"Eeekkk!!!" Lacey screamed in the middle of the night. She had been dreaming that Thorn had given her over to Rex, and he had taken her away from Julien. But then Rex grabbed her hard and pulled her to him. "Uuuuggghhh!" Lacey screamed as the strong arms held her tightly, pulling her to his chest. "No! Let me go!""Ssshh.... Lacey... it's me, Julien," he cooed, pulling her to him, brushing her hair from her eyes. "You're going to pull out your IV!"She thrashed about as he held her rms still, tried to calm her, not realizing it was Julien. "Eeehhh!""Lacey! Wake up! You're dreaming!" Julien shook her shoulders hard, trying to wake her. "Lacey! It's me! Julien!"Then she looked into his eyes, as if seeing him for the first time. "Oh, Julien! I'm so sorry! I was just dreaming—" She looked at the IV. Even though it had come untapped, it was still secure in her arm. She quickly smoothed her hand over the tape and the memory of what had happened over the last few days flooded her mind."Sss
Lacey tried to sleep but couldn't get comfortable. Her lower right side was hurting most of the night. But one good thing was that she was finally feeling more like herself. She was no longer afraid to go to sleep, afraid that someone may come to the door and drag her away. Whatever Dr. Silva put into her IV to counteract and remove the drugs from her system must have been working.After a while, Lacey finally fell asleep.Lacey walked into a clearing that she didn't recognize, and Scar, Brock, and Rex were there. Rex looked across the field and smirked. "You're coming with me.""No, I'm not! Get away from me!" She tried to morph into her wolf, but nothing happened. Panic set in, and when she turned to run, she ran right into Thorn, laughing. "Oh, yes. You do." A broad grin spread across Thorn's face. "I'll teach you for being born! Your mother should have never had the affair and should have never had you! Now I'm giving you to Rex.""No!" Lacey yelled, backing away as Thorn advanc
"Julien?" Lacey asked, waking up in the hospital, feeling disoriented. When she opened her eyes, the light was much too bright. "Where am I?""You're in the hospital, Lacey," Julien said, holding her hand. Then everything started coming back to her... the pain... and then Julien carrying her to the ambulance... "Did they do the surgery?"Julien nodded, smiling. "Dr. Silva did the surgery and it went very well. Come to find out, your appendix ruptured in his hands as soon as he took it out." He sighed, shaking the memories from his head. "We got you here just in time."She nodded, giving him a weak smile. "Good. At least we know what it was."Julien raised her hand to his lips, and then looked up, his eyes pleading. "Lacey, I'm so sorry I waited so long to bring you here. They gave you some pain medication so it should help." Then Julien leaned in conspiratorially. "Dr. Silva said that you should be able to come home in a few days, but you'll need to wait until next week to go back to
Lacey's eyes flew open and she was staring into Scar's. Lacey tried to scream, but Scar held a knife to her throat. "Scream, and I'll kill you and Julien, too," Scar said. Rage filled Lacey's chest as she quickly assessed her surroundings. There was a huge picture window close by, and the IV was still in her arm, but Lacey could easily pull it out. She glanced over at the small sofa in the corner and Julien was gone. He had probably stepped out to get something to eat. But that was okay. Lacey smiled. She wanted Scar to herself.It was payback time.Lacey nodded once and Scar removed her hand, but still held the knife to her throat. "I thought it was time we had a little chat... woman to woman.""Too bad you aren't one." Keeping as still as she could so as not to attract Scar's notice, Lacey started pulling the IV from her hand. Once she was free, Scarlett was hers. The longer she could keep Scarlett talking so she could work it out of her arm, the better. "You're not a good woman, a
A security guard came in along with the nurse, who looked back and forth between them, not quite sure what to do. Lacey assumed that she was still in shock from nearly witnessing a murder."The police are on their way," said the security guard. Then he looked down at the blood pooling through Lacey's hospital gown. "I think you'd better get that looked at, ma'am.""Yes, yes!" The nurse finally came to her senses and led Lacey back to the bed. Then she turned to the guard. "Leave us, please."The guard nodded, concern coloring his face. "I'll be right outside.""My husband will be back in a moment if you'd like to talk to him," Lacey offered, laying back down on the bed.He tipped his hat. "Yes, ma'am." He gave her one last concerned look and then walked out, closing the door behind him. "Could you stitch me back up?" Lacey asked the nurse. "Then I have to go home. I no longer feel safe here."A crease formed between the nurse's eyes. The nametag on her uniform read SAMANTHA. "I'm afra
"Okay, Mrs. Grey, you're cleared to go home." Later that day, Samantha looked at her as if she were crazy for leaving... and that the doctor was crazy for letting her go.Lacey gave her a reassuring smile, sitting on the edge of the bed. "Thank you.""Here are your release papers." Samantha shoved a clipboard in front of her. "Please sign here... and here...." She pointed to different places on the paper. When Lacey was finished, Samantha tore off the bottom copy and handed it to her. Then she tilted her head to the side. "When you get home, make sure you rest. You don't want to open up your staples back up again."Lacey nodded, taken aback by her kindness. "Thank you."Samantha nodded as her lips curled into a smile. "A volunteer will be here to escort you out momentarily."And as if right on cue, a girl came in pushing a wheelchair. "Here you are!" she said, a bit too chipper, the kind of voice one uses with puppies or small children. "Are you ready to go home?""My name is Mrs. Grey
Once they got home, Julien carried Lacey up the stairs and to their suite. She wasn't used to this royal treatment, but she was glad of it now. Although shifters heal quickly, she had just had surgery and wasn't able to walk all the way up the necessary five flights of stairs without tearing her staples. But she would be just fine in a few days."Maybe we should install an elevator," Lacey teased. But then again, she thought about Madame Pomeroy and thought it may be a good idea to have an elevator for visitors, although the woman could easily walk up and down the stairs more than she let on.Julien grinned, raising an eyebrow. "What? And rob me of the chance to carry you? I think not."Lacey laughed. "You can still carry me when you like. I'd never object to that.""Good." Julien grinned. "Because I plan to be doing it for a long time to come.""You're spoiling me." Although she wasn't about to object. "That's the whole idea."Lacey couldn't help but think of how far they had come si
Soon, the pizza and bisque arrived. Lacey could have eaten in bed but wanted to come out and sit up for a bit. "Here you go." Julien set the bisque in front of her, and the pizza in the center of the table. Then he slid a piece of pizza on a small plate and set it in front of her. Then he kissed her forehead."I hate for you to have to wait on me hand and foot like this," she said as he sat kitty corner form her. Julien gave her hand a gentle squeeze. "I'm happy to do it." Then he smiled as he motioned toward her food. "Now, eat."Suddenly, Julien's phone rang, and he answered it. "Hello?" Julien sat back against his chair, listening. "Is she alone?" Lacey's head snapped up, her eyes filled with concern. Who was he speaking about?Julien's jaw clenched, and then he nodded. "Keep them in the car. Do not let any of them enter the castle. I'll call you right back." He clicked off the phone without another word and stared at it for a moment.Lacey said nothing, knowing he would tell her
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