The Alpha's Companion

Chapter 21 - The Next Morning

Sunshine streamed in through the window the next morning, alerting Lacey to the start of a new day. Then her eyes popped open as the events of the night before came rushing into her head. Julien had actually been nice to her and had treated her with respect. And then, there was the kiss….

As she closed her eyes, the events of the night before ran through her mind. Brock pinning her against the wall, Julien saving her, and then their lovely meal and evening together.

Then she remembered him walking her to her door and then giving her the best kiss of her life. He was a respectable man, after all. She wondered if his respectful treatment of her would last.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Someone was knocking on her door. She slowly slid out of bed and peered through the door. Julien was standing on the other side.

"Morning." One corner of his lips curled into a smile.

“Morning.”

Then he took her hands and lightly touched his lips to hers, awakening her wolf.

"How did you sleep?" he asked, pulling back.

Lacey smiled. "I slept great. How about you?"

He gave her a sexy smile. "Better than I have in years."

At the risk of shooting herself in the foot, she had to know. “Why are you here so early?”

He shrugged. “I thought we could spend the day together. Get to know one another.”

“Okay.” She stepped into the hallway, closing the door behind her. “What do you have in mind?”

“I need to ask you something first.”

“Okay….”

"Was that your dress last night?"

Lacey shook her head. "No. Gwen borrowed it from someone for me."

He nodded. “Get dressed. I’m taking you shopping."

"Okay….” she said, surprised. “That’s okay. I can wait for Madame Pomeroy.” Although clothes were nice, it wasn’t her top priority. But then again, she never had anything but hand-me-downs before.

“No mate of mine will have to borrow clothes.” He sighed, shaking his head. “You need some clothes.” He raised an eyebrow. “Want to go?”

Julien was the only man she knew that could make shopping sound sexy. "Yeah. Just give me a minute to get ready."

"Good! "I'll see you downstairs." Then he turned and headed down the hallway, but turned and gave her a smile over his shoulder.

As she watched him disappear down the stairs, she wondered what had prompted this change in him. But no matter what it was, at least they were getting along.

***

After she showered, Lacey slipped into a dressy, pale blue shorts set, a hand-me-down from one of her sisters, and slipped on her black high heels. If she hadn’t been going out with Julien, she would have felt just as comfortable in jeans. But since he was making an effort, so would she. Then she ran a brush through her hair and headed downstairs. Julien was waiting for her in the foyer, dressed in a grey suit with a light blue shirt with the collar open, when she reached the bottom floor.

Julien raised one eyebrow. "Ready?"

She nodded. "As ready as I'll ever be."

He rolled his eyes, smiling. