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.”

The purr was so loud and his fingers felt incredibly comforting tugging her hair… even if his words were disturbing. “It was worth it,” she muttered.

The man was oozing patience, still in that seeming calm he’d woken with. “Explain such a statement.”

This version of Shepherd was never quite what it seemed. Cautiously, Claire answered, “It is the only way I know of to communicate with you.”

He seemed intrigued, eyes shining as Shepherd dissected her stratagem. “You long for more conversation?”

If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle. - Sun Tzu

Claire needed to know Shepherd. She could no longer afford to ignore him as she had done before. She needed to know his Followers. More so, she needed to make sure she knew herself, and did not lose sight of what she was should he hurt her again.

Thinking over how best to answer, she sighed. “It would be normal to feel that I could trust you to simply sit down and talk with me. But you seem incapable of the restraint of listening to what you might not like—and feeling unheard makes me frustrated and unhappy.”

“Do you not place some of the blame on yourself, little one? Your effort to ignore my presence is apparent.”

“Why would I pay any attention to a man who doesn’t listen to me or respect how I feel?”

“Because I am older and wiser. I know what is best.”

Claire snorted, a small twitch in her lip. “What you are is a fanatic and a despot. And I don’t really think you know me at all, Mr. green is your favorite color.”