Thank you, thank you, thank you to all the readers. Whether you review, alert or favorite, each time I get a notification it makes my day.

Hello Blue Anchor, I'll try to answer some of your questions here. Unfortunately there are some questions I cannot address because they can give key points of future chapters or previews which could spoil it for some readers. In chapter three when Jacob is angry because of the flogging, hitting Seth with a belt didn't even constitute abuse (in the eyes of most dominants) and it was not against the rules. And no you are not becoming annoying at all, pinky swear.

About Eric, several readers asked what happened to him. I can't say what was done to him but what they did caused irreparable damage to his insides and he died from hypovolemic shock.

Last but not least a huge shout out to my friend Ratts, she gave me amazing ideas for this chapter. Check out her stories, they are awesome.

My gosh the disclaimers are almost as long as the chapter itself, slight exaggeration I know. After the heavy angst filled previous chapter I felt the need for a light "fluffy" chapter. So here it is, enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight.

Chapter 17

Jacob sat comfortably under a tree enjoying the soft breeze while watching his submissive. It had only been two days since reality took over and bitch slapped him. Seth had been quieter than usual which for the small submissive meant he was virtually a mute. The master understood Seth needed time; he had to face his demons in order to teach his master a valuable lesson. Jake decided to give the submissive his space as he struggled to come to terms with all the new information in his head.

After they left the house of torture they walked quietly side by side. Jacob had been his usual gutless self and wouldn't phase with Seth fearing what he would have to witness in the slave's head. If it had been horrible to hear his tale of torture and abuse it would be far worse to witness it firsthand. But more importantly he didn't want his submissive to see his desperate thoughts. The self-deprecating monologue that even though it was much deserved, he felt no desire to share it with anyone, especially with a person he cared about. Many adjectives regarding his behavior floated around in his head, twisted, malevolent, sadistic and cowardly were the most frequent, but he knew there were many more.

Seth had endured a life of pain and suffering. Was life really fair when a gentle soul like him was hated and tortured from the moment he came out of the womb? All his life Jake had been given every privilege available to man and he still grumbled about his luck. Jacob's little wolf on the other hand would appreciate even a little crumb of food that fell on the floor. What made them different? An odd segment on their DNA that determined that one would be an alpha and the other a slave? It didn't seem fair at all.

The last two days Jacob had been plagued with nightmares that were very different from his usual ones. In these he felt the horror of being deprived of freedom, he dreamt of a strange cold sensation around his neck that threatened to choke him to death. He didn't know what any of this meant and to be totally honest he didn't want to know. In all his years he had never felt so sick of his own reflection. His behavior filled him with shame and regret. There was nothing he could do to appease the slow burning pain in his chest. The idea that only a few months prior he could've looked into Seth's eyes and taken his life, repulsed him and was almost enough to make him lose his breakfast. The worst thing was that he knew he wouldn't have cared one bit about Seth's life or about his pain. He wouldn't have even batted an eyelash and his only concern would've been how fast they could get him a new victim.

Watching the still form of his slave he racked his mind trying to figure out what was going on through his head. Was he sad? Angry? Resentful? All of the above? Like many times before he wondered what had made his submissive so strong, what kept him alive all these years. At least of one thing he was certain, he would sooner die than see his perfect little submissive harmed ever again. He wished, fuck did he ever wish that somehow the stars would align and he could go back in time and save Seth from being tormented not only by the sons of bitches that took part of his initiation but from himself as well. Jacob was in no shape or form a hero but he wished he could have been Seth's hero. That instead of being the leader of the pack of hyenas that took turns gnawing at his tender flesh that he would have been the light at the end of the tunnel for the submissive. He dreamt of a different life, a better life in which he was not the thing nightmares were made of but the thing wonderful dreams consisted of.

