Syri's cheeks were stained with tears, but a fire raged in his eyes. The zeta had never felt more disgusted by a wolf of royalty than he did in that moment. Syri's voice was crisp and stern when he addressed the crown prince of Black Moon. "I don't know who you think I am or what kind of wolf you think I am. But I assure you, I will never mate with the likes of you, Prince."

Silence filled the small amount of space between the two following the zeta's response to the prince's proposal. Seth's right eye twitched, and he leaned down to be eye-level with the zeta. "The likes of me?" Seth restated Syri's words with a displeased tug on the corner of his thin lips. "Tell me, omega, just what are the likes of me?" Syri could sense from the prince's tone of voice and delivery of his inquiry that it was a warning disguised as a challenge. But Syri was not afraid of the alpha looming over him. Whether that was bravery or foolishness, Syri frankly did not care. He hated wolves that abused their position and power for greed and self-fulfillment.

So, Syri did not hesitate in answering, "The likes of you, Prince, are black-hearted wolves who trample the weak and mistake dumb loyalty and fear for respect. You scheme and plot for the downfall of others without hesitation, and you take what is not yours. You repulse me. And I will never be your mate."

Seth glared at the zeta for a moment before a scoff escaped his twisted smirk. The prince's expression was dark, and his voice was low when he said, "That's some tongue you've got there, omega." A black cloud covered the alpha's blood orange eyes, and a growl resonated from within Seth as he said, "I think it's time someone taught you how to respect your alphas. And if Jae isn't going to do it, then I shall have to do it for him." The next second that followed the prince's threat found Seth's hand wrapped around the zeta's arm. The zeta released a cry of pain when the alpha's bared claws dug into his flesh and anchored themselves into Syri's milky skin to prevent the zeta from wiggling out of Seth's grasp.

"Get your nasty claws off me!" Syri cried out to the empty hall; everyone but Seth and Syri had fled the potentially hazardous scene leaving the zeta to fend off the strong alpha on his own. Anger swelled in Syri when Seth began dragging him down the corridor. Syri fought the alpha's hold with all his might, but his strength was no match for the alpha prince. The zeta's cries echoed through the hall as Seth continued to haul Syri to god knows where.

Syri's heart began to race when a warm sensation was seeded in the pit of his stomach and quickly made its way into his throat. Aska, no! Syri cried out to his wolf through his mind when he felt the zeta awaken. Aska was enraged beyond measure and was ready to blow the prince of Black Moon to smithereens, but Syri knew the emerging of Aska would only make matters worse. Sure, Aska could take down the prince in a heartbeat, but the world finding out Syri's identity as a zeta would cause difficulties for Jae and Crimson Night. So, Syri used all his might to keep Aska within him as he struggled with Seth.

Syri, let me out. This bastard needs to know he has no right to hurt us like this. Aska's voice was strangely calm for the amount of anger he was currently emitting from within Syri.

No, Aska. It's too dangerous. I'm sorry, but I can't let you out this time. This is something I must deal with on my own. By the time Syri had responded to his wolf, Seth had dragged him to the end of the corridor and was turning down the connecting hall to the right.

Syri, please! Aska pleaded with his human partner. No matter how desperate Aska was, Syri refused to give in. So, Aska was forced to resort to the decision he hated most. Syri, don't make me take over forcefully. I don't want to hurt you, but if it's what I have to do to keep you safe, I will do it. Aska's voice was low as he warned Syri, who gulped.

No, don't. Please, don't. Syri shook his head as he begged his wolf to remain still. Clearly, Aska did not listen to Syri's plea because a sharp pain entered the zeta's chest. Aska, no. Syri's jaw hung open as a pained gasp escaped his lips and his vision blackened. Syri's heart felt as if it would burst, and his world spun as Aska began to forcefully emerge.

