| D A R R E N

"Let me help train the enforcers!" Josh suggested, practically glaring at me at this point. What are we arguing over you may ask. At the moment we're discussing ways he could help around the safe house. So far all his ideas include strenuous and slightly dangerous activities.

"No," I replied shuffling through the papers on the desk before me. I was looking for a map that my father had of the territory. Josh paced agitatedly. I understood he felt pent up and needed something to do but that something was not going to involve someone else touching him in any way, shape or form. Let alone attacking him for any reason, even for training purposes. I'd lose my shit if someone so much as scratched him. Not that it was likely, but that's not the point.

"Go on border patrols!" He fired off, still wearing a trail through the floor. I scoffed but didn't look up at him. Now that was a hell no. Last time he went on a border patrol I lost him for over a month, he's lucky I'm agreeing to let him go outside without me.

"No," I growled firmly. I looked up and our eyes met. When he saw that I was being dead serious he huffed, throwing his hands in the air.

"Ugh! Well, what can I do then, assface!" He snarled, crossing his muscled arms over his chest. I smirked before continuing to rummage through the pile in front of me.

"Watch the pups with Kaleb. See if the pack mothers need help with anything, assist Samira with any remaining injured members... I could go on." I shrugged nonchalantly. Like hell, I was going to allow him to do anything close to dangerous.

"I'm not weak, Darren." He mumbled looking away irritatedly. I almost laughed at how cute he looked upset. I leaned back in my chair, having found what I was looking for. I took in my mate's annoyed expression, his full pink lips were damn near pouting as his eyebrows furrowed together. His blue eyes shone with stubbornness. I knew better than anyone that Josh wasn't weak. My father trained us both since we pups and he was the only one that could last more than five minutes with me in a fight. He is strong. He's my Beta, but he's also my mate.

"I know, pup," I said placing the paper down where I would find it later. I pushed away from the desk a little. "Come here, Josh." He didn't move. His jaw was set in a way that I knew meant he wasn't going to just walk over here like a good boy. Still stubborn as hell. Josh's gaze met mine defiantly but I was determined to make his resolve crumble. I allowed my eyes to turn gold, my wolf woke up in interest feeling as if he was being challenged. Josh gulped noticing the change in my demeanor but he didn't look away. He was playing a dangerous game, one that he wasn't going to win. It's in your best interest to find your way onto my lap before I get to five.' I warned through the link. "One...," I started, tapping my nail that had elongated into a claw on the dark wood of the desk. 'He gulped but made no move to come closer.

Josh raised his eyebrow and squared his shoulders. I had to grit my teeth in order to keep my wolf in check. He was extremely dominant and we'll suffice it to say he wasn't taking the blatant defiance very well. The Alpha in me tried his hardest to push at my resolve. If I let him, he would pin Josh down without hesitation and show him what happens to pups who don't listen.

"Two..." He shifted his weight a little but still didn't move forward. Playing with fire, hope you're prepared to get burned.

"Are you really counting right now?! I'm not five!" Josh growled looking genuinely offended. I licked my lips feeling my canines extend. I was counting because by the time I got to five all bets were off. I was giving him a fair warning.

"Three..." I know he could tell my wolf was scratching at the surface because he broke into a cold sweat. He seemed to realize- a little late- that this wasn't a joke. My eyes were practically glowing as my wolf's dominant aura seeped from me. He flinched under the weight of it as he bit his lip, he lowered his eyes just a fraction, but not enough to show he was yielding to a more dominant wolf. "Four..." By this point, my voice had lowered into a deep husky timbre and Josh shivered in response to it as his cheeks turned pink.

"D-Darren-" He whimpered in a small voice, his eyes had turned into the glacier white belonging to his wolf. His whole face was red and he was straining not to collapse into a submissive heap. The sight was absolutely adorable. My wolf growled dominantly and Josh gasped.

