One of the pack members tackled Cyrus to the ground as he ran with the ball. They tumbled to the ground, rolling around in the grass. Cyrus groaned painfully. Not a second later the body was ripped off of him, and a growl was heard.

"Be careful!" Lance hissed, standing protectively in front of him.

"S-Sorry, sir!" the pack member apologizes feverishly.

Cyrus stands to his feet, wiping his jeans off, "I'm fine! It's just a game, I'm fine, really," Cyrus places a hand on Lance's shoulder, smiling reassuringly.

Lance's stern features soften as he turns, "Ah, sorry. I thought you were hurt... so I got a little protective."

"Are you forgetting we're werewolves?"

"Yeah, haha... are you sure you're okay?" Lance frets, checking Cyrus for wounds. He throughly checks his face, and his limbs. Cyrus's cheeks warm as the surrounding pack members watch them.

"Lance!" Cyrus swats away his hand. Lance frowns, looking like a puppy that just got scolded. Argh, my heart!

"Why don't you take my place? I could use a water break."

"Should I?" He glances over his shoulder, grinning darkly when he locks eyes with the one who tackled Cyrus to the ground. The pack member swallows the lump in his throat. Lance smiles when he turns back to Cyrus, "Alright. Make sure you watch me, okay?"

"Okay." Cyrus laughs, walking away.

He takes a seat on the steps leading up to the porch of the main house, grabbing the water bottle awaiting him and chugging it down swiftly. It's cold and refreshing. Cyrus sighs. Sweat rolls down his face as he looks up at the clear blue sky. The day was going smoothly. For a moment... Cyrus had no worries. For a moment, Cyrus forgot all about his time in the System. He watched the game in front of him, where everyone was running around and laughing; so carefree. He focused on Lance. He, too, looked carefree. He dawned a smile almost as bright as the sun as he raced with the football tucked underneath his arm. He dodged whoever tried to stop him with such grace, he easily passed the mark, earning a point for his team. His team surrounded him, cheering him on. He laughed - music to Cyrus's ears. The type of music that left you floating. Cyrus couldn't help but smile just from watching him. He really was... beautiful.

Cyrus was too entranced by his mate to notice Carolyn taking a seat beside him. She cleared her throat, and Cyrus's eyes shot to hers. They widened, "H-Hey?"

She looked back towards the camp, "Hello."

Cyrus sat awkwardly, pursing his lips. Why is she sitting next to me? What does she want? This is awkward. I guess I should say something... "How's your arm?"

"It's healed."

"I see." Okay, we're making small talk. But it's not exactly going anywhere. Should I leave? "Uh, I'm going to get more wat-"

"I'm sorry." She blurts out.

"What?"

"I said... I'm sorry. I know I've been unwelcoming. It's just," she struggles with her words, "Well, me and Lance, we used to-"

"I know. Rudy told me."

She blinks, and then her features twist into a glare, "That little... he can't mind his own business, can he? What did he tell you?"

Cyrus rubs the back of his neck, "That you used to be, you know, in love with Lance. And that he rejected you."

Carolyn looks down at the grass, the glare disappearing from her face and settling into a frown, "Yeah... that's the gist of it." She sighs, rubbing her temples, "Look, I was just on edge because of the whole Bloodmoon incident. I assumed the one who might of let them slip was you. I mean, you came out of nowhere, and you just happened to be Lance's mate. You're the closest one to him, you would know everything about him. He's an idiot, so he would probably tell you all of our plans. And then you ran off that night, and I only grew more suspicious. You're not a spy, right? If you are, I'll kill you." She looks dead into his eyes; dead serious about her threat.

"Huh?" Cyrus blinks. Me, a spy? Well, I guess that would make sense from her perspective. "Wait, so... you're not still, like, in love with Lance?"

Carolyn shakes her head, "No. Are you a spy?"

"No."

She nods slowly, looking away. There is a moment of silence until she speaks again, "I saw you looking at him. I know that look. You really love him, don't you?"

Cyrus follows her line of sight towards Lance. He wipes the sweat off of his forehead with his shirt. Cyrus smiles softly, "Yeah, I do."

A smile tugs at her lips, "I see. Hey, tommorow morning, meet me in the woods. Starting tommorow - I'm your trainer."

"Trainer?"

"Well, someone has to train you psychically. If you're going to be on the front lines, we're going to need you in perfect form."

