When all was ready, Corday carefully took Claire’s limp hand, stroking her fingers until her bleary green eyes popped open. It was obvious she was confused. For just a moment she jerked from his nearness, ready to run. Then it began. The rich rumble of an Alpha purr took Claire from startled to angry.

The glare she gave Senator Kantor would have been funny had her scent not turned so rancid with fear. “You can stop now.”

The old man conceded.

Over dinner, the men chose silence. Claire did not. “Is there another bounty?”

Corday was not going to lie to her. “Yes.”

She forced down another salty bite. “And?”

“When we observed the Citadel, there was a line of citizens dragging in women of your description.”

Claire cringed. “That’s disgusting…”

“From what I could see, the Followers were letting them go, but citizens are starving.” This was Corday’s chance to explain why Senator Kantor was really there. “The bounty on your head could keep a family fed for a year. We have to keep you hidden.”

The old Alpha broached the greater issue. “And not just from Thólos.”

Claire cocked her head. “What do you mean?”

“I need you to understand that what is said cannot leave this room.”

He’d insulted her. “I never told Shepherd a thing. Never,” she said.

“Dissention could be our greater enemy.” Ruffling his grey hair, elbows on his knees, Kantor sighed. “Many of our people believe that unification under the Follower’s governance would satisfy Shepherd. The fact is, these citizens are numerous and growing more loyal to the dictator’s regime than we could have imagined. Our own ranks, even some of our brothers and sisters in arms, have been tempted to the other side. Once ensconced, they cannot be reasoned with. Your appearance within the resistance might offer too great a temptation for any straddling the line. Corday and I both believe they will vie to give you back.”

“We would never let that happen, Claire,” Corday interjected, desperate to explain once he saw the look on her face. “Ever. Do you understand?”

Senator Kantor dared to squeeze her hand. “We need our troops focused. We must find the contagion. To do that, you must stay hidden. No one can know you’re here.”

Claire sat silent, processing such information. When she finally spoke, her words were not gentle. “You seem to be a wise man, Senator Kantor, but can’t you see that time and further suffering will corrode those loyal to you no matter what? My pregnancy is the key to your success. So long as I am running wild in Thólos with his baby as my hostage, he won’t infect the population—not at the risk of infecting me. Now is your chance to strike. Use me and rebel immediately.”