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"I didn't fall, I ju the bruises blotched across her pale throat for every last Follower to see

Only with soreat effort was Shepherd able to speak levelly "You have made your point I will even admit I am impressed with your little coup But it's over now"

"I don't give a fuck what you think!"

A stifled bark came from the Alpha, his ry—"

Her voice dropped low, coarse as she hissed through clenched teeth, "Angry does not even begin to describe what I am I have been defiled, ry"

"Everything that was done was necessary," Shepherd countered, taking another inti step closer

"You may have had me for a moment there, but your woman opened my eyes to what you really are" Fierce, Claire's lip curled in threat "I should be thanking you, Shepherd Your horrible lesson of insurrection was an inspiration You taught ainst tyranny with the right encourageainst you and the perversion of your ideals"

She had stood there long enough

Tre so hard she was certain every last man there could see her fear, ready to do what she did best, Claire took a backwards step into the smoke

Shepherd countered, struggling to rein in his rage "Do not et injured, and I would prefer that not be the case"

"What are a few broken bones and a potential gunshot or two?" She pressed her free hand to her heart, Claire's face the i Nothing at all"

Even Shepherd could not deny the echoing truth in the fractured bond; it was like she wasn't even there—the greater fragone But she was more at that moment than she had been when her every hour was spent in a stupor underground

She would recover

Looking deep into such pain-filled eyes, Shepherd spoke in a voice of certainty, of authority "Your place is with me You will return to your mate"