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“How do you know?” I haven’t had sex with anyone in the clan. They can’t possibly know if I’m a breeder for them or not. I’ve heard them speak of breeding and breeders. Gloriana is a Kilseleian breeder for certain because she’s Lenox’s fated mate.
“Freya told me,” Rohan says. “An omega wolf can sense another breeder. When her presence forced you into heat, she smelled a female lycan, which means you are a breeder.”
“I can take care of myself, but milady…”
“I will care for Gloriana.”
I clutch the dress I’m still holding. “Was I not good enough? I tried to get accustomed to the den. It’s quite different from the palaces, both Kilseleian and fae, but I thought I was doing well and…”
Lenox hugs me and kisses the top of my head. “Listen to me, Marybell. You are the kindest female I’ve ever met, with a heart made of some sort of plushy material so that when people lie on it, they feel at home. This was not up to you or a reflection of anything you did. Our clan owes a debt, and you’re the collateral. It has nothing to do with you and everything to do with me and the choices I made. Do you understand?”
“Being a part of the clan comes at a price.”
“You are part of my family, Marybell. My mate’s right hand. It’s the reason you’re enough to appease the Ott Alpha.”
Finally, I wrap my head around what’s happening here. “It’s an arrangement. Like an arranged marriage.”
“Something like that, yes.”
“I’m not a stranger to arranged marriages. Milady was given to you as a form of payment.”
“That’s right.”
I bite my lip. “Who will tend to her when I’m gone?”
“From now on, I need you to take care of yourself and not think of Gloriana.”
“Not sure I know how.”
Lenox holds me at arm’s length. “If there isn’t a male deserving of you…” He glances at Rohan, who takes out a piece of red cloth.
“Then,” Rohan says, “take this to the spot along the river between two old lady trees and wrap it around a stick, then jam it into the ground. Our territory is right across the river, and the patrol will be there regularly looking for your flag.”
“And if they see the flag, what happens?”
“It’s a signal for extraction, and we’ll come for you.”
I pocket the red flag. “You must tell milady I had an affair and that my lover came for me and that I got swept into the romance of it all, and that I shall live my best life with him.”
“I can’t lie about this,” Lenox says.
“You must!” I shout, but then slap a hand over my mouth and rush out of the hallway before milady opens the door and finds me upset. The males follow me.
If milady asks me to stay, I won’t leave, and Lenox will have to give up Duane or Rohan, who’s got a baby on the way. Arrangements like these have been made since the beginning of time. It’s just that I never thought of myself as having enough value to be traded this way. Females of no importance don’t get bartered. Gifts worth bartering get bartered.
Besides, my family has served the Kilseleian crown for generations. That’s all we’ve ever done. That’s all I know how to do.
“Who will I serve now?” I ask Lenox as I round the corner.
He catches up to me. “Yourself.”
“That’s crazy.”
Lenox chuckles. “Find yourself a good male.”
“Otts have no good males,” Rohan says from behind us.
“Not helping, arsehole.”