"F-" He jumped over the desk, clearing it in one easy bound and landing gracefully into my lap. He threw his arms around my neck as he immediately exposed his vulnerable neck. In order to placate my wolf, I buried my nose in his exposed throat, growling lightly. He let out a submissive whine, tilting his head and offering more access. Cute. Even though we're about the same size I couldn't use any other word to describe him... well I can think of a few. My hands rubbed his side and back softly. It was a lot harder to keep myself from being rough with him, especially after the stunt he just pulled. First thing they teach us as pups, never taunt an Alpha. Shit can hit the fan real quick.

"Now was that so hard?" I asked, kissing his ear. Josh shuddered, pressing himself closer to me.

"I-I'm here now what the h-hell do you want?" He stuttered, trying to sound tough despite the fact that he was hiding his red face against my neck.

I smirked playfully but let him stay there. I didn't need to rub the small victory in his face, especially when it was inevitable.

"As I was saying, I'm aware you're not weak, Josh. It's that despite this fact you were taken away from me. That's the problem." His grip tightened on my neck as he cuddled closer. "Do you have any idea how I felt once we realized you were gone?" I asked rhetorically. "I was so confused because it felt as if my entire world was suddenly thrown off balance. I couldn't think straight, I was irrational enough to actually believe that you betrayed us. What's worse is I wanted to believe it." He stiffened but didn't move away.

"It was easier than thinking too much into the sudden hole in my chest or why you desired Kaleb. I was... jealous and angry and barely in control." I explained, pulling him impossibly closer. "When Larken told me you were just a pawn in Jared's plan, I killed every rogue that stood between you and me. I had this unexplainable urge to be near you. Then I find you chained and beaten, claiming that you weren't good enough to be my mate while I was just so relieved you were mine. I've never felt a pain like that before. I felt like I was dying, I thought you'd rejected our bond and that's why you'd tried so hard to hide it from me."

Josh leaned back finally looking at my face, making sure to avoid eye contact. He didn't say anything, he just sat there allowing me to finally get this shit all off my chest. "Now that I have you, my wolf is determined to keep you locked away so you can't run away-"

"I wouldn't call getting kidnapped running away," My mate interrupted with a slight frown. Smart ass.

"You were running before that. You started running the moment you asked Samira to cloak your scent," Josh winced at the truth of my words and nibbled on his lip again.

"In my defense, it seemed like the best idea at the time." I couldn't help the snarl that tore up my throat as my eyes turned bright gold. My grip on his waist tightened causing him to shift uncomfortably as my eyes bore a hole into his face.

"It was a dumbass idea, Josh" I growled, doin little to temper the glare I was throwing at him. No shit it wasn't the best idea.

"Well in hindsight... yeah, I guess you're right." He shrugged. I rolled my eyes incredulously.

"In hind-?! You guess?!" I sputtered trying to keep my composure, it wasn't really working, especially since he knew all the right buttons to press. Or maybe he didn't and he was just dragging his fingers across the keys haphazardly.

"Okay, okay! It was stupid of me, I should have just gone to you and talked about it but in my head, I didn't even deserve that much." Josh admitted sheepishly as his cheeks turned cherry red.

"Well in my head you deserve to be spanked, want one now or later?"

"I-I don't think that's necessary. And since when were you into this kind of thing?" As if he didn't remember. We had a whole conversation about it when we were a few years younger and a whole lot more carefree than we are now.

"Since you discovered your Daddy kink," I smirked. His eyes lit up as he seemed to suddenly remember the conversation in question.

"So what if I found it hot for a girl to call me Daddy, it has nothing to do with spanking ass cheeks." Josh pointed out as if that made his argument more valid than mine. Little did he know that there was so much more I want to do to those ass cheeks than just spank them.

"It does now," I state bluntly. Josh's face twisted in adorable confusion, that's fine because I was about to make it very clear for him.

"Do you still have a Daddy kink?"

"Yeah...so?" Josh answered uncertainly. I couldn't hide my smirk or the fact that I was enjoying messing with him like this. His reactions were just too cute and sometimes sexy.

"Since there's no way in hell a she-wolf's calling you Daddy-" I began but he cut me off.

"You're going to start calling me Daddy?" He smirked. I snickered. As if. Only in his wildest dreams. Even then he'd still have to wake up and come back to reality.

