Jae let out a breath of relief when he saw Kace waiting for him at the northern gate. The true blood, however, skid to a halt as he felt the delta go limp and release his hold. Turning to his human form, the prince turned around and caught Xander in his arms. Kace also turned into his human form and rushed over to the prince.
"He still has a pulse, but it is waning quickly," Jae told Kace as he stood to his feet. The prince and masked man broke into a sprint as they entered the gate and ran to the castle.
Xander's arm hung limply as Jae carried him into the castle. Maids and servants quickly scurried out of the way when they saw their prince dashing down the hallways. Kace ran ahead and opened the door to the clinic, so Jae could seamlessly bring Xander to the physician who was preparing medications.
"Place him on the bed, please," the female gamma instructed her prince respectfully as she grabbed her medical bag and rushed over to the delta. Kace gently brought Jae a step back as the physician began caring for Xander.
The true blood and blue-haired man were heaving as they exited the clinic to let the physician tend to Xander in complete concentration. Jae's chest rose and fell as he caught his breath. The true blood patted his friend's back as he complimented, "That was some good running. I thought I was going to lose you a few times."
Kace inclined his head as he silently accepted the compliment. The smile on Jae's face faded as he remembered how Kace hardly spoke now after the accident. The true blood gestured to the mask covering Kace's eyes as his breathing returned to its normal pace. "You know you can take it off now."
Kace brought a hand up and silently removed the mask, revealing his royal blue eyes. The blue-haired man's gaze focused on the woman approaching from behind Jae, and Kace bowed as the luna reached the two males. The prince turned and tilted his head in respect of the queen. "Mother," Jae greeted the luna.
"How is the delta?" The luna inquired of the injured werewolf.
"His condition is still unstable, but he should pull through with Estelle's help," the prince informed his mother.
The queen nodded before inquiring, "How was the hunt?"
"It was successful. The target was neutralized," Jae answered.
"It was good that you kept it from crossing the border. Who knows that disasters would have happened if not. Good work, Jae," the queen said as she nodded in approval of her son. Kace had kept his gaze turned down all the while as only the royal family was allowed to look the king and queen in the eyes. "How are you, Kace? Better, I hope?" The queen inquired gently. The luna's gaze softened as she looked at the blue-haired boy.
Kace bowed in response before returning to stare at the floor silently. The queen's eyes saddened as she recalled the boy who would run up to her with a wide smile on his face and light in his blue eyes. She hated her husband for what he had done. That was one of the reasons the luna had not spoken to the alpha in four years. The queen respected Jae's protective instincts over Kace and admired her son for standing up to his father in order to save the blue-haired werewolf.
The luna's soft gaze lingered on the young male looking at the ground for a moment longer before turning to the prince. "Keep me updated on Xander's condition," the queen told her son before continuing on her way. The prince and blue-eyed man bowed as the queen walked past. The two looked at each other as they stood up straight and began waiting outside the clinic for word from Estelle.
Jae and Kace were still standing outside the clinic when Yejin and Haikon came rushing down the corridor. Several hours had passed, but Estelle had not yet come out of the clinic. Haikon looked at the closed door with desperation as he caught his breath.
"How *breath* how is he?" Yejin inquired of the true blood.
"Not sure. He was unconscious when Estelle started tending to him. We haven't heard anything since. That was a couple of hours ago," Jae responded to the alpha.
"Okay. So, it's a waiting game, now," Yejin said as his breathing slowed.
Haikon let out a soft whine as he looked at the door in front of him. Yejin squeezed the theta's shoulder in assurance before going next to Jae and leaning against the wall. The theta's eyes filled with tears as he saw the blood staining the true blood's clothes. Haikon came to stand in front of Jae and Kace and bowed in thanks. "Thank you for saving my mate," Haikon said as he remained in the bow.
Jae was quick to bring the theta out of the bow. "We're a team, a family. There is no way I am letting any of you go," the prince told the theta whose eyes moistened. The true blood brought the theta into an affectionate embrace as he consoled Xander's mate.
The four waited outside the clinic for an hour longer before the door opened and Estelle stepped into the corridor. The four men stood up straight and waited patiently for the gamma to speak. "His condition is stable. I have closed the wounds and sedated him. He should wake up in a couple of hours," Estelle informed the four males.
A sigh of relief left the theta as a tear rolled down his cheek. Estelle smiled at the theta affectionately as she addressed Haikon, "You may see your mate now. Thank you for your patience."
"Thank you, Doctor," Haikon bowed to the gamma shortly before rushing into the clinic.
"Thank you, Estelle," Jae personally thanked the physician.
Estelle looked at the true blood before smiling softly and nodding her head. "It was my pleasure. Thank you for contacting me."
The three males watched the gamma leave before turning to look inside the clinic. Sniffles could be heard as the theta stood by his mate. Knowing that Xander was out of danger, Jae, Kace, and Yejin left the theta to be alone with the delta.