“My friend was pair-bonded to a stranger, someone who mistreated her. Any kind of physical relationship is off the table for now.”

And if it couldn’t get worse, like magic, it did. Svana’s reaction to Corday’s words was authentic. Shepherd saw her face through the feed, the beauty of her exotic bone structure lost the mask of Leslie Kantor. Svana showed herself. “Pair-bonded? That is unthinkable.”

That disgust was genuine.

Outraged, Shepherd was forced to conclude Svana had believed he’d kept a female under lock and key in his quarters that was not his rightful possession. Rape was beneath him, as Svana well knew considering his mother’s sad history, and Shepherd did not break his code, ever!

Vibrating with utter indignation, Shepherd felt energy build up, crest, years of anger threatening to seep out as a low endless howl of rage. Only one thing stopped the outburst, one phrase that carried him beyond explosion and straight into stagnant shock.

“The little I know is that the woman behaved like your run-of-the-mill sex offender.”

Blood throbbed in his skull. Was that Claire’s interpretation of Svana? Of him? She had called him a rapist once, and he had taken her when she was reluctant… but she was his bonded mate. Claire grew willing once she learned he took the time to pleasure her; the Omega relished their mating once she let herself enjoy it. Even the first time, he had not touched her without her consent. The one time he’d punished her physically, he had not hurt her. When she’d cried so pathetically afterward, he could not bring himself to do it again, even though it was his right as Alpha to correct her bad behavior and establish dominance. Never had it been rape. Her hesitation was due only to misunderstanding her position as an Omega, and her fear of her unfamiliar Alpha. After their time together, she had been coming around… he had painstakingly melted that ice.

He would not dishonor Claire, nor would Svana. His beloved had never touched Claire, he’d ensured it himself!

But he’d found Svana choking the life out of his mate… the Omega pushed back on the bed, her lip split and bleeding.

A new feeling, a sort of churning sickness stole his breath. Perspective shifted. Svana had come into his room and attacked a pregnant Omega clearly under his protection… but she would not have sexually assaulted her. It was against everything they stood for.

But Claire had been very frightened; it’s what drew you from the Citadel to rush to your mate.