#inmate reader

🈯  Something interesting that the monkey-like man has noticed in his time spent observing [Name], as he does with every new inmate or guard, is how he and Abu seem to be able to understand each other without issues despite the language barrier. Although, he's pretty sure that that damn monkey is secretly talking shit about him; it's making him feel insecure, okay? He also noticed how Abu seemed to act almost as an extension of [Name]; the two worked together seamlessly, perfectly in synch. [Name] could be in the cafeteria and as he goes up to get his meal, Abu would simultaneously grab him a drink, always being rewarded for his thoughtful actions.

🈯  Samon does not like Abu in the slightest; there's only room for one monkey in Nanba and that's him! Abu also has a mutual dislike for Samon, but this is mostly because the building supervisor keeps separating him from [Name] during training and the scowls he receives from the green-eyed man. Samon also has a sneaking suspicion that Abu is responsible for the fact that he keeps finding random items strewn around on the floor in front of [Name]'s cell; he even asks the inmate about it but [Name] only shrugs. The supervisor can always feel the little monkey's taunting stares whenever he passes by the cell, like the little monkey is trying to provoke him.

🈯  [Name] and Abu often end up skipping daily training and Samon is pulling his hair out in distress, just train for a little bit, it's not that bad! Usually, the supervisor finds the two inmates lounging in a tree or swinging and hanging from the branches; although he often gets a stick to the head courtesy of Abu whenever [Name] looks away. Samon just can't win with those two, no matter how many times he drags them back to the field, they disappear up a different tree just seconds later. That is the reason he separates the two during training; so that [Name] can focus on the task at hand while Inori is (bullied by) watching Abu. 

🈯  The inmates from the cell just across from [Name] and Abu's, cell 8, don't mind their new neighbors too much, mostly focusing on their own thing. However, they sometimes get pretty annoyed at how loud Abu can be and at how they skip out on training to just laze around, but the last one is just annoying to Liang. 

. . .

❝𝕺𝖓 𝕷𝖔𝖈𝖐𝖉𝖔𝖜𝖓, 𝕷𝖎𝖐𝖊 𝕬 𝕻𝖊𝖓𝖎𝖙𝖊𝖓𝖙𝖎𝖆𝖗𝖞- 𝕾𝖍𝖊 𝕾𝖕𝖗𝖊𝖆𝖉𝖘 𝕳𝖊𝖗 𝕷𝖔𝖛𝖎𝖓' 𝕬𝖑𝖑 𝕺𝖛𝖊𝖗, 𝕭𝖚𝖙 𝖂𝖍𝖊𝖓 𝕾𝖍𝖊 𝕲𝖊𝖙𝖘 𝕳𝖔𝖒𝖊, 𝕿𝖍𝖊𝖗𝖊'𝖘 𝕹𝖔𝖓𝖊 𝕷𝖊𝖋𝖙 𝕱𝖔𝖗 𝕸𝖊~❞

🐒•♡•🐒•♡•🐒•♡•🐒•♡•🐒•♡•🐒•♡•🐒•♡•🐒

🐇.•°•.🐇.•°•.🐇.•°•.🐇.•°•.🐇.•°•.🐇.•°•.🐇.•°•.🐇.

There were no words to describe the feeling in Sam's chest. It was heavy like an anchor determined to make him drown. It sucked all oxygen from his lungs. His fingers clenched in an attempt to keep them from shaking, the muscles in his arms bulging in a warning.

Wren looked so much like she had when he'd slept beside her. Her lashes kissed the skin of her cheek. Her face was void of its usual worry lines. Sam could almost feel her warmth from when she'd curl into his side. He loved the way her head would shift and move until it wound up over his heart. He got chills when she wrapped her fingers into the tank top he'd wear under his jumpsuit. He could hear the small sighs she made in her sleep like the whispers of a dream.

But she wasn't asleep beside him. The lashes on her cheek didn't shift and move with her dream. Her face was lax, but it built a lump in Sam's throat. Her warmth had dimmed to nothing, leaving her cold to the touch. And, he didn't want to admit it, but he knew that if he placed his head over her heart he'd hear nothing more than the shattering of his own. Her fingers didn't move when he slipped his around them, gripping tight. No sighs came from her.

His lids slipped closed as he gripped her hand. Tears collected and weighed down his lashes, falling when his eyes opened. They made careless streaks down his cheeks, but he made no move to brush them away. He didn't acknowledge them. They weren't there. If he acknowledged them then this was real.

He wanted to fade back to dreamland where Wren hung off his arm with a loving embrace. Her looking up at him with adoration filling her bright eyes. Her hand placed snuggly in his. He could feel her kiss on his lips, her hand on his cheek, and her arms around him. Like a warm haze, he could feel her. Her smile brightened the room, her laugh rang in his ears. But the laugh dimmed and faded and left him in the silence of Doc's office.

