Aska let out a yip in delight as he ran alongside the true blood. It had been a good while since Aska had had the chance to run free, and he greatly enjoyed the presence of the prince beside him. Much larger than Aska, Hyuk made sure to keep with the zeta's pace so that Aska could have an enjoyable time as they ran through the trees.

Whenever Hyuk would sense Aska growing tired, he would slow to a steady trot, and the two would calmly make their way through the forest. Hyuk was excited to show Aska his secret stomping grounds, but he did not want to wear Aska out too badly before they had even arrived.

Feeling a stronger breeze whipping through the trees from up ahead, Hyuk knew they were growing near to their destination. Picking up the pace just a bit out of excitement, Hyuk released a playful yap as he ran ahead of the zeta and prompted Aska to follow behind closely.

The waning light from the sun became stronger as the two approached the prince's hidden oasis in the trees. Breaking through the woods, the two emerged onto the shore of a lake nestled deep in the heart of the forest. Aska stopped at the edge of the trees to take in the breathtaking view. The sun was setting over the water, causing the surface of the lake to sparkle beneath the golden rays.

Noticing the zeta had stopped short of the shore, Hyuk turned back and pranced up to Aska before flirtatiously circling the pink wolf and nipping at his ears. Syri yipped a the true blood, who continued to circle around him, before taking off toward the lake.

Hearing Hyuk right behind him, Aska ran straight into the lake and began jumping about in the water. Hyuk's ears perked up when he saw how much fun the zeta was having, and his heart was light. Both he and Aska had been through the grinder these past months, so he was glad Aska was happy and playful.

A naughty idea made its way into the prince's mind, and, before long, Hyuk was crouching and positioning himself to pounce on the unassuming zeta. Hopping about joyfully and creating splashes in the crisp water, Aska was none the wiser about the true blood's delinquent scheme.

It was not until Aska saw the shadow on the water's surface depicting the true blood jumping through the air that Aska realized what was happening. And fate just so had it that both wolves were thinking the same idea at the moment so that the second the true blood made contact with the zeta, the werewolves shifted into their human forms and let their human partners take over.

Syri let out a yelp as he was slammed into the water by the prince, but Jae had maneuvered in a way to catch the pink-haired and not let Syri fall beneath the surface of the water. Syri looked up at Jae with wide eyes as the prince held him in his arms, the disturbed water lapping over his arms as it calmed from the two's dramatic actions.

"Are you okay?" Jae inquired as he continued to hold the zeta who nodded in response. "Ae, I'm fine, just a bit startled."

"Sorry about that. Hyuk can be quite naughty sometimes," Jae apologized as he helped Syri stand to his feet.

A smile came to Syri's face when he heard the prince's adorable apology. "There's nothing to be sorry about," the zeta told the true blood as the two faced each other, their profiles to the setting sun. "It was fun." Syri's smile widened as he gazed at the prince happily.

The golden rays from the sun lit Syri's face and body beautifully, and Jae was awestruck. Never before had he seen someone so beautiful, so entrancing, so...lovely. Syri was so lovely in that moment that Jae could not stop himself from reaching out and cradling the zeta's neck with his hands before pressing his lips to Syri's.

Jae's lips were soft and warm in contrast to the cold beads of water that clung to Syri's skin and hair and dripped onto the back of his neck and shoulders. Syri's eyes fluttered closed as he returned the prince's kiss, and his hands traveled to rest on Jae's strong back as the kiss filled Syri with butterflies. Jae turned his head to the side and sucked on Syri's upper lip as one hand moved down the zeta's body to Syri's waist before applying light pressure and pulling Syri into Jae's hips.

Soft pants left Jae's lips as he pulled back from the zeta. Jae's thumb stroked Syri's cheek affectionately as he gazed down at the zeta ardently. "I love you, Syri."

Syri's breath hitched when he heard Jae's confession, and he looked up at the true blood with wide eyes. Unspeakable joy filled Syri's heart as he processed the prince's words. Syri never thought he would find love, much less a love like this. He knew what he and Jae had was special. They were not fated mates, so they did not have that natural pull and affection like regular mates did, but Syri thought that only made their connection all the more spectacular. They did not have the bond blessed by the moon goddess, but they had love. They had a love so strong and deep that it crossed rank, gender, upbringing, and caste.

And Syri knew that something like this could never be broken. They had been through fire and hell to find each other, and he was determined to never give it up. The moment he voiced Jae's name after reuniting with the prince, Syri decided it was all or nothing, and he chose everything. He chose Jae.

"I love you Jae...so much." Tears of happiness touched Syri's eyes as he returned the confession, and another wide smile broke out on his face as he beamed up at the prince.

Jae could not help the smile that came to his lips. He had been longing to tell Syri those words, and he was ecstatic that Syri returned them. Oh, what a joyous day! All was right with the world as Jae brought Syri in for another deep kiss.

Jae made sure this kiss stole Syri's breath away. A small moan escaped the zeta when Jae tasted Syri's mouth with his tongue and intensified the kiss. Syri's heart skipped a beat when Jae slid his hand beneath the hem of his soaked shirt.

He had been touched by the prince many a time before during scenting and when Jae helped him with his heat, but Syri was surprised at his body's reaction to Jae's touch now. Tingles went up Syri's spine as Jae slowly moved his hand up the zeta's back, startling Syri who had never been ticklish before. Jae's hand was doing things to Syri he never thought were possible.

The prince's touch was hot, and it ushered a flame into Syri's body that he had not felt before. The zeta was completely captivated by Jae. He loved everything in that moment. The way Jae cradled his neck; the way he touched him lightly but passionately as if there was so much he was holding back, so much love he wanted to give Syri; the way he kissed him, caressed him; the fact that Jae brought Syri to a place so special to him; his hands on his skin; the gentle dominance that was overtaking Syri's senses, everything was just perfect. And Syri was excited to dive into Jae's love.

Admittedly, Syri was scared. He had never loved anyone in this way before. He was not really sure how to love. He did not know what to say or do or act. But he wanted to try. God, did he want to do his best, his best to love Jae fully and wholeheartedly and be able to portray the depths of his love in a way that made Jae feel loved and valued. But the way Jae was holding him gently washed away all of Syri's fears at that moment. For once, Syri had the confidence he needed to expose himself inside and out to the man he loved.

Jae took a few steps back from the zeta while catching his breath after the intense kiss. Taking Syri's hand, Jae carefully led the zeta deeper into the lake until the water went up to Jae's waist. Syri was a little worried that the water came up to his mid-chest as he had never been taught to swim, but his worry was resolved when Jae lifted him and positioned him to straddle his waist. Jae's strength awed Syri as the prince supported him effortlessly. In one swift motion, Jae swept his hand up beneath Syri's shirt and removed it from the zeta's body.

Hooking his feet together, Syri draped his arms around Jae's neck as the prince brought their chests to be flushed against each other. Mimicking the prince's action, Syri tugged on Jae's shirt until it was over his head. The clothing were tossed aside and left to fend for themselves while the prince pressed his lips against Syri's milky skin. Syri's eyes rolled closed, and he craned his head back as Jae feathered his neck and collarbones with kisses and nips. Wrapping one arm beneath Syri's thighs to secure the zeta, Jae let his other hand roam free and wander over Syri's soft body.

Syri gazed at Jae deeply before pulling the prince into a sweet kiss. Jae cradled the zeta's neck while Syri ran his fingers up Jae's head and through his lush dark hair. Intense pheromones filled the air as the prince and zeta showed each other light, sweet affection before the setting sun.