The Alpha’s Companion - Chapter 54

Throughout the evening, the whole pack looked for Rex and any evidence of the other Wildclaws, but found nothing.

Julien and Lacey were talking about precautions to protect the pack when Scar walked up from the forest, wearing a hoodie, a T-shirt, and jeans, her eyes wide as if nothing were amiss. “What’s going on?”

“Rex was here talking to someone,” Lacey answered.

But Scar ignored her, only talking to Julien. “Who saw it?”

“She did.” Julien nodded toward Lacey, folding his arms across his chest. “Where have you been?”

Scar smirked. “Well, after practice, I headed into the forest to hunt.” Then she looked over at Lacey and scoffed, a self-satisfied look coloring her face. “I was in the woods hunting just now and wearing a hoodie. Are you sure it wasn’t me you saw?”

Lacey’s heart stopped. “No one said anything about Rex wearing a hoodie.”

Julien let his arms fall slowly to his sides. “Scar, where have you been?”

Scar’s eyes opened wide, looking nervously between them. “What are you saying?”

“Where you the one talking to Rex?” Julien asked.

Scar’s eyes grew wide. “Julien… surely you don’t think….” Then she narrowed her eyes. “Julien, after all these years… after all we’ve been through… you don’t actually believe her, do you?”

“What else am I supposed to think, Scarlett?” Julien held his arms out and then let them fall to his sides. “A hooded figure was seen talking to Rex, no less, and you disappear and come walking back to the castle… wearing a hoodie, of all things! What would you think?”

Scar pointed her finger at Lacey. “Ever since she got here, she’s been turning you against me! Poisoning your mind!”

Julien shook his head, looking into her eyes. “No, Scarlett. You did that all on your own.” Then he turned toward the castle. “Guards!” When two guards ran up, he continued. “Take Scarlett to her room and post a guard there all night. And don’t leave your post.”

“Yes, Alpha Grey,” they said simultaneously, then both hit their chests with their fists in respect, and then turned to Scar. “Well? You heard the Alpha. Let’s go.”

Scar stared into his eyes for a moment and then said, “This isn’t over.”

Julien smirked. “Oh yes, it is.”

“You can’t do this to me!” Scar yelled as they took her away.

“You’re lucky I’m not sending you to the dungeon!” Julien replied.

“After you investigate, you’ll find that I’m innocent!”

Julien raised an eyebrow. “Well, not today.”

“But… but… I’m the Beta!”

Julien shook his head. “No. Not anymore. Not until the investigation is complete.” He shook his head in disbelief.

Then Scar turned her attention toward the men who were escorting her. “Let me go!” Then she disappeared into the castle, yelling the whole way.

Lacey stroked his arm. “Julien, I’m so sorry—”

“Don’t be.” He shrugged, but Lacey could see tears filling his eyes. This was hard for him. “I’m tired of the way she treats you. And the way she treated the young warriors while you were recovering was inexcusable.” He ran his fingers through his hair. “I can’t believe I’ve been so blind. I guess appearances are not always what they seem.”

Lacey bit her lower lip and then released it. “We should interview anyone who was present on the field at the time. See if anyone saw anything.” Lacey shrugged. “Maybe we can get some leads.”

Julien shook his head. “No. I think Scarlett was the one talking to Rex. It makes sense.”

“Yes, but we really should know for sure,” Lacey said, unable to believe that she was actually defending her. But no matter how they got along or how she felt about her, Lacey hated for anyone to suffer if he or she was innocent. No, as certain as she was that Scarlett was guilty, she deserved the benefit of the doubt.

Julien started toward the castle. “Walk with me.”

Lacey followed as he asked, folding her arms behind her.

“I need to get the word out to the other packs to see if they will help in the war,” Julien said, taking the front steps of the castle two at a time. “Can you take care of that for me?”

Lacey nodded, unable to believe what she was hearing. “War?”

Julien nodded. “This is obviously a much bigger problem than just a few skirmishes.” Julien stopped and looked into her eyes. “If the Wildclaws are gaining numbers, then they could become a much bigger threat than I originally thought. But I’m not going to take a chance… not with the pack, and not with you.”

Lacey hated the thought of going to war, but deep down, she knew he was right.