"Thank you, Inso," Syri said to the gamma as he rested his head in Estan's lap. Estan responded with a soft hum, his fingers flowing through the zeta's soft hair as the two sat beneath the stars. "I don't know what I would have done had he seen me," the zeta added in one, slow breath.

"Thankfully, we don't have to think about that," Estan said when he could tell the zeta was on the verge of falling into a spiral of thoughts regarding the prince and the close encounter. Syri nodded in silent agreement, taking advantage of Estan's words to forcefully shove the thoughts of the prince to the back of his mind, difficult as it was.

The zeta decided to change the topic from the prince to ensure the true blood was not at the front of his mind and to preserve his hard work of hiding the prince in the back of his mind. "How is Yejin Inso?" Syri inquired of the gamma upon deciding to ask Estan of his mate to lighten the mood. Estan always smiled when he talked of Yejin.

Just as Syri guessed, Estan's lips curled into a sweet smile as he began, "He's doing well. He dragged Jae out on a chase to make him release some steam and sprained his wrist in the process."

"Oh no!" Syri exclaimed. "Is he alright?"

"Yeah, he's fine," the gamma assured the concerned zeta with a gentle pet on the head. "It'll be healed by morning."

"That's good," Syri responded as he flicked his eyes to look up at the endless stars covering the night sky.

"And how's my Syri? Getting enough sleep?" Estan inquired of the zeta, leaning down to catch the boy's attention. "Hm?"

"I get about five hours when I don't have the nightshift," the zeta answered truthfully. Syri was already preparing himself for a lecture when Estan exclaimed, "Five hours?!! What are you? Cattle? Why do they work you so hard?" The gamma's brows knit together in determination, and he stated, "I need to talk to the Luna. You should be getting at least eight hours every night. This is unacceptable!"

Syri could not help the chuckle that escaped his lips as he sat up and faced the angry gamma. "Inso, it's okay. Five hours is more than enough, and they do treat us well. The Luna even saved Kip and me, remember?"

"Yeah, but-"

"But they pay us well." Syri interrupted the gamma before Estan could embark on another ranting session. "So, I can't really complain."

Estan crossed his arms and released a huff before eventually agreeing with the determined zeta. "Fine, but if they make you work more than you already are, let me know, and I will tear them a new one they could never even imagine."

"Roger." Syri let out another chuckle at the gamma's protectiveness. Syri did not stop the gamma, who continued to silently fume about the zeta sleeping only five hours per night, as he cherished Estan's care and affection. He was grateful the gamma was looking out for him.

"So, what are you going to do with your wages?" Estan inquired once he had settled down and was not so gun-ho on speaking to the Luna. "Have you thought about what you want to do once you consider your debt to Jae paid?"

Syri fell silent. The zeta hung his head and quietly answered, "I don't think I'll ever be able to repay him..."

"So, you'll work for him for the rest of your life?" Estan raised a brow at the zeta. Was that even feasible? Was Jae not bound to see him one day if Syri stayed longer than a few weeks?

"That's the plan, at least for now," Syri replied with a nod. "I may transfer departments after a bit. But, I really like my team, so I don't know..." A moment passed before Syri added, "I don't have a mate, so there's nothing that would keep me from working here for the rest of my life."

The gamma's expression fell at the zeta's words. The realization that Syri would forever be mateless had hit the gamma hard, and whenever Estan thought of it, his eyes instantly filled with tears. "Oh, Syri..."

"It's okay, Inso," Syri quickly said in an attempt to assure the gamma he was alright. "I'm not lonely; I have you and Kip, and Calix and Bevy, and Ibbi and Lili." The zeta mustered a small smile as he looked at the gamma to see Estan gazing at him through glistening eyes. The gamma remained quiet and simply opened his arms. Syri complied with Estan's silent request and scooted toward the gamma until he was wrapped in Estan's tender embrace.

"My little one has become so strong." The gamma's voice quivered when he spoke, indicating he was on the verge of tears. Syri closed his eyes and relaxed in the gamma's comforting embrace. The zeta remained in Estan's arms as the stars twinkled against the dark blanket and the moon continued its arc in the sky.

>>>>>>

"Okay, team, we got news," Wyx stated as he stood before the entirety of the stable squad. The nine other members remained silent as the delta continued, "The Alpha is holding a convention between the eastern packs, and most of the attendees will be arriving tomorrow." The delta paused to allow the information to sink in. "So, we will have a huge influx of steeds. Most will arrive in their wolves, but the majority of the royals will come on steed for promenade. They will arrive sometime after noon."

Wyx turned to face the grey-eyed beta and said, "Kip, you and your team will take your steeds to the fields according to schedule; however, I need you back three hours before noon. That means your field time will be three hours instead of five."

"Understood," Kip answered respectfully.

"I need all of you to stay late tonight, so we can begin the prepping today to avoid being overwhelmed in the morning. Is everyone up to stay?" Wyx inquired to make sure everyone was willing to put in effort that night.

