Later that night after the Alphas and her family had either left the castle or had retired for the night, Lacey prepared herself for the talk with her mother about Thorn's and Lynessa's deaths.

"Would you like me to go with you?" Julien asked as they ascended the stairs.

Lacey shook her head. "No. I just want to get this over with."

Julien pulled her to a stop at the top of their stairwell and placed his hands on her shoulders, looking into her eyes. "Lacey, it couldn't be ...