Yejin, Haikon, and Xander were already gathered in the prince's study when Jae entered the room. Only one was missing.
"He's on his way," Yejin informed the prince of the last member's status. Jae nodded in acknowledgment before studying the map of the forests, hills, rivers, and fields surrounding the castle.
"Are we finally getting the bastard?" Xander inquired as he twirled a knife through his fingers.
"What was the stability count at your last encounter?" Yejin asked the theta.
"In the negative twenties. It is most likely lower now. No telling how much he has spiraled," Haikon answered. Yejin nodded in acknowledgment of the information and lowered his head in thought.
A quick knock on the door brought the three's attention to the study's main point of access. "Enter," Jae instructed. The door opened to reveal a tall, slender man clothed in stealth attire the color of deep blue. His hair was dark navy, and his eyes were royal blue, shining through strands of hair hanging in his eyes.
"Kace," Yejin greeted as the man walked to the right of Jae. The navy-haired man shortly bowed his head to the prince in greeting before retreating to lean against the wall with his arms folded across his chest.
"Now that we are all present, let's begin," Jae commenced the brief.
The prince placed his hands on the edge of the table as Yejin began with a gesture to the map, "Last known location was in the forest north of the castle. Stability in the negative twenties, possibly lower. Rank: Alpha. Instinct is fight over flight. Highest caution is advised."
"Yejin and I will take the front. Haikon and Xander will assist in tracking, and Kace will bring up the rear." Jae informed the team of the hunting order.
"Why is Kace in the rear? Yejin usually brings us up," Xander inquired.
"The target has a tendency to ambush. I need Kace in the rear," Jae explained. Xander nodded his head in understanding before going back to twirling the knife. "We leave at dawn. Prepare yourselves. This is a kill order," Jae informed the group before dismissing them. "Kace," the prince caught the attention of the navy-haired man as he walked past.
The man turned and inclined his head in respect of his prince.
"How are your wounds? Any better?" The prince inquired of his friend. "Can you do this?" Jae questioned as Kace remained silent. The blue-eyed man closed his eyes and nodded slightly in response. "Okay. I need you on this one, but let me know immediately if it starts again." Jae took two steps closer to Kace so that he was just a breath away. Kace's eyes fell to look at the floor as the prince neared him. "Don't hide it from me like last time," Jae pleaded in a low voice.
Kace flicked his eyes up and looked at Jae in response to the prince's plea for just a split second before turning them back down. The quiet man nodded in response to the prince's request. Jae was the only person in the world who could fluster Kace, much less give him an order. Kace was known as "The Prince's Rogue," moving silently in the shadows on Jae's command. He was a loner; he did not interact with hardly anyone besides his four friends.
Raised through pain, Kace hardly spoke. It was even rare for him to use the pack link. Highly skilled and indebted to Jae, Kace remained the prince's faithful follower. He would do anything for Jae, even sacrifice himself in a heartbeat.
Kace pondered linking Jae and inquiring on how the true blood had been the past month, but the sweet scent covering the prince stopped the man from making the link. Giving a short bow of the head, Kace left Jae's side and exited the study.
Jae let out a sigh as he watched Kace leave. "What am I going to do with him?" Jae pondered aloud.
"He'll come around. Don't worry," Yejin, who was still in the study, answered Jae's loud thought. "He's still recovering. Give him some time."
The prince gave a small huff and hung his head. "You're right. It hasn't been that long since..." Jae's voice trailed off as he recalled that bloody night. "I can't go through that again, Yej. I don't want to lose him."
Yejin walked to his prince and placed his hand on the true blood's shoulder. "Kace is strong, Jae. He won't make you go through that again. He's stronger than you think."
"I wished he'd told me. I wish he'd tell me when he's in pain."
"Don't we all. You know his background. It's no surprise he doesn't talk."
"Yeah, I know. I just don't want him to have to go through it alone."
"Neither do I, but that is his choice. We can't force him to open up to us. He'll come to us when he's ready."
"You're right, Yej," Jae sighed before running his fingers through his dark hair.
"You should get some sleep. It's going to be a long couple of days," Yejin suggested.
Jae nodded in agreement and gave a couple of taps on the alpha's back before exiting the study. Jae let out a deep breath as he walked down the corridor leading to the clinic. Seeing Kace had affected the prince more than he had expected. Images from that night flashed through Jae's mind as he walked. His chest tightened as he recalled Kace's screams and cries. The prince shook his head, getting rid of the cries and bloodied images as he continued on his way.
"What happened to you? You look awful," Estan commented when Jae entered his office.
"Kace is back."
"Oh..." The gamma's teasing expression changed to a sad, knowing one. "How is he?" Estan inquired quietly.
"Better...but..."
"...But you don't really know because he doesn't want to open up," Estan finished for Jae, who nodded.
A small smile came to the prince's lips when he walked over to the sleeping zeta. Jae instantly felt at peace as he looked at Syri's sleeping face. Estan watched as the prince gingerly scooped Syri in his arms. 'There it is. There's that smile. Thank you, Syri, for making our prince smile again.' "He's all yours. Take care of him. If anything happens, let me know," Estan said to the prince as he walked past with the zeta in his arms.
"Thank you, Estan."
"Of course. Night, Jae. Get some good sleep," Estan bid goodnight as the prince exited the gamma's office with the zeta in his arms.