This chapter contains triggering material.

| J O S H

I opened my eyes slowly; my head was pounding.

Where the fuck am I?

I looked around the small room with bleary eyes. It looked like the inside of a rundown shack. To the left was a hallway that led to where-ever-the- fuck, and right in front of me was the front door. I moved to get up only to realize that my hands had been chained to the wall. Shit. Well, this is annoying, but not something I couldn't handle. I tugged on my restraints with all my strength. When I find who put me in these fucking cuffs... I growled but trailed off when I realized that my efforts were useless.

Shit, that's not good. I growled again, this time out of frustration. I clearly wasn't going to be able to get out of this by myself. Immediately out of instinct I tried to open the pack link...but I couldn't, my connection to my wolf was also gone.

"You've got to be fucking kidding me," I muttered under my breath. I could feel my mounting frustration quickly turning to anger. It consumed me, making it hard to feel anything else. I tugged at the restraint again but was rewarded only by the sound of the skin on my wrist tearing. I gave up with a huff, feeling even more pissed off.

Obviously that tactic wasn't working, so I decided to stop before I ended up ripping my wrists off. I tried to feel my wolf more time but all I got was radio silence. There was nothing but darkness. As much as I hated listening to the patronizing fucker, he was a part of me and now it was like half of my being was gone. That's exactly what it was. My wolf and I are one in the same so without him I wasn't me.

Instead of dwelling on that, I tried to remember how I possibly got here. For a moment it was like grasping at straws made of water. Then, I remembered. Blonde hair and coal black eyes. I'm not gonna lie, I'm pretty surprised that Jared's lanky ass was able to fucking kidnap me even in my weakened state. Let's just chalk it up the fact that I was distracted. Because there is no way in hell that beady eyed motherfucker could have taken me on in a fair fight.

I want a rematch. That way I can rip out his liver and shove it up his ass. Who was the bastard working for anyway and what the fuck did they need me for?

It was very long later when my abductor walked into the small room coming from the hallway that led to where- ever-the-fuck. His lips were pulled into a satisfied smirk. I wanted to claw it off his face.

"Hey, Josh, I know you're a bit tied up right now but, I hope you don't mind chatting with an old pal for a minute," he smiled, his black eyes glimmering cruelly. That's the corniest shit I've ever heard. I would have snorted under different circumstances but instead I growled, revealing my fangs. Jared licked his lips. "I know we weren't the best of buds before, but since you're helping me with something very important I hope we can grow close." His eyes raked over my exposed body appreciatively. "What d'you say..." His gaze flicked back to mine, "think we could be besties?"

I snarled, yanking futilely against my bonds as my vision tented red. This fucker could not be serious right now.

"I know we won't be as chummy as you and Darren—" I growled. The sound of mate's name coming from his lips was enough to turn my entire vision a bloody red. "Ah, come on don't be like that." He cooed as he moved closer to me. If I weren't in these damn cuffs... He kneeled in front of me, just out of reach. "Won't you be a good mutt for your Alpha?" He asked sickly sweet as he trailed one of his hands up my thigh. I jerked away from his touch.

"Fuck no," I growled. What looneybin did this jackass escape from? "You're not my Alpha, Darren is. You are a worthless piece of shit that doesn't deserve the ass you came out of. So how about you fuck off before I rip your throat out with my teeth." I sneered through a clenched jaw. I don't who dropped him as a pup, but this dude was seriously fucked in the head if he thought he was ever going to be my Alpha.

Jared chuckled darkly, gripping my thigh tightly.

"Let's straighten some things out okay, mutt. First, from now on and for all intents and purposes, I am your Alpha. Not Drake and definitely not that little shit. You belong to me," he reached forward and gripped my chin roughly. "You're gonna be my little toy." He growled before releasing me. I snapped my jaws, lurching forward as I tried to bite his hand off.

"Fuck you," I spit at him. Jared chuckled, eyes gleaming wickedly.

"No slut, I'm going to be the one fucking you." He stood, smirking down at me. "Not yet though, I just need one more to complete my toy collection. I won't lie, he'll be my most prized piece, my Luna, but you'll still have a place. You'll be my fuck toy and he'll be my little baby maker."

