Sage had to work for everything he got from Matt. Food, water, sleep, showers, everything had a cost to it. No different than when he was under Patrick's control just this time part of him felt obligated to do so because of the bonding. Playing the best toy he could be. Proving himself to the point of no longer being chained to the floor. Matt eventually started to allow him to roam free during the day but locked up in his room at night unless he had other plans for him.

The only time he left the apartment was when he absolutely had to so meetings at the clubhouse and for the monthly runs. Going on one of the two they've had since being under his control. The second one he couldn't make it because Matt beat him so bad the night before he couldn't put any weight on his leg let alone run for miles.

Colt worried for Sage every moment of every day. He knew Matt marked him against his will he just knew it. His gut screamed that something wasn't right. No matter what Sage may have said to him when asked. The fondness he had for Sage wouldn't let him believe that his feelings were in vane. Maybe it was just his cockiness but still.  There was just no way Matt of all alphas could have won Sage over in a matter of a few months and to do it without anyone noticing.

He voiced his concerns to his father privately but at this point there was nothing either of them could do about it. They were bonded to each other. Mike did offer to speak with Sage alone but Colt quickly told him not to. He didn't want Matt to think anything was up or to somehow cause more pain to Sage.

He made sure to keep an eye on Sage whenever he was let out. Matt always hovering close by never leaving any opening for him to get a moment alone. Not even a monthly run Sage came to. 

Tank told him he was paranoid and seeing shit that wasn't there. Paranoid or hurting because he in fact did throw out something sweet. Colt had told Tank what happened between the two of them. Tank just as disappointed in Colt's behavior as he was himself. Shoving Sage like he had scared him; hurt him. He didn't want to be someone that took his anger out on people. Least of all people he cared about.

There was an emptiness in his chest since Sage left. An emptiness he didn't let himself really feel until he heard about Matt and Sage being a thing. It wasn't something he understood at the time, justifying everything he felt for Sage as something else. Dumbing down the fact that he had real feelings for him. So it hurt like hell when Sage confirmed that everything was perfect between Matt and him. That he was the one who fucked up by rejecting him.

Sage stood next to Matt in the clubhouse eyes dazed over with no emotions as he watched Matt mingle and drink. He could feel Colt staring into him from across the room. He felt Colt's eyes on him every time he was here, watching over him. Glancing over his shoulder to Colt meeting his gaze as he got up and headed to the bathroom in the back. Making sure Colt caught his look before he disappeared down the little hallway. He wanted Colt to follow him, he needed Colt tonight or all his efforts would be wasted and he would be dead by morning.

Colt was halfway down the hallway when Sage came out of the bathroom. His head low like it always was not looking up or saying a word to him. Sage pointed to the bathroom door with his index finger as he walked. Hand held close to his side giving off no alarm to others as he motioned for Colt to keep going.

"I thought I told you two minutes." Snapped Matt, looking at the two of them in the hallway changing his tone slightly. "Let's get going, you know tonight is Friday."

Matt smirked at Colt as he placed his arm around Sage, "Our favorite night of the week."

Sage hated Friday nights. They were the worst night of the week for him. Colt kept on walking acting as if he wasn't phased at all. Shutting the bathroom door behind him locking it wondering what Sage was trying to tell him by pointing. He couldn't be reading into things, could he? Seeing things that really didn't happen but he couldn't be because Sage made sure he got his attention showing he wanted him to come then deliberately pointed to the bathroom he just came out of.

Light blue eyes glancing around nothing looked to be out of place. Nothing stuck out to him at all. Frustrated he leaned over the sink staring into the mirror there had to be something here and that's when it caught him. The bottom of the mirror looked to have a slip of something sticking out of it.

The corner of a page torn away from a book fell onto the ground as he nudged it, *I'd like that run tonight.* scribbled on the backside.