Page 58 of Choosing Her Alpha
The queen laughed, delighted.
Exam finished, the queen insisted they share a meal together. Sasha picked at her food, but Annaliese kept leaning over and putting food on her plate. Dr. Bruns assisted by advising what was most nourishing.
They chatted more about breeder omegas, birth rates, breeder gifts, and even breeder's rights, which sounded revolutionary to Sasha.
"I agreed with the Selection when it was first implemented. But the alphas and betas are using it against our women, by pre-selecting who their daughters and sisters meet.This was not the kind of right of choice I was hoping for." The queen said to Sara.
"We are not only a society driven by its need to procreate; we must dominate. One cannot create laws that will conflict with biology and instinct. It just sets the system up for failure," Bruns said.
"If we don’t have decent laws the 12 Sectors will devolve instead of evolve. Administrator Darre in Sector 2 has shown us the reality of our nature, if nothing else. This is a society driven by alpha dick," Annalise announced crudely. She sounded just like her son using those ugly words.
"Well, there is that," Dr. Bruns said as he tried to smother a laugh in his hand.
"And now I need to take this dear child and address one of those issues. Sasha, do you think you are ready to face Kane's girls?" Annalise asked.
"Kane's girls? He has more?" Sasha's voice rose in outrage.
"What? More? No, I doubt that. I mean the five exchange contracts."
"Exchange contracts?"
Annalise reached over and gave Sasha's hand a pat. Her motherly touches were so full of warmth that Sasha felt calmed.
"I know you have met them. We were just discussing the alpha's indomitable sex drive. It was getting my sons into difficult political situations, causing my husband so much trouble with their playing about. Alphas will be alphas.
"It wasn't like any of my sons were going to stop chasing females because it caused political issues. And having pussy on hand is a tremendous help to their aggression levels. You understand? ‘Fucking or killing,’ my husband always says." She gave those at the table a knowing smirk.
"But we know they do both anyway." A put upon sigh escaped the queen as she gave Sasha's hand a squeeze.
She was the most touchy feely, maternal being Sasha had ever encountered, and she was half in love with her.
"So, we created exchange contracts," Annalise continued. "You understand, yes? Kane takes five contracts every twelve months, but he decided under the circumstances to end these early." She frowned. "It will be expensive, but they do not deserve the extra compensation after their participation in causing your estrous to come on, as well as attacking you when they very well know how emotionally vulnerable you are right now. They took advantage."
Her face darkened. Motherly softness melted into motherly protectiveness. "They deserve a good whipping. We'll see how today goes. They still might get a good and bloody one."
"Oh! You are talking about the harem. They are under contract. That's right. And you set it up. I'm sorry, I wasn't following."
Sara nodded with a smirk. "Yes. Harem concubines. That is exactly what they are."
Dr. Bruns and Sara reminded Sasha again what the physical and emotional signs of her approaching estrous would be, instructing her to call if she needed anything. They then said their goodbyes.
The queen took Sasha’s hand and drew her out into the hall and up the stairs leading to the big room. The full force of her entourage followed behind them, a quiet procession of pomp and haughtiness.
The queen's visit was not unexpected, Sasha realized. The drapery and crystals that hung from the ceiling were missing. The platform couch was absent, replaced by short tea table and cushioned seating. The room felt sobered.
Kane had barely spoken about the night Sasha saw him here other than making a vague, angry reference. She did not know if he’d visited since then. From the feel of the room and the look on the faces of the five gathered ladies, it looked as though he had not.
The women were with betas dressed in fine business attire standing behind them. The representatives wore the wide, flat neck vestments common to law scribes.
Sasha noticed that Annalise had three of her own betas with a similar white satin ribbon draped over their necks. The jewels and their representatives wore matching smiles of respect as they acknowledged the queen.
"King's Bride, Queen Annalise," Bella said. She dipped a bow that everyone else copied.
Sasha internally winced. She hadn't known to bow.
"Ladies, let's sit for this conversation."
Bella stood aside and motioned to the table. Everyone sat. Annalise kept hold of Sasha's hand and drew her down next to her.