"Puppy, you need to eat something." Jacob approached Seth slowly but not as stealthy as usual to make sure he wouldn't get startled. He had picked a good amount of strawberries and brought them back to his submissive. "I remember you said the first time you ate raw that you were going to pick berries, so I assumed you like these." He said pointing to the strawberries he had collected on what seemed to be the remnants of a flag.

"Thank you master, I do like them." Seth's voice was colorless and his expression hollow. He shrugged lightly when his master placed the fruit on his lap. "Master, have you eaten?" Asked Seth politely.

"I'm not hungry Seth." Answered Jacob with unnecessary roughness. He was not one to even try to be pleasant, he spent many years creating a rugged distant persona and old habits die slowly. Noticing how Seth's eyes fell to his lap and his hands moved the food uninterestedly from one side to the other, Jacob bent one knee to the ground, picked up one strawberry and lifted it to Seth's face. He growled when he caught sight of the submissive's downcast eyes. The slave understood the message and he lifted his eyes to shyly meet his master's. "Eat" It was a one word undeniable command.

Jacob felt a shiver run down the length of his body, making an annoying pit stop on his groin, when Seth took the red fruit between his equally juicy lips and bit it. His submissive observed him through his eyelashes as he savored the sweetness of the spring fruit. The slave innocently ate; unaware of the effect he was having on his master. Jacob huffed in annoyance as he stood up running away from Seth soon after.

The slave stayed on the same spot, his shoulders slumping and feeling defeated. Since they arrived at the small meadow a day and a half before his master had been acting very strange. A few times a day he would disappear only to come back several minutes later looking flushed and sweaty. Seth was convinced that Jacob was disgusted with him, since his odd behavior started after they visited the council center. The submissive understood, after all, he felt disgusted with himself many times. He tried to avoid thinking of all the men that had been inside him but many times it was close to impossible. He placed the fruit beside him on the floor and followed his master into the dense forest. He was not far away, Jacob never went farther than a rock toss from Seth, he always worried of somebody finding him and hurting his slave.

Following his master's strong scent Seth saw his body slumped behind a tree while his right arm moved back and fro. The unmistakable aroma of Jacob's arousal permeated in the air around them. His low throaty moans echoing on the rocks around them. Such was his elation that Jacob didn't hear his submissive approach him as he maneuvered his tense flesh inside his fist. He was used to having sex two to three times a day and his body was craving Seth's amazing heat. The master wouldn't even consider taking his submissive, he knew it would be non-consensual and the last thing he wanted was to add another notch to the long list of sins committed against the slave.

"What the fuck!" Screamed Jacob as he became aware of the submissive's presence. Seth stumbled back falling on his ass on the damp forest floor. Immediately he went to his knees, wrapping his arms around his middle and shaking to the core. The slave knew it was too good to be true; it was a matter of time before his master returned to his old behaviors.

Jacob stalked towards the submissive, feeling pain grip his insides at the sight before him. Grabbing Seth's arm he pulled the slave to his feet and bending forward got his face as close as possible to that of his sub. "Never do that again, first, you scared the shit out of me and second, I think I have the right to some privacy, don't you think?" Seth nodded in agreement as he eyed his master's straining erection as it dangled menacingly from side to side with each one of Jacob's movements.

"Master you want me to pleasure you?" Asked Seth more out of a twisted sense of duty than any real desire on his part. Jacob's brows rose on his forehead as he studied the submissive's face trying to find any mocking attitude. He couldn't find any, taking a big lungful of air to calm himself down, he thought about his course of action. He was fighting with all his might the desperate need to bend his slave and plunge deep into him, fucking him until he couldn't walk. Instead he chose the path less travelled and decided not to take him.

"Seth I want you to tell me the truth, do you want to pleasure me? I'm warning you, no lies and no bullshit." The submissive thought for a few seconds before he shook his head no. "I doubted you would, but one can always hope. Why the fuck did you offer if you had no desire to do it?"

"Master it's my duty, it's what I was put on this earth for." Stated Seth, pain etched on his features as he acknowledged the little self-worth he had. Not that he had any reason to feel any different; after all he had been called whore, slut and cunt too many times.

