A small smile came to Aska's lips as he felt Syri wake up. One of the zeta's eyes turned from aqua to brown as the two became harmonious.

"How are you?" Aska inquired of his human partner.

Silence filled the void for a few moments before Syri replied, "I'm...I'm okay. I'm ready to move on."

"So am I," Aska agreed.

"How are you, Aska?" Syri inquired about his wolf. A tear fell from the zeta's brown eye as he continued, "I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have pushed you so hard. You were in so much pain. I-"

"Stop, Syri," Aska cut off his human partner. "If I wouldn't have been able to handle it, I wouldn't have done it. So, there's nothing for you to be sorry about."

Syri reached his hand up and wiped the tear from his cheek before nodding in agreement. "Okay. Thank you, Aska."

A moment passed before the wolf said, "Now that we're free of that bastard, what do you want to do?"

Syri's heart skipped as he heard Aska's question. He had thought about that many times: what he would do once he was free from Jisue. A determined look came into the zeta's eyes as Syri answered, "I want to pay them back, all of them, for being so good to us. I didn't deserve their support and care, and yet they took us in and protected us."

"Okay...how do you suppose we do that? We have no money, no honor to our name, no family. We have nothing, Syri."

"Right...well, I was thinking we could start by cleaning Estan's cabin. And when we go back to the castle, I would get a position as a squire or something."

"Mm-hmm." Aska knew that Jae would never allow Syri to work for the royal family but did not want to crush innocent Syri's dreams. It was sweet of him to want to pay everyone back, but Aska knew that none of them would want anything in return as they were genuine, good people. "Okay, then let's start with the small things."

A smile came to Syri's lips as Aska agreed. The aqua eye then turned brown as Aska withdrew. The wolf was still present; however, as he no longer needed to hibernate to heal their wounds. Let's get back to the cabin. Estan must be worried about us. Aska told Syri as the zeta rose to his feet.

Agreed. Syri nodded his head. We need to thank him for caring for us so well.

And so, the zeta left the hilltop that was stained with his sweat and tears where he cried out his soul to the moon. Syri took his time as he walked through the cluster of trees that broke into the grove, admiring the beautiful flora and gazing at the rays piercing through the leaves and branches with bright eyes.

Estan's eyes widened as he smelled the scent of the approaching zeta. The gamma stood to his feet and left his fresh cup of tea on the table as he made his way to the door. Opening the wooden door, Estan poked his head out to see Syri dipping his feet into the stream. Laughter floated from the zeta as he splashed around. Estan's heart felt light as he saw the wide smile covering Syri's face.

He's okay. A sigh left the gamma as he leaned against the door frame and watched the zeta enjoy the beautiful day.

"Oh? Inso!!" Syri's call startled the gamma and caused him to lift his brows. The zeta had spotted the gamma and was motioning for Estan to join him in the stream. Estan shook his head and waved his hand in a soft 'no' only for Syri to increase his gesturing to 'come.' A smile came to Estan's lips as he dramatically gave in and walked over to the laughing zeta.

A splash of cold water greeted the gamma as he neared Syri, who threw back his head and laughed at the gamma's startled expression. "Oh, so that's how it's going to be!" Estan declared as he challenged the zeta and stooped down to put his hands in the stream, flinging up a wave of water. A squeal left Syri as he threw his hands up to protect his face from Estan's attack. Once the zeta recovered from the gamma's bombardment of water, the fight began!

>>>>>>

"We're soaked!" Syri let out a cute shriek as he and Estan returned to the cabin after their time of fun.

"Wait here," Estan told Syri at the entrance to the cabin. "I'll get us some towels." The gamma's face was bright as he entered the humble abode and retrieved two towels. Once the two werewolves were adequately dry, they went to rest at the four-person table. Syri towel-dried his hair as Estan made the zeta a fresh cup of cold-brewed tea.

The gamma's cup of tea was now cooled, and Estan happily downed the refreshing drink. Syri gratefully accepted the cup of tea from the gamma once it had brewed for a reasonable amount of time and set it on the table before standing to his feet. Estan, who had sat back down, looked up at the zeta in shock as Syri folded his torso into a ninety-degree bow.

"Oi, Syri, what are you doing?" Estan gasped as he quickly stood to his feet and had the zeta stand up straight.

"Thank you for caring for me these fast few weeks. I appreciate everything you, Yejin, and Jae have done for me, and I would like to pay you back. Please allow me to maintain your cabin and do errands for you!" Syri stated quite proudly.

A surprised, short chuckle came from the gamma as Syri left Estan speechless. Estan had the zeta sit back down before taking his seat. "Syri, you don't owe me anything," the gamma began. "I would do it all over again. No person deserves to be treated poorly by anyone, no matter who they are."

"But you have given me so much-"

"Syri-"

"I insist, Estan." The zeta grew flustered as he cut off the gamma. "Please."

Estan released a small sigh as he looked at the zeta's determined expression. Syri was showing his stubborn side, and Estan knew that Syri felt as if he was taking advantage of the gamma. And Estan did not want the zeta to feel that way, so he agreed. "Okay. You may pay me back, but it must be on my terms."

A smile came to the zeta's face as he nodded happily. "Thank you, Inso!"

Before Estan knew it, Syri was scurrying around the cabin clearing the sparse layer of dust and sweeping the floor. The gamma shook his head slightly as he watched the zeta clean the cabin before standing to his feet and grabbing the mop.

