| J O S H

Fast forward two days and I'm still limping. If I don't see this man's dick again for a month I might be okay with that.

Lies. My wolf interjects.

He is actually correct for once. That was completely untrue. Still, my ass was well used and definitely abused. I almost punched Darren when he laughed at me for falling off the bed trying to stand up. My legs had completely folded under me and the motherfucker laughed like he didn't blow my back out the night before. Anyway, I'm very forgiving, it's my nature, so I sat on his face and made him eat me out. Which he was all too happy to do. I swear, Darren acts like he'll drop dead if he's not touching me. All the attention was becoming addicting.

You love it.

We love it. I corrected. My wolf humphed but didn't deny the truth. He adored the attention just as much. Especially since he can roll over for his Alpha whenever he wants to now. The big grey bastard growled.

No thanks to you. Mr.I'd rather rot from the inside than tell my MATE that we're MATES! He bites back, something close to embarrassment in his tone. You roll over just as much as I do. The grey wolf mumbles, covering his snout with his paws.

I sighed. I know and I hope you can forgive me for keeping you from your mate for so long. I was being selfish and I hurt you. If there's anyone on this planet I should never hurt it's you. I'm sorry.

The apology was long overdue. I felt like had I asked for forgiveness from everyone except the one who made up half of my being. The one I actually betrayed. I could feel the love radiating from his corner of my mind. And the forgiveness.

My wolf's ears twitched, his head popping up. Let me take over next time and we'll call it square.

Next time? I already had a feeling about where he was going with this. If I was right I'm going to need a fuck-ton of pain killers and at least a week of bed rest. If I thought I was bad... My wolf was going to get us killed.

The next time Alpha makes us wet for him. I want to show him my submission too. Just as he said that something in my hip spasmed. My poor ass...

Let's wait a bit, and then you can go buckwild. I offered. I really don't think we can take too much right now. I almost died from overconsumption of dick and now my mobility is impaired as a direct result. I'd feel better if I was actually limping, I've been moving around like an old man with no cane and gravity is not my friend.

Deal!

I chuckled. Poor Darren, he has my condolences. I know he'd love it though. If it were possible for us to be attached at the hip, he'd make it happen. I love him enough to go along with the whole hip-hitching like a lovesick pup. Stupid love-struck smile and googly-eyes and all. My heart throbbed happily in my chest as I walked-half- limped-down the stairs. Thinking about Darren brings me happiness, he doesn't even have to be in my vicinity to make my whole mood light up.

I kind of wish we had more time together today, but I told Kaleb that I would go with him to his checkup today. Ah, the things I do for friendship. Prime example being, skipping out on getting my dick sucked. That's neither here nor there though. I am eager to go with him. I needed assurance that he was going to be okay just as much as everyone else did.

When I saw Kaleb yesterday, the runt was moving around perfectly normal, well his normal pregnant penguin waddle. Note to self, do not call it a penguin waddle to his face ever again. I said it to him as a joke and the overly hormonal omega started crying like I'd taken one of the cookies he'd been eating and ate right in front of him. Well, I did do that, but he was mostly crying over the fact that I said he looked like a pregnant penguin.

Getting to him stop before Zev could hear him and I died was a feat in and of itself but I did it. Props to me for being fucking awesome. I digress. Kaleb was getting around fine but I was damn near dying with every step and the unfairness of it all was not lost on me. I won't hold it against him though. It's not like Zev could actually "punish" him right now. The runt's gotten so much bigger so quickly, too quickly.

Kaleb was short and small and visibly weaker than everyone else. The runt was carrying two hefty babies and the whole pack was a little worried about him. Hopefully, this check-up would ease the majority of our concerns. I knew deep in the pitch-black depths of my soul, that if Kaleb didn't make it through labor, the pack would probably be collateral. While I don't hate the giant tabby kitten, Zev's possessiveness was in a league of its own. I kind of respected him for that. Kind of.

Stepping into the living room, I noticed that Kaleb wasn't there. He's probably still cuddled with his mate. I did wake up sort of early today. The only reason I started my day earlier than him was because Darren was up. And my mate was so loud this morning it woke me up. He's lucky he's cute. I should've whooped his ass.

As I said, I'm forgiving.

I am also hungry, so the kitchen was my actual destination. Once there, I rummaged around for something decent. Part of me remembered the mornings Luna Eden would make us breakfast as pups. Pancakes, waffles, bacon, eggs, sausage, and fruit. She made the best pancakes... It tore me up inside knowing that she probably died thinking I betrayed the pack. What's worse was the pain losing her and Alpha Drake caused Darren. I hate to say it, but I'm kind of waiting for him to break. He might not, the stubborn bastard is probably pushing it down as best he can.

