Jae was the one to break the kiss, pressing his forehead to the zeta's while Syri gasped for air. Tears filled the zeta's warm, brown eyes when he lifted his head to look at the true blood. Before Jae knew it, Syri had wrapped his arms around him and was crying into his chest. "I missed you so much!" The zeta's words were muffled into the prince's shirt, but Jae heard Syri clear as day.
"I missed you, too." Jae lifted his hand and began petting the zeta's pink head as he returned Syri's sentiment. The true blood tightened his hold around the zeta as Syri continued to hold onto him. "I'm sorry for evading you all this while. I didn't want to complicate your life. I thought you would be able to find love if I left." The zeta's words rippled from his lips between sniffles, but he did not mind his cries. He wanted to be completely honest with the true blood.
Jae's heart ached at the zeta's words, and he brought Syri to arm's length. The prince wiped a falling tear from the zeta's reddened cheek as he said, "Syri, I found my love the moment I found you."
The prince's confession made the zeta's heart soar. Both were aware of the connection that had formed in their first moments, and neither wished to deny it any longer. A smile came to Syri's lips as he looked up into the prince's tender gaze. "As did I."
The prince broke into the widest smile Syri had ever seen before trapping the zeta's lips in a sweet kiss. Syri's hands swam to the prince's neck as Jae cradled his face gingerly. Content happiness rimmed with excitement flooded the zeta as he let himself melt into the prince's comforting embrace.
The two were smiling when they broke for air. Syri was elated when Jae interlaced his fingers with his and pressed their foreheads together once more before turning to lead the zeta into the castle. However, the prince did not take but one step before freezing in his tracks. Jae sucked in his breath when he saw his mother, the queen, standing before him.
Armina's arms were down by her side, and her eyes were wet. The queen was silent as she approached the two, her expression grave.
"So..." The Luna's voice was low as she began. "...You've found your mate."
"Ae...I have." Jae was firm in his response, not lowering his head in shame and, instead, standing proud with the zeta's hand in his. Armina's gaze trailed down to the two's interlaced fingers before moving back up to lock eyes with her son. "I assume you are aware it is against the law for a common wolf to mate with someone who is not their fated one." Jae was silent at the queen's words. The true blood grit his jaw at the mention of the law that had existed since the beginning of Crimson Night's history.
Armina moved her gaze to the pink-haired werewolf standing beside her son before inquiring, "You know this, do you not, Omega?"
"Ae, I am aware, Luna." Syri had turned his gaze to the ground at the appearance of the queen and had remained silent, only speaking when spoken to as was the custom during interactions between common wolves and royalty.
"And are you willing to suffer the consequences?" The queen inquired further.
Syri's grip around Jae's instinctively tightened as he processed the Luna's question. After determining he was willing to take on all responsibility, Syri opened his lips to speak, but Jae was faster. With confidence, the true blood spoke, "I will not let that happen."
"And how do you propose to evade the law?" The queen asked her son, raising a brow in anticipation of the prince's reply.
"There will be no need to evade a law that is no longer relevant." Syri whipped his head to look up at the true blood at Jae's words. The worry radiating from the zeta indicated Syri knew the implications that were paired with the prince's solution.
The queen was impressed with the prince's answer, but the repercussions of his solution were momentous. Armina took a step toward her son and asked, "Are you aware of the implications of your words?"
"I am," Jae answered solemnly. He knew what he would have to do to keep Syri safe, and he was willing to give his all.
Armina swallowed dryly as she gazed at her son for an extended moment before releasing a sigh and saying, "Then, I wish you luck, Prince."
Jae bowed his head in gratitude. "Thank you, Luna."
Armina's eyes moistened as she placed her hand on her son's cheek and smiled at him affectionately. The Luna lowered her hand from her son before turning to face the zeta, who had remained with his head bowed. The Luna placed her hand on Syri's shoulder before requesting, "Please support him well, little omega."
Syri lifted his head at the queen's request before taking a low bow. "Ae, Luna, I shall."
"You have my gratitude," Armina returned sweetly before giving a gentle squeeze on the zeta's shoulder. The queen took a step back to look at the true blood and zeta standing before her. "I wish you both luck. May the moon goddess be with you."
The true blood and zeta bowed to the Luna in thanks before hurried footsteps broke onto the breezeway. The three turned to see Yehwa rushing their way. "My queen! You are needed in the hall!" The beta's chest heaved as she hurriedly came to a stop and bowed to the Luna and prince.
"What is it?" Armina was quick to go to the beta's side, her brows furrowed in worry; Yehwa was hardly ever flustered.
"The crown prince of Eternal Dawn has attacked a wolf of Black Moon!" Yehwa explained through deep breaths. The queen's eyes slanted at the beta's answer. 'Yehwa would not be so flustered if two wolves from foreign packs got into a brawl. There is something more.' "What else is the matter?" The queen inquired of her second-hand.
Yehwa took two deep breaths before revealing, "Kace is injured."
Jae stepped forward at the beta's words. "Do not worry; he was not one of the two in the fight," the beta added to calm the prince and queen.
"Take me to him," Jae ordered the beta, who bowed in compliance and turned to lead the Luna, prince, and zeta into the castle.