Devoid of feeling, Claire croaked, "I don't know your name."
Deadpan, he answered, "I'm Jules. Shepherd desires that you do not forget the vitamin."
The empty tray was taken; he walked by without even looking at her.
The door was locked and Claire made sure she followed Shepherd's mandate. She flushed all the food and, unquestionably, did not forget the vitamin. After all, now that she was hollow inside, it was nice to have the grey room to herself. She showered, changed her clothing, brushed her hair... all the things living people were supposed to do. Then she went right back to that spot on the floor to rot.
Inevitably enough time passed. The sound of combat boots thudded against the ground and the devil was crouching over her. A purr sounded and Claire opened her eyes, entirely unimpressed.
She felt nothing.
Shepherd picked her up, her body hanging limp, and took off the fresh dress, putting her in the bed. The sheets must have been changed. Either that or she had lost the pattern of Shepherd's scent. Everything just smelled flat. The man slid in beside her, naked, and eased up close. As he did everything he wanted, taking what she never offered, he pressed his chest to hers and growled.
Nothing.
He spread her legs, growled again, and let his fingers dance between her thighs. Whatever he was doing, Claire only stared at the ceiling, seeing instead the overcast night sky. She did not make a noise when a foreign presence pushed uncomfortably into her unprepared body. She just lay there through all of it, unsure how long he tried, how hard he worked... because she didn't care. An odd stretch let her know that the sweating, grunting thing had knotted.
Still nothing.
While their bodies were locked, she heard the distant sound of a low, raspy voice and ignored it. There were tugs at her hair, the smooth strokes of hands. Claire yawned; sleep was immediate.
#
Walking through the Undercroft where her kind had been locked away, Nona maintained her ramrod spine despite the two large Followers yanking her about. She had not been troubled or questioned for weeks, and wondered what asinine things they would waste her time with now. When the door opened and she was pressed into the room, even she could not hide the quirk in her brow or the sudden feeling of dread when she found it was not the Beta, Jules, who sat at the table.
Even seated, the Alpha was massive.
"She seems to think standing as you do serves a purpose as well. But you are still Omega and you know that resistance to one such as I is pointless," Shepherd explained, his voice conversational, though the nature of his expression was anything but pleasant.
Nona took a seat without being asked, old enough to know better than to engage male taunts.
The man began. "You are the de facto leader of this Omega pack—"
Nona interjected, "I am not. We function as a democracy."
"How have you found the provided accommodations?"
"Prison-like," Nona answered, watching him just as callously as he watched her.
Shepherd was not impressed with her bravado. "I have supplied you with clean water, wholesome food, warm blankets, shelter..."
"Your rationalization is faulty." Nona tapped the desk. "All those comforts are only to prepare the Omegas for slavery to a stranger."
"You are the one who corrupted her into thinking the way she does."
Now that was interesting. Cocking her head, Nona asked, "Excuse me?"
"Of the eight Omegas pair-bonded since arrival into my keeping, all have accepted their place—behaving as they should."
It was foolish to smile, one good swing and he could rip her head off her shoulders, but Nona allowed the expression. There was a catch to his statement, an underlying irritation that exposed his own less than perfect relationship. "There is nothing I can tell you that would make Claire be what she is not. I have droned on for hours about the foods I know she likes, her hobbies... all questions you could have asked her yourself."
"Your only use to me, old woman, is information that will help settle my mate." Contemplating how easily he could crush the old woman's throat, Shepherd warned, "Do not think to posture or advise."
"Then get to the point."
The slight flaring of his silver eyes, the sudden stink of hostility—he was far less steady in his aloofness than he pretended. "I am beginning to suspect you have outlived your usefulness. There is room for your body to swing next to the other Omegas."
"If there is something wrong with Claire, I would do anything to help her," Nona argued, more than happy to honestly express her anger. "Whatever insight you seek, just ask."
"My mate has grown withdrawn."
Scowling, Nona wondered how the hell he could possibly be surprised. With her lips in a line, she waited for the man to continue.
Shepherd leaned nearer, barking, "Are you going to say nothing?"