"Stop!!" A foreign cry from the opposing end of the hall Syri and Seth were in but a few seconds prior paused the pain in Syri's chest. The zeta's head still spun, however, and Syri found himself slouching to the ground as Seth came to a halt. The prince recognized the voice of the cry and turned to see its owner racing up to him. "Stop, please. Don't hurt him," the youngest prince of Black Moon pleaded with his older brother when he reached the two.

"San, what are you doing here?" Seth's eyes were large as he stared at his winded omega brother.

"You can't do anything to him, Inso, please," San begged his brother as he struggled to catch his breath.

Seth fell silent as his brother looked up at him with wet eyes. "Why?" Seth's voice was low and quiet as he inquired for his brother's reasoning. Syri's mind still spun, and his hearing was foggy, but the softness in the crown prince's voice was evident as Seth spoke to his little brother. Syri was surprised by the fondness with which Seth spoke to San.

The zeta let out a breath of relief when Seth's grasp around him loosened and the prince left the zeta to walk up to his brother. "Tell me why, San." The omega's eyes wandered to the panting zeta on the floor before lifting up to look at his older brother. San's mouth opened to speak, but tears filled his eyes instead. San lowered his head and bit his bottom lip as he contemplated his response. "You just can't." San's words were quiet when he answered his brother. The omega then lifted his gaze back up to the alpha and begged, "Please, Seth."

Seth's brows furrowed as he gazed down at his brother. Seth remained silent as he contemplated his brother's request and the current situation. San hardly spoke, much less asked something of Seth, so the alpha was intent on figuring out the importance of the pink-haired to his younger brother. The crown prince swallowed before slowly nodding his head. "Very well. But come with me; we need to talk."

With that, Seth left Syri crumpled on the floor and took his brother's wrist before walking down the corridor. San suck a peek at the pained zeta over his shoulder before obediently following Seth down the hallway.

Hearing the two princes of Black Moon retreat down the hallway, Syri released a slow breath and shut his eyes tightly as he fought to control the pain in his chest. Now that the situation had died down, Aska retracted his fight to emerge and had grown silent. Syri's breaths were shaky as his mind eventually cleared up and his heart rate resumed its normal pace.

Syri...are you okay? Aska inquired quietly when Syri continued to sit on the stone floor.

I'm fine. Are you okay? Syri kept his eyes closed as he returned his wolf's question and let the cold of the stone seep into his milky skin. The zeta's body had heated up due to the pain and elevated heart rate, so the cool stone felt refreshing.

Yeah, I'm okay. A few moments of silence passed between the two before Aska spoke again. I'm sorry that I caused you pain, but I will not apologize for what I did. I wasn't going to just sit and watch that bastard hurt you.

I know... Syri released another long breath before continuing. And I understand. You were trying to protect us.

And I'd do it again in a heartbeat. I don't care if word gets out about us. I promised myself I'd never let you be hurt by another wolf ever again.

Aska's words brought a small smile to Syri's lips. Thanks, Aska.

Of course. I love you, Syri. You are me just as I am you. It's my duty to protect you.

Syri smiled even wider at his wolf's words. I love you, too, Aska. The zeta let out a deep sigh and opened his eyes before standing to his feet. What would I do without you?

Die, obviously. Aska's dry answer caused Syri to chuckle slightly as he began making his way down the corridor.

Haha, yeah, obviously. It was a rhetorical question, goof.

I know, silly. Aska replied with a chuckle. Where are we going? Aska inquired when Syri turned left at the end of the corridor.

To get our wound looked at. Syri looked down at his arm as the throbbing pain accompanied trickles of blood that streamed down his milky skin from the claw marks provided by the crown prince of Black Moon.

You're not going to Estan, right? He would flip if he saw this and would go on a crazed wolf hunt that would result in a bloody conflict between Crimson Night and Black Moon that could have been prevented.

Don't worry, I'm not completely stupid. I wouldn't want to cause Crimson Night trouble.

Then where are you going? Aska inquired as the zeta continued making his way through the palace.

The only other place I can.