6 MONTHS AFTER THE FIGHT WITH BLACK MOON

The air was crisp, and the sun was pale golden as it descended toward the horizon. A cool breeze swept over the couple lounging on the highest hill outside the palace grounds as they watched the sunset. Releasing a breath, Syri leaned against the strong man behind him and closed his eyes as he listened to Jae's steady heartbeat.

Life had returned to its regular routine, and Syri was healing bit by bit. He no longer woke with tear-stained cheeks, and the deep hole that had been punched into his heart was now filled with a sweet bitterness. He missed his brother dearly, but the emptiness lessened day by day, and soon he began to smile again.

After matters with Black Moon had been settled and the invading wolves punished, Jae made efforts to lighten his schedule and spend as much time with Syri as possible. Being with the true blood helped the zeta feel stable and safe and aided greatly in his recovery both emotionally and physically. The scars on Syri's chest had begun to fade, and it no longer pained him to breathe.

A gentle kiss on the head brought Syri's attention to Jae, whose lap he was resting in. The zeta gave his betrothed a sweet smile before reaching up to place a peck on the Alpha's lips causing Jae to slip his hand behind Syri's neck and pull the zeta in for a deep kiss. Syri's heart fluttered as Jae pressed their lips together, the Alpha's other hand sliding down to hold Syri's waist securely.

"Are you ready for tomorrow?" Jae asked after the two pulled away for air, his voice low and soft as he caressed his love's face tenderly.

"Mm," Syri responded with a smile. "I've been waiting for this day for a long time. The day when I fully become yours."

Smiling down on the zeta, Jae's heart raced in his chest. Hearing Syri's words caused the true blood to be light with happiness, and he brought his forehead to rest against his love's as he smiled widely.

"I love you so much, Syri," Jae said lovingly while keeping their foreheads pressed together.

"And I love you, Jae, so so much." Syri's response was paired with a light laugh as Jae began showering him with light kisses on his head and face.

The two laughed and cuddled together until the sun was set and Jae released a sigh when he was linked by the gamma.

I know you and Syri are up there having a love session together, but I need to remind you that Syri needs to start getting ready for the big day! So, hurry your butts up and bring him back to the castle to get ready!

"What is it?" Syri asked Jae when he saw the true blood concentrating on his link.

"Estan is calling for you," Jae answered as he wrapped his love in his arms tightly and planted a kiss on Syri's warm neck.

"Ah, okay. Thank you," Syri responded. "Sorry that you have to relay all his messages."

"Well, we'll fix that tomorrow," Jae returned with a smirk.

The true blood's response sent a blush to Syri's cheeks that he could not hide, and if he was in his wolf form, his tail would have been wagging bashfully at the Alpha's implication.

"I think we'd better hurry back," Jae told the zeta as he scooped Syri into his arms before standing to his feet. "Estan is telling me that if we aren't ready by tomorrow night we'll have to wait another month."

"He is right about that," Syri responded with a smile as Jae began walking down the hill. "Full moons are the best for marking."

Jae nodded in agreement with the zeta as he returned, "I know, but we do have a whole night and day before the full moon. I just think he could slow down on taking you away from me until tomorrow morning."

"I would agree, but it sounds like there's a lot I have to do to get ready for the ceremony," Syri said, defending his inso.

"Like what? You're perfect as you are. I could honestly do it right now; that's how beautiful you look."

Blush raced to Syri's cheeks at Jae's compliment, and the zeta threw back his head to rest against Jae's arm in glee. "Well, perfect as I may look right now, there are still things I would like to do for you so everything else is as perfect as it can be."

"Then, I very much look forward to seeing how perfect we make everything for tomorrow night. I will work just as hard to make sure it is the perfect night."

"Oohhh," Syri sounded as he slanted his eyes and looked at his love in awe. "You're getting me excited."

"Well then, I hope to live up to your expectations, my love," Jae returned with a side smile.

Both the true blood and zeta's hearts were light and happy as Jae carried Syri back to the castle before the two were dragged away by Yejin and Estan to start preparing for the marking ceremony that was to happen the next night beneath the full moon.

<<<<<<<>>>>>>>

"How long do I need to soak in this?" Syri asked from the tub in which Estan had set him in.

"For another four hours at the least," Estan responded as he moved a low table to be behind the tub before setting a bowl filled with hot water on top. "Lean your head back," Estan instructed the zeta as he prepared to pamper the soon-to-be-luna.

"Mmmm," Syri sounded in satisfaction as Estan scrubbed his scalp with the best soaps and conditioning oils.

"This is why I told Jae to bring you back as quickly as he could," Estan commented while he rinsed the zeta's newly cleaned hair.

"I didn't know the prep process was this in-depth," Syri said as he recalled the schedule Estan had prepared for him.

It followed as such:
six-hour oil soak
bath
massage
eight-hour nap
lotions & skin care
dress rehearsal for any last-minute alterations
light dinner
dress fitting
hair & jewelry

"Well, it will be the biggest night of your life, and when you and Jae emerge from the marking ceremony, you still have to look perfect for the celebration the next day," Estan explained as he grabbed a hand towel and began drying Syri's hair.

"I do appreciate that the celebration is after the marking ceremony instead of before."

"But of course. We're celebrating the mark and mate bonding after all. And we'll have your outfit prepared for you when you wake up the next morning so that you can beautifully show off your new mark during the celebration."

Syri smiled at the gamma through a mirror on the wall as he said, "Thank you, Inso, for helping me with everything."

"Of course, Little One," Estan replied. "I wouldn't miss this for the world."

Iliya and Tora were not going to arrive until the morning of the public ceremony, and Armina was caught up making the last preparations for the all-day party that was to follow the marking, so Estan gladly stepped up to the task of getting Syri ready for the big night.

"Is Jae doing the same schedule?" Syri inquired as Estan finished drying his hair.

"Mm," the gamma sounded in response. "He wants to be perfect for you as well."

Syri smiled to himself and imagined what it would be like to be marked and mated by the true blood. He was so immersed in his thoughts that he did not realize just how red his face had gotten until Estan commented, "Someone's excited."

"Inso!" Syri called out as he brought his hands up to cover his blushing cheeks.

"What?" Estan defended himself with a light-hearted chuckle. "It's not a bad thing! In fact, it would be sad if you weren't excited for tomorrow night. It means you are madly in love and can't wait to be Jae's mate. And I'm sure he is just as excited as you are if not more. The moon knows how much that man loves you."

The zeta could not stop the smile that covered his face when he heard Estan mention how much Jae loved him.

"Ah, young love," Estan sighed as he picked up a comb and gently began running it through Syri's pink hair.

"You're one to talk," Syri returned with a giggle. "You and Yejin are only a couple of years older than Jae."

"True," Estan said with a laugh. "I guess it just feels like we've been together for many many years since Yejin scooped me up literally the moment he found me."

"Aw, I wish I could have seen that. I bet it was cute."

"No, actually I screamed like a clucking chicken and demanded he put me down," Estan recounted. The gamma added, "Of course, he didn't, though," which made Syri burst out into laughter.

"Now that had to have been a sight to see."

Estan's lips curled into a smile as he watched Syri laugh. It was nice to see the zeta smiling again, and Estan was glad he was able to spend this very precious time with Syri.

The zeta and gamma spent the remainder of the night sharing fun stories and remembering their memories together as they continued preparing Syri for the marking ceremony and making sure he was ready for the long night and days to come.