I jolt awake, gasping for breath as I remember bits of strange words from my dream. They echo in my mind, like a distant past, but they quickly slip through my fingers like sand.

I’ve woken up like this before, and I expect it to happen again.

My heart pounds in my chest as the last of the images go, only to leave behind an ache in my chest that will last for the rest of the entire day. The scent of the tiny attic fills my lungs. It is dusty, stale, and a reminder of where I am.

My alpha’s attic is the worst place to live, but this is where I have been since I was twelve years old. When my parents died, I was only seven. For five years, I was passed between other pack members’ houses. Despite kindness from some, I felt unwanted, like I was a burden they wanted rid of as quickly as possible. Then, when I turned twelve, the alpha said he would take me since so many others had rejected me from their homes. I was shut away into this attic under the guise of protecting me and taking me under his wing.

At first, I was excited and believed him. I thought it was for my safety, though I didn’t know what I needed protection from. I was young and naive, thinking he only meant the best for me.

Oh, how wrong I was.

He never cared for my safety. He wanted something from me, though I still don’t know what. His mind is a twisted place, and I have stopped trying to understand it since then.

I ease out of bed, careful to not let the floorboards creak beneath my weight. The alpha will be furious if I wake him or his precious daughter and wife. That is the last thing I want, but his wife’s fury is worse than his.

It has been a year since the last lashing I received from her, which makes me hopeful that it is over, but I can never be too careful. She turns quickly, like a snake, striking out before you even know what has happened. The least little thing will set her off and before I know it, I’m at the end of her claws.

“Valeria!”

A chill goes down my spine. Speaking of the witch… There she is now.

“Yes, madam. I’m coming.” The words tumble from my lips, but they taste bitter. Who on earth wants to be called madam? Oh, right. Her.

“Is that snark I hear in your tone? You know better than to talk to me that way, Valeria,” she says, keeping her tone sharp. The way she says my name makes my skin crawl.

“No, not at all, madam.”

Her footsteps echo up the stairway. I scramble away from the bed, throwing on my clothes before she reaches the doorway. If she sees me just getting out of bed, she’ll assume I have been lazy. And laziness deserves to be punished in her eyes.

As soon as the door creaks open, I stumble into place, next to the end of my bed, waiting. She glances around the room, her eyes raking over every corner of the room to inspect it, then she shrugs. “It’s time for you to cook our breakfast.”

“Yes, madam. What would you and your family like this morning?” For thirteen years, I have asked this same question every single morning, and I am so tired of it.

She purses her lips, pretending to think, as if she doesn’t already know. Her lips are painted that awful pale red shade again.

It doesn’t even match her skin tone and washes her completely out.

I want to laugh at my wolf’s thoughts, but I suppress all urges I have to not show emotion. She’s a predator, and I’m the prey. One wrong move and it will all be over.

“I think we will have something elaborate. Can you make that quiche I like so well? Gabby just loves it too. Be a doll and make two. We will have company this morning.”

I curtsey, and as she leaves, all the air leaves my lungs with her. If Gabby has company, that means another suitor.

I wonder which fool it will be this time.

First, it was Anthony who seemed like a nice young shifter from another pack. But the alpha said no because he would take Gabby away to the other pack. The second man who came made my heart skip a beat, and not because of how dreamy he was. No, I was terrified of him the moment I came downstairs. I don’t even remember his name, but only how he makes me feel.

For the third and fourth men who came, they kept me upstairs and didn’t allow me to come down while they were here. It made me wonder who they were, but I never caught a glimpse of them, even when I peeked out the window that day.

Those are the only four I know of in the last two weeks and sometimes I wonder if they even know about each other. If they do, are they okay with courting the same woman while she plays them like fools?

Maybe they are just seeking her hand to form an alliance with her father, but whatever the case may be, it sure looks like she’s making fools out of them.

It isn’t my question to ask, though I long to, and it sits at the back of my mind even now.

As I arrive in the kitchen downstairs, I pull everything out to make the quiches and get busy. Time flies by and before I know it, they’re all in the kitchen.

The family gathers at the table, heaping their plates with food as soon as I place it down. My head remains bowed, hands folded in front of me, trying to ignore the gnawing in my stomach.

Then the front door slams open.

