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The guys tried to hide their laughter but were unsuccessful.

“No worries, Care Bear, I have more if you change your mind,” Warrick pointed out, holding up the bag. “I hear they make an excellent late-night snack.”

The heat in his eyes told me exactly what he was planning on eating along with that snack—me.

“Are you guys sure you’re ready to be out in public?” Mitch asked, eyeing us warily.

Spinning to face Mitch, my skirt swirled around me as I gave him a thumbs-up. “Totally. I just need to make sure they stay away from my marks, and we’re good to go. Although I might suggest we do the shopping first to keep us in the public. Just to be safe.”

Not completely convinced, Mitch studied the six of us then shrugged. “Ah hell, Prio Grians are a people who embrace the primal love between Alphas and their partners. You guys will fit right in, but just be aware if you guys show them you’re comfortable with PDA, they won’t hold back with their own lovers.”

With that warning lingering in the air, Yun caught my hand and pulled me to his side as we followed after Mitch. Soon, we were lost in a market filled with vendors selling everything from fine silks, jewelry, art, everyday necessities, and any kind of beach wear you could think of. One vendor had funny shirts with food puns, while the man next to them sold handmade leather sandals. It was incredible.

Street food vendors were scattered throughout. Everything smelled and looked so good I had to try it all. My favorite had to be the caramelized banana on a stick. The guys seemed to be more interested in watching me eat it than tasting it. I’m ashamed to admit it took me a second to figure out why, then I just played it up, seductively eating the last few bites then dramatically licking my fingers clean.

“Vili,” a man barked out.

Two things happened within the blink of an eye. A strange man grabbed Vili’s arm, yanking him away from us. This caused Waffles to lunge, barking at the man since Vili had been standing next to me. Waffles latched onto the man’s pant leg and pulled, causing the attacker to land on his back on the ground.

“Waffles, aus, fass,” I ordered, telling him to let the man go and heel.

While I believed this man wasn’t here to do us harm, it was clear his intentions were not all that pure.

“Jonas, why are you here?” Vili demanded, his tone sharp and cold. “How did you find me?”

The man, Jonas, picked himself up off the ground, ignoring Vili’s questions as he brushed the dirt off his clothes. As I studied this person who’d appeared out of nowhere, I noticed he had the same strawberry-blond hair Vili did. Even their face shape was similar.

Could this be Vili’s father?

Of all my Alphas, Vili’s family is the one I knew little about. He never spoke of them other than that day Vili admitted he didn’t miss them at all. So why on earth would one of Vili’s parents feel the need to track us down during our leave of absence?

Jonas’ gaze fell to Waffles, baring his teeth in a silent warning as he angled himself in front of me. “I should sue you for being attacked by your animal,” Jonas stated, his tone haughty and full of disdain.

“You could try, but he’s a personal guard dog trained to protect his owner after an act of aggression has been initiated,” Yun-Sun informed the man. “There are plenty of witnesses around us that will testify you, sir, are the one who attacked first. The ones who should be suing for emotional distress and stalking would be us.”

Jonas, while the same height as Yun-Sun, still seemed to find a way to look down his nose at Yun. “Am I to assume you are a lawyer of some kind to speak so confidently?”

“Am I to assume you deserve the right to know that answer?” Yun-Sun shot back, cool, calm, and collected.

The man glared at Yun, taking a step forward but was halted as Vili cut the man off. “Do not ignore me again,” Vili warned.

My sweet, smiling Alpha was gone, and in his place was a man I’d never seen before. Vili’s whole demeanor had shifted, becoming far more stiff, and the dominance that rolled off him would have rattled me to my core if we weren’t bonded. Concern welled up in me as I reached out to him, only to be met with white-hot fury which had me pulling back. A whine slipped out, with Gareth coming up behind me, wrapping his arms around me.

“Shh, baby girl, it’s going to be fine,” he assured, speaking softly. “Vili’s not facing this alone… we’ve got his back.”

Jonas took half a step back and spoke rapidly in Numolandian. You didn’t need to speak a word of their language to know this man was pissed the hell off about something. Vili just stood there, appearing to be relaxed, but the aggressive energy coming off him said otherwise.

“Enough,” Vili ordered, slashing his hand through the air. “This is no time or place to speak of these matters. I told you so on the phone. Why do you keep pushing?”

“Son—”

“Don’t,” Vili growled out. “It is beneath you to pretend, speak plainly.”

Once more, Jonas started and was yet again cut off.

“So they can understand,” Vili instructed. “My pack has no secrets.”

“Is that so? Then they know who I am?” Jonas taunted.