The Alpha’s Companion - Chapter 61

The next morning, Lacey woke early, leaving Julien sleeping. It had been days since she had been able to train, and she missed her young warriors.

Lacey packed her practice bag and headed down the stairs and into the main dining hall. When she walked in, everyone stepped out of her way.

“Good morning, Alpha Queen,” one pack member said after the other, moving out of her way.

Brogan walked up beside her and smiled. “Good morning, Alpha Queen.”

Lacey looked over the pack and everyone was still looking at her. “What is this all about?”

Brogan smiled. “Word of you standing up to Alpha Taregan has spread.” He leaned closer. “They’re staring at you in admiration.”

Chills ran over her body. “Thank you.” Then she turned around to face everyone that was in the room. “Thank you, everyone, for your allegiance. It will be needed over the next few days or weeks until the Wildclaws attack again.” Lacey planted her feet and squared her shoulders. “And this time, we will be ready.”

“Aye!” they all yelled in unison, and then started clapping.

Lacey nodded her thanks. “Now. Let’s eat and get to work. I’ll see you all out on the practice field today!”

“Aye!” the pack yelled again.

“Does that mean me, too?”

When Lacey looked up, Julien was leaning against the wall just inside the door with his practice bag slung over his shoulder.

“Well, it’s about time you got up, sleepyhead,” she teased when he pulled her in for a hug.

“Yeah, yeah,” he whispered into her hair. “Someone kept me up late last night.”

Lacey laughed. “I wonder whose fault that was.”

Julien laughed, glanced around the room. “You’ve earned the pack’s respect.” Then he looked into her eyes. “Not to sound condescending, but I’m proud of you.”

Lacey nodded her thanks. “There’s nothing condescending about it.” She looked up and smiled. “Thank you.”

Julien sighed. “Well, let’s follow your very good advice….” Lacey and Julien both laughed. “And have some breakfast, and then get to work.” Then he gestured toward the buffet. “After you, my Alpha Queen.”

Lacey smiled and then took some orange juice, an orange, and a bagel along with cream cheese.

Julien grabbed a few things and then joined her at the table. “Why didn’t you wake me up before you left?”

Lacey smiled, and downed her orange juice. “I wanted an early start.” She shrugged. “It’s been a while since I’ve worked out.”

“And you miss your young warriors,” Julien said, stating the obvious.

“You know me well.” Lacey began peeling her orange, when she saw Scar walk in and just about dropped it. “What’s Scar doing here? I thought you sent her to the dungeon.”

Julien sighed, nodding toward Scar. “While you were away, the investigation proved inconclusive. No one could identify that she was the one talking to Rex, so I had to let her go with a strong warning.”

Here Lacey was only gone for a few days and everything happened in her absence. “Is she still the Beta?”

Julien shook his head. “No, I gave the position to Kodiak.”

Lacey turned her head to the side. “Why Kodiak?”

Julien shrugged. “He’s been loyal and a great fighter. He’s climbed up the ranks, and he also knows strategy.” Then he tilted his head to the side. “Why? What’s wrong?”

“I just thought that since we’re a team, we would share leadership, as well as decisions that affect the pack such as assigning a Beta.”

“Well, you weren’t here.” Julien took a bite of his apple, chewed, and swallowed. “And the last time I checked, I’m still the Alpha.”

Lacey smirked. “I never said you weren’t.” She sighed. “Next time, I’d just like to be included on decisions like letting Scar loose and appointing a new Beta.”

“So you’ve said.” Julien took another bite of his apple. “Well, I’ll see you out on the field.” He picked up his tray and started walking away from the table.

“Julien, wait,” Lacey said, but he ignored her, and slid his tray onto the holder over the trash can for the staff to pick up.

After Julien left, Scar headed over to Lacey’s table, and looked down at her. “So, trouble in paradise?”

Lacey threw back the chair and it clanked loudly against the floor, bringing silence to the room. Lacey lowered her voice and growled. “Stay away from me, Scar. I will no longer tolerate your nonsense. And if you even think of coming near me or Julien again, you’ll be paying another visit to the dungeon.”

Scar laughed. “You can’t do that! You don’t have the authority.”

“Watch me,” Lacey replied, staring her down while standing her ground.

Brogan, Koi, Misty, and Victor all walked closer.

“You okay, my Alpha Queen?” Koi asked, his voice filled with concern.

Lacey nodded, still staring at Scar. “I’m fine, Koi. I’ll see you out there.”

“Okay, Your Alphaness,” Koi replied, his voice unsure as he walked out of the room.

“Step away before I have you taken away,” Lacey said to Scar, not about to back down.

Scar laughed. “Oh, you’d love that! Wouldn’t you?”

“Guards!” Lacey yelled and just about then Brogan, Misty, and two other guards walked up.

“Is there a problem, Alpha Queen?” Brogan asked.

Scar immediately held up her hands in surrender. “Nope. No problem at all.” Then she gathered her things and walked out. Obviously, she must have known that the next words out of Lacey’s mouth was going to be to arrest her…. and she would have been right.