"Syri?!" Estan called to the empty cabin. The gamma began to fret as he searched the entirety of the cabin only to find the zeta missing. "Syri?" The gamma called as he exited the cabin and ran into the grove. 'Where did he go?' Estan ran through the grove and searched the air for Syri's scent. The gamma's heart skipped as he caught the zeta's trail by the river. The scent was faint, but it was trackable.
Estan followed the zeta's scent over the bridge and through the cluster of trees to the hill above the valley beyond. A gasp left the gamma as he saw a small form on the ground at the peak of the hill. Estan broke into a run and dashed over to the zeta. Syri was curled up in the fetal position, and his shirt was hanging off his shoulder. The morning breeze rippled through the zeta's shirt and ruffled his hair as he slept on the soft grass.
Estan gave a small sigh of relief only to scrunch his brows. The gamma knelt to his knees and pulled the shirt down for a closer look. Estan's eyes widened as he saw Syri's bare shoulder. The mark was gone. Not even a scar remained.
"Syri," Estan voiced the zeta's name softly as he tried to wake the sleeping male. As the gamma reached his hand out to tap the zeta's shoulder, aqua eyes opened and looked up at Estan. "Aska," Estan said with shock. "What's wrong? What happened? Are you okay? How is Syri?"
Aska raised himself up on his arm and looked at the gamma through tired eyes. "Syri is okay. He is recovering from last night. I was still out of it, so Syri took all the pain. He is sleeping right now."
"Pain? What do you mean? Why were you in pain?" A moment of silence passed as the zeta looked up at the gamma through tired eyes. He clearly did not want to talk about what had happened during the night. Estan's eyes widened when he finally realized the source of the zeta's pain. "It's over, isn't it?"
Aska nodded silently in response. "Thank you for looking for us. But there's something I need to tell Syri. I will wait here for him to wake up," the zeta told the gamma in a low voice.
"Of course. I'm glad you're okay. Take all the time you need. I'll be at the cabin should you need anything," Estan said as he stood to his feet.
Aska nodded in response and pulled the shirt over his shoulder as the gamma turned and walked back into the trees. The zeta turned to look at the valley below and released a breath. This was the first time in a long while that Aska could relax and was not in pain. The zeta admired the beauty of nature before lying back down and basking in the rising sun. His life was finally at peace.
A small smile came to the zeta's face as he felt the sun on his skin. 'We're finally free, Syri.'
<<<<<>>>>>
Jae watched the masked wolf dart in between the trees as Kace made sure the prince's path was clear of obstacles. The delta's grip on the true blood's back was faint as Xander was slowly approaching the line between life and death.
The true blood caught a break in the forest and saw the rays from the morning sun shining through the trees. 'Xander, look at the sunrise. Isn't it beautiful?' Jae had been asking Xander questions here and there to keep the delta conscious.
'Ae...it is quite beautiful...' Xander's voice was faint as he opened his eyes and looked at the golden rays peeking through the trees.
Kace and Jae had run through the night. The true blood had not realized just how long he had been running until he saw the morning sun. 'Hold on, Xander. We're almost there.' Jae told the delta on his back. In reality, it would take at least two more hours before they would reach the castle, but Jae was determined to keep Xander conscious for as long as he could.
The prince increased his pace when he did not hear a response from the delta. 'Xander does not have much time left. We need to hurry.' Jae linked the masked wolf as he was gaining on Kace's tail. The masked wolf disappeared into the trees in response to his prince's voice and made sure the path was clear.
<<<<<>>>>>
'Yejin, are you okay?' Estan linked his mate when he got back to the cabin.
'Ae, I'm fine, Babe. How are you?' Yejin replied as he followed the theta through the trees.
'I'm okay.' Estan responded.
'How is Syri?' The alpha inquired about the zeta. It was common knowledge that the surviving werewolf would suffer greatly when their mate passed.
A moment passed before the gamma answered. 'He was in a lot of pain, but he is better now. The mark is gone. It didn't even scar.'
'Oh. That's good.'
'You seem sad. Is everyone okay? Did anyone get hurt?' Estan inquired when he heard the sadness in his mate's voice.
'Xander was injured. Jae is running him back to the castle right now. Kace went with them. I am with Haikon right now.'
'Oh no! How are they going to treat Xander?'
'Jae contacted the luna. She called in a physician from Wendham.'
'Okay. That's good. Wendham is only ten minutes from the castle. The physician should have enough time to prepare.' Estan released a breath of relief. Wendham was a large village just outside the castle that housed many of the pack's residents. 'How is Haikon?' The gamma inquired about Xander's mate.
Yejin looked at the wolf just in front of him. 'Haikon had been silent the entirety of the night. The alpha let the theta lead the way to the castle so that Haikon would set the pace. He is focused on getting back to his mate. He knows Jae is doing his best to save Xander, so he is doing his best to get back so he can care for Xander.'
'That's good. It must be hard for him to be separated from Xander at a time like this. I wouldn't want to be away from you if you were injured.'
'Agreed.' A few moments passed before Yejin inquired about the secret his mate had been hiding the past few days. 'When will you tell me what really happened, Estan?'
Estan held his breath as he pondered his response. 'I'll tell you when I am back and in your arms. I am going to need some cuddles if I am going to talk about it.'
Yejin's heart ached as he heard his mate's voice crack from tears. Something bad had happened to his mate, he was not there to protect him. He could do nothing while his mate suffered. 'I'm so sorry, love. I should have been there.'
'No, Yejin. Don't say that. You were where you needed to be. I was where I needed to be, and look, I am alright. I am alive and well, and so are you. We are both okay.' Estan tried to assure his mate.
'I should have protected you.' Yejin's voice broke as he apologized to his mate.
'Don't start this now, please. Let me be with you. Don't make me cry when I am so far away from you. Wait until I am in your arms. Then, I will tell you everything. I promise.' Estan's voice was quiet as he held back tears. 'Please, Jin-ah.'
A moment passed before Yejin replied. 'I trust you, love.'
'Thank you.' Estan pressed the back of his wrists to his eyes as he fought to keep himself from crying. The gamma released a long breath as he regained his composure. 'Speaking of, when can Syri and I come back?'
'Soon, hopefully. I will have to ask Jae when we get back. I will tell you as soon as I know.'
'Okay. I can't wait to see you. I miss you so much.'
'I miss you, too, Love.'
'Get back safely, okay?'
'Roger.'
'Take care of Haikon. He must be hurting a lot right now.' Estan let out a sigh as he thought of the theta and delta.
'Will do.'
'Let me know when you guys are back.'
'I will.'
'Love you.'
'I love you, Estan.'