"Sam?" Thea stood in the doorway, Mila, Nico, Dean, and the rest of the pack crowding behind her. They entered the room with cautious steps as if one wrong placement of their foot would set off a mine.

"How you doin'?" Bobby questioned softly, stepping up to place a gentle hand on the young alpha's shoulder.

"She knew." Was all he could manage before his throat closed in. Choked sobs wracked his chest as he stared down at her. Dean instantly hooked a firm hand around the back of Sam's neck and brought him in, holding him tightly. Sam's fingers fisted in the back of Dean's jumpsuit, trying desperately to ground himself to something.

"Knew what?" Mila pressed quietly.

Sam calmed himself enough to speak, but his words were shaky and soft. "She wouldn't let me mark her. Said we should wait until after Alistair backed off." He hiccupped slightly, rubbing harshly at his eyes. "She knew she wouldn't make it out."

"Even in her last martyr moments she somehow managed to make sure everyone would be ok." Nico scoffed softly, jaw popped out to keep his lip from shaking.

"That's Wren for you." The Doc smiled sadly, moving into the room. "She thought through it all long before she even came to me. That girl could have stopped wars if she'd been involved."

"Why? Why not let another alpha handle it?" Nico growled, shoving a shaking hand through his hair. "Why willingly bait Alistair knowing you won't make it back? Why not make a better plan?"

"Because Alistair wouldn't have bought it," Dean answered.

"If any of us would have come at him, he would have simply brushed it off." Sam agreed, moving back to Wren's side on the bed. He didn't want to think about the tinge of blood in the air or the gashes he knew the sheet over her was hiding. He wanted to see her asleep in the bed, unscathed. "He wanted her and she knew that, used it for his downfall."

"She was smart, but what if that doesn't change anything?" Thea sighed, watching her words sink into everyone like a knife of uncertainty. "What if no one believes it was really Wren who won this time?"

The Doc cleared his throat, calling everyone's attention to him. In his pale, bony fingers there was a thin, square case. His dim eyes locked on Sam's as he handed it over. Sam carefully opened it to reveal two disks carefully placed inside.

"The thing about the cage is so many people had broken out and escaped. Eventually, they had to place surveillance cameras to make sure they could see what was going on." He offered a grim smile, nodding to the window where there was a projector set up and aimed at one of the building walls.

"Then we make sure everyone knows her story." Dean nodded, turning to look at his brother with a fire building in his eyes.

There are some places that aren't as bad as they seem. They look scary, but they have the nicest people. People that grow to be family. People that offer a hand when you fall. People that would put themselves in between you and a threat. There are places that aren't as bad as they seem. Places you first dread to be bound to and slowly grow to call home. Places you find your place, your people.

            Watching Wren get carried away, her limp form seeming to melt in the arms around her, had put Sam into a nightmarish panic. He'd swiped savagely at anyone who dared stand between him and her. But his struggle was futile, by the time he'd gained freedom she was gone.

             He waited with a bouncing knee and shaky hands for any news on the situation in the pit, hoping beyond all else that he'd see Wren climb over the small hill between the courtyard and the watchtower. Mila and Tao told the story of Wren's last fight with every gruesome detail in an attempt to raise everyone's hope. But it could be seen in their eyes that they too held doubt.

             It wasn't until the middle of the second day that an inkling of suspicion rose in Sam. He replayed the last time he saw Wren, the way she'd so easily comforted him, reassuring him everything would be alright. Dean and Mila had noticed the shift in Sam and willingly followed him when he excused himself to see the Doc.

             "What can I do for you three?" The Doc smiled.

             "Any word on Wren?" Sam asked softly, easing himself onto the exam table.

             "I haven't heard anything yet, I'm sorry." The Doc sighed. He ran a tired hand over his face, flinching when he saw the way Sam bit his lip to hold his tears in. His heart picked up as Sam's face grew blank, however, and he couldn't decide if he preferred the tears or the cold and distant look on his face.

             "There's no way she'd have lasted this long anyway." Sam sighed causing Mila and Dean to snarl and growl at his attitude.

             "Have faith, Sam." The Doc encouraged.

             "We all saw what the medicine did to her. It has me wondering how she made it out to the courtyard on her own in the first place, she could barely make it two steps without help." Sam slowly turned his cold eyes to the Doc. "She would have needed to be really determined, huh, Doc."

             "What are you implying, Sam?" Dean muttered, placing a hand on his brother's shoulder.

             "I think this whole thing was planned."

             "That's absurd. Why would Wren..." Mila's head drew back as she too started seeing things from the same angle. "Oh my God."

             "Wren said something the night before that didn't sound right. I'd brushed it off at the time, but with everything that's happened it's starting to make sense." His nose flared with the unmistakable twinge of fear emitting from the Doc. "I had been telling her that I felt like our plan wasn't working. You know what she told me?" Sam waited for the Doc to answer, but the man looked as though he'd turned to stone. "She told me it wouldn't. It didn't make any sense because she'd told me everything was going according to plan. Why would she say that to me, Doc?"

