~A cool breeze blew through the grass of the pasture, carrying its scent along with it. I breathed it in headily, hoping to capture its unfamiliarity forever in my memory- just in case I was pulled away from this place.

Talia's face perked up a little at a sound that I couldn't hear, and both her and Kyungsoo looked behind us expectantly.

I didn't think I'd ever get used to the fact that they were so much more attuned to their surroundings than I would ever be.

Eventually in the distance I could see Jooheon's white form, his coat reflecting the light and making him look as brilliant as ever. He didn't rush over to us as I probably would have done in the same situation.

 Instead, he took his time to walk gracefully, and the more I thought about it the more I realized it was probably to avoid frightening Taehyung.

The man beside me had already grown stiff at the idea of an impending interaction with his brother, and I had to admit that I was a little concerned as well.

I wanted Jooheon to tell him all of the truth, even though I knew that it wasn't going to happen. Still, I couldn't help but hope that the two of them could at least connect a little since they were brothers after all.

When Jooheon arrived he glanced down at the tiny sprout and gave me a toothy expression that I hoped was a smile.

"I see your rose has begun to grow. You must be pleased, if the look on your face is any indication," he said in an almost overly calm voice that I figured was for Taehyung's benefit.

"Yes, I am. Though I can't help but wonder if it will be as beautiful as this one," I said, gesturing to the rose woven into my hair.

"I see you found it this morning then. That's good," he said, speaking a little gruffly. His awkwardness was almost endearing and I was glad that I hadn't made a mistake when I'd taken it.

"Aren't you going to tell her she looks beautiful then Jooheon?" Talia teased a little, striking him firmly on the side.

 He tossed her an annoyed look and I couldn't help but do the same.

"Honestly Talia, you need to learn to mind your own business sometimes," Kyungsoo gently chastised, though it was meant as more affectionate than anything.

Taehyung, who had effectively avoided participating in the conversation until now, continued to look down at the sprout, as if he were afraid that by looking at Jooheon he would manage to incur the wrath the wolf had shown the night before.

 Yet it seemed as if Jooheon was making every effort to act as docile as possible so as to make a better impression than he had earlier.

 I was glad that he had taken some of my words to heart during our time together last evening, though I was still certain that Taehyung would need to tread on glass if he were to avoid making him angry again.

The wolf had far too many unresolved issues with his family.

"I would like a word with our Stone Dwellers if you don't mind," he said suddenly, making Taehyung visibly blanch.

I rested my arm on his shoulder.

"Don't worry, everything is going to be alright."

 Getting to our feet, we followed Jooheon back towards his cave, where he probably assumed he'd have the most privacy to speak with us.

After a few moments, to my surprise, it was Taehyung who spoke first.

"Whatever you have to say to me, please leave Rose out of it. She had no idea I was coming here, and to be honest I thought that the likelihood that I would find her was slim,"

"How noble of you little prince. But you needn't fear. Rose is far safer here than she would be in your city of stone, and quite frankly, unless you return immediately the same will go for you."

Taehyung's eyes narrowed.

 It was clear that he didn't understand what Jooheon was inferring, and I couldn't really blame him for his confusion.

 In his rage the night before, the wolf certainly hadn't been very forthcoming with his brother, and I could tell that the matter was bothering Taehyung despite the fact that he was too intimidated to let it show.

"Perhaps you should explain things a little more to him Jooheon. He cannot read your mind," I urged as delicately as possible.

 The last thing that I wanted was to interfere between the two of them.

Jooheon was troubled by the part Taehyung had played on his curse and Taehyung had no idea of his brother's existence.

 Still, I wanted to do all I could to help bring them together so that they could at least speak openly with one another.

Jooheon looked troubled, his eyes were narrowed and low, but they glanced up at me slowly as if he was irked I had suggested he reveal more than he was ready to.

"Tell me Taehyung, what do you know of the wilds," he began in a more roundabout way than I'd anticipated.

"Not much, I admit. The subject has always interested my uncle more than myself."

"As Rose has explained to me. But I'm surprised you know so little about its history, since your family is so intertwined with it."

"All I know is what you told me last night, but you have to admit you weren't exactly forthcoming," Taehyung answered, finally becoming bolder.

 Jooheon growled a little at the affront but it wasn't as if Taehyung was wrong.

"There is a tunnel in your uncle's manor that leads to the wilds. Did you know that?" Jooheon asked.

His brother's face looked completely incredulous.

"You must be joking! I've lived in that place my whole life and I've seen no such thing," he scoffed.

 I didn't exactly blame him for being doubtful, I'd lived there for quite some time myself, and there was no evidence of such a thing existing.

I suppose I must have felt that Jooheon's pain was too genuine to be contrived in order for me to feel sympathetic towards him, and there was also no reason for him to want me to feel that way.

"But don't you think it could be possible Taehyung? Your home is so immense that I doubt even you've explored every inch of it, especially if it was a place you were never meant to find," I suggested gently, although I was fairly positive he wouldn't believe such a thing easily.

"I'll admit it's a possibility, but if my uncle could enter the wilds why wouldn't he have gone on his own to search for the treasure he wanted? Or even let your father use that path instead of sending him out through the trade tunnel?"

"Because he didn't want anyone to know," Jooheon answered calmly.

 "The Aryan's are a source of shame for your family- victims that they've tried to hide for centuries. If they are discovered then the world will find out the truth- that the wilds were created to fulfill your ancestors' greed, so that they could maintain absolute control over all of Mortar as its protectors," Jooheon said, a story that I wasn't even familiar with.

"I can't believe you. My family has worked too hard to keep Fiore safe to have anything to do with what you're suggesting!" Taehyung argued, and then looked at me forcefully.

"But it's true. Your ancestors forced all those who knew magic to create the wilds, and when they did and the walls were built they were removed from Fiore like an infection."

"Don't tell me you believe this nonsense Rose? This beast is evil! He's insane! He's the one who's kidnapped your father, you and now me for his own purposes! Who knows what he's trying to accomplish by trying to manipulate us into forsaking my uncle? Your own father is probably still here!" He shouted, his formerly calm demeanor had vanished thanks to the implications that Jooheon had shed on his pride and his family's honor.

I didn't know how to respond to him, since he was clearly upset about the things we were hearing.

 Yet I knew I had to say something. I shook my head a little sadly at Taehyung's words.

"My father returned to Fiore, and most likely to your uncle as well. I am certain of it Taehyung and I'm sorry if knowing these things causes you pain. But there is so much more to this than you or I could possibly understand. What I do know is this- your uncle treated my family kindly and I find it difficult to believe that he would be keeping such a secret from you. Still, you must admit that there does exist the possibility that he's been hiding something, you said you suspected such a thing only a few days ago. Per