On the front lines? It seemed Carolyn already decided Cyrus was going to join them in the assault a month from now, Cyrus smiled from that fact, "Sounds good to me. How early?"

"Dawn."

He grimaces, "That early?"

"Yes. Don't be late."

Cyrus watches with a frown as she gets up and jogs over to a group waiting by the woods. They start a steady jog around the clearing, with her in the lead. Well, she is second in command, it's probably going to prove useful having her train me. Still... I'm dreading this training. She's not going to go easy on me, is she? Cyrus sighs, he was never a fan of exercise. Still... at least we got over all of that unnecessary drama. Maybe she isn't one of my rivals, after all. Or maybe she is; but I've somehow managed to get on her good side?

"Cutie!" A voice calls.

Cyrus looks up to see Lance jogging towards him. Cyrus cringes at the nickname and Lance laughs. Cyrus hands him his water bottle and happily takes it, chugging it down. The water drips down his neck and down his exposed chest. Only now does Cyrus notice he's shirtless, and his eyes widen. He doesn't tear his eyes away as the water follows the natural contour of his muscles, sparkling in the sun along with his sweat.

Cyrus coughs, turning away with a flustered face, "Why are you shirtless?"

Lance grins, "For you, of course. Are you enjoying the show?"

"Shut up..."

Lance laughs again, taking the seat beside Cyrus. He wraps an arm around Cyrus, pulling him closer. He lowers his voice to a whisper, "You know, if you keep blushing like that, it only makes me want to tease you more."

"Then stop making me blush!" Cyrus whispers harshly.

"That's like asking me to stop being a werewolf," he leans to whisper directly into his mate's ear. His voice tickles Cyrus's skin, "Impossible." Cyrus's face implodes with warmth as Lance quickly pecks his cheek and leans away, "So, what were you and Car talking about?"

Cyrus clears his throat, "She's going to train me from now on."

"Really?" Lance smiles, "That's great. I'm glad you two are getting along."

"Yeah... turns out she was just being careful. She also told me what happened between you two."

"Did she?" Lance's smile turns sad, "We were childhood friends, we pretty much grew up together. But I promise I've never seen her as anything but a big sister. I grew up as an only child, so she kind of fit into that role. She was always watching over me, always there for me when my father was too harsh. I guess that's why I was fretting over her when she got hurt... I wanted to return the favor for everything she's done for me, even if it was something as small as bringing her medicine, or cooking her meals."

So that's why he was so obsessed with taking care of her. It's just like when a family member gets hurt... you want to take care of them as much as possible. "I see... a sister, huh?"

"Yeah. Her confession, my rejection... that's all in the past. We've moved on from that a long time ago. I'm sorry, I should have told you all of this sooner, then you never would have misunderstood anything."

"Don't worry about it."

Lance sighs, looking over the camp. There's a certain peacefulness to his features; like he's content. He glances up at the sun, the rays igniting his amber eyes and setting them ablaze, "You know, ever since I was little, I've always wanted to meet my mate. I have very distant memories with my mother, before she passed. I was small, maybe 5 or 6. She used to tell me stories before I would go to bed. Stories about how when she met my father, all seemed right with the world."

His expression becomes pained, "She died because of a werewolf bite. I didn't tell you this... but my mother, she was human. Very rarely do mate bonds happen between our two species, but somehow it did. She was constantly a target; so weak and feeble compared to the others. My father kept her inside as much as possible, trying to protect her. But he couldn't keep her locked away forever, so it wasn't a huge surprise when she was attacked by a rival wolf after sneaking outside of the house. My father was able to find her quickly and killed the other wolf; but it was far too late for my mother. That bite killed her in less than an hour."

Cyrus frowns. It seemed there was always something new to learn about Lance. So his mother was human; that made Lance a... hybrid? That must be another reason why he was so worried about Carolyn when she got bit. That's how his mother died...

"Yeah, my father changed after that. He began training me almost immediately. His training was more brutal than normal; I think because I'm half human. Half human, half werewolf - I was weak. If I was to become Alpha one day, I needed to be more hardened than the others. So, my childhood was pretty rough. The memories I have with my father after my mother passed aren't very good ones. Carolyn helped as much as she could... but in the end, the only thing to keep me hopeful of the future were the stories my mother used to tell me. The stories of the mate-bond. That one day I would meet my mate... meet you... and it would all be worth it. That all the fighting, all the bloodshed, it would all make sense one day. And it finally does. It's like I'm finally... complete."

