Chapter 13

I took a deep breath and yelled out with a deep growl in my throat. 

“Alright, you pieces of absolute trash! Since you all think my words are just fucking jokes and that you can walk all over me, let’s take a second to reacquaint ourselves with the rules. Since not all of you fucks got the message!

“No bullying. And when I say no, I mean absolutely none at all.

“No illegal drugs or contraband on or near our territory. That also means none outside it while you are staying with our pack.

“And I will not stress this enough—so, goddess help me—if I or anyone else in this pack finds out that anyone is forcing any kind of sexual conduct onto another person, we will personally rain hell on whoever is responsible. Inside or outside this fucking pack.

“You barbaric fucks might have gotten away with it in some disgusting cesspool, but that shit will not slide here. You think we’re strict now? Hah, let me warn you, you do not want to see what happens when someone in our pack actually gets pissed off.

“We are extremely protective of our own. If you behave yourselves here, you will receive that same protection.”

I fucking loath repeating myself. These arrogant, cocky dumbasses apparently need to hear them twice.

After taking another deep breath, which I have been doing a lot today. Colt and I walked over to Beta Noel Bowen, and Alpha Chase Acosta, to do a quick debriefing. Both of them are also instructors at the training base. They would walk in the front of the line, while Colt and I would walk in the back. It made it easier so no one would stray away from the group.

“Alright! It’s time to head over to the barracks. Everyone, form a single-file line. We’ll be at the front, and Alpha Draegan and Alpha Colt will be stationed at the back so no one strays or gets left behind!” Chase’s voice rang out across the group.

I followed behind the group toward the barracks with Raymond walking between Colt and me, finding myself glancing down at him from time to time as we walked and taking in each of his reactions. His breathing was becoming heavy again, and each breath sounded shallow, while he was also moving at an unusually slow pace with a slight wobble in his step.

Most people probably wouldn't have noticed, since he seemed remarkably skilled at hiding anything out of the ordinary, but I had always been observant. I picked up on it immediately.

Leaning down beside his ear, I spoke quietly. “How are you feeling? You seem to be walking a little slow, and your breathing sounds shallow and rapid.”

I didn't want the others ahead of us to notice, especially since Raymond already seemed disconnected from the rest of his pack aside from the friend I'd seen talking with him earlier. Not only that, but I suspected he was being bullied by some of the other pack members. After all, his bag hadn't magically ended up in a tree on its own. The less attention drawn to him, the better.

“I’m okay. Just a little tired from the bus ride here. I’ll be fine once I get some sleep. Thank you for asking, Alpha Draegan,” I heard him say weakly, accompanied by a fake smile that quickly faltered.

Damn, why was he lying when all Colt and I wanted to do was help him? It honestly broke my heart to watch him put on such a fragile performance and lie about his well-being.

I took a moment to consider my next words. He was obviously extremely guarded, but he also seemed to be in pain. His face was unnaturally pale and bloodless, and fine beads of sweat had begun collecting on his forehead.

I moved a little closer and spoke as gently and carefully as I could. “Are you sure? If you aren’t feeling well, we can take you to the pack house medical wing and get you checked out.”

At this distance, I thought I could even smell a hint of blood coming from him.

Shit. He's obviously hurt.

It was the only solution I could think of at the moment, and I glanced over at Colt for reassurance; he seemed to agree with my decision and gave me a thumbs-up, which was enough to steady me as I waited a few seconds for Raymond’s reply, but none came.

When I looked at him more closely, I realized he was spacing out completely, and although I knew it was an inappropriate time, the expression on his face made me want to laugh; he looked so adorably lost in thought that I couldn't help myself.

After waving a hand in front of his face, he finally answered me in a slightly panicked voice. “What was it that you said, Alpha Draegan? Sorry, I spaced out for a moment there.”

 I let out a deep chuckle. “I asked if you really felt okay, and if you wanted us to bring you to the medical wing at the pack house to get you checked out. Silly boy, where has your mind wandered?”

Normally, having to repeat myself would irritate the hell out of me, but with him, I found it strangely endearing; even as I was still distracted by thoughts of how cute Raymond looked when he spaced out, I heard his breathing become strained, a sound immediately pulled me out of my head and snapped my attention back to the moment.

I watched Colt move in front of Raymond without hesitation and drop to one knee, panic flashing across his face as he urged him to breathe. “Damnit! Raymond, are you okay? Breathe! Take deep breaths. Follow my breathing.” Trying to steady him by matching his own rhythm, while I shifted closer and gently rubbed Raymond’s back. Even though the hoodie and shirt underneath, I could feel an uneven, raised pattern beneath the fabric, and my movements immediately turned lighter, more careful, as a quiet curse slipped through my mind. 

Fucking hell.

I looked up at Colt and sent my racing thoughts through the link.

[Colt… Once we get to the barracks and get everyone situated, I'm having a conversation with Draven.

I won't push Raymond to go to the medical wing, but I also won't force him to participate in any physical training over the next few weeks. He will not be allowed out of our sight for a single moment. 

And I sure as fuck won't allow him anywhere near those so-called pack mates of his—aside from his friend—until we figure out what he's dealing with.

Do I make myself clear?]

I fixed Colt with a stern look so he would understand exactly how serious I was.

He stared back at me in confusion.

[What's going on? I mean, I'll follow your lead, of course. Especially when it comes to our sweetheart, I'm just confused about where all of this is coming from.]

I took a deep breath and turned my attention back to Raymond.

He finally managed to get a few words out, though they sounded more like broken pleas than complete sentences.

“Please… n-no. D-don’t bring me to the medical wing. I… I am fine, really. I can’t. I can’t go to the medical wing. I… I’m just tired and need to get to my room to rest.”

Fuck.

He was practically begging us.

His voice was filled with undisguised fear.

“Alright. For now, let’s get to the barracks, and we’ll give you our personal numbers in case anything happens. We’ll set a special ringtone so we know right away when it’s you. Both Draegan and I can tell you’re not ready to open up or seek help from us right now. Just know that all we want is to help and make sure you’re safe.

“That said, our phones are always on us, and we’re both light sleepers. No matter what time it is, just send us a message or call if you need anything.” Colt’s voice was full of patience and gentle reassurance.

I gave him a small nod and continued toward the barracks. I resumed the conversation with Colt through the link.

[When I was rubbing his back earlier, I felt it. Uneven raised patterns all across his back. And when I leaned close to his neck, I caught the faint scent of blood.

Combined with how withdrawn he is, how constantly alert he seems, his extreme reaction to being touched unexpectedly, and the sheer terror he showed at the thought of going to the pack's medical wing…

He's been abused, Colt.

I don't know for how long, and I don't know by whom. But his pack mates seem hostile toward him, and I think he may have come here to escape.

And I can tell you right now… I won't stand in the way of that.

Better yet, I'll help him do it.]

My wolf, Odin, was currently pacing in my mental space, full of anger and anxiety about the hurt and scared young man. I was going to help this young man, no matter what it took. I can’t remember the last time I’ve felt this level of anger inside me, like every bone in my body is burning with the need to find out who hurt him and make them pay. The overwhelming urge to protect and avenge him makes me want to say fuck everything and raise hell.

I know Colt empathizes with my thoughts, because the moment he heard Raymond was being abused, his entire posture shifted; muscles tightening, jaw locking, the veins in his arms and neck standing out sharply. Hell, he might be my brother, but I sure as fuck wouldn’t want to be on the receiving end of his anger at this level, especially with the way I could hear his teeth grinding slightly. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him this pissed off before, which under any other circumstances might’ve been unsettling.