             The Doc blinked rapidly at the sudden attention from the three. His hands gripped tightly at the back of the seat he stood behind, and a shaky breath blew from his lips. He could talk his way out of it, stand his ground and tell them he was as confused as them. But, Wren had been more than a patient and it was easy to see. She was a friend and he knew the concern one had for those close to them, he'd felt it during her first trip to the cage.

             The Doc sighed and eased himself into the chair. "Because Wren worked out a plan of her own." He informed in defeat. "She knew Alistair wasn't buying the original plan. And then, Mila and Thea got attacked. Then, Wren herself got attacked. She was fed up with feeling so helpless against them." His hands came up to press his palms into his eyes, pushing his tears back in. "The pain of not being able to protect them was worse than that in her knee. She came to me and told me to stop the injections. Told me they would only hinder her plans. The pain in her leg hit her full force, but she could block it out knowing your suffering would stop."

             "She stopped her medication so she'd have strength." Sam summed up. "So, she was purposely out there fighting in the courtyard with Alistair?"

             "She knew the guards would see the fight and take them down to the cage. She knew the fight would be secluded and she'd have a better chance at killing Alistair." The Doc nodded. "Without a king, the pawns all fall."

             "She's down there, fighting another alpha because of us?" Mila breathed shakily, trying to hold back the sob threatening to crawl up her throat.

             "No." Dean shook his head, offering her a comforting hand. "She down there fighting for you. She knew Alistair wouldn't stop until all of you were broken. She's fighting to free you."

             "And she has a good chance without the medication, you know that better than anyone." The Doc comforted. "She won't stop until he's no longer a threat to those she loves."

             It fell silent as they all tried to wrap their minds around Wren's sacrifice. They fought to accept that she was doing it for them, that she'd taken it upon herself again to eliminate the threat. They each just wanted her back beside them, dreading the moment they had to explain what she did to the others.

             They perked at the sound of footfalls growing closer, the tinge of fear hot in the air. They looked at the door, waiting for whoever was approaching. Kevin skidded to a stop, chest heaving with harsh pants as he hunched slightly. His wild eyes went straight to Sam's, the look in them enough to pull the alpha to his feet and move until he was inches from Kevin.

           Fighting had no code or rule in the cage. There were no fouls, no timeouts, no protection. It was hit or get hit. There was nothing you could do aside from hope your punch was harder than your opponents. And if you got knocked down, you better pray you can get to your feet fast enough. Confidence and cockiness were paved paths to your downfall, the moment you let your guard down and think you've won is the moment your throat gets ripped out from behind. Never assume your opponent is done unless their breathing stops.

             The concrete beneath Wren's body was cold and wet, the floor probably having been hosed down in a half attempt at cleaning the blood away. The air was damp and hard to pull into her lungs. And, when she finally was able to peel her eyes open, blinking back the fog in her vision, she could see the dim light's above sway slightly. Her fingers gripped the metal of the cage and carefully pulled herself up to lean against it. She was alone in the cage, Alistair's body wasn’t to be seen even in the shadowy corners.

             "I never thought I'd see you back down here."

             She didn't bother looking for the voice, she would never find it's source. The same voice that had taunted her the first time she found herself in these bars. The same voice that inevitably cheered when she won. Too distorted to tell if it was male or female. And, too cold to show actual emotion. She'd never know its face, though it took on the image of nightmares.

             "Well, I'm just full of surprises." Wren huffed.

             "Yes, as I've seen." The side of the cage opened and a figure was shoved in. His eyes immediately narrowed at the sight of Wren, and she struggled to push herself to her feet. "The omega who killed an alpha with her bare hands. Sounds terrifying, don't you think Alistair?"

             "Weakness on the alpha's part." He shrugged. "It won't end that way this time."

             "We'll see. Wren is known to... lose control. I'm excited to see who stands once blood flows." A chuckle echoed through the darkness of the cage. "May the savage win."

             It was like a shot rang out. The cage door slammed shut and the lights dimmed and flickered above, casting shadows over Alistair as he stepped closer. His grin was cut and cold, and it almost gleamed in the swaying lights. His feet fell like cannonballs getting closer to their target on the wet floor, booming and harsh. Wren just stood, rooted to her spot watching his movements closely. The way his hands clenched. The way he rolled his neck to pop the joints. The tick in his jaw.

             "The omegas here have been following a mad woman. A silver tongue with an attitude." Wren dodged his first punch, slipping under his arm and around his back. "They've gone along with your ideas for too long. They've sided with the losing team." He lunged again pulling Wren back against his chest in a similar position to when they were taken. His head shifted and his lips brushed against her ear, his words vibrating so close to her. "You've led them to the slaughter."

