"Why don't you two stay the night at our place?" Estan proposed to the rho as the two walked down the path leading to the cabin located just outside the village Alia. Estan noticed the hesitation in the rho, so he continued, "I am a doctor. Rosie needs medical attention, and so do you." The gamma had seen the gash on the upper portion of Breton's right arm which had been dealt to the rho during the battle.

"Thank you, Estan..." Brenton began.

"I'll take that as a 'yes' then," the gamma smiled; he did not give the rho time to decline his offer. The sun had just begun to show its rays through the trees, and Estan knew that Brenton must have pursued the traffickers endlessly the past few days and was exhausted.

A smile formed on Brenton's lips as the rho looked down at the male in his arms before replying, "Very well. We appreciate your kindness."

"Not at all," Estan responded as he looked back at the sleeping girl hugging his neck with a soft expression.

After about twenty minutes of walking, the four came upon a narrow pathway branching off the main road. Flowers lined the path which led to a wide, open grove with a humble cabin located toward the center. Daisies, lilac, craspedia, and dahlias sprinkled the ground of the grove and decorated the perimeter of the cabin with white, purple, yellow, and pink colors. Sounds of flowing water accompanied a brook that ran parallel to the cabin at the edge of the grove and disappeared into the forest.

Brenton took a moment to gaze at the beautiful grove and homely cabin before following Estan down the flower-lined path and to the door of the cabin. The gamma reached his left arm to his back to steady Rosie as he bent down and lifted a flower pot stationed in front of the door to reveal a single key.

"Those darn alphas took our packs, but thankfully, we have a spare," Estan said as he picked up the key and unlocked the door. "Welcome to our humble abode," the gamma welcomed his guests as he walked through the door. The gamma carefully set Rosie on the sofa in the main room before striking a match and lighting the lamps stationed on the walls and tables throughout the common area.

"You can set Syri next to Rosie," Estan instructed the rho who had continued to stand with the zeta in his arms. Brenton complied with Estan's wishes and gently set Syri next to his sleeping sister before turning to the gamma who was standing with a bucket in his hands. "Would you fill this with water from the stream? I want to clear up all the dust before transferring them to the rooms," Estan requested as he extended the bucket to the rho.

Brenton nodded and took the bucket before exiting the door and walking down to the brook.

Estan let out a breath as he bent down next to the sofa and placed his hand on Syri's forehead. The zeta let out a pained moan at the gamma's touch. Estan stood to his feet when he heard the moan and looked to see the zeta's brows furrowed. The gamma's heart broke as he watched a sweat break out on Syri's temple. He must be tormenting him again. Estan took Syri's hand in his and began to emit as many calming pheromones as the gamma could muster.

"I'm so sorry, Syri. Jae is doing everything he can to make sure you don't have to suffer anymore," Estan spoke softly as he ran his fingers through the zeta's pink hair before standing to his feet and checking on the female sitting next to Syri.

Estan nodded his head as he felt Rosie's pulse was strong and stable. The gamma then tied a cloth around his nose and mouth before beginning to dust the cabin.

Footsteps preceded Brenton entering through the door with a bucket filled with water. Estan instructed the rho to place the bucket on the table before wetting a rag and beginning to wipe the dust off the table.

"Thank you," the gamma said as the rho grabbed a cloth and tied it over his nose and mouth.

Brenton nodded in response before looking at the two on the couch. Quiet moans reached the rho's ears as he saw Syri's head turn in discomfort. The rho took the cloth off before rushing to the zeta and checking his temperature. "What is wrong? Is he alright?" Brenton asked with concern.

"He will live, although he is in a lot of pain right now," the gamma answered the rho.

"Can we not help him?" Brenton inquired as he looked at the zeta with worry.

"There's only one person who can help him," Estan informed the rho with a defeated expression.

"Who?"

"The one who saved him."

"Where is this person? Where can I find them?" Brenton asked as he stood up straight.

"He is hunting the one who is doing this to Syri and is stopping him from hurting Syri ever again," Estan answered truthfully. The gamma took a breath before adding, "You will not find him. He is in a whole other world."

Brenton furrowed his brows as he pondered Estan's response. Before the rho could make anything from Estan's words, the gamma said, "What you can do now for Syri is help me clean this place." The rho turned his gaze from the zeta on the sofa to the gamma standing by the table as Estan said, "Syri will wake up when he has his strength back. He will be alright."

Brenton looked at the zeta once more before turning to Estan and nodding his head. "What do you need me to do?"

That's more like it. Estan smiled at the rho approvingly as he gestured to the living room. "Clean this place up while I tend to your sister."