My head snaps up from being startled, but I regain my stance and keep my head bowed.

Two sets of footsteps enter the room. I glance up without lifting my head and see two sets of black boots. Though I want to look higher than their ankles to see who is here, I don't dare move my head. I sadly don’t recognize either pair of shoes.

“Ah, Alpha Barrett, and this is your heir, correct?” Alpha Jackson asks as he stands from the table, scooting his chair back and making it screech across the wooden floor. “We’re so happy to have you. Welcome to the Moon Stone Pack.”

These must be the visitors she mentioned.

“We’re happy to be here,” Alpha Barrett says as he closes the gap between them and reaches out to clasp my alpha’s hand in his. “This is my son, Waylen.”

“So, you are the heir and an upcoming alpha. I can sense the power rolling off you in waves,” Jackson says.

Though he doesn’t say it out loud, he’s sizing Waylen up against the others he has met and I am betting he thinks this is the one for his darling Gabby.

Another man enters the room, and he commands my attention. I have no choice but to look up and meet his gaze.

At that moment, everything shifts.

The air thickens, crackling with something I can’t even begin to name. My gaze continues to lift without permission, locking on to him.

Tall. Stronger than any man here. Dark brown hair, sun-kissed skin, and eyes — oh, his eyes. Ice blue and they pierce through me, unraveling something inside of me that I didn’t even know existed until now.

No one seems to notice my sudden movement and Alpha Barrett moves on with the introductions.

He looks at me. Actually sees me as if he recognizes something I’ve hidden even from myself.

I can’t move nor can I breathe.

“This is my son’s friend, Kendric. He’s a lone alpha without a pack.”

His name echoes in my head like a forgotten song that I wish I knew the words to.

"Kendric."

I know that name. I shouldn’t, but I do.

Before I can drop my head again, Gabby notices and alerts her mother that I am out of formation. “Look, mother. Valeria must see something she likes.”

My head drops instantly, but it’s too late. Millie stood, her lips pressing into a thin line. “You know better. Do not let this happen again.”

“Yes, madam. It won’t happen again.”

“Good. Now, off with you. We have things to discuss that your ears aren’t privy to,” she says as she rushes me out of the room, but I have to pass by Kendric to even leave.

He’s rather large and as I try to get out of the kitchen, my right arm brushes against his. The contact is so distracting that I lose my focus and end up tripping over the toe of his boot.

Just as I am about to hit the floor, a sudden firm grip on my waist pulls me upright. A squeal works its way up my lungs and escapes me.

“My gosh, what a clumsy idiot you are. Now apologize to Mr. Kendric,” Millie demands, while she stands on the other side of the kitchen table.

“I’m so sorry,” I whisper, wishing I can just disappear.

Kendric says nothing. He just stares at me with a curious gaze when I look up to meet his gaze.

“Do I know you from somewhere?” He asks, his voice soft.

“No, you don’t.” With all the strength I can muster, I break free from his grasp and hastily leave the room, seeking refuge in the attic, where I can be hidden from view.

Once I am behind the closed door, tears flood my eyes and trickle down my face. I’m not sure why I am having this sudden rush of feelings, but it shouldn’t be happening. It’s not like he’ll ever love someone like me.

I have never been anything to anyone before.

Once she’s gone, I feel something shift inside of me. I’m not sure what to think of her or the entire interaction. It seems like she’s a prisoner in this home and scared of what they might do to her.

I stare up the stairs at the attic door she fled to, my mind racing. Her scent lingers in the air, faint yet distinct, stirring something primal within me.

Who is she?

I only know of Jackson having one daughter. Not two.

Why does she act like a captive, always bowing her head in shame as if she wants to disappear?

Barrett came a few weeks ago, inquiring about Gabby as a potential mate for Waylen, but he had seen another girl. We were both confused about what she was doing in their home. But when Barrett asked about her, hoping to find a mate for me, Jackson said she wasn’t available.

Of course, I’m not looking for a mate, unless she is my fated and the one from my past.

While Barrett and Jackson are speaking to one another, I look over at Jackson’s mate and his daughter. They are both talking on the other side of the table, while looking over at Waylen every so often.

