Page 3 of Regressive

“Not that it’s any of your business,” Rex says, “but I made my demands clear to Imogene before we stepped into the ceremony. We made an agreement.”

“What kind of agreement?” Levi asks. His devoutness to Serendee is being put to the test, and sometimes I wonder if he’ll eventually break under Rex’s Lapses.

“She’s to be available to me and to meet my needs at all times. And in return I will play the part of her Mate in front of my father and the other residents of Serendee while I continue to collect evidence of his manipulations.”

“What do you mean by play the part?” I ask. Everything about this made me uneasy. It was one thing when it was the four of us humoring Rex’s ideas but dragging in an innocent like Imogene made me anxious.

“I’ve agreed to come home at night. Every night.”

Elon’s eyebrow raises. “You’re abstaining from other women?”

He hesitates, which isn’t a surprise. Rex has never denied himself of anything especially the excess found in the secular world. “She’s right to want me to come home at night but… she’s not ready to meet my needs.” He pushes off the wall, eyes meeting each of ours. “She’s too timid and unsure. She’s still too fucking compliant.” I think of her small frame and shiny blonde hair. “I want you to continue with her training.”

“You’re sure about that?” Elon asks. They’re both still sporting the bruises from fighting over her. “You can handle the three of us being with her?”

“Yes. I’m asking you to do it this time—not Anex. That’s the difference.”

“I’m in,” I say, unwilling to give up a chance to be close to her. To protect her from Anex’s plans. “Whatever you need.”

Rex looks at Elon. He nods. The hold out, of course, will be Levi. He may not be devoted to Anex, but he believes deeply in the tenants of Serendee. It’s the foundation of his entire persona. Without it, I don’t know who or what Levi would be.

Even so, it’s not a surprise when he says, “I’ll continue to offer my guidance,” because I’ve seen the effect Imogene has had on him; body, mind, and soul. He wants her as much as the rest of us.

What isn’t said aloud is that although Rex claims her as his own, Imogene is not the kind of woman that can be bound to one man. She belongs to all of us.

3

Imogene

The message comesthe next morning, before I leave for work. I have an appointment at the healer. Even though the office is located downstairs, I still need an escort through the maze of hallways that crisscross their way through the main house.

“Is something wrong?” I ask before Healer Bloom can even speak. The last time I saw her was the day of The Ordering, when she did a physical to confirm my innocence.

“No,” she replies, giving me a tight smile. “Standard procedure after the Bonding Ceremony.”

I frown. “But it was just yesterday, that seems very fast.”

“Not if your Mate is Anex’s son.”

“Oh,” I say, flattening my hand over my stomach. “His father wants to know if we’ve consummated the Bonding.”

“With their strained relationship, everything is over scrutinized.”

“We have,” I tell her, feeling the heat in my cheeks. “Bonded.”

“I’m sure that is true, but an examination is mandatory.” Just like last time she waits while I undress, taking forever to unbutton my dress. I feel her eyes on me as she assesses the non-approved undergarments. I’m to wear secular bras and panties for Rex. She whips out her measuring tape. “You’ve gained weight.”

“At the request of my mate,” I explain, knowing that with anyone other than Rex that would be a sign of disobedience. “He prefers a woman with more flesh.”

She hums her disapproval. “I suppose he likes the lace undergarments as well.”

He does, although Elon picked them out, and I’ve seen the way Silas has reacted to them. I’d venture to guess all men like them. I swallow. “Yes.”

She catalogues my body, running her finger over a pale mark on my wrist. “These marks?”

“From Correction. Everything is documented in my logs.” I don’t tell her that I no longer give self-correction. Levi has taken over that duty.

Another hum, this one less negative. “Get on the table.”

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