Shepherd exercised a chilling tone. “Your questions are incendiary.”

Claire used Shepherd’s favorite argument against him. “Considering the history between us, that is inescapable, but necessary if you want to move forward.”

“Fine. Then answer this.” Shepherd’s massive hand gripped her shoulder, assuring she could not scoot away. “What is it you found so appealing in the Beta? You touched him freely and were open with him. You were absolutely different with him than you are with me.”

The question was an unexpected one. “You mean Corday?”

Shepherd’s eyes narrowed dangerously. “Enforcer Samuel Corday, yes.”

“First off, I did not even know his full name. Secondly, you are hurting my shoulder.” Claire glanced down to where he grasped, Shepherd’s hold lessening considerably at her complaint. “Thirdly, I hardly know him.”

“Do not play games with me, little one.”

Exasperated it needed to be spelled out, Claire blurted, “He’s nice. The man had no agenda. He never tried to touch me or was sexually inappropriate. Corday respected my thoughts and wishes. He made me feel safe and unthreatened when I was very frightened and alone. He put himself at great risk and actually helped the Omegas...” Claire’s voice dropped, the thread whirled, and something long unsaid slipped from her mouth. “The reason I originally came to you, if you had forgotten. Imagine how different our connection would be had you done the same—instead of weaving your mind games and constant manipulations. Instead of infidelity and threats!”

An animal roar, a thing of great violence ripped past the Alpha’s lips. “Every last thing I have done, EVERYTHING, has been for your benefit—even knowing my actions cost me your favor. THAT IS WHAT A WORTHY ALPHA DOES FOR HIS MATE!”

Claire was struck speechless by the echo at his end of the link. Shepherd was not lying or hiding facts in justifications or outright deception. Whether or not she agreed with him, he believed every last word—passionately. In his mind, he offered repeated sacrifice for her and had gained nothing by it but the burden of her unhappiness and disdain. But there was so much more to his uncustomary outburst, layers of suppressed feeling that had to be difficult for a man like Shepherd to process—all there in the link, exposed where she could see.

Jaw dropped, Claire felt everything inside him.

Shepherd looked lost for a moment, the same expression he’d worn when he came to her in the bathroom after fucking Svana... when she had laughed at him.

His name came softly to her lips, Claire calling to him for a reason she did not understand. “Shepherd...”