If Rue thought the smell in the factory was bad, what was in the basement had his stomach heaving. The cavernous space was icy cold despite the warmth outside the building. Iron cot beds with chains attached told a story all of their own. Buckets filled with excrement were scattered about, some nearly overflowing. Threadbare blankets rested on soiled mattresses that were barely thick enough to support a toddler. Rue’s nails dug into the palms of his hands to prevent himself from unleashing his burning rage at such a fucking injustice.
His icy stare met Oakland’s, who’d come with them. “Stop your men from kicking out the alphas, they need to detain them, and we need the authorities in here…now,” he voiced in a flat monotone that he used to hide his despair. His fury.
The suffering of those moving around the filthy space was the only reason he held his rhino in check. Prison was too fucking good for the shit-fuck-bastards who’d inflicted Rue could only imagine what.
Chained.
Held prisoner.
How many had endured this? How long had they been doing this?
An icy shiver ran down his spine as he met the terror-filled gazes of those brave enough to look at him. It took genuine effort to keep his expression soft. “I’m Rue Starling, and we are going to do everything in our power to protect you. I swear it.”
That’s when he heard Booker roar, and Rue ran.
Alphaholes
Taylin:Jupiter, what the fuck have you been doing with my mate at a sex club? You better fucking answer me, or I won’t be responsible when I get my damn hands on you.
Silas:Why are you messaging at one in the morning?
Silas:Forget I asked, now I’ve got my eyes to wake up.
Booker:Why would Jup take Hollis to a sex club? I’m confused.
Kodi:Not the only one, bro… are you guys home?
Rue:It’s too sordid a story for now, will catch up tomorrow. But yeah, we got home an hour ago.
Rue found his sense of humor, despite what he’d just typed. He dropped his phone on the bed, hearing it ping as he stripped out of his clothes, desperate for another shower. He couldn’t rid himself of the feeling of despair that clung to him worse than the stench from the basement.
Having Taylin as a distraction was far better than his morbid thoughts. Taylin had moved in with Hollis after the ‘heat incident’ on a business trip. They’d all known Taylin had lusted after Hollis. What seemed to have passed them all by was just how deep Taylin’s feelings were for the pygmy loris. Their enforced return to Hazardville gave Taylin his chance with Hollis, and he’d taken it. Rue was happy for Taylin, despite ripping the back out of him. That’s what brothers did to each other, he’d learned.
Naked, he picked up his phone when it finally stopped pinging to see what Jupiter had to say for himself. The group chat, aptly named ‘alphaholes’ by Jupiter, always made Rue chuckle. His chuckle died a few moments later as he read the thread of chat.
His mouth dried and his eyes narrowed.
Taylin:Jupiter, answer me!
Jupiter:Keep your fucking hair on, I was busy…
Taylin:I’m not in the fucking mood Jupiter. Why did you take Hollis to a sex club tonight? What the fuck were you thinking? Did someone touch him? He reeks of sex.
Jupiter:I did no such thing! They were all there at Sinful. Hollis and the other PAs getting drunk and having fun watching what goes on in there.And I wasn’t paying attention to what they were doing, I was preoccupied.
Silas:All of them?
Booker:What’s this shit?
Laken:Why is it that I’m figuring preoccupied means having someone bounce on your balls in a public place?
Jupiter:Don’t knock it till you try it bro.
Kari:We aren’t all as kinky as you.
Jupiter:You sure about that… Daddy…
Kari:Fuck you!
