"Slow down a bit, Syri!" Brenton called after the zeta who had increased his speed and was near to a gallop. It had been one week since the zeta had begun riding lessons, and he had already become quite proficient. The rho let out a breath and shook his head as he flicked Geneth's reins to increase his speed and followed the adventurous zeta farther into the valley.

Syri's face was filled with a wide smile as he clacked his heels into Dyren's side gently, indicating he wished to speed up to a gallop. The white steed complied with the zeta's request and quickened his pace. Soon, the zeta was racing into the wind with a worried rho following to make sure he was alright. The zeta let out a whoop as he rode over the soft hills and chased the feeling he felt when he rode with Jae.

After a few minutes of galloping through the valley, Syri pulled on the reins and slowed Dyren's pace to a trot, allowing the rho to catch up.

"Are you alright?" Brenton inquired of the zeta as he pulled up next to the white steed.

Syri nodded excitedly in response. "That was fun!" The zeta's face was bright as he looked at the rho who sighed with relief.

"You were going pretty fast back there. I'm impressed," Brenton commented on the zeta's riding skills as the two slowed to a lazy step-by-step walk.

"Thank you," Syri beamed as he patted Dyren's neck.

"Be careful to not go too fast, though. You still need some practice before going to higher speeds," the rho warned the zeta.

Syri nodded in understanding but answered with, "Don't worry. Dyren would not do anything that I am not ready for."

"That's good. I'll have to thank him. At least one of you has sense." The rho's words caused the zeta to let out a light laugh as he continued to give the white steed some well-deserved affection.

The two came to a stop as the sun neared its midway position in the blue sky. Clouds floated throughout the sky, lessening the harshness of the summer sun as the rho and zeta dismounted and found the peak of a hill on which to rest before heading back. The zeta let out a short sigh as he sat down and leaned back on his elbows; the rho did the same. Soon, the two had their eyes closed and were enjoying the beautiful day.

A soft breeze blew past the two and wafted the zeta's scent past the rho's sensitive nose. The rho knit his eyes as he noticed a change in the zeta's scent. "Your scent has changed," Brenton commented, breaking the silence between the two.

"What do you mean?" Syri asked as he opened his eyes and looked toward the man beside him.

The rho thought for a second before answering, "It's sweeter. Like, a lot sweeter."

"Oh, that's because the scent is wearing off," Syri answered quietly as he looked at his feet. He was not the biggest fan of losing the only trace he had of the true blood.

"Scent?" Brenton inquired as he turned to look at the zeta.

"One of my friends scented me since I am unmated as a means of protection."

"Seems like a nice friend," the rho commented as he pondered whether to inquire about such friend's status. After contemplating for a few moments, Brenton decided to go for it. He had undoubtedly fallen for the little 'omega' and was curious if there were any other unmated wolves in Syri's life. "Is your friend mated?" Brenton was slow to inquire about Syri's friend as he knew it was a rather personal question. But, he wanted to grow closer to the zeta, so he decided to risk his luck.

Syri remained silent in response to Brenton's inquiry, causing the rho to shift his feet uncomfortably. Did I cross a line?

The zeta opening his mouth to speak paused the rho's shifting as Syri answered, "No, he is not mated."

"Ah," Brenton nodded his head in reply. The rho silently released a breath of relief when Syri answered the personal question. "How did you two meet?"

Silence once again answered the rho. Brenton waited patiently for the zeta to determine whether or not to answer. After a moment, Syri pursed his lips before replying, "I was running through the woods, and J-...he found me." Syri was careful to not disclose Jae's name as he answered the rho's second question.

Brenton knit his brows as he heard the zeta's reply. "Why were you running in the woods? Was someone chasing you?"

This time, not only was Brenton answered with silence, but he was also answered with Syri standing to his feet and walking over to Dyren. The zeta had decided to not answer any more personal questions. "We need to get you back, so you can see Rosie," Syri stated as he mounted Dyren. The zeta's expression was serious as he prepared to ride back to the cabin.

Brenton got the cue and stood to his feet. The rho did not push any further as he, too, mounted and began leading the zeta back the way they had come. The two remained silent for the rest of the ride as they made their way over the rolling hills and through the valley.

>>>>>>

TIME JUMP: THE NEXT DAY

"Prince, they have arrived," Yejin informed the true blood as he entered Jae's office. The prince stood from his chair and immediately followed the alpha out of the room. The true blood and alpha quickly made their way to the King's Hall where the generals and council members had already gathered. It was not long after Jae's arrival that the king entered the hall. Armina had already arrived and was seated in her chair at the long table.

