Within a few days, Lacey woke feeling much better than she had in days—maybe even weeks—and the wound from her appendectomy was nearly healed. Thank goodness, shifters heal quickly."How are you feeling?" Julien asked, stretched out on the bed, bare chested, with one arm behind his head, looking as sexy as ever.One corner of her lips curled into a smile. "Much better now. Thank you." She pulled some clothes out of the closet and started getting dressed. "I was thinking that I'd start training with the warriors again today.""Well...." Julien sat up, his black hair falling over his shoulders, looking like an ad out of a men's magazine. "I had another idea."Lacey laughed. "I don't think I'm heal up enough for that yet." She kissed the tip of his nose. "Maybe tomorrow."Julien smirked. "Although I'm always up for that...." He took her hand and pulled her onto the bed, flipping her over, his arms forming a protective cage around her. "That's not what I was thinking."She laughed, laying
Before they left the castle, Julien put Brogan in charge. After all, he was the Beta now. With Brogan on watch, Lacey was sure that the castle would be just fine. He was a skilled warrior and very loyal to Julien, Lacey, and The Harvest Moon Pack. And if there was any trouble, Julien and Lacey could be back in a flash. But she still hated to leave.Although Lacey would have let Tima stay, when her mother left to go to The Shadow Pack, she had taken not only Wyatt and Calla, but Tima, too. Lacey found that she was looking forward to seeing him, but a bit apprehensive about seeing Wyatt. But who knew? Maybe they can finally be friends... especially if they were going to be a part of allied packs.But she was glad that she had told Julien about him. After what she had been through with misunderstandings in the past, she didn't want to take the chance of it happening again."Are you okay?" Julien asked in the limo on the way there.Lacey nodded, but turned her attention back out the window
Lacey's heart fell when she walked in and saw Wyatt standing there alone in the grand foyer of The Shadow Pack."Hello, Wyatt," she said, and then turned to Julien. "I'm sure you remember my mate, Julien. Julien, this is Wyatt."A crease formed between Julien's eyes, but he nodded and stepped forward, extending his hand, being a gentleman. "It's a pleasure to meet you."Wyatt nodded once, not taking his eyes from Lacey. "The pleasure is all mine." Just then, Calla walked up and looked between them, obviously sensing the tension in the air. Then she looked over at Lacey and smiled warmly, extending her hand. "Lacey. It's good to see you again."Lacey nodded once. "Before we leave, I'd like to talk to you both about why you left the Silver Pack. But right now, I plan to spend the time with family." Then she gave them both a warm smile. "It's good to see you both here." Then she took Julien's arm. "Ready?"Julien nodded, placing his hand atop hers. "Yes."Arkin looked over at Wyatt and C
"Are you sure this isn't going to be a mistake?" Lacey asked as they headed out of the small dining room and up the stairs to their suite that Arkin had shown them earlier. They had a wonderful time with her real father and The Shadow Pack, but all good things must come to an end."What?" Julien asked as they reached the top, looking down at her with concern. "You mean the collaboration between our packs?"Lacey shook her head. "No, I mean, The Shadow Pack coming to the castle."A crease formed between his eyes. "Does this have anything to do with Wyatt?" She bit her lower lip and then released it, wanting to word it correctly. "Julien, I know how jealous you can be. Or at least how jealous you were when we first met." Lacey let out a deep breath. "I don't want you to get jealous just because my ex-boyfriend is here."Julien narrowed his eyes. "The only way I'll be jealous is if either of you give me a reason to be."Just outside their door, Lacey wrapped her arms around Julien's neck
That night, Julien couldn't sleep. He lay beside his lovely wife, now sleeping, smiling sweetly after their wonderful evening together. But he couldn't help but think of what his sweet, fierce wife had told him. She feared nothing but one thing, and she had revealed it tonight: Losing him. He couldn't allow that to happen... and he couldn't lose her, either.There was only one thing for him to do. Lacey wouldn't like it, but it was the only way to save them both pain and grief. He couldn't allow anyone or anything to come in the way of their relationship... including her ex.He carefully slid out of bed without waking her, dressed, and carried his boots into the hallway, wanting to take no chances of waking his beloved. For she couldn't know. She could never know.After slipping into his boots, he headed down the stairs of the compound until he reached the first floor."Alpha Grey!" Seth said, walking toward him in the foyer, his eyes filled with concern. "Is everything alright?"He n
Lacey stormed up the stairs, unable to believe that Julien had betrayed her like that. Here she had specifically asked him not to say anything to Wyatt, but he went behind her back and did it anyway. When she reached their suite, she walked in and slammed the door behind her, but Julien caught it as he walked in behind her. Lacey rolled her eyes, folding her arms across her chest."Lacey, I—""How could you?" she demanded, flailing her arms. "I specifically asked you not to say anything to him... that I could handle it! But you went behind my back and did it anyway! Why?""Because I love you," Julien calmly replied."Julien, I can't believe you!" She crossed the room to the big picture window. "I can handle myself."Julien placed his hands on Lacey's shoulders but she shrugged away. "Lacey, I just want to protect you… to keep you safe.""I don't need protecting!" But she knew it was a lie as soon as she said it. After all, she had been kidnapped… right from their suite in the castle.
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
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