Sometimes Gabby looks at me, but I have no interest in her. She is nothing to me and never will be. Waylen may have her if that is what he and his father wish. I am only here to make sure my fated mate isn't here. I have already searched everywhere else, but here.

I’ve known her by many names. But this time, she has been impossible to find, like a shadow slipping through my fingers. Some nights, I’ve even wondered if she exists at all in this lifetime or if fate has stolen her away before I can reach her.

Yet here she is, right up the stairs. I can’t shake the feeling, the certainty, that it’s her.

From across the room, I watch as Millie leans toward Gabby, her lips moving quickly while keeping it to where I can’t hear. Whatever she says makes Gabby stiffen. A moment later, she rises from the table, her movements quick as she brushes past me on her way upstairs.

I shift slightly, angling my body to listen, trying to catch any conversation that may happen when that girl finds the one upstairs.

Her name is Valeria, I believe.

There’s something about her that makes me want to protect her from this family, but I can’t act too rashly.

Then I hear her somewhere upstairs. There is a sharp knock as I assume Gabby is standing at the girl’s door. There is a slight shuffle, as if someone had to move.

“Is there anything I can do for you, miss?” Valeria asks, which makes my heart almost stop in my chest.

Why is she calling Gabby miss? What kind of place is this?

“I’m not sure, Valeria. You see, I noticed that strange interaction between you and Kendric. He is quite handsome, but also way out of your league. Though he is not one of my suitors, I suggest you keep your eyes on the ground where they belong. You will be lucky and fortunate if my father finds a match for you, considering how low you are on the totem pole. Who knows? Maybe I’ll take Kendric as mine since you seem so interested.”

I suppress the urge to growl as Gabby speaks. From what I see, Valeria is a beautiful woman in her mid twenties. There is nothing wrong with her and she’s gorgeous. The only thing wrong is the rags she wears, along with the way they treat her.

I almost turn around, but Waylen catches me by the arm. When I glance back at him, he shakes his head while keeping his gaze focused on Millie. He has already caught on, just as I have, to what they are doing to the poor woman upstairs.

They’re keeping her as a slave.

“Yes, miss,” Valeria says from above us, but there’s a slight hitch in her voice, like the words taste bitter. “I know it is a long stretch for him to find someone for me.”

My heart tears apart. Just what have they done to her? What does she see when she looks in the mirror?

Does she think she’s ugly, and that no one will want her?

I hear footsteps moving in her room. I’m guessing Gabby is moving closer to her and I almost pull away from Waylen to go to her.

“Be glad my family took you in and gave you a home when you didn’t have one. If you didn’t have us, then what would have happened to you when you became an orphan? You should be happy to serve us for the rest of our lives as payment for saving you.”

“Yes, miss.”

And that is all it takes for me to snap. I yank my arm from Waylen and almost let out an audible growl.

But then I hear my name being called by Barrett.

“Kendric?” He looks at me as if he doesn't know what to say or do. I think he heard that conversation too, but he’s trying to make friends with Jackson.

“I’m fine,” I say, faking a smile. “Just fine. I think a fly buzzed right by my head and my wolf doesn’t like those.”

My attention is pulled back upstairs.

“Well, good. If you remember that, then you should do just fine. Don’t forget lunch is in about four hours, so you better have things ready by then,” Gabby says, this time much quieter, which means her father must have caught on.

I turn, only to see Jackson looking straight at me. He knows I’ve heard it.

My gaze narrows in his direction as we lock eyes. I don’t back down, which is a direct challenge, but he’s not speaking up to issue one. He knows that he might lose in a fight and doesn't want to chance it.

The air between us crackles with unspoken tension, but before it can snap, the sound of footsteps creaking down the stairs grabs my focus. Gabby.

By the time she reaches the bottom step, my patience is thin, and my body is wound tight with the urge to rip her apart. She barely glances at me in passing, then looks back at her mother, as if the entire conversation between her and Valeria never happened.

“I believe she is going to the market to grab some things for lunch. We’re in for a treat when she cooks,” Gabby says with a beaming smile.

Something tells me that the poor woman cooks all the time, but I know I can’t say anything. I need to know more before I do anything.

A few minutes pass and I am caught between going up there to see for myself or wringing all their necks and killing them. But then I hear footsteps and Valeria soon appears. She enters the living room before I know it, gathering up a basket from the corner near the door and putting on a velvety navy blue cloak.

