Mating Brand(3)

“Haven’t they heard of birth control? I have.” Her voice lowered. “Sex toys handle the heat just fine. It doesn’t mean I have to let any jerk nail me because it’s that time of the month.”

“I don’t agree with these parties either but I can’t do anything to stop it. It’s ultimately up to you whom you decide to mate. Remember that and don’t allow Percy or anyone else to push you at someone you don’t love. Trust me when I tell you that a loveless mating is the worst. I have to go.”

She rushed outside and wasted no time reaching the edge of town where the pride kept an office. She knew when she stepped inside the building that something serious had happened. Nine of the strongest fighters were clustered in the waiting room, all grim-faced. The door on the other side of the room jerked open.

Percy Alter stepped out of his private office. To Charma he was the epitome of hypocrisy. He may have appeared to be in his mid-forties, handsome and kind, but looks were deceiving. He neared eighty in real years, the good-looking face masked an ugly beast and he relished ruling his pride with sheer cruelty.

“One of the prides has been attacked by werewolves.” Rage sparked in his green eyes. “The pride leader lost two of his sons as well as an unknown number of males. The joining call has been accepted.”

Fear instantly gripped Charma. She knew what that meant. The main pride council had ordered some of the larger prides to send males to assist a smaller group in a fight. They were at war. Had the werewolves finally decided to wipe out all cat-shifter prides? It had been a threat hanging over them for all eternity.

“You nine will go to represent our pride. At least thirty males in all will be sent to the pride in need. That should immediately wipe out the threat.” Percy turned his focus on Charma. “Turn on that damn computer and make yourself useful. Pull up the information. The council sent pictures of the targets.”

She rushed to her desk, tried to ignore her trembling hands and sat heavily on her chair. The computer had been left on but the pride leader didn’t know how to work one or turn on a monitor. Most of the pride males didn’t excel in learning anything while in school except for sports. Gaining an education wasn’t something they did beyond high school since it elevated the risk of discovery of what they truly were. She’d been the exception.

Of course she’d never finished college. Charma had been forced to be the leader’s secretary after she’d returned home from Texas. He depended on her skills, which afforded her some protection from his son.

The email waited in the pride’s inbox and she turned the monitor until everyone in the room could see it. She gripped the mouse, opened the file and pictures loaded on the screen. She kept her attention on Percy as he stomped forward.

“There is the enemy. They are vicious killers.”

When the outer door opened to admit her mate, the scent of him made her cringe. She avoided glancing his way.

“Father, what has happened?”

“A joining has been called by the council. You didn’t need to come, Garrett. I’m not sending you. You’re too valuable for me to risk in this battle.”

Charma fought to suppress her disappointment. For an instant she’d hoped her mate might leave and she contemplated the idea of him being killed. That would have been too neat, too wonderful, and good things never happened to her. She turned her focus to the monitor instead, the angle of the screen just out of her view until she pushed her chair over enough to see it more clearly.

The first face she glimpsed was of a young, handsome blond male. Under his picture a name—Yon—had been typed in bold white letters.

The next picture flashed. The guy had black hair and intense dark eyes. Another good-looking wolf who seemed to be in his forties. Alpha Elroy. He didn’t appear mean but her gaze shifted to Percy. He doesn’t either but…total nightmare.

“That’s the pack next to the Bowmont Pride, right?” Randy, the lead enforcer, stepped closer. “I’ve heard of them. They are known to be pretty tough fighters and territorial.”

“That’s them,” Percy snarled. “They won’t be much of anything for long. Charma? Don’t sit there. Get up and bring me food. I’m hungry.”

She rose from her chair and entered the kitchenette. Not only did she run all the pride leader’s errands and play secretary, but he’d made her his personal servant and whipping boy as well. Her teeth clenched as she forced her anger down. They’d smell it if she didn’t quickly get control of her emotions. Percy would strike her in front of the enforcers and her mate, something she’d do anything to avoid. She knew how much Garrett would enjoy seeing her punished.