Rite of Submission - Rite 1

41: Finding Answers

"No pressure," I tried to laugh but the weight of his words made it hard to breath. His youthful, happy face didn't match the way he talked. "There's nothing I can say to make you change your mind?" He gave me a broad grin and shook his head. "Is there some kind of weird ceremony or something that we'll have to do now?"

He laughed, making his eyes shine, "We could do it right now if you've got something sharp. Usually it's at least done in a Doctor's office, just to keep it sanitary. But if you want a ceremony I'm sure Sophia would..."

"No," I blurted out the word so fast it made him laugh again. "I'm sure you send Dmitri regular reports about me, would the binding change any of that?"

"It could if that was something you needed, your needs would supersede his orders, always."

"Let me get my head straight about some other stuff, and then we'll go see Dr Martinez in a few days." He gave me a nod. "In the meantime, I think I've got these boxes figured out." He helped me carry the boxes across the hall.

I didn't get to unpack, distracted by the envelope that held copies of the contracts for me. Picking it up, I moved out to the sitting room, where I sat curled up on the couch, unable to open it for a long time. These were the page that dictated most of my life, and I promised to have made my choice by tonight. Taking a deep breath, I opened the envelope and slid the stack of papers out. There was less pages than I expected, but these were neatly typed documents, not photo copies of the handwritten ledgers he'd let me look at a few days ago.

It didn't take long to realize that I wasn't going to get any clarity from these pages, not without help. "Party of the first part" or "Party of the second" seemed to be interchangeable throughout the obscure legal terms making it hard to understand who and what it was referencing. I had to ask Blake to track down Sophie for me, I'd need her help.

Tucking the envelope under my arm, he helped me navigate my way to a room I hadn't been to yet. I could hear Sophie's laugh before we got to the room. She sat elegantly composed, with a muscular man with dark skin, black hair and honey colored eyes, who I assumed must be Sammy, standing behind her. Her eyes fell on the envelope tucked under my arm, "Give us the room boys," she gestured to the chair next to her as she spoke.

She grew increasingly annoyed as I explained why I needed her help. She'd assumed that Dmitri had given me a copy of his own personal file that already had the legal jargon explained. Scooping the envelope up, she smiled at me, "Then we'll go get you the answers you need." She walked out the door Blake had used. He didn't miss a beat as she stepped out, "Where is Dimi? No it can't wait. Tell Samuel meet us there and ask Nathan to delay my next meeting." She fired out orders like rapid fire. His eyes did that hazy far off thing again and he told her where to find Dmitri.

She didn't wait to see if we'd followed, moving with purpose. She only paused to knock on a door but opened it without waiting for a reply. She smiled sweetly as she walked in, "Alpha Caleb, I apologize for interrupting. How is Luna Jeanette?" Blake and I had stopped just outside of the doorway.

"She's doing very well; she simply loves that orchid you sent for her birthday." He smiled up at her.

"I'm so glad," her smile spreading, "Can I borrow my brother for just a moment? I promise it'll be quick."

"Oh, yes, of course," the man nodded as she flashed another bright smile.

"I'll be right back Caleb," his scowl switching to a polite smile, "After you Sophia," he gestured towards the door. I instinctively stepped behind Blake when he noticed me. "Are you out of your mind?" he hissed after the door closed, "What if he'd been someone who could've," his eyes flicked to me, "Damn it, Sophie, you don't think sometimes."