“What could be worse than death?”

Charma hesitated. “Some prides, not ours, but a lot of them, use half-blooded females for breeders to increase their numbers. They won’t mate with them but instead force them to accept any male who wants to impregnate them. Many of them at once if she can’t shift since ones like us can breed litters. We wouldn’t have been given a choice and they don’t even allow you to keep your babies. They are given to others to raise.”

“No.” Bree noticeably paled, horror reflected in her wide eyes. “That’s barbaric.”

“Yes. You’ve been shielded from a lot of harsh truths, Bree. Some other pride wouldn’t have waited until you turned eighteen or finished high school before that hellish life was shoved on you. You get to pick your mate now because we’re in a pride that doesn’t condone that kind of shit. Only one man will touch you and your babies are your own to keep. Percy may be a cruel asshole but he abides by the old traditions.”

Anger showed on Bree’s face. “That doesn’t change the fact that we can’t stay here. Your mate is abusing you.”

Charma wanted to hug her sister but refrained. “You’re safe in our pride. Megan mated a good male and his family protects ours now. I’m just trapped because I belong to Garrett.”

“You should flee.”

“Where would I go?” Her shoulders straightened. “Do you think I haven’t considered that? At least here only one male abuses me and I get to see my family. It’s not so bad, Bree. Really. Garrett and I avoid each other as much as possible and he’s seeing other women who take care of his physical needs.”

Shock widened her sister’s eyes. “But you’re mated!”

“Lower your voice.”

“He can’t cheat on you,” Bree hissed. “He’s your mate. It’s unnatural.”

“So is a loveless mating. It happens sometimes though. I’m actually grateful he seeks other women. I keep praying he gets one of them pregnant and sets me aside. It’s forbidden for me to leave him.”

“He’ll kill you. That’s the only way a mating ends.”

“He’s been ordered by his father to keep me alive. He’ll shun me, toss me out of his home, and mate the new female as though I died if he impregnates one of them. It’s rare but it’s happened. Percy told him to keep me as a mate until that happens because he doesn’t want to make waves unless he can justify setting me aside.” She absently rubbed her sore arm. “That’s why he occasionally attacks me. He’s angry that he can’t snap my neck. Shunning a sterile mate for a woman who can breed is acceptable to the pride.”

“You’re sterile? Oh my god.” Tears filled her sister’s eyes. “I’m so sorry. Are you sure?”

A hum startled Charma and she reached inside her purse to withdraw her cell phone. The timing was perfect, saving her from answering the question. She read the display. “Quiet. It’s Percy.” She answered. “Hello.”

“Get back here. We have a situation,” Percy snapped. “Where are you?”

“I’m a few minutes away. I’m coming back to the office now.”

“Hurry.” He hung up.

Charma studied her younger sister. “The important thing is, what I did safeguarded our family long enough for Megan to mature and find her own mate. Our family is protected now. That alone has been worth everything. I have to go.”

“But—”

“I love you. Buy something nice for your party but not too revealing.” She shoved cash at her sister and yanked open the door to flee.

“Charma?”

She paused, turning back to hold her sister’s gaze. “I have to go.”

“You shouldn’t take that shit from Garrett.”

“I know but I don’t have a choice. Life isn’t always fair, hon.”

“You mean like this party? It’s so old-fashioned to dress me up as if I’m a piece of meat to shove in front of all the guys until one of them wants to bite.” Her voice lowered. “Why do they make us find mates so fast?”

“It’s because of the heat. They want women mated and settled so there’s little to no risk of fights. Some guys can kill each other if they want a woman bad enough when she’s in heat. Percy also doesn’t ever want children born outside matehood. He thinks it undermines our society.”

“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.”