The surrender of the vase was a deeper humiliation than the bite. Anya followed Kaelan into his high-tech office.
"Sit," Kaelan commanded. Anya felt the hateful tug of the Alpha Command, but this time she resisted the compulsion with practiced effort, settling herself only after a two-second delay—a silent act of defiance.
Kaelan slid a data pad across the desk. "These are the human-readable Rules of the Mate-Contract."
The terms were brutal: No communication outside the Clan; Full access to all Ghost Security tech; Must be within 100 meters of the Alpha-Heir at all times.
"It's bondage," Anya spat.
"It's survival," Kaelan countered. He leaned back. "The traitors we're hunting are using human-designed anti-tracking stealth technology to hide. That technology belongs to Ghost Security. You are the only one who can break it."
"You kidnapped me for a job," she scoffed.
"I secured a vital asset," he corrected. "I need your mind, and you need my protection from the Council."
He stood. "Your office is now annexed to mine. We start work immediately."
"Where will I sleep?" she challenged.
"Here." Kaelan gestured to the door of his personal suite. "The 100-meter rule is non-negotiable. You will be sharing my room."