The Alpha’s Companion - Chapter 66

“Good morning,” Julien breathed into her ear the next morning, waking her to the start of a new day.

Lacey turned over and yawned. “Good morning.” Then she looked around and there was too much daylight streaming in through the door leading to the living room. “Oh, no! We’ve overslept!”

Julien smiled. “No, you needed to rest. I asked Kodiak to take over the training for the young warriors for today so you could rest.”

“No, I have to work—”

“You’ve been burning the candle at both ends for too long.” Then he gave her a long, lingering kiss. “Today, you need to rest.”

“Julien, I really don’t think I’m—”

“Whether or not you’re pregnant has nothing to do with it,” he breathed, as he got up out of bed. “Now. Take a day off and rest from your trip. That’s an order.” Then he pointed at her and smiled as he headed toward the shower.

Lacey turned over and curled up with her pillow. If he treated her like this for too long, it would drive her absolutely crazy. But then again, one day off couldn’t hurt. She yawned and her eyes started growing heavy, thinking that she would close her eyes for just a second….

***

The next thing Lacey knew, she opened her eyes and it was dark. she flipped on the light and it momentarily burned her eyes, but they quickly adjusted. She felt groggy but so hungry that she could eat just about anything that came through the door at that moment. Lacey looked over at the clock and it was six o’clock in the evening. She had slept all day… and still felt tired.

For a moment, Lacey wondered where Julien was, but thought that either he hadn’t come in from practice yet, or that he went downstairs to have dinner with the pack. After all, they had spent the last few days eating in their room.

Lacey stood and slipped into her robe, and then headed out to the living room. “Julien?” She looked around, but it was clear that he wasn’t there. Then she noticed the sunset out the big plate-glass window and it was gorgeous. It was probably just dark in the room without windows. But here, orange, red, and yellow danced across the dark blue sky, promising the end of this day, and the dawn of a new one tomorrow.

From this view, she could see the practice field and the warriors were all coming in, but Julien was speaking to someone in the center of the field. When she looked closer, she saw that it was Scar. Lacey folded her arms across her chest, watching their interaction.

Although she hated to spy on him, she didn’t trust Scar as far as she could throw her. And with the right touches or laughs, just about any man could be manipulated… including Julien.

Having seen enough, Lacey stormed off to the shower to freshen up before Julien came in, knowing he would be there soon. Then she quickly blew her hair dry and dressed in a casual but dressy lounging outfit. When she was through, Lacey had promised herself that she wouldn’t look out the window again, but she couldn’t help herself. However, this time, no one was there.

She was going to call for room service but decided to go downstairs and speak to the chef herself to see if he could have something brought up for them. Even though she had slept all day, Lacey still didn’t feel a hundred percent yet. So, she decided to eat something, and then go back to bed. Then in the morning, she would feel refreshed and ready to go for a full day of training with her young warriors.

She padded lightly down the hallway, passing a few shifters along the way, and then headed down the five flights of stairs and turned toward the kitchen, when a familiar voice made her heart stop, and her blood run cold.

“Alpha Queen, I was sorry to hear that you were feeling poorly.”

Lacey turned around and it was Brock. “I wasn’t feeling poorly. Just a bit tired. Now, if you’ll excuse me….” She started to walk around him, but he stepped in front of her, blocking her way. “Get. Out. Of. My. Way,” she said through gritted teeth, slowly so he could understand.

“I just wanted to tell you that you make a great Alpha Queen….” He took a step closer.

“Thank you, but I’m looking for Julien—”

“Why don’t you go back upstairs,” Brock cooed, his voice like silk. “And I’ll have whatever you want brought up to your room.” He took a step closer. “You are in the Alpha’s Suite, are you not?”

“It is our suite, now get out of my way,” Lacey growled, making no pretense of being nice. Remembering the last time when he had caught her off guard and pinned her to the wall in an evening gown, she wasn’t about to let it happen again. “Brock. I will only say this once. I am the Alpha Queen, second only to the Alpha, and I will not be intimidated by anyone, or scared to go anywhere in my own castle. Is that understood?” She started feeling the tremors run down her arms and fought the red haze with black edges that was now invading her vision, surprising even her that it had come on so quickly.

“Yes, but—”

“Brock! Leave now!” Lacey growled, her voice sounding demonic, even to her own ears. “Or I will not be responsible for what happens next!” The sound vibrated off the walls, causing them to rumble.

Brock immediately took a step back and held up his hands as her eyes flared a bright gold. “Okay, okay!”

Lacey took a step closer to him, her hands balled up into fists at her sides. “Do not ever do that to me again, or I will kill you. Make no mistake about it.” Then she headed down the hallway toward the kitchen, wondering where Julien was when she needed him. But then again, she had learned a long time ago that a woman couldn’t depend upon a man to save ehr. A woman needed to be able to save herself…. but little help now and then never hurt.