The Alpha's Sentence
“I provide you with a roof over your head, clothes to wear, a bed to sleep in, and a place to clean.”
He straightens, just slightly. Not closer. Just more present.
“In return, half of your catch is payment.”
I stare at him.
“That’s not barter,” I say. “That’s theft.”
“No,” he replies calmly. “Theft implies ownership.”
He reaches past me, takes a small brown pouch from the counter, and sets it down between us.
“You don’t own anything yet.”
“What is that?” I ask, eyes dropping to the pouch despite myself.
“Your coin purse.”