Den never took his eyes off Kace as the two sat in the tree Kace had led Den to in the days prior. The true blood was soaking up every second he had with the binate; he would be leaving soon, and Kace would remain with Crimson Night to help set up the pack's new order and grow into his responsibilities as Gamma. Ever since Kace had fallen asleep against Den, he had been comfortable while in the prince's presence, so he was currently leaning on the true blood's arm and resting his head on Den's shoulder.

Happy the binate was relaxed and not afraid to initiate contact, Den contently remained still as a statue to accommodate his mate's silent wishes for a steady support to lean against. Not knowing how long they would have to be apart, Den was very reluctant to leave Kace's side especially since the time that Den and his family would return to the land of Eternal Dawn was drawing very near. The true blood was silent as he gazed at the man leaning against him, capturing every detail with his emerald orbs.

The prince's brows furrowed as his eyes landed on the scars peeking out from the collar of Kace's shirt. Letting his sudden thought dictate his movements, Den unintentionally reached out and ran his fingers over the scars, causing the binate to stir. Kace's eyes flitted up to Den as the true blood gently pulled down his collar to reveal more of the gruesome scars.

Pain filled Den as he stared at the unhealing scars. The fact that the scars had not faded indicated only one thing: they were created by the Alpha of the pack the owner of the scars belonged to. Meaning that Kace had received them from wounds dealt by Fachan. Only true bloods could recover from wounds dealt by an Alpha; the scars would forever remain on any other wolf.

Kace turned his head back to watching the sun set when he realized what thoughts were filling Den's head. "He didn't think something like me should exist in this world."

"Hm?" Den sounded in question as Kace's voice ripped him from the thoughts he had of what he would have done to Fachan should he have still been alive.

"Fachan," Kace said, redirecting the conversation back to Den's internal inquiries. "He said I was a monster and did not have the right to live." The binate fell silent as he released a breath before rising to his knees.

Den watched quietly as the blue-eyed removed his shirt to reveal the intensity of the scars covering his arms, neck, and chest. Kace's scars had always been a trigger point for him, and he constantly hid them from the world. He also wanted to hide them from Den at first, but now, after opening up to the true blood, Kace felt that he could trust Den with his insecurities and share his deepest secrets.

"Fachan believed I was cursed because I have two wolves." Kace took a breath before continuing, "He tried to kill the delta within me...many times. I stopped him, so he tried to kill me since he could not remove Axel. Zale stopped him then, and that's when Jae took me away from him."

Den was shocked, saddened, and infuriated at what Kace had gone through. Repositioning himself to stand on his knees, so the two faced each other, Den slowly reached out his hand and lightly pressed his fingertips to one of the scars on Kace's chest. Den could only imagine the pain that the scars had caused Kace, and he hated that the binate would have to live with the reminder of the torture he was subjected to for the rest of his life.

"That bastard should be glad he's dead," Den voiced with a slight growl as he traced the scar up to Kace's neck.

Leaning down, Den pressed his lips to the scar as it ran up the binate's neck. Kace froze at the prince's hot lips on his skin. The kiss was soft and tender, so Kace did not move away and allowed Den to move up to kiss the edge of his jaw.

Noticing Kace's rigidness, Den pulled away from the binate and replaced his lips on Kace's jaw with his thumb on the blue-eyed male's cheek. Eyes going up to the true blood's Kace watched as Den's gaze fell to his lips and the prince gently swiped his thumb over Kace's lower lip before withdrawing his hand entirely and leaning back from the binate.

Den turned his head to the golden light filtering through the crown of the tree's thick branches and released a long breath. "I leave tomorrow," Den informed Kace, his voice low. It had been a few days since Jae's coronation as Alpha, and Eternal Dawn had wrapped up their negotiations and treaties with Crimson Night's new order. So, it was time for the central pack to return to their territory.

Answering the true blood's statement with silence, Kace pursed his lips and lowered his gaze to the rough natural finish of the grand tree as Den brought his gaze back to the binate.

