Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 68699 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 343(@200wpm)___ 275(@250wpm)___ 229(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 68699 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 343(@200wpm)___ 275(@250wpm)___ 229(@300wpm)
"You are my leader's mate. PUT ON YOUR DRESS."
It was strange to see the man who always appeared unaffected grow agitated. Smirking, Claire pulled the fabric over tender skin. "I think we both made our point."
Once certain she was decent, the man leveled her with a glare that almost held the same power as Shepherd's. "You are playing a very dangerous game."
Standing her ground, Claire said, "Not everyone is playing a game. I am simply trying to communicate, and I do not speak your language."
"You speak it better than you know."
Was that actual praise? "Then speak to me. How old were your sons when you lost them?"
The man was not thrown by her sudden shift in the conversation. "Bertrand was four; Joseph just under a year."
Claire smoothed her skirt, felt sadness. "Why were they killed?"
"My wife was Omega." The sharpness of his gaze was frightening. "An Alpha wanted her. Before I even learned of what had happened, she had been pair-bonded to a friend of Premier Callas. The same Alpha who'd murdered our boys."
"What was her name?"
"Rebecca."
Somehow she just knew, Claire whispering, "And you killed her when Shepherd led you from the Undercroft."
"Yes, almost a decade ago—at her request."
Claire understood. Even after the man had found her and taken her back, his Rebecca would have been gutted by the power of a pair-bond she must have hated more than Claire hated her own. Her lip began to tremble. "I am very sorry for what happened to your family, but I don't understand how it led you here to do what you are doing now."
"Every member of this army is here for the same reason I am."
It felt like Shepherd had told her a thousand times. "Revenge."
"Call it cultural enlightenment."
Her green eyes, wide and eager, sat in a face bearing an urgent expression. "How do you not see the flaws in your own argument? Do you want the human race to end?"
"How do you continue to deny yourself the truth? I overheard your conversation with Enforcer Corday. You admitted freely that Thólos has done this to itself." Jules approached her, unblinking. "Even before the breach, this very degradation infected all life under the Dome… Do not waste our time by pretending that you did not live a lie just to feel safe."
It wasn't that simple. "Shepherd took me. I had a life before. I had a career. I could have had a future if I'd met the right Alpha."
"Shepherd choosing you as a mate was the best possible outcome for you, though you are incapable of accepting that fact in your ignorance and resentment."
Before she could offer a cutting retort, Jules opened the door and left.
Glaring at the door as if the man were still standing before it, Claire clenched her jaw so hard it hurt. In a few moments and a few carefully selected phrases, the Beta had shared more than Shepherd had in the first five weeks she had known him. Jules was a villain, of that she was certain, but a part of Claire could understand his rage.
Rage, it seemed, was all she was made of most days.
These men were not simply the psychopaths Claire had assumed. They were all on a mission. Jules claimed every member of Shepherd's army carried the burden of a painful past. If that was what it took to distort the psyche, to perpetuate evil in an attempt to do good, how far behind could she be?
Picking at her food, focusing again on the painting of Shepherd that served as companion during meals, Claire did not register the opening of the door.
The giant was pleased to find her admiring his portrait again, rounding the table to brush back her hair.
"I have brought you medicine to dull any pain," Shepherd explained once he had her attention. "Open your mouth."
Between her parted lips, two tablets were placed on her tongue, Claire sitting stupidly as Shepherd held her glass, pouring carefully so she could swallow. She obeyed, and his large thumb wiped away a small drip of milk.
Soaking in her surprised expression, he asked, "Have you been ill today?"
"No. Whatever is in that disgusting green drink seems to settle my stomach."
"But you are in pain and I was notified that you required relief," the male grunted, his concern obvious. "You also look tired."
"I didn't ask him for medicine and you already knew I was sore. You are physically demanding and my body is not always up to the challenge." Claire was tired. Very tired. "Besides, wasn't that the point of your punishment?"
Crouching to be nearer her eye level, Shepherd burrowed his hands in her hair and cradled her skull. "There was no punishment." The male began to work his fingers over her scalp. "These bruises… You should know that I was incredibly restrained. Antagonizing your mate to such a point is dangerous, as you are fragile, little one, and I am very strong. Yet in the anger you purposefully fostered, I fought myself. I did not strike you. I could have easily damaged you beyond repair."