(Rated M for Mild Drug Use)

Matt had bought himself a week of time feeding lies to Mike about what happened between the two of them. Saying he had been interested in Sage since the beginning. Mike recalled that Matt had offered to take Sage under his care that first night. The words just glided off his tongue going on about how he asked Sage out and they just clicked. That things all seemed to line up and one thing lead to the next.

He covered his tracks when it came with Mr. and Mrs. Pots getting Sage's things from their place. Telling them that Sage would be living with him now that they were together. Thanking them for all they had done and how grateful he was for their care. Ms. Kelly was easy. So gullible but understood that as Sage's alpha he wanted him home and that was well within his right of things.

"Get up." Barked Matt as he unlocked the chain that held Sage.

He was too weak to get up on his own that Matt had to help him. Days of no food and beatings would do that to anyone. Getting his first meal just before he was ordered to shower and get dressed. Matt throwing clothes at him pointing in the direction of the bathroom.

"Leave the door open." The window was already sealed shut so Sage wasn't getting out that way but Matt wanted to be able to hear him on the off chance that he got any funny ideas.

Sage washed the filth from his body. Wincing in pain as the washcloth moved over his skin thinking back to the time Colt had bathed him. How awkward he found it to be then but how badly he would love to have attention like that again. To be handled with care. Matt banging on the wall just outside of the shower startled him and he dropped the washcloth.

"Five minutes."

Turning the water off taking his time to get dressed because he couldn't move without being in pain. Eyes glued to the floor as he walked out. Standing in the middle of the living space for his next order to be given. Matt smirking, tilting his head as he looked down at his toy.

"Want a treat?" He questioned as if it was actually going to be an option for him.

Holding Sage's chin in his hand forcing him to make eye contact, "Just remember everything I said and tonight will be just fine."

Sage felt Matt's tongue force a pill into his mouth as he kissed him. Holding his chin tight till he swallowed it.

"Good toy."

It was an old friend of his feeling the effects of the pill hit him as they pulled up to the clubhouse. His body felt an old blanket of comfort wrap around him. Why couldn't Matt give him this days ago? Stumbling as he got out of the car more from weakness than anything else. Matt smiling and nodding to those passing by as they walked in together. His heavy arm placed over Sage's shoulder really giving Sage something to lean against as he moved.

It was their monthly bullshit meeting that Matt personally couldn't stand to be at. It was to see how everyone was doing, to note any concerns or questions while having a family dinner among all of them. Mushy bullshit that really made Matt's skin crawl.

Mrs. Pots walked up to Sage congratulating him on his newfound love. Matt squeezed his shoulder hard a quiet threat to do as he was told.

"Thank you. I hope what we have can be just as half as good as what you and your husband have." Smiled Sage glancing fondly at Matt.

Colt sat in the far back corner of the room watching the two of them move about. He was fuming, to say the least. His father didn't tell him the good news till an hour ago. The scent of Matt all over Sage as he walked in made his stomach turn. Nothing about this set right with him at all.

Wanting to get a moment alone with Sage but could see that Matt was purposely making sure that didn't happen. Others read it as the usual alpha protectiveness but Colt saw through it. Waiting till the end of the night before he made his move, approaching Matt.

"He doesn't look so well?" Comment Colt, looking at Sage.

Even with his head down all evening he could see that Sage was pale and lost almost all the weight he had put on.

"He's fine, aren't you?"

Sage could handle everyone else that talked to him tonight but Colt was his weak spot. All the threats Matt whispered in his head replaying.

"I'm fine, thanks for asking."

"See he's fine." Matt grew cocky as he stepped to Colt, "You know if it wasn't for you rejecting him I would have never gotten my paws on him. Such a sweet thing to waste if you know what I mean."

"Show him." Motioned Matt, nudging Sage to turn around.

Feeling tears start to well up in his eyes forcing them back so that Matt or Colt didn't see. Sage felt like property. Worse than property he felt like trash. Used and ready to be thrown out at any moment. His body grew hot with embarrassment and shame as he bared his mark to Colt.

"See! He's actually more than fine. He's happy." Matt was clearly proud of the mark he left. Smirking as he saw the pain enter Colt's eyes.

"That can't be what you wanted?" Colt spoke shocked his blood boiling.

His father told him nothing about bonding only that they were seeing each other. Grabbing Sage by the arm in protest to it all. This couldn't be. Sage yelped out in pain at Colt's grasp too much for his already bruised arm to take. Green eyes darted to Matt trying to gauge how pissed he was at the cry.

"It's what I wanted." He spoke quickly trying to recover, "Wouldn't have happened if it wasn't. As my alpha stated already I'm lucky to have been rejected by you. If not we wouldn't have found each other."

Sage pacing his hand over Matt's chest, feeling his arm come over his shoulder again.

"I'm happy and would like to be going."

Every word a lie that burned his tongue as he said them. Looking up at Colt for the first time tonight, his face showing that he meant every word he said. The further Colt was away from him the better off he would be. Sage felt that pushing him away was the only way to save him.