Having backed the Alpha female to the door of her home, Claire snarled, “Now, get out!”
It was the first time Claire had seen an Alpha look even slightly intimidated by an Omega, and it felt good to cow the old bitch. It felt better to slam the door in her face.
When her COMscreen began to instantly ring, Claire lifted it up over her head and slammed it down on the floor, pleased at how broken bits of it scattered. Then she went back to her bedroom and continued cleaning up the feathers.
No new nest was prepared. Shepherd could sleep like a Beta for all she cared.
He arrived at dusk, just as he said he would. A new COMscreen in his hand for his mate. Claire was in her garden, sitting in the very nook where she had wanted to host a romantic moment for them. Still angry, watching the Alpha approach, hurt obvious in her tense body language and sullen stare.
Setting the COMscreen on the wrought iron table between them, he lowered his bulk into the adjoining chair. “You are right to believe that I would use any personal attachments you formed against your wishes, if I believed it was in your best interest. But consider, our situation in Thólos was dire. You consistently placed yourself in danger. You tried to kill yourself, little one.” Gravity weighed down his voice, it weighed down the man. “And you would have continued walking forward on that ice had I not held the safety of your friends over you.”
Claire couldn’t deny any of it. Couldn’t even summon an argument to counter.
Gray eyes held hers, as Shepherd softly added, “I kept my word, Claire.”
Wiping her cheek with the back of her hand, Claire said, “I know. Dr. Osin kindly reminded me that the Omegas trapped and dying in Thólos are thanks to my opposition to your regime.”
“That is not what I am referring to.” His fingers drummed the table, as if the Alpha debated reaching for her hand or giving Claire her space. “Maryanne is alive. She is in Greth. And she will remain alive, because that is what I promised you.”
Expression stunned, Claire stumbled over her words. “Why… wasn’t I—”
“You know why.” He did reach for her fingers then, gentle as he placed his hand atop hers. “The mere mention of Thólos in those first months sent you into a dangerous psychosis. You’ve come so far, little one. Your spark, I can see it inside you. The same fierce flame that walked into the dark Citadel to face down her tormentor.”
The nervous question came from an anxious woman. One who feared the worst. “How is she?”
“You would be surprised to see how well she’s doing. Structure and discipline have slowly turned a lackluster, selfish monster into—”
“—a Follower.” The word tasted like mud.
Shepherd blinked but didn’t respond.
The link felt so strained, so out of harmony, that Claire unconsciously pulled her hand from his and placed it where her sternum ached. “I want to see her.”
“Maryanne must serve five more years of her sentence. The time is well-spent and engaging. It employs her skillset while she monitors communication feeds and the people of this Dome. The lock on her door is simple, she could have escaped into the city at any time. Yet she has chosen to stay. Meanwhile, her work has kept many good people, including yourself, safe. It has kept Greth at peace during the transition of leadership.”
Rubbing her chest all the harder, Claire said with more force, “I want to see her.”
Turning his hand over and offering his palm, he motioned with a cock of his head for her to take it. Claire hesitated. She hesitated, looking down at his waiting hand, frowning. But she did tentatively reach forward and lay her fingers on his.
Only to hear him deny her.
“No.” Trapping her by his grip, Shepherd softly repeated the word. “No.”
Lip curled in disgust, the Omega grumbled, “You are going to force me to go see your film in exchange for Maryanne.”
“Little one, if she is ever going to reach her potential, Maryanne needs a structured life right now that doesn’t involve you. I give you my word we will revisit this when her sentence is served, but for now, you must leave her be. More importantly, she cannot be distracted from her current task, as it involves the safety of another person you care about.”
“You’re in danger?” Her hackles went up, Claire glancing around the courtyard as if some villain might rush forward and harm her mate.
“Jules was sent on a diplomatic mission to a Dome in Europe called Bernard. There has been an incident. Maryanne is working day and night to assure he survives it.”
The bottom dropped out from under her, Claire sucking in a breath as she realized just why the pair-bond hurt so much in that moment. Shepherd was… he was melancholy. Not that he would ever show it, but grief was all around him. And she had added to it that day.