"Alpha Sapphire!" Both the servants fall in a curtsey to the alpha of the southern region. I take a couple steps back attempting to get out of the space, force a separation between the two of us. He doesn't let me get away that easy. His hand goes back to flash the side of his hip the girls can see, a gun hooked to his belt. He'll kill them. He knows of the wolf world, he... fuck.

"No need for such formalities. We are to be alliances soon enough?" The tyrant cackles throwing his head back, "I just came to talk to an old friend and take her to lunch. Alpha's honor of course." I swallow back my fear. I don't hear Ares anywhere. My head feels empty. The flower is sending a headache through me, the scent too much to bear. It doesn't help the girls behind me are screaming in joy that their Luna has friends and will no longer be alone. Are these humans not aware of how protective the wolves are? In what world would Ares be okay with another male taking me out?

"Have you spoken with Ares? Is he aware?" One of the ladies calls out, I still stand petrified at the doorway attempting to think through any formulation of a good idea. Thank you, whoever, for asking the right questions while I can't find the energy to move. I need my mate; I need my Alpha and yet the more I scream in my head the less sure I am that he can hear me.

"Of course. Now, I must have her back before two. My mate wants me home for a pack event this evening." He outstretches his arm. The gun is still on full display. His eyes hold a threat that only I know. It's from our time together, the fake smile that holds the promise of many beatings to come. If only Jessica could walk in, or some other servant with a better back bone. I turn to look around trying to put together a better plan than the one that's forming. While I don't like Meredith, she doesn't deserve a bullet.

"Well go on Luna! It would be rude to deny a new pack alliance, see you later. It'll be nice to have you out of our hair while we prepare for the Lunar Ball." I cut my eyes at the ladies, both laughing at me in return. Great his fucking charms sold them. They once did that to me too. I take his arm praying that the weird mental bond I have with the Alpha will be enough to get me out of this situation. Like sending an SOS signal so loud he gets a splitting headache.

My dominant mate isn't anywhere to be found as we walk to the car, "I found a wonderful pizza place for us. I assumed you would enjoy it. Here let me get that for you." He grabs the car door for me letting me settle into the seat before closing it. I go for the handle, but the door stays tightly locked. Fuck. Is now the time to scream? Or would this wolf rip me to shreds? A gold flashes around his eyes. I hadn't noticed it before, but now his eyes seem much bluer than they had been. Had he been wearing contacts? "Now, let's head there, shall we?" James drops into the driver seat looking over me with a hungry gaze. Many of his past aggressions make sense, the way he would just know if I did something. Smell me, be an animal about certain anger issues. It's overwhelming the truths that slam into my chest, ripping me apart from within. All those parties, all the secrets, his weird cult like behavior with his friends... the whole time an Alpha.

"You aren't from the south, are you?" I calmly question, he laughs.

"I am Alpha James, my pack is a west pack, but those humans had never seen a Southern Alpha. It was easy to convince otherwise when I dropped his name. Humans are so fucking stupid." He continues, running a hand through his hair for just a moment, "It's good to see you babe. Been looking for a while, you know?"

"What about your mate?" The car rumbles to a start, us pulling out from the driveway. He's at ease. I continue to scream in my head for Ares. If there's anything I know for a fact, it's that Ares would kill this man with a single punch. James has never been a fighter always focusing energy on his minions and sending off people to do his dirty work, "Ares knows about us. Why wouldn't he know of your status?"

"So many questions," He runs his tongue over his teeth pulling onto the main highway. I let my eyes travel over the forest studying everything as much as possible in case I need to run back alone, "My mate died as soon as I met her. Cancer. As it stands my wolf attached himself to you and decided you, his replacement. Ares wouldn't know about me because I killed my father recently to take his place. Without the social events to announce myself and my fathers need to keep me hidden, I've kept off most pack records." That would make sense how Ares thought him familiar.

