Shepherd tensed, muscles flexing as if he’d been insulted. “I never treated you as a pet. I treated you as a mate, approaching the situation of our bond instinctually—as all Alphas do.”

There was that word again. Looking back at the mark her teeth had left in his skin, she said, “Your instincts and my instincts say very different things.”

His counter was so quick, it was clear he’d thought through the issue beforehand. “You do not follow your instincts, little one. You live entirely in your ideals. Therefore, I have researched the subject of pairings under the Dome and tried to adapt to what you anticipate as much as I can allow. I want you to be happy even if the circumstances are unfavorable and the goal requires massive effort.”

There was something between the words, something she could not put her finger on. “You dislike the changes?”

“Many things suggested are unsafe for you.”

Claire could not help but imagine a long list of horribly cheesy romantic interludes the man had probably read as if studying for war. Utterly sarcastic, Claire muttered under her breath, “Such as walks in moonlit gardens and dates to watch old films? Yes, those are indeed incredibly dangerous moments in life.”

He didn’t answer.

Claire looked at him as if he were something totally alien, seeing the man raised underground. Even crouched he was so damn big, looming, and too close. The male was playing the part of the attentive, well-meaning mate. That was not Shepherd, not the Shepherd she’d known—no matter the alterations, or the bite… or the suddenly wide-open connection between them he was waiting for her to acknowledge.

Before she just started crying in confusion, Claire dared an honest question. “Can I ask you something?”

Shepherd took her hand, enfolding their fingers—another thing he had recognized was important when communicating with his female. “You may.”

Unsure where to begin, she blurted, “I cannot imagine you were so possessive...” She looked away for a moment in consideration. “That might not be the right word. Obsessive maybe.” Starting again, making herself look him in the eye, Claire said, “I cannot imagine you were so obsessive with Svana. Her autonomy must have been respected. I also assume, and I am admitting this is an assumption, that you disregarded her negative behavior within the confines of your relationship quite easily. I saw how you looked at her...”

“What is the question?” Shepherd growled, not hiding his distaste for the direction of their conversation.

Claire rubbed her lips together and tried again. “Aside from the fact I am an Omega and you consider my dynamic inferior, why are we regarded so differently?”

Though muscles of his neck bunched, the man remained quiet, thinking. Speaking abstractly, Shepherd began, “I do not believe Omegas are inferior. I believe they are precious and delicate. Your purpose and roles are different, and thus your treatment must reflect that.”