"Prince," Hesha greeted the true blood respectfully as Jae entered the infirmary.

"How are you?" Jae inquired as he came to stand next to the bed. Hesha looked down as she answered. "I am alive. It is more than I could ask for."

Jae's eyes softened at the outcast as he replied, "Living is the least you deserve."

Hesha's eyes swelled with tears as she heard the prince's words. "I am forever in your debt."

"Don't worry about it. I have arranged for a house for you. It is not much, but it is yours if you would like," the prince offered the beta.

Hesha bowed her head many times in thanks to the true blood. "I am grateful for your mercy. I do not wish to be a burden."

"You may remain here for your recovery; however, the king is not aware of your presence in Crimson Night, so I arranged for you to stay in a village called Herth. It is a rather large town with many opportunities. It will offer you a peaceful life if you should accept it."

"I thank you for your kindness, Prince," Hesha replied in acceptance of the true blood's gracious offer.

"It was the least I could do," Jae replied as he turned to leave the infirmary.

"May I ask you something?" Hesha inquired of the true blood, stopping Jae from exiting the room.

Jae turned back to face the beta as she bowed her head. "I shall answer if I am able. Speak."

Hesha was silent for a moment before she asked, "The man who saved me, do you know where I can find him? I would like to thank him."

Jae let out a small breath as he replied, "You will not find him."

Hesha lifted her head as she looked at the prince. "W-what do you mean?"

"Even I do not know where he disappears to. If I knew where to find him, I would tell you, but I do not. I am sorry."

"I see," Hesha responded as she turned her gaze back to the ground. "Thank you."

"Of course. If there is anything else you need-" The slamming of the door interrupted the prince as Yejin rushed into the room.

"Jae, we gotta go," Yejin's voice was firm as he spoke, and a look of desperation was in his eye.

The true blood did not question the alpha and immediately bid the beta farewell. The two did not wait for Hesha's response before hurrying out of the infirmary.

"Talk to me, Yej," Jae said as he followed the alpha down the corridor.

"Fires are spreading to Alia. Estan and Syri are in danger. If we leave now, we can get there an hour before midnight. It's a four-hour ride by *vorst," Yejin informed the prince as they made their way around a corner.

Jae's expression turned earnest as he quickened his pace in response to Yejin's words.

>>>>>>

"That was fun," Syri said with a smile as he and Estan cleaned up the dishes and wiped the table. Brenton had just left the cabin to go prepare for his night hunt, and Syri and Estan were reminiscing on the dinner they enjoyed with the rho.

"We should invite him over again," Estan proposed as he pushed the chairs back into the table.

"Mm," Syri sounded in agreement as he began drying the dishes and placing them in the cabinets. The zeta's brows furrowed as a tingling sensation engulfed his stomach. Weird. The zeta shrugged off the sensation and continued to clean.

The gamma and zeta made themselves cups of hot tea and had moved to the sofa to wind down for the night where they stayed for a few hours until Estan stood to his feet and declared that he would be back in a moment. The zeta nodded in response as the gamma exited the living room and disappeared down the hallway. Syri let out a sigh as he settled into the sofa and entered a comfortable position. The pink-haired took a sip of his tea as his skin began to burn. The zeta set down the cup as he realized what was happening. Oh no.

"Syri, are you alright?" Estan inquired with concern as he heard quiet whimpers wafting through the air as he walked back into the living room. The gamma furrowed his brows as he approached the sofa to see the zeta curled up with his eyes shut tightly. The sun had been set for a few hours, and the candles and lamps were burning brightly, so the gamma knew he did not see wrongly.

"Inso, I think my heat is coming," Syri answered through short gasps of pain.

Estan's heart dropped at Syri's words. "Your heat is here?"

The zeta thought for a moment before nodding his head. "It's been two months since my last one. I had my last one half a month before I escaped."

"Shit," Estan said under his breath as he saw the beads of sweat appearing on the nape of Syri's neck. Estan's own heat was nearing, and he had meant to stock up on heat herbs but had completely forgotten until that moment. "Ok. I am out of heat supplements and teas, so I am going to run to town quickly and grab a few things to help with the pain. The drug store is open 'til three hours after sunset. If I leave now, I'll make it in time."

