When she arrived in the practice ring, a few shifters were already there, sparing in their human forms. Watching Car standing off to the side, talking to another shifter, Lacey had mixed emotions about her. Why would Scar stand up for her to Julien? Was it for Lacey's benefit, or for her own? But Lacey figured that the truth would come out eventually. "Yeah, you should have seen me during the attack!" Scar said to the other shifter. "I scared off those Wildclaws! Once they saw my moves, they headed for the hills!"The shifter she was talking to just listened but said nothing, obviously afraid of her. "Oh, yeah?" Lacey said, slipping on her MMA fighting gloves. "During the attack when I was fighting alongside the Alpha, I didn't see you at all.""You probably just didn't see me," Scar interjected.Lacey shook her head, smiling. "I don't think so." When she was ready, she walked into the practice ring, barefoot, and ready to work off some steam. "You mind?" She was asking the shifters
After Scar left, Lacey spent the rest of the afternoon working with the Pack Warriors on strategy, coordinating them, teaching them to work together. Just before the sun started fading from the sky, Julien came out and stood to the side, watching the warriors practice. After a while, he said, "Lacey, may I have a word?"Lacey looked up and nodded. "Yes, of course." Then she turned to the pack. "Okay. That's enough for today. Let's call it a day, but we'll start again first thing in the morning.""Yes, Alpha Queen." Some headed toward the forest to hunt, while others headed toward the castle. However, there was a camaraderie that wasn't there before."Good practice," Raye said to Lacey, and then nodded. "See you tomorrow." Then he nodded toward Julien. "Alpha."Julien nodded, giving him a slight smile as he passed.When they were alone, Lacey phased and dressed in her workout clothes. Then she zipped up her bag and headed over to Julien. Lacey leaned over and gave him a peck on the lips
Lacey pushed herself harder through the mountains, needing to run. Then she caught the scent of a herd of elk and slowed. Lacey crouched low, eyeing her prey, but then caught the scent of something else. Something big. "Grrrowwwaaallll!" She knew that sound well... and it was right behind her. Lacey's head snapped up as a low, guttural growl erupted from deep inside her chest. For behind her was a huge, black bear. "Why not?" Lacey thought, knowing she needed to work off some steam. The black bear rose on its hind legs and growled loudly again, staking its claim on the territory. However, when Lacey rose to her feet, revealing her massive size, the bear turned and started to run... but Lacey was faster. In two bounds, Lacey tackled the bear to the ground and sank her teeth into its neck, snapping it at the same time, not wanting to cause the bear any more pain than necessary. She angrily tore off slabs of steaming, hot meat until she had eaten her fill, and then left the rest
The next morning, Lacey woke early, wanting to get to the practice ring. Raye wanted to meet with her early, so she thought it was best to find out what he wanted.Lacey thought about her conversation with Julien and was glad that he had agreed to train the Pack Warriors. He was the best one for the job and had more experience than everyone else in the pack. And with experience came knowledge and years of strategy. Also, coordinating the warriors to work together as a team would be their best shot at defeating another Wildclaw attack, which was inevitable.The Wildclaws were rogue warriors without a pack. Each of them had been thrown out of their own packs or assimilated from other packs after theirs was decimated, so they formed their own pack. But it was known that they were nomadic and needed property of their own. So, instead of earning the money and building a base legitimately, it was easier to overtake an established one. Over the past several months, they had launched one unsuc
Julien was nearly to the practice ring as if nothing were amiss and began unpacking his things. Then he walked over and stood beside Lacey in the center of the ring. Scar walked out and stood on the other side of Julien as his Beta."Everyone, gather around," Julien instructed. "Since the attack the other day, the Alpha Queen and I have discussed tactics to better defend the castle and the pack. That said, we have decided that I will take over the training of the more experienced warriors, and the Alpha Queen will take over the training of the young wolves. The Beta will work with you on drills and strategies." He looked around the pack. "Understood?"There was a rumble of agreement. Julien went on to explain how he and Lacey planned to train them, and how they planned to have them work together for the good of the pack. "So, no matter what event is transpiring that day, we will not be caught off guard again." Then he looked over at Lacey. "Alpha Queen, where would you like your men t
Lacey dressed in a floor length blue dress that made her feel like Cinderella going to the ball. It was strapless and fitted in the bodice and flared out at the skirt and sparkled. She left her hair down but put in hot rollers and let it fall into soft waves and curls over her shoulders. Then she slipped on white shimmery shoes and was ready. In a way, it seemed strange to be dressing up like this just for dinner. In the past, she would have thrown on a dress and called it good enough. But here, a certain amount of decorum was expected. As she looked in the mirror, it was as if she was playing dress up... nearly every night. When she walked into the living room, Julien was waiting and got to his feet, dressed in a black suit and white shirt with cufflinks, but left the collar open, opting not to wear a tie. Her wolf growled her approval."You look exquisite." He crossed the room and took her hands, then gave her a chaste kiss on the lips. careful not to muss her lipstick. "You look p