Millie stands with a smile plastered on her face. “Oh, there you are, my darling helper. You have worked quite enough today already, but I have one more special task for you today and will pay you handsomely for doing more than you are required.”

Valeria’s eyes widen in surprise as she clutches the neck of her cloak and ties it. “Yes, madam.”

Millie bursts out laughing, waving her hand in the air and then she looks toward Waylen, then me.

Realization dawns on Valeria’s face. It appears to be like I first thought. This isn’t how they normally treat her.

“Oh, you silly girl. You don’t have to call me madam. You know you don’t have to do anything other than calling me Millie and helping around the house.”

Valeria’s face says it all. It seems like every fiber of her being is telling her to run, but she’s frozen to the spot.

Valeria drops her gaze to the floor and refuses to meet her gaze. “Thank you, but I would like to continue to use madam as your name out of respect for you and your family.”

“Oh, such a sweet girl. So, the favor I would like to ask of you is to go with Kendric to the market and show him around. While you are out, would you mind picking up my list? I appreciate everything you do to help our family,” Millie says sweetly.

I watch as Millie hands her a list before shoving two fingers under her chin to force her to meet her gaze.

“Thank you, sweetie. You have such a beautiful face and shouldn’t hide it.”

I walk closer, crossing the room in two big strides. “Shall we go then?”

“Yes, we shall,” she says in a whisper, though she appears curious as to why I’m going with her.

As we walk toward the front door, she trembles like a leaf beside me. I’m betting she thought this is some kind of trick and I’m thinking the same thing.

But then it comes. Millie reaches out and grips Valeria’s shoulder.

“Go outside, Kendric. I forgot to give her something, so she will be right out in a minute.”

I go onto the porch, knowing I’ll be able to hear every single word, so it’s not like they can truly hide anything when I’m this close.

“Listen, I’m having to play nice. Unlike the rest of the alphas, they care, so do as I say and do not breathe a word of anything. Do I make myself clear?” Millie asks, keeping her voice as low as possible.

“Yes, madam,” Valeria whispers back.

“Good girl. Now go on before he suspects anything. If he asks, I added lemons to the list. I’ll see you soon, dear.”

I look back just in time to see Valeria coming outside. She reaches back with one hand and flicks the navy blue hood over her head before coming down the steps.

“Have fun, you two! Don’t keep my girl out too late,” Millie says as we walk away.

Valeria lifts a hand in a small wave before slipping inside, the door shutting behind her with a quiet thud.

I turn back toward the path, my footsteps falling into rhythm with hers as we move through the quiet stretch of road. The air is thick with unspoken thoughts, but I stay quiet, thinking about how everything just went.

“Well, that was interesting. Is she always fake like that?”

Valeria’s breath catches in her throat. “What are you talking about?”

“You know what I’m talking about,” I say as we get further from the house. “You’re a slave in that home, aren’t you?”

“What?” Valeria asks, her head jerking to the side to look up at me. I glance over at her, keeping a straight face. “Sorry.”

She drops her gaze back to the ground.

“Sorry for what?”

“It’s nothing,” she whispers.

I’ve had enough, so I reach out and stop her from going any farther before sliding one finger under her chin. I tilt her head back until she has to look at me. “Why do you drop your head like that? I know some work for others, but this behavior isn’t normal. What do they do to you?”

Her sparkling blue eyes meet mine as her throat bobs. “My confidence isn’t the best.”

Something about the way she holds herself now tells me there’s more under the surface. She just doesn’t trust me with it yet. I’m in a daze before she tries to pull away from me.

“Hey, stop it. There’s something going on, isn’t there? I can tell just by the look on your face. Not to mention, I could hear every conversation in the house.”

“Nothing is going on, okay? Let us move on.”

I won’t let this go, so I block her path. “What happened? You can’t lie to me like this.”

She dodges and keeps moving. We almost make it to the tree line where the market is when I reach for her and grab her shoulder again. With the other hand, I reach out, dragging one finger down her throat where a scar is. “Keep lying to me because if this is what I think it is, I'm going to burn this pack to the ground.”

“It isn’t what you think,” she whispers and I can already smell the lie in the air.