"Okay," Syri responded before doubling over in pain. "Thank you, Inso."

"Of course, Little One." Estan gave Syri an affectionate pat on the head before grabbing his shoes and money pouch before disappearing through the front door. As soon as the gamma left, Syri let out a whimper of pain as his body began to burn.

"I need to sleep. I'll feel better if I sleep," Syri said to himself as he lied down on the couch. The zeta was too distracted by his oncoming heat that he did not even think to blow out the lights in the living room.

Estan broke into a run as he hurried out of the grove and down the road that led into town. An unmated wolf's heat would be nigh unbearable without supplements and teas as there would be no higher-ranking wolf that could aid with the pain. Estan recalled his heats before he met Yejin and quickened his pace as he knew the pain Syri was currently experiencing. Unlike Syri, Estan had his heat monthly, as did most wolves, but it was bearable now since he had Yejin to lessen the pain. Syri did not have a mate who could help him.

The gamma was out of breath by the time he reached the edge of town. The street lamps were lit and covered the cute town in a warm glow. Estan hurriedly made his way past the few people in the streets until he came upon the drug and medicine store. A bell attached to the door rang as the gamma entered the store and immediately began looking for heat supplements.

"Oh, Estan! How are ya?" The owner of the store greeted the gamma warmly.

"Where do you keep your heat herbs and teas?" Estan inquired of the man.

"In that corner," the man answered as he motioned to the back right corner. "Are you okay?"

"Huh? Oh, my heat is near, so I just wanted to stock up before it comes," Estan lied as he rushed to the back corner and began picking out the strongest supplements and teas the store had to offer.

"Must be hard being away from your mate," the man commented as he saw the pile of supplements in the gamma's arms.

"Do you have a bag? I'm kinda in a hurry," Estan inquired of the man as he paid for the products.

"Of course," the man replied as he stooped below the counter to retrieve a burlap sack. "Stay safe out there. The fires are spreading quite quickly even in the night," the man warned the gamma softly.

"Thank you so much. Have a good night," Estan bid the man before turning on his heel and walking toward the door.

"Night, Estan," the man said in farewell as the gamma exited the store.

Screams and shouts greeted the gamma as he stepped foot onto the main road of Alia. Estan gasped in horror as flames filled his vision. Alia was burning. The fires had spread faster than was predicted and were threatening the residents of Alia. Syri! I have to get to him! Estan immediately broke into a sprint as he ran past people carrying buckets filled with water toward the raging flames.

The beautiful flowers decorating the many buildings and lamp posts of Alia that once awed many a traveler now served as spreading devices for the red flames, engulfing the town in deadly heat at a record pace. Estan coughed as he inhaled smoke running through the fire-lit alleys. The gamma covered his nose and mouth with his arm as he tried to find an opening. The search was to no avail, however, as the fire had now engulfed the entirety of the town.

I won't make it in time! The gamma panted for air as he choked on the thickening smoke. Yejin!!

>>>>>>

Jae winced as Ajax leaped over a fallen tree in the road. Although it had nearly been a day, his wounds were still healing as they were extensive. Any other wound would have been healed by this time, however, sixty lashes were a dangerous amount.

Jae.

What is it? The prince was quick to respond to Yejin's voice in his head. The two were galloping down the main road that led to Alia as fast as their steeds could take them.

Estan is stuck in Alia. He is surrounded by fire and can't get to Syri who is alone at the cabin.

Leave Syri to me. Go find Estan. Jae replied to the alpha as he tapped Ajax's side. The vorst let out a bray as he sped his pace.

Don't push Ajax too hard just yet. We are still a ways away. The alpha warned as he saw Ajax straining to maintain the high speed.

You can tell me that when both Syri and Estan are safe. Jae returned as he slightly slowed Ajax's pace but kept the steed at a record-breaking speed.

Also, there's something you should know. Yejin's voice was firm as he addressed the prince after a moment.

What?

Syri is in heat.

Vorst - Wolf-like Stallion containing certain attributes from wolves. Are much stronger and faster than the average horse. Has the fur of a wolf, eyes that of differing ranks of wolves, and a tail and ears of a wolf.