Syri was sure Jae could hear the pounding in his chest as his heart continued to race at a thousand beats per second. The zeta was unsure of where the Alpha was leading him or what he wanted to show Syri, but he could not stop the excitement that coursed through him as he and the true blood exited the garden and made their way through the palace grounds.

Jae kept his fingers interlaced with Syri's as he guided the zeta to the stables where Ajax was waiting, prepped and prepared for departure. Syri locked eyes with Kip for a split second as Jae took ahold of Ajax's bridle and greeted the vorst. Giving the zeta a sweet smile, Kip winked at Syri as Jae brought him to stand beside the strong creature before placing his hands on Syri's waist and lifting him onto Ajax.

Ajax remained still as Jae hoisted himself into the saddle and came to sit behind Syri, whose heart rate had only increased with the idea of going for a ride with the Alpha. Standing back from the vorst, Kip bowed to the Alpha and zeta as Jae leaned toward Syri and asked, "Ready?"

Answering with a nod, Syri was too excited to speak. He had been wanting to go for a ride with Jae for quite some time, and now that it was finally happening again, he had completely forgotten to answer verbally instead of merely nodding his head.

Jae smiled at the zeta's cute response and said, "Hold on tight," before clicking his tongue and signaling for Ajax to begin the journey out of the palace grounds.

The cool, night breeze rippled through Syri's hair as Ajax quickly gained speed the moment he exited the castle compound. Not really caring about their destination, Syri was ecstatic to be able to lean against Jae and feel the Alpha's heartbeat as the two dashed over the rolling hills south of the palace.

Illuminated by the silver moonlight, the flowing grass provided a beautiful backdrop as the vorst galloped over the sea of hills. Butterflies filled Syri's stomach when Jae wrapped an arm around his waist. Ajax had gained quite a bit of speed, and Jae did not want to risk even the slightest chance of Syri getting hurt, so he made sure to keep the zeta close to him throughout the ride.

Ajax came to a slow as the three approached the tallest hill in the vicinity surrounding the castle. Upon ascending the hill and stopping at the top, Jae dismounted the vorst before reaching his arms out to the zeta. Smiling at Jae, Syri gladly accepted the Alpha's help in dismounting.

"Wahh." A small sound of wonder filtered from Syri's parted lips as he looked at the view below him. Flickering lights outlined the palace and its grounds, creating an enchanting scene beneath the crisp moonlight. "It's beautiful," Syri said with a smile as he looked up at Jae.

"Ae," Jae agreed. "It is beautiful." The Alpha smiled back at the beautiful man before him as he alerted Yejin through the link that it was time to begin the main attraction. Okay, now.

At the castle's north side just behind the gate were Yejin and Estan who had been preparing something special for the couple while Jae and Syri were enjoying their dinner together.

A quiet pop and sparkling lights caught Syri's attention as the night sky lit up with mesmerizing colors. Turning his face to the night sky, Syri gasped in awe as several fireworks were shot into the darkness before exploding with color. Jae watched silently as the zeta adored the fireworks. Syri's face was filled with wonder and excitement, and his wide smile only added to the beauty of the night.

"They're amazing," Syri commented as the fireworks continued to be shot into the sky. Turning to Jae, Syri stood on his tiptoes and placed a small peck on Jae's cheek. "Thank you...for showing me something so beautiful."

Jae stepped close to the zeta until they were inches apart before cupping Syri's cheeks and kissing the top of his forehead gently. Syri's eyes remained on the Alpha as Jae lowered his arms and took Syri's hands in his.

"I know Crimson Night is not your pack and that Eternal Dawn is your heritage," Jae began. The Alpha's tone lowered as he continued slowly, "You were stolen from your family, from your pack. That is something that I would not wish upon anyone. But I am eternally grateful that the Moon Goddess brought me to meet you and fall in love with you. And...although Crimson Night was not your family by heritage, would you allow it to be our family together?"

Syri gasped and blinked his eyes several times when he heard Jae's words. The wind seemed to dissipate, and everything living except Jae and Syri paused in time. The universe was slowed. Everything was silent. Except for the fireworks continuing to light the sky, it was as if Jae and Syri had stepped into a single moment in time that would last an eternity. In that second, Syri sucked in every detail down to the strands of hair that flowed across Jae's forehead in slowed motion. The Alpha's dark eyes were the perfect canvas to reflect the colorful blossoms in the night sky, and Syri fell in love all over again.

"Will you be my mate...my true mate?" Jae's words echoed in Syri's heart, and Syri could not stop the tears that formed in his eyes. He had dreamed of this moment over and over again. He loved Jae deeply and longed for the day when they could stand beside each other proudly without objection from their packs, families, friends, elders, council...anyone or anything.