"Are you stupid, slave? Nobody is put on this earth to be a fuck toy. There is a lot more to you than meets the eye, I'm not the smartest mother fucker out there but even I have to accept there is something really remarkable about you." Seth felt his chest swell with hope, pride and joy. The only person to ever think he was good for anything but sex was his sister and to hear his master speak in such a way made him feel all tingly inside.

"Now if you don't mind can you go so I can finish jerking off?" There was humor is Jacob's voice as he said this, Seth turned on his heels walking away from his master with a small smile on his face.

After several minutes Jacob emerged from between the dense foliage and sat beside Seth who was finishing his fruit. The master extended his hand and quickly took the strawberry that Seth was about to pop into his mouth and popped it in his mouth chewing rapidly. The slave took another ripe berry and offered it to his master. "Seth this fruit is doing nothing for me, I need meat. I don't want to leave you by yourself, anybody could stumble onto you and if they hurt you I'll be forced to rip their miserable heads off their shoulders. I'm going to remove your collar so you can phase too, understood?" Seth nodded and in no time both wolves had downed a forest dweller and were feasting on it. After they had their fill they settled for the night, hoping and praying for a dreamless night.

The next morning Jacob opened his eyes and looked around for his sub who was nowhere to be seen. He panicked, if the little piece of shit had escaped during the night he would find him and the sub would wish he was back at the house of torture. Jacob threaded his fingers on his short locks and pulled roughly at the roots trying to erase the thoughts produced by his sick mind. He wondered if he would ever rid himself of those sadistic tendencies. It was almost like they had been chiseled into his body and soul. He turned his head towards the noise coming from a nearby stream. He sighed relieved when he saw his small submissive methodically shaving his head, making sure not to miss any spots.

Jacob sat beside him in the cold water and took the razor away from the slave. "Let me help you with that." Slowly and making sure not to press too hard he slid the straight razor on parallel lines along Seth's scalp. Not used to anybody doing anything for him, the submissive reveled in the feel of the blade as it slid over his skin and in the warmth radiating from his master's body. He closed his eyes and created colorful pictures in his mind, pictures of joy, hope and happiness. "There you go, smooth as a baby's bottom."

Seth ran the palm of his hand over his scalp before dipping his hands in the water and dousing his head. "Why did you leave my side?" Jacob's question took the submissive by surprise.

"Because you like your slaves to be clean, hairless and ready for you when you get up." Seth repeated the line that was almost branded into his brain from the moment he set foot inside his master's room. "Master may I ask you something?" Seeing that Jacob seemed so calm and even in a good mood Seth risked asking him the question that had been in his mind since he came to the manor.

Jacob nodded and Seth took a deep breath before asking. Years of submission had taught him that it was a terrible idea to question your dominant, yet he felt confident to do so under the circumstances. "Why do you like your slaves to shave their heads, I understand about our bodies but the head always baffles me." Seth was almost mumbling imperceptibly, his eyes glued on the rushing waters that were disrupted by the two bodies sitting in its way.

"Well there are several reasons; the most important ones are first the need to dominate your whole existence. I dictate what you do, what you eat, when you sleep and even how you look. The second one is that seeing you without any hair ratifies the fact that you are subhuman. Makes it easier for me to think of you as an animal. If I picture you that way I don't feel like the worthless piece of crap I am. Know that I don't think you're subhuman, you are more of a man that I'll ever be, but you asked me for the reasons and those are it." Seth's browns pinched together as he observed his master's tortured look. It was mindboggling to think that a creature as impressive as his master would think so lowly of himself but there was no denying the truth, as badly as Seth thought about himself it was nothing compared to Jacob's perception of himself. The submissive accepted everything at face value and after rinsing off his head took the soap and proceeded to scrub his body clean.

"I thought you were almost done" Stated Jacob.

