| KALEB

My head felt heavy and my ears were ringing. I groaned at the discomfort the sensations caused. With a little effort I peeled my eyes open. I felt groggy and my whole body seemed to weigh a ton. I shifted my weight to discover I was sitting on a cement floor with my back pressed against a wall. Above my head was a metal bar with a chain connected to it that looked to be adjustable. My wrists were cuffed and held above my head by cuffs that were connected to the chain and bar. It was cold and dank, there was no real source of ventilation, which made the air heavy and stagnant. I was covered only in Zev's shirt that I had worn to bed.

Where am I? I thought as a sliver of panic began to take root. Memories began pouring in. The fire, the attack, Larken. A shiver ran through me. I remembered all of that but not how I got here. Then, it clicked.

Jared.

I remember coming to a rundown house in the woods but then the memory gets foggy. All I knew for sure was that I stuck here and helpless.

Goddess, Kaleb, what the hell did you get yourself into! I mentally cursed myself as my lip wobbled and tears pricked the back of my eyes.

My pulse rose and my palms felt clammy. "ZEV!" I cried through our link only to be left with silence. It was like opening a door only to be met with a dark expanse of nothing. I couldn't even tell if he was alive. My blood ran cold. I couldn't even feel my wolf. My eyes burned as hopless tears filled them. I was alone. How did I even end up in this situation? How did the life of a simple, insignificant omega become so complicated?

A choked sob escaped me filling the deafening silence around me. I was startled out of my moping by the answering groan I heard to the right of me. A few feet away from me, leaning limply against the wall was Josh who was also chained to the wall in a similar fashion as I was except the chain that connected his cuffs to the bar was much shorter forcing him to keep his arms up uncomfortably high.

His eyes were pinched shut, a snarl of pain contorting his features. I gasped causing him to snap his eyes open. He blue eyes were bloodshot and full of so much pain. A lump formed in my throat. I didn't know how to react.

"Josh?" I asked uncertainly. The large man nodded his head but stopped with a grimace as the movement was obviously causing him discomfort.

"Hey, runt." he said dryly, a wry smile pulling at his chapped lips. "I was hoping he wouldn't be able to bring you here-" he was cut off by a cough that hacked its way up his throat. He groaned, spitting out a glob of blood. I cringed. He 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. "

"Jared," I said softly. Josh nodded gingerly before leaning his head against the wall exhaustedly.

"Yeah," he breathed, closing his eyes tiredly. "Him."

"I-I don't understand. What does he want with me? Why are you here?" Josh let out a weak humorless laugh.

"I'm just a subsistute. Entertainment for when he's bored or frustrated." he winced then sighed opening his eyes. "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."

I stared at Josh a little astonished. He was so much different from the Josh who bullied me. I didn't understand. Everything was too much.

"Why? I thought you hated me. " my voice shook causing Josh to look at me concerned.

"I never hated you. I was just... redirecting my frustration." I couldn't help the spark of anger I felt. He bullied me because he was frustrated?! I growled lowly, and I hate to admit that it wasn't scary or intimidating like Zev's at all. I sounded like a week old pup growling for the first time.

"You shouldn't bully someone just because you're having a hard time." I said pointedly. Josh nodded sullenly.

"Kaleb, I know..." he trailed off, frowning. "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?" he promised his voice was raw with emotion, the most identifiable among them was shame and regret. I swallowed thickly.

"Josh, in the clearing, the things you said... it kind of made everyone believe that you were behind all this mess." Josh snorted.

"I bet. Listen, I didn't mean what I said. I have a short fuse. Darren's always harping on me about it..." he paused and an emotion flashed in his eyes, too quick for me to catch it. "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." he laughed a little then "You should have heard Darren cussing me out in the pack link." a genuine smile spread across his cheeks at the memory but he sobered up quickly.

"He's always been the only one who understood me. When we were younger and I lost my temper, which I did often if you can remember" I nodded because I did remember. "He's always been the only one who could calm me down even when my wolf took over." he gave another dry laugh. "I guess it makes sense now that I know that he's-"

He stopped but I think I knew what he was going to say.

"How long have you known?" I 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." Three weeks. I frowned, unable to see how he was able to keep it from his mate and resist the mating pull for so long. Then it hit me.

"Is that why you went to go see the pack doctor for the perfume?" The abused beta heaved a sigh.

"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." I growled again, this time out of frustration.

"Josh-" I began but he cut me off.

"Please don't," his words were pained and full of regret "I've already beaten myself up over it enough, besides he won't want me now. I'm...used." he spat the word out defeatedly. I knew he believed it but I also knew he was wrong.

"Yes he will." I whispered but dropped it. If he heard me, he chose not to say anything. "Why are you here though?" I asked a little louder.

"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. Jared caught me off guard and next thing I know, I'm here." the beta sounded worn." I am here because Jared needed a scapegoat. Unfortunately, I was the perfect candidate. It's all part of his sick plan to take over the pack with you as his Luna. How did you get here? I know that tiger of yours didn't let you out of his sight willingly."

The tears came back as I recounted the events that had taken place. My voice broke when I mentioned the fate of Luna Eden. Josh cut me with a fierce growl that put mine to shame.

"Luna... she's... she's-" anger filled his blue eyes before it receded and was replaced by desperation and concern. "Darren! How is he?! Where is he?! I should be there!" he growled tugging harshly on his chains causing the skin on his wrists to tear.

"Stop!" I cried, not wanting him to cause anymore damage. "Damnit!" he cursed, letting his arms fall limp against his restraints. He turned his face from me but I could still see his shoulders shaking from his sobs. A moment later Josh turned back to me his eyes even more blood shot than they were before.

"Continue," he said, his voice croaky and weak.

I swallowed. "After that, the fighting started. Darren and Zev were fighting. Then Jared showed up" my voice broke but I continued anyways. "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." Josh nodded.

"I'm really sorry about all this, Kaleb. You don't deserve any of it." I smiled half heartedly. "It's not your fault. I'm sorry for blaming you in the beginning." Josh just shook his head.

"No, I can see why you did."

"Josh, why can't I feel my wolf?" I asked. Even though I'd calmed down a little my voice still shook. Josh gave me a sympathetic look.

"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."

We sat in silence for a few moments after that. I still felt helpless but having Josh here made me feel like I wasn't alone. I know that we didn't have the best relationship in the past but I couldn't hold it against him. I could see that he'd changed I was just resentful towards the circumstances that caused it.

The quiet was broken by the sound of footsteps coming from the hallway to the right of us, nearest to Josh. I pulled my knees up to my chest as my heart rate spiked. Josh cast me a reassuring glance. Unfortunately, I can't say it worked.

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

My heart stuttered as my blood ran cold.

I was determined to publish this chapter tonight. I'm glad I did. Sorry for the wait and as always, thank you so much for reading!

Please share your thoughts on the story so far! Are you enjoying it? Is there anything you don't like? How do you think it's going to end?

-J.T.