Chapter 2

Mileva Loren didn’t even glance up from her tablet when she heard the distant window at the back of her house creak open. “Did you remember to ask Alpha Dancescu for more allowance so I can go shopping?” she asked, her voice dripping with disdain, already certain of the answer.

Shemika froze, halfway through the window. She hadn’t willingly approached Dancescu. She chose not to respond to her mother, knowing that Mileva wasn’t really expecting an answer.

She shut the window behind her and locked it, then began to ascend the stairs to her bedroom.

“Did you bring any meat home?” Mileva demanded as Shemika passed her on the way to the stairs. She didn’t look up, just swirled her wine and took a noisy sip.

“No.” Shemika sighed. She never did, and Mileva knew that. She was clearly in a combative mood, just looking for an excuse to start an argument or a fight.

“Why couldn’t I have a daughter who would take care of me in my old age?” Mileva complained. “You do nothing for me.”

~Old age.~ Shemika could have laughed. Mileva might be older, but thanks to her werewolf genes, she was as physically strong as Shemika. You couldn’t tell by looking at her that she was aging.

“I’ll remember to bring meat for you tomorrow, Mother,” Shemika said, her teeth clenched.

“That doesn’t help me eat meat ~tonight~, Shemika,” Mileva snapped back, finally looking up from her tablet. There was no warmth in her eyes, no love, no recognition. But there was a dark humor. She enjoyed tormenting Shemika and was well aware of the difficulties she faced.

“I’m sorry,” Shemika replied, her tone indifferent. “I don’t know how to help you, Mother.” She lifted her foot to continue up the stairs.

“Go earn some meat then, ~Shemika.~ There are plenty of men willing to share their extra meat for your services,” Mileva said, grinning wickedly. “You give it away so freely anyway.”

Shemika took a deep breath, her nostrils flaring with irritation. “I’m really tired, mum.”

Mileva grimaced, slowly rising from the bar. “You know how I feel about you calling me that.”

Shemika froze. “Yes, I’m sorry.”

Mileva sauntered over to her, wine glass in hand. “I’m just so hungry, ~Mika.~ It’s your duty as my daughter to provide me with food, now that you’re fully grown.”

Shemika opened her mouth to respond.

“Should I inform Alpha Dancescu of your unwillingness to provide for your mother?” Mileva said slowly, grinning like the wolf she was.

Shemika’s breath hitched, her heart skipped a beat, but she said nothing.

Mileva knew what Shemika had suffered at Dancescu’s hands. What had been taken, barely given. She’d never wanted to be forced, never wanted to feel pressured, but he’d never taken her by force.

There were nights of being trapped in his bed chambers. He tried to woo her, even suggested they become officially mated. The room was dimly lit by candles, his touch was overwhelming, his sweet nothings whispered into her ear.

“No, please,” Shemika pleaded, her foot dropping back down, her attempt to go upstairs thwarted.

“Of course, I won’t,” Mileva laughed coldly, waving her hand dismissively. “Because you’re going to go get me some meat. I’m a carnivore, dear. I need meat and if you won’t hunt for it, you’ll get it another way,” she said flatly. “Now, go.” She gestured toward the door.

“Mum.”

Shemika’s head snapped to the side, a sharp pain radiating from her cheek. Mileva had slapped her, even her mother seemed surprised by her actions.

She smoothed down her sweater dress and cleared her throat. “You know I don’t like when you call me that, Shemika. So, really it’s your own fault I had to do that. I warned you once already.”

She had, so it really was Shemika’s fault. “I’m really tired, Mileva. I can get meat first thing in the morning, I promise,” she said, hopeful.

“Eh, your promises won’t fill my stomach.” Mileva turned away to sit on her plush couch. All of her things were more lavish than other wolves because she sent Shemika to ask Dancescu for more. “Go now before I die of hunger,” she said, pretending to be weary.

Shemika’s eyes widened as her fists clenched at her sides. It was clear, there was no escaping this.

“You’re a whore, Shemika. ~So~, go be a whore,” she said cheerfully, waving her off.

Shemika’s jaw clenched as she picked up her bag to go back outside. “Can I at least change my clothes?” It was embarrassing that she still obeyed her mother, even at over twenty-five.

Mileva’s nose wrinkled, but after a once-over of Shemika’s outfit, she shrugged. “Whatever, just make sure it’s more revealing so we can get more meat.”

Shemika stormed up the stairs to her bedroom. It was smaller than she’d hoped for, with a single full-sized mattress on the floor, a desk to the left of the door, and a dresser and window seat to the right.

She rummaged through her things, changing into clothes that were less revealing but easy to remove. She wanted to stay in her room but knew her mother would be up at any moment to pester her until she left. “Mileva, I’m leaving,” she called down.

“I don’t care,” she called back. “Leave the meat in the fridge. I don’t like frozen meat.”

Shemika frowned, but then turned away to unlock her window. She jumped out and landed clumsily in the dirt in front of her house. She knew that soon her scent would attract all the men around. At least she wasn’t in heat, but it was coming soon.

She didn’t really want to go looking for a man willing to share his meat with her right away. She wanted to negotiate with Nelu for a trip outside of the compound, the current gatekeeper on duty, but perhaps it would be better for her to get her mother’s meat. She could get the meat, put it in the fridge, and ~then~ spend the rest of the night outside of the compound.

With her mind made up, Shemika slinked through the shadows, avoiding the few street lights. She spotted Marius and stepped out of the darkness. “I’m willing to make a deal.”

He tensed at her presence and looked up from his seat with a grin that could make panties drop. “She-mik-a, my dear. What kind of deal are we talking about?”

“Do you have any meat? My mum wants some,” she began.

“I might have some extra,” he said cautiously, giving her a lopsided smile.

“I’m willing to work for it,” she said, cringing at her own words, but offering him a seductive smile. She could’ve asked Sorin, no questions asked, he was a strong hunter, but he and Colette were inseparable.

Marius smirked. “Usually you give it away for free.”

Shemika suppressed a scowl, biting the inside of her cheeks as she tried to maintain a sexy grin. “Okay, I guess I’ll go ask someone else—” She turned on her heel but was stopped by a quick—

“Wait.”

She turned around slowly. “Yes?”

He was standing now, his arm outstretched as if he was prepared to stop her. He dropped his arm. “I’ll give you a fourth of today’s game,” he said slowly.

“Hmm…” She tapped a finger on her chin in contemplation. “Half and no less,” she asserted, knowing half would last much longer for her mother. Shemika loved meat as well, of course, but couldn’t kill her own game.

He seemed to hesitate, so Shemika went to leave again. “No, wait.” He grabbed her arm. “Half, deal.”

“Good,” she purred, her mood improving at the thought of sneaking out of the compound. She wasn’t made for the wilderness, but it was better than Mileva or Marius. “Where do you want to go to complete…our deal?”

He gestured toward his house and led the way back to it. Her stomach tightened with fear with each step.