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.

She turned. “What would you like for lunch?”

The pride leader waved a dismissive hand. “I don’t give a damn. Just feed me.”

Motion drew her attention and she met the glare of her mate. Her spine stiffened at the malevolent look he directed her way. He stalked closer to his father. “Feed me as well. You can rub my feet after you’re done.”

Hatred warmed her entire body and Charma found herself wishing she had some poison to sprinkle over anything she fed Garrett. His sense of smell wouldn’t allow that fantasy to ever become a reality. He’d make her drop to her knees in front of everyone just to humiliate her. He’d beat her if she refused.

He could do worse. She just spun away and jerked open the small fridge in the corner of the room. She’d never forgive Garrett for even a tenth of the horrible things he’d done to her over the years. He really enjoyed humiliating her in front of the enforcers and his father whenever possible.

She quickly made a stack of sandwiches and took some to Percy first. He didn’t thank her, never had, and she’d fall over in shock if he ever did. She glanced at the monitor while she waited for him to take the plate. The face on the screen made her freeze.

No. It can’t be. Her gaze lowered to the name under the picture. Brand!

“My food,” Garrett growled. “Now.”

She automatically responded to years of taking his commands and twisted away from the sight that shocked her to the core and rushed back to grab the second plate. She avoided looking directly at him as she handed the food to Garrett. He accepted it with one hand and painfully gripped her shoulder with the other.

“Rub my feet.”

“Not now,” Percy snapped. “Make her do that later. I want her to print out four copies of the map they sent. She takes my orders while she’s here.”

“She’s my mate.” Garrett’s grip tightened until she whimpered from pain.

“Let her go!” Percy roared.

Garrett shoved her away and Charma stumbled to her chair. All the men followed Percy into his office and the door slammed. She lunged for the monitor to twist it her way. She quickly halted the flashing pictures to back them up a few frames and stared at a face she’d never thought she’d see again.

Brand had grown out his hair. Small lines bracketed his mouth and marked the outer edges of his sexy eyes as he smiled at whoever had taken the picture. He wore faded blue jeans and a navy tank top. She stared at his buff, tan arms, remembering the feel of them wrapped around her. Her heart lurched.

He’s in danger. That sank in.

“Where are those damn maps?” Percy roared from the other room.

“They didn’t send them,” she lied. “I’m pulling some up and downloading them.”

“Hurry up,” her pride leader demanded.

Her fingers flew over the keyboard as she frantically worked. Percy had never been known for his patience. It took only a few minutes to pull up a map, scramble the names of a few towns to make certain the attack party got lost if they followed the driving directions she changed, then quickly printed out the copies. Her knees felt weak as she entered the office.

Her mate stuck out his foot as she walked toward the desk, tripped her, and she slammed into the floor on her belly at the feet of two of the enforcers. She pushed up to her hands and knees to shove the papers on Percy’s desk. Randy’s firm hand gripped her elbow to assist her to stand. She shot him a grateful look. He didn’t release her though. He frowned as he drew air into his nose. His gaze left her to stare at Garrett.

“Your mark is fading from her. It’s faint.”