Page 6 of Jared

“Steve...ummm...you've still got my keys, man. How about I come get them and bring the car round here? Does he need the hospital? Or you can take him home...” Tim's voice trailed off as he approached slowly, keeping his neck bared, hands spread out non-threateningly.

It's Tim and Jeff. The guys I'm not only best friends with, but who I've chosen to be my future betas when I take over as Alpha. I can trust them. I gotta keep cool. Key, shit, yeah, the keys. Still in my hand.

Steve growled softly, warning Tim to not reach for the keys. Instead, he opened his hand and allowed them to drop onto the pavement next to the crumpled money still by his foot. He moved away several paces to give Tim room to collect the keys.

“Not sure if that's his money,” Steve said.

Tim slowly knelt to pick up the keys and the cash. “Okay, I've got it.” He sniffed the air. “So, you think they meant to mug him and instead- Whoa!”

Steve's growl had become a snarl, his eyes shifting to gold and his canines become more pronounced. A glance at his hands showed claws peeking from his fingertips.

“Easy there, guy. You don't want to hurt him.”

Steve willed his wolf to settle back down, unwilling to damage his precious cargo any further. Tim stood up slowly and backed away.

“I'm going to get the car.”

Jeff spoke up. “We can take him to the pack's doctor. You'll be able to stay with him then.” Steve gave a curt nod and walked to where Tim stood.

“I'll be right back,” Tim said as he hurried away.

“I hope he's okay,”Jeff said softly. “Your Mom'll be super happy, right? You found your True Mate.”

“Yeah. Yeah, I did.”

“You see who did this?”

“Not very well. Hoping he did. I've got their scent though.”

Jeff wrinkled his nose, acknowledging the pervasive scents the men had left behind, marking their victim. Steve was spared further small talk as Tim pulled up.

Jared woke to clean, crisp sheets and a room he didn't recognize.

What? Where- oh, yeah. The alley.Then the guy helping me. He must've brought me here. Is this his place?

He sat up, registering his lack of clothes beneath the covers as he did so. He stiffened, recalling the humiliating events of the night before in full.

God, I must have really stunk. No wonder he stripped me.

He flushed.

They pissed on me, but I don't smell of pee.

He scrubbed a hand over his face.

Must've washed me down too. Not that I blame him, but how embarrassing.

The bedroom door opened, prompting Jared to pull the sheet higher. The man had a vague familiarity about him.

Yeah, that's the guy who came to help me after. Why couldn't I have met him at the club instead of those assholes?

“You're up,” the man said. “How are you feeling?”

“I'm okay,” Jared replied, glancing away. He didn't want to talk about the events that occurred in the alley. He'd been so gullible and stupid, and look where that had landed him.

“Your shirt was ruined, but your jeans and stuff are in the wash. I washed you off. I couldn't just leave you like that.”

Jared gave a curt nod.