"Cute, but no." I leaned forward to rumble in his ear, "Guess again." He let out a low whine, shifting his hips a bit. I smiled against his neck, feeling the heat from his blush against my lips. "I think you figured it out... now say it,"

"D-Daddy," he whimpered as I nibbled at his neck lightly. Josh melted against me as the word slipped through his lips like a sigh. It was probably the sexiest thing I'd ever heard. I couldn't stop the images of him screaming it while I pleasured him from running rampant through my mind. My pup wasn't ready for that level of intimacy yet, but once he was...well...

"Good pup," I hummed. "I can definitely see the appeal, especially when you sound like that," I admitted. I remember when he first told me about this kink. I didn't think much of it, only that I definitely wasn't all that thrilled by it. However, coming from his lips it was possibly the hottest thing ever. He groaned from embarrassment.

"I've never in my life imagined calling another man Daddy in this context." Josh pressed his face into my neck again, it was a habit that I was starting to find extremely endearing. A big badass beta cuddling up to his Alpha like a cute little pup. It drove me and my wolf crazy.

"You like it, don't you?" I teased.

"I-I don't hate it. But only if it's you," Josh admitted.

"It will only ever be me, I'll kill the next man you call Daddy," I promised without batting an eye. And I meant it. I'd rip the dude's brain out through his ass when I got my hands on him. Then I'd take my naughty pup home and show him who Daddy really is.

"I'll keep that in mind the next time someone gets on my nerves." He chuckled as he pulled back to look me in the eyes. I smiled, laughing with him.

"Now about that spanking..." I prompted. Josh scoffed, looking at me warily.

"How about we pass?" Josh asked hopefully.

"Mmmh, but the thought of you bent over this desk with your ass on display for me sounds tempting." I grabbed his butt and began kneading it through his jeans a little roughly. Josh seemed to love it as he arched his back pressing further into my hands.

"Haa ngh, w-well I vote for not spanking me." He moaned. I smiled and stopped groping him. I brought one of his hands to my mouth and kissed his wrist. "I don't think I'll get much fun out of it."

"You never know, you might like it." I smiled. Josh wrinkled his nose, looking at me as if I had a screw loose.

"I highly doubt that," He disagreed, shaking his head. I would have continued our banter if I hadn't been interrupted through the mind link by an enforcer. As much as I would love to have my mate all to myself for the rest of the day I knew that wasn't possible. I can't just put off protecting my pack when we were all still very much in danger. Josh heard the message too, the disappointment was written all over his face. The time apart was like torture for both of us.

"We'll have to test your theory later, Pup," I kissed his wrist again letting my lips linger a little longer as I took in a deep whiff of his addicting scent. He smelled like cool air on a winter day and pinecones. I don't know why but the combination drove me crazy.

"Mmm, yeah, whatever you say." He mocked as he got off my lap. It took all of my control not to pull him back against me where he belonged. "Since I can't do anything fun, I guess I'll go bother the runt." He ran a hand through his dark brown hair, sighing melodramatically.

"Make sure you don't get yourselves into trouble," I warned. I swear if either one of them turns up missing again I was going to flip shit. Kaleb's accident-prone and Josh just dives headfirst into dangerous situations like a bull in a damn china shop. Just thinking about the possible shit they could get into was giving me a headache and minor heart problems.

"Yeah, yeah. We'll be model citizens," Josh waved me off as he moved towards the door. I watched his perfect ass as he walked wishing I had spanked him while he was bent over my desk when I had the chance.

Perfect opportunity and you let it slip through your fingers. My wolf tsked. I have to agree with him on that.

"I mean it, Josh," I pressed. If there was one thing I know about Josh it's that he's hard-headed and stubborn as fuck. My wolf licked his lips, his golden eyes practically glowing. Perhaps our pup could use a bit more than a spanking to remedy that. He intoned.

"Killjoy," Josh muttered, opening the door.

"I heard that," I growled.

"Good," he smirked, his blue eyes gleaming with mischief, before closing the door behind him.

