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.”

She doesn’t even look back when she leaves me on the path. I watch as she runs from me and all attempts to find out what is going on die.

Valeria’s standing at the door, speaking to Millie, and I’m at the base of the steps. For a second, I’m certain she’s about to get hit, and a low growl rumbles at the back of my throat in warning.

Valeria doesn’t notice because she bowed her head the moment Millie’s arm raised. But Millie, oh, she notices me and sees the way I’m staring at her.

“Millie, what are you thinking?” I ask, the growl growing louder.

Her hand falls quickly while a forced smile masks her true feelings. “I was thrilled to see her and noticed a stray strand of hair that needed fixing. Come in, set the heavy basket on the table. We can unload it together.”

“Yes, madam,” Valeria says as she passes through the doorway.

I saunter onto the porch and stop when I get even with her. She may think she’s won with her lie, but I let her know real quick that I know the truth. A low growl rumbles in the back of my throat again.

“Don’t even think about it,” I whisper as I finish walking through the doorway.

I stop in the living room when I see Waylen and his father with Jackson. They motion for me to join them and I have no reason to not oblige them without raising suspicion. I walk over to them, ignoring most of their conversation as I watch Valeria through the opening into the kitchen.

She has the basket on the table and is unloading the contents when Millie walks in there. I turn away, trying to be involved in the conversation with Jackson, but I can't. Everything in me is on high alert and I feel as if I should be in there with her.

Then I hear Millie. “So, I hear Kendric is nosey and asking questions. What did he ask you?”

She thinks I can’t hear, but oh, what a stupid woman she is.

“Nothing,” Valeria admits as she sets out one of the vegetables on the table. “When he tried, I shut him down. I told him everything was fine.”

A loud bang on the wooden table catches my attention. I look over my shoulder, only to see Millie scolding her. My body moves involuntarily as I step back, but Barrett grabs my arm and shakes his head while Jackson still has his back turned to us.

“That isn’t what I asked you,” Millie seethes. “Tell me word for word what he asked you.”

“He asked if I was mated and why I wasn’t available. The next question was about the scar that runs right above my collar on the back of my neck. His last question was if I was here against my will or to work on my own,” she says, repeating almost every single word I said to her. “That’s all he asked.”

I watch in horror as Millie’s hands partially shift and she dips her claws into the table, leaving five dips in the wood. “What did you say?”

“I told him I was fine and to leave everything be. He doesn’t need to be asking such questions, especially from me, and if he feels the need to ask, then ask the alpha,” Valeria says, but this time it sounds like something she’s rehearsed. “I don’t think he’ll ask me again.”

Millie calms down, and her claws retract. “You did well. Now finishing putting everything up so you can cook lunch. If you are asked, you volunteer. Do you understand?”

“Yes, madam.”

Valeria turns away, and I do the same, hoping this is the end of it. I listen more, but now Jackson is paying a little too close attention to me and I’m not sure what to do.

Barrett reaches out through the pack link and I feel him brushing against the back of my mind. What is it? Why are you on high alert?

They are abusing her. If they are doing it to her, then what else are they doing? Did you notice the scar on her neck? Do you realize what it takes for us to scar?

I replay the image in my mind, and he gasps when it infiltrates his thoughts.

“No,” he whispers. “Jackson, what type of pack are you running around here?”

Jackson jerks his head in our direction as he hears him. “What are you talking about? I was reviewing how the pack operates.”

“I believe you are abusing pack members. Deny it all you wish, but the facts are clear. Other alphas have noticed when they visited and have been calling the council for months. I came, hoping they were wrong, but now I see the truth. They aren’t taken care of, are they?”

“This is just silly. We did no such thing. You are very mistaken and will not find any abuse going on anywhere in the pack,” he says, his voice betraying him.

“Save your words for the council. I’m sure they would love to hear about Valeria and what you’ve done to her,” I say as claws protrude from my fingertips.

Valeria shifts in the kitchen, her weight landing on a squeaky board. I glance over at her, making sure she’s okay. “Sorry, I can move out of your way.”

“Hold on a minute, young lady. I need to see the back of your neck,” my alpha commands.

Valeria comes toward him, unsure of what else to do. No one stops him, though they look like they are about to lunge for him.

As he passes Millie, she almost faints.

“What mark? Valeria, tell him you don’t have a mark,” she urges, pretending not to know what he’s talking about.

“Will you just shut up? Your lies stink as it is and now, I can smell them even better. You can’t deny what I’ve already seen and have been reported,” Barrett says as he reaches Valeria.