"I can't even begin to tell you how fucked up you got me—" He kicked me in the stomach, causing me to double over and wheeze. I bit back a groan to deny him the satisfaction of hearing my pain. Damn! That fucking hurt. Shit.

Jared was smiling wildly now, almost looking deranged. There was an obvious bulge in his pants, making it clear just how much he was getting off on my pain.

"We might not be able to fuck without Kaleb here, but we can still have some fun together...can't we, slut." Black dots clouded my vision, making it hard to focus on my surroundings. Unfortunately, I was able to catch every word that had left his sick mouth. He can't be talking about Kaleb. If he was then he's in for a surprise.

"Hate to break it to you, you dumb fuck, but Kaleb has a mate. A big-ass tiger that will rip your stupid ass a part if you even go near him."

He'd probably play with your decapitated head like it was a ball of yarn. That, I'd like to see.

"Don't worry about that, I have a plan and it's already been set in motion thanks to you," My eyebrows scrunched together in confusion.

"What the fuck are you talking about?"

"Oh, you haven't heard?" Jared smiled wide enough to make me nauseous, "Your whole pack thinks you killed and dismembered someone just to confess your feelings to a certain omega. Isn't that something?" He tapped his chin in mock interest.

My blood froze as I felt the color drain from my face. What does Darren think? Is he even okay?! I don't know what's worse, the entire pack thinking I'm a traitor, or my mate believing that I wanted someone else and was willing to kill for them.

"Don't worry, we'll have so much fun together."

I blacked out.

||

Jared had developed a routine. Torture me, fuck Larken, disappear for a few days then repeat.

I was beaten until I couldn't move so Jared could have his way and make a spectacle out of it—if I wasn't subject to that particular hell, him and Larken decided fun time had to happen right in front of me.

An image I wish I could purge from my brain cells.

It slowly wore me down until I wasn't exactly the same Josh anymore.

Before, I had my wolf, I had my anger...I had Darren and now, I had nothing.

I wasn't myself. These two weeks forced me to see my flaws... all of them. It only served to solidify the fact that I wasn't good enough, I'd never be good enough, and now I was used by another man when I had a mate. There were times when I wanted nothing more than to just die.

Everything changed one day though, Jared had been gone for hours and so had Larken. The shack thing was eerily quiet. I was too tired to think much into it.

I figured this might be the only time I can get some decent sleep. It didn't take me long to drift off. But it seemed only a few hours later I was awake again.

I was brought out of my sleep by the sound of a choked sob reverberating through the silence in the dark room.

I groaned as I picked my head up to find the source of the sound. I was in so much pain even the smallest movements made me clench my teeth. A few feet away from me, huddled against the wall was...Kaleb.

Oh. Fuck.

His big grey eyes were damp with unshed tears, and they widened once he realized who I was.

"Josh?" he asked, uncertainty filling soft voice. I could tell he hadn't expected to see me, it made me almost want to laugh.

I nodded not quite able to speak but stopped when another flash of pain flew through me. I'd never felt so weak before... or defeated.

"Hey, runt," I said despite the dryness of my throat. "I was hoping he wouldn't be able to bring you here—" I was cut off by a cough that hacked its way up my throat. Groaning, I spit out a glob of blood. Yeah, maybe I shouldn't talk. But I had to figure out how the little shit ended up here. I spit one more time before continuing. "I expected that tiger of yours to rip his head off before he could. His plan must have worked." I remarked remorsefully.

"Jared," The omega said softly, his voice shaking with fear. I nodded again—careful not to make the pain flare up again—before leaning my head against the wall.

All this talking was exhausting.

"Yeah," I breathed, my eyes closing of their own accord. "Him." The sick bastard who wants to kill my mate and rape you. I added in my head bitterly. I wasn't about to let that happen though. If Jared so much as looked at Kaleb I was going to find a way to rip off his balls and suffocate him with them.

"I-I don't understand. What does he want with me? Why are you here?" Kaleb asked. At that, I had to laugh, despite there being absolutely nothing funny about the situation at all.

Why the hell was I here? I knew the answer and it pissed me off every time I thought about it.

"I'm just a substitute. Entertainment for when he's bored or frustrated." I answered, wincing at the ache in my throat. He was rougher than usual this time. I sighed opening my eyes and looking over at Kaleb. The look of absolute terror in his eyes made me want to kill Jared even more. "As for what he wants with you... I think we both know. Don't worry too much, I won't let him touch you that way. He'll have to kill me first."