"He's gonna make me pop a vein one day," I murmured, leaning back in my chair.

||

Zev followed me into the pack house running a hand through his shoulder-length brown hair. After a day of border patrol, I could tell he was anxious to see his little mate again. I didn't blame him, I've only been away from Josh for a few hours but it had felt like decades. When we entered the living room we found them both sitting on the floor in front of the couch, slightly obstructing them from view.

"What are you two doing?" I asked curiously. Josh's head pops over the back of the couch as he looked at us like we were trespassing on some private meeting. You could just barely see Kaleb's black curls, but we could definitely hear him giggling.

"None of your bee's wax, go away," Josh said haughtily.

"Where is Kaleb?" Zev with a soft skeptical glare as he walked into the room. His eyes scanned the room in seconds, darting to Kaleb's dark tresses almost immediately. Josh seemed to lose some of his bravado as the large male stared him down. He sunk back down behind the couch as Kaleb popped up like a whack a mole.

"You guys can't join! This is the K+J Club." The little omega said crossing his arms. It was obvious the little omega was going for a stern expression but I have to say he was failing horribly. I had to laugh at how nonintimidating he looked. I've seen bunnies scarier than him. Kaleb pouted at me and I managed to dial it down to cough before he decided to sick his tiger on me. Was I surprised they had created a little club for themselves? Not in the slightest. The two have been as thick as thieves since we found them in that shack. I have to make a mental note to go back there and burn the rat hole to the fucking ground. Maybe I'd spread the ashes of Jared's dismembered body over the burnt remains... hmm food for thought. I'll talk about it with Zev later.

"You guys created a club that your mates can't join? What are the membership requirements?" Zev asked indulgently as a smirk pulled at the corner of his lips. Kaleb's pale cheeks flushed pink as he parted his lips but Josh spoke up before he could answer.

"Just one. You have to have been kidnapped," Josh replied smartly. I shook my head, I'm really going to have to do something about that mouth of his.

"Fine, we won't disturb...your super secret club meeting. We'll be in the Kitchen." I said trying not to laugh at how Zev's eyes were practically glaring holes through the couch.

"Yes, but this meeting will adjourn at 11:00 sharp." Zev's deep voice rumbled as he crossed his massive arms. I could see him falter a little at the puppy eyes Kaleb was giving him.

"But it's 10:30!" Josh protested as he popped back up next to Kaleb. They were both acting like pups wanting to stay up after their bedtime. Kaleb's pout deepened and the tiger's resolve seemed to be crumbling. It's almost scary how much power he had over the tiger standing next to me.

"Please Zev..." Kaleb whimpered, poking out his full bottom lip. And with that, I knew Zev was done for. He growled lowly under his breath. Josh nibbled on his lip, a hopeful gleam entering his blue orbs.

"11:35," Zev caved before stalking into the kitchen. I winked at my pup causing him to blush before following the grumbling tiger.

"Yeah you're whipped, my friend." I chuckled walking over to the fridge to grab a bottle of water. Zev scowled, leaning his large body against the counter as he crossed his arms over his broad chest.

"Says the man that ordered one of his enforcers to become a glorified cushion for his mate," He shot back, catching the water bottle I threw at him effortlessly. "You have no room to talk."

"Like you wouldn't have done the same," I shrugged taking a gulp of water.

"My possessiveness is a bit more extreme than a wolf's." Zev's eyes darkened before turning emerald. "I would've skinned him and used the pelt as a blanket for my Kaleb to lie on."

"That's... a bit extreme," I pointed out, raising an eyebrow. Zev smiled, more like bared his teeth revealing his sharp canines.

"As I said, tigers and wolves go about the whole mate thing differently. We're solitary creatures. Everything besides our mate and our cubs are either prey or an enemy. Since you guys are Kaleb's family, my tiger can tolerate you, but if you weren't or had you mistreated him in any way I would have killed you all." He didn't flinch or falter at the admission, he didn't drop eye contact either. It was chilling the way he could calmy discuss committing a massacre as if we were talking about the weather.

"So you're indifferent towards us?" I asked making myself comfortable on a stool at the island in the middle of the kitchen. I wasn't afraid of Zev, apprehensive would be a better way to describe it. I've seen first hand the power he has and it's honestly impressive how he's able to keep it all in check.

