“Just don't take too long,” Ivan warned, with a knowing chuckle that turned my stomach.  “I don't need you to school me on the rules,” Michael said, danger in his tone.  “So you don't,” Ivan said, standing up, “if this concludes the meeting, I have pressing business to get to.”  I just bet he does.  “The meeting is not concluded,” Michael said, a hint of disgust in his voice.  Ivan left the room anyway, obviously not caring what any of us thought.  “Suit yourself,” Michael stated, not caring.  No one seemed to care.

“Our last order of business is who will assume Devlin's position,” Michael said.  Everyone looked up at him with renewed interest.  “I have decided to appoint Evan as his successor,” Michael paused to look at Evan.  Evan looked more shocked than anyone.  I didn't know if I should be happy for him or not.  Slowly, a smile grew on Evan's face, “I won't let you down, Sir.”  “Michael,” Michael corrected him, “Do you accept.”  “Well, yes,” Evan answered.  “What are your terms?” Michael asked.  A look of hope took over Evan's face, “I want Angelique.”  “My gift to you,” Michael said.  “No,” a look of determination replaced the look of hope, “I want her as my mate.”  “So be it.  She will stay my pet until then,” Michael stated.  I didn't understand this.  Why couldn't she just be Evan's pet until she became his mate?

“Angelique, will you show Brandon to his room.  He will be Evan's replacement.  You will begin training him tomorrow.  I’m sure that Evan will be available if you need help,” Michael ordered, “You are both dismissed.”  After they left, he looked back at Evan, “What are your other terms?”  “I would like to take the pets that went to Cameron,” Evan requested.  “If you don't mind, I could use the male,” Cameron said, “but you can take the females.  I am low on space for them.”  “That's fine,” Evan agreed.  “What else?” Michael asked.   “I can't think of anything,” Evan smiled.  “Well, think about it for a few days and get back to me,” Michael said, “Go celebrate with Angelique.  Come to my room at ten in the morning, and we will start your implementation.”

Everyone stood up, so I stood up too.  They all shook his hand and congratulated him.  He hugged me and whispered in my ear, “It'll be fine, Jess,” then left the room.

Michael sat back down, so I did, too.  Benjamin and Cameron took their seats.  “Are there any objections to my appointment of Evan?” Michael asked.  “No,” they both answered.  I got the feeling that it didn’t matter if they did object.  “Ivan is going to be upset that he didn’t stay,” Cameron commented.  “He made his choice,” Michael said.

Cameron stood up.  “Well I have some business too,” he paused and looked directly at me, “and, no, I’m nothing like Ivan.”  I just looked at him, wondering what he is like.  Then, I decided that I didn't really want to know.  He turned and left through the same door as Ivan.

“I think that I will retire to my room for the night,” Benjamin stood up and smiled sleepily, “Congratulations again.”  He shook hands with Michael.  He kissed my hand, “You'll make an excellent mate for Michael.”  Anxiety filled me.  I wanted to squirm but held still.  He released my hand, turned, and left the room.  If he knew, he didn't reveal it.

Michael and I were left alone.  “Jessica,” he startled me out of my thoughts.  I looked up at him.  He was standing, holding his hand out to me, “Come with me.”  I took his hand and stood.  He led me back down a series of hallways until we ended up at the door to his room.  I sat down on the edge of the bed and watched as he tugged at the knot on his tie, then took off his cuff links.

“You have questions.  I will answer the ones that I can to the best of my abilities,” he said, taking off his shirt and tie.  I didn't say anything, afraid to.  Surely he wouldn't hurt me.  He never had before.  He stopped undressing and looked at me, “Jessica?”  “I don't know,” I whispered.  “I’m not going to hurt you for asking a question,” he told me.  I thought for a moment and remembered the advice that Angelique had given me.  They can tire of your questions.  Ask wisely.

“Why doesn't Angelique just go to Evan as his pet?” I asked.  He seemed surprised by the question, waiting a minute before answering.  “It is a rule that you can not take your own pet as your mate,” he explained, “becoming a mate to someone in Evan's position is a coveted role.  Pets killed each other in the past for it, so I made a rule.”

“Do I have a choice?” I asked, “Was it an offer or an order?”  “Everyone has a choice,” he answered, “I just strongly advise that you agree to my offer.”  “What will happen if I don't?” I asked.  “You will go to Ivan as a pet,” he answered with finality.  I recoiled, “Why Ivan?”  “He is the only one who spoke for you,” he answered.  “What about Benjamin?” I asked, panic setting in.  “Benjamin wants you as his mate,” he answered,” that is out of the question.”  “Why is that out of the question?” I asked.  “Benjamin defers to me.  I have spoken for you,” he answered, “The only way he can have you is if I die.”  He slipped out of his trousers and put on tan khakis and a plain white t-shirt.  He looked at me, “Would you prefer Benjamin?”

“Can I just go home?” I whispered, “I’ll take the chair back.  I won't tell anyone about any of this, ever.  You can continue to visit me at night.  We'll just pretend that none of this happened.”  He looked away, then back at me, with sympathy, “Jess, you can't go back to that life.  I can take you back tonight to collect a few things.  Things that you want to bring with you.”  “But, why?” I felt a tear slide down my cheek.  “You said goodbye to that life the minute Devlin picked you up,” he said softly, “I told you not to come.”  “Why didn't you explain?” I accused, getting angry.  “Would it have mattered?” he asked.

