BETA

P A R T || T H R E E

| J O S H

Four days passed relatively quickly. Jared would check on us a few times as if to make sure we hadn't disappeared before going off to finish whatever the hell he was doing. It was a piss poor lie if I said I wasn't happy he was keeping his distance.

"Morning, runt," I greeted, once I noticed that he was awake. He rolled his eyes at the nickname I'd insisted on calling him.

"Good morning, Josh," He replied, saying my name as if it was an insult. We laughed softly, simply enjoying each other's presence. In the past four days, we've grown close. It made me reevaluate the way I behaved before. Sure I had anger problems but Kaleb was the last person who I should have taken it out on. To make up for it, or at least try to, I was determined to protect Kaleb from anything and everything. Somehow, he'd wormed his way into this closed off heart of mine.

Our laughing stopped as the door opened forcefully. It was the house cat, his eyes were a brilliant emerald that glowed but there something about them that made a shiver race down my spine.

The tiger walked into the small room, taking up most of the space, light streaming in behind him. My heart flopped in my chest if he was here that meant Darren wasn't far behind. I gulped, shoving my anxiety down...I wasn't ready to face my mate. A random minion of Jared's ran out, stupidly trying to attack the tiger. The large man didn't even flinch, he threw the punch so fast I almost didn't see it, the rogue's face literally caved around his fist with a gut-churning crunch before he fell to the ground limp.

Then his steely emerald gaze locked on to me. Welp this is the day I die... I thought dryly. Death by tiger attack, what a great way to go out. Next thing I knew his fist was around my neck crushing my windpipe. I didn't resist after all this had to be some sort of karma.

"No! Zev, wait please!" Kaleb begged shrilly, his chains clanking as he tugged at them desperately. "Josh is innocent! He didn't do anything!" He was ignored. My vision began to die from lack of oxygen, but I felt nothing, no fear, no relief, no sadness... nothing.

Kaleb's scream of pain cut through my oxygen deprived brain like a knife, it also seemed to shake his mate from whatever trance he was in. Whatever the hell he did work. I was released and the tiger marched over to his mate. I gasped trying to get as much air into my lungs as I could. My ears rang loudly as my eyes watered. Goddess, he's got a strong grip.

"Apologize." Kaleb huffed at his mate.

"I'm sorry, I wasn't exactly in control." The tiger said, looking apologetic. Yep, he's whipped. I nodded in acknowledgment. It wasn't the worst thing that I've been through.

"Can't say I didn't deserve it," I admitted dryly.

"I can," Kaleb growled out. I didn't even try to tell him he was wrong, he wouldn't listen anyway. Thankfully his attention was redirected at his mate who quickly broke him free of his restraints. When I first saw the couple in the clearing had been consumed with jealousy, looking at them now it was hard not to see how they were made for each other. But seriously, that tiger is three times his size.

Then my whole world stopped. For a second I forgot how to breathe. Darren burst through the entryway, his chest heaving and shoulders tense. I felt a quiver roll through me and it was all I could do not to whimper. His chocolate gaze scanned the room before they finally landed on me. I completely forgot that Zev and Kaleb even existed, my entire being focused solely on Darren as our eyes locked. He closed the distance between us and kneeled in front of me. He was so close but I wanted him closer.

Josh... he said shakily through the link. His chocolate eyes that I had missed so much filled with concern and regret. With a shaking hand, Darren reached out to gently caress my bruised cheek, anger filling his eyes. Sparks practically exploded between us and I felt my wolf awaken for the first time in weeks.