Kaleb's eyes widened in surprise, and I wanted to laugh again. He was looking at me like I'd grown an extra head instead of told him that I would protect him from a murderous psychopath. Not that I didn't get where he was coming from. To say I was a dick to him is an understatement.

"Why? I thought you hated me." his voice shook as he voiced thoughts aloud. I looked at him concerned. He sounded like he was a second away from a panic attack. If I was in his position I probably would be too. Guilt filled me, I had no right to treat him the way I did.

"I never hated you. I was just... redirecting my frustration." I explained, knowing that there was no excuse. The runt growled, actually growled, at me. I couldn't help the amusement that filled me. He sounded like a pup just learning how to use his vocal cords.

"You shouldn't bully someone just because you're having a hard time," he admonished.

"Kaleb, I know..." I trailed off, frowning. I wasn't worth his forgiveness, just like I wasn't worth Darren's love, but I had to let Kaleb know how sorry I was. "I was a dick to you. I just—I need to say I'm sorry. You don't have to forgive me, but just know, I'm going to get you out of here, okay?" I promised.

I didn't care if it was the last thing I did. I'd given up on living through this a while ago. There wasn't much to live for anyway...

"Josh, in the clearing—the things you said... it kind of made everyone believe that you were behind all this mess." Kaleb admitted softly. I couldn't help but snort as the memories of that night resurfaced.

"I bet." I laughed again despite the discomfort, "Listen, I didn't mean what I said. I have a short fuse. Darren's always harping on me about it—" My heart constricted as I said his name, "Anyway, I was really on a self-righteous kick that day and I didn't like your tiger underestimating me. I basically said whatever I could to get under his skin. You should have heard Darren cussing me out in the pack link."

I couldn't help but smile as the last memory of his voice played through my head.

"He's always been the only one who understood me. When we were younger and I lost my temper, which happened a lot, if you can remember," I asked and he nodded. "He's always been the only one who could calm me down even when my wolf took over." The laugh I released was anything but humorous. "I guess it makes sense now that I know that he's—"

I stopped before I said it. I'd never called Darren my mate out loud. It felt as though if I spoke it into the air he would find out, and at the time that was the last thing I wanted. I didn't even have to say it for Kaleb to figure it out though.

"How long have you known?" he asked softly.

"I turned eighteen a week before we were sent to look for you. I was waiting by his room when I smelled it. I was happy...then I panicked." It felt good to finally talk about it instead of hiding it like a dirty secret.

Kaleb's expression softened with understanding. Understanding I did not deserve.

"Is that why you went to go see the pack doctor for the perfume?" Kaleb asked as he slowly but surely put the pieces of my diabolical plan to reject my mate but not reject my mate together. I sighed.

"He deserves better. That's why I went to the pack doctor, to hide my scent. I didn't want him to know. I figured it would be better if he found some werewolf girl who could make him happy." Even as I said the words, I couldn't help but feel like I no longer entirely believed them.

Maybe if I'd just tried to be better, I could've made myself worthy—

"Josh—" Kaleb began, his voice filled with sadness and frustration. I cut him off, I didn't want his pity.

"Please don't," I said softly "I've already beaten myself up over it enough, besides he won't want me now. I'm...used." I spat the word out.

"Yes, he will," Kaleb whispered anyway but thankfully he dropped it. "Why are you here though?" he asked again, a little louder. I guess I hadn't actually answered his question the first time.

"The day you were supposed to come to the pack I was on border patrol. Darren and I usually went together but I decided to go alone since he was still kinda mad at me so I was giving him space." More like I was hiding from him. I swallowed around the lump in my throat.

"Jared caught me off guard and next thing I know, I'm here." The omega's grey eyes filled with sadness. "I'm here because Jared needed a scapegoat. Unfortunately, I was the perfect candidate. It's all part of this sick plan he has to take over the pack with you as his Luna."

Kaleb looked sick to his stomach, he'd gathered his knees close to his chest, as if he made himself small enough, he could hide from this whole fucked up situation. If only.