Cyrus is silent. He knew Lance thought highly of him - but to this extent, it baffled him. Lance had been waiting his whole life to meet Ethan. And though this hellish System, the two were brought together.

"For some reason," Lance continues, "when I'm around you, I want to tell you everything. Almost as if I don't tell you now, I won't have another chance to. It's scary... almost as if I don't keep you here right by my side, you'll slip through my fingers and I'll lose you," Lance pauses, "I think I had a nightmare about that."

"Nightmare? You mean like the one from this morning?" Cyrus focuses.

"Ah, yeah. I've always had nightmares - ever since I was little. But lately I've been having them more and more."

"And you don't remember what happens in your nightmares?"

"Well... only some things," Lance rubs his jaw, "It's always along the same lines... I've just lost someone incredibly important. I'm crying, and holding them in my arms. It's all my fault. And then I wake up..."

Cyrus's eyes widen. What? No, that's impossible. He remembers what he asked Sai about last night,

'Sai, is it possible for two souls who are in the System to be in the same world?'

[It is possible.]

What if it were possible for more than two souls? But that would mean-

"Charlie?" Cyrus breathes.

Lance frowns, "Who's Charlie?"

No, it has to be. Why would Lance have nightmares about my death in the last world? Unless those were Charlie's memories. Charlie was reincarnated into Lance's body! That has to be it. But Lance doesn't remember ever being Charlie. He lost his memories. How? Why? Wait, if Charlie is in the System; then doesn't that mean he would of had to died? How did he die?

A nightmare of his own flashes through his head, of Charlie, "I couldn't keep your promise... Ben is going to hate me for this... but it's okay... it's okay..."

No, Charlie, Cyrus's breathing becomes unsteady, what did you do?!

"Ethan?" Lance panics, "What's wrong? Who's Charlie?"

Why else would Lance cry over hearing my real name? It's because I told Charlie my name before I died in the first world! It all makes sense now... but if Charlie followed me here, then does that mean... Adonis did, too? Lance was scared of Drake when he was here. Charlie was scared of Adonis. No, that makes perfect sense, too! Drake is Adonis. No! Fuck! This can't be happening.

'Tell me what I'm thinking is wrong, Sai. Please.'

[Sai does not understand.]

"Ugh," Cyrus grips his hair, 'Is it possible for more than two Systems to be in the same world?!'

[Yes, it is possible.]

"Ethan!" Lance grips Cyrus's shoulders. Cyrus looks up at him with terrified eyes.

Charlie. This is Charlie. No... Charlie's soul is inside of this body. But, Lance's soul is still active. There are... two souls? Lance and Charlie. How? I don't understand.

'Sai! Doesn't a body have to be empty to be able to reincarnate into it?'

[It is preferred for a body to be empty as to not allow any interference to Host's mission; but it is possible for many souls to reside in one body. However, due to the needed preservation of the inhabited body, it is possible for only one soul to be active at a time.]

So... talking to Charlie is impossible. Charlie is only able to peek through in some shape or form? Through dreams and emotions? Lance doesn't actually remember anything. They are just strange nightmares to him.

Cyrus takes a deep breath to regain his composure, finally addressing the worried Lance, "I'm fine... you just reminded me of someone."

Lance slowly takes his hand away, "Of this Charlie person? Are they someone you used to know in one of your... other worlds?"

"Yes, he was."

"Was he important to you?"

Cyrus furrows his brows, looking deep into Lance's focused eyes. He wondered if Charlie was listening as well, "Yes, very. He was a very good friend of mine. I just wish I hadn't left him the way I did. I wish I could of told him... that it wasn't his fault. And that," Cyrus raises his hand to wipe away the set of tears streaming down Lance's cheeks, "he cried too much."

Lance is surprised at his tears, "What? Why am I-?"

"It's okay," Cyrus pulls away, smiling, "They're happy tears."

So, his mate also shared a body with his friend from the previous world. This certainly came as a shock. And if what Ethan suspected was true, then Adonis was here as well. Did Adonis still have his memories? There was only one way to find out, and that was by asking someone from this world, who knew him.

"Lance? You and Drake... what kind of relationship do you have?"

