Understanding dawned and Claire’s jaw dropped; she was a rebound. Her skin began to buzz as if overstimulated, her mind flew into a thousand directions at once. Shepherd’s whole world had been shaken and his mutilated reaction had been to take an Omega—to continue his dedication to the woman who’d freed him from the Undercroft, but ease his own troubled heartache by forcing another to love him as he longed for Svana to love him.

“Why are you crying?”

Startled, Claire looked up to see the blue-eyed Beta had come with a new tray. Turning the paper pinched in her fingers towards the intruder, she ignored his question and just showed him the rendition of Shepherd in watercolor.

With brows drawn low, Jules looked at her painting, then looked away immediately. “You do not lack talent.”

“So I’ve been told,” wiping tears off her face, Claire conceded. “Does he know that you talk to me?”

“No.”

“I’m glad that you do.”

Such startling eyes in such an expressionless face, it was an odd sort of imbalance. “I know.”

With a sorry smile, Claire pushed the painting of Shepherd aside. “You asked why I was crying. I was crying because I just sorted out… why he took me. I am not sure if I feel worse for my own ruined life, or for a man who is so fucking clueless. Shepherd may think brushing aside his pain over Svana’s infidelity will make it go away, that by taking a mate he might fill that void… but love does not work that way.”

Jules stiffened. “Your assessment is incorrect; do not think of it again. Such thoughts are unhealthy for your son.”

“Why do you say son? How do you know it’s not a girl?”

He sniffed the air but did not alter his expression. “I had two sons once… the subtlety of the scent is specific.”

She echoed, “Had two sons?”

His voice never wavered. “My children were murdered when my wife was taken from me.”

Everything in his statement was exactly what was wrong with this whole damn situation. “Children are dying in Thólos now, others’ sons and daughters!”

Jules answered blandly, “It is unfortunate your people prey on the weak, but what we allow is necessary.”

Claire stood, she railed at the Beta. “Necessary? Explain it to me, then! Explain yourself to the woman your master has ruined because he didn’t know how to handle his hurt feelings!”

“Discuss it with Shepherd.” Face blank, Jules left, locking her back in her cage.