>>>>>>

Estan, are you alright?

Estan stopped wiping the dust from the mantle as his mate's voice sounded in his mind. A breath of relief rippled through the gamma as tears entered his eyes and his knees began to shake. He had missed his mate deeply and longed to be in his arms. Estan sank to the ground as his heart ached and images from the night before flashed through his mind. What should he say? Should he tell Yejin the reason he had not linked him for nearly an entire day was that he had been kidnapped and drugged? Estan longed to tell Yejin everything, but the gamma knew that it was important for his mate to remain focused on his mission.

I am alright. Estan replied through the link. Syri and I went to a festival in Gern and had such a lovely time. We got to the cabin a little later than I had planned because we played the whole day, but we are fine right now.

Babe. What's really going on? I couldn't even feel you. Not even last night. What happened? Why is your heart racing? Are you okay? Are you in danger? Where are you?

The gamma let out a breath as he steadied his heartbeat and interrupted his mate's panic. I'm fine, Jin. Syri had an episode with his mate just a little bit ago. I guess I am still affected by his cries. Sorry, Jin. I didn't mean to scare you. We are at the cabin, and we are safe. I promise.

A pause occurred before Yejin replied. Are you certain?

Yes. Estan held his breath as silence passed. When Yejin did not question his safety, the gamma inquired on his mate's condition. How are you, Love?

Estan began to relax as his mate's deep voice sounded in his mind. I'm good. We're taking a small rest right now.

How's the hunt going?

We're catching up to the bastard. We're almost to him.

The gamma let out a sigh at the news. That's good. I'm ready for this to be done. I hate not being able to do anything when Syri is in pain. Estan's brows furrowed as he thought about the timeline. According to the hunting party's skill, they should have caught up to the alpha by that time. Aren't you guys behind schedule?

Yeah, we are. We ran into some unannounced rogues from Black Moon and had to wait for Tharn to come to get them.

What are wolves from Black Moon doing in our territory? Estan pondered as he processed the news. Unannounced wolves were a big deal to prestigious packs. Especially since Black Moon was the second-largest pack in the eastern region.

They said they were a delegation party to White Fang, but every word they said seemed suspicious. Tharn is holding them until we get back and can figure out what to do.

This is big news. I hope the king returns from his trip soon. We can't let this get out of hand.

Agreed. A moment passed before Yejin spoke through the link. I've got to go, babe. We're moving out.

Okay. Stay safe. I love you.

Love you. I'll see you in a bit. Yejin bid as he severed the direct link.

Estan let out a breath before standing to his feet and continuing to clean the mantle.

>>>>>>

The padding of paws on dirt could be heard as the hunting party made their way through the dense trees. The wolves were now running as their prey was nearing the northern border of the pack's territory. They would need to stop the alpha before he crossed over into the neighboring pack's land. If not, the unstable wolf could cause massive destruction to the Eternal Dawn pack and would potentially cause a war to break out.

The sun had risen and was approximately forty-five degrees above the horizon, signaling the time was about three hours after sunrise. The five wolves maintained their swift pace as they chased the unstable alpha through the forest.

Target shifted to our ten. Haikon informed through the party link. Jae did not waste a second in shifting direction.

What's his stability? Jae inquired on the alpha's level of instability.

N-48. Haikon informed the party. The prince quickened his pace in response to the theta's answer, determined to catch the alpha before he crossed over onto Eternal Dawn's land. No werewolf's stability had ever been recorded lower than negative fifty, and Jae planned to keep it that way. Any werewolf with a stability lower than N-50 would not have even an ounce of humanity left; it would be a beast.

The five wolves ran through the trees for two more hours before Jae finally heard it: the rapid breathing of an unstable wolf.

We've caught up to him.

Upon Jae's words, the party slowed in their tracks and began to fan out to surround their prey. The five wolves kept low to the ground as they slinked between the dense vegetation. Jae and Yejin positioned themselves to crouch in front of the alpha while Xander and Haikon flanked the wolf and Kace targeted the back of the alpha.

The alpha was standing in the center of a small grove overgrown with weeds and thorns. The wolf's snout was open; incoherent snarls wafted through the air as saliva dripped from the blood-stained teeth. He had just slain a deer. The torn carcass of the animal lay at the wolf's feet as he had completed feeding and was observing his surroundings.

The alpha's eyes were red, and the fur stood up on the back of the beast. Wicked laughter rippled through the grove as the alpha lifted his head to the sky and let out a hurdling howl before dashing madly into the trees toward the prince and his right-hand.