I don't blame him. I'm doing the same thing. They weren't my parents, but they were the closest thing to it that I had for most of my life. I missed them both and wished that I was there to help when my pack-my family needed me. I'd make up for it though, that was a promise.

I didn't make pancakes. I thought about it but I knew they would suck ass. I ended up with some bacon and toast and a banana. I made sure to drink the tonic Samira gave me before eating. I hadn't missed a day so far, not to toot my own horn. I will not give Darren any credit even though he was the one to remind me slash pour it down my throat half the time. It was a small meal, but still very tasty.

I felt happier today than I had in a while. Darren's love just had that effect of me, I guess. I was stronger than I was when he rescued me and in a way I was different too. In a good way. Everyone had changed in some way since the attack, big or small. We all had new scars. I think that just made our bond as a pack stronger.

Darren was a different Alpha compared to his father. He was more compassionate but just as overprotective as Drake had been. Not gonna lie, watching him do the whole 'alpha thing' was hot as hell. On more than one occasion, simply witnessing him use his authority has made my knees quake.

The pack as a whole appreciated his efforts. Samira's as well. She's been treating everyone day in and day out. They're both working hard.

I had a piece of bacon left when Samira came into the Kitchen. Speak of the devil. I gave her a smile in greeting but it slowly fell when I registered her appearance.

Her normally neatly styled curls were a mess atop her head, her eyes had dark bags under them. The clothes she wore looked like she just threw them on in a rush. I sniffed to see if I could smell anything wrong with my fellow pack member and my heart stopped, before kicking into a thudding beat.

She didn't have a scent.

"Josh." She croaked before smiling at me. No warmth in her dull brown eyes. "Your Alpha is waiting for you."

I growled, standing up from the bar stool quickly. We both knew she wasn't referring to Darren. The hair on the back of my neck stood. It took everything in me not to launch myself across the island and rip her fucking throat out. How dare she refer to that piece of shit as my Alpha. My wolf snarled, pushing to break free of my skin.

I took a calming breath. This is my chance. I can use this goddess-sent opportunity to bite his fucking head off. Another breath, and I was able to cool the burning hatred in my gaze and turn it into something softer but just as intense. Come on Josh, how hard can it be to act like you have Stockholm?

"Wh-Where is he?" I asked, trying my best to sound desperate, pleading. Yeah, tell me where he is so I tear his throat out. Samira's eyes lit, clearly pleased with my response. I moved to step around the island, with every intention of body slamming this bitch once she gave me the information I needed.

"I'm glad you're so eager," Samira said before murmuring a quick phrase in a language I didn't understand. My body sagged, going dead as I crumbled to the floor. So the goddess does hate me then. This felt like a reenactment of the lowest moment in my life. I hated every second. I cursed each step that brought Samira closer to me, hating that I was slowly slipping out of consciousness. The last thing I saw was her shoes as she stopped in front of me. My vision blurred and then went black.

"Don't worry, I'll take you right to him."

For every moment of happiness I have, there seemed to be a moment of cruel, unjust bullshit to follow right after. I'm born, my parents love me, then randomly decide to abandon me. I find my mate then get kidnapped. I find hope that I'll be recused, turns out I'm framed for murder. The list could go on, but honestly, I don't even want to think about it. I'm fucking over the bullshit.

The one thing that I want-my mate-is the one thing the universe seems dead set on keeping from me. If it's not me blocking my own blessings then it's a cuntbag named Jared actively flushing my life down a shitty toilet. I hate this man more than words could ever describe. Hate is too kind. Loathe wouldn't even begin to cover it. Abhor isn't strong enough. The way my body is currently vibrating with the need to rip his head off his fucking shoulders would have made my teeth chatter if I wasn't clenching my jaw so damn hard.

I'm going to kill him. For what he did to me, for what he did Kaleb, and for the stress he's putting my mate through right now. But I was quiet. I didn't struggle against him. I let him lead me with a firm grip around my wrist. I didn't fight.

I didn't fight because I knew I wouldn't win. Not against so many. The bastard had made sure he brought every rogue he'd amassed with him. He'd need them to have a hope in hell of defeating Zev and getting what he really desired. Kaleb. All this for someone who did not want him, didn't even like hearing his name being spoken. Someone who had a mate that could and would more than likely kill him instantly the moment he was given the chance.

