Page 90 of Her Knotty Alphas

We follow Alicia into a room that was definitely not built for four alphas, a beta and an omega to fit in comfortably, but Enzo, Brody, and the two Herman brothers sit stuffed against a wall on one side of the room while Alicia and I sit across a small table. She hooks me up to the polygraph test machine, which includes having me sit in a chair with a pressure sensor, a heart rate band around my chest, and a pulse oximeter on my finger. Once everything is hooked up, she starts to establish a baseline, just like Enzo said she would.

"What is your name?" She asks as she watches the pen on the machine travel up and down.

"Hannah Beckham."

"Good. How old are you?"

"I am twenty-nine years old."

"Okay, and last one, where did you grow up?"

"Laguna Falls, California."

"Okay. Please keep your answers clear and concise. We have two sets of questions. One set is from your lawyer, Brody Benson, and the other set are from the Herman lawyers. Are you okay if we start with the questions from your lawyer?"

"Yes." That actually seems like it'll be for the best, then I can get used to answering them before seeing whatever those smarmy ass lawyers came up with.

"First question. Were you aware of how vast your step-grandmother's estate was?"

"No." My voice is calm and level. "I never even thought about it."

Alicia glances at the wall of alphas, nodding once. "She's telling the truth." She makes a note on her computer before continuing. Enzo nods, a small smile on his face and Brody shoots me a thumbs up.

"Hannah, did you get close to your step-grandmother with the intention of inserting yourself into her will?"

"No," I shake my head vehemently. I start to add that she got close to me, since I was only a child, but remembered what she said about keeping answers concise, so I close my mouth.

"Also truthful." She makes another note. "Please describe the nature of yours and your step-grandmother's relationship."

"I moved in with her when I was sixteen," I start, resisting the urge to bite my nails. "After I lived with her, we stayed together until she checked herself into assisted living. But…she was the only member of my family that cared about me, except my brother."

"Thank you." Alicia types into her computer before turning back to me. One of the Herman brothers starts to open hismouth. "That was truthful too," she jumps in before he can say anything and he scowls at her.

"Last question from your lawyer, Hannah. Did you manipulate or coerce your step-grandmother into making you the sole inheritor of her estate?"

Easy. "No." My voice is strong and full of conviction, and the smaller of the two Herman brothers snorts.

"She's telling the truth." Alicia gives me a small smile before it fades. "Now, onto the questions from the Hermans." Her voice takes on a bored tone. "Ms. Beckham, did you change your step-grandmother's will after she passed?"

"No." I shake my head.

"Truthful." Her lips tighten into a line. "Have you ever spoken poorly about your step-sisters to your step-grandmother?"

I…what? I suppose I complained some, rightfully so, but not in any way that would have convinced Nana to make such a huge decision. But I did. I complained about all my stepsisters, but only to say how unfair it was that they never visited Nana.

"I…" I have to tell the truth. If I have a single lie show up on here, the judge will think I have something to hide. "Yes. I did."

My face flames in shame and I don't dare look at my alpha. I don't want to see his disappointed expression.

"Truthful." Alicia says tightly, making another note. Her eyes scan the question, then dart to the Herman brothers. "Really?"

"Read the question, Ms. Silvers."

"The question is inappropriate and not relevant." She meets his gaze.

What the hell could they be asking?

"Fine. Then I'll ask it," The taller Herman brother shoots to his feet, stalking over to Alicia's side. "Ms. Beckham," he sneers my name like it's a dirty word. "Are you facing financial difficulty due to needing to spend your heat at a clinic every three months? That's what, a thousand dollars a year?"

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