(listen to Work Song by Hozier while reading the chap)

This time when he opened his eyes, Percy did not see darkness. He was squinting because of the light on his face.

As his eyes adjusted, Percy's mind raced. He had no way to defend himself against Bryce.

When the light stopped affecting his vision, Percy sat up and took in his surroundings.

He was in a cage in a basement of some sorts, with bright, white lights attached to the ceilings. The walls were grey and bare. The room was empty and cold. There wasn't even a door that Percy could see.

Percy walked up to the bars. They were thick, but not immensely so. He stretched a hand out toward them.

"I wouldn't do that, if I were you."

Percy jumped as the voice spoke. He whipped around, trying to find the body that the voice belonged to.

Where was it…there. In the corner, a small body sat curled up, not unlike the way Luke had curled away from Octavian.

"What?" Percy asked.

The body sighed before standing. It was a boy, a few inches taller than Percy. He had black hair and dark eyes.

"I said don't touch the bars. They'll shock you back into unconsciousness. I had to learn that the hard way." The boy said, shaking.

Percy nodded. "Thank you for the warning. But…who are you?"

"Ethan." The boy gave a smile, though it was so small Percy could hardly see it, and he looked as though it took all of his effort to make it. "Ethan Nakamura."

"I'm Percy," he said, "Percy Jackson."

"Yeah, I heard. He wouldn't stop saying your name." Ethan spit out "he" with such force, Percy thought a spit glob would be heading right for his face.

"'He' as in…Bryce?" Percy asked. Ethan cringed at the name.

"Yes. As in, my far from perfect mate." He said sadly.

"What did he do?" Percy asked softly. "Besides from kidnapping me…"

Ethan said nothing. He lowered his head and raised his arms, and Percy let out a strangled gasp. His arms were covered in claw marks, bite marks, cuts, scratches and bruises. There wasn't an inch of skin not covered in dried blood.

"He calls them 'love marks.'" Ethan's voice croaked. "He says they're what mates give to each other."

Percy's vision blurred due to the tears welling up in his eyes. He felt bad for this wolf, and the one in the throne room. Mates were supposed to be the one person in the whole world who would understand you and love you unconditionally. But these two wolves were dealt with mates that mistreated them for no good reason.

"Don't cry for me," Ethan smiled, crying himself, and he wrapped his arms back around his body. "I've had to deal with his punishments for so long, they almost seem routine."

"That's not a good thing," Percy said quietly, trying not to sob.

"It is around here." Ethan said, still smiling. Percy admired his strength.

"How do you do that?" He asked, sniffling.

"Do what?" Ethan turned to face him.

"How do you go on smiling in a place like this?"

Ethan laughed. "It's a sad story. In the beginning, Bryce actually wasn't that bad. I still remember how we met…bur, anyway, the longer I was here, the more I realized what he was actually like. In the beginning, he said he didn't want to hurt me. He said he wanted to…to change. But something happened and a switch went off. He stopped feeling emotions. These tiny smiles I would get from him, totally at random times, they stopped. And then the beatings came..." Ethan's smile faltered. "Eventually, I got over it. There are days when I hide and cry and scream and fight back, but they're getting shorter in number."

Percy stood silently, tears streaming down his face.

"I keep expecting to cry and break at any second. But I don't. I'm just numb from being so used to getting hurt."

AAAAAAARRRRGGGGHHH! WHY TF DID I JUST DO THAT TO ETHAN?! I'M TEARING UP! I'M ALMOST AS BAD AD UNCLE RICK! (Because, let's be honest, nothing and nobody is worse than someone who threw Percabeth into Tartarus). The last line is a beautifully tragic quote from Pinterest. Don't fret, guys. Ethan and Luke will have happy endings, I promise. They deserve that much. -Atiana

Caelum huffed as they took a break. The group had been searching for a day and a half before Jason convinced his wolf to let the troops rest.

We. Need. To. Find. Mate. Caelum growled at Jason. The human tucked inside simply shook his head and frowned.

I'm not arguing with you, Caelum. I know we need to find Percy. I'm just saying, you're an Alpha. You shouldn't forget about the well being of your pack members while searching for another.

Caelum was a prideful animal, so he did not lower his tail between his legs, but his face grew hot in shame.

I'm sorry I've pushed you so hard. Caelum sent his message out through the pack's mind lick.

The group reassured him that they were fine, and would be ready to continue the search in a few moments.

No. Caelum growled. Drink, eat, and sleep. We have time. In the day and a half we searched, we covered about three quarters of the East Wood. Next, we will head west. That's where the scent is pulling me.

Yes, Alpha. They chorused.

Reyna, Frank, Will, Nico, and I will take first shift. Second is Zeus, Poseidon, Hera, Hades, and Apollo. Third will be Dionysus, Athena, Gleeson, Artemis, and Zoe.

Yes, Alpha. The wolves bowed. Caelum grunted his approval and turned to his friends.

You're going to find him, Alpha. Please don't get worried. Will mind-linked Jason. He sent his gratitude.

I'm going to do a walk around the perimeters. Caelum told them. Don't follow me.

He ran away before they could respond.

Zeus and Hera caught each other's eyes and followed Jason.

"Alpha!" Jason's father's voice called out to him. Caelum didn't turn around. "Alpha!"

"Jason, please turn around!" It was his mother's voice this time. The werewolf growled and turned around.

"Jason, can you shift please? We can't tell you anything if you're in your Alpha form." Zeus said.

Caelum growled one more time and gave up. He may be the Alpha, but he was still supposed to listen to his parents.

Jason stalked behind a tree and changed back into human form. Zeus threw him a shirt and some sweatpants. When he was fully clothed, Jason faced his parents.

"I apologize for Caelum, not that I can blame him." Jason said. "What information did you have?"

Hera looked at Zeus uncertainly and began. "Sweetie…I don't know how to say this, but…your father and I-"

"We think we know who took Percy."