It was suicidal. His obsession was clearly going to get him killed yet he was running headlong towards death like a lunatic. I don't care what motivates his mindless determination to not only have Kaleb but me as well, on top of creating his sick version of a utopian pack. It didn't matter. He was quite literally a dead man walking and I'm determined to be his executioner.

"So talkative," Jared cooed, his grip tightening. "Didn't you miss me, slut? Why won't you tell your Alpha how much you longed for me to save you?"

I don't even bother to respond. It would have been a waste of my breath. He just wants to hear himself talk. I could hear Jared's teeth grinding as a muscle in his jaw ticked. He led me deeper into the heart of the camp and I followed obediently.

"Josh, I missed you. The least you could do is tell me the same!" Jared snarled, turning his head to give me a quick glare. I'm not surprised he expects me to behave as though he's saved me from unspeakable horror. As if he wasn't the man who tainted me. I swallowed a growl. I can't wait to be the reason this motherfucker stops breathing. I look forward to it wholeheartedly. "How is my omega, huh? I bet he misses me too."

I might have been able to control my laugh under any other circumstance but that was not the case in this situation. I fucking laughed. This motherfucker is a special kind of delusional. "I bet he misses me too? The fuck? Miss what? Being chained to a fucking wall, barely fed, and miles away from his actual mate?"

"Careful, Josh. We just got back together, I don't want to start our new lives with each other by punishing you."

"Right, my bad," I said with a humorless snort. I hope Darren finds me soon, because at this rate I'm going to end up killing Jared and having to fight off all the fuckers by myself.

"So, did you miss me?" This bitch-

Not even slightly. "Sure did, daddy," I replied dryly.

Jared smiled at me, a look so twisted it made my stomach churn. I couldn't tell you if he actually believed what I just said, or if he was just using the words to feed his own delusion. I was so over this shit. Over being used as a pawn and toy for his personal use. I'd be damned if I let him do the same to Kaleb. That could never happen. It wouldn't.

Deeper we went into the heart of the circus full of soon-to-be-dead assholes. By some miracle I was able to not kill anyone in the immediate vicinity even as my blood boiled as I looked at them all. Rogues weren't all the same moon-crazed monsters parents would warn their children about. Some of us didn't get the crazy. I didn't. Losing a pack doesn't mean you automatically lose yourself. That part was a choice. Actively choosing to lose your humanity and intentionally warping your instincts. Sure, losing your pack can be disorienting but it's not enough to make you turn psycho.

I would know. The only thing I remember about my parents is the fact that they left me. Not having a pack does make you a little more wild, more instinct based. That was part of my problem when I was found. I didn't have control over that part of myself and I spent most of my life wrestling with that shortcoming.

"I really did miss you, Josh" Jared murmured tenderly. "You were taken from me before I got to introduce you to the rest of your new family, baby."

It took a lot of effort to not rip myself from his grasp. So, I focused on the bullshit spewing from his mouth instead of the way his touch made me want to crawl out of my own skin. A tremor of unease rolled down my spine. I don't give a fuck who he's been hanging out with, but it was unnerving how excited he was getting about me meeting whoever the fuck he's talking about.

I said nothing. Just continued walking with him until we finally reached the biggest tent of them all.

"Try to behave. I know your old pack is on rocky terms with them, but they're like family to me. They made all this possible." He gestured all around. A broad, almost reverent smile stretching his face. That's when my heart fell to my stomach. The smell coming from the tent was...wrong. I'd only encountered it once when I was just a kid. I'd been with the pack for a year at the time.

When the witches kidnapped Darren's older sister and Alpha Drake waged a war that cost too many lives on both sides. I don't remember what ended it all. No one ever told me or Darren. It was an unspoken rule from then on that no one brought up Aani. I never talked to Darren about losing his sister. He didn't either. We were all too scared that Alpha Drake would hear her name and restart the war.

I know the loss hurt him. I know it hurt Darren even more not to be able to talk about it. What breaks my heart is the fact that he's dealing with the death of his parents the same way he was forced to deal with Aani's. I know he's not facing it, I also know when this is all over he's going to crumble and I need to be there to put him back together again. The same way he's been putting me back together since the day we met.

I'd only be able to do that if I made it through all this shit. Jared pushed through the entrance flaps, stepping inside with me in tow.

The interior wasn't anything to brag about. A sleeping bag off to the side and a table with chairs that just barely fit into the space. It was round and around it were six chairs. Sitting in them were three women.

