Hitting! Slapping! Pinching!

Rylan was first to wake up. He blinked severally before he could make out his surroundings. His head turned and he saw Wade with his eyes closed.

He checked the time, it was midnight.

Late.

His aunt was sure to freak out.

He took out his phone and sure enough, there were countless missed calls and notifications from his aunt.There was also one from Jaden but he would call him later. With a sigh, he got out of the car and called his aunt.

"Lan! Where are you?!" Jasmine's voice boomed.

"I'm fine aunt. My friend and I fell asleep in a car."

"Your friend? Do you mean that alpha prince? He's your friend now?"

"Aunt, it's not that big of a deal. "

"But you're in a car with him alone, what if he attacks? "

"Aunt, I can take care of myself. Don't forget who I am."

"Don't be too proud. If you attack he will find out who you are."

"Aunt, go to sleep, I'll be fine okay? Goodnight. "

"Wait... " But Rylan had already hang up.

The stinging cold made him go back into the car. He didn't feel sleepy.

Wade looked stressed even in his sleep, as if something had been bothering him for a while. Maybe it was the reason for his one week absence.

Now he felt guilty, he had been so angry that he didn't think that there could be a serious reason. Did their family conflict get too serious?

Rylan shook his head, he was getting too worried. No matter what, this was an enemy. If one day Wade found out who he really was then he would kill him. Who even knew if the alpha didn't know it?

Rylan sighed and leaned back on his seat. Was everyone's life so stressful?

He forced his eyes close and counted sheep to sleep.

...

Jaden looked at his hands deeply. Something was wrong, terribly wrong. He could feel his strength slowly fading away and it was pure torture.

Just a while before, Elliot, a weakling, had defeated him. It was humiliating.

He stood and walked to the weights on the floor. He tried lifting them but no matter how much he tried, he couldn't lift them one inch above the ground.

The weakness was loud and he was relieved that the gym was empty. It was, after all, late in the night.

"I don't think I can ever come here again, " he whispered. He tried everything, running, lifting, hitting, but they all just showed how weak he was.

By the time he was done, he couldn't stand up from exhaustion.

"What the hell is wrong with me? " He whispered, a tired hand running through his hair.

"Hey, isn't that Jaden? " A loud voice was heard, followed by loud footsteps. There was more than one person.

Jaden's breath hitched. He recognised the voice. 'What is she doing here at this time?! ' he thought.

"Well well well who knew the famous strong Jaden could be reduced to such a state. Did you overexert yourself?" The girl laughed. She was never scared of Jaden to begin with, but she hated him and his big ego that made him try to scare her.

"Katie, haven't you heard? It's said that he's not in his best shape these days. He's become weaker than a couch potato!" The girls laughed.

"Wow, it's truly a sight to behold," Katie smiled, "Come on, stand up. It's not nice to lie on the floor when being spoken to."

Jaden didn't move.

"Tsk tsk, some people don't have survival instincts at all. Open your eyes jerk, we're stronger here."

Jaden still didn't move.

"I've heard that this jerk doesn't use violence. Too bad not everyone is as good as him," Katie smirkes and raised her foot. She kicked Jaden straight across his face. Her sharp heels added to the damage and a sharp groan escapee his lips.

"The famous strong man got beaten up by girls. Doesn't it just sound... Amazing? " She laughed and kicked him again. One of the other girls grabbed his hair and pulled his head up. Katie held his chin, "This is easy, I can't believe the money I'm getting. "

So she was hired. Who would hire a girl to beat him up? That person must have wanted him to get humiliated.

Before he could think further, a kick was directed to his stomach and he felt bile pile up in his throat. He forced it down.

"Are you really going to keep mum? It's too boring, " She hit him again.

Jaden closed his eyes. As much as this was painful and humiliating, he didn't feel scared much. Sure, he was used to beating others but that didn't mean he had never received a beating before. But it was from people much stronger.

Katie and the girls didn't stop due to his silence, they hut every part of him. They made sure to leave big bruises as proof of their hard work.

They went on and on, hitting, slapping, pinching until his whole body was red. His face must have been unrecognizable at that point.

"Next time, think twice before you go yapping your pretty mouth about your strength and all."

"Also, don't just threaten people. Physical strength is not the only type of strength in this world."

Katie threw him against a wall, amazed at how easy it was to toss him around. They then left after making sure he couldn't walk properly for the next week or two.

He dragged himself. Pain. His while body was screaming and he was sure he could never go home in this state. His father, a man prouder than his son, would kill him.

He couldn't stay at the gym either since it would close soon.

He took out his phone and called Rylan but he didn't pick up. The gym owner was heartless enough to chase him out.

Now covered in bruises and torn clothes, he had nowhere to go.

Out of the corner of his eyes he saw a familiar figure. On a closer look, it was Elliot! They looked at eacher for a while before Jaden decided he wouldn't as for help from him. Elliot too didn't seem to care and continued with his journey.

Seeing this, Jaden was angry. Wasn't this brat a goody two shoes? Why was he not helping him?

With a defeated sigh, Jaden called out, "Hey Elliot, it's me. "

Elliot paused and looked at him again, "I know. "

Jaden wanted to snap and ask why he didn't help him but forced everything down.

"I need help. "