Unwanted

Joel’s P.O.V.

I’m sickened by what Tyler and his men have done to the people in the cages. They had raped and abused the men and the women. There were only a few pups, and besides being terrified, we didn’t see any marks on them. However, we may never see the marks that will affect them for their entire lives.

Once we have cleared out all the cages and taken the people in them to the pack house to get treated, I have two guards bring Tyler. I also have Mike go around with the other guards to point out anyone in the pack who worked with Tyler besides the ones we caught in the building. There were a total of twenty-two men and three women.

“The things you have done to people over the years disgust me. If we had time, I would torture you for years, but I want your existence to be wiped from the earth as soon as possible. You will suffer, and we will be able to tell your captives and their families that your deaths weren’t pleasant. Strip them and put them into cages.” I yell to the guards. They try to fight, but the few that still have their wolves were given wolfbane, so they’re unable to shift or use any of their abilities. The guards put them in the smallest, most uncomfortable cages they could squeeze each of them into.

“You can’t do this. I’m an alpha. There’s no one good enough to lead this pack.” Tyler yells from the smallest of cages. I walk over, pick up a nail from the ground, and shove it through his hand, sticking out of the cage. He screams in pain.

“You’re not an alpha; you’re a piece of shit. Mike will be alpha, and he’ll make this pack thrive despite what you’ve done. Spray them.” I tell the guards.

They pull out the acid that we found in a room inside the building. I’m sure they used it on some of their captives, and now they’ll get it used on them. Anton and Damon are with me. Teegan and Kiana are helping the pups that were taken from the cages. I’m glad because as strong as I know they both are, I don’t want them to see this. The men and women scream as the acid eats away at their skin.

I’m not a person who enjoys torture, but these people are monsters. They deserve everything they’re getting and more. The smell of the acid burning their flesh is making me sick, but when I think about everything they did to those they hurt, I get over it. Their screams continue as the guards continue putting acid on any exposed skin they can see.

“Now we’ll let the acid do its job, and then we’ll be back. Don’t die while we’re gone because we’re not done yet.” I tell them as we leave.

“What else are you going to do?” Damon asks. He looks a little green, whereas Anton seems full of rage like me.

“After the acid burns them enough that they’re close to death, we’re going to burn the building down with them in it. Whoever doesn’t die from the acid will be burnt alive.” I reply as we make our way into the packhouse. I see Teegan with the little pup still clinging to her, but he’s smiling now.

“Hey, Mike and Olivia went through Tyler’s office and found where most of the pups and others came from. This little guy is from Silver Moon, as are two others. Most of the adults were rogues. Some of them are in really bad shape, but Olivia and Mike are making sure they get everything they need. They feel horrible that this was all going on here. I told them they can’t blame themselves, but they can try to help those we saved. I called my dad, and he’s sending the families for the three pups.” I look at the pup Teegan is holding and smile. She’s a natural with him. I can’t wait until we have pups of our own.

“You’ve been busy. We’re letting Tyler and the others be eaten by acid until we’re ready to burn the building down. I hope all the packs aren’t like this one. Although, if they were buying pups, I can’t imagine they were for anything good.” I kiss her forehead and pull her against me. Teegan is my strength. She’s so strong and resilient. I don’t know how I functioned before I met her.

An hour later, Anton and I return to the building. Damon couldn’t take anymore, and I don’t blame him. A few people are already dead, but most are alive, including Tyler. The guards spray lighter fluid all over them, making them scream in pain again as it mixes with the acid and seeps into their wounds.

“It’s time for your one-way ticket to hell,” I say as I light a rag dipped in lighter fluid and toss it inside. The guards lock the doors, and we hear the screams from the people inside as we walk away. When we get to the packhouse, the parents of the pups are inside with their little ones. Teegan is talking to the mother of the pup she had been holding. When she sees me, she walks over and wraps her arms around me.

“Are you okay?” I ask her. She looks up and wipes away her tears.

“I’m better now with you. I think we’ve gotten everything under control here. Are we going to the next one?” Teegan holds me tight, and I see Kiana and Damon hugging too. Anton is talking to the parents of the pups from Silver Moon. Hopefully, he’ll find his mate while we’re traveling from state to state.

“The next stop is near Fort Wayne, Indiana. We’ll leave in a few minutes and head there.” I reply. We walk around, making sure no one needs anything. I give Mike and Olivia my phone number so they can reach me if they need any help in the future. We’re all apprehensive once we’re back in the SUV and on the road. Hopefully, the next stop isn’t as bad as the last one.

Springfield, Illinois

Petra’s P.O.V.

The pups and cubs run around me as I laugh. I push my long black hair out of my face and fix my ponytail. I was found when I was an orphan and brought to the place that I called home my entire childhood. Even though I’m an adult now, I can’t leave. I help others who are like me when I was their age. No one should feel unwanted and alone.

When I was a pup, I was taken from my pack at the age of three. I was rescued several years later by the people I consider my saviors. When they tried to return me to my pack, we found nothing but ruins. The entire pack had been killed the night that I was kidnapped. I don’t remember my family, but I would still like to know what happened.

“Okay, everyone inside for dinner,” I say, stopping the game of tag the little ones were playing. I hear a few of them groan, but they go inside to wash up. I smile at the woman who runs this house when I get inside. She’s older than me, but she made me feel safe when I first came here.

“Dinners almost ready.” She says. I hug her and look at what she’s cooking. Spaghetti and meatballs. She looks like her mother and actually somewhat like me with her black hair, but she’s not a wolf.

“Looks delicious. Need me to do anything?” I ask. She turns and puts her back against the counter.

“How about leaving this place and trying to find your mate? He’s not going to fall into your lap while you’re hiding.” She says, raising her eyebrow at me. I turn and look away.

“What’s the point? When I do find him, he’s not going to want me. I’m a twenty-two-year-old who’s scared to leave the home I grew up in.” I reply. I would love to meet my mate, but I’m terrified he’ll reject me when I do.

“You’ve met most of my family when they come here to visit and know that most of their histories are similar to yours. My mom started homes like these because she wanted to help children of all species get on their feet. My brother and I, along with our mates, wanted to do the same, just not in California. These homes aren’t meant for you to stay in and hide.” She smiles at me, and I nod. Jelena has been the only mother figure I can remember, and I just can’t bring myself to leave yet. What if I end up alone and unwanted?

“I know. I’ll get out of here someday. I promise.”