I didn't make a sound as their bright eyes turned to me. Not even when Jared gestured for me to sit in one of the available chairs. I sat. The gazes on me never wavered. The one directly across from me had dark hair, black as pitch with tan skin. Her eyes were vibrant blue with no pupils. She was in the middle of the other two.

The woman on her right had hair the color of sunbeams and eyes darker than an abyss with slitted yellow pupils and an olive skin tone. The final woman, on the left, had a crown of tight coils black in color. Her skin was deep brown and her eyes were nothing but the whites with oddly shaped pupils the color of iridescent silver.. Each was abstractly beautiful, but there was a cruelness that radiated from them. Something dark. Something wrong.

"Well, well," The one in the middle chortled. "What is this, Jared?"

"He's too old to come with us, you know that," spoke the one on the left. Too old? The fuck is that supposed to mean? Anger rippled through me, my nails digging into my palms, drawing blood. These monsters took children. But why? Why children? And what happened to the little ones they kidnapped?

"He may have the blood of an alpha, but—" came the protest from the one on the right. Jared hadn't taken a seat yet. He spread his hands, palms upward with a charming smile.

"Ladies," He interrupted. "I know our deal." My heart might as well have stopped. What deal? What the hell is happening right now?

Just stay quiet. Listen. I took my own advice, glaring at the three witches defiantly. For all the shit Jared talked about being better than Drake, he was willing to make deals with the same people who tore his pack apart. I've never hated anyone or anything more than I absolutely despised this man.

"Just a bit longer and they'll have taken the bait," The floating posum-shit said, gripping my shoulder firmly. I bit back a growl. "Samira will be leading them to me, and then I'll kill our joint problem."

"Drake's other child." The raven-haired woman smiled. It was a sick curving of her lips that raised goosebumps on my skin. "It was a shame we couldn't get our hands on him too, for our...work."

"What work?" I grit out, damn near flashing my fangs. Jared growled at me, trying his best to crush my shoulder in his hand. It hurt but I ignored the pain. These fuckers were the ones who took Aani and they would have done the same to Darren. My Darren.

"Tsk, tsk, Jared. Your pet needs some more training." The lady on the left purred darkly.

"He needs some review after being away from me for so long." The walking toe-fungus assured the three weird- fucks. The middle one laced her fingers together. They were long, bony with sharp black talons curving from her nail beds.

"Anyway, Jared, we want the little Alpha dead and for you to keep your end of the bargain." The blue-eyed woman said with a slow smirk. A nameless heat rose in my body. It started at the base of feet, pumping to the rest of my body like a toxin. The edges of my vision blurred red. I lurched forward, preparing to rip the bitch's head clean off. The one with glowing piss hair, flicked her finger and I was still. That pissed me off more.

I couldn't fight against it. Jared yanked me back by my shoulder, causing my back to slam against the chair painfully. I didn't register it. Too busy trying to commit their face to memory.

"We've helped you get this far," The sunbeam murmured, settling her eyes on Jared. Her hand lowered, but I was still prone. The three women paid me no more attention. Like I wasn't a threat.

"I know, Ataxia, and I appreciate all you've done." I'm gonna go out on a limb and say he's talking to the yellow glowstick. "We're almost there."

"And you will keep up your end." The whit-eyed woman spoke with a voice like toxic smoke. It was a statement of fact. Not a question.

"I will do everything in my power to keep you three happy, Shaemys." Jared said with all the confidence and slimy charm in the world. Shaemys' empty stare didn't waver. I couldn't tell if she was buying into his bullshit or not.

"We know, Jared." The middle witch purred. "We know." She smiled, it was an expression that could only warm a corpse. "Shall we?" She glanced to her two acquaintances in turn.

"Yes, Delvinia." Ataxia and Shaemys intoned at the same time.

Delvinia looked at me then, those endless blue eyes staring into my soul. She didn't smile, so much as bare her teeth at me. I returned the gesture, showcasing my fangs. Mine are bigger, bitch.

"Just in case you don't prevail...no one can know we were here." Delvinia didn't tear her sight from me as she said this. Jared squared his shoulders, probably preparing to give more assurances. Before he could utter a word the blue-eyed bitch snapped her long fingers and they were-

Why the fuck am I staring at empty fucking chairs? Did this fucker walk me through all those rogues just to wine and dine me? I took a deep breath. Don't kill him now. Darren could be figuring it out and looking for me. I don't know if he's even found Samira yet. I could wait a bit longer.

