The Alpha’s Companion - Chapter 90

That night, Julien couldn’t sleep. He lay beside his lovely wife, now sleeping, smiling sweetly after their wonderful evening together. But he couldn’t help but think of what his sweet, fierce wife had told him. She feared nothing but one thing, and she had revealed it tonight: Losing him.

He couldn’t allow that to happen… and he couldn’t lose her, either.

There was only one thing for him to do. Lacey wouldn’t like it, but it was the only way to save them both pain and grief. He couldn’t allow anyone or anything to come in the way of their relationship… including her ex.

He carefully slid out of bed without waking her, dressed, and carried his boots into the hallway, wanting to take no chances of waking his beloved. For she couldn’t know. She could never know.

After slipping into his boots, he headed down the stairs of the compound until he reached the first floor.

“Alpha Grey!” Seth said, walking toward him in the foyer, his eyes filled with concern. “Is everything alright?”

He nodded, giving him a slight smile. “Yes, but I wonder if you could help me.”

A crease formed between Seth’s eyes. “Sure! Whatever you need.”

“Do you happen to know where Wyatt is?” Julien asked. “He came in with Mrs. Taregan and other members of The Silver Pack.”

He nodded, pointing outside. “Yes. He’s right outside.”

“Thanks.” Julien headed for the door and then turned around and smiled. “Oh! And call me Julien. We’re family now.”

Seth nodded, smiling, and then turned around and walked away.

When Julien pushed open the door, Wyatt was sitting on the steps of the compound alone. “Wyatt?”

Wyatt stood and his eyes widened when he saw who it was. “Yes, I’m Wyatt.”

“May I have a word?” Julien was trying to be as civil as he could, but he still wanted to get his point across.

A crease formed between Wyatt’s eyes as he stared at Julien, and then nodded. “Yes, of course.”

“Walk with me.” It wasn’t a request as Julien stepped down the steps, expecting him to follow. When he got to the tree line, he turned around and Wyatt stopped a few feet away.

“Alpha Grey, what is this about?” Wyatt asked, raising his eyebrows.

“This conversation must stay between us,” Julien said. “Agreed?”

Wyatt thought for a moment and then nodded. “Agreed.”

“What is it that you want with my wife?”

Wyatt smirked. “Well, you’re not one to beat around the bush, are you?”

Julien sighed. “No, I’m not.”

Wyatt clenched his jaw. “Lacey and I dated before I found and married my Mate, Calla. I hadn’t seen Lacey since she left with you, and I was just worried about her. Then when I found out that she had been kidnapped and held on The Silver Pack grounds, I just couldn’t believe it.” He shook his head, placing his hands on his hips, and then looked into Julien’s eyes. “I swear that I didn’t know she was there. If I had, I would have moved heaven and earth to save her.”

“Why?” Julien folded his arms across his chest.

Wyatt’s eyebrows rose nearly into his hairline. “What do you mean?”

Julien shrugged. “It’s a simple question… and I want you to answer it.”

“Even though Lacey and I aren’t together, and I’m married, I still think of Lacey as a friend.” Wyatt sighed. “I loved Lacey. I still do… but as a friend.”

Julien nodded. “Before you found your Mate when you and Lacey were dating… did you love her then? Romantically?”

Wyatt sighed. “I thought I did.”

Julien clenched his jaw. “Did the fact that she was an Alpha Princess have anything to do with it? That she was the Alpha’s daughter?”

“How dare you!” Wyatt’s eyes flared. “No! It was common knowledge then that she wasn’t Thorn’s daughter.”

“Then why did you lead her on?” Julien asked. “Only to cut her loose when you found what you really wanted?”

“I can’t believe you just said that to me,” Wyatt said. “I thought I loved Lacey, but I didn’t know what love was until I met Calla.”

Julien nodded. “That’s what I thought.” He bit his lower lip, trying to control the shimmers running down his spine. “So, you were with her for convenience… until you found your Mate.”

“No!” Wyatt yelled. “I thought I loved Lacey at one time, but I let her go when I found Calla. Then when I heard that she had been found on The Silver Pack property, I couldn’t believe it. There was no way that I could ever let that happen to Lacey… no matter what had happened between us.”

Julien nodded. Then he reared back and let his fist fly into Wyatt’s face, knocking him to the ground, too quick for Wyatt to react. “Stay away from my wife! You had your chance with her, and you blew it! Now, you have your own Mate, but Lacey is mine. And I protect what is mine.” Julien took a step closer, looking down at Wyatt, who was now staring up at him from the ground. “This is the only warning you’ll get. Lacey is a sweet, kind, fierce, generous woman and if you couldn’t see it, then that’s your problem. But I will not have anyone playing with her emotions now. Is that clear?”

Wyatt rubbed his jaw and nodded. “Crystal.”

Julien reached down and helped him to his feet. “Trust me. You don’t want to cross me. Be friendly and cordial with her, but you will not play with her emotions. Understood?”

Wyatt nodded. “Yes.”

“But between us,” Julien said, “I wish you would have known she was there, too. At least you could have gotten word to me.”

Wyatt sighed, moving his jaw from side to side. “Alpha Grey, I want to make one thing clear. I am in love with my wife.”

Julien nodded. “Then act like it and stay away from Lacey.” Without another word, he turned and walked toward the compound… but Lacey was waiting on the steps. When she saw Wyatt walking behind him, she clenched her jaw and headed inside.

Julien sighed, knowing that a storm was brewing.. He just wondered how much she had heard.