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
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
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