“If everyone here is being punished with a third floor room then Cole should get one too. He’s one of us.”

“Oh, is he?”

I freeze in shock at his attitude. I stand slowly with my bag in my hand watching and listening to the alpha’s next moves. It was common for the lead alpha to treat a visiting pack as a single unit instead of trying to figure out the good prospects from the bad.

“And what exactly would make me think he’s one of you?” He asks surprisingly slowly and deliberately, waiting for someone to answer.

“He’s the alpha’s son. Of course he’s a member of Red Fang.” Dallas, one of the other troublemakers, responds.

“Who his father is doesn’t automatically make him one of you. Never, in all the years I’ve been in this program, have I seen a member of a pack treated with such demeaning, humiliating disrespect. To purposely degrade not just another wolf but a wolf you likely grew up with by attempting to destroy his belongings is NOT treating him as one of you. So, since all of you are so keen to show me your rejection of him so early in your stay here, I think it would be smart of me to do the same.”

My breath gets stuck in my chest as I have no understanding of what he’s about to do. Am I about to be rejected from the program? I’ve been told many times that if you get rejected from a pack’s warrior program in the first week of arriving on their territory that it’s an automatic rejection from the program. That the council will not approve of any other requests to go on another run.

I feel Damian’s hand on mine as he takes the heavy duffel bag filled with wet clothes from my hand.

“Come on. Let’s get closer so we know what’s going on.”

I’m a bundle of nerves now and I can’t hide the tremors in my hands or the fear in my eyes. Damian stops and studies me briefly before whispering.

“Cole, what’s going on?”

My eyes meet his as I whisper as well.

“I’m not ready to leave. I just got away from there.”

“My father wouldn’t do that. You’ve done nothing wrong. Just stay with me, you’re doing fine. You seem to get very anxious very easily. Do you take meds to help you with that?”

As much as I didn’t want to admit that I’m a nervous wreck when I’m in the attention of anyone higher than a gamma, I don’t want to lie to the alpha’s son either. At least, not a complete lie.

“I usually take several medications to ease my social anxiety and ocd. Xanax if things get really bad during the day, I’ll take that at night.”

“Obviously you're not on it now, why?”

“Drug test. I didn’t want you thinking I was a nut job when it showed up.”

Alpha Damian shakes his head with a slight chuckle.

“All you had to do was tell us. It’s right in the application.”

I shake my head while keeping pace walking with Alpha Damian heading back to the rest of the group.

“My dad is extremely controlling as to what packs I go to for training. He’s the one that fills out the application each time and submits it to the council. He knows I’m on medication but insists that I stay off them. Dr. Carter makes arrangements at Red General to make sure I can get the medication but I can’t always get there so my ability to take it is inconsistent.”

Alpha Damian stops in his tracks forcing me to stop as he turns to face me. He looks me in the eyes to which I look away, down to the ground.

“Talk to my dad, Cole. If you know what you were on he can get you back on it.”

He starts walking again after I nod my head. He motions for me to head off to the side of the rest of the group, standing with me so I’m not alone.

I watch silently as one of the men accompanying alpha picks up a bag. I immediately recognize it as mine. I sigh in relief that they didn’t find that one too.

“Cole Redmen,” the wolf calls out.

“Here.” I call back as I wave my hand lightly.

I see the one holding the bag hand it to another who starts over towards me with a key in his hand.

“Lucas.”

He stops before he even gets two feet from the alpha.

“I’m going to take care of him and his room assignment personally. I’ll take his pack until we’re done.”

He looks my way before he speaks again.

“Cole Redmen?”

He seems to question looking for verification. I nod my head in response.

“Do you have any more?”

“No sir,” I speak as I shake my head.

He gives me a nod as the wolf by the luggage calls out another name. He hands the pack off to Alpha Cullen. The luggage is placed at the feet of Dallas as he is handed a new key. The process is repeated until every piece of luggage brought is with their owner prompting Alpha to speak again.

“Normally I treat every prospect that comes into my program as an individual. Now, I will continue to do that with the major rules that I have no tolerance for. We are a very simple pack to get along with as long as you don’t steal, fight, rape, do drugs or get shit faced drunk. With that being said, from here on out I will be watching all of you very closely as you have not made a good first impression and I feel that you’re going to be trouble. For minor infractions, if one of you does it all of you will receive discipline for it.”

“Is that why we’re now on the third floor?” Dallas interrupts in disgust.

“Absolutely, Dallas. The first floor rooms have perks. So we try to fill those first. Since my son has had to break up two fights amongst yourselves already, the entire group will be sacrificing those perks and moving to the third floor. Any additional complaints over the consequences you have brought upon yourselves will be met with additional penalties.”

