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
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
"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
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
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
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
"Head up! You are a warrior of the Silver Pack!" American Indian Lacey Taregan said within the Pack Mind as she pushed the muzzle of a young, brown wolf up. "Act like it!" She stalked in front of them, giving each wolf a penetrating look. The Silver Pack had a reputation for being one of the best packs in the Nez Perece Clearwater National Forest in Idaho, and she was going to make sure they earned the honor.The wolves either looked away, looked up, or mentally rolled their eyes. But Lacey ignored it. She was the Pack Trainer, after all, whether they liked it or not."You're from a long line of proud warriors, and I'm here to ensure you don't let down the Alpha!""But Lacey, I'm tired!" whimpered Tima, a young warrior who had just turned, lying down on the soft lichen covering the forest floor. "Gggrrroooaaalll!" Lacey growled, jumping at the young wolf, eyeing him down as he turned over onto his belly.Wyatt, an experienced wolf-shifter standing nearby, mentally rolled his eyes."G
Lacey knew it was over, but she wasn't going down without a fight. The rogue wolves stared her down, starting to advance… and there was no escape.All of a sudden, a huge, white wolf barged into the clearing, biting flanks and then he pinned a wolf to the ground. The red wolf ran, along with a silver wolf. Once Lacey had regained her bearings, she grabbed another wolf and sent him flying into a tree, and then tackled another. Through it all, the huge, white wolf never left her side.Within minutes, the rogue Wildclaws scattered. But Lacey knew they'd be back.Once they were alone, the huge, white wolf morphed and phased, pulling himself back together until a very muscular man with long black hair and other... impressive... assets... stood before her. Her wolf wanted him, there was no doubt. The gorgeous American Indian man caught Lacey checking him out and gave her a cocky grin. Then he ran his hand through his perfect hair, biting his lower lip as he looked her up and down. Only a tr