I keep my gaze focused on her. “Oh? Is that your answer?”

“If you want to keep me safe and from further harm, that is how it must be.”

“No, I don’t accept that answer. You don’t understand who I am and what I can do,” I say with a laugh. “Tell me why you live with them.”

A shiver snakes down her spine, and she caves. “My parents both passed away when I was a child. I was passed from house to house until I was twelve when I went to live with the alpha and his family. Sometimes I wish he had never taken me in. He only took me in to make his family look good and now I pay for it. Are you happy?” She snaps, and for once, it’s sharp.

I don't answer because I’m too busy realizing she’s not as broken as they want her to be. Her shoulder slips out of my grasp with ease as I hear her words.

She keeps walking, and I fall into step a few feet behind her.

I keep going toward the market, trying to ignore the feeling of eyes on my back.

Kendric is handsome with a strong build and he’s someone I would desire as a mate if I could have one. Part of me wonders if he’s desperate, and that is why he is practically chasing me, but I feel ridiculous for thinking someone like him would be hurting for a mate.

There are probably plenty of women waiting for him at his door every single day. The girls love a dark and intriguing alpha who is just starting his own pack.

I tighten my grip on the list and hope that I can get all the items she requested. My gaze moves across the various booths in search of it all and it seems like it’s going to be a good market day. Most, if not everything, is here just from a single glance.

Kendric grabs my arm as I’m about to examine the fruit at the first stall. “Are you not going to talk to me about everything?”

“Your question isn’t worth answering. There is nothing you can do about it, and it’s not like I can go into detail about anything that goes on here, because it’s not my place. So, if you have questions, you need to ask the alpha.”

“If they are abusing you, then they won’t tell me that,” he says as he slides his hand down my arm until he grasps my hand in his. “I need to know if what he said is true.”

Many thoughts pass through my mind, and I don’t know what the alpha told him. It could be any number of stories. If I pick the wrong one, then I’ll be in more trouble than I can get out of.

“What did he say?”

“My alpha, when he called to arrange the meeting for his son, also inquired about other females. You were noticed when Barrett came a few weeks ago and was told you weren’t eligible for a mate or unavailable. I don’t see any mating marks on you and from what I’ve heard while I’ve been here, you don’t have a mate.”

His eyes land on my throat, searching for any sign of a mark. It’s quick, but not subtle in the slightest. Though it catches me off guard, I wonder what kind of game the alpha is playing. I haven’t heard this lie before, and the only reason I’m not eligible for a mate that I can think of is because the alpha isn’t willing to allow it. But telling Kendric that is off limits.

“Oh. Well, no, I’m not mated.” I pull my hand back from his and take a step back. “You shouldn’t trouble yourself asking him any more questions. It will only lead you to some issues you don’t want and Alpha Jackson is not an enemy you want.”

Clutching the basket, I move closer to the fruit stand and just as I’m about to grab the first lemon, Kendric beats me to it and places them in the basket for me.

“Thank you.”

“Let me have the list and help you get this because you and I need to finish our conversation.” His eyes are locked onto the man operating the stand, tension radiating off him in waves. “Somewhere more private than this.”

As soon as he makes the comment, Jerry's eyes widen, and he shifts his gaze toward me. “Is there anything else I can help you with today, Miss Valeria? Do I need to call your madam?”

It is subtle, but a nice way of asking if I need help.

“No, Jerry. Everything is fine, and she sent me to get a few things with him as my escort. Will you put them on their tab?”

Despite the nod he gives, his gaze remains fixed on Kendric, not once breaking away from his intense stare. “Yes. Be safe out there.”

I turn to leave with Kendric hot on my heels, but the feeling in my chest remains. I hate how good I am at lying.

We move to the next one to grab some eggs and a few other items. As he continues to look back at that other stand, his brows knitted together, making him look broody.

“Jerry is nice. You can stop looking at him like you want to rip him apart. If you continue with those facial expressions, you’ll have everyone fearing you.”

He smirks, his eyes cutting sharply in my direction. “That might not be so bad. Most do anyway. I don’t have the best reputation.”

Although I can understand why they would, I decide not to comment and keep my thoughts to myself. I have already shared enough information and there isn’t a valid reason for me to share anything else. He is simply too curious about my situation and what happens around here.

