Midnight Bride

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.”