Chapter 5: Pledged

Lacey walked down the hallway, headed toward the stairwell, having no idea what she would face downstairs. She had thought of making a run for it, but then thought better of it. She wasn't a coward... no matter how evil her new mate was.

She stood at the top of the stairs and looked down onto the Great Room. Her father stood at the head of the room, wearing a suit, and Julian was looking very dashing in a suit, as well. In fact, the entire pack was dressed up. Streamers adorned the railing of the stairwell. It was clear that her parents had pulled together a beautiful venue in a short time.

Julien looked up and their eyes met and held, causing Lacey's heart to pound. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all.

Lacey headed down the stairwell and all eyes turned to face her, stepping aside when she passed. A moment later, she took her side beside Julien. She looked up at him and smiled, but he reached up and in one swoop, unpinned her hair, letting it fall over her shoulders and down her back.

"I like it better down," he leaned in close and whispered in her ear.

"I don't care," she replied.

He smirked. "Oh, you will care." Then he looked up at Thorn and nodded.

Thorn pretended not to have heard the exchange as he looked over all the shifters present. "Everyone, we are here today to witness the solemn pledge between shifters as a promise to marry. The pledge is the first step to becoming a Mated Pair. As you all know, the pledge is a time for the couple to get to know one another before taking their final vows as man and wife." Thorn looked between Lacey and Julien. "If at any time during the pledge period you decide not to become mates, you may do so. But as you both know, once you take your final vows as a Mated Pair, your souls will become entwined, forever inseparable." Then Thorn looked into Lacey's eyes. "Alpha Princess Lacey Taregon, daughter of Alpha Thorn Taregon, do you agree to be pledged to Julien Grey, Alpha of The Harvest Moon Pack, as his future bride and mate?"

Lacey looked over at Julien and smirked. "I agree."

Thorn nodded, a smile spreading across his face. Then Thorn looked to Julien. "Alpha Julien Grey of The Harvest Moon Pack, do you agree to accept Alpha Princess Lacey Taregon as your pledge and future mate?"

Julien looked over at Lacey and one corner of his lips curled into a sexy smile. "Oh yes."

"Good enough!" Thorn exclaimed. "Then by the power vested in me as the Alpha and Chief of The Silver Pack, I now pronounce you pledged, one to the other."

Julien took a step closer and placed his hand on the back of her head, looking into her eyes. "Now, you will obey."

She smiled sweetly as she looked into his eyes. "Never."

Then his lips descended roughly upon hers, pulling her head back abruptly as she pushed against his chest. When he finally let her go, she slapped him hard across the face, accidently cutting his lip, as everyone gasped.

But Julien gave her a cocky grin, smiling as he wiped his thumb sexily across his lower lip. "Umm... I guess that's a taste of what's to come." Then he turned to Thorn, still looking at her. "Since it's getting late, do you mind if we stay the night?"

Thorn narrowed his eyes at her, and then looked back at Julien and smiled. "Yes, of course. Anything I can do to make the transition more comfortable for you... both." He looked back at Lacey and shook his head in warning.

"If you don't mind...." Julien slipped his arm around her and pulled her to him abruptly. "I'm going to get my new pledge a drink." Then he learned in conspiratorially. "To calm her down."

Thorn frowned as he gestured toward the bar. "By all means."

"Shall we... darling?" Julien asked, a sweet smile plastered across his face, placing his hand on the small of her back, sending chills over her body. Even though he was the last man on earth she would want to be pledged to, her body had other plans.

"Ugg! You are so infuriating!" Lacey rolled her eyes, resisting the urge to deck him again.

Julien led her to the bar and stared at her.

"Congratulations on your pledge!" Dylan, the bartender, set small napkins on the bar. "What can I get you to drink?"

Julien let out a low growl as his eyes turned a bright yellow.

"Okay!" Dylan looked nervously between them. "I'll give you a minute." Then he headed over to another couple.

"Do not ever speak to me that way again," Julien said, his voice low.

Dylan popped the top of a beer and handed it to him, and gave Lacey an Amaretto and Pineapple, her favorite drink. Here, Dylan knew more about her than the man she was just pledged to.