"Are you lost, Omega?" The foreign voice caused Syri to freeze in his tracks. The zeta slowly turned to see a man standing behind him. The man was dressed in a stealth outfit with a black long-sleeved cloth shirt and black pants with numerous pockets and sheathed knives strapped to the thighs and calves. A black leather guard protected the man's right shoulder, and leather straps with small pockets were wrapped around the man's upper arm and forearms.

Black lace-up boots were donned on the man's feet and lower calves, and a black belt containing several blades and throwing knives was wrapped around the man's waist. The man's pitch-black hair that hung in his eyes completed the outfit, and his hazel eyes shone against his pale skin. The zeta's eyes widened as his gaze fell to the mask that hung from the man's leather belt. He's a pann!

Syri cleared his throat as he prepared to address the man. The zeta was surprised, however, when Ajax came to stand over him protectively. The vorst hung his head in front of the zeta as the steed gazed at the man. Don't let your guard down, Zeta. It is rare for pann to approach strangers, especially in broad daylight while dressed in their stealth gear.

The zeta swallowed dryly as he heard the steed's warning.

"Don't worry, I do not intend to harm you," the man said as he sensed the pink-haired grow tense. The pann lifted his hands in front of his chest to show he was unarmed. "It's only that it is dangerous for an omega to be out alone. I am sure you have heard of the recent increase of traffickers."

"I appreciate your concern, but I believe I will be alright," Syri answered defensively as he stepped closer to the prince's steed and turned to leave.

"You just had your heat, did you not?" The man inquired with a raised brow as he continued to look at the zeta, who stopped and turned back to face him.

"H-how did you-"

"If I can smell the remnants of your heat from here, don't you think an alpha would be able to as well?"

Syri blinked his brown eyes as he gazed at the man standing before him.

The pann could sense the zeta's hesitation, so he added, "If I wanted to hurt you, I would have done so by now. I can get you out of here safely."

"What are you?" Syri inquired after a moment as he debated the man's offer.

"I am a rho." The man was truthful as he answered the zeta. The pink-haired narrowed his eyes as he scrutinized the man. Should we trust him? He doesn't seem to be lying. Plus, he could have easily hidden his identity as a pann and just dragged me off to some dark place. Syri looked up at the steed as he inquired of Ajax's opinion.

It is your decision, Zeta. Ajax's response was short as he had determined the man was speaking truthfully. Ajax would have preferred to lead Syri back to the castle by himself, but the steed knew that having a pann could serve as an extra layer of security. The steed determined to not be completely against trusting the man as his prince would want the zeta to remain as protected as possible.

Syri turned his gaze back to the pann before addressing the rho. "Do you know the way to the capitol?"

The rho lifted a brow at the zeta's request. "I do. Shall I lead the way?" Syri nodded his head in response as he remained close to the vorst. The pann kept his eye on the massive steed as he slowly approached the pink-haired male.

This 'omega' is certainly no normal wolf. Why would a seemingly ordinary wolf be traipsing around Gern with a vorst? The rho pondered on the zeta's origin as he reached the pink-haired. As a pann, I need to make sure this wolf reaches his destination safely; he is part of a larger picture, a picture the world has yet to see. The rho's trained nose was quick to detect the small male's scent and correctly categorize it. By the scent, he is no omega. He is the lost zeta. I must make certain he remains unharmed.

The rho's expression remained distant as he trailed his gaze to the vorst. Who is your master, Steed? And why are you so protective of the zeta? Does the royal family know of the zeta's identity? Or are you hiding him, Vorst?

"How long will it take to reach the castle?" Syri inquired as he saw the man observe the massive steed behind him. The rho turned his gaze to the zeta before answering, "Six hours by trot."

"By trot?" Syri's eyes widened when he realized the man's intention. The zeta watched silently as the man leaned down and interlaced his fingers to create a mounting boost. "Let me help you mount," the rho said as he offered his hands to the zeta. Syri swallowed as he looked at the man who was so eager to help him. Why are you going to such lengths to help a stranger? The zeta eyed the pann curiously as he slowly raised his foot and set it in the man's interlaced hands.

With the help of the rho, Syri soon found himself sitting atop Ajax. The vorst, however, jerked his head up when the rho approached his side. "Do not fret, Vorst. I have no intention of mounting you. Your master is your pride," the man assured the steed as he stroked his hand along the side of Ajax's neck.

Syri's heart calmed when he heard the rho's words. Anyone who respected the rider of a vorst was a good person. The zeta watched as the man's eyes turned a deep crimson as he shifted into his wolf form. Syri was taken aback by the rho's beauty. His fur was black and silky, and his crimson eyes shone against the dark fur, creating a charming contrast. The elegance of the wolf matched the man's human form. He was by no means a rugged man even though he was a trained warrior and mercenary-for-hire.

