Chapter 11: Deadly Enemy

When Lacey followed Gwen into the castle, the room had a high vaulted ceiling and ornate crown molding along the edge. The walls were painted with a light gold overlay, causing them to sparkle, creating a magical affect. A huge crystal chandelier hung in the foyer and a long, curved staircase wound from the second floor. It was obvious that the interior of the castle had been redone. Every inch of it sparkled but wasn't overly done.

"This is the foyer...." Gwen stated the obvious, but Lacey said nothing, not wanting to add to Gwen's past cruel treatment. "And to the right is the dining room and the kitchen, and to the left is the parlor. Straight ahead is the Grand Ballroom, and upstairs are the bedrooms." Gwen smiled, obviously proud of the castle.

"How long have you worked here?" Lacey asked.

Gwen shrugged. "For more years than I can count." Obviously, she was a shifter, but she didn't appear to be a day over nineteen.

But shifters didn't age, as long as they didn't give up their wolves. And the only time shifters gave up their wolves was when they fell in love with a human and wanted to age with them. Other than that, shifters could literally live for centuries.

"Please follow me and I'll show you to your room," Gwen said in a quiet voice, leading her up the stairs, passing my two male shifters. They smiled and nodded, and one raised an eyebrow. Shifters often shared mates, but Lacey would never go for such a thing. She wanted her mate to want only her. And from the look of it, Julien wanted the same thing.

There were five stories to the castle and most of the bedrooms were vacant or guest rooms for visiting packs. Behind the castle was an equally huge guest house for the servants.

When they reached the fifth floor, Scar walked past Lacey and laughed. "Alpha Queen," Scar said under her breath, shaking her head.

Lacey turned to her and growled as Gwen moved back against the wall, her eyes wide, obviously not wanting to have anything to do with Scar. Two other shifters hurried past.

Lacey stepped up close to her and smiled. "Enjoy being the Beta… while it lasts."

Scar smirked. "Oh, it'll last. In fact, I've been the Beta for years."

"But you're not sleeping with him."

Scar's smile quickly disappeared.

"And if it hasn't gone any farther than that, why do you think it will?" Lacey continued. "After all these years, what makes you think he'll change his mind and choose you?"

Scar started to walk away and then turned back. "And you enjoy being his… pledge… while it lasts."

"Oh, it will… Beta."

"Oh… I could just rip your throat out!" Scar stepped up close to her. "Right here. Right now."

"So, what's stopping you?" Lacey stared her down, not flinching. "From the way I see it, you're the one invading my territory. I'm his pledge, and soon to be his wife and mate. Don't mess with me."

Scar tried to slap her, but Lacey blocked her and grabbed her by the throat, pinning her against the wall, fighting the shimmers and red haze with black edges in her vision the whole time. But Scar broke free and slapped her hard across the face. Lacey marched toward her, ready to deck her or throw her over the bannister, when Julien grabbed her hard by the throat and pinned her against the wall, stepping in front of Scar, shielding her.

"You will not disrespect my Beta!" Julien's voice bellowed throughout the hallway. "Scar has been with me longer than you have, and you will treat her with respect!"

Lacey scoffed. "You're protecting her? I'm your pledge and soon to be your wife and mate! She attacked me, and you're protecting her?"

Julien turned to Scar and narrowed his eyes. "You attacked her?"

Scar's eyes widened and then she glared at Lacey. "She disrespected me, and I want her punished!"

"Look...." Julien looked between Scar and Lacey. "I don't know what this is about, but you are both a part of this pack and you will act like it!"

"She needs to go!" Lacey pointed at Scar.

Julien smirked, lifting an eyebrow. "She's not going anywhere."

"Well, then I'm leaving!" Lacey yelled, starting toward the stairs, but Julien grabbed her with iron fists and pulled her back. "Let me go!"

"No!" Julien growled, wrapping his arms around her as she fought.

"Why?" Tears streamed down her face. "Why won't you let me go?"

Julien's face softened when he heard her crying. "I don't know."

Lacey sighed, wiping the tears from her cheeks.

Scar yelled at Julien, gaining his attention, "She needs to be punished! I will not have her disrespecting me!"

Julien pointed at Scar. "You! Stay quiet!" Then he shoved Lacey at Gwen. "Here! Take her and lock her in her room." Then he pointed a finger at Lacey. "And don't even think about leaving!"

Through it all, Scar stood to the side with a self-satisfied smirk on her face.

Lacey pulled free and pointed a finger at him. "I'll leave the first chance I get! It's either her or me!"

"Then it'll be her," Julien said, his voice low. He took a step closer, looking directly into her eyes. "And if you disrespect Scarlett again, I will personally kill you. And that's not an idyll threat."

Gwen stepped up timidly and Lacey was about to walk past her when Scar blocked her way. "Don't get in my way. Consider this your only warning."

Lacey smiled, narrowing her eyes. "I will rip your throat out the first chance I get. Mark my words."

"Away with her!" Julien roared, causing the walls to rumble, resembling a caged animal ready to strike. Then he pointed a finger at Lacey. "I will deal with you later!"

Lacey smiled sweetly. "Can't wait." Then she walked purposefully from the room, following Gwen up the stairs, wondering why he had claimed her as his mate and queen in the first place.