Jae. Kace's voice sounded in the prince's mind, instantly grabbing the true blood's attention.

Stop. Jae instructed the party. Yejin, Haikon, Xander, and Kace promptly stopped in their tracks and began to listen to their surroundings.

Ten o'clock. Yejin linked the party and informed them of the direction from which he picked up something unusual. Jae honed his senses to his ten and focused on that area. His ears twitched as he picked up the sound of breathing.

Rogues. The prince released a low growl as he picked up the scent of a small party of foreign wolves.

They're turning around. They must've caught our scent. Haikon informed his prince.

It is futile to run. Jae snarled as he lunged into the trees. The prince of the Crimson Night pack hated two things most in the world. They were unjust treatment toward an innocent and rogues. Jae hated rogues sneaking onto his land without calling him and formally asking for permission to cross over his pack's territory. Jae had allowed several lost wolves to cross his land, but they had politely called him and asked for permission. These rogues had not, which meant they had foul intentions.

Yejin and Kace were hot on Jae's heels as the three stronger wolves pursued the party of rogues. Xander and Haikon followed a small distance away as they were the second wave designed to assist their leader if necessary and provide a fresh wave of offense. It was not long before the three wolves caught up to the small group of rogues and surrounded them. Per protocol, the prince and his two right hands began circling the foreign wolves.

Jae let out a snarl as he walked around the five wolves. Xander and Haikon immediately joined the three in circling the rogues. Kace fell back a few paces and let the delta and theta get in front of him, so the masked wolf brought up the rear.

What are you doing on my land? Jae opened a general link and interrogated the wolves.

We were merely passing through. One of the wolves stepped forward and answered. Being a true blood, Jae's senses were more advanced than any other wolf's, and he could smell the bitter scent radiating from the wolf indicating he was lying.

I find that hard to believe, Rogue. Jae responded coldly. The true blood observed the nervous flitting of the rogue alpha's ears and the twitching of his nose.

Rogue? We are no rogues. The alpha responded. A snarl left the true blood at being questioned.

Then what are you and why are you on my land?! A growl accompanied the prince's commanding question. He was tired of being led around in a dance that was going nowhere.

We are a delegation party sent by the Black Moon pack to the White Fang pack. A second wolf stepped up. The beta was more confident in her answer, much more confident than the alpha. Jae turned his attention to the beta but continued to circle. He was not allowing any chance for escape or deceit.

Why is a delegation party crossing a foreign pack's territory without calling for permission from it's alpha? Speak, Beta.

We were in a hurry. We are delegating an important matter for the Blood Moon pack.

What matter is so important that you completely disregard customs? Jae's tail began to flit back and forth in low motions. His patience was wearing thin.

The beta remained silent, drawing a growl from the true blood.

Jae, they are from the Black Moon pack. Yejin voiced in the party's link.

I am aware.

Yejin paused when he heard the irritation in his prince's voice before continuing. We cannot afford any tension with Black Moon, especially while your father is gone. They are the second-largest pack in the eastern region.

I will not stand by and watch a party of foreign wolves stomp on Crimson Night's land!

I am not saying we let them go, Prince. But we cannot shed any of their blood...not yet.

A huff left the true blood as he thought of a solution that would cause the least tension between the two packs. Has Estan left with Syri? Jae inquired of the alpha directly behind him.

Yes. They left a couple of hours ago.

Kace's ears pricked up at the mention of a name he did not know, but he remained silent and waited to see his prince's solution to the situation.

Once Jae confirmed that Syri was on his way to a safe location, the prince instructed the alpha. Link the luna and have her send Tharn and his men.

Yes, Prince.

Once Yejin had left the pack link to contact the luna, Jae turned to the five Black Moon wolves and addressed them. You will shift to your human forms and remain that way. A party of alphas is on its way to collect you. They will bring you to the castle and keep you there until I decide what to do with you. I have important matters to tend to, so I cannot escort you to the castle myself. If you wish to live, you will follow my instructions perfectly. Now, shift. The prince cut the general link after relaying his commands and linked his party. We will wait until Tharn arrives. The hunt will continue once he does.

