Svana’s derisive snort preceded, “It would not take long for the Omega to learn her place… one which is below me. She may have fought my initial touch, but you are her Alpha; her opinion matters little. She is nothing but a physical vessel for your needs.”

“Initial touch?” It was like the spark of a forest fire, Corday’s accusation, sex offender, wrecking Shepherd’s last vestige of calm. It cost him a part of his soul to accuse, “You tried to touch her sexually and she resisted. That is why you struck her…”

Svana seemed unperturbed, shrugging. “She refused to spread so that I could taste… I merely wanted to confirm the scent of her pregnancy—which I did.”

A surge of violence almost overwhelmed his control. He shook, felt the dagger of the link twist hideously in his chest. The female Alpha had dared to touch his mate inappropriately! Svana had hurt Claire simply for being defensive and sexually obedient to only him. Shepherd blinked, fighting not to reach out and break bone. “That is unacceptable, Svana! Beyond your needless attack of a weak and pregnant woman, such behavior is so very against your nature that I question if you have lost yourself. How would you even consider what you have done as appropriate?”

Her eyes narrowed; she showed her teeth. “You keep her to fuck her. What is yours has always been mine.”

“I claimed her as a mate!” It was almost a roar but so soft it seemed strange that the windows shook with unseen force.

“And then unquestioningly fucked me right in front of her, proving she is nothing but a sorry replacement. Because I am the one you adore. The scrawny Omega is only a diversion you believe to be more important than she is because you foolishly pair-bonded in a moment of weakness.” A purr came from Svana’s chest. “I understand now that I have neglected you. The situation will be rectified, and from now on I will see to your physical needs. There need be no animosity between us.”

Shepherd blinked, jaw clenched as he looked down. His beloved had reached out to lower his zipper, her elegant fingers pulling out the flaccid length of Shepherd’s cock. Svana began to stroke. It was the anger that sent his blood pumping and made him stiffen in her grasp, the fury that pulled forth the low animal growl as he latched onto sensation to escape the unbearable realization of what his beloved had done.

Rubbing her thumb in smooth circles over the tip of his cock, she cooed and leveled him with a hungry stare. Caught up in the grip, in the way Svana knew exactly how to earn a response, Shepherd tore at the fastenings of her pants, already rutting her hand in desperation to redirect so much wrongness into something right.