"I shaved first; if it's ok with you I would like to wash up now." Seth's eyes were glued to the soap he was holding between his hands. For some reason the intensity of his master's gaze made him feel self-conscious. It was stupid since his master had seen him naked numerous times but at that moment, in that creek, it felt like Jacob's eyes were burning him alive.

"Nah, let me have that" Taking the soap away from the submissive he worked a generous lather and began scrubbing his slave. Seth had done the same thing for him several times before but Jacob had never cared to even try. Taking care of someone beside himself was something that simply didn't register with him.

Jacob noticed as Seth took a sideways glance in his direction, his face tinted red and his heart racing wildly inside his chest. The master always loved to hear the change in Seth's breathing when certain areas of his body were addressed, aside from the obvious, his neck was the most sensitive part, always rewarding Jacob with a muted moan. Jacob felt his own body react at the sight of his slave's red cheeks and nervous demeanor. The master could see the submissive's uneasiness and decided to be a little playful.

Jacob teased the coppery peaks of Seth's nipples with bubble-covered hands. He nuzzled the slave's neck surprising him by blowing a loud, wet raspberry against his skin. Seth giggled loudly his legs inadvertently splashing water on his master's direction. The submissive froze for a few seconds waiting for the blow that luckily never came. Instead of retaliating Jacob's laughter filled the air around them. Seth smiled at his master's reaction, his lips revealing a pink tongue that danced along the edge of his teeth. The little submissive had no idea the effect that something as simple as his smile had on his master. Jacob's reaction was swift as he kissed the water droplets on Seth's face before they evaporated. The master continued lathering the sub's body stopping every once in a while to kiss him or grant him gentle bites on the most easily accessible parts of his body.

Seth's petite frame shivered under his master's hands as they traveled all over his body. Everywhere Jacob touched him produced a wave of sensual flashes that began on the point of contact and extended all over his body. The slave did everything in his power to avoid the unavoidable as his body reacted to his master's scrutiny. A flush worked its way up from the submissive's belly to his face and back again, zooming down his legs to end up on his toes. Noticing his slave's dilemma Jacob couldn't help feel a sense of pride at being able to cause that. The submissive tried to cover his swollen manhood with his hands, but his master batted them away "No need to hide, I like what I see." Whispered Jacob in Seth's ear making sure his warm breath was hitting Seth in the right spot.

Covering his hands in soap he proceeded to clean Seth most sensitive parts. He asked the sub to kneel and worked one hand on his behind while the other stroked the length of the slave's member. Seth felt his legs buckle as the pleasure grew exponentially. He allowed a loud moan to escape his lips as his release became imminent. Pushing his luck he bent forward and claimed his master's lips in a heated kiss. The master happily responded savoring the flavor of his sub's warm mouth. It proved to be too much for the slave and he bathed his master's hand with his seed.

Jacob pulled Seth to his lap and allowed him to come down from his high. Using his hand he rinsed the slave who was slumped against his master's chest while trying to regain normal breathing. Seth's eyes were moist as something unexpected passed between them. Jacob didn't understand of failed to acknowledge but regardless of this he felt the intense and urgent need to hold his slave closer and feel the warmth emanating from his body. The master thought how it was possible for Seth to still hold on to his humanity after the nightmare that had been his life. During his childhood all he received was rejection and lack of love. As he grew up his problems grew also, being the crowning glory phasing into a submissive and all the hurt that came with it. Jacob wanted to make up for all the years of abandonment and misery, he truly did but he doubted he could do it. After all Seth was an angel and Jacob was nothing but a mere man not worthy of such honor.

Seth lifted his eyes and looked at his master dreamily, his arms surrounded his master's neck and he kissed him deeply. Each man lost in what the other was making him feel. "Thank you" Whispered the sub on Jake's ear, the combined effect of his sultry post orgasmic voice and his warm breath against his skin going directly to his groin. Setting Seth in front of him Jacob jumped to his feet stumbling on them as he tried to escape once more towards the woods. In his haste he slipped on the mud making a face plant. He was not only in pain from falling on his semi-hard dick but mortified that it happened in front of his submissive. He wished the earth would just open and swallow him whole. Why he cared that Seth had seen him? He had no idea, maybe it was pride, maybe it was something else but the truth of the matter was that he felt his face burn with embarrassment.

