Rylee approached her and gently grabbed her chin and turned to look at Rachel’s neck. “I’m very sure.”
Rachel swallowed. “Because?”
“You will learn soon enough.” She pressed an intercom. “Send in Commander Trevor and Selene.”
Rachel’s eyes widened. “Selene?” The woman Howard had spoken to on the phone, when he thought Rachel was out of listening range. His lover?
“Yes, you’re father’s consort.” She chuckled. “Or rather Selene’s pet.”
Pet? Not for real. Why would Rylee say such an off-color comment? Her mood darkened. Was Selene the reason Howard abandoned his family? A mixture of curiosity and resentment clouded her mind. Awkward. “Shouldn’t the witness be impartial?” Not a home breaker.
“Not necessarily. Selene is a scientist and not the evil stepmother type.”
Ugh. Is she reading my thoughts or picking up on emotions? “Not what I meant. I thought Lev could be one of the witnesses.”
“True. Although he initiated you with the three markings…” Her voice trailed off and she furrowed her brow. “Best we use other witnesses.”
Something about her pensive look did not bode well. Would she be allowed to see Lev? Ever? Rylee had said he would never leave because of her. Their sex had been pretty fantastic. His wolf claimed her. But what about Lev, the man? Was claiming a human even allowed without permission from his pack leader? Were there other rituals involved? Howard had been allowed his she-wolf lover. Why not she?
The door opened and a tall broad-shouldered older man and a stunning older woman close to her father’s age walked in.
“Rachel, this is Commander Trevor, headquarters territory security officer and Selene Zeigler, head of the Luponomics Research Center. You are permitted to be on a first name basis.”
“Nice to meet you.” Rachel lowered her head while they circled and sniffed her loudly as if trying to identify what type of perfume she wore. None except her own aroma.
Trevor smiled. “A pleasure.”
Selene stopped and lifted Rachel’s chin. “You are as beautiful as your father described and, from what I’ve heard, a brilliant doctor.”
“Thank you.” Except for their odd sniffing ritual, they both looked like normal humans.
Rylee gestured for them to sit at the round conference table.
Rachel sat and the others followed suit.
A pale almost albino man stepped out of an elevator she hadn’t noticed until now. He carried a huge binder and pens. He appeared in his twenties and shorter than the other werewolves she’d seen thus far. He reminde
d her of Cricket. Not quite as big as the others. Maybe even human.
“This is Jesper, my assistant. He works in accounting and archives.”
He smiled shyly. No domineering lingering stare and he only sniffed once. More like a sniffle rather than taking in her odor like the others had. Less rude. But definitely werewolf. Unless, she too would end up sniffing others as well. She was not a fan of taking in bad odors so that would suck. “Welcome, Dr. Becker.”
“Please, call me, Rachel.”
He glanced at Rylee and she nodded. “Well, Rachel, I have the contract and if you will please sign next to the bookmarked highlights and then pass it to Rylee.”
Not as big as Gray’s Anatomy textbook, but the binder looked like a contract to buy a corporate business. “Will I have time to read the fine print?”
Rylee sat at the head of the table. “Normally, yes, but you have been marked and at this point, it’s a formality, but one necessary to avoid your execution.”
Pretty blunt. Rachel swallowed and compelled to obey, she nodded. “If you put it that way. What choice do I have?”
“None,” said Rylee. “If you have any questions, you may ask.”
She stared at the big binding contract. “My father signed all this?”
Selene smiled. “Yes.”