"Ae," the nine members sounded unanimously. Wyx nodded his head at the members' response. "Good. We will do what we can tonight and will finish the rest tomorrow. Let's get to work." The delta went to stand with his team at the conclusion of the announcement before the ten dispersed to begin preparations for the gathering of the packs.

The ten workers stayed until the moon was high in the sky. Truthfully, the stable squad was not the only set of workers who were staying up to prepare for the conference. Numerous maids and servants, cooks and chefs, gardeners, and party administrators were bustling about beneath the moon to ensure the reception for the royalty of the visiting packs was top tier.

The lanterns remained lit in the stables until the moon had begun its descent toward the horizon. "Good work, everyone," Wyx said when the ten had gathered after prepping most of the stalls. "Try to get some sleep; the next few days are going to be hectic."

"You don't forget to sleep, either, Wyx," Rin spoke up with a raised brow. Wyx was notorious for staying late after the members had left and would continue working.

"Ae, don't worry, Rin. I'll sleep," Wyx assured the rho with a chuckle.

"You'd better not be lying," the one other female, Valri, spoke up with a scrutinizing gaze.

Wyx released a short breath and shook his head. "You guys worry about me too much. It's not like I don't ever sleep," the delta exclaimed in defense of his habit of working overtime.

"Uh huh," Rin sounded with a slight roll of his eyes and a tilt of his head. The rho pointed his finger at the delta and warned, "Don't let me catch you up here working after we all have left."

Wyx threw up his hands in font of his chest at the rho's glaring gaze. "You won't. Don't worry."

Kip and Bevy let out snickers that had been building up while they observed the evening team's interaction, grabbing the other five's attention. "Heyyy, what's so funny?" Wyx inquired of the snickering beta and alpha.

"Nothing," Kip answered promptly as he stifled his laugh. Wyx gave the beta a side-eye before turning back to the group and dismissing the ten to go and rest.

"Night, everyone!" Bevy called as the morning team dispersed at the entrance to the stables.

"See y'all in a couple of hours, haha," Ibbi bid with a short laugh before skipping off into the night.

Syri, Kip, and Calix casually bowed to each other in goodbye before going their separate ways. Syri immediately made his way to the breezeway upon exiting the stables. He was late for his meeting with Estan. Well, he was more like five hours late, but he wanted to make sure the gamma was not still waiting for him. He had not had the chance to inform the gamma of him staying late to prepare for the conference.

Syri let out a sigh when he came to the breezeway to find Estan curled up asleep on the bench. "Oh, Inso..." the zeta shook his head slightly at the gamma's resilience. Estan was certainly an angel. Syri carefully approached the sleeping gamma and placed his hand on Estan's shoulder before softly calling, "Inso," to wake the slumbering physician.

"Mm?" Drifted from the gamma's closed lips when he woke only for the gamma's eyes to pop open at the zeta's voice. Estan immediately sat up and made sure the zeta was alright. "Syri! Are you okay? I was so worried."

Syri smiled down at the fretting gamma before sitting beside Estan and explaining, "I had to stay to prepare for the convention."

"Ahh," Estan sounded with a nod. It all made sense, now.

"Sorry for not letting you know I'd be late. I made you wait for so long," Syri apologized with a bow of his head.

"Oh, that's alright! I'm just glad you're okay. I'd gladly wait if it meant I could see my little one," Estan replied sweetly. The gamma reached out and ruffled the zeta's head, extracting a small smile from the pink-haired. "Did the preparations go well?"

"Mm," Syri sounded with a nod. "We are going to finish them tomorrow." The zeta's mouth opened wide as a yawn escaped his exhausted body and his eyes began to droop.

"Oh, goodness!" Estan exclaimed when he saw the exhaustion filling the zeta. "You should go to sleep, Little One. You're going to have a very long next few days."

"Mm, I think I will," Syri responded sleepily. The zeta blinked his eyes in effort to stay awake as the gamma stood and stretched out his hand. Syri accepted the gamma's hand and stood to his feet with the help of Estan.

"I may not be able to meet with you tomorrow," Estan revealed as the two stood next to the bench. "There's a banquet to welcome the packs, and it will most likely run late into the night."

"I understand," Syri replied with a sweet smile. "You are the royal physician after all."

"Thank you, Little One," Estan thanked with a smile. "Have a good rest, Syri."

"You, too, Inso," the zeta returned before starting toward the workers' dormitory. "And have fun tomorrow!"

"I will!" Estan called after the zeta with a wave of his hand. "Sleep well, Little One!"

Hi everyone! I hope you are enjoying True Mate

The story is developing and becoming better with every chapter, and I can't wait to share what I have in store for our lovely werewolves with you. I hope you continue to enjoy the book and am eternally grateful for your love and support. If you have any questions at any time, please feel free to either post them in the comments or to my board or dm me

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維道 WeiDao