Chapter 4 #2
Svana had not been born in Thólos Dome. Instead, she’d been gifted to the people of Thólos…
None of this was public knowledge, of course.
Very few knew Svana had arrived on a transport two decades ago as part of an Interdome trade of viable females.
Even less knew who that child in rags really was.
Her adopted parents didn’t know, and from Jules’ investigation, even Premier Callas was not privy to such information.
The secret belonged to Shepherd and to the chosen Followers of the man sworn to lead them to freedom.
Svana was cunning on her own; she used her position to develop access to everything… secrets, money, favors—even lovesick teenaged Shepherd.
It was a fancy she’d grown out of. Shepherd, on the other hand, had been entirely unaware of the fact that his beloved had moved on. She knew what she was doing, feeding his regard for her, nurturing his devotion. It seemed pathetic, had you not seen what the two of them could accomplish together.
That Jules hated. She was necessary for the plan. Shepherd, all the Followers, needed her.
But she also needed them. Without Shepherd’s army, there was no way the woman could reclaim her birthright.
Svana was the only surviving offspring of Greth Dome’s ruling family; a monarchy that had been deposed and disposed of.
Insurgents had killed her parents, and had foolishly thought to extend mercy to a little girl considered too young to remember.
Svana may have been small when her life under Thólos began, but she had been coached to corrupt from birth. But, just like her parents, she believed herself beyond reproach.
The affair with Premier Callas… Whether the Alpha admitted it or not, Shepherd had been forced to face a glimpse of what she truly was.
In response, Shepherd had acted against his beloved; he took an Omega mate.
A fact Jules had known Svana would not be pleased about once discovered.
Was this not the very reason Shepherd had kept the Omega obsessively hidden?
Not a soul was allowed near her, and even Jules had been cast out for only looking once… until recently.
The Beta did not know what had spurred Shepherd to take quarters away from his room for days; he didn’t ask. He had instead been stuck dealing with an irate ruler who possessed far less patience, and a pregnant Omega who looked heartbroken each time he brought her another of the blasted trays.
For reasons unknown, Shepherd had reduced Claire to a position of breeder, not mate.
Jules accepted it and did his duty. It was less than a week before the lieutenant opened the door to find Miss O’Donnell on the floor, altered, and trapped in a room with an odor Jules had smelled in his leader’s quarters before—the spiced scent of Svana’s Alpha slick.
The Omega who should have been nesting was as far away from the bed as she could get, so still she seemed corpselike.
It was the only reason he’d spoken when she asked his name.
On closer inspection, it had been impossible for Jules to miss the split lip and the discoloration on Miss O’Donnell’s neck.
Even more, he had recognized the look in her eye when Shepherd approached outside Undercroft; every nuance of her expression Jules had read with precision.
The Omega was devastated—not just afraid—emotionally crippled, and clearly suicidal no matter Shepherd’s denial on the subject.
And that was where the issue lingered. Jules presumed the obvious assumption was correct. Shepherd had mated with his long time consort… and he was aware of their habit of sharing heated Omegas.
Claire had reacted badly to whatever the Alpha female’s visit had inspired.
The situation was irreparable in the allotted time.
Shepherd’s denial and Svana’s vindictive nature had done the damage.
If what Jules suspected was true, Miss O’Donnell now had good reason to hate the man beyond just the initial fear of her situation and misunderstanding of his true agenda.
Even more, Shepherd’s current demands that Miss O’Donnell be returned to resume her position as his mate made the situation far more complicated.
It would almost be more convenient if the little Omega just died, the entire situation being nothing but troublesome. But she was carrying what would be Shepherd’s heir.
Claire was important now.
The ground was hard beneath her, the unyielding floor setting her hip to aching. But there was the smell of safety… a well-known Beta. They were wrapped together, covered in his coat like an overripe bug cocoon.
She cracked open an eye, finding Corday already watching her, his expression too controlled to read.
Claire admitted guilt. “I knew you’d help Nona if she used my name.”
Corday put his lips to her forehead; he held her tighter. “She told me what you did. You held a gun to your head, Claire.”
She had done that… and she had been very scared. “I did.”
He could play the belligerent game just as well as she could. Still holding her, he moved his face until their noses were touching. “Claire, please.”
Claire glanced to the side and absently worried her lip. “I’m not sorry for setting these women free.”
“I don’t want you to be!” Urgent, Corday whispered so the spying women might not hear. “What I want is for you to trust me. You don’t need to fight alone.”
But she did… both Corday and Senator Kantor had explained their position. “I am not going to attack Shepherd or his pig army. The Omegas are free, it’s done.”
“I don’t believe you.”
Still bone tired, Claire sighed. “I give you my word that I will not attack Shepherd. Such a thing would be pointless.”
“Look at me,” Corday urged, face grim and determined. “Swear it.”
She held his gaze. “I swear I will not attack them.”
The Beta seemed satisfied. “How long has it been since you’ve eaten?”
“I ate at your house.”
Frustrated, he squeezed her. “That was three days ago, and you threw up afterwards.”
“I had more important things to worry about than food.”
“Claire, you are not superhuman.”
No. She did not even feel regular human. She felt quasi-formed and misshapen. “I will eat.”
A twitch curled Corday’s lips. “Good.” He sat her up, rubbing at her neck when her bones cracked. “And while you are eating, I am going to ask you what other crazy schemes you have planned. You don’t need to keep secrets from me, Claire. Let me help you.”
They had an audience, several sets of eyes watching their low, murmured exchange. Corday went to pillage through the crates he’d brought. A piece of fresh fruit and a packet of protein rich supplement in hand, he returned to her.
Others approached Claire.
A few even sniffed the black-haired Omega, backing away quickly as if she might taint them once the rumor had been confirmed.
If Claire noticed, she did not react.
Corday could see that Nona was right. No matter what she had done for them, Claire would not be tolerated by the pack for long. “Come home with me, Claire.”
Claire looked to the man offering her an apple as if he’d gone mad. “I can’t put you in that position. No.”
“Then I’ll come here every day until you change your mind.” The Beta took her cold fingers and urged, “I want to take care of you. When you come to your senses, I will take you home.”
Claire mumbled, looking to the fire, “Should the time come, I look forward to going home.”
It was Nona who’d sat quietly through the exchange, who’d touched Claire’s arm in understanding.
It was time for Corday to go. Claire stood, pulled him into a hug, dismissing the man as she teased, “Next time you visit, bring decent coffee.”
He chuckled.
Suddenly serious, she gripped the fabric of his coat. “And if you are foolish enough to get caught, I will charge the Citadel to get you out.”
Corday’s laughter faded. “That’s not funny.”
“I wasn’t joking.”
Frustrated, running a hand through his hair, Corday argued, “You set the Omegas free. You moved mountains. It’s time for you to rest.”
Claire agreed. “Nona would not allow anything else. Now, get out of here, Beta. No boys allowed.”
Corday did not want to go, but he gave her space, swearing he would return.