Verity:

I guess Alpha Williams didn’t understand the real reason Ragnar had suggested something like that.

He got to his feet and bent down.

However, his belly bumped against the table, making it difficult for him to squeeze past.

He sucked in a breath and straightened himself before lifting his head and looking around.

I guess he suddenly became self-conscious.

His shirt stretched tightly across his stomach, and a small pouch was visible beneath it.

He even tugged at the hem of his shirt and glanced around awkwardly.

"It’s really uncomfortable," he commented. "I mean, all eyes are on me. It’s only decent to look away when someone is uncomfortable."

The men let out a few awkward laughs at his remark, including his own people and the servers.

"You’re right. A man should know better than to make someone uncomfortable," Ragnar replied calmly.

I hoped the old man understood Ragnar was mocking him, but judging by the way he nodded, I could tell he didn’t.

He probably thought Ragnar was taking his side.

"Anyway, we’ll talk about all of that later. First, I’d like to invite you to dinner at my place. My wives and concubines have prepared something special for you."

The moment the old man started talking about his private life, I understood why he was the way he was.

He had freaking concubines.

What was he? Did he really think he was some kind of god? Even Moon Goddesses didn’t have that many spouses.

God made Moon Goddess for our comfort, just like alphas were made to cater to their packs.

I started putting the files into my bag.

"So, how about we head to my place? I mean, you’re already dressed for the evening."

Alpha Williams’ eyes landed on me once again as he spoke.

I found myself scratching the back of my neck, uncomfortable under his attention and trying to avoid his gaze.

I was honestly dreading being alone at the alpha’s mansion.

I wondered what other fucked-up things he might be into.

Then again, I didn’t trust Ragnar. I

had a bad feeling he would rather let the old man have his way with me than say a word against it.

So when Ragnar nodded and gestured for me to grab my things, I immediately started considering all my options for fighting back.

It wasn’t as if the two years after my brother was poisoned had given me the chance to prepare for a battle like this.

Not at all.

In fact, I had fought entirely different battles during that time.

Flashback

"Open the door! We only want to help you!"

The neighbors yelled as they pounded on my door.

I stood trembling in the lounge.

It had only been a week since my brother had been poisoned, and people had already started claiming their rights over me.

A crowd had gathered outside my house.

Most of them were old widowers or young brats who harassed every woman who passed by.

"Open the fucking door, Verity. You can’t live alone. We’re only here to help you."

The old man, whose wife had died a few months ago, grunted from outside.

"Yeah, I think she should stay with someone. We don’t know what she’s doing. She’s so young. Imagine what she gets up to all by herself."

The old man said from the other side of the door.

"What if she turns to prostitution? Then what?"

The other men agreed, adding comments of their own.

Soon, I heard them discussing how they could take turns keeping me with them for a few days.

I knew exactly what they wanted. I wasn’t a child.

One good thing about my brother was that he always warned me about men like them.

Never trust a man who calls himself your protector while forcing you into his protection.

My eyes landed on the large butcher knife resting on the kitchen table.

I hurried over and grabbed it.

Taking deep breaths, I returned to the door with the knife clenched in my hand.

When I opened the door this time, I saw the change in their expressions.

"Leave before my next home becomes my prison."

I warned them, noticing the hesitation that crossed their faces.

I suppose that was the moment they realized I was willing to fight for my dignity.

Sadly, that wasn’t the first encounter.

Nor was it the last.

There were many more.

It never stopped.

End of Flashback

Coming to the old man’s mansion had made one thing clear to me.

All the money was being wasted here.

It was a grand mansion, yet his pack members were starving.

While they struggled with hunger and deprivation, this man lived in luxury.

And why wouldn’t he?

He had fourteen concubines and three official mates, including the Luna of the pack.

He had draped them all in gold to keep them satisfied.

Of course, he had built a world where only he mattered.

His poor struggling pack members were never going to receive any of that wealth.

After a few hours, ever since we had arrived, all we had been doing was making introductions.

I also noticed that all the concubines were dressed in a sultry manner.

They weren’t allowed to properly cover their bodies.

Some of them looked deeply uncomfortable.

One of them looked especially young. She had barely turned eighteen.

I approached her and asked whether she liked any of this.

Whether she liked being shared in such a humiliating way.

Whether consent had ever been involved.

Because I didn’t think a barely eighteen-year-old girl could truly consent to marrying a man as old and creepy as him.

Her response was simple.

"Well, all the pack members are starving, but my parents are being given money."

And just like that, I realized her parents had sold her.

I walked back to my spot, but this time Ragnar was gone.

I looked around and found him standing in a corner with people.

The council leaders who had come to attend the event.

"What are you looking at?"

I suddenly felt a finger trail up my spine, and my body jolted.

I turned around and found the old man standing there with a smirk on his lips.

"I would appreciate it if you didn’t touch me," I told him as politely as possible.

My tone remained firm enough to make my boundaries clear.

The way he responded immediately made me realize the night was going to be difficult to get through.

"Oh, come on. You’ve seen how my concubines live. Why not become one of them?" he suggested.

His words made my jaw clench.