Page 32 of Own To Obsess

She glanced at the high chief, wondering what she should do. She had no idea what the protocol was, or even why she was back in the temple.

“I will explain what is happening, Katashaya,” the high chief said, trying to reassure her. “Take a seat.”

Shaya glanced at the door, hoping to see Kardos storming through it, but he didn't. A nervous desperation came over her causing her to fidget, and the unfamiliar scent of these Alphas made it worse. She didn't want to damage anything more than she already had by biting him, but the high chief was giving her direct instructions. Surely, the high chief wouldn't try to negatively impact her or Kardos, but she didn't know enough about him to know what his intentions were, especially as he didn't bless them.

She shuffled back slightly until her heels hit the cushion on the floor and then lowered to sit down as she had in the blessing room with a high chief. As she fixed herself cross-legged, trying to get comfortable, the high chief spoke.

“One of the traditions that we have here,” he began, “is that the other shinnos of the tribes, or their tribe leader, can request to meet one member of a pair that has not been blessed to see if that person may be more suitable for their own tribe.”

Shaya shot him a sharp look. So this was his fault for not blessing them. “But I'm bonded,” she said, firmly. “I cannot join any other tribe.”

“I know,” the high chief said. “Usually permission for this cannot be given unless the tribe leader for the requested party has agreed. Since you officially have no tribe, there is no one to stop you from being summoned.”

“I thought I was a member of Tribe Nyek,” Shaya said, confused. Isn’t that what Rozalia had said?

“You are,” the high chief said slowly, “but only because of your bond to shinno Kardos. You haven’t officially gone through any joining celebration or ritual yet, have you?”

Shaya’s heart sank as she shook her head. “But I thought I couldn't be summoned without my Alpha,” she added, hoping that what Rozalia had said was true.

“Your Alpha has been summoned also,” the high chief said. “Although, I was just informed he is on one of the training islands and not within easy reach.” He shot a dark look to one of the Alphas sitting before her, but she couldn't tell which one it was directed at. “No doubt he will be here shortly. In the meantime, the shinnos have questions for you. This is Rhaad, Sethol, Gergo, Celentos, and Panos. Just answer as honestly as you can, we will speak in the Common Tongue. Anything that is too intrusive I will step in, but please answer honestly.”

Shaya nodded, trying to memorize the names and match them to their faces as nerves bloomed in her chest.

“What is your name?” one of the Alphas, Celentos, asked.

“Katashaya.”

“Is that your real name?”

She frowned and glanced at the high chief. “Yes.”

“Who are your mother and father?”

“I don't know.”

The Alphas glanced at each other. “You don't know who your mother and father are?” the same Alpha reiterated.

“No, I grew up with my sister.”

The Alpha nodded. “Your parents are dead?”

Shaya shrugged. When she offered no more guidance, the Alpha glanced at one of the others along the line.

“In what circumstances did you meet Kardos?” asked Alpha in the middle, the one she thought was named Sethol.

“Not relevant,” the high chief interjected. “Keep your questions specifically targeted to their pairing. This will be your final warning.”

“Why did you bite him,” Gergo, the Alpha slightly to the right of Sethol, asked as he leaned forward. “What possessed you to do that.”

Shaya opened her mouth but didn't have the words to explain. How could she? There had been so much happening when she made that decision; she wasn't even sure she could explain it herself. “Ugh… I had the urge to do it for various reasons.”

“Like what?” the Alpha persisted.

Share glanced at the high chief. Why did she have to answer this? Then remembered Rozalia’s words.You have power in your own way, Katashaya.“I'm not comfortable talking about that with you,” she said firmly.

The Alpha frowned, drawing himself up to his full height and pushing out his chest. “Why not?”

“It is private.”

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