“What about Cole? He’s the alpha’s son. He’s one of us.”

Tyler tries again to get me sucked into their consequences.

“As I said earlier. Since everyone here is so keen on rejecting Cole from the pack it wouldn’t be proper, as the lead alpha of this territory, to treat him as a member of your pack. For the duration of his stay here Cole will be recognized as a member of the Red Fang pack...”

I can see the smiles spreading across all of my pack members' faces as he spoke.

“But that will be for the sole purpose of documenting and reporting back to the council. I prefer to treat everyone as an individual and that is what I will be doing with Cole. Any benefits or penalties that he receives will be between him and the one giving it out, thus it will be none of anyone else’s business to know.”

I’ve never seen faces of shock happen as quickly as it did when he finished his decision about me.

“Only half of the twenty-four wolves here are actually from the Red Fang pack. The rest of us are from the Crescent Moon pack. Why are we getting sucked into Red Fang’s consequences?”

“While I do apologize for the inconvenience that it’s causing, I was only alerted a few minutes ago that the Crescent Moon pack was unable to complete their registration in time to attend this run so Alpha Redman filed all of the applications with the council in a way that lumped all of you together as a single pack. It is quite common for packs in close contact with each other to band together for the purpose of the program especially if they have only a small number of wolves attending the run from each pack. It will take me some time to work out who is from which pack so I am going to ask for your patience with that.”

I can’t help but cock my head, studying the alpha as he approaches me. Instinctively, I take a step back when he stops within a foot of me, quickly averting my eyes away from his.

“Relax. I mean what I said.”

I nod slightly but keep my head and eyes down in submission. Without warning I feel his hand on my chin. Without thinking I overreact to the alpha’s touch, fighting to get away from him. Very quickly his hands have both my wrists and he’s pressed them against my chest. I can hear the rest of the prospects laughing and jeering at me.

“Alpha’s son is such a baby, so weak he’s afraid of the alpha.”

“Enough! I do not tolerate bullying of any sort!”

I can’t help but cringe away from his booming voice with the alpha aura. Even with his strong aura still present he manages to lower his voice to a more comfortable level when he speaks directly to me.

“Though it does seem that you are very much afraid of me as this is a very strong reaction. I’ll let go when you relax and show me control.”

It’s a struggle for me to stop my fight as my panic has taken over. I close my eyes in an effort to concentrate on my breathing. My chest is tight and my breath is coming out short and fast. I fight to get out of his hold as I hear another approach.

“Everything okay dad?”

The voice is much deeper than Alpha Damian’s making me wonder who it is that has approached us.

“I’m going to need a few minutes alone with him. Lucas, I need you to have the rest of the group follow you inside to the third floor. Have Dom bring up the rear. I want silence. Not a word or sound as they pass by or they will all see the consequences of one person’s disrespect.”

“Yes sir.”

My fight eases a little as the alpha’s son steps away and heads back towards the group.

“Cole, I know you just met me so there is no trust but I need you to follow my directions exactly. I’m going to coach you through a breathing technique that will help you to relax. As you relax you will feel me easing up on your arms.”

I nod my head, agreeing to his offer as I’m completely lost and out of control.

“First I want you to take a quick but deep breath in then just as quickly push it out. Just throw it away. I want three of these. Then I’ll move to three much slower ones. Ready.”

I nod to show I understand his instructions.

“All right, in quick, now throw it away.”

I follow his lead and take a quick sharp breath before letting it out almost as quickly. It’s as I’m breathing in on my third one that he speaks again.

“I want you to follow my voice as I’m going to tell you what to do. Well done. Now in...2....3....4... and out 2...3...4... again in 2...3...4... and out 2...3...4... again,”

It’s as I’m going through the third one that I feel Alpha’s grip change on me. Even though it’s still there, it’s much gentler, even soothing as I feel his thumbs gently rubbing the backs of both hands. He lets me take a few more breaths on my own before speaking.

“I can already tell that you’re very submissive so I do understand this is a struggle for you but I need you to look at me. Make eye contact with me before I let your arms go.”

I slowly open my eyes while I’m still looking down. It’s not the first time I’ve been directly told to make eye contact with an alpha. My father does it all the time. The struggle is, my father commands me to do it then turns around and punishes me for the fear he sees in my eyes.

I squeeze my eyes shut again as the memories of my last encounter with my dad creep in and repeat the exercise the alpha just went through with me.

“Cole,”

Alpha Black speaks the quietest that I have ever heard an alpha speak to me.

“I can’t help you if I don’t know what’s going on. Will you talk with me?”

I shake my head as I fight the flashback away, slowly opening my eyes again. I raise my head making eye contact as he requested but I can’t keep it.

“I’m sorry alpha.”