>>>>>>

"Jae!" Yejin called to his prince as he opened the door to the true blood's office.

Jae let out a small chuckle and shook his head at the alpha's habit to enter without knocking before nodding to Yejin to continue. "What is it?" The prince inquired as he proceeded to go through the piles of documents mounding his desk.

"Your father is returning."

The true blood's head immediately snapped up at the news. "When is he arriving?" Jae inquired as he set the document aside.

"Tomorrow."

Jae nodded his head as he processed Yejin's response. "Okay, for now, tell Estan and Syri to stay at the cabin for a little while longer. I need to get the situation with the Black Moon wolves resolved before making sure the castle is safe."

"Yes, Prince." Yejin inclined his head.

"How is Xander?" Jae inquired about the delta after a small pause.

"He is awake. Haikon is with him."

"That's good." The true blood's eyes trailed over the piles of documents and files, and the prince decided he needed a break. "Shall we check in on them?" Jae said as he stood to his feet.

"After you," Yejin gestured to the door as the prince walked past.

The true blood and alpha exited the prince's office and made their way to the infirmary. Jae stretched his arms and shoulders as the two came upon the clinic; he had been stuck in his office for the better part of the evening. Estelle exited the clinic just as the two males came upon it. The gamma bowed to the prince before stopping to inform the two about Xander's condition.

"He remains stable, and the wound is healing nicely. He should be back on his feet by the end of the week," the physician said.

"Thank you," Yejin inclined his head in thanks. Estelle returned the gesture before continuing on her way, her hands in the pockets of her lab coat.

Haikon looked up from his mate to see Jae and Yejin enter the infirmary. The theta stood to his feet and bowed his head shortly in greeting to his prince. Xander opened his eyes when he sensed Jae and Yejin approaching.

"Hey, Xander," Jae greeted the delta as he came to stand beside the bed.

"Jae," the delta responded. Xander's eyes were droopy as the delta fought to stay awake. Xander was giving most of his energy to his wolf who was clearly working overtime to heal the delta's wounds. "How's Syri?" Xander asked slowly as he inquired about the surviving mate.

"Syri's okay," Jae responded softly. "He is with Estan."

Xander closed his eyes and nodded his head slightly before breathing, "That's good." The delta then opened his eyes and looked from the true blood to the alpha before landing his gaze on the opened door. "Where's Kace?" Xander looked back to the prince as he inquired about the missing man.

Jae closed his eyes as he realized he had not seen Kace since they had left Haikon to be with Xander earlier that day. He had gotten caught up in his duties and distracted by the return of the king, so he did not realize that Kace had disappeared yet again. "I'm sure he is roaming around somewhere," Jae kept his answer optimistic as he did not want to worry the recovering delta.

"Mm," Xander sounded in reply. "I wanted to thank him for getting that bastard." The delta's words were slow as his exhaustion was catching up to him.

"You can thank him when you're back on your feet," Yejin said to the delta whose eyes were nearly closed.

"We will leave you to rest," Jae put his hand on Haikon's shoulder as he and Yejin prepared to leave.

Haikon nodded in response. "Thank you for coming."

"Of course. Keep us updated," Jae said as he and the alpha turned toward the door.

Xander was fast asleep by the time the true blood and alpha exited the clinic. The sun had set, and night had fallen when the alpha and true blood split ways in the corridor. Yejin proceeded down the corridor and through the castle before he found himself in the training yard. It was empty except for a pair of guards who were practicing in the far right corner. The two guards halted their sparring when they saw their captain enter the field and bowed in greeting. Yejin waved his hand, letting the guards resume their practice, before walking to the center of the training field and sitting on the soft ground.

The alpha took a deep breath before linking his mate.

Yejin? Estan replied as he felt the link open up.

Hey, Love. How are you? The alpha's voice was soft as he inquired about his mate.

I'm okay. How are you? Estan responded.

I'm good. Yejin paused for a moment before continuing. Xander woke up. It wasn't for long, but he is doing better.

Oh! That is good! Syri is doing well, too. He seems to be moving on quite quickly.

That's good to hear.

A moment passed before Estan inquired about the real reason Yejin had linked him. So what's the verdict? Can we come home?

The king is returning in the morning.

Oh...shit. I better stock up on more food, then.

Yeah. I'm sorry, babe.

It's alright. It's not like you can stop the alpha from coming back to his own pack.

Mm. I wish you could come home. I miss you.

I miss you, too, Jin-ah. Let me know how things go with the alpha's return.

I will. Love you, Estan.

Love you, Jin-ah.

Yejin let out a breath as he lied down on his back and placed his hands behind his head. The alpha looked up at the stars, a small smile coming to his face as the two mates continued their conversation late into the night.

The stars were out when Jae returned to his office. The pale moonlight washed the room in a blue glow as the prince sat in front of his file-filled desk. Jae leaned back in his chair and tilted his head back so it rested on the rim of the chair and let out a breath. A longing filled the prince, a longing that began deep down and made its way up into Jae's thoughts. Jae longed for the scent of vanilla and roses. He longed to hold the zeta in his arms and relax in Syri's heaven. This was the first time Jae had been able to slow down and rest ever since he embarked on the hunt, and his first thought was of Syri.