The question didn't leave Asher after he left Theon that evening. It was all he could think about his entire shift, to the point that a few of his coworkers pointed out he was too distracted. 

Shaking his head trying to push the thought away so his sudden change in concentration wouldn't draw the negative attention of Shaw. 

He never thought about leaving, not anymore at least. He did when he first got here against his will, it was all he could think about. This was the last place he wanted to be but as reality set in Asher started to give up such thinking. 

Freedom was no longer an option for him. 

Shaw was his home. They were bonded to one another, he couldn't just leave it would kill him if he did. The emotional torment alone would be enough to break him. 

Asher was marked and owned by Shaw if he liked it or not. As his omega he would do all that was in his power to please him. Telling himself maybe in time Shaw will come to see his worth and change some himself. 

The fact that Theon could smell his true scent meant that Shaw's last bite has come to run its course in him. Asher takes note of the date and realizes it's been longer than he thought since Shaw marked him last, not a normal behavior for him. 

Shaw was a punctual man in all aspects making sure to bite him before the old mark had time to fully heal. Running his slender fingers through the back of his hair, maybe Shaw forgot, or didn't see the need to bite him anymore, or maybe it was a test? A test for Asher to come to him? 

Theon himself didn't know where the sudden interest in Asher came from. He was here for his sister. He had his own problems to deal with adding to them with concern for a claimed omega that he hardly knew wasn't needed; forcing himself to drop it.  

* * * * *

The small talk between the two of them died out over the next week. Theon felt off to Asher but he wasn't about to ask or pry into the vibe he was getting. 

He found it easier to focus on the tasks at hand. Theon would only be here for a short period, just long enough to make what his sister lost back with interest to Shaw. Most fighters like this only stuck around for about three maybe four fights then they were out. 

Shaw a man of his word when it came to contracts like that. He didn't need it getting out that he didn't stick to his word with freelance fighting. Freelance was his term for it. Theon was a freelance fighter, only here for a short time. Just someone to fill in the gaps, be fresh meat in the ring. 

To become a freelance fighter one could be like Theon who was working off a small debt or they could walk in and ask for a contract. Shaw had a few men like Zac on his list that just loved to fight and wanted to get paid for it. Others just loved the perks of being in his corner when it came to getting away with illegal things. 

"I'll be back to get you when they are ready." Spoke Asher as he placed Theon's uniform on the table for the second time. 

It was fight night again for him. 

Eyes glancing back as he left the room moving down the hallway, running into something solid enough to stop him hard in his tracks. 

"Gotta keep a better eye on where you're going, Pup." 

Asher knew who it was by voice alone, "I apologize, won't happen again." Moving to step around him quickly. 

It was Zac, Asher had done so well to avoid him since he was placed on Theon duty. 

Zac sighing, "Run into me so disrespectfully after you've been dodging me for weeks. I don't like that Pup."

Not allowing Asher to move out of reach before grabbing him by the arm, slamming him flat against the wall with a thud. 

"You know I like to see you." Zac acted as if his feelings were really hurt.

"Down in my wing but don't come to see me at all." 

"Shaw. . " Was all Asher could get out before Zac covered his mouth with his palm, telling him to hush.

"Shaw isn't here." He smiled an evil little smirk on his lips. 

Zac leaning down toward him, hand leaving his mouth to wrap around his neck pinning him, placing a knee between his legs, rubbing against him. 

Asher not sure as to whom he was more afraid of, Shaw or Zac. Shaw had values even if they were corrupt and rotten. Zac was a total wildcard. 

"Little birdie tells me you're a virgin." His voice almost groaned at the word virgin. "Makes the thought of having you be mine all the sweeter." 

Zac sniffed against Asher's neck the scent of fear swirling around him. 

Feeling his tongue glide along his cheek, "Sweet." He growled in a low rumble, his knee pressing harder into Asher causing him the whimper. 

His scent potent enough to make it down the hall and into Theon's room, catching his nose just as he finished changing. The doors on this level all locked for the outside, but that didn't stop Theon from ramming it with his shoulder breaking it from the framing. Working off primal instincts, just acting. 

Asher glances down the hall after hearing something break, seeing Theon appear.  

"I don't think he cares to have you that close." Growled Theon as he looked over the guy, sizing him up as he moved closer to them. 

Not happy with how he was all over Asher. 

Zac looked over his shoulder at Theon nonchalantly, the two men having yet to meet face to face but Zac heard about his first fight a few weeks ago.

"Oh I don't think he minds, do you Pup?" Asked Zac, applying pressure to Asher's neck making it harder for him to breathe. 

"Zac, please. . " Choked out Asher.

"So you're one of them hard headed ones, huh." Comment Theon gripping Zach's arm by the wrist twisting it back with one swift motion so that he released his grip over Asher.

Holding just enough tension on the joint that if he moved in the slightest he would snap it. Finding a great deal of pleasure in that thought too. 

Asher coughing, hands going to his own throat as he knelt over trying to catch his breath. 

"Theon don't . . . " Coughed Asher. 

"I would listen to the Pup,  I would hate to have to tell the boss about this."  Zac played cool as if he had the upper hand here. Not in the wrong by any means.  

Theon glanced between the two of them before he let Zac's wrist go, growling as a threat to stay away.

"Next time it won't be your wrist." Stated Theon.

Zac laughing, "I love a good threat." Looking down at Asher, "Later Pup." 

"You okay?" Asked Theon, cupping Asher's chin in his hand to get a better look at him. Zac held him long enough to leave an imprint behind. 

He should have gotten here sooner. 

"Yes." Cried, Asher clasping against Theon's bare chest, wrapping his arms as best as he could around his much larger frame.

"Why did you come?"

"I could feel that you were scared." Theon not being totally honest. 

He could smell that Asher was afraid but that alone wouldn't affect an alpha but so much. He came because he felt drawn to come, that he wanted to come, that he wanted to protect him.

Theon placing his hand on the back of Asher's head in a soothing manner, or what he hoped to be a soothing manner. 

"Thank you." Asher sobbed out of relief. 

Asher now realizing that he was grasping onto Theon in a manner that wasn't suitable at all but he couldn't help himself.  Holding on him a little longer, gripping tighter,  his skin felt so warm against his own. 

Theon's scent calmed him in a way that no one else has done before, making him feel safe for the first time since he's been here. 

"Hey, it's no problem." Theon spoke patting his dark locks more, meaning it. 

Pretty sure he just pissed another fighter off, the same fighter that had been mentioned in his presence before which might put a target on his back but he was okay with that because Asher was safe.