             Her move was anticipated, he would expect her head to snap back. So rather than play into his game, her foot crashed down atop his, her elbow punching air from his lungs. As he sputtered and growled, Wren broke free of his grasp and took hold of his head, his nose making a sick crunch when her knee snapped up. She stepped back with a wince at the ache settling in her leg and watched him as he panted on his back, spitting blood out of his mouth as a chuckle rose to a full laugh.

             He carefully pushed himself back to his feet, hunching slightly as he glared up at her. "You act like you're more than you are, yet you still fight like an omega. All cheap shots and low blows."

             Wren's lip twisted up in a lilting smile. "If I were to truly fight like an omega, I'd tear your throat from your neck with my teeth and watch as you choked on your blood. I'd rip your head from your body with my hands. If I were to truly fight like an omega, you'd be dead before you hit the ground."

              His hand swiped out, claws catching on her side. Her cry was muted with Alistair's laugh as it boomed through the cage, slightly nasally with the blood still seeping from his nose. Her hand flew down to grab at the burning area, feeling a sticky warmth that slowly spread around her side. Her moment of pain was enough for Alistair to lunge and take her to the ground.

             Pain radiated from various points in her body. It stemmed from her knee, crawled up her ribs, scratched at her head. Alistair's assaults were received with little chance at blocking them. Wren could feel the moment her ribs cracked under his foot, she could feel her skin split at his hand's touch. The rusty taste of blood lingered on her tongue as her head rolled to the side, eyes half-lidded and heavy.

             He straddled her chest, legs pinning her arms down as he pressed his claws tauntingly into her chest. His fingers squeezed, building pressure in Wren's head. Her legs kicked and her arms twisted in a desperate attempt to break free, but the already dark room was slowly getting darker.

             "No matter what precautions you took, medically, physically, this was always where you were bound to end up." Alistair's voice bounced around in her head as her breathing slowed. "You never would have won."

             Familiarity buzzed loudly in her ear as the words echoed. Her blinking had grown spaced and lazy, but with each move of her lids, Alistair's face shifted. His moving lips didn't match with the words she heard. His voice wasn't the same. The pressure on her chest faded as the voice grew louder.

             "No one said you'd win," Her fingers twitched as a name surfaced. "but that doesn't mean you stop fighting."

             Alistair didn't notice a change, his mind too clouded by premature victory as he looked out of the cage. Warmth crawled up his throat too fast for him to feel pain. The taste of blood missed as his mouth dropped open and closed in an attempt to pull in air. His knees clacked against the concrete as his eyes rolled back. When he fell to the ground his body quickly went still.

             Blood dripped down Wren's shaky hands. One hand coated in her own, the other dripping in the blood of another. The sticky feel of it was one she knew well, but her face remained stoic and impassive. Grief would come later, the weight of another life hanging over her shoulders. She slowly sunk down the side of the cage, glancing down at the wound on her side. Angry red gashes were visible through the rips in her jumpsuit, blood staining the orange fabric an ugly maroon. She felt arms wrap around her with a gentle touch. The familiar face coming into focus as they smiled down at her. Her eyes struggled to stay open, but that was a battle she couldn't win. They slipped closed with the intent of only a second, but they wouldn't open again no matter how much Wren fought to pull them back. A numbness started in her toes and fingertips, slowly crawling up her limbs and settling in her chest.

           The plan had to work, it was the only option left. Alistair hadn't thought for a minute that Wren could be simply under alpha rule. He knew Wren would need to be broken into submission. She'd gone too long without an alpha, too long thinking she was equal. Sam's plan wouldn't have ever worked. She was bound to act out and there would be no real repercussions to her actions without an alpha's mark on her neck.

             The cells were opened in the early hours of the morning before most of the inmates even woke. Wren was up and walking out into the hall as soon as the doors drew back. She cast one last glance at Mila peacefully sleeping in the bunk that hung above hers, before making her way down the out to the courtyard. Alistair wasn't known for taking his time eating, in fact, most days he wasn't seen in the cafeteria in the morning. She easily found him resting within his pack lines, one other alpha accompanying him. They both looked up as she stopped just before their territory lines.

             "Little far for an omega to be away from her pack." He stated, glancing at the door to the building. "But then again, you weren't really one for sticking too close to the pack, were you? How have you're visits to the Doc been going? You look a little more... spirited."

             "I haven't been going." She answered curtly, narrowing her eyes at his casual banter.

             "You haven't been going, yet at the same time each day you're missing from your pack." His eyes narrowed, lips tilting up in an almost condescending smirk.

             "Would you believe me if I said I was reading in the library?" She smirked.

             The look in her eye had Alistair standing toe to toe with her, each on opposing lines of the territory. She could feel his breath on her face like the flames of Hell licking her skin.  The fire that raged in his eyes was nothing compared to the inferno coiling in the pit of Wren's stomach.

             "You should really watch your tone, omega." He hissed.

             "You should watch your ego, you might knock someone out if you're not careful where you're wavin' it."

