"Don't call them a stable. They worked for us. We have a pub, make flavored gin and honey mead."
Kane gave her the last of the soup, slipping in the spoon before she could say more. This conversation was making him unhappy. The gold had faded from his eyes, only to be taken over with more cold.
"They were slaves," he informed her with an air of final authority.
Sasha shook her head in rebuttal. He had no idea what he was talking about.
His expression was firm. "They. Were. Slaves. It is why you lived in Sector 10. Your father wanted to keep drone slaves, and there are only three sectors where that is still possible."
"That's not true."
"It is true. It is why I was that man's enemy."
Sasha shook her head again. "No."
"Yes."
Sara gave Sasha’s knee a pat. "I need to know if you remember doing any of the healing, Sasha. If it was intentional, a gift you developed over time with use, or if it was accidental and you didn't know."
Sasha closed her lips mulishly. She didn't want to answer any more questions.
Kane made that noise.
"I knew!" she blurted involuntarily. Oh, this man. She didn't like him anymore. "I thought I could help. I wasn't always sure. But it was the right thing to do, anyway."
"That is just amazing, Sasha. Simply amazing."
Someone rapped at the door, then opened it and entered the room without waiting. A gray-haired alpha came in with a smile.
"Sasha Dover, and you are Alpha Kane. How nice to meet you both. I am Dr. Bruns. Seems we have had a traumatic day, yes? Are you doing okay with that, miss? No hysterics at all?" He clicked his tongue.
"On behalf of my profession, I apologize for that man. I thought we had weeded out his type. Terrible." He stayed near the door until Kane nodded.
The Doctor relaxed, a mild loosening that Sasha wouldn't have noticed if she hadn't been watching so closely. "This will only take a moment. Plus, I have your lab results. All normal for a first heat. You weren't taking the supplements, though, so that is going to make your final transition more uncomfortable, I am afraid. Did my wife have a chance to mention that?" He stopped at the sink to wash his hands.
"We were discussing her records, dear. So interesting. You are going to want to add this amazing girl to our patient list—with Alpha Kane's permission, of course. I haven't had a chance to talk with her about what her body is going to put her through in the next six months. I'm so sorry, we got caught up in other things..."
Sasha, bothered that neither Kane nor Sara understood about her father and mother, decided to make it clear that Kane had lost his chance to become her alpha.
"Constantine Kane is more or less keeping me prisoner. He is not my chosen, not my bonded husband, or my contracted husband. I want to apply for the Selection. The other nurse said my dad left a list for me—I want that. As far as I know, my mother is still alive and is my legal guardian."
Her words sucked all the air out of the room, leaving hollow stillness in their wake. The two medical professionals held their breath. They watched Kane warily, the biggest monster in the room, unpredictable and unstoppable.
He handed the empty cup to Sara. "Can you bring more, please? Or maybe the tea?" His words felt cold and careful.
He picked up the data pad where he’d set it earlier and typed on it for thirty seconds. Sasha, Sara, and Dr. Bruns all waited, as if he held his sword aimed to strike.
Kane was not one to disappoint. He cleared his throat, making sure Sasha met his gaze when next he spoke. "Your mother will be dead within the hour, accused, tried, and convicted for crimes against a breeder. Merrick will lose a hand, accused, tried and convicted for crimes against a breeder. He might need to lose both hands, but I want to talk to him first.
"Your property and all inheritance through your mother are now in custody until you have a marriage contract. As you are in my territory, that makes you my responsibility. So, Doctor, you do have my permission to add Sasha to your patient list. Please make the necessary appointments."
Yesterday she had thought him presumptuous to make the stupid appointment. What was he today when he’d killed her mother, crippled her enemy, and claimed guardianship over her?
"Who. Are. You?" she hissed.
The silence broken, Sara patted Sasha's knee again in motherly encouragement. She stood up, cup in hand.
"You don't know dear? He is the oldest living son of King Rhineholth and his bond-mate Annalise, the heir to the monarchy and Warlord Alpha Administrator of the 12 Sectors."