"How did you get here? I know that tiger of yours didn't let you out of his sight willingly." Now that I needed to hear, the man was going to kill me just for denying his claim over Kaleb.

Jared had done that and then some. The house cat was going to rip him apart. I would say that I felt bad for Jared, but I didn't. I just hoped I could get a front row seat.

The omega's eyes filled with tears, and I felt my heart plummet. Grief radiated off him in waves, heavy enough that I could feel it even with our link gone.

What had that son of bitch done?

"T-There was an attack on the pack house. There were so many rogues... We managed to get to the tree line but my father was waiting for us. He- He had Luna k- killed-" he sobbed out but I couldn't hear anything he said after that. I growled as my anger flared like never before.

Luna is gone.

The anguish I felt was too much to bear. It consumed me. My mom was—

"Luna... she's... she's-" I didn't want to say it, to acknowledge that it was real and not a bad dream. The mother figure of the entire pack was gone. The woman who had shown me nothing but acceptance and love... My blood chilled as I thought about how this was affecting Darren.

"Darren! How is he?! Where is he?! I need to get to him!" I snarled, tugging harshly on my chains causing the skin on my wrists to tear. I didn't care if I had to rip an arm off, Darren needed me.

"Stop!" Kaleb cried in concern, lurching forward despite his own restraints.

"Damnit!" I cursed, letting my arms fall limp against my restraints. Tears flowed down my face and I didn't try to stop them. After a moment, I gathered myself the best I could. Fuck this shit! "What," I croaked, my voice weak. "Happened next?"

Once he was sure I wasn't going to rip my arms out of their sockets, the runt continued, "After that, the fighting started. Darren and Zev were fighting. Then Jared showed up" His voice broke but he continued anyway. "We all believed he could be trusted, that's why Zev allowed me to go with him. They figured I'd be safer with the pups and pack mothers. Obviously, that is not where I ended up."

"I'm really sorry about all this, Kaleb. You don't deserve any of it." I apologized, meaning every word. The little runt smiled half-heartedly, trying to make me feel better.

"It's not your fault. I'm sorry for blaming you in the beginning." Kaleb said sheepishly but I shook my head.

"No, I can see why you did," I admitted. I couldn't say that I wouldn't blame me if I was in their shoes. I guess Jared's plan worked. Who wouldn't blame the hot-headed beta with no control over his temper?

"Josh, why can't I feel my wolf?" Kaleb asked, a tremor in his words.

"I can't feel mine either, I think it's because he drugged us or something. That's the reason why I can't break these damned chains." I explained weakly.

The silence that filled the room was broken by the sound of approaching footsteps. The runt pulled his legs even closer to his chest, almost as if he was hiding behind them for protection.

Jared stepped into the room, a broad and unsettling grin stretched across his face. His charcoal black eyes roved over us with satisfaction.

It made my skin crawl.

I wanted nothing more than to tear his throat out with my teeth. If looks could kill, then the glare I was sending his way was sure to put him six feet under. Jared glared right back before walking over to me and proceeding to kick me in my bruised side. I wanted to scream from the amount of pain that raced through me but I refused to let out a single sound.

"Don't act tough just because Kaleb's here, you mutt," he growled. "Do I need to remind you who you belong to, slut?"

Let me out of these damn chains and we'll see whose acting tough. I wanted to growl, but I couldn't. The assault on my body made it impossible.

Kaleb sobbed in horror, causing Jared to turn his attention away from me. He stopped kicking me and walked over to Kaleb. No! I wanted to scream but all I could do was spit up more blood.

"I'm so sorry you had to see that, baby." Jared cooed, his voice sickly sweet. "Don't worry I'll punish him real good later. I'm so glad you're here! Now I have two playthings to fuck. Oh, the possibilities!" he exclaimed. "I can just imagine it; I'll take turns fucking both of your tight little holes till they're sloppy and messy with my cum. Then maybe, just maybe, I'll let Joshy here fuck you. Mmm, just thinking about the faces you'll make makes me hard!"

To prove his point, he unzipped his pants and pulled out his stiff length. I couldn't hear the rest as a sharp ringing filled my ears drowning out everything else.

"This'll be a lot easier once you've forgotten about that bastard, okay?" Jared said clearly talking about Kaleb's mate. "How about we get started, yeah? I can't wait to sink my cock into your tight little ass." his stroking picked up the pace as he licked his lips hungrily. Kaleb began to cry silently, and I wished he had held them in.

