Chapter 10: Beta

Lacey and Julien rode the rest of the way in silence. On the way, Lacey wondered what had happened to him to make him so hard and devoid of love. Although she had caught glimpses of his capacity for tenderness, she was sure that a woman had broken his heart, or maybe something else had happened to harden his heart.

But she quickly pushed the thought aside when they turned left onto a narrow road lined with trees and his mansion came into view. Lacey was surprised to see that it wasn't a mansion at all… but a castle. And it was huge! Much bigger than her stepfather's mansion. She wondered how Julien could afford such extravagance. But when you are nearly immortal and invest wisely, you can accumulate a lot of wealth.

"Wow," Lacey said as the limo pulled to a stop in front of the castle. The stone walls were light gray, glistening in the sunlight, and a lush forest surrounded it. "This is gorgeous!" Her wolf itched to explore the surrounding forest, pleased with the amount of land to run and hunt.

Julien nodded, smiling. "Come along and I'll give you a tour."

Lacey was happy that he was now speaking to her in a civil tone, at least. Her positive remarks about the castle must have pleased him. For once, she did something right, not that she cared, but at least it may make her life here easier.

"So, where's our room?" Lacey looked over the castle, clearly intrigued.

Julien squinted and pointed up high. "You see the turret to the left?"

"Yes," she replied, excited.

"And that little window?"

"Yes." Her enthusiasm waned.

"That is your room." Julien smirked, gauging her reaction. It was clear that he found some sick pleasure in tormenting her.

The redheaded woman chuckled.

"I thought that we were to share a room," Lacey said without thinking. Actually, she was glad she wouldn't have to share a room with this overbearing beast.

Julien shook his head. "No. Not until we're married."

The redhead burst out laughing at Lacey. "He's not your mate yet!"

"Scarlett!" Julien growled.

Lacey scrunched up her nose, sick of the antics of this woman. "Who the h*ll do you think you are, talking to me that way?"

Scarlett stepped up to Lacey, nose to nose. "I am his Beta. And you are nothing… yet."

But Lacey wasn't about to back down. "I suggest you take a step back. I am soon to be the Alpha Queen and you will treat me as such."

Scarlett smirked, placing her hands on her hips. "Not if I can help it."

"Scar!" Julien yelled, then he turned to face Lacey. "Actually, you are to respect her," Julien said, stepping between them.

Lacey smirked, shaking her head. "She'll get no respect from me unless she respects me as the future Alpha Queen and your mate first."

Julien pulled her hair back, nearly breaking her neck again as the redhead smirked. "Actually, you will respect her… because I said so."

"Okay...." Lacey said, trying to pull free. "Are you sleeping with her?"

"No, she is my second in command." Julien shook his head and released her, throwing her toward the redhead. "This is Scar, short for Scarlett. She's been with me for a while now and you will give her the respect she deserves." Then he looked at Scar. "And you will accept Lacey as my future mate and Alpha Queen."

One corner of Scar's lip curled into a snarl, but she said nothing.

Lacey's eyes met his as she took a step closer to him. "She will get my respect when she earns it. Not before."

Scar growled, her eyes turning a bright red, and Lacey's wolf seethed for the kill, ready to take her on. But Julien held up a hand, stopping them both.

He stepped up close to Lacey again. "You will respect her, and you will do as I say." He smirked. "She's not going anywhere."

Lacey's eyes narrowed. "Then why didn't you choose her as your mate instead of me?"

Suddenly, a short young woman came out of the castle, obviously having heard the exchange. "Welcome home, sire."

Lacey laughed, shaking her head. So, he fancied himself the Lord of the Manor, huh? Okay... unless he really was that old. But then again, he didn't look a day over twenty-five, twenty-eight tops. But it could be possible.

Julien growled, his eyes flaring a bright gold as he faced Lacey. "Gwen is your maid. She will give you a tour of the castle and will show you to your room. Dress for dinner. We eat promptly at eight."

"I thought you were going to give me a tour," Lacey observed.

"Change of plans." Then he walked purposefully toward the castle, leaving Lacey alone with Scar.

"Stay out of my way." Scar smirked. "You're not his mate yet."

Lacey took a step closer to her. "And neither are you."

Scar snarled, and then walked purposefully into the castle.

"Ugg!" Lacey balled her fists at her sides. "They are so infuriating!"

"Hello." Gwen cautiously approached her, probably wondering if she was going to be as cruel as her master. "My name's Gwen. I'll be your maid."

Lacey forced herself to stop shaking, making an effort to calm down. After all, Gwen seemed nice enough. It wasn't her fault that her master was a jerk. But then again, the jerk was her future mate.

"Hello." Lacey forced a smile. "My name's Lacey Taregon."

Gwen bobbed a slight curtsy. "Yes, Princess. It's nice to meet you."

Lacey laughed despite herself. "Please. Don't call me princess. You can call me Lacey. In private, at least."

"Yes, Princ... er... Lacey," Gwen replied, appearing to relax a bit. "If you would be so kind as to follow me, I'll give you a tour of the castle."

Lacey nodded. "Thank you. That's very kind of you." As she followed the petite blonde girl into the castle, Lacey wondered what she had gotten herself in to... for the hundredth time.