Watching the mighty Jacob Black flopping on the mud like a piggy made Seth let out a bark of laughter. He didn't remember when was the last time he laughed with so much gusto. His laughter was silenced when he noticed the irate look in Jacob's eyes. He had certainly done it now, he laughed at his master and he would surely pay for it. After a few failed attempts Jacob was able to raise to his feet, the whole front of his body covered in mud.

"Get the fuck here right now!" Bellowed Jacob.

Seth ran to his master fear dominating his thoughts and nerves racking through his body. As soon as the sub was within arm reach the master pulled him to the mud with him. Both men fell to the sludge, Jacob laughing his head off at his submissive's expense. "Do you still think this is funny?"

The slave recognized his master was being playful and nodded. In all honesty he thought the whole thing was freaking hilarious. Jake tried to put on an angry front and looked at his submissive frowning, his lips on a tense thin line. But Seth could see through his façade, he might have been acting angry but the humor and happiness in his eyes was only surpassed by the slave's delight. The master couldn't keep a straight face and grinned widely at his slave, as on cue Seth agilely scrambled to his feet in an attempt to take off running away from his master. Jacob tried to grab him as he darted off only to lose his balance and do a belly flop into the mud. Seth stood at a close distance watching as his master tried to maneuver his huge form out of the mess he was in. He moved closer to try to help him, thinking that at least that could lessen his punishment if Jacob decided to go along with it.

"I suggest you run." Growled Jacob. The slave bolted in his human muddy form unable to phase due to his collar. He felt the familiar tingling in the air and looking over his shoulder saw his master running towards him at full speed. Only that he was not running on two legs anymore as he approached him as a russet fury. Seth was terrified, blaming himself for his latest predicament, he had been utterly disrespectful to his owner and he would pay for it. He fucked up badly; his master gave him so many chances but he had to go for it and lost, maybe his master would go as far as killing him this time.

In matter of seconds Jake had gained on him and closed his powerful jaws around one of Seth's legs without hurting him but making him fall down. Jacob pounced, paws on each side of Seth who rolled on his back scared out of his wits. In his frightened state the submissive read his master stance as one of him getting ready to snap his jaws and rip his head of his shoulders. The master watched his submissive's squirming form and surprised him by rolling out his tongue and giving him a big slobbery kiss. Seth was instantly put at ease and comforting waves ripped through his body. Jake repeated the same action only to be rewarded with Seth's bubbly giggling that was so cute he sounded like a girl. Feeling happy the slave reached up towards his master's big furry head and scratched him behind his ears which elicited a cat like purr to come out of him. Jake in return gave him more sweet tender licks and nuzzles.

"Master I think I'll need another bath, actually we both do." Said Seth between giggles. Jacob phased and found himself on all fours hovering over his slave. The master stood up extending a muddy hand to his submissive who took it happily and pulled himself up. They walked hand in hand back to the creek laughing every time they caught sight of each other. Finding an area that was a little deeper Jacob walked in followed by Seth. The water felt cool on their overheated bodies, it reached Seth chest and Jacob waist as they both sat. Each one proceeded to get rid of the sticky film that covered their bodies. Looking in Seth's direction Jacob noticed that Seth had missed a spot on his shoulder and moved towards him to get it for him. The submissive noticed all the spots his master had missed and began cleaning him. Jacob was ecstatic feeling as bliss was spilling out of his pores for the simple reason that his sub was cleaning him out of his own volition. The master was grinning like an idiot as his eyes followed each and every one of his slave's movements.