I noticed how hard he was gripping my shoulder then. What the fuck is his problem? I thought I was playing the role of subdued concubine pretty well. Apparently fucking not. Jared finally released his hold and walked to other side of the table that just barely fit in this fucking tent.

Why the hell did he even put it in here to begin with? Was the dumb-fuck expecting to have some kind of executive meeting or something?

"Well then, that was pretty redundant." Jared cursed, pacing away from me.

And he's officially lost his goddess-given mind. I wish I knew what the figgedy-fuck he was talking about. I knew he wasn't all the way there to begin with but it would be more comforting to know he hadn't lost his remaining marbles while I was smack-dab in the middle of rogues. Jared ran a hand down his face, tiredly.

He pulled out the chair next to me and plopped into it.

"I'm so glad you're back Josh. I've been bored without you. No one is as satisfying as you were," he sighed, putting hand on my knee. "We don't have time right now..." Jared leaned over, smirking softly, his fingers trailing higher. Too high. "But later—" He paused, face turning redder than any tomato I've seen, and glared at my neck. "Is that—"

I head-butted him. Jared flew back with a curse, clutching his ugly ass face. It was satisfying to see the blood pouring down his neck. "Fuck!" He snarled, falling out of his chair. Sure, I could have held out a bit longer, but fuck that. I'm never letting him put his hands on me like that again.

Jared scrambled up awkwardly, resting his broken nose. I stood as well, rolling my shoulders. I love my mate and I know he's going to give me hell for this, but right now...I'm going to beat this motherfucker's ass. Sure, he could call for help, but until help got here he was going to be my personal punching bag. I've always wanted one. Raising my fists, I settle my stance, readying to knock every last tooth out his goddamn mouth.

Jared growled, face bloodied and glared at me before barking out a phrase I didn't understand. My entire body froze in place, my fist stopping an inch from his stubbled jaw.

I can't move.

Jared smiled, looking like he lost the last marble he had between his ears. Then, he punched the hell out of me. I'm certain that if I was in the same condition I was when Darren found me, my jaw would literally be on the floor. I'm really grateful for all the TLC I got from my mate, because now his hits felt like mosquito bites. Punches I could handle, but when my body tilted over and crashed to the ground, Jared took the opportunity to kick my face in. My neck would have snapped if my body wasn't completely frozen. I saw stars and almost wished Zev was choking me again instead. At least then I could move. I felt trapped in my own skin like I was being crushed from all sides.

Breathing through the blinding pain would have helped, but my lungs could expand only so much in my current state. Luckily, I could feel the shattered bone in my cheek mending itself. It would take some time to heal. I took the pain and turned it into anger. The fiery emotion was a crutch of mine that I hadn't leaned on in a while. I used it now.

I'm going to kill Jared. I'm going to savor seeing the life drain out of his eyes and relish in the sound of his last heartbeat. I could just barely hear my wolf howling in agreement. Then again, that could just be the ringing in my ears.

"Fuck!" Jared roared, throwing a chair across the small tent space. "You let that mutt fucking mark you?!" He snarled, spitting blood. Jared's eyes went from charcoal to brilliant red. He looks fucking constipated. "YOU'RE MINE!"

Jared stood over me, chest heaving. Gotta say, I did not miss this position. I tried to flick him off but my fingers wouldn't move. This is some bullshit. Jared gave me a slow, sick smile.

"If you needed reminding of that, slut," His hands darted down, curved like claws as he tore at my clothes. "All you had to do was say so.'

I went completely numb. Not again. I know Darren loves me, but there's got to be a limit, right? How many times is he going to be willing to take back something someone else has soiled. I know I'm not good enough-

Stop.

I took all the air my lungs would allow, and exhaled slowly. If looks could kill, the soul sundering stare I leveled at Jared would made him rot from the inside. I refused to look away from his. I met his crazed gaze head-on. We no longer had a link. We were no longer in the same pack. But there was a promise in my eyes, one that I wanted him to see.

I am your death.

He flinched for a second, but shook it off just as quickly as he yanked my pants off me. I was naked, frozen on the ground as he straddled me. His hands reached for the button on his jeans.

"Alpha! Samira said they're on the way!" Came a sniveling voice from the tent flap. The one thing I appreciated the most about the rogues under Jard's command was their unerring ability to be his own, personal cock-block. Jared tsk'd, jaw tightening as he stood.

"As I said," He growled, looking down at me like I was less than dirt. "We don't have time."