"How long will you be gone?" Kace inquired after several moments of silence.

Shaking his head, Den responded, "I'm not sure. My father is preparing to step down, so I will likely be busy for a while."

Nodding in silent acknowledgment of the true blood's words, Kace rose to his feet and wandered over to the edge of the tree's landing to stare at the setting sun. Den let out a quiet huff as he watched the binate from the opposite side of the landing. Kace's hands were in his pockets, and the cool breeze whipped through his dark blue hair and sent shivers down the binate's spine. Noticing the shivers coursing through the binate, Den rose to his feet and slowly approached him.

Fully aware of the true blood closing in on him, Kace remained still as Den came to stand behind him. A second passed before Kace felt Den's warmth on his bare back. "You're cold," Den told the binate as he pressed his chest against Kace's back and wrapped his arms around his fated one's chest. Den's warmth felt so nice against Kace's skin, and the binate found himself relaxing in the prince's embrace.

Den loosened his hold around Kace as the binate turned in his arms and came to face him. Kace's gaze was nervous as he stared up at the true blood, his eyes darting back and forth from Den's right eye to his left. Picking up the feeling that there was something Kace either wanted to do or say, Den kept still and quiet and allowed Kace all the time he needed to decide what he wanted to do. Den was happily surprised when Kace reached up and set his hand on his cheek before sliding it to be behind his ear and cradling the prince's neck.

Kace's gaze narrowed in on Den's plump lips, and his eyes closed halfway as he reached up and briefly pressed his lips against the true blood's. Den was more stunned by the kiss than Kace was. Not expecting such a level of intimacy from the binate that quickly, Den gazed at Kace in elated surprise as the binate looked up at him with fluttering eyes.

"Did you like it?" Den immediately regretted asking Kace whether or not he liked the kiss the moment the question left his mouth. How lame can you get, Den?

The true blood began to chastise himself for ruining the moment with a lame question, but his self-deprecating thoughts were stopped by a nod from Kace which led to Den's next question, "Would you like some more?"

Den did not regret asking his second question because it led to Kace blushing profusely before shyly nodding his head. Responding to Kace's silent answer, Den gently cupped the binate's face before leaning down and kissing Kace's soft lips. Beginning as sweet and gentle, the kiss quickly turned into a passionate and ardent exchange between the two men. Enjoying Den's lips on his, Kace reached up and draped his arms over Den's shoulders as he turned his head and prolonged the kiss.

Kace's entire face was beet red when the two pulled away for air. He liked that. A lot. In fact, he liked it a lot more than he thought he ever would. It was soft and sweet but fervent all at the same time, and he was all in favor of doing it again.

Den smiled at Kace's blushing face and placed a peck on the binate's forehead before bringing Kace back into his arms and nosing the blue-eyed's neck to release some of the binate's cool, minty scent.

Den swooned as he inhaled Kace's refreshing scent. He was in love. Everything about Kace was perfect. His eyes, the softness of his hair, his shy but curious demeanor, his scent, the way his body fit perfectly in his arms, everything was just perfect.

Feeling Kace push against him lightly, Den let the binate lean back a bit. Den was sad that Kace wanted to lean away from him so soon, but what came next knocked the prince off his feet because there, in front of him, came something so rare, something that so few had the pleasure of seeing. Kace was smiling at him.

It was a soft smile and quite small, but the emotions showed through in Kace's blue eyes as he gazed up at the true blood. Den was awestruck, and he could not help but smile back. Kace was beautiful; he was invigorating and a total mystery, a mystery Den longed to dive into. And, in that moment, Den promised himself he would work hard to acclimate well as Eternal Dawn's Alpha so that he could be with Kace as soon as possible. The day came to a perfect end as Den continued to stare at Kace's beautiful smile before bringing the binate back into his arms after a fresh round of chills rolled through Kace's body.

Den was the most content he had ever been as he stood in the heart of the great tree with his fated one in his arms. I'm coming back for you...as soon as I can.