             The hand he wrapped around her bicep was firm and borderline painful.  It had her standing up on her toes to relieve some of the pain, and biting back the muscles fighting to tilt her lips up. He leaned in close. His eyes flickered up and over her shoulder for a second, before a cruel smile twisted his lips.

             "Just in time." He sighed in content. "They'll finally get the example they need."

             His arm whipped her around so her back pressed to his front, one arm firmly locking her hips down, the other wrapped around her upper chest. When her hair finally slipped out of her eyes she realized what he meant. All the inmates had finished their breakfast and were starting to file out into the courtyard. Her eyes widened as they caught Kevin, his confusion slowly fading into concern before dropping completely into panic. Without a second thought, he bolted back into the building.

             "The only person who will be made into an example is you," Wren growled deep in her chest, the vibrations causing his nails to sink into her jumpsuit and scratch at her skin. "You think omegas are the dirt under your feet, you'll soon realize the strength you undermine."

             "Look," His hand grabs hold of her chin and forces her head up. She doesn't need to look for what Alistair is pointing out, her gaze lands on him as soon as it lifts. Sam's body was rigid and vibrating as he took in the grasp Alistair had on Wren. His hands clenching and unclenching with an attempt at keeping himself in check. "He's going to watch you shatter."

             Wren's eyes stay locked on Sam's. The pain in his eyes wasn't one she'd seen before, it was broken like shattered glass that stuck into her heart. He took slow steps toward them, building up a confident stride only to be held back by Dean and Cas. His growls and cries to be let go fell on her ears like a distorted song. Mila held Thea tightly against her chest, her own body turned into Nico's for comfort as a knowing look filled her eyes. Tears built in Wren's as she watched them coat Thea's cheeks.

             A small reassuring smile lifted Wren's lips as a single tear crashed down her cheek like a white flag falling to the earth below her.

             Alistair wasn't expecting it when Wren's head snapped back, a pained exhale leaving his lips as he stumbled back. That moment of surprise was enough for Wren to land a few solid blows, tossing quick glances up at the watchtower. Alistair growled and slammed his body into hers, knocking the breath from her lungs as they landed in a heap on the ground. His hands fisted around her throat, closing in on her airway with no restraint. The smile on her lips never faded even as her vision began to.

             The sound wasn't easily heard. It wasn't heard at all unless you were listening for it. It was like the sound of air being severed. Quick and soft like the beating of a hummingbird's wings. But what it carried had the strength of a hurricane.

             Alistair's grip slowly loosened around her throat as he slumped to the side. As her vision blurred and faded out she caught sight of the black mask looking down on her as her body was lifted. Sam's pleading screams echoed in her head.

          Wren had succumbed to the comfort of Sam's arms for a night. She allowed them to wrap around her and block out the fear that came with sleep. The way they settled in the dips of her curves had ease filling the space that was once shrouded in pain. When the bars of the cell closed and the lights were snapped off, Sam was still wrapped around her. The guards were never seen unless a fight broke out, what inmates did during their time was monitored, but not usually interfered with. So there was no surprise when she woke up to find his arms still firmly latched on to her, his head tucked into the curve of her neck.

             She'd allowed herself a moment to drown in the feel of him. In the muscle that was hard where she was soft. In the comfort that filled her chest when he'd shifted closer and tightened his grip. Looking at him now as he played basketball with Dean, Benny, and Cas he didn't have that same gentle touch. It forced a melancholy smile on her lips. She knew, somehow, everything would be alright.

             She just needed to get rid of Alistair.

             His stare could be felt on her back at all times of the day. The only time it hadn't followed her was on her journey to the Doc's office. Now it never left her. She could feel it burning holes into her skin when she sat in the courtyard, when she ate, even on her way back to her cell. So she knew he was watching when stood up for Mila against another alpha.

             The man grabbed hold of Mila like she was a ragdoll, holding her firmly to his front. The darkness Wren saw in his eyes was enough motivation for her to slowly make her way over to him, ignoring Sam's instruction to stay back. Dean and Cas faced the alpha, both sporting harsh, grim lines on their faces.

             "Let her go, big guy." Dean sighed, tensing his jaw ever so slightly. The alpha simply chuckled in response and yanked Mila's arm to pull her closer.

             "I believe you were asked to put her down," Wren stated, crossing her arms over her chest. "I suggest you do so."

             "And what are you going to do about it, Omega." He spat in challenge. His voice lilting on the title as his lip drew back in a sneer.

             "Oh, don't look at me." Wren frowned, gesturing behind her. "You have five alphas in the pack she's from. You want to act like she's yours to touch, be my guest. If you're ok with a bunch of pissed off omegas and five possessive alphas chewing into you like a steak." She stepped forward, fighting to keep herself upright with the numbness settling in her leg. "You're in here for an accidental murder, right? Got a little too rowdy with your last omega and ripped her to shreds, then felt bad and tried to put her back together. Well, the alphas in our pack are in here for various accounts of murder. They'd plan out immaculate schemes on how they wanted to string up the next victim. Maybe once I'm done ripping into your chest, they'll sting you up in one of the cells as a Halloween decoration."