"Did I not make it clear that I want nothing to do with you?" The anger seeps from my lips, a tangible fire licking over my tongue. The backbone I wish I had when I first met him. I grab the hand rest in the door holding tight enough that my hand falls asleep.

"Oh, clear as freshly polished diamond, but as you are human, there is no need to worry about such pitiful threats." A fucking cackle leaves his mouth. The entire body shaking with mockery towards me.

"I'm claimed. Ares is my mate. I choose him."

"Another easy fix, as you have not marked him in return, all I have to is take over his bite." Marked in return?

My hand shifts up to cover the scar, "He can speak with me, mentally."

"As most marks do allow. Are you assuming me stupid?"

I swallow, "He will find me."

"And he will die." The air leaves my lungs, a choking feeling taking over me, "I am wearing a special flower that hinders the ability to use telepathy, this one here. If your doting mate had a brain, he would have taught you the things that interfere with your bond. However, his ego will best him. He believed that he could protect you." He uses a hand to pluck a light blue flower from a breast pocket, "Not to mention the sedative that was laced on the door handle. Sleep well, mate." The sedative catches up, my hand releasing slowly from the door. With my palm turned up I can see the remains of some type of material. And with one last sling of curses, I hit the window blacking out.

~

"I hope you fucking burn in hell!" I scream into the mirror, the bathroom echoing my false threat. Soon after he drugged me to sleep, I found myself waking up in a soft bed with only a connected bathroom. The door, of course, locked with fucking wolves standing outside. The window looked appealing, but the female walking the wall below me told me enough. He learned from the first time I left him. The room is horridly covered in those flowers he mentioned hinder the mental connection Ares and I have, and while that sounded great in theory, now I want more than ever for my mate to walk through those doors and sweep me off my feet. I point at myself, practicing as though I am speaking to James himself. Now that his sadistic secret is out, I have no idea how to prepare for this. Before he was just a measly asshole that had too much money and now, I am dealing with someone that could and might rip my head off.

His mate died. How fucking sad. While Ares and I have our ups and downs, I have finally settled into being his forever. I have some feelings that I can't deny. I want him, and that's that. James is nothing but an obstacle, a problem that I must solve. Me being a human once again gets into the way of things, "And who can burn in hell?" James's voice comes from behind me. I freeze gripping the counter tightly. The slow chill of my knuckles turning white keeps me from punching the fucker.

You practiced this, "You, James. You can burn in hell."

"Oh? Is that any way to talk to me? Did you lose all your training?"

I roll my eyes, flipping around to meet his snarky gaze, "Maybe, what page was that in the submissive bitch manual?"

"Funny, I brought by a dress for you. Please get ready for pack dinner." He skims over me. I force myself not to shrink under his stare. Long ago, that looked turned me into a puddle of horny. He's been attempting to get me to break. Snap me over his finger, bend me to his will. Every minute of every day is controlled to the point of suffocation by collar.

"And why would I be getting ready?"

"Did you not hear me? Pack dinner. As the Luna you are expected to go." James grunts looking over my bruised body. No matter what he does to me, a fire burns in my gut. I won't let myself submit to him. I won't let myself be the weak he had before. I got away once, I'll fucking do it again.

"I'm not your fucking Luna."

He takes a step forward setting his hands on my sides. Hips shove into me pressing my ass deep into the marble counter. I close my eyes attempting to take my thoughts away from this, but the searing burn of his lips right in front of my ear keep me focused. This is anything but pleasurable, "Keep speaking to me in such ways and Ill mute you. A tongue is easy to heal, but the constant reminder of being unable to voice your thoughts will kill you slowly." Then he leaves. I sink down onto the floor of the bathroom, hands running through my hair. I wish I was still a waitress. At least I was alone and happy.

I crawl across the floor minutes later, my body aching against the collar that surrounds my neck. It's a painful reminder. He can take so much from me with the simple device and told me of the history of such control. In his pack, women are nothing but objects for heirs. James cackles in the corner shaking with laughter at my groaning pain moments later. I don't remember having time to get up. Is the time blending so soon? Have I already begun to lose it, "I told you to be ready."

