It's about time. Jae linked the alpha approaching through the trees.

My apologies, Prince. Tharn responded as the rest of his party appeared. Are these the ones? The alpha inquired as he observed the five werewolves kneeling on the ground.

Yes. Take them to the castle and keep them there until I get back. Do not harm them; they gave their word that they would comply.

Yes, my prince.

I'll be back in a few days if all goes well. Thank you for your efforts. Do not lose them. They have broken every custom regarding crossing another pack's territory. A growl rippled from the true blood as he emphasized the five intruder's wrongdoings.

The alpha bowed his head before commanding his men to surround the five werewolves on the ground. Yejin, Haikon, Xander, and Kace gave their positions to Tharn's wolves and joined Jae in watching the intruders get rounded up. Let's go. Jae commanded his party as Tharn began to lead the intruders toward the castle.

The alpha, delta, theta, and masked wolf promptly fell in line behind their prince, and the hunt resumed.

>>>>>>

A hand on Syri's shoulder startled the zeta. Syri turned around to see a masked man standing before him. "Who-who are you?" Syri asked as his heart jumped from the startle.

"I need you to come with me," the man said. His voice was low and unassertive, almost pleading. However, there was a desperation hidden beneath the unassertive tone. Syri narrowed his eyes as he looked at the man. He was of average height and lean, but his body was well-built, his shoulders framing his body beneath the leather get-up. Knives and daggers were strapped to his thighs and belt, and the leather on the soles of his boots was worn.

"Why?" Syri inquired slowly.

"They've already taken your friend."

Syri's eyes widened at the stranger's response. The zeta whipped around to find the space in front of him vacant. "Estan?" Syri asked to the empty space. The zeta turned his head in every direction in search of the gamma.

"We don't have much time. They're coming for you, too." Before the zeta could say anything, the man grabbed Syri's wrist and began leading him through the crowd.

"Let go of me. I have to find my friend!" Syri called out to the man, who ignored his plea and continued taking him down the street. "I said unhand me!" Syri said desperately as he jerked his hand up. The man let go in reaction to Syri's movement as to not hurt the zeta and turned to see the pink-haired boy running back toward the square.

"No, wait!" The man called after the zeta before running after him. The small, pink-haired werewolf disappeared into the crowd causing the man to curse under his breath. "If I knew you were going to be this stubborn, I wouldn't have tried to save you. Ahhh, what did I get myself into?" The man mumbled to himself before diving back into the crowd.

"Estan!" Syri called out as he ran through the crowd in the square. The zeta's breathing became rapid as he frantically searched for the gamma. "Estan?!" Syri searched the entire square to come up empty. "Aish," the zeta ran his fingers through his hair as he made one more rotation in the square before running down one of the main streets leading deeper into the town.

The zeta sniffed the air in hopes of finding the gamma's scent trail. Being a zeta, Syri's senses were not as keen as higher-ranking wolves, so he was not able to pick up anything regarding the gamma.

"Where are you, Estan?" Syri mumbled as he stopped to catch his breath. At least I got rid of the weird guy. But I lost Estan... Syri's heart pounded with worry as he looked around. Anyways, what was he talking about? Who is after me? He said they took Estan, but who are 'they'?

Groups of footsteps approaching from behind pulled the zeta from his thoughts. Syri turned to see five alphas stalking up to him. "There you are, little omega. Took a while to find you, but it seems our efforts were not in vain," the alpha in the front sneered as Syri looked up at him with terror in his brown eyes.

Without wasting a second, Syri turned on his heel and began sprinting away from the five males.

"Shit, he's fast. Get him," the lead alpha snarled and set his men loose.

Run, run, run, run! Syri could hear the alphas pursuing him, and all he could think was RUN! The zeta's heart pounded in his chest as he ran as fast as he could. Fear radiated from the zeta as he ran back toward the square. Syri could hear the happy chatter from those attending the festival, and his heart skipped with hope. If I can make it back to the square, I will be safe. Syri's panting grew rapid as he set his eyes on the square in front of him.

The zeta's hopes were crushed as a hand grabbed his wrist and yanked him backward. Syri looked at the opening leading to the square as a hand twisted itself in his hair and jerked his head back. I was so close...

A hand immediately covered the zeta's mouth and stopped him from crying out for help. A cloth replaced the hand over Syri's mouth and was forced into the zeta's mouth before being tied behind Syri's head tightly. Syri stared down the alpha sauntering over to him and began to growl. The zeta's hands were bound behind his back, and the lead alpha watched with amusement as the smaller werewolf fought to break free from the alpha holding him.

"We've got ourselves a fighter," the alpha sneered before nearing the zeta. "And a pretty one at that." Syri jerked his head away from the alpha as the werewolf reached up to touch his face. "Tsk tsk. You'll have to behave better if you don't want to get hurt."

Syri released a growl at the alpha's comment earning him a strike to the cheek.

"If you won't be a good boy and act nicely, I'll just have to make you submit." The alpha's eyes turned red as he released his voice. A growl resonated from the small zeta as he continued to stare down the alpha standing before him. The alpha's brow raised in confusion. "Why aren't you submitting?" The alpha studied the zeta before continuing, "You're a curious one, aren't you? I bet we'll have lots of fun together." Syri snarled at the man as he addressed the werewolf holding the zeta, "Knock him out. We'll figure out what he is later."

