There was no respite for the young alpha following the departure of Red Claw. The morning after Crimson Night was left alone once more, Jae immediately convened with the members of his order to discuss matters of legalizing the mating of nonfated wolves.

Once word had spread of Syri being discovered as the son of Eternal Dawn's Beta, the council had not uttered a word opposing the zeta from becoming Luna. This allowed Jae to focus on amending the pack's law as the matter of his future mate had been settled.

Syri continued his lessons with Armina and his mother with Aki attending to provide some relief between exercises and study sessions. Topics such as fencing, riding, pack politics, advising, battle strategies, hosting, and Crimson Night history were a few of the subjects that Syri was tasked with learning and mastering to the best of his ability. Riding, Syri was confident in; it was the difficulty of fencing that caught the zeta off-guard. He was a quick study when it came to books, politics, and history, but the quick wit and discernment that accompanied fencing challenged Syri in ways he never thought were possible.

Analyzing his opponent for their next move and style of sparring forced the zeta to pay attention to the smallest details all within the span of a mere few seconds. Aki was a good sport and volunteered to be Syri's sparring partner while Armina and Insea stood watch and coached the zeta through the process of fencing. Syri was exhausted by the end of each day, but he got up each morning at the crack of dawn to continue his studies and improve his knowledge and skills to the best of his abilities.

The next two weeks flew by without Syri realizing just how much time he had spent preparing for his future by Jae's side. The zeta did not mind that the days were so busy. He would much rather prefer to be tied up studying and practicing than to be doing nothing except watch the sun travel across the sky each day. Syri knew Jae was equally as busy, and he cherished the moments they were able to spend together. There were a few times when the zeta and true blood would break away from their duties for a few minutes to see each other and catch up on some much-needed hugs and affection.

The days had grown colder; the fall flowers were receding into the ground, and the winter blossoms were preparing to sprout above the dirt. The nights had grown longer, and thus the sun now set just before it was time for dinner. Syri had wrapped up his studies for the day and was lounging in Jae's study waiting for the true blood to return from a meeting with the council.

The zeta's eyes drooped, and he laid his head on the Alpha's desk as his mind grew foggy and sleepiness crept into his body. Syri's stomach growled quietly; he was hungry and very much ready for his last meal of the day, but he wanted to wait for Jae to return so he could go to dinner with his love.

As the minutes dragged on, Syri's eyes eventually closed, and he silently fell into a light sleep. A day filled with studying, reciting, riding, and fencing had drained the zeta, and Syri was experiencing the aftereffects fully as if they had dropped on him suddenly like a ton of bricks.

He had just fallen a bit deeper in his sleep when the door to the study opened, and Jae entered. The true blood stopped at the doorway when he saw the exhausted zeta resting on his desk, a soft smile coming to his lips as he gazed at the pink-haired fondly. Quietly, Jae walked over to the zeta and brushed his fingers through Syri's silky hair.

A soft hum left Syri's lips in reaction to the Alpha's touch. The zeta's eyes opened slightly when Jae slid his hands beneath Syri's shoulders and lifted the zeta into the air; however, he fell right back to sleep as Jae brought him into his arms and held Syri against his chest koala-style. The zeta sleepily brought his arms to drape over Jae's shoulders as the true blood supported Syri with one hand under his buttocks and the other on his back to press the zeta's body into his.

With the zeta safely in tow, Jae exited his study and began making his way down the corridor and through the palace. Maids and workers stopped to bow to the Alpha and zeta before smiling to themselves at the couple's cuteness as Jae passed them with Syri in his arms. The zeta's feet dangled by the true blood's side as Jae passed the more intimate dining room. Warm light and quiet conversations filtered from the dining room accompanied by the smells of delicious foods. Syri's nose picked up the yummy scents, and his stomach released another growl.

Jae smiled to himself when he heard the zeta's stomach protest about being carried away from the dining room. Yejin, Estan, Kace, Armina, Aki, Insea, and the members of the past order as well as a few trusted, dear friends and members of royalty filled the hall with light laughter and chatter, but Jae did not mind skipping a day of conversation with the royal family for a peaceful night with his love. Plus, he had something special planned for that night's dinner. And he was certain Syri would have no complaints once he saw where Jae was taking him.

Content to be in Jae's arms, Syri did not object to being brought away from the yummy smells of the dining room and instead turned his head into Jae's neck to allow his senses to be engulfed by the true blood's comforting scent. Jae continued walking for a few more minutes before he emerged from the palace and found one of the paths that led to the expansive garden.

The cool, sweet scents of the flowers and vegetation of the garden surrounded the couple as Jae carried Syri through the beautiful scenery. Syri had walked through the garden many a time, so he did not particularly mind keeping his face in Jae's neck and missing out on seeing the flowers this one time. It was not until the zeta felt the true blood slow his pace did Syri lift his head from the nook of Jae's neck.