"I like you, Darren, the others I tolerate." He admitted as his eyes faded back to hazel.

"And Josh?" I asked curiously. It was no secret that they still weren't on the best of terms. Not saying that they had to be but it would be nice to know whether or not he would be choking my mate out every time they were in a room together.

"If he wasn't your mate and if Kaleb didn't like him I'd have bitten his head off by now, but sometimes it's hard to detangle Kaleb's emotions from mine so he's starting to grow on me. My tiger finds him amusing." He stated bluntly before taking a swig of his water.

"Yeah, he's an acquired taste. It doesn't help that he's a sarcastic little shit. He has a hard time expressing any emotion besides anger. This is the most I've seen him laugh or joke with someone other than me or my parents." Josh has always had trouble connecting with others. He got along okay with others but for the most part, he just stuck by me. I never minded, he was supposed to be my beta so his place was by my side anyway.

"With you, he turns into a docile pup despite being so outspoken." Zev laughed. I had to laugh at how accurate that was. Josh is just adorable.

"It's the complete opposite with you and Kaleb. Ever since he met you he's come out of his shell. He's always been a little mischievous, breaking rules knowing that my dad wouldn't be hard on him. He could get away with murder in my father's eyes." I smiled ruefully. I was still coming to terms with the fact that he was gone and so was my mother. "And he has you wrapped around his pinkie."

"It's hard to deny him anything, but I plan on spoiling him anyway. I'd give him the moon and all the stars if I could." His whole demeanor softened as he talked about the little omega.

"I can understand that. I want to keep Josh safe and protected but he dives headfirst into anything that seems remotely dangerous. His sense of self-preservation is shit." I grumbled a little irritably while pinching the bridge of my nose.

"He was hot-headed when we first met but now... Whatever happened in that shack changed him." Zev said, his brows furrowing. I took a steadying breath. It would be best if I didn't think about what I had overheard what Josh said happened to him there. Still, I knew Zev's words were true.

"I plan to burn that pile of shit to the ground along with whatever's left of Jared," My wolf growled as my eyes turned gold.

"I'd be more than happy to assist." Zev volunteered, his emerald eyes gleaming with murderous anticipation. I snorted and we both burst into laughter. For being five years older than me Zev was surprisingly easy to get along with. He was an extremely intimidating man standing well over six feet, he was taller than me and nothing but corded muscle. Not to mention that in his tiger form he made me look small which was no easy feat. He sobered from his laughter, his gaze darting towards the stove clock. "Time's up," That was all he said before throwing away his empty water bottle and stalking into the living room.

Discarding my own finished botted I followed in his wake. I leaned my shoulder against the wall chuckling as I watched the large male throw Kaleb over his shoulder with literally no effort and walk up the stairs. Kaleb just waved in farewell. I walked over to Josh who was still on the floor.

"So how was your little meeting?" I teased sitting on the couch by him. My mate looked at me with a small pout. I raised my eyebrow, internally struggling not to pin him down and kiss the fuck out of him.

"Can't tell you, the things discussed cannot be disclosed to outside parties." He smirked and I rolled my eyes.

"Come here, pup," I said spreading my arms. I really want to hold him, I love the feeling of having him in my arms. Josh's cheeks immediately flushed as he got up. They turned an even darker red when he straddled me. I smiled, seems like he learned his lesson from earlier. I gripped his waist, pulling him impossibly closer. His expression was so cute, it was adorable how he refused to make eye contact. "I love you," I smiled and he gasped softly his eyes lifting to meet mine.

"D-Darren I'm not-" He lowered his eyes again but not before I saw the self hate flash through them. I growled softly against his neck, nuzzling him. I knew I was going to have to find a way to help him love himself again. I also knew whatever he was going to say next was going to be an attempt to turn me away from him. I was going to make sure he knew that life without him wasn't an option for me, it never had been nor would it be.

"I love you," I repeated. I kissed his neck, noticing how he tensed a little bit, I just hugged him tighter. "So don't try to run from me anymore."

"I-I w-won't," He stuttered resting his forehead against mine. I won't. He promised. I clenched him tighter. "I love you, too."