The officers and council members rose in respect of their alpha as Fachan approached the table. Jae waited for his father to be sat before taking his seat next to Crimson Night's alpha.

"Enhance the link," Fachan stated as the first order of business. In response to the alpha's command, the pack's sigma stood to her feet and closed her eyes in concentration. Sigmas were extremely rare wolves that acted as the pack's oracle and seer and were capable of enhancing the pack's link so wolves belonging to the pack were able to link with their alpha and council from a great distance. This was incredibly convenient during delegations between packs.

The sigma opened her eyes to reveal silver orbs, indicating the enhancement had been completed.

Greetings, Alpha. A deep voice sounded in the mind of each person present in the hall.

The alpha subconsciously nodded his head as he made sure the link's connection was stable. Have you gained passage into White Fang? Fachan inquired of the leader of Team 1.

Not as of yet, Alpha. The leader was respectful as he answered. We are expecting to gain access within the next day.

Good. What of Team 2? The council remained silent as Fachan asked about the two team's statuses.

We are waiting for permission as well, Sire. The voice of the leader of Team 2 sounded in response to the alpha's inquiry.

Good, good. The alpha nodded in acceptance of the leaders' responses. Thank you for your hard work. You have done well. The alpha's voice was slightly softer as he complimented the members of the two teams. However, it has only just begun. Once you have gained access, begin the delegations between White Fang and Black Moon separately and report back to me. We will have daily check-ins at this time moving forward. I will let you return to your work. Stay safe and good work. With that, the alpha concluded the meeting and rose to his feet.

The luna, prince, officers, and council members stood from their seats as the alpha turned and exited the hall. Jae let out a small breath as he turned and made eye contact with Yejin who was stationed just behind him. Yejin raised his brows in response before gesturing to the door with his head. He had something to tell Jae.

The two boys were stopped, however, when the luna called out for her son. Jae and Yejin halted in their tracks and turned to face the queen as she walked up to them with Yehwa just behind. Yejin looked at his sister as the queen reached them whose expression remained distant and professional. The prince remained silent as he waited for the luna to speak.

"Walk with me in the garden?" Armina asked her son as she came to a stop before the prince. Jae bowed his head slightly in response. A pleased expression filled the queen as she smiled at her son softly before leading the way out of the hall. Yehwa trailed back to walk beside Yejin to allow the prince to walk behind his mother. The two siblings remained silent as the four walked through the castle and to the western side of the palace.

The queen slowed to a lazy pace and allowed the prince to walk next to her as the four reached the expansive garden. Jae admired the beauty of the flowers and stone paths as he waited patiently for the luna to begin the conversation. Numerous types of flowers and plants decorated the paths while blooming vines crept over pergolas and arches that shaded the many paths. The luna led the prince down several winding paths until they arrived at a pond stationed toward the back of the garden.

Stone benches and flowers surrounded the pond that was encased by rocks and plants. Armina brought Jae to stand beside the pond before beginning, "What is your opinion of the five from Black Moon?"

Jae took a moment to organize his thoughts and form a response before answering. "I do not believe they are a delegation party with the intention of negotiating with White Fang."

"You believe they have malintent," the luna concluded.

"I do," Jae answered confidently.

Armina paused for a second before responding, "As do I."

Yejin and Yehwa instinctively raised their guard as they heard the content of the prince and luna's conversation. Strong and dangerous words were being spoken that could potentially cause a pack war if they were overheard. Thus, the two right hands stood on high alert as the prince and luna discussed the situation of the wolves from Black Moon.

"They did not act as if they were a delegation party when Fachan met with them in the dungeon," Armina commented on the five werewolves' behaviors upon their first meeting.

"Agreed. They would have begged to be released, so they could complete their mission. Instead, they seemed as if they had been caught and must hide their true intentions."

"Indeed." The queen and prince fell silent before Armina continued. "Can I trust you to investigate this matter? Something more is going on than what is being displayed, and I do not trust Fachan to be able to see it. I am afraid he will act rashly and cause more harm than good."

Jae nodded silently in acceptance of the task. This was a grave matter, and it directly affected the future of Crimson Night. And Jae had sworn to protect his home at all costs, so he would do whatever it would take to ensure the safety of his pack even if it meant going behind his father's back to secretly investigate the five intruders.

Once the matter had been settled, the luna released a sigh and gazed at the water sparkling beneath the dimming sky. "It is a beautiful day," Armina commented as she smiled at the many, colorful flowers at her feet.

"It is," Jae agreed as his eyes landed on a pink flower. The true blood's gaze softened at the pink petals, and he subconsciously longed for the scent of vanilla and roses.