The alpha and beta of the Black Moon wolves looked at each other for a few moments, undoubtedly considering their course of action. Jae watched as the beta turned to him and bowed her head before shifting. The alpha and three remaining wolves followed her action and shifted. Soon, five humans stood before the prince. The true blood let out a growl, and the werewolves sank to their hands and knees with their heads bowed.

"We are grateful for your mercy, Alpha. We are willing to comply with your conditions and be taken to your castle," the beta addressed the true blood who remained silent.

The hunting party ceased their circling and took up guarding positions surrounding the five humans. If only that alpha would hurry his ass up. Jae thought to himself as he was anxious to continue the hunt. However, this matter was imminent to the safety of his pack, and he must tend to this first. The fact that Syri was currently on his way to a secluded location eased the prince's mind as he thought about the small zeta.

Jae turned to see the first rays of sun poking through the thick trees and let out a breath. He longed to be back at his home with Syri eating breakfast in bed, but the thought of the rabid alpha roaming about his territory induced a subconscious growl from the true blood. I'm coming for you. Count your days.

>>>>>>

The sun was high in the sky when the gamma and zeta stopped by a stream for a break. Syri refilled their containers while Estan observed their surroundings. The path had led the two back into the woods. This forest was not as dense as the first, and the sun could penetrate through the canopy quite easily, creating a beautiful visual for the two travelers. The trail was lined with summer flowers, and a soft breeze blew through the trees, keeping the two cool on the warm summer day.

Estan knit his brows as he looked down the empty path. It was unusual for the trails to be vacant this time of day. The gamma did not sense anything out of the ordinary in terms of hearing or smell, but his guard was raised as he pondered on the empty status of the road.

"Come on, Little One. We've got about a half-day left," Estan called to the zeta who was soaking his feet in the cool water.

Syri promptly removed his feet and donned his shoes before standing to his feet and going to stand next to the gamma. Estan accepted the container from the zeta and placed it in his bag before turning and leading the way down the vacant path.

Little gasps of awe could be heard escaping the zeta's lips as the small male looked at the sun piercing through the trees and illuminating the ground in intricate patterns cast by shadows from the branches and leaves in wonder. Estan's lips curled slightly as he watched the cute zeta adore nature with wide eyes.

Running footsteps caught the gamma's attention as they rounded a soft corner in the trail. Estan grabbed the zeta's wrist and pulled Syri to the side of the trail as two young werewolves ran past them. Syri's eyes widened as he watched the two youngsters dash by.

"Come on! We're going to be late!" The taller boy in the front called to the younger boy running behind him.

"Oi!!" Estan called to the two young ones. "Stop there!"

The older boy brought the younger one to stand behind him as he came to a stop and faced the gamma.

"Don't worry. We won't hurt you," Estan assured the defensive boy. "Where are you headed in such a hurry?"

The boy looked at the gamma with narrow eyes before answering, "Gern has a festival today. Everyone is on holiday to celebrate."

Ahh. So that's why there's no one on the road today. The gamma nodded as he heard the boy's words. "Very good. Continue on your way," Estan waved the boys on before turning to the zeta behind him. The older boy took the younger by the hand before dashing down the path.

"There's a festival?" Syri inquired with a smile.

Estan looked at the excited expression on the zeta's face and nodded. "Would you like to go?" Considering the zeta's past, it was unlikely that the male had been to a festival before.

Syri's smile widened as he nodded.

"Okay. Let's hurry then, so we don't miss it," Estan decided as he turned to face the path and began walking. The zeta happily followed the gamma as the two set off for the festival.

After a half hour of walking, a wooden arch came into view between the trees. The word 'Gern' was carved into the center of the arch. Reliefs of trees decorated the archway with intricate details of various plants covering the posts. Syri gazed up at the arch as he and Estan walked below it only for his attention to be pulled toward the joyous sounds directly in front of him. People milled about carrying food and drink wearing decorated masks and colorful clothing. Vendors made their way through the crowd selling candies and fruits.