Now that the council had approved Jae's motion to legalize nonfated mating, Jae could, in clear consciousness, ask Syri to be his mate. Jae had worked tirelessly to pave the way for creating a pack where he and Syri could love each other proudly and safely and could share their joy with others who could now love whomever they chose.

Syri's eyes sparkled as he gazed up at Jae who smiled down upon him ever so softly. "I would love nothing more." Syri's voice was quiet, almost a whisper, as he responded.

He did not intend his voice to be so emotional, but he knew Jae heard him loud and clear when a wide smile covered the Alpha's lips. Jae immediately scooped Syri into his arms and spun the zeta in the air before bringing him close to his chest and entrapping Syri in the most beautiful kiss.

Indeed, it was the most beautiful moment. A single tear rolled down Syri's cheek as the true blood and zeta exchanged their love passionately. Jae's hand caressed Syri's face gently while his other kept the zeta close to him. Syri draped his arms over the true blood's strong shoulders as he tilted his head to kiss his love deeper. The fireworks continued to paint the sky in vibrant colors as the two were lost in the moment of each other.

Jae's eyes were wet when the two pulled away for air. "I love you, Syri, deeply and truly." The true blood wiped his thumb over Syri's soft cheek as a fresh tear of happiness fell from the zeta's warm eyes.

"I love you, Jae, and I will for all eternity." Jae smiled at Syri's response and placed a sweet kiss atop the zeta's head before bringing Syri into his arms and holding his love closely.

A soft hum radiated from within the zeta as he soaked up the true blood's presence and the two's wolves howled from within harmoniously. The cool wind ruffled Jae's dark hair as he kept his arms around Syri. The night was peaceful, and the sky had returned to its dark state once the fireworks that were set aside for the occasion had all been used.

Jae and Syri continued to stand in each other's arms and enjoy their time together after their sweet commitment. The mating would not be official until each had marked the other's neck, but both were at ease knowing they could safely and proudly be each other's mate.

Peace filled Crimson Night as their Alpha had chosen his Luna, and a warm joy filled each member of the pack. All was well beneath the moon in Crimson Night, but a dark and dangerous enemy was sneaking up and preparing to strike the happy pack. It began as an uneasiness, then grew into a fear, which then morphed into a scream before a life was taken. Jae's eyes snapped open as a cry sounded out into the night. No one heard it except Jae. An Alpha always knows when one of his wolves has lost their life.

What began as a single cry quickly budded into several voices screaming into the darkness. Jae's heart began to race as he looked in the direction of the cries. They intensified and grew in volume by the second. Soon, the council and order had become aware of the slaughter taking place.

"Jae? Are you alright?" Syri grew worried as he sensed the anxiousness oozing from the true blood. Not born of Crimson Night, Syri had remained oblivious to the tragedy that was befalling the pack. Jae immediately scooped Syri up and ran over to Ajax before setting the zeta on the vorst's back. "What's-"

"Alpha!"

Syri's inquiry was cut off by Yejin's cry. Jae and Syri turned to see the alpha racing toward them at top speed. "There's been a slaughter at the border," Yejin informed upon reaching the two. "We're under attack."

Syri caught his breath in his throat the moment he heard Yejin's report. A slaughter?!

Jae clenched his jaw as he took in the sudden information before turning to Syri. "Ride to the palace. Find my mother; she is meeting with the council."

"What about you?" Syri inquired with wide eyes as Jae handed him Ajax's reins.

"I have to protect the pack." Jae responded before talking to Ajax, "I leave him in your stead. Deliver him safely...please."

Ajax snorted in response as Syri pleaded, "Come back to me." He knew there was nothing he could do to make Jae stay. Jae was Crimson Night's Alpha; it was his duty to defend his pack. So, all Syri could ask was for Jae to return to him safely.

Jae smiled up at the zeta softly before saying, "I will, love." The Alpha then turned to Yejin and said, "Ready the guards. We leave now."

"Ae." Yejin had linked the guards the moment the pack felt fear and death wash over them, and they were already on the move and set to meet Jae and Yejin just outside the palace gates. Kace was also rushing to the meet-up point. All hands had been called to deck.

"Run, Ajax. Be swift," Jae ordered his vorst. Although the attack was at the border, there was no certainty that they were not already being watched. He needed to get Syri back to the palace as quickly as possible. Ajax bowed his head to Jae quickly before taking off and sprinting to the palace. Jae watched his love head for the palace for a mere moment before setting off for the northern gate.

Jae's gut wrenched as the cries and screams continued. Pain and rage began to boil up within the Alpha at the heartless slaughter of his people and as their pleas rang into the night.

Alpha, help! Save us! There are so many! Alpha!!