The Alpha’s Companion - Chapter 98

Lacey sighed, thinking. “Julien, I’ll be honest with you.”

He rubbed his thumb across the top of her hand. “Yes, please do.”

Lacey nodded, and then looked into his eyes. “Roth was horrible to me while we were growing up. Not only him, but all my siblings with Thorn and my mother. You already know that.” She bit her upper lip and then released it. “But I don’t think that a year is too much to ask to prove his allegiance to you, and to me.” She placed a hand atop his, holding his hand. “A year would be plenty of time to show his allegiance and his loyalty. Then after a year, if he proves unworthy, then you can strip him of his title.” Lacey patted his hand, looking into his eyes. “Give him a chance. I think he’ll make a strong, loyal Alpha if given the chance to do so. Especially now that Thorn is gone.”

Julien nodded and then kissed her hand, too. “You are a wise woman, and to you, like our subjects, I also pledge my fealty.” Then he gave her a long, lingering kiss as he placed his hand on her cheek. Then he smiled as she rose to her feet. But Julien stopped her and walked over to the door.

Outside, Julien ws surprised to see the four of them laughing and cutting up as if they were old friends. When they saw Julien, they stopped, suddenly growing serious.

“Oh, please don’t stop because of me.” Julien chuckled. “Please, come in.”

They all walked in and when they were seated, Julien looked into Roth’s eyes, folding his hands atop the table. “Roth, I’m going to give you the year that you requested. During that year, I want all cruelty to be wiped away in that Pack and you to become a true leader. If after a year, you are seen to be fit as a true Alpha, then you may keep the position. However, after that year, if you prove unfit, then one of these two gentlemen will take your position… without question or rebellion.” Then he raised an eyebrow. “Is that understood?”

Roth nodded. “Yes, thank you. That’s more than fair, considering the pain that my father caused.” Then he stood and offered his hand to Julien. “Please, accept my humble apologies. Thank you, Alpha Grey. I won’t disappoint you.”

Julien nodded, smiling. “See that you don’t.” Then he looked over at Lacey. “By the way, your sister, the Alpha Queen, was the one who persuaded me to give you the chance. You owe her a debt.”

Roth nodded, smiling, his eyes meeting Lacey’s. “A debt that I’ll gladly repay with my life.”

Lacey rose to her feet. “The way you can repay the debt is to let the past go and to be a good Alpha.” Then she smiled. “Congratulations, Alpha Tarregan.”

Tears filled his eyes as he walked around the table and carefully pulled her in for a hug. When he pulled back, he said, “That hug was long overdue, but I promise I’ll make it up to you… or at least I’ll spend the rest of my life trying.” He placed his hand on the side of her cheek. “Even though I may not have shown it before, I promise to be a good big brother now. But give me time.” Then he knelt before her and took her hand, kissed it, and then looked into her eyes. “But from this day forth, I swear to you and Julien my fealty and loyalty, not only as an Alpha of the tribe, but as your brother.”

Julien crossed the room to him and took his hand. “Rise, Alpha Tarregan. You may stay and enjoy the festivities here at the castle. But mark my words, we will revisit this subject one year from today.”

“As you should,” Roth replied. “But I promise to make you proud.”

Julien nodded, clasping his hand. “I know you will.”

After he left, Arkin approached and extended his hand to Julien. “Thank you, Alpha Grey, for your vote of confidence.”

Julien shook his hand. “Thank you for your support.”

“Always,” Arkin responded.

Julien smiled at Lacey and then back at Arkin. “Alpha Emerson, we have a special award ceremony tomorrow night and I would love it if you and your sons could attend.”

Arkin pulled him in for a one-armed hug, patting his back, and then looked into his eyes. “I’d love to.”

Then Seth and Chris looked at Lacey, bent their knees, and said in a sing-song voice, “Come here!”

Lacey started backing away, knowing what was coming. “Oh, no you don’t!” Then she laughed as they chased her playfully out the door.

Roth was standing in the hallway talking to another shifter just outside the door and saw what was happening. Then he laughed and quickly grabbed Lacey and pulled her behind him, smiling as he held up his hand. “Oh, no you don’t! In order to get to her, you’ll have to go through me first!” Then he turned around and lifted her into a bear hug, too. Then he kissed her cheek and gently placed her back onto her feet as Seth and Chris laughed.

And for the first time in her life, Lacey knew what it was like to have a family… true family.. And it didn’t matter how long it took to get there.