Syri's mouth began to water as he smelled the delicacies, but his attention was drawn from one vendor to another before settling on a stand selling candied hawthorn berries. One could say the zeta's brown orbs filled with stars as he set eyes on the vibrant, red fruit. Estan followed Syri's gaze to the stand on the first corner and gave a small chuckle. Taking the zeta's hand, Estan led Syri into the joyful crowd and up to the vendor.

"Two, sticks, please," Estan told the vendor as he fetched his coin pouch from his pocket.

"Two grey *lorne," the vendor stated the price as he prepared two sticks, each with six candied berries lined up in a perfect row. Estan gave the man the lorne before accepting the two sticks. The gamma gave the wide-eyed zeta a stick and watched with a smile as the smaller male stuck out his tongue and curiously licked one of the berries.

Syri's eyes lit up as his tongue tasted the sweet tart flavor of the candy. A quiet squeal left the zeta as he took a berry off the stick and brought it into his mouth where the full flavor of the sweet tart could be experienced.

"Do you like it?" Estan asked as he plopped a berry into his mouth. Syri nodded passionately before eating a second berry. The gamma ruffled the cute zeta's pink hair before taking a look around. "You want to go to the town square? I bet there's more stuff there," Estan suggested, receiving a happy nod from the zeta who currently had another berry tucked in his cheek.

Syri followed the gamma down the street, not worried about what was happening around him and just focused on enjoying his fruit while following Estan through the crowd. That is, until a small voice sounded to the left of the zeta, startling the pink-haired male. "You're so beautiful!" Syri fumbled with the stick in his hand containing the last precious hawthorn berry. Estan looked behind to see a small girl standing in front of a very much perplexed Syri holding his stick in his hand while blinking his eyes in confusion.

The zeta pointed to himself before asking, "Are-are you talking to me?"

The girl nodded. "Are you an omega?"

Syri looked up at the gamma standing behind the girl. The zeta's eyes were wide with shock as he stared at the gamma with an expression that was most certainly a plea for help. With a short nod of encouragement from the gamma, Syri looked back down at the girl and slowly nodded.

"Really? I'm an omega, too! Does that mean I will grow up to be pretty like you?" The girl asked with quite a high level of enthusiasm.

A smile came to the zeta's lips as he bent down to his knees and shook his head. "You'll grow up to be much more beautiful." Syri's voice was soft as he reached a hand out and gently pet the girl's head.

"You think so?" The girl's eyes widened at the zeta's words. Syri nodded his head and gave a small smile. Estan watched with pride as the zeta smiled softly at the child before nodding in response. "But you're so pretty! Which is why I wanted to give you this!"

Syri looked to see the girl's arm stretched out with a flower crown made from white summer daisies in her hand. "Is...is this for me?"

"Mm hmm!"

"Th-thank you," Syri said as the girl set the crown on his head. Estan watched as Syri's face lit up once the flowers were donned.

"Mia!!" The girls head whipped behind her in response to a woman's call.

"Momma's calling me. I have to go. It was nice meeting you!!" And just as quickly as the girl had come, she was gone in the blink of an eye. The gamma and zeta watched the girl run off and join a woman who took the girl by the hand and led her off into the crowd.

"You're good with children," Estan complimented the zeta after the girl had disappeared with her mother.

"I didn't know if I would be. I had never talked to a child before," Syri responded to the gamma's observation.

"You did very well for a first time," Estan said as Syri plopped the last hawthorn berry into his mouth. "The square is just around the corner. Ready?" Syri nodded and followed the gamma around the corner and into the town square.

Syri looked around in awe; the town's center was decorated with banners and flowers. Colors covered the square as people danced and performed acts while vendors sold their produce. Music and laughter filled the air, creating a lively and welcoming atmosphere. People had traveled for miles the day before to tend the festivals, filling the town of Gern past its limits and bringing in revenue and success to the village. Even though Gern was not the largest town, it was known for its beautiful festivals and warm residents. No one was a stranger during Festival.

Such customs were both welcoming and dangerous. If no one was a stranger, then how would one exercise caution and distinguish between friend and foe? How could the zeta, who was kept from society by both family and mate, tell if the masked man approaching him through the crowd was friend or foe?

*lorne - Currency. Ranges in value from grey, white, silver, gold.