I thought back.  He was right.  I wouldn't have believed him.  I didn't even believe that he was a real person.  Person?  Is he even a person?  What have I gotten myself into?  The tears started free flowing.  I put my head down in my hands.  He sat down beside me on the bed, pulled me to him, and just held me as I cried.

After a few minutes, when I had quieted, he asked, “Do you feel better now?”  I didn't answer.  I just felt numb.  “C'mon,” he pulled me to where I was laying on the bed, then laid down next to me.  He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me close.  I started to struggle, panic rising, the need to escape almost unbearable.  “Calm down, Jessica,” he said in an authoritative but soft tone.  My body immediately began to relax, but my mind was anything but calm.  I felt new tears on my cheeks.  “Shhh,” he whispered, then kissed me on the forehead.  My mind started to clear.  “Just rest,” he whispered.  I started to get groggy.  I closed my eyes and waited for the dark nothingness of sleep.

I heard three light taps.  “Yes,” Michael called out.  I heard the door open, then close. I didn't open my eyes, not really caring who it was.  “I was just checking to see how things are going,” Benjamin said softly.  I felt Michael remove his arms, and the bed shifted.  He was no longer laying next to me.  I rolled over and turned my back to them.

“Not well.  But maybe as well as can be expected,” Michael answered.  I felt the bed shift again, “I got her calmed down.  Maybe if she sleeps a little while.”

“You could let her spend the day with Ivan.  To see what it's like,” Benjamin said.

“Ivan may not give her back.  I can't risk it,” Michael said.

“Ivan would give her back to you, and I’m sure that he would go easy on her,” Benjamin said.

There was a long pause.  “What's going on?” Benjamin asked suspiciously, “What are you not telling?”

Another long pause.  “She's with child,” Michael said quietly.  My eyes shot open.  I’m what!  No I’m not!  I would know.  Why is he lying?

“She's what!” Benjamin yelled, then quieter, “She can't be!  We can't father children!”

“You can't,” Michael told him, “but I can.”  “Since when?” Benjamin asked.  “Since always.  Why do you think that I don't keep pets?” Michael answered.

“Does she know?” Benjamin asked.

“She does now,” Michael answered, “You can stop pretending to be asleep, Jess.”

“How long?” Benjamin asked.  “About a month,” Michael answered.

“Stop lying!” I cried, not turning over.  I didn't want to look at him.

“I’m not lying, Jess,” Michael said quietly, “I can hear a second heartbeat.”

Silence for a moment, then Benjamin said, “I can hear it too.”

“The doctors said I would never be able to,” I said feebly.

“Jess, the doctors said that you would never walk again,” Benjamin said.

I refused to believe it.  I turned over, “Your not a doctor!  You don't know!”

“Would you like to go to a doctor?  I can take you,” Michael offered, “I’ll make you an appointment tomorrow.”  The hope in his eyes was unbearable to look at.  I rolled back away from him, “Leave me alone.”  “Jess,” he put his hand on my hip.  “Go away!” I yelled.  He jerked his hand back like he'd been burned.  “Okay,” he said quietly.

I felt the bed shift, and then I heard the door open and close.  Once alone, I cried silently until I got groggy.  He was doing something to me to make me tired.  I welcomed it and fell asleep.

“Jessica,” I felt a hand on my hip, gently shaking me.  “Hmmm,” I didn't open my eyes.  “I said that I would take you to get some of your belongings.  Do you want to go?” Michael asked.  My eyes shot open.  The room was dark, almost pitch black.  “Yes,” I answered, sitting up slowly.  I heard a snap and light flooded the room, causing me to squint my dry, itchy eyes.  “Would you like for me to pick out something for you to wear?” he asked.  That's right.  I looked down at myself.  I was still wearing the dress from dinner.  “That's fine,” I answered, feeling numb.

He got up and went in the closet.  A minute, or so, later, he came back with a pair of black slacks and a lavender blouse.  He unzipped my dress, and I robotically changed.  He gave me some socks and a pair of black sneakers, and I put them on.  I went in the bathroom and splashed water on my face, then fixed my messy hair.  He was waiting for me, in the bedroom, with a black jacket, “It's cool out.”  He helped me put it on.

Benjamin and Evan were both waiting for us outside by an expensive looking, small, gray sports car.  “Are you sure that you don't want us to go with you?” Evan asked.  “We'll be fine,” Michael said, opening the passenger door for me.  I got in and buckled my seatbelt.  He shut the door.  He talked to them for a few minutes before getting in.  I just stared out the window.

“Jessica,” he was shaking my arm with his hand.  I slowly turned to look at him, “hmmm.”  “Did you hear anything I said?” he asked.  I just stared at him, wondering when this slow numb feeling would wear off.  Maybe it's for the best.

“No one can see you walk.  I have your chair in the trunk.  You're going to have to use it,” he said.  “Okay,” I whispered.  He put his hand on my chin and lifted my face to look at him, “Jess, are you okay?”  He looked concerned.  I felt fine, just slow and numb.  “I don't know,” I answered.  “We won't stay for very long, okay?” he told me, letting go of my chin.  I slowly turned to look out the window.

I watched trees pass by, then houses, then businesses, then houses again.  When we made it to my house, the clock on his stereo said two o'clock.  I waited while he got my wheelchair out of the trunk, then let him lift me into it.  He pushed me up the ramp, unlocked the door, and pushed me inside.