             The alpha wanted to call her bluff. He wanted to laugh in her face and tell her with honesty that he didn't believe what she was saying. But, the sincerity and the darkness that swam in her eyes had his grip on Mila loosening. She instantly pulled away from him and ran to stand beside Dean, just behind Wren. The alpha glanced around the courtyard, subtly shaking his head in Alistair's direction before backing away.

             "What the hell was that?" Sam hissed when she was back in the territory.

             "I was helping my friend." She shrugged, sinking down on the bench.

             "You need to let the alphas handle that. Alistair is out for you and he's only been warded off this long because he thinks you're under an alpha's rule. You can't talk back to the alphas like that." He ran a harsh hand through his hair, brushing it back from his eyes. "You need to be more careful."

             "Sam, breathe," Wren instructed softly, clasping his fingers in hers as their hands rested on the bench beside them. "Everything is going according to plan."

             "It doesn't feel like it."

             "It won't." She sighed, looking away from his fallen face. The disappointment he felt for himself tugged at her heart. She wished she could put the confidence back in him, made him understand his plan would have worked fine. "You just have to trust it will all work out fine."

             Sam hadn't left her side the rest of the day, deciding she needed surveillance to ensure she wouldn't act out again. He kept an eye on her as he played basketball, even sat with her and played poker when the game ended. During dinner, Dean and Sam sat on either side of her. And when it was time, Sam helped her back to the cell, getting her settled into her bunk before settling himself down on his knee beside the bed. He smiled softly as he pushed a lock of hair out of her face, brushing his thumb over her cheek.

             "You don't have to worry, Sam." Her lips twitched ever so slightly upward. "The plan will work and Alistair will leave us alone."

             "It hasn't been working, though. He's still sending people out to attack the omegas." He sighed, letting his gaze drop to where her hand gripped his. "I just worry about you."

             Not you guys. Not the omegas. I just worry about you. The words brought a flutter to her chest, but it wasn't butterflies. It was clouds rolling in and preparing to let loose winds strong enough to knock her heart from her chest.

             "I love you." His voice broke as he leaned his forehead against hers, eyes shut so he couldn't see the small smile gracing Wren's lips. "I wanna be-"

             "I know." She soothed, placing a hand on his cheek. "But, we can't. Not yet, not until Alistair backs off. If he continues after we're together it's a guarantee you'll be sent to the cage."

             Not a lie. Not the whole truth.

Not having the rights words to comfort him she simply squeezed his fingers and fought the tears that wanted to build. As Sam shifted and pressed a feather-light kiss to the crown of her head, her eyes clenched shut.

             "Goodbye, Sam" She smiled, though her eyes sagged down.

             "I'll see you tomorrow." He chuckled. "Get some rest."

             Once he was out of the cell and in the hall a tear teetered on the edge of falling. So close to crashing over, but unwilling to let go just yet. She quickly wiped it away before it could fall, letting her smile slowly sink from her face.

            Alistair had increased his efforts at scaring the omegas back into submission and Thea had the scratches to prove it. Another fight had broken out the day before, and the day before that Mila was taunted from the pack border. Wren wanted nothing more than to rip into each and every one of them, but the medicine was only making her worse and everyone could see it. The target on her back was only getting brighter as she grew paler. Alphas could see her struggling, but every time one of them figured they'd have their fun someone from the pack showed up. After Sam realized Wren was getting weaker he spoke with the other alphas in his pack, including Tao, and set it up so there was always an alpha looking out for her from afar. Wren, of course, had a few words to share on the subject when she'd figured it out, but there was nothing she could say to change their minds.

             Earlier that morning, Wren had gone to the Doc. She was his only real patient aside from the occasional fight victim, so the office was empty. His usual chipper face slowly faded into a frown through their meeting. He'd grown to be a close friend of Wren's, always there to soothe the pain she carried.

             "And, you're sure this is what you want?" He questioned softly, taking a hold of her hand and forcing her to meet his eyes.

             "It needs to stop."

             "Why is it always you who has to solve every problem?" He sighed.

             "Because I'm the one who started it. It was my fat mouth that bit off more than it could chew." She blew out a deep breath and carefully made her way to the door. "They don't understand the power an omega can have. They underestimate us with careless taunts and attacks. If I was up to my full strength-"

             "But, you're not, Wren." The Doc cut off, rubbing a hand over his face. "You're not strong enough to try and show them what they're dealing with. All the regular alphas know, but the newbies? They don't care."

             "They will."

              The Doc fell silent after that, watching her walk away with a pit forming in his stomach. Wren slowly made her way through the halls, her cell and a short nap in mind. The normal stillness of the building felt off, however. She paused, trying to identify the familiarity with the shift. It was too late, by the time she figured it out.