The sight that met the zeta upon looking up stunned Syri. A small alcove in the garden had been transformed into a magical escape. Lanterns hung from threads that had been strung across the small opening and beautifully lit the wonderful scene below. A path of large walking stones weaved through a patch of winter flowers that had already begun to bloom, and a table and chair set had been carefully placed on the largest, center stone where an elegant meal had been prepared. Beautiful lights decorated the trees that surrounded the alcove, creating a stunning canopy.

Syri's mouth hung open in awe as Jae gently set him on the ground and took his hand. The true blood smiled to himself when he saw the zeta's starstruck expression. Bending down, Jae pressed his lips to the top of Syri's head in a sweet kiss before asking, "Ready for some dinner?"

Syri turned his gaze to the man beside him and nodded his head excitedly. On cue, Jae began leading Syri across the stones and through the patch of flowers until the two reached the table and chair set. Guiding Syri to the left of the table, Jae pulled out the chair for his love before easing it beneath Syri as the zeta sat. Marveling at the scenery and meal before him, Syri wore an awe-filled smile as Jae took his seat across from the zeta.

"This is incredible," Syri breathed in wonder, causing Jae to smile again. He was happy Syri enjoyed the scene he had prepared for their night together. "When did you have time to do all this?" Syri asked in amazement. It would have taken a few hours at the least to set everything up and to get it to look that nice.

"I had lots of help," Jae responded as he gazed at Syri with love-filled eyes. "I'm glad you like it."

"Like it?? I love it!" Syri responded quite enthusiastically.

Jae smiled once more at the zeta's cuteness before gesturing to the meal of steak, water spinach, roasted potatoes, dumplings covered in chili oil, a creamy mushroom soup, and a bowl of rice. Turning his attention to the hot food in front of him, Syri excitedly picked up the utensils set next to the main plate and happily tried every part of the meal.

Each bite was filled with delicious flavor and was absolutely perfect. Syri did not know if it was the scenery and the time he was getting to spend with Jae, but he certainly ranked this meal at the top of his list. It had to be the best meal he had ever eaten!

"How have your meetings with the council been?" Syri inquired as the meal was drawing to a conclusion.

Jae finished his bite before answering, "Rather well, actually. They haven't been giving us much opposition at all." After a small pause, Jae revealed, "We officiated the legalizing of nonfated mating this evening."

Syri's eyes widened at the news. "That's wonderful!" Syri exclaimed in response. "Haikon and Xander can now love in the open, and Kip and Lili can be together. That is really amazing, Jae." Syri beamed with happiness at the thought that so many wolves who had either been rejected, lost their fated one, or had never met their fated mate could now legally and openly fall in love with someone whom they were not fated to.

The little to no resistance from the council also came as a shock to Syri. It was rare for the council of a pack to transition to the new order without much conflict with the views and ideals of the younger generation, so Syri was very relieved to hear Jae was able to gain the council's blessing to remove that damned law.

"Have Brad and Kade adjusted to their roles as council members well?" Syri inquired about the Beta and Gamma of the past order as he had not seen much of them once the visiting packs had all left. The living members of each pack's past order would join the pack council and would then serve the new order as their advisors.

Jae bobbed his head in response before answering, "Yes, they are doing well. I think they actually like their roles as council members better than when they were Beta and Gamma. They don't have to do as much now."

Syri nodded as he digested Jae's reply before saying, "I think anyone would enjoy having more time in their day to spend with their family and for themselves."

Jae's face took on a sweet but sad expression when he heard Syri's words. "I'm sorry that I haven't been able to spend much time with you."

Syri's lips parted slightly as he looked up at Jae. "You don't have to apologize for anything, Jae." He did not intend to cause Jae to feel remorseful for tending to his duties.

"You are Alpha. Crimson Night is and should always be your priority. You are a diligent and dedicated leader. That's one of the reasons I love you so much. You do your best to protect and care for the ones you hold dear." Syri paused to set down his utensils before adding, "I have also been busy, so it is not your fault that we haven't had as much time together as we used to."

Silence filled the air surrounding the two for a few moments as Syri's cheeks blushed profusely. The zeta had looked at the true blood upon finishing his statement to find Jae smiling at him softly. But it was the true blood's deep gaze that caught Syri off-guard.

Jae's eyes were fixed on his, and a certain look had entered the Alpha's eyes. Syri held his breath as Jae rose to his feet and approached him. Holding out his hand, Jae said to the zeta, "Can I take you somewhere? There's something I want you to see."

Reaching out, Syri took the Alpha's hand and let Jae lead him out of the magical alcove and back into the garden. Syri's heart refused to slow back down all the while he followed Jae through the flowers and trees. There was an air about the true blood that caused the zeta to remain flustered.

He had never seen that look in Jae's eyes before. It was...how could he describe it? Loving determination. Determination to love. It was difficult to put words to it, but whatever it was, Syri could not wait to experience it and figure out what had caused it.