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Raphael's POV

I look up at my captors. They always cover from their nose down, and I can hardly catch their scent from how damaged my senses are as of now. They're walking away now, finished with their torture.

The only reason they torture me is to push Ariel to come faster. But so far, Ariel hasn't come. And I'm not sure if it scares them or me more.

Panic seeps through my body, and it pains me more to think that maybe Ariel isn't coming. It's been... I can't even tell how long here. All they do is try new methods of torture which I know are hurting Ariel more and I cry for her.

I've cried more in my torture more than I've ever cried in my entire life. And it's not because of the pain they inflict, but because I know it's hurting Ariel. My perfect, beautiful Ariel feels all the pain. Yet I can never link her to sooth her, or tell her I love her.

They make sure to inject me with small amounts of silver and other doses of things that I'm just their test subject for. Though, it's a woman who injects me.

She has a kind face, and a look of pain and disgust when she has to insert the needles. She always does it as gently as she can and never wears a mask. If anyone here is on my side, it's her.

I look down at my naked body, full of lash marks and scars. Will Ariel even want me after this? If she ever does come to save me, she'll take one look at me and walk away.

When I first met her, she thought I was a god figure. Now I'm a shrivelled human who can't hold himself up enough to stand. I could hardly crawl if I wanted. My wolf tries so hard, I can feel his presence trying to heal me as fast as he can. But there's already new torturers to prevent me from ever fully healing.

I lay where I am, limp, without the energy to move. They hardly fed me, hardly gave me water. I slept on rock and sand flooring that was stained in my blood. They had to physically pick me up to move me by now, for I couldn't even walk with their brutal aide.

All I want is to see Ariel. She's probably lonely, what if she cries every night? Every so often, I feel this strange pain through the bond. Not as though she were physically hurt, but like she was mentally hurting. And it would be so bad that it went through to me.

But still, what if that's her trying to break our bond? What if she doesn't come for me? As most nights, I cry myself to sleep thinking I'll never see Ariel again.

***

Ariel's POV

Our battle plans were still so underdeveloped it made me want to scream. We were making no progress! We have to get in there now and save him.

Our fighting has improved greatly over the past... it's been almost three weeks now. Raphael has been gone for three weeks.

I don't know what happens to me but I grab the table we're sitting at and I throw it up. Everything on it flying around as I break down again.

"Ariel..." someone's distraught voice whispers. No one knew how to comfort me anymore. Parker and Justin were starting to fail as well, it's just that the separation has been so long.

Parker, Liam and Justin escort everyone from the room as I curl up into a ball and cry. I stopped caring if people saw me strong or not because I couldn't be strong anymore, not with Raphael gone.

Parker and Justin were no longer enough. It hurt too much.

"I should go alone." I whisper. "I need to see him."

"Ariel, we're almost there." Justin says in a soft voice as Liam and Parker clean up. "There's just some final adjustments in the plan... you don't have to be at that meeting. We'll make it for late tonight. Then tomorrow it will be complete and we'll review it with you."

"Okay..." I get out as I sob. I just want him back. I just want Raphael back.

"Hey, Ariel." Parker walks over. "I was wondering if you'd do some more cooking with me."

I nod a bit, rubbing away my tears. "Okay."

Justin helps me up and Parker takes his place. We go to the basement where Parker wipes away all my leftover tears. Cooking was Parkers way of asking me to train without Justin really knowing. Justin and Liam leave to call the new meeting anyway.

"Can we spar?"

"Yeah. But you know, I think it's time you show Justin." I say, working on calming myself.

"Are you sure?" Parker frowns. "What if he doesn't like that I can fight?"

"Parker," I laugh lightly. "We're supposed to know to fight, I'm sure he'll be happy. Though, you're too much of a cinnamon roll to really hurt anyone."

Parker glares at me and he throws the first punch.

Sparring with Parker is fun and it goes more smoothly now that Parker has gotten so close to my level. Our private training really strained him but man has it paid off. Sometimes we'd be going to six hours after training with everyone else during the day.

But I liked it, kept my mind of things. And I loved spending time with Parker, getting to correct him all the time.

"Hey, we're gonna stop now." I inform. "Rest a bit. When the meetings over we're going to get Justin down here and you're going to show him."

"I don't think I'm ready yet!" Parker panics.

"Shut up." I demand and he looks at me with wide, worried eyes. "You'll do great."

I link Justin to come as soon as he can before sitting down on the mat and watching Parker inwardly panic. I'll let him, watching him pace in amusement. He really underestimates himself.

I hear Justin come in and head down and Parker stops, looking between me and him.

"Parker wants to spar with you." I inform Justin.

Justin seems confused. "Okay."

I leave the mat and watch Parkers nervousness become excitement. Justin walks onto the mat and I watch happily. "Go."

Parker starts first, and he lands a few really good hits. Of course, that seems to upset him because he apologizes right away. Justin however is quick to take the advantage and attacks him.

I tell myself to scold Parker later for apologizing, but right now I want to watch. I think my pride radiates off me as Parker shows Justin how he improves. He's doing so damn well.

I mean, there's a lot of stuff I'd correct, but I've been fighting all my life. It's one of my favourite things. It's an art that I love because I get to let all my anger out. Dad started my training as soon as I could walk and now I can't thank him enough for it.

Parker loses, which I expected. Justin is more towards my level. Which makes me question which one was born rank of third and which one was mated into it. I always thought Parker was born beta, but now I'm not so sure.

"You... you did really well." Justin smiles down at Parker. Parker panting and limp under Justin's hold, pining him to the ground.

Parker only frowns. "I lost." Justin frowns too, standing up while Parker pushes himself to a seated position. "I thought you said I was ready, Ariel."

"And you were. You really surprised Justin. Not only that, besides me, Liam and Justin, you can beat any wolf training with the pack right now." I smile. "You were great."

Parker seems a bit dubious until Justin pulls him up and gives him a kiss. "I think you were amazing."

I walk away to let them have a moment, after all, most of this training was for Justin. I sit down in the living room and turn on the TV.

I use it as background noise as I hold and chat with Milo. I liked talking to Milo, he'd never judge me. Plus, he's a lovely little pug to hug. Milo cuddles are the best cuddles.

"Hey Milo, remind me to ask who was born into the third rank." I tell him as I watch the woman talk on screen. "I love them both so much. They're like brothers to me."

"Nice to know." Parkers voice makes me jump a bit and I look over.

"Don't get full of yourselves now. You're both assholes."

"Your mom should have put more soap in your mouth." Justin chides.

"Piss off." I stand up and walk to the kitchen. Someone had made me cake and I had almost finished it, sadly. I get myself the last piece and eat as Parker and Justin bicker over something.

Finally Justin looks at me. "The plan has been finalized. Tomorrow we'll go over it with you... then we can plan a day to attack."

"Good," I say darkly. "They won't know what hit them."