"Good morning," Julien breathed into her ear the next morning, waking her to the start of a new day.Lacey turned over and yawned. "Good morning." Then she looked around and there was too much daylight streaming in through the door leading to the living room. "Oh, no! We've overslept!"Julien smiled. "No, you needed to rest. I asked Kodiak to take over the training for the young warriors for today so you could rest.""No, I have to work—""You've been burning the candle at both ends for too long." Then he gave her a long, lingering kiss. "Today, you need to rest.""Julien, I really don't think I'm—""Whether or not you're pregnant has nothing to do with it," he breathed, as he got up out of bed. "Now. Take a day off and rest from your trip. That's an order." Then he pointed at her and smiled as he headed toward the shower.Lacey turned over and curled up with her pillow. If he treated her like this for too long, it would drive her absolutely crazy. But then again, one day off couldn't
Lacey ran into the kitchen just as quickly as she could and Chef Mastrano was standing there. He was smiling when he first saw her, but his smile quickly faded when he saw the look on Lacey's face."Alpha Queen...." The chef guided her to a nearby chair. "You don't look well. Are you okay?"Lacey sat and placed a hand to her head, taking a moment to catch her breath, calm her heart, and stop her hands from shaking. "Thank you. I'm so sorry—""No. Do not apologize," Chef Mastrano said in his thick, Italian accent. "You just take a moment to relax."Lacey nodded, taking the glass of water he offered. She had intended to take just a sip but ended up drinking down half the glass. "Chef, have you seen Julien?"He shook his head. "No, I haven't." Then a crease formed between his eyes. "Would you like me to have something brought up for you tonight?"Lacey nodded. "Yes, please." She let out a deep breath. "Anything you recommend will be fine." Then she stood and handed him the glass of water.
Julien headed up the stairs to check on Lacey. When he checked on her earlier, she was still sleeping, so he went to dinner with the pack, at Raye's and Brock's insistence. Julien hadn't had dinner with the pack in a while, so he reluctantly agreed. Then Scarlett urged him to have a last-minute Council Meeting and walked over with him. Before Julien knew it, it was late.He hurried to their room, hating himself for having spent so much time away from her. Because she had slept all day, he knew that she was probably awake by now. And since he hadn't seen her downstairs, he knew she was probably hungry. From the way she had been sleeping, she was either pregnant or coming down with the flu. It wasn't like Lacey to sleep all day, but he was glad she had. She obviously needed the rest. "Lacey?" he yelled, barging into their suite… then he saw it. Their suite was a mess. Two tables were broken along with a lamp, and the picture window was shattered. He ran over to it, afraid of what he mig
When Lacey woke, she was in a room with no windows and steel walls. She still felt groggy, but she willed herself to stay alert. Lacey looked around, but there was just a bed and nothing else in the room. Lacey looked down and she was wearing a pair of sweats and a tank top. She made a mental note: When she saw Scar next, she was going to kill her, along with Brock and Rex… the list was growing.She sat up and her stomach lurched, ready to heave, probably from the drug and the lack of food. There was a small trashcan nearby, so she heaved the contents of what she didn't have in her stomach into it. She needed to eat. Lacey hadn't eaten anything in over twenty-four hours, and she was famished. Feeling weak from whatever they had injected her with, she looked around to see what she could use as a weapon, knowing she had to keep her wits about her if she was going to get out of this alive.One thing Lacey learned in her years training as a warrior, and training other warriors, was that a
Julien had caught Lacey's scent just outside of their suite at the castle, and then followed it down the hallway toward the right, but there was nothing at the end of the hall. On a hunch, he started pushing on the walls over and again, then a panel opened to a hidden staircase that Julien knew nothing about. He ran down the stairwell, all five flights, and it opened to the outside of the castle on the ground floor. Julien cursed to himself, wondering why he had never seen this passage before, making a mental note to have every inch of the castle searched and mapped when everything settled down. Julien followed the scent around the corner of the castle, and then the trail headed for the woods.Julien and the pack had spent the rest of the night and into the next day searching for her, but nothing turned up. With no sleep, he was exhausted, but vowed not to stop until Lacey was found.It was clear that she hadn't left on her own accord. And some time during the search, Scarlett, Brock,
Julien searched the river as he ran and then there Lacey was... clinging to a log in her human form, probably too weak to stay in her wolf form. Rex stood on the other side, pacing the bank, thinking of a way to get to her. But if Rex touched her, he was a dead man.Julien searched the side of the cliff, but there was no path leading down to the river below. He had only one choice. Julien ran back and Rex laughed, thinking Julien would abandon her. But he had another thing coming.When Julien was far enough away to gain momentum, Julien poured on the speed, heading straight for the edge of the cliff, pushing himself harder. He needed to jump into the middle of the river, as far away from the rocks on the edge as possible. When he neared the cliff's edge he pushed off, catapulting himself away from the side into mid-air, feeling the earth leave his paws below him. He fell for what seemed like an eternity and then splashed into the heavy current, plunging deep into the water.Under the w
When Lacey woke, it was dark out and she felt overly warm. Then the events of the day before came rushing back... being kidnapped and then escaping... running from the wolves... leaping to the other side and missing... then landing in the water and being carried downstream. Then she had nearly drowned. But luckily, the current had taken her close to shore, so she swam with all her might and caught the end of a log that was protruding from the shore into the water and pulled herself in. But she had been too weak to pull herself up the bank onto shore.Just when she thought all hope was lost, Julien came. She didn't remember much after that, other than him carrying her in his human form to a cave, and then building a fire. He must have shifted into his wolf form to keep her warm, since there were no blankets. If it hadn't been for Julien, she would be dead.Since they were safe and Julien was still sleeping, she turned over in his paws and faced the fire. She couldn't believe that Thorn
Later into the evening, Julien knew they had to leave now before daybreak. He just hoped that Lacey was up for it. "Gggrrrooolll!!" a wolf-shifter growled outside the cave. "Lacey!" Julien gently shook her shoulder. "Lacey! Wake up!"She opened her eyes, sitting up abruptly and rubbed her eyes. "Julien, what is it?""Someone's here," he said, running his hand along the side of her hair as he rose to his feet. "Stay here." Then he let the tremors run down his spine and throughout his limbs as he stood back away from Lacey, not wanting to hurt her in the process. Then he let the red haze with black edges overtake his vision and then his paws touched down onto the gray cave dust, purplish in the darkness of the cave. Julien crept through the passageway and into the main cave but saw nothing. "Gggrroowwll!!" a shifter's growl resonated into the cave. Then Julien recognized his voice and ran out. "I could use a little help here," Brogan said in the Pack Mind. He, Misty, and Victor were
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