"Go fuck yourself." I spit at his feet, the Alpha growling in my direction. The collar tightens around my neck turning me blue. I kick my legs, fingers attempting to dig between the collar and the cracked skin of my neck. I throw my head back attempting to get away, but the never-ending pain follows me the collar staying tight.

"If you apologize, I might stop it." He calls out over the room. I shake at the lack of air, my body convulsing with need, "Or you can die. Either one." Another laugh.

I tap the floor with my foot, the collar loosening to only a level of discomfort, "Ready to apologize?"

"I'm-I'm sorry." I cough through my breathing fit. My body inhales oxygen faster than I can process it, my lungs almost exploding from the intrusion. James kneels next to me fondling with the lock on the collar, but as soon as my hopes lift, he drops me back to the ground.

"Let it remind you of what I'll do if you disobey again." He leans forward lifting me up by the collar, so my ear meets his lips, "Don't you wish we were back in the good ole days when all I had to do was threaten." I don't say a word. His old threats are nothing like these. I pray to return to such a simple time of subtle slaps and controlling attitude, at least make up covers the bruises. He grabs at my hips pulling me to standing. My body sways at the blood rush a minor sway coming over the world. James holds me strong against him until I find my balance, then leads me to the bed.

"You will sleep with me and starve. I will be eating dinner with the pack, be ready for me when I get back." He sends a wink leaving the room. The sound of the lock clicking is over done enough that even my human ears are capable to recognize it. My body sinks to the ground sliding off the bed. Every emotion that's built up in my body until now starts to flow only the tears sliding down my face onto the wooden floor. I curl into myself begging for someone to save me, anyone.

No one comes for those hours. I lay alone crying, begging, only to be met with the silence.

"Didn't I tell you to be ready for me?" He sneers stepping into the room later in the evening. The smell of garlic bread wafts from him, a favorite of mine. I look to his left hand to see a steaming piece wrapped in a napkin, "If you had listened this would have been for you. I know how much you like it." The taunt rips through me, he throws the bread in the trash following with the glass of water he had on the counter. The soaked bread falls to pieces against the flow and soon is just a mess of nothing in the base of the can.

"Can we sleep?" I whisper in return. I am in no place to ask for things, but the least I can do is try. Or die trying.

"You have a choice. Sleep naked next to me or clothed on the floor." His brows raise, and I challenge him for tonight snuggling into myself on the floor. He lets out a single laugh stripping himself down before sliding into the warm bed, "So be it."

A week passes before I hear anything down the grape vine that could be considered good news. The servants pass by whispering about the Alpha of the East on a rampage through the city. He has gone on sabbatical with the company to take a 'much needed break.' I drag myself over to the corner of the room as the door swings open. James walks in with a large smile, white teeth reflecting maliciously against the moon light, "Ready to join the pack dinner?" I don't response. I just stay in my corner where he will choke me like the other nights and then leave me on the floor to sleep. He walks over to me, squatting, "I've had the kitchen making pizza. Come on, you love pizza."

He is met with the grumble of my stomach. I stay in one place trying not to shift too much in front of him. Showing him my discomfort and weakness leads to other problems that I don't want to deal with, "Not hungry."

"Not hungry? You haven't eaten in a week. Water can't keep you that full. Come on, let's take you to dinner. I have set aside some time for you to shower and change as well if you would like." His voice is sickly sweet. A smile plastered across his sadistic face. My stomach roars again, something I know I can't ignore for much longer. James holds out a hand for a moment. Instead of fighting, I finally give into the offer letting him lead me to the bathroom. He exits after dropping a set of clothes on the counter giving me space in the windowless bathroom. The collar stays while I strip turning the shower to a warmer temperature. Having the leather constrain and bite into my skin is less than pleasant but feeling the grime rush down the drain makes it worth it.