When the rho realized he could not link the zeta in his wolf form, he motioned with his head for the steed to begin moving forward. Ajax gave a short snort as he began following the black wolf down the path that led out of town. The two werewolves remained silent as they made their way down the road. The zeta refrained from asking personal questions as he knew pann preferred to keep their identities hidden, and he was not certain how the rho was even supposed to respond since he did not have the ability to link him. So, the rho and zeta kept to themselves as they continued on their way.

>>>>>>

"They should have been back by now!" The frantic gamma exclaimed to his mate as he paced in front of the prince's chambers. "What if something terrible happened?" Estan inquired of his mate as he turned to look at the alpha standing in front of him.

Yejin's brows were furrowed as he was deep in thought. The alpha lifted his head as he opened his mouth to speak. "I will ride to Gern and look for them."

"Are you certain you can't link Jae?" Estan asked as he resumed his pacing.

"Positive," Yejin answered. "I've tried multiple times, but I still can't get through."

Estan released a huff as he ran his fingers through his hair. "Okay. Let me go with you. It will be easier if we both go."

Yejin shook his head in disagreement. "It will be faster if I go alone."

"But-"

The alpha was quick to walk up to the gamma and gently take Estan's face in his hands. "Babe, I'll find them. Don't worry." The alpha's voice was soft as he added, "Plus, you nearly died last night. You should stay and rest." Estan released a breath as he looked up into those bright blue eyes and nodded his head in agreement. "Link me when you find them," the gamma told the alpha as Yejin brought his mate into his arms. "Of course," Yejin replied as he held his love tightly.

The gamma walked with his alpha to the stables and watched as Yejin mounted his vorst. Stay safe. Estan bid his mate goodbye as Yejin began galloping down the path that led out of the gate.

I will. Love you.

Love you, Yej.

The alpha held the reins of his steed as he galloped across the wide fields and into the forest. Where are you, Prince? Yejin kept his senses completely open as he made his way through the trees. After two and a half hours of riding at a full gallop, a soft humming reached the alpha's sensitive ears. Yejin pulled his vorst to a slow gallop as he neared the source of the humming. The alpha rounded a bend in the forest to see a pink-haired male riding atop a black vorst.

"Syri?" Yejin called the zeta's name as he brought his steed to a trot.

The zeta's ears perked up at his name. Syri turned his head from sightseeing into the forest to look straight ahead. "Oh? Yejin!" A smile came to the zeta's lips when he recognized the alpha approaching him. The rho trotting alongside Ajax came to stand in front of the steed as the alpha neared the three.

Yejin's eyes narrowed as he saw the foreign wolf. The alpha pulled his steed to a stop as the two parties met. "Syri, where's Jae? Why is he not with you?" The alpha inquired of the zeta when he could not sense the true blood anywhere near.

Syri swallowed before answering, "I do not know where Jae is. I was alone when I woke."

Yejin furrowed his brows as he heard the zeta's reply. So, Syri does not know where the prince is either. Something must have happened for Jae to suddenly disappear without contacting anyone. "Well, why don't you come back with me," the alpha suggested as he eyed the black wolf through slanted lids. "Estan is worried."

The zeta's eyes widened at the mention of the gamma's name. "Inso is alright? Thank goodness." A breath of relief escaped the zeta as a smile came to his lips.

"Ae. He was with me." Yejin did not take his eyes off the black wolf that remained in front of the zeta protectively. Well, Ajax does not seem to mind him, but I still need to get Syri to safety as soon as possible. "Come with me, Syri. I'll bring you to Estan," the alpha said as he motioned for the zeta to follow him.

"Don't you need to find Jae, though?" Concern filled the zeta's voice as he grew worried for the true blood. If Yejin doesn't even know where the prince is, something must have happened.

"I'll get you back, and then I'll come back to search for him," Yejin told the zeta. "You know Jae. He'll be fine on his own for a few more hours," the alpha added when the zeta hesitated.

The zeta looked from the alpha to the wide expanse of the forest before eventually nodding his head. "Okay," Syri agreed after a moment and turned back to face the alpha. "I will go with you." Yejin watched as the zeta turned to the black wolf and thanked him for his efforts. "I appreciate the help, Rho. My friend will take me the rest of the way." Syri was polite as he addressed the wolf who nodded its head and went to stand at the side of the road.

Yejin watched the wolf disappear into the forest before turning to the zeta and vorst. "Let's get you home, hm?"