"What?" Lance asks, still in the process of wiping away his strange tears, "What does he have to do with any of this?"

"It's important," Cyrus urges, "Please."

Lance frowns, "Well, he's always had it out for me. Ever since I first met him. I mean, the feelings mutual... we are destined enemies."

That didn't answer his question, "What kind of person is he?"

"He's a bad person." Lance glares, "This is just a rumor, but it's one that I've always believed - Drake killed his brothers just to ensure his spot as Alpha. That's how dangerous he is, got it? He's ruthless."

He killed his brothers? Well... I suppose that sounds like Adonis. Adonis did kill his father, after all. But his father was an abusive drunk. Drake's brothers... did they deserve death? Did he kill them just to get a spot as powerful as an Alpha? Adonis will do anything to get what he wants, so killing them must of had something to do with his mission in the System.

His thoughts moved on; did Adonis know who he was? Cyrus swallowed the lump in his throat. If there was one thing Adonis always was, it was perceptive. There was no doubt in his mind Adonis knew exactly who he was. So what exactly was he waiting for? What was he playing at? Another thing Adonis was; dangerously unpredictable.

"Now, can you please tell me why I'm crying again? You seem to know why."

"Ah," Cyrus scratches his neck. Can I tell him? It would be hard to explain without mentioning the System. Well, he deserves to know why. It's not like I don't trust him, "Let's go inside."

Cyrus stands and Lance follows him inside until they are in the kitchen. Cyrus ensures they are truly alone until he speaks, "This is going to be very hard to understand."

"Tell me," Lance urges, desperate for answers.

Cyrus sighs, "There are... two souls in your body. Just like how I came here, the other soul seems to have reincarnated into your body sometime when you were young; since you've been seeing his memories since you were a child. You don't just remind me of Charlie, part of you is Charlie."

Lance is silent, gazing at the floor with furrowed brows.

Cyrus smiles softly, "Do I sound insane?"

"No, I just... how is this possible? How do you remember your memories from your previous world? But I don't?"

"Well, that's something I can't tell you." I know it has something to do with the System.

"Why not?"

"Because if I do, I'll die. I mean, my soul will die."

Terror flashes in Lance's eyes, "Oh."

"Yeah..."

There is a moment of silence as Lance processes the seemingly impossible information. A range of emotions display themselves on Lance's features, and for a moment Cyrus wishes he knew what he was thinking.

Finally, Lance's expression settles into a smile, "Charlie must of cared a lot about you to follow you here."

"I wish he didn't..."

"Why?"

"Because, I think he did something irreversible to follow me here. And now he's stuck living the same hell as I am. And I won't be able to protect him from whatever may come in his future. I can't protect him from... him." Cyrus scowls.

"From who?"

"Charlie isn't the only one who followed me here. The very person I was trying to escape came here, too. Someone dangerous, unpredictable, and terrifying."

Lance frowns, "Then, I'll protect you."

"Charlie is terrified of him; you are too! He'll kill you without mercy, Lance."

"You mean... Drake?" Lance glares, "I don't care who it is I have to protect you from. I'm not scared when it comes to you. I won't let him touch anyone I care about, especially you! You're too precious to me, understand? He can come here, by himself, or with reinforcements. Either way, I'm killing that bastard. This is my land, my pack, and my mate. He's not getting his hands on any of it!" Lance's fists tremble with rage.

Cyrus blinks, pleasantly surprised by his mate's outrage. Cyrus stepped up to the fuming Lance, wrapping his arms around his neck and pulling him into a warm embrace.

He wanted to protect this man, too. He wanted to protect both Lance and Charlie; because he knew he probably was the only person that would be able to. He knew Lance meant well, but Lance didn't know Adonis for who he truly was. The only one Adonis would listen to was Ethan.

Cyrus pet his hair, and Lance began to calm down, slowly wrapping his arms around Cyrus and returning the hug. He burrowed his face in the nape of Cyrus's neck, in an effort to hide his vulnerable state.

This man... was precious. No matter what, he wouldn't let Adonis get his hands on him. He wouldn't let Lance become just another toy to become manipulated and then disposed of. The only one Adonis wanted was Ethan. There was no point for there to be any collateral damage.

"I won't let him hurt you..." Lance sniffled, crying softly.

Cyrus's heart stung, and he held the man in his arms as close as he possibly could. His voice broke as he returned the sentiment, "Me neither."