Her Broken Alpha - Isoellen Page 0,57

but it was dangerous and expensive.

Her alpha could send someone.

Monster had given them access to all his resources, but Naya wasn't permitted to go look for what she wanted.

Impossible male and his rules.

"There are storerooms. You should see them. Stuffed to the ceiling," Tee said. "And Tenbel had a lot of good stuff. I think First Alpha had it collected. But I think you wouldn't like the smell."

"No," Sara agreed. "It would all have to be aired first."

"I never thought linen a precious commodity until I came here. I can knit with wool and make some of my own things, but not to have something simple as linen, or loomed wool, not to mention silk… Is there fabric in that storeroom, do you think, Tee?"

"Might be. There’s lots of stuff in there."

"What kind of things would that Tenbel have had?"

"He liked his soft things," Sara said. "Women, wine, a feather bed."

Naya felt her face pinch at the thought of a salvaged bed from Tenbel. "Do you know where all of Tenbel's people went? All the other drones?"

"They’re over in Building C, making it livable." Tee answered. "Some of the alpha's men are making beds." Her eyes widened. "They’ve got their shirts off."

"Don't be looking at them soldiers," Sara admonished.

The two blondes covered their mouths, hiding small, nervous smiles. Naya didn't know if the two women were related, but they stayed close together and acted like a set of twins.

Naya agreed with Sara. "I don't imagine those are gentleman alphas. It’s best everyone keeps their distance. I heard Darre say something about requiring contract marriages, but alphas wouldn't marry drones even in Sector 2, would they?"

Sara frowned, sad thoughts clouding her eyes. "They might. But I don't know that it would end well for the girl. It never seems to."

Unfortunately for drones, the genetically appealing breed drew their notice like bees to blooming flower. While they didn't respond helplessly to an alpha purr or growl, drones became submissive and biddable in response to the breed pheromones.

Naya could empathize with them. They had all her weaknesses but were unable to reap any of the benefits.

"The secretary announced it. He told us, so I guess he told all the men. Signed contract marriages, no force, and no fucking without it. You could have heard a pin drop. Never heard of such a thing. The punishment for breaking the rule is—"

Naya was about to correct the girl's coarse language when Sara spoke up. "Tee, could you take Ann and Nor and see about some food for Miss? It's getting on in the afternoon."

Naya realized that Sara had sent the younger drone away to protect her from a reprimand.

"Anything fresh, if they have it. Anything. Bread, fruit. An onion," Naya added, smiling with gentle understanding at the gray-haired woman.

"An onion?" Tee giggled.

"As long as it's not pickled." Naya smiled at the girl. "Okay, maybe not, but an apple or pear would be nice. I had an apple yesterday, I think."

"We will tell the cook. He'll have to add it to the market list with yarn and other bits you asked for. I have seen bread, cheese, crackers, porridge, meat, and shelves of pickled vegetables in the big larder. No fresh fruit."

"There must be something," Naya said. "Just pass the message on. If you need to go all the way down again to fetch the food for me, please take time for yourselves and bring a bite back for Sara. I know there are a lot of stairs."

The three headed out. Naya watched them go. "You can sit down, Sara. Please? You have been so helpful to me. I know this must be different from Tenbel's place."

Naya took a breath. She wanted to get to know the drone and ask questions, but it felt delicate, almost confrontational. Her stomach churned at the idea, her hands twitchy. She wasn't good at talking to people.

It was easier to leave it to her mother and sister while she just listened.

She wished she had tea and biscuits to keep her hands busy and offer to Sara.

"Did he call it a home or a temple?” she continued. “What was the man after? Do you know?"

"He called it a parish. Anywhere with ten or more of the faithful was a parish," Sara answered.

Nervousness bubbled up, burning her throat. There was the possibility of answers she didn't like coming. It had never been her place to ask questions and the awkwardness of it added to her inner discomfort.

She was struggling for her next