“Maybe,” I admit. We have a prime cut of land—vast and fertile with easy access to a water source. It’s more than a lot of people have out here. “Bosco wasn’t with them, so they could have accidentally wandered into our land.” I smooth my hand down my shirt, feeling each button with the tips of my fingers. “Whatever the reason, I’ll handle it when we get home,” I say. “Let’s focus on claiming a mate first.”
“I’m looking forward to meeting with Bosco’s men again.” A slow smile cuts across Tristan’s face. “I only got one tooth this time.” He pats his front pocket, and I can’t help but smile.
The big burly alpha loves to fight. He loves it so much, he keeps a jar of teeth he’s knocked out of people’s mouths as a keepsake from his victories. I think there’s even a severed finger in there somewhere.
“I’m glad you didn’t let Jeremy come,” Basil brings up our gentle beta. “He’s not built for life in these parts.”
“Stop looking for reasons to worry.” I give my packmate a stern look.
His full lips pull into a tight line, giving me a sheepish smile. “Sorry,” he mouths.
Basil has always been an anxious one. He likes to overthink everything. It’s like he’s addicted to finding reasons to fret. Tristan is usually pretty good at distracting the alpha and helping him relax, but Tristan’s too wound up for that today.We all are.
“It’s all going to work out. We’ll get an omega,” I say once again, but at this point, I’m trying to convince myself more than them.
The Black Market
Beth
It doesn’t take longfor us to reach a camp, or at least it feels quick. My body is still thrumming with adrenaline, making it hard to focus.
“I’ve got a deposit,” Kent says, and I look around.
This must be the Morder.
There are people everywhere, rushing around the biggest tents I’ve ever seen in my life. Alphas dressed in suits disappear into a fancy red tent. Several rugged-looking alphas sit at what looks like a makeshift outdoor kitchen, drinking and laughing. Their clothes aren’t as nice, but it’s clear from the state of their shoes that they wore their best outfits. A few betas mill about, each one in a white button-down dress shirt and simple black tie. It's how I imagine a server might dress. Not that I’ve ever been to a restaurant, but I’ve read about them in books.
“Is she injured?” a female beta asks. Judging from her soft tone, she sounds young. Maybe too young to be working here.
“She’s got a few bumps and bruises but nothing too bad.” Kent adjusts me, forcing my body higher on his shoulder. I grip the back of his shirt, praying I won’t fall.
“Why is she covered in blood?” the girl asks.
“Kent.” A she-alpha’s strong voice cuts over the noise. She sounds pleased. “What have you brought me?” A hand drifts down my back and I go still. “What on earth happened to her?”
“I’m sorry, Angelica.” Kent’s tone is deeply respectful. “This one is dangerous. She killed Stone.”
“Really?” Angelica’s voice pitches higher, almost as if impressed.
I want to see her face. I’ve never met a she-alpha before, and I’m dying to know if she looks as big and scary as a male. Does she have bulging muscles and vicious eyes too?
“Yes, ma’am.” The beta sounds so apologetic. “I know you’ll want to place her, but I wouldn’t. She’s too feral. I recommend disposing of her.”
“Dispose of me?” I lift up and then slam my fists into his back. “Screw you!” I yell and Kent releases me, letting me fall off his shoulder. My feet hit the ground and I almost fall over. Kent grips both of my wrists, keeping me upright.
If my ankles weren’t still tied up, I’d make a run for it. Or at least, I’d try.
“Sorry about Stone,” Kent says to the she-alpha behind me. “There wasn’t much I could do.” He gives a half-hearted shrug.
“I’m not worried about that.” Angelica lets out a dismissive snort, and I look over my shoulder, curious to see her face.And she is stunning.Long black hair, icy blue eyes, and lips the color of crimson. She’s alsoverytall. At least six feet. But no massive muscles. She still looks incredibly strong, but feminine, with a slender waist and delicate hands. “I’m sure Stone got what was coming to him.”
“He did,” I say. I don’t know if it’s the adrenaline or shock, but I suddenly feel very reckless. “And I’ll kill anyone else that touches me!” I try to jerk away from Kent, but he holds me in place, his big hands squeezing even harder.
Angelica doesn’t even blink, completely ignoring what I said. Instead, she simply looks me up and down with cold indifference, taking in my blood-soaked clothes and messy hair. The corner of her red lips lift at one side, pleased with what she’s seeing. “We might have to wait until next month so we can clean her up properly,” she looks at Kent, “but I think we’ll get a good price for this one.”
“Really?” Kent’s brows shoot up, happy to hear that.
“Let me go,” I snarl, trying to lift one knee, but it doesn’t move. The tape around my ankles is too tight. “My fathers are out there right now looking for me. They’ll kill you when they find me.”
