Free Reborn (Alpha's Claim Book 3) by Addison Cain Page A

Svana produced a biohazard banded cylinder, the thing so small and unassuming, it was hard to believe what that little device was truly capable of. Inside something smaller than Svana’s fist lurked a nightmare, the very disease that almost eradicated the entire human race.
    She offered it freely, her one bargaining chip gone. “Take it, my love. I don’t want you to have reason to doubt me.”
    The cylinder was placed in his hand. Closing his fist around it, Shepherd sighed. “When you act on your own without talking with me, I fear for you. It was not a question of doubt.”
    Voice dropping to a whisper, Svana’s eyes shifted to the man’s scarred lips. “I wish I could kiss you.”
    The tension softened in Shepherd’s face; he smirked. “I will kiss you the day you take your throne and free our people.”
    “Yes, that will do.” A warm smile on her mouth, Svana slipped away and eased towards the door. “Goodbye, Shepherd.”
    The virus now in his power, he let her go. “Goodbye, Svana.”
    It was three minutes before Jules dared enter. “She’s gone, spotted above ground moving east.”
    Once the door was sealed, Shepherd looked to his second-in-command and saw that the Beta fully understood what had just happened. The Alpha cracked his neck, the man miserable under a stone-faced façade. “Have this analyzed to confirm the virus is inside and the containment untampered with.”
    Jules displayed the depth of his feelings in one infinitesimal hitch of his brow. “You lied to her.”
    Yes, Shepherd had lied to her, because Svana had lied to him first. “Have this room swept for surveillance equipment you did not plant . The guard stays outside my room, even when I am there.”
    “Yes, sir.”
     

Chapter 4
     
    While folding laundry, Claire sensed the link chime like soft bells. The sensation was a fair deal calmer than the inferno she’d felt over the last hour. Shepherd had been exceptionally angry, Claire was relieved he’d gone and that the rage was not directed towards her.
    And then she’d worried something was terribly wrong. Misgivings came with the manipulation of the pair-bond. Worse was the doubt. Claire never did know just what stirred him up, and they both knew he’d remain mute to her questions. He never told her anything about how his time was spent tormenting Thólos... as if she’d forget what he was.
    A warm hand slid down her flank. “You are thinking of me.”
    Claire jumped under the unexpected contact, yelping as her heart leapt into her throat. Since she’d bitten him, he had taken to sneaking up on her, lingering in the shadows... watching her. It was always unsettling, Claire unsure if he’d been doing so all along.
    Now, the link was open —he could not hide from her.
    “If your plan is to murder me by scaring me to death, you’re on the right track!” Claire glared over her shoulder, barking, “I should sneak up on you and see how much you like it...”
    His lips were against her crown, the beast all grumbly and soothing. “You would never be successful in such an endeavor.”
    One hand cupping the subtle bump of her belly, Shepherd enfolded her in his embrace, offering a treat on the palm of his other hand.
    She snatched it at once, shoving a chocolate in her mouth, all the while arguing, “I might not be as sneaky as you, but I am a lot faster.”
    “Yes.” Shepherd grew marginally annoyed at the reminder. “You are very fast. A good trait for an Omega. Gloating, however, is less desirable. Eat your chocolate.”
    And there was that other new thing, the smirk he was learning to inspire. Claire popped another truffle between her lips, slaked and impish. “So you are trying to feed me candy until I’m fat and slow?”
    Shepherd purred, enticing the Omega when he rolled his groin against her. “My mate is a glutton, but I exercise her often.”
    Mouth full, Claire argued. “Sex is not exercise.”
    Shepherd nestled closer, thoroughly pleased she’d engaged