"Estan!!" The alpha's voice rung through the night as he fought the flames and searched the town of Alia for his love. "Estan!" The alpha's voice became desperate as he neared the edge of town without finding his mate.

Shouts and yells drew the alpha's attention to a burning building located at the back end of the village where a group of people was trying their hardest to put out the fire that had engulfed the building. Yejin rushed to the building to see the clinic in flames. If Estan would be anywhere, it would be here.

Yejin held his breath as he scanned the small crowd that had gathered only to come up empty. Estan was nowhere to be seen. Why are there so many people here? And why are they trying to save a building that is already lost?

"Put your backs into it! They're still in there!" A strong feminine voice called out as the men were encouraged to not give up.

Yejin quickly scanned the crowd once more to see Garnelle organizing the rescue mission. "Garnelle!" The alpha called as he ran up to the woman.

The gamma's eyes widened as she saw the alpha rushing toward her. "Yejin! Thank goodness you're here. Estan is still inside!"

Yejin's heart began to race as he instantly pulled off his shirt and soaked it in the closest bucket of water. "How long has he been inside?'" Yejin inquired of the gamma as he slipped the soaked shirt over his head.

"Just a few minutes. He went in to save a patient who was stuck. Be swift, dear." Garnelle gave an affectionate pat on the alpha's arm as Yejin ran for the burning building. "Keep it up, lads! The Captain of the Royal Guard is now in danger, too!" Garnelle ordered as she watched the brave alpha enter the flames to save his mate.

Yejin immediately folded his arm over his nose and mouth as he ran through the thick smoke. Estan! Yejin called his love's name out in his mind hoping to reach his mate.

Yejin...? The voice that responded was weak, but it was there.

Estan let out a sigh of relief as he heard his mate's voice in his mind. I'm coming, Love. I'm coming.

The alpha closed his eyes as he focused on his hearing, filtering out the crackling flames and shouts from outside until he heard two sets of strained breathing. There you are.

How is the patient? Yejin inquired of the person Estan saved as a means to keep the gamma conscious. If Yejin could keep Estan talking, he could keep him awake.

He's alive. Yejin received Estan's reply as he passed through the door that led into the hallway beyond the waiting room.

That's good. Are his eyes closed? Yejin inquired as he passed the first set of burning rooms stationed on either side of the hallway.

Yeah. The sounds of coughing reached Yejin's ears as Estan responded.

Don't worry, Love. I'm almost to you. The alpha followed the sound of coughing until he came upon the fourth set of doors and entered through the flames lining the frame. Yejin realized why Estan had not come out as he saw the patient stuck beneath a fallen beam. Estan was sitting next to the man and was holding his hand affectionately.

Tears filled Estan's eyes as he turned to look at his mate. "I-I can't get it off," the gamma said as he pointed to the trapped man.

The alpha did not waste a second in lifting the beam off the man's stomach and slinging the patient over his shoulder. "Can you walk?" Yejin inquired of his mate as he made sure the unconscious man was secure. Estan nodded in response and took Yejin's outstretched hand. The alpha squeezed the gamma's hand lovingly as he led his mate through the fire.

Estan stayed close to Yejin as the two dodged falling beams and burning walls. Cheers and applause sounded as the alpha and gamma successfully reached the free outdoors. Two men came and collected the unconscious patient and brought him to Garnelle for treatment. As soon as the man was off Yejin's shoulder, the alpha brought his gamma into his arms.

The desperation and tightness of the hug startled Estan, and Yejin basically trapped his mate in his embrace. Estan immediately relaxed, however, as his mate filled his senses.

"Don't you dare do something like that again...I almost lost you." Yejin's voice was pleading as he held his love in his arms. Estan nodded into the alpha's neck as he felt a tear drop onto his shoulder.

"I'm sorry, Yej," Estan replied as he wrapped his arms around his alpha.

The alpha continued to hold his mate closely for a few more moments before eventually placing Estan at arm's length, so he could make sure he was alright. "How are you?"

"I'm okay," Estan assured his mate. "I inhaled some smoke, but I am unhurt other than that. I'll be fine in a few hours."

"Okay. Let's get you out of here," Yejin said as he took Estan's hand in his and began leading the gamma to his steed.

"How is Syri?" Estan inquired as the alpha placed him on Tran's back.

"Jae is with him. Don't worry, Syri is safe," Yejin replied as he mounted the vorst and took the reins in his hands.

"Then, take me home," Estan said to the alpha as he leaned into his mate.

Yejin smiled at his mate's request and planted a soft kiss on the top of Estan's head. "Your wish is my command."

>>>>>>

Whimpers of pain floated from the zeta as Syri and Jae rode through the forest. They had not been riding for long before another round of pain struck the zeta. Jae had wrapped an arm around Syri's waist as a means of securing the zeta as Ajax galloped at full speed. That, however, only flared the zeta's heat.

"Jae..." Pain filled Syri's voice as he addressed the prince. "I don't think I can stand it for much longer," Syri told the true blood truthfully as he clutched his stomach in pain.

Jae was silent for a moment as he thought of a solution. "The town of Gern is just ahead. We'll stay there for the night. They will have a medicine store; we can get you some tonics," Jae told the zeta as he clicked his tongue and urged Ajax to speed his pace.