             Her back hit the concrete of the wall with a force that stole her breath. The harsh clack of her head bouncing off of it echoing in her ears as she gripped at the smooth surface to stay upright. She blinked harshly, trying to erase the black dotting her fuzzy vision. For a moment she couldn't remember the time or date. The image she saw blurred together with another she swore she'd never see again. It was the same monster in a different mask. An alpha she'd seen in Alistair's group stood before her, malice and lust swimming in his eyes and making them a few shades darker.

             His hands dug at her skin, pressing his body close to hers. No words passed his lips, just deep, vibrating growls that made Wren want to cover her ears. Her hands clawed at him, pushing at his shoulders and scratching at the skin available. Small cries left her lips as he got hold of her wrists and pinned them back. Recognition itched at the back of her mind and forced her breath to come quicker. She hadn't been able to get the alpha off her before, and she was weaker now. She knew her fighting was futile with the little strength she had, but that didn't stop her from sinking her teeth into the flesh of his neck, just below his ear.

             He grunted in pain, hitting and kicking anything he could, hoping to hurt her enough to get her to release him. Finally, he landed a stiff kick to her braced leg, the metal buckling under the force. Wren let out a cry that could have been heard from two towns over. Even the medicine still in her system wasn't able to numb the pain that easily brought her to her knees.

             It wasn't a matter of strength anymore as she listened to the heavy footfalls of an approaching person. It wasn't a matter of if she could. It was, would she? And, she already knew the answer to that question.

             Sam came around the corner, eyes a flurry of concern and anger as he looked around the dingy hallway. When he saw Wren resting back against the wall with her head tipped back and eyes closed, he rushed to her side and dropped down to look at her. There was blood drying on her chin and the faint paths of tears on her cheeks could be seen in the fluorescent lights. Her hand gripped tightly at her leg and her eyes were clenched. He glanced away and caught sight of who must have been the reason for Wren's discomfort. The alpha was limply sprawled on the floor, nose crooked and blood seeping from his nostril.

             "Can you walk?" Sam questioned as he turned his attention back to Wren. She bit her lip and allowed her head to lull side to side against the wall. "Should I take you to the Doc?"

             "I want," She paused to pull in a harsh breath through her clenched teeth. "Help me to my cell?"

             Sam carefully pulled Wren into his arms, ignoring her demands to be let down. She fit comfortably in his hold, with her head leaning heavily against his chest and her arm wrapped tightly around his neck. He slowly made his way to where he knew her cell to be, taking his time to enjoy the feel of her in his arms.

             When he finally stopped in her cell, he carefully laid her in the bunk she pointed to. His hands gently pulled the thin blanket up and over her legs, his eyes lingering on the odd shape of her knee. Wren noticed his gaze and shifted, hissing softly at the movement.

             "You really should let the Doc take a look at that." Sam insisted.

             "I've had enough of going to the Doc for every little pinch." She growled her fiery eyes, not unlike the intensity of staring at the sun.

             "This," He gestured to her leg, "This is not a little pinch, Wren."

             "I'm not going."

             "Then at least let me take a look at it." He compromised, "I've patched Dean and Cas up enough times, maybe I can help, at least a little."

             Wren's lips remained pressed together in a slight purse, her wary eyes searching his, for what he didn't know. They peered at him as though they had no restrictions like they could see even what he couldn't. The slight tilt of her head almost went unnoticed by Sam. The faint dip nearly impossible to see. When it finally registered that she was agreeing, Sam eased himself down to his knees. With Wren's assistance, he folded her pant leg up to her thigh, faltering when he caught sight of her knee.

             There was a thin brace strapped tightly to her leg. The metal within was bent and pushing her knee at an awkward angle. A thin stream of blood dripped on the metal from where it had pressed too far and broken skin. Using soft and careful movements, Sam set to work on unstrapping the brace. Wren's teeth clamped down on her bottom lip as he eased it down her leg, dropping it to the concrete floor beneath them with a clank.

             "Stop looking at it like that." She grunted, choosing to stare at the wall than at her mangled skin. Down the outer part of her knee, the skin was pale and raised. Four thick lines starting a couple inches above her knee and trailing to the middle of her shin. The skin was thicker in some areas before fading slightly and jagged. He could see where the skin had been severed by claw and where it had ripped from the struggle.

             "Does it hurt now?" He asked, praying that removing the device had helped ease some of her pain.

             "It always hurts." Her words deflated him, and he nodded softly turning to look at the ground. He cleared his throat and turned his back to her. He needed to think about their next move. But, he had only made it to the door when something slithered around his heart and held tight. It prevented him from taking another step, holding him within the cell. He turned ever so slightly, looking back at her over his shoulder to find her gaze cast downward. It was silent for a moment, the quietness echoing off the hard walls and bouncing back at them. Her whisper shattered the silence and had him fully turning to her, a small smile playing on his lips.

