The Alpha’s Companion - Chapter 79

“Julien?” Lacey asked, waking up in the hospital, feeling disoriented. When she opened her eyes, the light was much too bright. “Where am I?”

“You’re in the hospital, Lacey,” Julien said, holding her hand.

Then everything started coming back to her… the pain… and then Julien carrying her to the ambulance… “Did they do the surgery?”

Julien nodded, smiling. “Dr. Silva did the surgery and it went very well. Come to find out, your appendix ruptured in his hands as soon as he took it out.” He sighed, shaking the memories from his head. “We got you here just in time.”

She nodded, giving him a weak smile. “Good. At least we know what it was.”

Julien raised her hand to his lips, and then looked up, his eyes pleading. “Lacey, I’m so sorry I waited so long to bring you here. They gave you some pain medication so it should help.” Then Julien leaned in conspiratorially. “Dr. Silva said that you should be able to come home in a few days, but you’ll need to wait until next week to go back to training your young warriors.”

Lacey knew that the recovery time for shifters was much shorter than for humans. When she broke her leg, she was back to work in no time at all. Now, it was as if it had never been broken at all.

She pulled his lips to her and gave him a chaste kiss. “I love you.”

Julien smiled against her lips, holding her hand. “I love you, too, My Alpha Queen.”

Lacey chuckled. “It’s funny. Although I feel exhausted, I feel better than I have for a long time.”

Julien grinned. “I’m glad. Lacey, I was so worried about you. I don’t know what I’d ever do if I lost you.”

She gave his hand a gentle squeeze. “I don’t know what I’d ever do if I lost you, too.”

He smiled and then asked, “Can I get you anything?”

“Maybe some water,” she replied, feeling a bit thirsty. “Other than that, I just need to rest.” Then she had an idea. “Julien, why don’t you go back to the castle, do what you have to do for the business, and then come back later tonight.” She shrugged. “I’m just going to be sleeping anyway.”

Julien shook his head, smirking. “Not yet, Alpha Queen. After what I’ve been through with you over the past few days, I’m not letting you out of my sight for a while.”

Lacey chuckled. “Although I appreciate the sentiment, it’s not possible.”

Julien nodded, leaning forward, keeping his voice low. “So, how do you feel… in regard to the drugs they used?”

Lacey nodded, knowing he was talking about the drugs they used when she was kidnapped. Not the anesthesia and pain killer they had her on now. “Much better,” she answered, keeping her voice low. “I don’t feel nearly as paranoid as I did. I’m feeling much better now….” She moved a bit and winced. “In that respect.”

Julien chuckled. “Now, you just have to recover from the surgery.”

Lacey lifted an eyebrow. “I’ll be able to recover much quicker at home in the castle.”

He laughed. “If I bring you home now, you’ll be out training with the warriors tomorrow.”

She shrugged. “What’s wrong with that?”

“What’s wrong is that you need to rest.” He kissed her hand again and looked into her eyes, smiling. “I know you! If I take you home right now, you won’t get any rest.”

Lacey felt her eyes start to grow heavy. “Speaking of rest, I’m sorry if I conked out on you while we’re talking.”

“I’ll tell you what,” Julien said, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. “I’ll go sit in the chair, read a magazine, and let you sleep.”

“Why don’t you lay on the sofa and get some sleep, too.” She shrugged. “It’s small, but you can curl up and it should be fine.”

Julien chuckled. “What do you think the nurses and staff would say if they came in and I’m curled up at your feet in my wolf form?”

She laughed. “I’m afraid our secret would be out… although it’s fun to think about.”

“How about I lean back on the sofa?” Julien asked. But I’m not going to sleep… and I’m not leaving you.”

Lacey scoffed. “Julien, I kept you up half the night. You need to get some rest.”

He leaned over and kissed the top of her nose. Don’t you worry about me. Just get some rest.” A sexy smile lit his lips. “And that’s an order.”

She shook her head, knowing he was only teasing. In the time she had been sick and kidnapped, it amazed her that he had been so attentive and caring. He truly was a good man, a great Alpha… and had become a wonderful husband, too.

Soon, Lacey fell asleep, feeling better than she had in a long time.

Suddenly, someone grabbed her mouth hard, keeping her from screaming.