The next morning Lacey woke early and headed to the gym. Although she worked out with the warriors on the practice field, it was different than working out with weights in a gym, and she hadn't been there since her arrival at the castle. If was below the castle two flights below ground level, just above the dungeon. It was dark when Lacey first walked in, but she groped the wall and found a light switch, then the whole room was illuminated with florescent lights from above in the high ceiling. No one else was there, so she walked around the gym, checking it out, amazed by all the equipment just sitting there, apparently not in use. Lacey planned to change that.She settled on a shoulder weight machine, set the weights, and began her repetitions. "Well, well, well...." Scar sauntered into the room, setting down her workout bag. Then she threw a hand towel over her shoulder. "Look who we have here."Lacey sighed. "Hello, Scar." After the practice, the day before, Lacey thought that Sc
After Scar left the gym, Lacey was so upset that she couldn't concentrate on working out, and it was time for training now anyway. So, Lacey packed up her things and headed out to the practice ring, just as they were taking the field. Julien looked over at her and a crease formed between his eyes, obviously knowing that she was upset about something. Lacey could see that his superior intuition was one of the reasons why he was Alpha.In an effort to reassure him, Lacey forced a smile as she set down her equipment bag and headed to the center of the practice ring. "Okay young warriors."Scar smirked. "Well, it's about time you got here."Lacey's eyes flared gold. "I was detained... and I don't answer to you."Koi, Willow, and the other young warriors approached. "Ready?""Aye!" they answered in unison and then followed Lacey to the south field along the border. Once they were in position, she said, "Okay, everyone! Let's run some drills!"They had been working out for a while in their
One Year Later...."Ready?" Lacey's mother asked, smiling proudly as she looked into Lacey's eyes. After the war Between the Packs, Lacey had offered to let her mother stay with her, but now that Camari was truly free to do as she pleased, she had decided to become a member of The Shadow Pack, Arkin's pack. Lacey was glad that her mother and Arkin had found one another again... after all these years. And it was strange. Thorn and Camari had been worried about the other dying if one left, but standing before her now, Camari was no worse for wear. Lacey guessed that it was because the Mating Bond between them had already faded years ago. There had been too much water under the bridge between them before he had passed.But Lacey pushed the thought aside, determined not to let anyone ruin this day. Lacey nodded. "Yes. I'm ready."One corner of Camari's lips curled into a smile. "Well, then. You shouldn't keep your Mate waiting."Lacey headed through the living room, dressed in a full-leng
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 helped. They attacked you. Remember that." Then he let out a deep breath. "If you hadn't fought them, then they would have killed you. It was self-defense."Lacey nodded. "Yes, I know. But it doesn't make it any easier."Julien nodded, understanding. "Let me know if you need me."But then she pulled him close. "Julien, I'm proud of you tonight. You are a wonderful Alpha Supreme. You not only think about your pack, but the whole Tribe, as well."He raised his eyebrows. "You mean, our pack."Lacey smiled as she nodded
Lacey sighed, thinking. "Julien, I'll be honest with you."He rubbed his thumb across the top of her hand. "Yes, please do."Lacey nodded, and then looked into his eyes. "Roth was horrible to me while we were growing up. Not only him, but all my siblings with Thorn and my mother. You already know that." She bit her upper lip and then released it. "But I don't think that a year is too much to ask to prove his allegiance to you, and to me." She placed a hand atop his, holding his hand. "A year would be plenty of time to show his allegiance and his loyalty. Then after a year, if he proves unworthy, then you can strip him of his title." Lacey patted his hand, looking into his eyes. "Give him a chance. I think he'll make a strong, loyal Alpha if given the chance to do so. Especially now that Thorn is gone."Julien nodded and then kissed her hand, too. "You are a wise woman, and to you, like our subjects, I also pledge my fealty." Then he gave her a long, lingering kiss as he placed his hand
