Lacey looked out the window and at the fading leaves falling from the trees, she knew that winter would be here soon. Lacey just hoped, when all was said and done and every warrior accounted for, that they would have the numbers to defeat Rex and the rogue Wildclaws... once and for all.After her family's behavior when they came for her wedding, Lacey wasn't looking forward to this visit, but she owed it to tell them face to face. Then again, they may have changed. She planned to give them the benefit of the doubt, as well as another chance.When the limousine pulled to a stop in front of the compound, No one was there to greet them.Brogan slid out of the limo, and then offered her his hand, helping her out. "Are you sure they were expecting you?" Misty asked, looking at the closed door of the compound. Lacey nodded in disbelief. "Yes. And they are my family." When she walked toward the front of the compound, one of the maids was standing at the door. Vivian bowed slightly, giving
"Are you well, Alpha Queen?" Brogan asked as Misty glanced at her in the rearview mirror from the front passenger seat as Victor drove them through the fates, leaving the Shadow Pack.After the frosty welcome she had received with the Silver Pack, the family she had grown up with, she had no idea what awaited them when they arrived at her stepfather's pack. Julien had called ahead and spoke to Arkin, letting him know that she was on her way.Lacey nodded. "Yes, thank you." Then she stared out the window, watching the bare trees, now ready for their winter slumber.Soon, the limo pulled to a stop in front of a mansion, one of the biggest that Lacey had ever seen. She couldn't help but think that it would have been amazing to grow up at this compound. But then memories of the way she had been treated at her parent's mansion came flooding back. If that was the way family treated her, then she wanted no part of it. When she and Julien had a family of their own, she wanted things to be diff
Lacey woke early the next day, ready to have breakfast with Arkin and then go home, but Arkin stopped her, meeting her when she came downstairs for breakfast."Good morning!" Arkin greeted her with a friendly smile, heading her off before she could go into the main dining hall with the other shifters."Good morning." Lacey couldn't believe the difference in how Arkin and his pack were treating her in comparison to the Silver Pack, the family she had grown up with, had treated her. After this visit, she hated to leave, but she was eager to see Julien. And with the impending attack from the Wildclaws, she knew he needed her.Arkin took both of her hands and looked into her eyes. "Would you like to meet your brothers before you leave? I've arranged a private family brunch for you to get to know one another, if that's all right."A broad smile spread across Lacey's lips, touched by the sentiment. "How thoughtful!" she said, nodding. "I'd love to."Arkin offered her his arm and she took it,
"Thank you so much for having me," Lacey said to Arkin, standing by the limo with Brogan and the other shifters from her pack. She hadn't seen her warriors since she had been there, but they seemed to have had a good time. A few members of the Shadow Pack had even come to say goodbye, and Brogan, Misty, and Victor were all smiling, which was a good sign. Misty and Victor got into the car, but Brogan waited for Lacey, holding the door open for her.Arkin placed his hands on her upper arms, and then gave her a kiss on both cheeks. "It was a pleasure to see you again. Please. Promise me that you'll come back again soon."Lacey nodded, smiling. "Only if you promise to come to the Harvest Moon Pack to visit us, too.""That, little sister, may be an offer we can't refuse," Seth said, smiling from ear to ear. "Good. I'm counting on it." Then Arkin pulled her close and whispered in her ear, "And don't worry about the alliance between our packs. It's very strong. When you need us, let us know
Later that night, there was a knock on their door. "Room service," someone said through the door.Julien gave her one last kiss in their bed, smiling against her lips. "I thought we'd have dinner in tonight."Lacey giggled. "You think of everything, don't you?"He shrugged. "I try." Then he got out of bed and slipped into a robe. "Stay here. I don't want anyone to see what's mine."Lacey lay on the bed naked, stretching out, glad to be home and in her own bed with Julien again. Then she stood and slipped into a cream-colored silk robe and walked out after the waiters left. A cart covered with a white tablecloth set in the middle of the room. "Wow! You didn't have to do this!"Julien smirked, taking a cloche-covered platter to the table. "This was supposed to be a surprise. I thought that we might like dining in tonight, since it's your first night back."Lacey took the plates and silverware from the cart and began setting it up. "Good thinking."Then Julien set two long-stemmed glasses
The next morning, Lacey woke early, leaving Julien sleeping. It had been days since she had been able to train, and she missed her young warriors. Lacey packed her practice bag and headed down the stairs and into the main dining hall. When she walked in, everyone stepped out of her way."Good morning, Alpha Queen," one pack member said after the other, moving out of her way.Brogan walked up beside her and smiled. "Good morning, Alpha Queen."Lacey looked over the pack and everyone was still looking at her. "What is this all about?"Brogan smiled. "Word of you standing up to Alpha Taregan has spread." He leaned closer. "They're staring at you in admiration."Chills ran over her body. "Thank you." Then she turned around to face everyone that was in the room. "Thank you, everyone, for your allegiance. It will be needed over the next few days or weeks until the Wildclaws attack again." Lacey planted her feet and squared her shoulders. "And this time, we will be ready.""Aye!" they all ye
Outside, Brogan walked over to Julien, standing in the center of the practice field, and whispered something to him just as Lacey was putting on her MMA fighting gloves. Julien looked over at Lacey and frowned, then he went on to address the pack. "Young warriors, you will train with the Alpha Queen today, Team Alpha is with me, Team Omega is with Kodiak...." Then just before they broke into their groups, Julien added, "Scarlett, a word.""Well, at least it isn't me this time," Lacey said to herself as she jogged off with her young warriors. She was tired of Scar and her antics. If Lacey had anything to say about it, Scar's days in the pack were numbered.The day was uneventful, and her warriors did a wonderful job. The young warriors had trained with Kodiak while she was away, and they had blossomed under his guidance. It was true that it takes a village to raise a child... and it takes a pack to raise a wolf-shifter. "Okay, everyone!" Lacey announced at the end of the day. "Gather r
When the meeting was over, Julien took Lacey's hand and led her up the stairs headed toward their suite. "Lacey, we need to talk," he said, looking sexy as his eyes filled with concern.A crease formed between her eyes. "Okay." She took a few more steps, trying to keep up with his long strides. Obviously, the thought of having to take down his brother was weighing on him heavily. Lacey gave his hand a gentle squeeze. "Julien, are you okay?"He nodded. "We'll talk in our suite." It was the first time that he had acknowledged that it was their suite together, and not just his. He pulled her in and then closed the door. Then he walked over to the bar and poured himself a bourbon on the rocks and downed it. Then he poured another and held it up to her. "Want one?"Lacey shook her head. "No, thank you. I'll have a glass of wine, but I'll get it."Julien shook his head and smiled, already taking a long-stemmed glass from the cabinet. "No, it'll give me something to do." Then he crossed the r