"Estan!!" The alpha's voice rung through the night as he fought the flames and searched the town of Alia for his love. "Estan!" The alpha's voice became desperate as he neared the edge of town without finding his mate.
Shouts and yells drew the alpha's attention to a burning building located at the back end of the village where a group of people was trying their hardest to put out the fire that had engulfed the building. Yejin rushed to the building to see the clinic in flames. If Estan would be anywhere, it would be here.
Yejin held his breath as he scanned the small crowd that had gathered only to come up empty. Estan was nowhere to be seen. 'Why are there so many people here? And why are they trying to save a building that is already lost?'
"Put your backs into it! They're still in there!" A strong feminine voice called out as the men were encouraged to not give up.
Yejin quickly scanned the crowd once more to see Garnelle organizing the rescue mission. "Garnelle!" The alpha called as he ran up to the woman.
The gamma's eyes widened as she saw the alpha rushing toward her. "Yejin! Thank goodness you're here. Estan is still inside!"
Yejin's heart began to race as he instantly pulled off his shirt and soaked it in the closest bucket of water. "How long has he been inside?'" Yejin inquired of the gamma as he slipped the soaked shirt over his head.
"Just a few minutes. He went in to save a patient who was stuck. Be swift, dear." Garnelle gave an affectionate pat on the alpha's arm as Yejin ran for the burning building. "Keep it up, lads! The Captain of the Royal Guard is now in danger, too!" Garnelle ordered as she watched the brave alpha enter the flames to save his mate.
Yejin immediately folded his arm over his nose and mouth as he ran through the thick smoke. 'Estan!' Yejin called his love's name out in his mind hoping to reach his mate.
'Yejin...?' The voice that responded was weak, but it was there.
Estan let out a sigh of relief as he heard his mate's voice in his mind. 'I'm coming, Love. I'm coming.'
The alpha closed his eyes as he focused on his hearing, filtering out the crackling flames and shouts from outside until he heard two sets of strained breathing. 'There you are.'
'How is the patient?' Yejin inquired of the person Estan saved as a means to keep the gamma conscious. If Yejin could keep Estan talking, he could keep him awake.
'He's alive.' Yejin received Estan's reply as he passed through the door that led into the hallway beyond the waiting room.
'That's good. Are his eyes closed?' Yejin inquired as he passed the first set of burning rooms stationed on either side of the hallway.
'Yeah.' The sounds of couching reached Yejin's ears as Estan responded.
'Don't worry, Love. I'm almost to you.' The alpha followed the sound of coughing until he came upon the fourth set of doors and entered through the flames lining the frame. Yejin realized why Estan had not come out as he saw the patient stuck beneath a fallen beam. Estan was sitting next to the man and was holding his hand affectionately.
Tears filled Estan's eyes as he turned to look at his mate. "I-I can't get it off," the gamma said as he pointed to the trapped man.
The alpha did not waste a second in lifting the beam from off the man's stomach and slinging the patient over his shoulder. "Can you walk?" Yejin inquired of his mate as he made sure the unconscious man was secure. Estan nodded in response and took Yejin's outstretched hand. The alpha squeezed the gamma's hand lovingly as he led his mate through the fire.
Estan stayed close to Yejin as the two dodged falling beams and burning walls. Cheers and applause sounded as the alpha and gamma successfully reached the free outdoors. Two men came and collected the unconscious patient and brought him to Garnelle for treatment. As soon as the man was off Yejin's shoulder, the alpha brought his gamma into his arms.
The desperation and tightness of the hug startled Estan and Yejin basically trapped his mate in his embrace. Estan immediately relaxed, however, as his mate filled his senses.
"Don't you dare do something like that again...I almost lost you." Yejin's voice was pleading as he held his love in his arms. Estan nodded into the alpha's neck as he felt a tear drop onto his shoulder.
"I'm sorry, Yej," Estan replied as he wrapped his arms around his alpha.
The alpha continued to hold his mate closely for a few more moments before eventually placing Estan at arm's length, so he could make sure he was alright. "How are you?"
"I'm okay," Estan assured his mate. "I inhaled some smoke, but I am unhurt other than that. I'll be fine in a few hours."
"Okay. Let's get you out of here," Yejin said as he took Estan's hand in his and began leading the gamma to his steed.
"How is Syri?" Estan inquired as the alpha placed him on Tran's back.
"Jae is with him. Don't worry, Syri is safe," Yejin replied as he mounted the vorst and took the reins in his hands.
"Then, take me home," Estan said to the alpha as he leaned into his mate.
Yejin smiled at his mate's request and planted a soft kiss on the top of Estan's head. "Your wish is my command."