The Alpha’s Companion - Chapter 84

Soon, the pizza and bisque arrived. Lacey could have eaten in bed but wanted to come out and sit up for a bit.

“Here you go.” Julien set the bisque in front of her, and the pizza in the center of the table. Then he slid a piece of pizza on a small plate and set it in front of her. Then he kissed her forehead.

“I hate for you to have to wait on me hand and foot like this,” she said as he sat kitty corner form her.

Julien gave her hand a gentle squeeze. “I’m happy to do it.” Then he smiled as he motioned toward her food. “Now, eat.”

Suddenly, Julien’s phone rang, and he answered it. “Hello?” Julien sat back against his chair, listening. “Is she alone?”

Lacey’s head snapped up, her eyes filled with concern. Who was he speaking about?

Julien’s jaw clenched, and then he nodded. “Keep them in the car. Do not let any of them enter the castle. I’ll call you right back.” He clicked off the phone without another word and stared at it for a moment.

Lacey said nothing, knowing he would tell her when he was ready. Whatever it was, it was hard for him.

Julien sighed. “Your mother is downstairs in the car, along with three members of the Silver Pack.” He looked into her eyes. “She wants to see you.”

Lacey’s heart stopped. “What does she want, and who’s with her?” Lacey was in no condition to have a confrontation with her mother, but she doubted that she was there on behalf of Rex. “Does Thorn know she’s here?”

Julien’s lips formed a straight line. “I don’t know.” He shoved his pizza aside and held her hand. “Lacey, you don’t have to see her now if you don’t want to. I’ll support your decision no matter what you decide. It’s up to you.”

Lacey nodded. If her mother was there out of concern, then the least she could do was to see her. If she were there for any other reason, Lacey would know soon enough. “I’ll see her… alone. Before I see the others, I want to talk to her first.”

“Lacey, I—”

“Julien, I don’t think my mother would actually trick me, and she’s smart enough not to come here for Rex.” Lacey let out a deep breath. “If she’s here out of concern, then she came at great risk to herself. If Thorn finds out she’s here, he’ll kill her. No doubt. The other three shifters with her may be her guards. Thorn keeps a tight rein on her.” She nodded, her resolve solidified. “I’ll see her.”

Julien gave her hand a gentle squeeze. “I’ll be here with you the whole time. Don’t worry.”

Lacey nodded. “Thank you.”

Julien sighed as he picked up the phone and hit a number on speed dial. “Escort her up. Detain the others, and don’t let them out of your sight until I call.”

A few minutes later, there was a knock at the door. Lacey started to get up, but Julien placed his hand atop hers, shaking his head. “I’ll get it.”

Lacey nodded. Butterflies filled her stomach, not out of fear of what was, but out of anticipation for what may be. But if her mother double crossed her in any way, this would be the last time she would give her the chance.

Behind her, the door creaked as Julien opened it. “Mrs. Taregan. Please, come in.”

“Thank you, Alpha Grey,” her mother’s voice filled the room, a voice Lacey thought she’d never hear again. Then there were footsteps and her mother placed her hand gently on Lacey’s back and looked into her face, her eyes filled with concern. “Lacey? I heard what happened. Are you well?”

Suddenly, all the bad memories fell away, leaving only the vision of her mother. “Mom.” Tears rolled down Lacey’s face as her mother pulled her close.

When Camari pulled back a moment later, tears filled her eyes, too. “Lacey, darling. I’m so sorry—”

Lacey nodded. “It’s okay, Mom. You’re here.” Then she indicated the spare chair on her other side. “Please, sit down. We were just getting ready to eat. Are you hungry?”

Camari chuckled, giving Lacey’s hand a gentle squeeze. “Starving.”

“I’ll get you a plate.” Julien gave her a crooked smile, giving Lacey’s shoulder a gentle squeeze as he got to his feet. But Lacey caught his hand. “Could we have some wine, too, please?”

Julien nodded, smiling. “As you wish.”

“How in the world did you do that?” Camari whispered, glancing over at Julien after he walked away.

Lacey chuckled. “He’s my mate.”

“You know I can hear you,” Julien teased, the crystal glasses clanking.

Lacey and her mother laughed.

“So, you’ve performed the Mating Ceremony then?” Camari asked, a crease forming between her eyes.

Lacey shook her head. “No. Not yet. But you know it when you meet your mate… as you well know.”

Camari sighed. “That’s another reason why I’m here.” She gave Lacey’s hand a gentle squeeze. “I came to apologize, but I also left Thorn.”

“You what?” Lacey’s eyes widened. Out of all the things she thought her mother would say, that wasn’t one of them.

Camari nodded, her face serious. “I should have done it years ago. Lacey, I’m so sorry that I put you through that.” She shook her head, trying to dispel the memories. “When I saw how he was treating you, I should have left him then. The other children were old enough. They could have decided whether to come with me, too, or to stay with their father.” She bit her upper lip and then released it. “When you came to ask for our support, I was hurt after you both asked me to leave at the wedding right along with the rest of The Silver Pack. But now, I understand why.” She held Lacey’s hand. “Lacey, I don’t deserve your forgiveness, but I’m asking for it. Can you ever forgive me?”

Lacey nodded. “If you can try, then so can I.”

Julien poured three glasses of wine and then handed one to Lacey and then to her mother. Then he held his up. “Here’s to the Future.”

“To the future,” Lacey and her mother said, clanking their glasses together.

At that moment, no matter what the future held, Lacey knew that they would face it together. She just hoped that her mother felt the same way.

Lacey took a drink of her wine. “So, who did you bring with you?”

“Tima… and Wyatt and Calla.”

Lacey’s heart sank. She was glad that Tima had come, but why had Wyatt and Calla come? She just hoped that they hadn’t come to stir trouble for her and Julien.. But time would tell.