Unfortunately, that was the last message I got from him and he never made it to classes that day. However, as we exited the school building I looked towards my truck to see a sexy looking boy our age leaning against the back in a pair of faded jeans and a black dress shirt with the sleeves rolled down to cover his arms and sunglasses covering his beautiful amber eyes.

“Hey there stranger, what's with that look?” I asked as Liah and I got close to my truck. Stopping just in front of him, he stood up then rubbing his neck said “nothing. I'm just stressed with this new position and it's wearing me out.”

“Don't lie to us. We know you better than that. We know you're stressed and worried but there's something else going on” Liah said staring at him until he caved. Moving around the side of my truck out of sight of anyone else then signaling us to follow, Madox lifted his shirt slightly and looked away. Glancing down, I saw his ribs were covered in bruised and suddenly wondered why the sleeves of his dress shirt weren't rolled up despite warm weather.

“How bad is it and why does it look like you didn't put up a fight?” I asked worry lacing my voice as I fought not to release the growl Moon wanted to add in there. Of course I'd wondered why my chest hurt earlier but I said nothing and assumed it was separation anxiety or something. Lowering his shirt, he said “Carl had two guys holding me while he beat me this time. That's why the long sleeves, to hide the hand print bruises from me trying to get free.”

“Oh sweetie” Liah said pulling him into a hug then linked me and asked “didn't you feel any of it?”

“Yeah but it was such a dull ache that I assumed it was separation anxiety or something. I guess we were far enough apart that I wasn't getting the full brunt of it as I would've if we were within a mile of each other” I said confused and trying to make sense of it then added “unless Moon and Reign were also trying to protect me from the full force of it.”

“Hmm, maybe you should come back to Blood Rose and hang out for a bit, shift to heal, and let Conner take care of you like last time” Liah said aloud.

“Unfortunately, I can't. I have to get back and deal with some pack stuff but I wanted to see you both. I promise I'll shift later and if I can I'll meet you by the lake near the edge of our territories” Madox said releasing her from the hug.

“I'll hold you to that. Text when you're ready to meet so I can head that way. Do you need a ride back?” I asked gesturing towards my truck.

“I will and nah. They gave me permission to use one of the pack cars” he said pointing to a sleek black town car parked across from my truck.

“Nice” Liah said walking over to it to have a look but my attention was still on Madox.

“Can I ask if there's more than one reason for the shades?” I asked.

“You can ask but no thankfully they didn't touch my face this time” he said removing the sunglasses so I could see his untouched face before adding “at least that's one thing to be grateful for. Though you should know, I've see that guy hanging around my pack and Carl in particular. I'm worried they'll try something.”

“Thanks for the warning. I'll keep an eye out and let Kyle know just in case” I said turning to look at Liah who had just rejoined us. After a short silence, I looked at Liah and asked “you ready to head back?”

“Ready when you are though I really wish Dox could come too” she pouted.

“Me too but I got a job to do. I promise that you will see me every day whether that means I'll be in school or just meet you here like this I don't know yet and we'll figure out something for the weekends” Madox said with an obviously painful shrug as he winced.

“Alright but even if we can't see you make sure you send us something so we know you're alive at least” I said trying really hard to hide the pain in my voice when I said the last part.

“I promise...” he said leaving the last syllable hanging like he wanted to say something else before walking over to his car. Opening the door, he climbed inside and left without a word leaving us standing there confused. Coming back to my senses, I put a hand on Liah's shoulder and said “come on let's go” before moving to climb into the drivers seat. As we were driving back to the pack house, I pulled off the road as I felt an odd pressure on my arms causing Liah to look at me confused. Assuming Madox was being beaten again, I quickly put the truck in park just before I felt the first blow in my stomach stronger than it had been this morning. Doubling over and laying my head on the steering wheel, I glanced over at Liah who had a troubled look on her face.

“I guess distance played a part in not feeling it this morning” I said through clenched teeth as I felt another blow.

“Oh my god, Madox is being beaten right now?” she asked with a worried look.

“Yeah, but don't worry I know he can handle it and I know Reign will tell Moon if it gets bad enough they need help” I said trying to keep her calm while also trying to breath. Silently, I said “Moon, check in on them please. I'm a little worried even though I know he's taken worse beatings.”

“Already on it because I was worried too after seeing the bruises” Moon said then went silent for a few minutes while I tried to remember how to breath after the last combination of hits.

“He says they're okay for right now but if it gets any worse before Madox passes out from the pain it may become a problem” Moon said.

“Meaning?” I asked hoping I was wrong about what I thought might happen.

“Meaning, if they increase the strength of their hits they may break several of his ribs causing them to puncture his lung before he can heal” Moon explained sounding worried. Suddenly, the pain stopped and so did the pressure on my arms. Sitting up, I waited for Moon to tell me what happened. Moments later, he said “Madox passed out and they've dropped him onto the ground where he was. According to Reign, they're in the forest very close to the pack borders. He wants us to head there because being near us will also help us heal faster. He says he can take control and force the shift since Madox is unconscious.”

“Alright, tell him to shift and meet us by the lake as planned. Imma run home, drop off Liah, and grab my duffle with food and clothes then we'll meet him there” I said putting the truck back into drive and gunning the engine speeding home. Slowing as we neared the gate, Liah asked “why are you in such a hurry?”

“I need to get to the lake” was all I said and all I needed to say as a look of understanding crossed her face. When we had finally made it back to the pack house, we got out of the truck and as I rounded the tail gate I heard Liah say “give him a hug for me.” Running inside and straight to me room, I dropped my bag and keys grabbing my duffle and shoving two pairs of sweatpants and shirts inside before heading to the kitchen. Walking over to the counter, I saw several of the muffins I'd made last night sitting there. Shoving them into a plastic container, I went to the fridge and grabbed several water bottles and then a box of protein bars from the cabinet before running out the door. Running at full speed through the forest, I made it to the clearing in a matter of seconds taking the hard right towards the Wind Walker territorial line. As I got closer, I saw that beautiful gray wolf with amber eyes limping out of the forest towards the lake. Slowing to a walk, my heart dropped and tears started to form in my eyes as he turned those amber eyes on me. Dropping to my knees in front of him, the tears began to fall as Moon said “Reign says to tell you to stop crying. He says none of this is your fault even though we're their mate. He says Madox won't blame you for any of this if he knew the truth.” As he finished speaking, Reign nudged my face with his snout and I reached up to run my fingers through his fur holding him close. After a few minutes, I kissed the side of his snout and let go to unwrap some of the muffins and protein bars holding them out for him to eat. After each bite, Reign licked my hand slightly making me chuckle and smile. When he's done it for the sixth time, Moon said “Reign says he loves your smile and likes it even more when you laugh. He says he's hated seeing you in so much pain the last few months and even worse on your birthday.” Staring into Reigns eyes, I said “I'm sorry. I know this must be difficult for you too and believe me it hurts more than I wanted to admit. I just want to give him the chance to do something meaningful without him worrying about me even if that means I worry about him and feel every hit. My biggest worry is that someone will use him against me without him even knowing why which now that I say it out loud seems like a very plausible possibility.” Licking my face this time, Moon translates again “he says not to worry so much about them. He knows why you're doing all this and trusts your judgment even if being marked would make life a little easier. He says even if someone were to try and use them against us, he wouldn't tell Madox why, only that it's because they're important to us. He also says to tell you that he loves you and that he's very happy to have us as their mate because he knows we care.” With that said, my tears began to flow again as I watched Reign. A few more minutes passed and his behavior changed as he looked around seemingly confused.