“You would have to offer something far greater to entice me to kiss you. Instead, I will offer,” Claire pursed her lips and tried to consider, ignoring the way he was moving his warm hand in small circles against her lower back, encouraging negotiation. “I will offer…” She did not really have anything to offer. “I will sing for you.”

“No.”

“I will paint you whatever you wish.”

“No.”

She had failed so many; she could at least do one thing for the dead women. Moving her hand to hover over his exposed dick, she faked resolve but her unsteady voice betrayed her. “I will initiate sex at a time of your choosing.”

Shepherd looked down between them where her hand was so close, but not near enough. Enticed, he purred, eyes ready to devour her. “That is a far more interesting offer. I choose all three.”

Fine, then that was what he would get. “I want proof it was done.”

The Alpha grinned, thoroughly smug. “Sing something now, in good faith.”

She could do this. “What song would you like to hear?”

Moving her hair behind her ears, Shepherd ensured his view would be unobstructed. “The song you first sang, but no crying this time. You must also look me in the eye as you sing to me.”

The ballad began and she sang it the whole way through, Shepherd caressing, purring, seemingly well-satisfied with the arrangement. Claire did not cry, far too eager to have her way.

When she had finished, he was tame… looking at her as he’d looked at Svana. “It could be like this all the time, little one.”

She put a hand to his cheek and said softly with a heart hard as stone, “No, Shepherd, it couldn’t.”

“You will see…” Placid, Shepherd drew her back down to rest. “I will show you.”

Everything was soft and warm and fluffy. Claire had no interest in shifting, even for the smell of coffee and the warm hand reaching into her burrow. Shepherd hooked her around the waist and pulled until her messy hair cleared the blue duvet and a bleary-eyed Omega emerged.

The new bed had arrived during her dinner with Maryanne—everything in her favorite shade of blue, everything fresh. Even with the effort the Alpha had made, Claire had not felt an urge to nest for many days. But he kept putting her back in it, taking her from whatever she was doing and burying them both under the covers, caressing her belly to encourage his Omega’s thoughts of the baby, until at last it just clicked and she subconsciously began to sniff at him, began to press nearer.