Page 34 of The Alpha's Fake Mate
“I want you to know it wasn’t me who asked you to come here today,” I said.
Chirl turned to look at me with raised eyebrows.
Sen crossed his arms firmly over his chest and looked almost amused.
“No,” Orion replied. “Warden Chirl asked me here. As I understand it, we have a big problem to solve.”
“It’s not your problem!” The words banged the air like I was an angry child.
“It is. I own Zilly’s and I have made it my policy to allow no harm to come to its residents when I have the power. Today I was informed a dangerous Alpha has come to claim you. I have read that claim. He states a mate-bond was formed.”
I tried not to snarl but something like a hiss escaped my lips.
“I need to hear it direct from you if you believe this is true. Do you feel a bond was formed on that day?”
I huffed. “Of course not! Never!”
“That’s all I needed to hear.”
“It’s not enough,” Chirl began.
Orion held up his hand for silence. “The law states an Alpha has one year during a legal claim to make a rightful and legal mate-bond with any Omega. I cannot get around that law, but I do have a very good lawyer.”
Orion pointed to the man at his side who lifted his chin.
“This is how we handle the situation,” Orion continued. “This is my attorney, Saben. He has friends in high places. He drew up a second claim for you, Holland. This claim pre-dates the claim from the Alpha Bosk. The claim is under my name, since I own Zilly’s now, and feel I am responsible for everything that happens here.”
I laughed. “You’re making a claim on me?”
“With no strings attached, I might add.” Orion looked me directly in the eye. “You have a choice. Under my protection, which starts today and will continue for one year, you can come with me and continue your work for Zilly’s in an office in my home. Or you can go to an institution where you cannot be touched by another Alpha. It will be the best place money can provide, but it will still be an institution.”
There was, really, no choice. “You want me to go with you?”
“If you come with me I can guarantee your safety.”
He’d been making this same statement in emails over and over. But now I had no choice but to ask, “How?”
“We’ll make a contract. Binding. No one touches you. Your safety from the world is my responsibility.”
“But you are you claiming me, right?” This was crazy. But I could not look away from his gaze. His posture which seemed to take up a lot of room, puffed out even more. I felt like I was held down, immobile, breathing him into me until I was filled up with him and only him, my self drifting far off into the pine woods outside the farm.
“A legal claim is already drawn up, yes.”
“And if you break the contract, what do I get?”
“Break the contract?”
“Well, if you can’t control yourself, or if I don’t like the situation, what then?” My boldness came from a place deep inside still untouched by anyone or anything. Not even Bosk had touched it. And Orion didn’t have power over that flame I kept all to myself, hidden and fueled by hatred and rage.
“I will have a trust for you set aside, enough to keep you going in my home on your own for your lifespan. And I will leave. You get to live in my house—which is very lovely, by the way—forever and no one can touch you. You get whatever you want, servants, clothes, jewelry, entertainment. And no Alpha will be allowed to touch you without it being a crime. Because we have a contract. It will include a claim.”
“But the claim only lasts one year.”
“Yes.” It was the lawyer, Saben, who spoke now. “But the mate-bond lasts forever.”
I laughed again. “I won’t be forming a mate-bond with any Alpha any time soon, that’s for sure.”
“Understood,” Saben said. “But I have contacts who can arrange the proper ID cards and certifications, all legal, that will say you have. You will be protected.”