It was not long before the vorst was galloping through the town. Jae pulled Ajax to a stop outside an inn and dismounted before having Syri carefully fall into his arms. Jae made sure to turn the zeta into him to hide him from prying eyes as the scent of Syri's heat was sure to turn heads. Luckily for the two, it was late into the night, so the only person present was the woman behind the desk.

"A room for two, please. And somewhere to keep my steed," Jae said as he reached the counter.

The woman looked from the zeta in the prince's arms who was emitting heat hormones to the prince who was in complete control as she selected a room key. "Room 204. It will be fifty-six grey lorne."

Jae repositioned Syri temporarily, so he could retrieve the coin purse from his pant pocket. Jae was very thankful he had the sense to grab the pouch on his way out of the castle.

"Thank you," the woman said as she accepted the money. "Someone will be down to house your steed."

"Keep the change," Jae said as he took the key and headed up the stairs.

Syri let out a small moan and curled his fingers into the true blood's shirt as his body continued to burn. Jae unlocked the door to Room 204 and shut it with his foot as he entered. The true blood was gentle as he laid the zeta on the bed. Jae doubted any medicine store would be open at that time, but he was prepared to go out and search nonetheless. The prince ran his fingers through his hair as he pondered where he should start.

"They're probably not open," Syri said to the prince as if he read his mind.

"Hm?" Jae sounded as he turned to look at the zeta.

"The medicine stores. They won't be open at this hour," Syri said as he slowly sat up.

"Then...what should I do?" Jae inquired slowly as he watched the zeta's face twist with pain. Before Jae knew it, he was on the bed and had pulled the zeta into his arms. "Is this better?" The prince asked as Syri seemed to relax.

The zeta nodded as he leaned into the true blood. Syri's body tensed up, however, as fresh slick began to seep from his rump. Jae's nose crinkled as the scent of slick filled his senses. The zeta's heat was flaring up again.

"I-I-I'm sorry. I don't know how to stop it. It just comes," Syri apologized as he felt the slick leak down his leg.

Jae smiled down at the zeta softly before stroking his thumb over Syri's cheek and asking, "Are you in pain?"

"A little bit," Syri answered truthfully. "But you're making it better." Syri sucked in his breath as he saw the true blood's eyes flash golden for a split second. "You should go. I'm only going to produce more slick if you continue to hold me," Syri said to the prince.

Jae smiled softly as he shook his head. "I'm not leaving you. Don't worry, I won't do anything you don't want me to." The true blood took a short breath before adding, "Hyuk doesn't want to hurt you, either."

Syri's heart swelled at the true blood's words. The zeta longed to be in the prince's arms, and Jae had not gone feral all the while he held him, so Syri decided to give it a try. But he wanted to make certain Jae was up for his request. "Are you sure?" Syri inquired as he looked up at the true blood.

Jae nodded his head as he answered, "I'm sure. Tell me what you want me to do."

"Can you hold me...erm...skin-to-skin...?" Syri was careful as he stated his request. He wanted to make sure Jae was okay with holding him intimately. "My heat usually lasts three days on its own, but if we do this, I think it will end sooner," Syri added as his reasoning for the intimate request.

"Okay. I can hold you," Jae agreed to the zeta's request.

"Will you be alright? I will produce more slick with the contact."

"I'll be alright. I promise," Jae assured with a soft smile as he pulled his shirt over his head. Syri gulped as he saw the muscular lines covering the true blood's body. This was the first time Syri had seen Jae shirtless and to say he was blown away would have been an understatement.

Syri followed Jae in removing his shirt before slipping beneath the blankets. Once he was under the covers, Syri removed the blanket that had been wrapped around his waist. Jae took the blanket and tossed it over the back of a chair positioned in the corner of the room before joining the zeta under the covers. Beads of sweat appeared on Syri's neck as his body began to burn once more. Jae quickly removed his pants and brought the zeta into his arms when he saw Syri's expression of pain.

Being completely skin-to-skin with someone was a new sensation for both males. Jae carefully draped an arm over the zeta's curved waist and placed it on the smaller male's bare back as Syri wrapped his arms around the true blood's strong body. A cool sensation washed over Syri's entire body as Jae began to slowly rub his hand up and down the zeta's back.

"Is this helping?" Jae asked quietly as he continued to move his hand over Syri's back.

The zeta nodded into the prince before snuggling in closer. The two remained chest-to-chest as Jae continued to soothe Syri. After a few minutes, Syri's body tensed as he produced more slick. Jae blinked his eyes as his vision blurred in response to the strong scent. Please let me last the night. Jae's desperation to remain in control was sincere as he lifted a prayer to the moon goddess.

"Are you okay?" Syri asked in a quiet voice as he could tell the true blood had been affected by the scent of the slick. The zeta released a small breath as he heard Jae reply with, "I'm okay."

The true blood tightened his hold around the zeta and brought Syri's head to rest in the nook of his neck as the zeta released a whimper from a new round of painful heat. The burning sensation eventually lessened as Syri's heat was satisfied by the contact with a true blood. And soon, the zeta was fast asleep, snuggled safely in Jae's arms.