The Alpha’s Companion - Chapter 99

Later that night after the Alphas and her family had either left the castle or had retired for the night, Lacey prepared herself for the talk with her mother about Thorn’s and Lynessa’s deaths.

“Would you like me to go with you?” Julien asked as they ascended the stairs.

Lacey shook her head. “No. I just want to get this over with.”

Julien pulled her to a stop at the top of their stairwell and placed his hands on her shoulders, looking into her eyes. “Lacey, it couldn’t be helped. They attacked you. Remember that.” Then he let out a deep breath. “If you hadn’t fought them, then they would have killed you. It was self-defense.”

Lacey nodded. “Yes, I know. But it doesn’t make it any easier.”

Julien nodded, understanding. “Let me know if you need me.”

But then she pulled him close. “Julien, I’m proud of you tonight. You are a wonderful Alpha Supreme. You not only think about your pack, but the whole Tribe, as well.”

He raised his eyebrows. “You mean, our pack.”

Lacey smiled as she nodded. “Yes… our pack.” Then she gently kissed his lips in a sweet, tender kiss. “Thank you.”

One side of Julien’s lips curled into a smile. “Watch it, or I may haul you off to bed and not let you talk to your mother tonight.”

She smiled, wrapping her arms around his waist as she looked into his eyes, raising an eyebrow. “Oh no?”

Julien laughed. “No.” Then he moved closer as his eyes began to close. “But first, just one more taste.” Then his lips crushed hers, telling her what mere words couldn’t. Then he pulled back and gave her one last sweet kiss. “hurry back.”

Lacey nodded. “I will.” Then she headed down the hallway toward her mother’s room that Lacey had picked out for her to use while she was there. Outside the door, she hesitated for a second, and then knocked.

The door opened a moment later. “Lacey,” Camari said, her voice soft as she opened the door wide. “Come on in.”

Lacey nodded and then entered the room. “Mom, I’m sorry I haven’t come to visit since the War, but I’ve been busy with cleanup and such.” She didn’t want to mention the burning of the bodies, too.

“Please,” Camari motioned toward the sofa, and then made her way over to the bar. “Wine?”

Lacey nodded. “Mom, you sit. I’ll get it.”

“No, no,” her mother said, pulling out two long-stemmed crystal glasses. “Besides. I’m already pouring.”

Lacey had no idea what to expect, but this wasn’t it. Yelling? Screaming? Yes. Perfect calm and serenity? No.

Camari crossed the room and handed her one of the glasses and then sat at the other end of the sofa and turned sideways so they could talk. “Lacey, I’m glad you came to visit tonight. It’ll give us a chance to talk.”

Lacey sighed. “Mom, if it’s about Thorn and Lanessa—”

“Ssshhh….” her mother said. “Please. Let me speak first.”

Lacey nodded as she looked into her glass. But then she lifted her head, refusing to be ashamed of her actions. As Julien had said, killing Thorn and Lynessa had been in self-defense.

Camari took a sip of her wine, and then studied Lacey. “Lacey, I knew Thorn and Lynessa, and that you probably had to take them down out of self-defense.” She sighed, gathering her thoughts. “They both let their anger consume them.” Then she reached over and gave Lacey’s hand a gentle squeeze. “Lacey, I just want to make sure that the same thing doesn’t happen to you.”

A crease formed between her eyes. “What do you mean?”

Her mother sighed. “Anger, Lacey. They let their anger consume them. Just don’t let it happen to you.”

For the first time since the War, Lacey’s eyes filled with tears and spilled down her cheeks. “Mom, I tried to tell them in the Pack Mind not to do this, but they couldn’t hear me. Mom, it was either them or me.”

Tears filled Camari’s eyes, too. “I know, honey. I know.” Then she pulled her into her arms as they cried together for what was, and what had come to pass… and what could have been.

***

The next day, word of a special event had spread throughout the pack, announcing that there would be a special ceremony that night. No one was told exactly what it was, but black-tie dress was required. the castle was buzzing about the event all day, and later that night, everyone dressed in their finest attire and headed to the Grand Banquet Hall for the event.

Lacey had dressed in a strapless black, floor-length gown that showed off her curves, and had donned silk black gloves that extended to her elbows. Then she slipped on black heels and left her hair down, falling into loose waves over her shoulders, since Julien liked it that way. Lacey was going to spend the rest of her life trying to make him happy… even if it was something as simple as leaving her hair down.

Julien dressed in a tuxedo, and pulled his long, black hair back into a low ponytail. When he walked out of the bedroom, her mouth just about dropped.

“You look exquisite,” she said, crossing the room to him.

Julien’s mouth opened, too, taking her in. “You look gorgeous.” Then he took her hand and gently tucked it in his arm. “Ready?”

“I’m ready if you are.” She smiled, looking up into his eyes.

But then he took her hands into his own. “I’m a very lucky man to have such a beautiful wife.” Then his lips descended upon hers in a soft kiss, careful not to smudge her lipstick.

Lacey pulled back, smiling. “Thank you, but I’m the lucky one… to have you for a husband.”

Julien chuckled, one corner of his lips curling into a sexy smile. “Well, I’d better escort you out, or I may never let you leave.”

Lacey laughed, enjoying his reaction to her efforts. “Let’s go… or they may start the ceremony without us.”

“No, I’m the Master of Ceremonies,” he teased. Then he offered her his arm again. “Shall we?”

She smiled, enjoying seeing this side of Julien, his true side, without as much of the bravado. Since she had met him, his emotional walls have come down. And she guessed that hers had come down, too.

When they descended the stairs, everyone in the hallway gasped… and all eyes were on them. Lacey held her head high, proud to be Julien’s Mate and Alpha Queen. Maybe now they could truly start a new chapter in their lives, ruling together.

When they entered the Grand Banquet Hall, everyone stood as they walked down the center aisle, and then sat again when Lacey and Julien had taken their seats at the head table along with the other Alphas. To her surprise and joy, her mother was sitting by her side. And Lacey was glad to see that Arkin was sitting on her mother’s other side.

Julien stood and raised his hands. “Before the feast commences, the Alpha Queen and I have some announcements that we’d like to make.” A sly smile spread across his face. “First, I’d like for the Alpha Queen’s young warriors to approach.”

They all stood, their eyes wide with surprise, also wearing their finest. They walked to the head of the room as everyone smiled, taking them in.

“Young warriors, please come and stand by my side,” Julien said, smiling proudly. “During the War Between the Packs, you fought bravely defending the castle and your Alpha Queen. You stood by her side and fought bravely. Because of your bravery, the interior of the castle was not breached. All of you stood tall in the face of adversity and great danger to yourself, each proving yourself as a warrior in your own right. Therefore….” Julien pulled out white leather cases, one for each of them. “When I call your name, please come forth and be recognized. And from this day forth, you will no longer be known as the young warriors, but as the Alpha Queen’s Guard.”

A thunderous applause erupted from everyone present at the ceremony. Even Roth, Lacey’s brother, had stayed. Even though his smiles were few, Lacey could tell he was trying. Just like the rest of them, it would take him time.

When Julien announced all their names, one by one, they all came forth to receive their medals. Julien opened each case and slid it around each of their necks, and then gave them each the leather cases to keep them in.

As Lacey looked over the Alpha Queen’s Guard and her husband, Lacey had never been more proud.. At that moment, Lacey realized what it was to be an Alpha Queen, and she was proud to be theirs.