"W-What do you mean?" Jae inquired of the gamma as he looked at Estan with wide eyes."
"His cousin came for him and took him home," Estan informed the prince as he stood in front of the true blood and alpha.
"His family abandoned him, though. They don't love him. Why would he go back with them?"
Estan let out a breath before continuing, "Apparently Syri's cousin had been looking for him ever since Jisue had taken him and saw Syri when he was coming back to the capitol." 'Please, please, please.' The gamma struggled to keep his breathing and heart rate under control. If either of those were off-beat or rhythm, Jae would immediately call his bluff.
The prince's eyes narrowed as he observed the gamma. "Are you certain?" Jae inquired through slanted eyes. Yejin remained silent as he looked back and forth from his mate to his prince.
'Estan, what is going on?' Yejin linked his mate as he heard the slight growl in the true blood's voice.
'Shut up and let me talk.' Estan kept his eyes on the prince as he focused on his answer. "Ae. I am certain. Syri even left you a note," the gamma revealed as he retrieved a folded piece of paper from the pocket in his thin, white coat.
Jae swallowed as he looked at the paper in Estan's hands. The true blood furrowed his brows as he accepted it from the gamma. 'Are you really gone?' The prince held the note in his hand tightly as he looked past the gamma with hard eyes and walked off with heavy steps.
Estan released a breath as he put his hands on his hips and turned to watch the true blood leave. 'I never want to do that again. You better be grateful I love you, Syri.'
Jae clenched his jaw as he walked down one of the flower-lined paths in the garden. The sun had set, and the stars were shining brightly. The prince had searched the palace endlessly upon his return just a few hours before the meeting with Estan in hopes of apologizing to Syri for leaving him at such a crucial time. But, to the prince's dismay, Syri was nowhere to be found.
The true blood's eyes glistened as he looked at the folded note in his hand. Jae slowly lifted his arm and unfolded the piece of paper to see the zeta's beautiful handwriting. The scent of vanilla and roses wafted from the paper as the prince opened the note. It was definitely the zeta's note. Jae stood still as he read the zeta's message.
I hope you are well and safe. To say I was worried when I woke to find you missing would be speaking the truth. I am eternally grateful for all you have done for me. I do not know if I am even able to repay you in this life alone; it would be no surprise if I spend my remaining lives repaying your kindness. Please do not doubt me when I say I will be alright. My cousin has always been good to me; I know he will care for me well. And do not be harsh on Estan. This was my decision and mine alone. I appreciate your goodwill and kindness, but my time by your side has come to an end. I fear I have stayed by your side for too long already, my prince. The days spent with you will always remain in my mind as they were my happiest and when the sun shone the brightest. Heaven has already been too kind to me by allowing me to meet you. However, I do not wish to strain their kindness or your goodwill. Please know I am safe and well and that I will always treasure the days I was by your side. I pray you remain healthy and find happiness. Yours Truly, Syri> Tears soaked the paper as Jae concluded the zeta's message. The prince turned his face to the night sky as hot tears streamed down his neck. The true blood remained beneath the stars as he processed the fact that Syri was really gone. He had left, and there was nothing Jae could do about it. As much as Jae longed to chase after the zeta and capture him in his arms, Jae knew he could never do something Syri did not want him to do. Syri said he was safe and happy, and Jae could not bring himself to change that. While the prince cried in the garden, Syri sat on the roof of the stables and stared up at the moon. A single tear escaped the zeta's eye as he could not stop himself from thinking about the prince. 'Stop it, Syri. You've got to get him out of your head. There is no way you can be with him. He is a prince! And you are...well, an outcast.' The zeta berated himself for becoming lost in his thoughts of the prince and wiped the tear from his cheek. 'I'm sorry, Prince, but this is the best way. It would be impossible for a lowly wolf like me to be by your side.'