. Syri was accompanying his call!

A 'duet' was usually performed between two mates as a sign of unification as well as to strengthen bonds between mates, families, and packs. They could also be performed to signify peace and alliance between packs.

The prince continued his call, elated that Syri was accompanying him. By the time the call concluded, Syri was resting his head on the true blood's chest, and his eyes were closed in contentment. The true blood looked down at the zeta in his arms and resisted the urge to kiss his head. It was not until Syri opened his eyes and looked up at the prince with deep longing that Jae contemplated throwing caution to the wind and kissing Syri passionately. And with the way Syri was gazing up at the prince, who could blame him?