             It took Sam time to work up the courage to talk to Wren after what he'd heard. It wasn't that it made him look at her differently, he just didn't seem to have the right words for her. She was strong, yes, but that wasn't a good enough term for her. She was brave, yes, but that was far too basic. Nothing seemed to sound right. That didn't matter anyway, the next he saw her she had gotten worse. She had been pale before, but the pallid color of her skin had gone starch white. The veins in her arms were more prominent than before, sticking out in contrast to her skin. There was a thin sheen of sweat coating her skin, and her eyes were heavy and half-lidded.

             Sam slid into the seat opposite her, ducking his head to get a better look at her. Her eyes slowly met his and he had to take a breath. He hadn't seen so much defeat in someone in a very long time. She quickly looked back down, ducking her head to look at her hands. They were so shaky. Even laying on the top of the table, Sam could see the slight tremor in them. But, what his eyes were drawn to most was the raging red of her inner elbow. There were bright red dots that stemmed into deeper crimson and violet lines that spread down the underside of her arm. Catching his gaze she tucked the arm under the table in hopes of blocking his view.

             Sam fought to keep the fire pooling in his stomach from erupting. Why was no one telling him what was going on? Why were they keeping this from him? He had a right to know what was happening to his pack members. But, Wren wasn't really his pack member. They hadn't officially been brought into the pack, this was all just pretend to get Alistair off their back. This was fake. It just didn't feel like it.

             When lunch was over, Sam hung to the back of the group. He watched with a careful eye as Nico and Thea helped Wren from the bench, as they subtly supported her until she found her balance, how they continued to walk close to her with their arms itching to hold her up. Wren walked at a snail's pace, her hand coming up to rest on the wall every couple of minutes. She was careful about when she did it, carefully surveying the area to ensure no one was watching. She hadn't even thought of the fact that Sam was behind her with a front row seat to her stumbling.

             "Wren, can I talk to you for a moment?" He finally asked as they entered the courtyard. He glanced at Nico and Thea before continuing. "Alone?"

             The pack territory was empty as they slowly made their way over. Wren struggled to make her pace faster to cover the suspicion she felt rising in him, but she didn't get very far before her leg buckled. Sam's arms were fast, pulling her to him without a moment of hesitation. They both let out shaky breaths as he carefully lowered her onto the bench of the table, Sam crouching down in front of her to look her in the eye.

             "What's going on with you, Wren?" He questioned softly, low enough to ensure no one else could hear him.

             "I don't know -"

             "Don't pull that shit with me." A growl vibrated low in his chest causing her eyes to dip in a small flinch. "You don't have to lie to me, Wren. I can clearly see something's wrong, I'm not stupid."

             "Why is it such a big deal?" She shot back.

             "I don't know, because maybe as an alpha I'd like to know what's going on in my pack." He sassed, suppressing another low growl from blooming in his chest.

             "Last I checked, this was an arrangement. You're not my alpha, Sam. You don't control me and you don't need to check up on me."

             "What if I wanted to?" She stilled at the idea, sitting back slightly. He eyes flitted over his posture, he'd sunk to one knee with one arm propped up on his other. His head ducked for a moment, taking in deep and calming breathes trying to tell himself he needed the air and not the soft tinge of her scent. "What if I wanted to check up on you? To know that you're ok?"

             "Why?" Her single word caused him to look up and meet her gaze. It was so soft, so gentle that he had to check that she'd actually spoken.

             "Why is it so hard for you to believe an alpha can care? Whether you want to believe it or not, you are part of my pack at the moment, and you're wellbeing matters to me." He sighed, reaching out to carefully lift her arm. Carefully he traced the bright lines of her veins with his thumb. "What is this, Wren? What's going on?"

             She sighed softly, letting her head drop. "My leg never fully healed." She muttered, running her free hand over her leg. "I have nerve damage in the majority of my leg and it causes a lot of discomfort. Sometimes my whole leg will go numb and I'm unable to actually use it. The Doc has been giving me medicine that helps with the pain, but my body isn't as strong as the medicine needs it to be. It alleviates the pain for a little while, but it makes me very tired and... and it makes me weak."

             "That's why Nico and Thea have been helping you get up and sit down."

             "My balance is all off. If I'm not careful I risk falling over and making it worse." She nodded. Looking down to her inner elbow she grimaced at the firey skin. "I'm just so tired. I'm tired of needing this medicine. I'm tired of acting like I'm tougher than I am just to make up for my stupid leg. I'm tired of feeling so weak because of the pain." The tears that built in her eyes pulled at Sam's heart. "I just want it to go away. I want the pain to go away, Sam."

             Sam carefully glanced around the courtyard, watching each pack go about their business and tend to themselves. Pushing himself to his full height, he extended a steady hand to Wren. She looked at it for a moment before letting her gaze slide up to his, confusion settling deep in her eyes.