It's overwhelming how much I took showers for granted. And my mate. While he did kidnap me and force me to stay with him, he only touched me in ways I wanted and gave me as much freedom as his wolf allowed. Now that I am on the other end of the spectrum... I wish I had the ability to thank him. God, I am so fucked up. And Jessica. Is she okay? How is she doing? My heart aches to see her. If she's anything like I assume she is driving everyone up a wall to find me, but at least she's with Ares and the pack.

"Only five more minutes!" James calls through the door. I cut off the water after rinsing the soap from my hair. A towel is folder nicely next to the shower. Grabbing it to wrap it tightly around me was more defensive than I expected. Like a towel would win against a wolf. Don't be fucking stupid. I run the towel over myself as fast as possible. The hot water combined with lack of food sends me into a severe dizzy spell sending my ass to the ground. I grab at the shirt still on the counter dragging it over me as the world spins. The pants second while I breathe heavily on the ground. This reminds me of my eating disorder in college when I would starve myself and take hot showers thinking that my weight was more important than my grades.

"And laying on the floor. Much different than I had expected." His voice surrounds me in the echoing bathroom. I hear the strain of his clothing as he squats to move me to standing. I sit up at his demand waiting on my next order. James holds out a roll with a glass of water, "The servants informed me that hot water and starvation don't mix. Asked me to give you this so you could make it to the dinner table." I wrap my still wet hand around the roll shoving as much in my mouth as possible. He watches intently waiting until I swallow to hand me the water. The world finally settles, the carbs giving my body something to digest.

"The servant was very nice." I mumble sipping at the glass. After only having water for a week, the taste of water is revolting.

"She's new. A pack transfer. She served the Luna at her last pack and knows some tricks. You'll meet her soon."

"That sounds fine." I stand up with him. He takes a step back letting me have space. What has gotten into him?

"We should go. Don't want to be late." He holds out his arm and I wrap my hand through this elbow. If he is being tolerable maybe I can play it to my advantage and work my way out of here. However, dealing with the painful stabs his touch sends through me is another demon to battle. I hadn't experienced this with other males after Ares marked me, but it seems that my mark knows the intentions and wishes to warn me. If only it was that easy. If only I was wolf to mark Ares in return.

He guides me through the foreign house taking rights and lefts as needed. We drop down a set of stairs as well walking into a large dining room. People line both sides of the table, women staring down at their plates while the males converse freely. I follow suite letting him sit me at the chair next to the head of the table. He drops into his seat quickly. Pizza's line the center of the table. More kinds than I could have imagined and they smell divine.

"Please. Dig in." James calls over the table. Men grab at the pizza trays and start filling their plates. I keep my eyes down but monitor the way they decide the pizza their mates have. Some pile them on high, others get just a sliver. One of the first trays reaches James. Pepperoni I believe. He grabs a couple slices for himself and drops one on my plate. I fight the urge to shove the whole slice in my mouth at once; the women around me waiting for something before they start eating. One after the other is put on my plate. A red-haired beauty looks at her plate devastated when he only puts a single slice. I can tell she is a wolf mate. Her eyes shifting in color as her emotions build.

"Now everyone, please enjoy." The women were released from their hold. All of them start to grab at the pizza and eat. Some chew quickly, others take their sweet time. I look up counting the collars that cover the necks of such stunning women. Only one or two sit without one. Those are the ones that eat comfortably. The pizza on my plate is inhaled. I know every medical doctor would warn me against eating so much at once after not eating at all, but I don't give a fuck. The pizza is fucking amazing.

"Enjoying your dinner?" James looks over with another smile.

"Yes, thank you." Be good. Be good. Be good.

"I'm glad."

The red head from before peaks up from the pizza grabbing at the crust. It's a slow-motion movie when she lifts it from the plate and smacks her male across the face with the greasy goodness, "I am fucking pregnant! I need to eat!" James doesn't move. He continues eating as if nothing is happening. Her male tightens the collar, face turning blue quickly. The sauce covers his left cheek and mouth. Anger fills his vision. Holy shit she's bold.