Chapter 48: Infirmary

Lacey woke in the castle infirmary and Julien was sitting in a chair by her side, holding her hand. "Julien...."

"Lacey...." He raised her hand to his cheek with tears in his eyes. "Lacey, why didn't you run when they attacked?"

She sighed, trying to sit up, but her head hurt too badly. So, she gave up and lay back down. "I had to protect my young warriors." She shook her head at the memory. "I wasn't about to leave them to fight experienced warriors alone. So, I sent them off." She didn't tell him that Koi wouldn't go.

"Except for Koi," Julien replied, voicing what she was thinking.

Well, so much for keeping the boy safe. "He didn't want to leave me—"

"Now, Alpha Queen, you know what it's like when someone doesn't obey your orders." Julien smirked.

Lacey sighed, defeated. "Touché." At that moment, she truly understood.

"So, if we're ever under attack again, you'll follow my orders?" Julien smiled, raising an eyebrow.

"I'll think about it," she teased, and then became serious. "But