"No, Inso. I don't want to cause conflict between Crimson Night and Black Moon," Syri said with a shake of his head.

"Don't you feel like this is something the prince needs to know? If he does not do anything about it, that alpha will think he can do whatever he wants!" Bevy exclaimed before running her hand through her wavy hair once more. Silence filled the stables when Syri hung his head and did not respond. "We're your friends, Syri, your family," Bevy spoke again, her voice much softer. "Let us protect you, please. I know we don't have much power, but-"

"Can I just stay with you until Jae gets back?" Syri inquired abruptly, his head still lowered. Syri did not want to bring harm to his friends, and he knew that if they tried to do something, things would not end well. The Luna may treat her workers well, but in the end, that's all they were: workers. And workers had no say in the affairs of the world.

Bevy fell silent at the zeta's words and let out a breath before turning around and rubbing the back of her neck. Knowing Syri did not wish to talk about the matter further, Kip softly said, "Of course, Syri. Stay as long as you like. We're here for you."

"Thank you, Kip Inso," Syri said with a dip of his head in gratitude.

"Of course," Kip replied with a soft smile before turning to the blue-haired omega. "Will you stay with him while we close up for the night?"

"Ae, Inso," Ibbi responded with a short nod before going to sit by Syri's side. The three older wolves then dispersed to complete their duties of the day while Ibbi cared for his inso.

When the steeds had been prepped for the night and the stalls cleaned, Bevy, Calix, and Kip returned to the main hall to find both the youngsters asleep. Ibbi's head rested on Syri's shoulder while the zeta's head was leaned against the wall.

The three observers smiled down at the two sweetly before lifting them into their arms. Syri woke slightly when he felt Calix rest him against his chest but fell right back to sleep when he remembered he was safe with his friends. Ibbi did not move a muscle as Kip lifted him and began walking to their dormitory.

Having the night shift, Bevy remained in the stables and watched over the four as they made their way through the lamp-lit grounds of the palace before disappearing into the night.

"Do you think he'll be alright?" Kip inquired of Calix as the green-eyed beta set the exhausted zeta onto the bed in his room.

"He's a strong little thing," Calix replied while pulling the blanket up to the zeta's chin. "He'll pull through."

"Mm," Kip sounded in agreement. There was no mistake that Syri was a tough cookie, but the grey-eyed could not help but worry for the young zeta. "I just wish he could have had a quiet life."

Calix nodded in silent agreement. Both the betas were aware the zeta had been through much more than they knew, and both wished with all their hearts that Syri could have a smooth, warm life. After making sure the zeta was comfortable, the betas left Syri to his dreams before retiring for the night with the events of the past day heavy on their minds.

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

The moon was high in the sky while Den and Kace made their way through the dense trees. The true blood had remained silent as he followed the binate out of the castle and into the dark woods. Den had instinctively expanded his range of senses to check for any sings of danger that could potentially harm his mate, and, thankfully, there had been no signs of danger thus far. However, the true blood remained on high alert as he continued to follow the blue-haired through the forest.

The binate remained but three paces in front of the crown prince as he led Den to a large tree situated on the edge of a stream that cut through the forest and fed into a lake hidden deep in the woods. The binate stopped just beneath the tree and craned his neck to look up into its thick branches. Den joined Kace in peering into the crown of the tree and watching the rays of moonlight that seeped through its dense leaves fade in and out as the branches shifted in the night breeze.

The true blood moved his vision back to the man standing just in front of him when Kace took a silent breath before taking a step back and running forward. The binate jumped just as he reached the tree and propelled himself into the air before landing with one foot on the trunk and using the momentum gathered to ascend the tree. Den was quick to follow the binate into the tree and was mesmerized by the sight before him when he reached the bottom of the branches.

Kace stood in the heart of the tree that was a bay formed from several branches attaching to the trunk to create a sheltered niche within the massive tree. Glass-case Lanterns hung from some of the low-hanging branches above the well-sheltered bay, and Den could only imagine how beautiful the niche would be with the lanterns lit. Kace stood in the center of the bay and took a few breaths before lowering his head and scanning the bay for a fallen twig. Spotting the perfect candidate, Kace was quick to pick up a dried twig from the floor of the heart of the tree and begin spinning it between his palms.

It was not long before a flame was birthed, and Kace was fast to transfer it to a nearby lantern. The flame was still burning strong on the stick after the first lantern was lit, so Kace made his way around the bay lighting the remaining lanterns while Den watched with awe. Soon, the bay of the tree was lit with a warm glow, and the scene of the binate standing in the midst of all its glory captivated the true blood. Kace's hair was ruffled by the gentle wind, and his blue eyes shined in the warm light.

Den's breath was stolen by the binate when Kace turned to face the prince and looked him deeply in the eyes. A heavy silence fell around the two, and time seemed to stop. Den had not the slightest idea of how to react to the sight before him. He had completely forgotten to breathe, and he was not sure he even wanted to anymore. All he wanted to do was be in Blue's presence.

The silence seemed to lift a little when Kace averted his gaze and turned his eyes to the ground before slowly taking a seat. Following the binate's action, Den also sat on the heart of the tree and was sure to sit a few paces from the binate to give Kace a comfortable amount of space. Kace crossed his legs and brought his knees to his chest before closing his eyes and breathing in deeply. Den was glad that Kace felt comfortable enough around him that he would allow the true blood to experience such a beautiful place with him. 

Kace continued to sit with his eyes close and his head tilted up toward the moon while Den silently watched him be at peace. The sounds of the night forest accompanied the two as they soaked in the flame-lit niche provided by the great tree. Den's sensitive ears detected the nocturnal creatures roaming about at the base of the tree as well as the leaves gently blowing in the wind as the stream trickled by the two's hiding place.

The binate's breathing had become so steady for such an extended period that Den was sure Blue had fallen asleep, but the slight shifting of Blue's chin revealed otherwise as Kace lifted his face even higher when he detected an alluring scent. The wind had shifted directions, and a very comforting aroma was now wafting past the binate. Kace opened his eyes when he realized the true blood had been emitting a very low-intensity scent that held calming pheromones all the while. He could not tell whether the prince was aware he had been emitting such a pheromone or if it had been caused by instinct.

Regardless, Kace's body immediately relaxed, much to his surprise. He had never found a scent to be so calming, so he remained wary. He had never allowed himself to be so at ease around a higher-ranking wolf, so this was all very new to the binate. Kace was tempted to curl up into a ball and fall asleep under the calming scent and watchful gaze of the true blood, but a deeply-rooted fear kept him from doing just that. So, the blue-haired continued to remain alert beneath the moonlight and careful presence of the prince of Eternal Dawn.