Feeling the definition of Jacob's muscles and the beauty of his features Seth couldn't help but think how handsome his master was. His brown eyes felt like they could see all the way to his soul. His strong jaw that until recently always looked tense. The mere thought of his rippled stomach raising the sub's temperature by a few degrees. Jacob was a truly magnificent creature. Seth felt the strongest urge to tell his master but fought it. He was afraid of unintentionally ruining the moment they were sharing.

Against his better judgment he decided to tell his master, after all nobody would get angry because they were given a compliment. "Master you're…"

"I'm what Seth?" Asked Jacob in his dreamy bedroom voice as he used his hand to rinse Seth even though he was already clean, he was just enjoying it too much.

"You're beautiful" Seth's confession took Jacob absolutely by surprise. His nervous laughter betrayed the strong self-confident pretense he tried to maintain. He felt awkward not knowing how to respond at all. The master's mind became a vortex of thoughts and ideas as he tried to discern Seth's intentions. Was he being smarmy? Was he just trying to be nice to get on Jacob's good side? That was utterly ridiculous since he had been downright disrespectful and adorably irreverent towards his master.

"Nobody had ever said that to me." Jacob lowered his gaze to his hands which were submerged under the water as they rested on Seth's waist. Seth wished that his master would accept his words as true, maybe that way he would feel better about himself.

"How can that be? I've never seen a more beautiful wolf." Jacob's shook his head and his cheeks developed a deeper color as he looked almost embarrassed of receiving a compliment. He knew very well that the man in front of him was as genuine as they came. If there was somebody he could count on for total truthfulness that was his submissive.

"I don't think I come off as very approachable." Jacob shrugged, his eyes focused on an undetermined point. After hearing this statement Seth just smiled. His master was right but he would be damned if he said anything.

"You could change that you know. After all you can catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar." Jacob had heard the old adage many times, usually from his father and from Carlisle. Of course he always ignored it, he didn't care about anyone. He could've tried to plaster a fake smile on his face instead of his usual frown, but what was the point? People would always find a reason to hate him; might as well give them plenty of reasons and save them the effort. Maybe that was why he never found happiness, he had every possible thing the world could offer a wolf to make him happy but he chose to be miserable.

"Well that doesn't matter, I have the only fly I'll ever need or want." Seth was clueless; in his mind there was no space to even consider the idea that his master wanted him. He was just an accessory that as soon as he went out of style would be terminated.

Seth shivered when a sudden rush of cold water punished his skin. It was probably raining in the mountains causing the water level to rise in their location. Jake pulled the slave towards him to wrap him up in his arms, settling him between his legs. Seeking more warmth Seth turned to face his master, wrapping his legs around him, their chests touching. Considering the submissive's proximity the master was surprised when he noticed that for once he was not hard. He thought he would be since his body always reacted to his slave. Jacob was just enjoying the closeness; it was something he never thought he would enjoy. Sharing a space with somebody he considered beneath him and at the same time knew that he couldn't live without. Their innocent embrace appealed to both wolves, for different reasons. To Jacob it felt more intimate than sex and very satisfying. To Seth it presented the rare opportunity to enjoy intimacy without sex, deep inside he still worried but it was pushed aside by his utter contentment.

The slave rested his head on Jacob's shoulder as his hands mindlessly played with his inky locks. A sudden rush of courage propelled the sub to spoil his master with chaste kisses that felt as clean and pure as the slave's intentions. Seth's feather light kisses couldn't be misinterpreted by anyone; he meant to show his master his appreciation for what he considered the only chance in many years to feel cared for by his master. Jacob rewarded him by caressing his skin softly and without any other intention than to show his submissive he cared about him, how much? neither one of them knew. Neither one of them spoke as they held on to each other. In that most perfect moment they were not slave and master, they were two lonely persons that by luck or fate found each other. Even if it was just for a few minutes, after all the tragedy they had seen and experienced in that cruel world, they experienced true joy. In that most perfect and tranquil moment that they wished would never end, they felt love.