The Alpha’s Companion - Chapter 97

“Thanks for staying to speak with me,” Julien said to Roth, Arkin, Seth, and Chris after the other Alphas had left.

Lacey stayed, too. Since the battle, Julien had been including her on all pack decisions, and they had been running The Harvest Moon Pack together as a team. They had truly become partners, with mutual respect.

Julien let out a deep breath taking his seat. “I didn’t want the other Alpha’s to know, so I decided to do this privately.” Then he looked over at Roth. “Roth, I know that you didn’t make the decision to stand with the rogue wolves and Rex against me.” Clearly, Julien was giving him the benefit of the doubt. “Thorn did that. But now you have the chance to do the right thing.”

Roth leaned forward, folding his hands on the table. “And how do you propose I do that?”

Julien sighed, and then looked into his eyes. “You need to step down as Alpha of The Silver Moon Pack.”

Roth nodded. “Alpha Grey, I understand your position, but this is my birthright.” He sighed. “I was not the Alpha at the time that my father made the decision to stand with Rex and the rogue wolfs. Then he nodded toward Lacey. “But I can tell you why he did it. He did it because of his resentment for Lacey. All our lives, he not only encouraged, but taught us to treat Lacey badly. When you married her, he fully expected for you to kill her because of her… strong mindedness. However, that didn’t happen. Instead, she started gaining power, and he resented it. Soon, he became enraged that a child not of his spawn had more power than him. That’s why he sided with Rex.” He bit his lower lip and then released it. “But when he gave the order, I did not attack. I knew it was wrong.” Then he looked into Lacey’s eyes. “And I didn’t want to stand against my sister.” He sighed and then looked back at Julien. “I understand if you feel you need to punish me for what he did, but believe me when I tell you, I had nothing to do with it.” Then he looked back over to Lacey. “Lacey, I’m so sorry for the way that Thorn treated you… the way that I treated you… while we were growing up.” Tears ran down his cheeks as sincerity colored his eyes. “But I’d like to change that if I can. If you’d let me. Please, give me the chance.” He nodded as he looked back at Julien. “I promise to make this pack strong in service to the Alpha Supreme… you. Please give me the chance to prove it. Give me a year. Then if you decide that I’m not fit to be Alpha, then strip me of the title and I’ll gladly step down without resistance. But please, give me this chance.”

Julien had listened intently, and now he looked over at Lacey. “Alpha Queen, may I have a moment alone?”

Lacey nodded, rising from her seat. “Yes, of course.”

Roth rose from his seat. “Lacey… er… Alpha Queen, please stay seated. I’ll leave the room while you discuss.” Then he lifted her hand to his lips. “I’m glad you’re well, sister. I’m sorry for the past, but I’d like to start today anew. I’d like to be the brother that you deserved to have and never was.”

Lacey nodded, giving his hand a gentle squeeze. “thank you.”

“I’ll leave you to decide,” Roth said. “I’ll be in the hallway.”

Arkin nodded toward Seth and Chris, and they all rose to their feet. “We’ll be right outside, too.”

Lacey nodded. “Thank you.”

Arkin smiled and then crossed the room to her and took her hand. “No matter what happens, know that we are on your side… always. You have made me very proud to be your father.” Then he raised her hand to his lips and kissed it. “I give you and Julien my fealty, now and always.”

When he stepped away, Chris took her hand and knelt before her. Then he kissed it and looked into her eyes. “I give you and Julien my fealty, now and always. Not only as your brother, but as your warrior.”

After he stepped aside, Seth did the same. He took her hand, knelt, and kissed it. Then he looked into her eyes. “I give you and Julien my fealty, now and always, as your brother and as your warrior.”

Then they walked outside to stand with Roth.

When they were alone, Julien looked into her eyes. “So, what do you think? Can your brother be trusted?”