“Well, try not to scare them while you’re here,” I say as I walk to the next stall.

He releases a sigh that seems to go on forever before he turns to take in the surrounding booths in the market. “Let me guess. They already have enough to fear as it is, and I shouldn’t add to it.”

Lacey places the eggs in my basket along with the other items on the list, but her gaze is fixed on Kendric just like Jerry’s was. I have to do something, or they will report all of this back to the alpha and he’ll be furious. Kendric and I both might die because of this.

More than likely, it will be my neck on the chopping block before his.

“Let us go to the next booth for the rest of the items. I’m almost finished. Thank you, Lacey. Just place it on the alpha’s tab.”

As we start to leave, Lacey keeps a watchful eye on us, studying our every move. Once again, Kendric follows behind me as silent as ever. The only thing I can hear is the light thump of his boots against the ground with each step he takes.

It’s driving me insane.

At the final booth, I hand the girl the list. Her mother owns it, but isn’t here. I don’t know her name, so I make my request short. “Will you grab these for me and just place them in the basket? All of it goes on the alpha’s tab.”

The young girl disappears into the house to grab the items, and I can feel Kendric staring at me. “What do you want to ask now?”

“Do you do this job out of the goodness of your heart or are you being forced into this?”

The girl returns, and he falls silent. She drops everything in my basket delicately and then offers me a warm smile. “There you go, Miss Valeria. Enjoy your day.”

“Thank you.”

I turn to head back toward the path between the trees. Kendric notices I haven’t responded to his question, and he has no intention of letting it go.

“Answer me.”

I don’t pay him any attention and keep moving down the path, one foot after the other. Though horrid things happen behind those four walls, the alpha’s house is my only sanctuary where I can breathe without prying eyes watching my every move.

A fleeting sense of security washes over me as I step onto the path, but it is cruelly short-lived. Kendric closes the gap between us, his arm wrapping around my waist as he drags me into the woods and off the worn path.

“What are you doing? Let go of me. I have to get this basket back right away.”

He clamps his hand over my mouth to keep me silent as he pulls me deeper into the woods. “This is for your own good.”

I mumble into his palm, wishing I can stop him from making a stupid mistake. Taking me will only bring him bigger problems because the alpha will come for him.

Once he sees we are far enough away, he lets go of my mouth. I quickly pull away from him and straighten my shirt under the cloak. “Why did you do that?”

“Because you aren’t answering my questions. Tell me the truth, Valeria. Is this job to pay them back or against your will? Tell me you wanted this job and to do this for me and I’ll let it go. But if you lie, I will know it. That scar above the neck of your shirt that runs to the front of your jaw isn’t the only one, is it?”

I exhale. The fact he acts like he cares is irritating and driving me mad. “It is none of your concern. Just let me go back and forget you ever met me.”

“I can’t. Don’t you think I’ve tried since we arrived? You can’t tell me you didn’t feel anything when we brushed our arms as you passed by me.”

He reaches out with his right hand for mine, but I put a little more space between us.

“My alpha told you I’m unavailable. His word is law. For you to continue after being told no, would break his trust and could affect Waylen’s potential union with Gabby. So, why are you doing this again?” The basket grows heavier by the second, and I place it beside me on the ground. “You shouldn’t want me and–”

“But is that what you want? I’m capable of making up my own mind and I know what I want. I can get past your alpha. That won’t be an issue.” He takes a step closer, and I’m too shell-shocked to move. “Tell me you are being forced to do this and I will ensure you never have to again.”

The offer is tempting and hard to turn down. The urge to spill my guts and reveal all the struggles I have faced over the years is overwhelming, but the consequences are what stop me.

My lips part, the words so close I can taste them — but they catch in my throat like thorns. I can’t. Then I hear Millie as she shouts for me from the front door.

“Oh, Valeria! It’s almost lunchtime, my sweet child. Did you get lost in the market?”

“I have to get back.”

Picking up the basket, I run as fast as I can back toward the path and hope no one saw me being dragged into the woods a moment ago.

“Wait, Valeria!” Kendric calls out behind me, but I keep running without turning back.

I don’t stop until I reach the house and find her standing on the porch waiting for me. “Sorry, madam, for the delay. I have everything you need in the basket.”