Chapter 7: Exile and Echos

Caleb knew arguing was pointless. Legends about Sovereigns had been told forever. No one had seen one in America in over a hundred years. It was a mystery what caused them, but finding a Sovereign was a blessing.

Sadie was in shock. She couldn't move. She couldn't function. Caleb knew it was time to handle this.

“Nash, get her out of her. Get her a water from the cooler.” His second moved as an extension of himself and gently guided Sadie out the door. Any other male’s hands on her right would probably make Caleb lose it, but he and Nash had worked hard to manage these situations.

“You two,” Caleb turned to Sutton and Sienna, “I don't have time to do everything I wanted, and she's going to be in shock. You're going to help me.” They glanced at William, but he gave a slow nod.

“Sutton I need her medical records, and a family history, anything that might be needed for a doctor. I need copies of insurance documents, her birth certificate, social security, passport. I need all of it before we will leave. I assume that's not something I'll be fighting you for Burgess?” Caleb glanced, a dare flashing in his eye.

“Sutton can gather those documents expeditiously. Wise thinking. What else do you need?”

“Sienna,” Caleb’s eyes shifts back to her, “Sadie is going to be scared and uncomfortable and I need to ask you about her, I need you to answer so I can have things as comfortable for her as possible. Please.”

Sienna didn't say anything at first. Instead she glanced at her Alpha. She found no comfort in him, that relationship hasn't been established, but she knew she needed permission.

“Go on,” William responded, revealing nothing.

“What is Sadie's favorite food?”

“Bacon Cheesburgers, sweet potato fries.” Sienna replied. That question was clearly harmless

“What dessert is her favorite? On a bad day what is her comfortable food? What is her favorite drinks? What does he order at the bar?

“She likes brownies, and her comfort snack is Doritos. Sadie drinks cherry coke like water, but she doesn't usually go to bars. When drinks, it's usually a screwdriver or sangria.” Caleb was literally taking notes on his phone. The plan was to send everything to Tess to buy and set up at home. That woman…. She deserved a raise.

“Thank you. It will be waiting on her because of you. What is her favorite color? What does she like to do for fun? What flowers does she like? What toiletries should I have waiting on her? Anything she would want will be there. Anything.”

“She likes purple,” Sienna's voice softened. It was obvious this man was trying to do anything he could to help her little sister, “Sadie likes to paint and craft. She likes to cook, and her favorite show right now is Yellowstone-” Caleb couldn't believe his luck. That show literally looks like their backyard.

“Yellowstone? Really?”

“Yeah,” Sienna went on. “Take her to the art museum in Billings. She will like that. Her favorite flowers are Irises. Her preferred hair brand is Aveda. Don't forget women use conditioner. Sadie likes Dove better for body. Is a woman buying this stuff?” Sienna knew she needed to ask before telling him anything else. She appreciated Caleb for writing it down and taking care of Sadie, but he was still a male and they usually don't even wash their faces.

“Erm, yes. My Beta’s mate is my secretary,” Caleb stumbled with the words.

“Good. Then tell her she has dry skin type for her face care, and that in the next month she’ll need regular size tamp-” that was more than he was going to text Tess. Go into a store and get himself, sure, but this, no. Caleb shoved his phone into Sienna's hands. A low chuckle but she finished the sentence in text.

Sienna handed the phone back to Caleb, her expression a mix of lingering fear and a new, grudging respect. She had typed out a list that would make a personal shopper weep, covering everything from her favorite brand of pens to the exact level of "doneness" Sadie liked her bacon.

“If you lose that phone, Miller, you’re dead,” Sienna whispered, her eyes cutting to the door where Sadie had been led out. “She doesn't know her worth. She just thinks she’s a girl who’s losing her mom’s kitchen. Don't let her feel like a prisoner.”

Caleb pocketed the phone, the weight of the manila folder from the Historian feeling like lead in his other hand. “She’s not a prisoner. She’s the Sovereign. I’m just the one lucky enough to be standing in her shadow.”

He turned to William one last time. The older Alpha looked diminished, the "Corporate" air deflating now that the "Sovereign" threat was leaving his zip code. Caleb didn't offer a handshake. He didn't offer a goodbye. He just nodded toward Sutton as she hurried in with a stack of documents—the paper trail of a life being deleted.

“We’re done here,” Caleb rumbled, his scent of vanilla and pine finally boiling over, masking the lemon scents of the house.

“Alpha wait,” Caleb stopped his moment. Sutton’s voice came, and the uncertainty was evident.

He turned on his heel, heading for the truck where his mate was waiting, her gray eyes likely searching for a home that no longer existed.

“Caleb please,” she tried once more.

“What is it?” Caleb wasn't angry, but hoped it was worth it. His mate needed him even if she didn't know it yet.“She’s going to be mad at me for telling you, but I know how matings go—especially with Alphas. You need to know.” Sutton swallowed hard, looking him dead in the eye. “She’s a virgin.”