With a visible lump in his throat, Barrett comes to a halt in front of her and asks, “Can I see? Just at the top of your shirt. I need to see the scar.”

Valeria scoops up her long chestnut locks and moves them aside so he can see her throat more clearly. He doesn’t reach out nor does he do anything. Just looks.

His fists clench at his side a moment later.

“What is the meaning of this?” Jackson says, trying to cover up what he has done. “Why are you doing this?”

“So, the rumors are true? You have been abusing your pack. What type of alpha does that? Pack is family and you protect them. This isn’t protecting. One can only imagine the suffering behind this girl’s scar. We don’t scar from just anything,” Barrett whispers.

I glance over at Jackson, waiting for him to act, but he’s seething with rage and red faced.

“I am appalled by the accusation you have made against me. How dare you accuse me of something so vile? It goes without saying that I hold the safety and well-being of every member of my pack in high regard, and I would never cause harm to anyone. Her back has had those marks for years, and they were not caused by me. Answer them, Valeria. Tell them I didn’t leave those scars,” Jackson says, while pointing one long, bony finger in her direction.

Valeria’s mouth opens when I look at her. She’s on the verge of denying it, yet her expression reveals the truth.

“Don’t answer with his words. You can speak the truth and be protected.”

“Jackson didn’t do this to me,” she whispers, her voice barely audible.

“Then who did?” I ask, feeling irritated. “Tell me who did this to you.”

She doesn’t answer, so a low growl escapes my throat.

“I don’t believe it for one second. If he didn’t do it, then his darling little mate did. She raised her hand to hit Valeria earlier when she got home from the market.”

Barrett gets her attention as tears fill her eyes. “Is that true? Did Millie do this to you?”

Everyone falls silent as we wait for her to answer. She doesn’t look like she wants to answer at all and it’s out of fear of what Millie and Jackson will do to her after. But we can smell a lie, so there isn’t a point of doing so.

“Go on, Valeria. You are safe to tell us what happened to you. Did Millie do it?”

Valeria looks up, her eyes locking with mine as tears spill down her cheeks. She then glances at them, but her gaze keeps coming back to me as if begging me to help her.

I close the distance between us until I’m right next to her. “Your hesitation is deafening. Valeria, what have they done to you?”

Sobs burst free from their cage as she cracks.

I pull her into my arms and she collapses into my chest as a strangled cry escapes her throat. I don’t say a word as my wolf takes over. My eyes change, even though I fight it back, and the claws grow longer. It’s taking everything in me not to shift.

Turning, I meet Barrett’s wide-eyed gaze.

“Kill them,” I say, my voice guttural and raw. “Or I’ll do it.”

“This is completely unacceptable. When will my trial begin? Shouldn’t someone be considered innocent until proven guilty?” Alpha Jackson asks, his voice rising to a screech. “This is an absurd accusation, especially since you can’t prove anything. She never confessed.”

My arms tighten around Valeria as I smell lies in the air. “Her sobs are more than enough proof for me.”

“She could do that for show. You don’t understand. She’s a troubled girl, and we took her under our wing–” Millie’s words are cut off as I snarl.

“Enough. Can’t you see she’s shaking like a leaf in my arms? She can’t even stand being near you, and what’s worse is she was ready to lie for you. Honestly, I believe she would defend you until her last breath, despite what you have done to her. Her words aren’t needed because actions speak louder than words.”

A rough palm lands on my shoulder, and I jerk my head in that direction.

Barrett is standing there, looking at me with a concerned look. “They are right, Kendric. There has to be a trial before we can carry out any action. I know what your wolf would like, but we can’t.”

Pull him in before you reveal yourself, Kendric.

I swallow hard, trying to keep my wolf at bay, but it’s hard when I’m this far gone. All I can see was red, and I want to kill all those who have harmed her.

A growl rumbles in my chest as I push the wolf back. “Fine. Take them away before I rip them apart myself. Take that annoying brat of a daughter, too. Waylen doesn’t need her, and she was in on all of this from the start.”

Valeria stays against my chest, still crying, even when their screams fill the air. I run my hands through her hair as delicately as possible with my fingers. My claws haven’t retracted all the way.

“You are safe now. No one will ever harm you again.”

She pulls away a little to look up at me. “Don’t tell me that. You don’t know what is going to happen after this. They will get out of it and then they’ll come for me once you are out of the way. It’s all my fault and I’m the one who will pay for this. You should have just dropped it when I asked.”

A sly smile pulls at the corner of my lips. “There will be no escape for them. This I can promise you. So don’t worry about what happens next and rest for once.”