"Thanks for staying to speak with me," Julien said to Roth, Arkin, Seth, and Chris after the other Alphas had left. Lacey stayed, too. Since the battle, Julien had been including her on all pack decisions, and they had been running The Harvest Moon Pack together as a team. They had truly become partners, with mutual respect.Julien let out a deep breath taking his seat. "I didn't want the other Alpha's to know, so I decided to do this privately." Then he looked over at Roth. "Roth, I know that you didn't make the decision to stand with the rogue wolves and Rex against me." Clearly, Julien was giving him the benefit of the doubt. "Thorn did that. But now you have the chance to do the right thing."Roth leaned forward, folding his hands on the table. "And how do you propose I do that?"Julien sighed, and then looked into his eyes. "You need to step down as Alpha of The Silver Moon Pack."Roth nodded. "Alpha Grey, I understand your position, but this is my birthright." He sighed. "I was
About a week later, after everything had settled down, Julien called the very first council meeting of all the packs in the area. And it was mandatory that all Alphas attend. Julien hosted it in the smaller dining area adorned with Julien's paintings. Although it was much smaller than the grand dining hall, it would be big enough for this meeting. Lacey had ensured that a meal was properly prepared for the meeting and all packs were given a room if they chose to stay overnight. When Eric and Seth walked in with Arkin, they both shook Julien's hand as he and Lacey greeted the Alphas and pack leaders at the door."Julien, I'm so glad you did this," Arkin said, looking around at all the different factions. "It's about time we all start working together.""Precisely," Julien agreed. "I truly appreciate you coming. There's some things I'd like to discuss with you.""Sounds good," Arkin said. "Whatever you need."Julien nodded and then turned to greet the other Alphas coming in behind them
Lacey waited inside the compound along with the rest of The Harvest Moon Pack, all weary from the battle. "Anyone in need of medical attention, go immediately to the infirmary!" "Aye!" the entire pack yelled in unison. Robes had been handed out as they walked in, taking their human forms, along with bottled water."Let me take a look at that." Misty stood at the door and checked a shifter's arm as he came in. "You. Go to the infirmary." Then she stopped three young shifters. "You three look exhausted. Are you hurt?""No, ma'am," the three said in unison. Misty nodded. "Good. Then go upstairs to take a bath and get some rest. Food will be served in the dining hall soon.""Yes, Ma'am." Then the three of them headed up the stairs.Misty spent her time directing the others instead of taking care of herself. "Julien!" Lacey yelled when he came walking through the door. He was bloody, but appeared to be no worse for wear. "Let's get you to the infirmary.""It's you who needs to go." He l
Rex paced like a caged animal, ready to strike. At first, Julien wished he could talk to Rex in their wolf forms. But they couldn't, since they were no longer from the same pack. But it was just as well. Long ago, they had already everything that needed to be said. And it had done no good. This fight was inevitable and a long time coming.Julien waited for Rex to make the first move. But he had gone through too much, sacrificed too much to lose to Rex. He wanted everything… power, money, his pack… even his wife. And Lacey was the one thing that Julien would never give up. The war was won and the Wildclaws and The Silver Pack subdued, but this battle was far from over. Julien knew that a war had been raging in Rex for a long time and wouldn't be quelled.Suddenly, Rex jumped at Julien, but he ducked, flipping him over his back. He landed hard on the cold stairs, crumbling under his weight.Julien stepped on his throat, holding him down, hesitating. Julien didn't want to have to kill Rex
Although Lacey couldn't hear Rex, she didn't need to. She knew exactly what he had come for. Exactly what he wanted. "Julien!" Lacey yelled in the Pack Mind. "I need you over here! Now!" "I'm a little busy at the moment, but I'm on my way!" In the background, she heard the keening of a wolf and then a crunch as the scream cut off abruptly.Lacey sighed as Rex took a step closer. "It's Rex.""On my way!" She could hear Julien's footfalls in the background of the Pack Mind. Lacey stood her ground just outside of the glass double doors of the castle. "Young warriors, stand tall! Steady! Do not let them breach… no matter what!""Aye!" They all took their fighting stances, willing to fight to the death if it was asked of them. Lacey hoped she didn't have to. Rex took a purposeful step onto the bottom stair, his eyes trained on Lacey, licking his lips as one side of his mouth curled into a sinister smile.Lacey took her fighting stance, a low, guttural growl erupting from deep within her
In a short time, Lacey ran onto the grounds of The Harvest Moon Pack, along with Julien and The Shadow Pack. As wolves fought viciously in the clearing, it was clear they were under attack. Lacey took down two Wildclaws but saw that members of The Silver Pack were there, too. Lacey hated to have to fight her family, but if they knowingly stood against her and her pack, then she couldn't just stand by and let it happen. At that moment, she resigned herself to take down whoever she had to and answer questions later. She was just glad that her mother wasn't here to see this. To the right, Koi was fighting a shifter and was losing.Lacey grabbed the Wildclaw from behind and threw it across the practice field. "Get inside and guard the castle!" Lacey yelled to him."Aye, aye, My Alpha Queen!" Koi yelled, making a run for the castle. Lacey was glad that he hadn't argued with her. Then she remembered that her post was also inside the castle, so she ran across the lawn toward the castle, pre