Novel-novel oleh Tasha Creed

I stand frozen in the echoing silence of the entryway, the metallic clang of handcuffs still ringing in my ears as Barrett marches Alpha Jackson and Millie out of sight.Kendric’s arms are my haven, a shelter from the storm raging outside. He clings to me tightly, refusing to release his grip.I continue to peek around his arm from time to time, waiting for instructions, but everyone that passes by leaves us alone. It makes no sense and I’m surprised they aren’t asking more questions.Why aren’t they taking me in to be questioned as well?Kendric lets his arms slip from around me and takes one small step back. “Are you okay? You don’t seem to tremble anymore, but your eyes look fearful.”“What is happening? Why were you holding me for so long?” I ask, my voice cracking under the pressure of the unknown.“I held you because you needed it,” he says sweetly. “Don’t worry too much. Whatever horrors you have lived through are over. No one will harm you ever again.”A wave of warmth spreads

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

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

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 tal

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 u