Jared smiled down at him; I knew he was getting his rocks off at seeing the tears on Kaleb's pale cheeks. He crouched in front of the omega, reaching out and grabbing his face.

"You'll soon learn that crying only turns me on more, " he said his smile widening. He licked the salty trails from Kaleb's face and the runt looked like he wanted to crawl out of his own skin. Jared stood smiling down at Kaleb. I knew that if I didn't do something, Jared was going to use Kaleb the same way he'd used me, and I was not going to allow that to happen.

Besides I'd dealt with it before.

What did it matter now?

"Nmph," I groaned from the pain just lifting my head caused, but I was determined. "A-Alpha" I called, forcing the word from my mouth. "Play with me instead, I-I wa-want it." What I want is to throw up.

He was not my Alpha, but I'd say anything to get him from the runt.

Jared looked at me, his smile widening as he turned his attention to me, moaning low in his throat.

"You want Alpha's cock, baby?" He stood, turning away from Kaleb and walking towards me.

Kaleb's crying only got worse, but I could no longer see his facial expressions as Jared shoved his crotch against my face.

He's done worse. I reminded myself as I tried not to gag for Kaleb's sake. Jared backed away and I knew what was coming next. Before he could pry my mouth open, a wolf appeared in the same hall as he had. It was Blake, a sniveling little shit who enjoyed watching when Jared "played" with me.

"Jared," he called, effectively gaining his attention. Stopping his movements, Jared turned away from me with a snarl.

"I told you to call me Alpha, you dumbass!" Jared cursed, snarling. He'd never be a true alpha, even if his plan did work. My eyes locked with Kaleb's, and I gave him the best reassuring smile I could muster, I probably just ended up scaring him instead. He smiled weakly in return, his eyes brimming with more tears.

"Ah—sorry, Alpha," Blake corrected himself. "We have a problem," Jared grumbled agitatedly as he shoved himself back into his pants, zipping them up.

"What is it?" he asked walking over to the little wimp who cowered the closer that he got.

"I-It's Larken, Alpha," the brown-haired wolf stuttered. "The men say that he is missing, they picked up his scent and discovered that it was laced heavy with his blood as if he was badly injured. They think he is dead." Jared cursed causing Blake to flinch.

"Damn it! Another perfectly good toy gone to waste!" I really wish I could get the image of Jared sticking his dick into Larken's ass out of my head. Like seriously wished I could erase it from my memory bank. "Gah! This sets us back another week! Without him, we won't be able to gather the rogues to the west of us!"

Jared pulled at his hair, clearly frustrated. He snarled as he began to pace agitatedly. It took everything in me not to smirk at this. Larken deserved worse than death for what he did to Luna.

I hope it was painful.

Jared stormed out of the room, forgetting about us for the moment, with Blake following behind him like a lost puppy.

"Are you alright?" Kaleb whispered shakily. I winced, I really wished he didn't have to see that. The only part of me that was really hurt was my pride. I scoffed mentally after what Jared's put me through, I didn't have much of it left anyway.

"He's done worse, don't worry about me." I tried to say comfortingly. Really, I just wanted to drop it. Kaleb, on the other hand, seemed determined not to. He frowned, his eyes filling with anger.

"When Zev gets here, I'm going to make sure he kills him slowly," The tiny omega growled out. I raised an eyebrow at him, he was being completely serious. He looked like a pissed off puppy. I couldn't help but laugh.

"That would have been scary coming from anyone but you." I snorted. "But thank you, oh frightening omega, for sicking your tiger on him for me."

The runt shot me a sly grin before saying, "That's if Darren doesn't get his hands on him first," he teased.

I don't know why but my cheeks flushed. If Darren ever did come, I don't think I could face him.

"You... you really think he'll still..." I trailed off. I really didn't want to get my hopes up. I'd convinced myself that I wasn't worth Darren's time and now after all this mess with Jared I was practically certain of it, but Kaleb seemed to think otherwise.

"Yes, he will." He said with so much certainty that I almost believed him... almost. We fell into silence yet again as the sun set outside. Kaleb fell asleep rather quickly, but it took me a while to finally drift off.