Sesshomaru-sama was silent after the summons, sitting back down at his desk and working on some papers. I remained where I was, still holding my new brand. The honor Sesshomaru-sama had bestowed on me continued to leave me a little weak in the knees. Beta! He made me a beta! Never in my wildest dreams did I hope to advance so high in the youkai hierarhy. Once Inuyasha added his claws to the mark and took my blood, my station in the pack would be concrete. I was safe, truly safe! Another tremor rippled through me and I took two slow, deep breaths as Umishio-sama had taught me. I must keep my emotions under very tight control around others, so that no one can read me. It was my best protection, and my alpha male's as well. I glanced at him, writing quickly. My alpha male. Before today I had been willing to die for him; now...my soul was his. He could demand my very essence and I would hand it over with a smile. After several minutes, he handed me the papers.
"File these in your office and return."
"Yes sir." I bowed and left, hurrying to the large set of filing cabinets lining one of my office walls. I glanced at the headers and began putting the papers away in the right folders. As I was finishing up, my father barged in.
"Ah, rin. So lovely to see yhou again, my dear child," He said silkily, sidling closer. I neatly dodged around him, using a drawer to catch him in the chest as I yanked it open a bit too hard. His smile dropped. "You insolent little..."
"Sesshomaru-sama called you. Do not keep him waiting," I said coldly, keeping my back to him. He huffed and turned on his heel, marching into the main office. I finished the filing and followed, opening the door without knocking and shutting it firmly behind me. My father looked at me with contempt, Sesshomaru-sama with calm regard. I walked back to my position at his left hand side and stood facing my father, hands at my sides.
"Explain what you were doing in my house last night," Sesshomaru-sama said, folding his hands on his desk. My father beamed.
"I wanted to visit with Rin, so I went over. When I got there, I found a priest trying to sneak in. I drove him off. Rin was very upset about the situation."
"Really." Sesshomaru-sama reached into a drawer and pulled out a small tape recorder. He turned it on. My father's eyes grew wide as the priest's voice echoed in the room, screaming out his agreement with my father to beak into the mansion and rape me. The priest had been paid very well for the deed, even though it hadn't happened. My lie was repeated. I kept my face impassive. After all, it was still a lie. I was not mate. I was beta. More then I deserved and more then sufficient.
"Well, obviously the man is lying. I found him sneaking in."
"Men such as this do not lie under promise of death. You, on the other hand, are lying to me now, as you have lied to me about Rin. You think I could not smell your stench on her? I have known from the beginning she was spoiled by your hand. It was Rin that kept you alive six years ago and it has been Rin that has spared your life up to this point. What you did in your own home I care not. But to violate my home, break my trust, that is another matter. You have insulted me grieviously, Mr. Watanabe."
"Then, by all means, fire Rin. I'll take the bitch off your hands and deal with her properly."
"You fail to understand me, Mr. Watanabe," Sesshomaru-sama's voice became ice. My father's eyes bugged again and he began to sweat. Yes, father. Feel true fear. I reined in my satisfaction before Sesshomaru-sama could detect it. A flick of his ear told me he had. I have more training.
"It was not Rin who violated my home and my trust. She repelled both invaders successfully, alone. She did her duty. YOU have failed me. YOU have broken my trust, fouled my home with your sick lust for your offspring. It is YOUR pathetic life that Rin holds in her hands, not the other way around. Rin." I unbuttoned two buttons and revealed my brand, blood staining the bandage in an obvious pattern. My father blinked twice.
"What...what is that?"
"That is my brand. Rin is my beta, my pup's nursemaid, my pack-mate. You are a parasite clinging to my beta, trying to advance. Parasites must be removed." My father began to shake as I buttoned my blouse again.
"Rin, his life is yours. What will you do with it?" He asked, turning to face me.
"Mr. Watanabe does not deserve the honor of your touch, Sesshomaru-sama. Give him to Inuyasha-sama. Your brother
expressed a strong interest in feeling his blood on his claws in exchange for having to endure his scent on me all these years."
"Rin! I'm your father!"
"Sesshomaru-sama is my alpha male. I do not know you, sir," I said formally. Mr. Watanabe backed away, shaking so hard he could barely move. Tears pooled in his eyes as he stared at me.
"Rin. Rin!"
"Shall I summon Inuyasha-sama, sir?" I asked, turning to Sesshomaru-sama.
"Yes. We will finish this now." I bowed slightly and walked out, giving Mr. Watanabe a wide berth as he fell to his knees, pleading with me. I ignored him and shut the door behind me. Only then did I allow the smile to break across my face. Hurrying to my desk, I dialed the mansion.