Excerpt: Secrets Rise

“Get your hand away from that!”
Punk jerked her hand back, frowning at the vendor. "What? I'm just looking.” She pasted on her most innocent expression.
The vendor scrutinized her. "The likes of you don't have any money. Stop hanging around the Farmers' Market."
Punk sighed and turned to leave. As soon as the food vendor moved on to another, more promising customer, Punk whirled around, grabbed the two items nearest her, and ran.
"Thief!" the vendor shrieked.
But by that time Punk knew she couldn't be caught. She knew how to handle pursuants. She darted across the street, dodging a honking car, and disappeared into an alley. No city person would dare follow her there. Not after the rumors that passed from person to person, some true, some not.
She ran a few yards down the alley, then pressed herself against a wall, listening. She let out a sigh and shoved the apple and bread loaf into her hoodie pocket. A successful venture, thanks to the careless vendor. She sighed again, but this time from irritation. She hated stealing. But how else was she supposed to keep herself and Grace alive?
"Well don't you look familiar?"
Punk spun around. Before her stood a boy, probably about eighteen. In fact, she knew he was eighteen. Only a year older than her. His short black hair stuck to the side of his head, all brushed forward, as he always had it. He stood a few inches taller than her, but was as lanky as a young colt.
Punk crossed her arms. "Reaper."
The boy grinned. "What are you doing on Pack territory? Last I remembered you left with that wimp."
"I'm just hidin'." Punk rolled her eyes and stepped towards the opening of the alley. "I'm leavin' now."
"Are not." Reaper grabbed Punk's arm and pulled her back. "There's a price for using Pack ground."
Punk pulled away from him, swatting at his hand. "I paid a big enough price two years ago, I think."
"Oh yeah?" Reaper raised a lip in irritation.
"Yeah. Whatcha gonna do about it?"
Reaper's countenance darkened. "Pay up. Whaddya have in your pocket?"
"Nothin' fer you."
"Food from the Farmers' Market probably." Reaper sniffed, then held out a hand. "Give it."
"No."
"Give it!"
Punk leaned forward a ways and narrowed her eyes. "No."
Reaper leaned forward to match her. "If you don't, I'll call the Pack," he stated, then straightened and raised his chin, sure this would get the job done.
"Go ahead."
Reaper blinked, scowled, and threw his head back into a howl.
Punk felt her skin crawl. She hadn't heard the howl up close for ages. She glanced over her shoulder at the opening.