I whisper as I close my eyes and turn away, waiting for punishment to follow. Every alpha that has ever been this hands on with me has always brought me pain. I know he can feel my tremors as I hear him sigh.

“Okay Cole. Let’s get you inside. Perhaps it will be a little more comfortable to talk if it’s not so direct.”

I barely whisper a thank you as I feel his hands leave my wrists. Opening my eyes, I look around me for a sense of direction. It’s when I briefly meet Alpha Damian’s gaze that I get the information I need. With a slight gesture of his hand he points me towards the trainee housing, following behind me as I head in that direction.

(Demetri’s POV)

I’m deep in thought as my son and I follow this young man to the trainee housing. It’s been fifteen years since I inherited the pack. It’s quite uncommon for the pack to be passed on like that unless the ruling alpha dies in battle while his kids are still kids. Then it becomes the oldest child’s responsibility to assume power over the pack. Neither of those things happened with me and the pack. I know finding out I was an intuitive had something to do with dad’s decision to pass the pack down to me.

I’m the youngest of four. My older brothers and sister somehow didn’t share the same vision for the Crimson Dawn pack as my father. It was finding my abused mate at eighteen that ultimately changed my ideas on maintaining a sanctuary for those in need. I’ve only been the alpha for fifteen years, small change for most alphas. Damian was only three and Lucas just over a year when dad passed in his sleep. It may take a lot to kill a werewolf without a silver bullet to the heart but we’re not invincible and we do age.

Dad had been slowing down for a while and I had taken on more and more of his duties. When the Moon Goddess finally called him home it was supposed to be a seamless transition for the pack. Needless to say, it wasn’t. Mom left to join him just a few years later.

Like most alphas, I try to maintain two separate reputations for my pack. A zero tolerance for unannounced wolves in my territory. Like all alphas, I like to keep that rumor as hard core as possible. You come onto my land unannounced and you will never be seen again type stuff. But those who truly know me understand that I know the difference between a troubled wolf and a troublemaker. Those with this inside knowledge will often recommend my pack as a temporary sanctuary until things get ironed out for a transfer into another pack. Some have even chosen to join my pack as permanent members.

It’s the tug from Damian on my link that bring my thoughts back to the present situation.

‘What’s going on with him? He told me on the bus that he wasn’t new to this and he’s older. Twenty-three I think he said. He started struggling with his anxiety before he got off the bus.’

‘I don’t want to jump to any conclusions as he just got here and it is possible that he just has severe anxiety.’

‘But you suspect something else?’

‘Yes. I suspect abuse may be in his past but the bigger concern is if abuse is in his present.’

‘I thought abuse stopped once the child becomes an adult.’

‘Unfortunately that only happens if the child is able to find a way out of the situation. If this is indeed Alpha Redmen’s son then getting away from Red Fang without going rogue or killing whoever is abusing him, would be extremely difficult. It’s not like here where once you turn twenty-one you can request a transfer or a female that can leave for her mate’s pack.’

‘So he’s using the warrior program as a way out?’

‘Possibly.’

I end the link with my son as we enter the apartment complex. Cole has stopped about five feet inside the door allowing us enough room to enter. He seems confused and highly agitated.

“Cole.”

Even with my voice calm and level just hearing it makes the young man startle badly.

“I failed to ask you if you were against being separated from your pack mates. It’s entirely up to you.”

“I’ve only got one real friend so I’m not that much part of the group.”

“I didn’t think so. Come this way.”

I gesture to my right as we start making our way to the row of doors located on the eastern side of the complex.

(Cole’s POV)

I follow behind Alpha Demetri and his son a short way across the main hall on the first floor. They stop at the first door they come to, the numbers 101A are screwed into the center. I stop a few feet from them as I have a preference for keeping my distance from everyone. I only get close to those I’ve observed for a while and I have a motive for learning from them.

I can hear a short beep briefly before the sound of the door unlocking. Alpha pushes down on the handle and allows the door to swing open before looking back at me and encouraging me to enter.

I move cautiously as I have never been beaten this badly by my dad before going to another pack’s territory. I would think the risk of another alpha discovering my secret relationship with my father would have been too high for him to be so careless. Yet the beatings have only gotten worse with each pack he’s sent me off to. Combine denying me my medication with the hardship of hiding my injuries and he’s making it easier for them to discover the abuse I’m suffering much sooner. I’m certain that this alpha has already figured out that I’m being abused and I’ve barely been here an hour. It’s become clear to me that he’s using the warrior program as a new way to abuse me. I can’t think of how many times he’s told me that I’m too weak for any alpha to accept into a second run and it seems like every time I come back I have to deal with the council poking around. He will refrain from abusing me while they’re there but the moment they leave I’m chained up and beaten three to four times a week until he decides to send me on another run. So it’s not difficult for me to go pack when my dad tells me to, that I'm going to whatever pack he decides is next for me in the line up. I need to get away from him just as badly as he hates seeing my face in his territory.