The zeta's heart pounded in fear as he heard the drawing of a dagger, but he would not let it show. Syri was done with being weak. He was tired of being forced to submit and quiver in front of high-ranking werewolves. Never again! He had determined to remain strong and figure out how to find Estan and escape. A quick blow to the head from the butt of a dagger rendered the zeta unconscious and allowed the band of alphas to haul him off to their base.

>>>>>>

The sun had set when Syri opened his eyes. The zeta's head throbbed as he sat up. Syri brought a hand to the back of his head to feel a welp and winced as he lifted his head to look around. A fog clouded Syri's mind, making the zeta shake his head only to increase the pain in the spot where he was knocked unconscious.

Fear struck the zeta's heart as he opened his eyes to complete darkness. Memories from the basement flooded the zeta's mind, and he began to hyperventilate as the trauma set in. No, no, no. I can't be back there! The clinking of a chain around the zeta's neck accompanied Syri's movements as he frantically looked around for a source of light.

"Syri?" A voice sounded from the back right corner of the dark room.

"Estan?" Syri responded as he recognized the gamma's voice. The zeta's heartbeat began to level out when he heard Estan's voice. He was not alone. He had found his friend. Syri could now focus on getting out instead of drowning in his trauma. He now had a goal.

"Oh, thank God." The gamma let out a breath of relief as he heard the zeta's response. "Are you okay? Did they hurt you?" Estan's voice was filled with concern as he inquired on the zeta's health.

"I'm okay. I have a welp from where they knocked me out, but I am fine other than that."

"That's good, then." A few moments of silence passed before Estan asked, "Wait...why did they knock you out?"

"I wouldn't submit."

"Ahh..."

Syri's eyes widened as he realized why Estan asked, "*Inso, did they...did they make you submit?" Syri's eyes began to tear up as he realized what the alphas did to the gamma. Knowing the pain of being forced to submit, Syri was furious. "Bastards."

A sniffle sounded from Estan's corner. The gamma was also tearing up, but it was for a different reason. "Did...did you call me 'inso'?"

"Yeah...Is that alright? May I call you inso?"

Estan nodded and smiled. "Of course. I'd love that."

Silence filled the room for a few moments before Syri inquired on the gamma's health. "Are you alright, Inso? Did they hurt you when they made you submit?"

Estan was quiet as he pondered whether or not to answer truthfully. The gamma decided to answer with the truth as he knew Syri would be furious once the sun rose. Estan opened his lips and let out a breath before answering quietly, "Yeah...but I'm alright. Don't worry about me, Syri."

Estan's words brought tears to the zeta's eyes. If the sun had been out, Syri would have seen the bruises and cuts covering the gamma's arms and face.

"Who are they?" The zeta inquired into the darkness.

"I'm not sure. I think they are a trafficking ring. I've heard reports about low-ranks going missing, but they were all from the east. This area should have been safe..." Sniffles could be heard after a pause. "I'm so sorry, Syri. I was supposed to keep you safe."

"It's okay, Inso. We'll get out," Syri reassured the crying gamma. "Have you contacted Yejin?"

"I've tried, but they gave me *perliph. I haven't been able to link anyone."

Ahh. That explains why Inso seems to be a bit hazy. "It's alright. Perliph wears off. We can contact them once it does."

"Mm. Let's do that," Estan agreed. "Speaking of, you haven't linked me yet," Estan spoke as he leaned against the stone wall.

"Ohhh. About that...I haven't been able to link anyone except for...Jisue. I don't know why, but I have never been able to use the pack or family link."

"That's weird."

"Yeah. It may be because of what I am." Syri reached his hand around and found a wall about a foot behind him. Scooting his butt, he was able to reach the wall and lean against it. Syri closed his eyes as it was pitch black in the room and let out a breath as his body relaxed. I have definitely been drugged with that perliph thing. My mind is so hazy I can barely think.

"Mm. That is a possibility. Though, I have not heard that about zetas before. But, then again, not much is known about your kind."

"Yeah. I would also like to know more about zetas."

Both the gamma and zeta's words were slow as the drug impacted their cognitive skills. "I have a book in my office back at the castle that has every known fact on zetas. You are welcome to read it when we get back."

Normally, this news would have made Syri bounce with joy, but the drugged zeta just nodded his head and said, "Thank you. It is very much appreciated."

"Anytime," Estan answered slowly. "You know, Syri..."

"Hmm?" The zeta sounded when the gamma trailed off.

"We are soooo drugged. I think they gave us wayy to big of a dose."

"Mm-hmm," the zeta agreed.

"They need to be careful with that, or they may end up killing us before they get a chance to get any profit."

"Agreed."

A few moments of silence passed before Estan voiced, "Hey, Syri..."

"Hm?"

"Is this what it's like to be high?"

Syri opened his eyes and squinted them as his brain slowly registered the gamma's question. "I don't know. I've never been high."

"Me neither. That's why I was wondering."

"If it is, I would not recommend it. Stay away from drugs."

"Agreed. I heard they taste bad, anyway."

"Which ones, the flowers or the mushrooms?"

"Both."

"Mm."

Syri closed his eyes again and was beginning to drift asleep as the sound of approaching footsteps reached his ears. The clinking of a chain could be heard as Estan sat up straight. Light seeped beneath the door as the party of kidnappers neared the room.

"Syri, whatever happens, do not let them know you are not an omega," Estan voiced in a desperate whisper as the door was unlocked and the handle turned.

Inso - term for older brother/male figure

Perliph - Herb that puts one's wolf to sleep and dampens one's ability to link another werewolf. It also dampens a werewolf's ability to heal, smell, hear, see, and walk. It makes one docile and is often used to restrain unstable wolves.