Page 77 of The Safest Place She Knows

“It’s more likenaked wrestling to take the edge off. It isn’t emotionallysatisfying.”

Lya blinked insurprise. “Oh.”

Venka walkedin. “He’s not wrong. It’s a reason that it is imperative that anomega be involved. It calms the alphas down so they can all playtogether. The contract is ready, and copies have been printed.Ready?”

She looked atSmudge’s coil protruding from under the wood and shifted from footto foot.

She looked atVenka. “Fine.”

Allor grinned.“Smudge is laying her eggs, and Lya is a bit of a mother hen.”

Venka nodded.“I understand. Let’s go and bind ourselves, and then we can work ondinner.”

The prosaicnature of the comment made Lya sigh. “Let’s go sign our livesaway.”

Venka offeredher arm, and Allor walked up next to her other side. Between thealpha and the delta, she headed back to the contract that wouldseal her fate and protect her daughter.

The man onvideo call was an unusual addition, and he asked, “Lemera, doyou give your consent to the assembled alphas?”

“Yes.”

“Do youauthorize the name change to Lya of the Serpens Den?”

“Yes.”

“Signaway.” He smiled.

She looked atthe contract and skimmed over the details. It was fairly standarduntil she got to the monthly unsupervised stipend.

She cocked herhead. “Is that a typo?”

Noh shook hishead. “Nope. It’s what we calculated you are worth, and this way,you can engage in your dream hobby.”

Lya looked athim. “You can’t be serious.”

Venka said,“Ford confirmed that you are an extremely talented mechanic andsent us clips of you in action. The allowance should keep you busyand let you purchase what you need for your hobby.”

“What will I dowith the cars after I fix them?”

Venka chuckled.“My cousins and siblings are gearheads. There will be outlets.”

“Okay.” Sheread on to the incidental expenses, which included formalwear,which was to be purchased by the den member who needed her as anescort for their event.

There was apocket money clause, which was not quite as ridiculous as thehobby, and a notation for credit and debit cards to be issued inher new name.

All healthcarewas to be provided by the den, including pre- and post-natal aswell as regular checkups.

Tamara wasaccounted for, and a staggering college fund was available, as wellas all private school fees until then. A clothing, food, and schoolevent allowance was also in place.

Lya lookedaround. “Is everybody sure?”

Heads nodded.Lya held the pen and signed carefully. She initialled where therewere little tabs, and her initials were next to three sets of alphascribbles. When it was done, she signed the second set, and Venkatook the pen from her. “Well done, Lya.”

Lya looked uptoward her and received a kiss. The man viewing chuckled. “Bringme the paperwork, and I will witness it and file it atdawn.”

Venka nodded.“Thanks, Delun. I am on my way.”

Tamara blinked.“You are going somewhere?”

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