The main hall stretched out like the body of some long-dead monster.
Massive concrete beams arched high overhead, many of them cracked or partially collapsed. Sunlight poured through shattered skylights in bright, dusty shafts, cutting through the gloom and lighting up floating particles of debris.
Rows of toppled metal shelves lay scattered across the floor like fallen soldiers, while crates, rusted equipment, and old military vehicles sat forgotten in the corners.
The air smelled of mildew, gun oil, and the faint tang of old blood.
Ty moved silently along the far eastern wall, rifle held low and ready.
The rest of the Pride was busy near the main entrance, their voices echoing distantly as they loaded crates onto wooden boxes with wheels.
He preferred it this way — alone. He had spent years navigating ruins like this by himself or with one or two 'trusted' companions.
Being surrounded by dozens of armed psychopath's who worshipped "Nade" made his skin crawl.
He paused behind a collapsed section of shelving and scanned the area. His eyes kept drifting toward the collapsed outer wall about forty meters away.
Rubble formed a natural ramp leading up and out into the dense forest beyond the depot. It was perfect. Overgrown enough to disappear quickly.
If he timed it right during the loading chaos, he could slip away and never look back.
This is my chance, he thought, heart hammering. I've survived alone before. I can do it again.
But even as the thought formed, memories from the shower assaulted him. Noah's powerful body pinning him. The way the black veins had slowly faded the more they touched. The terrifying relief in Noah's voice.
Ty shook his head hard and kept moving, checking crates as cover. He found a sealed box of antibiotics and marked it with a red tag for collection, then continued toward the collapsed wall.
"Still playing the lone survivor, huh?"
Ty tensed as Jax appeared from behind a nearby pillar, hands raised in mock surrender.
The tattoo artist's green eyes sparkled with amusement, though the bruise on his jaw from yesterday was still clearly visible.
"I'm just doing my job," Ty muttered, lowering his rifle slightly.
Jax leaned casually against the pillar, scanning the hall before focusing entirely on Ty.
"You're damn good at it. That shot on the fleshbound earlier? Clean. Most rookies would've needed three darts minimum. You dropped it with one." He smiled, softer this time. "You've got real talent. Where'd you learn to shoot like that?"
Ty hesitated. Something about Jax's easy, non-threatening energy made him lower his guard just a fraction.
"Clearly I learned it out here. Had to. Small groups, constant movement. You learn fast or you die. That's just how things are."
Jax nodded, understanding flickering across his face.
"I was the same way for the first year after the outbreak. Lost my whole crew to a horde near the old capital. Wandered alone for months until Nade found me half-dead." He stepped a little closer, voice dropping. "It's different with the Pride. Yeah, it's brutal. But you're not alone anymore. You've got people who've got your back."
Ty gave a small, reluctant chuckle. "Yah, they have your back. They have your back up until the moment you're useless."
Jax grinned. "Can you blame them? I mean look at this fucking place. This ain't how the world used to be. We've gotta look out for the strong. This world is no place for the weak."
His eyes flicked over Ty's frame appreciatively.
"If you ever want someone to talk to who isn't Rafe or the boss, I'm around. No pressure."
Ty met his gaze for a long moment. Jax wasn't bad company. Flirty, sure, but there was a genuine warmth underneath the charm.
For the first time in weeks, Ty felt a tiny sliver of comfort.
"Maybe," he said quietly. "We'll see how today goes."
Jax's smile widened, clearly pleased. He clapped Ty lightly on the shoulder.
"That's all I'm asking for. I'll head back and help with the heavy lifting before Rafe chews me out. Don't wander too far, pretty boy."
With a wink, Jax turned and jogged back toward the main group.
Ty watched him go, exhaling slowly. The conversation had been… nice. Normal. But it also reminded him why he needed to leave.
Attachments here were dangerous.
Especially with Noah.
He waited until the sounds of Jax's footsteps faded completely. Then he moved.
Ty slipped toward the collapsed wall, staying low, using debris for cover. His boots crunched softly on broken concrete. Twenty meters. Fifteen. Ten. The forest beyond called to him — thick trees, freedom, a chance to finally put distance between himself and the monster wearing his best friend's face.
He was reaching for a handhold on the rubble when a powerful hand clamped down on his shoulder like a vice.
Ty's blood turned to ice.
"Where are you going?" Noah's voice was low, dangerous, and far too close.
Ty spun around, forcing calm into his expression.
"I needed to piss. Too crowded back there. Didn't want an audience."
Noah's eyes narrowed sharply, the red flecks flaring with clear disbelief.
For a terrifying second, neither of them moved. Then Noah's grip tightened painfully.
"Come with me."
He dragged Ty roughly through a side breach in the wall, out into the overgrown area beside the warehouse.
The moment they were hidden from view behind a cluster of thick trees, Noah slammed him against the massive trunk of an ancient oak.
His hand protected the back of Ty's head at the last moment, just like before.
Ty's back hit the rough bark. He gasped.
"You're lying to me," Noah growled, pressing in close until their bodies were flush. His mutated strength pinned Ty effortlessly. The black veins along his neck and jaw were spiking wildly, pulsing with aggression.
"You were running. I saw it in your eyes."
Ty struggled, shoving at Noah's chest. "Get off me—"
Noah silenced him with a brutal kiss.
It was raw, punishing, and full of fury.
Noah's mouth devoured his, tongue forcing deep as he ground their hips together.
Ty tried to turn his head away, but Noah gripped his jaw and held him in place. The more they touched, the more the black veins began to disappear — fading slowly from Noah's skin like ink washing away.
The vicious spikes calmed. Noah let out a long, shuddering breath of relief against Ty's lips, his massive frame relaxing slightly.
"Fuck… there it is," Noah murmured hoarsely. "I had to make sure this wasn't a one time thing. It really turns out that it works."
His free hand moved down, unbuckling Ty's belt with aggressive efficiency. In one swift motion, he yanked Ty's pants and underwear down to his thighs, exposing him completely to the cool forest air.
Ty's cock hung heavy between his legs, twitching despite the humiliation burning in his face.
Noah stared down at him for a heated moment, eyes dark with lust. Then he spun Ty around, pressing his chest hard against the rough tree bark and bending him forward at the waist.
Ty's heart pounded wildly.
"Noah—wait, don't—"
"Quiet," Noah ordered, one large hand firmly on the back of Ty's neck, holding him bent over. His other hand gripped Ty's hip, keeping him in position.
Ty was completely exposed, ass out, cock dangling.
Noah leaned in, lips brushing Ty's ear. "You said you needed to piss." He pressed closer, his much larger body caging Ty against the tree. "Go on then," Noah growled, voice thick with dark satisfaction. "Piss."