A Cage Part Two - Valeria's POV

Those are the only four I know of in the last two weeks and sometimes I wonder if they even know about each other. If they do, are they okay with courting the same woman while she plays them like fools?

Maybe they are just seeking her hand to form an alliance with her father, but whatever the case may be, it sure looks like she’s making fools out of them.

It isn’t my question to ask, though I long to, and it sits at the back of my mind even now.

As I arrive in the kitchen downstairs, I pull everything out to make the quiches and get busy. Time flies by and before I know it, they’re all in the kitchen.

The family gathers at the table, heaping their plates with food as soon as I place it down. My head remains bowed, hands folded in front of me, trying to ignore the gnawing in my stomach.

Then the front door slams open.

My head snaps up from being startled, but I regain my stance and keep my head bowed.

Two sets of footsteps enter the room. I glance up without lifting my head and see two sets of black boots. Though I want to look higher than their ankles to see who is here, I don't dare move my head. I sadly don’t recognize either pair of shoes.

“Ah, Alpha Barrett, and this is your heir, correct?” Alpha Jackson asks as he stands from the table, scooting his chair back and making it screech across the wooden floor. “We’re so happy to have you. Welcome to the Moon Stone Pack.”

These must be the visitors she mentioned.

“We’re happy to be here,” Alpha Barrett says as he closes the gap between them and reaches out to clasp my alpha’s hand in his. “This is my son, Waylen.”

“So, you are the heir and an upcoming alpha. I can sense the power rolling off you in waves,” Jackson says.

Though he doesn’t say it out loud, he’s sizing Waylen up against the others he has met and I am betting he thinks this is the one for his darling Gabby.

Another man enters the room, and he commands my attention. I have no choice but to look up and meet his gaze.

At that moment, everything shifts.

The air thickens, crackling with something I can’t even begin to name. My gaze continues to lift without permission, locking on to him.

Tall. Stronger than any man here. Dark brown hair, sun-kissed skin, and eyes — oh, his eyes. Ice blue and they pierce through me, unraveling something inside of me that I didn’t even know existed until now.

No one seems to notice my sudden movement and Alpha Barrett moves on with the introductions.

He looks at me. Actually sees me as if he recognizes something I’ve hidden even from myself.

I can’t move nor can I breathe.

“This is my son’s friend, Kendric. He’s a lone alpha without a pack.”

His name echoes in my head like a forgotten song that I wish I knew the words to.

"Kendric."

I know that name. I shouldn’t, but I do.

Before I can drop my head again, Gabby notices and alerts her mother that I am out of formation. “Look, mother. Valeria must see something she likes.”

My head drops instantly, but it’s too late. Millie stood, her lips pressing into a thin line. “You know better. Do not let this happen again.”

“Yes, madam. It won’t happen again.”

“Good. Now, off with you. We have things to discuss that your ears aren’t privy to,” she says as she rushes me out of the room, but I have to pass by Kendric to even leave.

He’s rather large and as I try to get out of the kitchen, my right arm brushes against his. The contact is so distracting that I lose my focus and end up tripping over the toe of his boot.

Just as I am about to hit the floor, a sudden firm grip on my waist pulls me upright. A squeal works its way up my lungs and escapes me.

“My gosh, what a clumsy idiot you are. Now apologize to Mr. Kendric,” Millie demands, while she stands on the other side of the kitchen table.

“I’m so sorry,” I whisper, wishing I can just disappear.

Kendric says nothing. He just stares at me with a curious gaze when I look up to meet his gaze.

“Do I know you from somewhere?” He asks, his voice soft.

“No, you don’t.” With all the strength I can muster, I break free from his grasp and hastily leave the room, seeking refuge in the attic, where I can be hidden from view.

Once I am behind the closed door, tears flood my eyes and trickle down my face. I’m not sure why I am having this sudden rush of feelings, but it shouldn’t be happening. It’s not like he’ll ever love someone like me.

I have never been anything to anyone before.