“Don’t get too excited. He won’t pay you… Shepherd hanged the last batch who brought me in, Maryanne.” Claire looked at what had once been the smartest girl she knew and saw a stranger. “Fact is, he takes offense that anyone would expect payment for returning what’s his.”

Shoulders tight, Maryanne eased closer, eyeballing every corner of the room. “Did anyone see you come in?”

“No.”

“That means at least three people did.”

Claire let out a breath. “My face was covered and I’m sure you can smell for yourself that I am nothing special right now.”

Full lips smirking, Maryanne lifted a handful of Claire’s hair for a sniff. “True…”

Claire took Maryanne’s hand, the hand of who had been her closest childhood friend, and held it. Large eyes pleading, she whispered, “I need your help.”

“No.”

“Why?”

Maryanne pulled her fingers free and sauntered off. “You have no idea what these guys can do to you, Claire. Whatever you did, just find a place to hide and wait it out… but don’t drag me into it.”

“Actually, I do know what they’re capable of,” Claire spat at Maryanne’s back. “I’m pregnant with Shepherd’s child.”

“Fuck me!” Maryanne spun in horror, staring down at the diminutive Omega’s belly.

“I wouldn’t, remember,” Claire teased, trying to mimic the mischief of their youths. “You were all over me during school. That’s why we aren’t friends anymore.”

“Shut up, bitch.” Maryanne laughed, unable to suppress a wolfish grin, “You wish. It was Patrick Keck whom I wanted to fuck… and I did. Often.”

“Then you disappeared. You were my best friend and you never even said goodbye.” And that had hurt a great deal. More so because Claire knew Maryanne had been capable of so much more than the mayhem she’d accomplished. “I read your file. Is it true you broke into the Archives?”

“Several times… only got caught once. Shoveling pig shit for a year was worth it. You have no idea how much some folks will pay for something as mundane as forbidden, tattered books.”

“How did you get in?”

Maryanne licked her teeth and motioned to herself in a sweeping gesture. “This girl’s got skills.”

Claire grew serious. “And I need them.”

The woman edged closer, trailing her fingers down Claire’s tangled black hair, cooing, “You can’t afford me, sweet pea.”

“I know. Which is why I hate to do this.” Claire looked for a moment like she might lose her nerve, but she drew a deep breath and began. “The Omegas are locked in the Undercroft. I need to set them free, and you’re going to help me, or I am going to tell Shepherd you laid a hand on me. He will rip you to pieces, because I’m not only carrying his child… we’re pair-bonded.”

Maryanne turned full Alpha. “I WON’T FUCKING DO IT!”