I step inside the room several feet, completely neglecting to even search for the light. It’s as I place the pack I’m wearing on the bed that I’m startled by the light being flipped on. I turn quickly to see that Alpha and his son have stepped inside the room with me. The alpha gives me a smile but says nothing. It seems he’s started observing again. I turn and start moving slowly around the room taking in everything.

“Would it be okay if I put your wet clothes in the washer?”

Alpha Damian asks, causing me to freeze and look at him. He lets out a nervous chuckle as I study him with my head cocked to one side.

“It seems like you haven’t been met with much kindness.”

I let out a slight hum as I run my hand nervously over the left side of my head.

“Not from alphas.” I speak quietly. “Yes. I would appreciate that. You said you stock soap and other stuff like that?”

“Yes, I’ll show you where it’s at once you’ve explored a bit.”

I nod my head as Alpha Damian makes his way over to a large closet at the back corner of the room. I watch him open it up revealing a full size washer and dryer stacked inside.

“I’m going to run this through a quick rinse cycle before you do a full wash.”

I nod again with a quiet thanks. Exploring the large room has taken my mind off the events that had just happened and it seems like the alpha has picked up on my calmed demeanor.

“Cole, it’s very important that you tell me the truth. I promise you nothing you tell me will result in you being removed from my first run. The only things that I will remove you for is if you steal, fight, rape, take recreational drugs or drink until you're stupid. I don’t tolerate any of those things. So, are you usually on medication for your anxiety?”

I freeze in the doorway of the bathroom.

“Yes sir.”

I speak quietly, ashamed to admit that I have an issue.

“It’s not something to be ashamed of but it’s important that I know what you're on and the dosage.”

I shake my head slowly before I speak again.

“I’ve been on several different combinations of medications over the last several years. Dr. Carter tends to change the combination every time my dad forces me off of them, trying to figure out the combination with the least amount of side effects. The last set of three with either Xanax or Valium to help me at night on the really rough days I did really well on. Minimal side effects compared to other combinations and I wasn’t a zombie or felt like I was drugged. I was actually close to....”

My thoughts wander off track as I walk around the rest of the room.

“You felt close to normal?”

Alpha finishes for me. I nod my head in agreement as we continue to talk.

“How long have you been off of it?”

“Three, almost four months. My dad has been getting more persistent at blocking all my efforts to get to it while I’m home.”

“He doesn’t want you on medication?”

“No. He says taking medication is an admittance to weakness and he refuses to tolerate any shows of weakness from his son.”

“Do you know what you were taking?”

I sigh as I shake my head.

“Are you able to find phone numbers of doctors at different hospitals?”

This time it’s the alpha looking at me with a cocked head. I can’t help but return the curious look while waiting for his response.

“I should have enough connections to dig up a doctor. Do you have a name?”

“Carter. Dr. Alexander Carter at Red General. He’ll likely recommend a different combination as the biggest trouble I seem to have is eating while on them.”

“Thank you.”

He gives me a smile and a nod.

“Will you tell me why you’re on this medication?”

He asks slowly the one question I don’t want to answer. I shake my head slowly

“I’m sorry Alpha, I can’t. I don’t expect you to understand but I can’t. I just can’t.”

“I didn’t think you would. Trust is an easy thing to lose but hard to gain. Hopefully, in time, you’ll be able to see me for who I am and change your mind. My door is always open.”

I nod my head in silent thanks waiting for the next thing to come.

“It’s getting late so how about we get you out here to the table of food. Take all you want as you have a larger apartment sized fridge in here you can store food and drinks in. We have bags of ice in the dining hall by the main pack house. You can grab one at dinner tomorrow and bring it back. We also have disposable cups, plates and plastic utensils you can bring back too. Cleaning supplies are in the walk-in closet next to the stairs. Personal necessities are in the walk-in closet on the opposite side. Don’t hesitate to grab what you need. If there is something specific that you need let me or one of the trainers know and we’ll try to get it for you. Damian and Dominic will be here at seven to lead everyone over to the pack house for breakfast. They will do this everyday this week then you’ll be on your own. Expectation is that you are showered and ready to start training when you get there although when this place gets full I do have some prospects who choose to switch to evening showers over morning. I’ll come get you at breakfast so get your food, take your time eating, when you’re done you’re going to meet with me in my office. I’m going to have my lead doctor in the medical wing join us with the phone call to Dr. Carter. I’m putting you back on your meds while you're here. There’s no reason for you to suffer like this.”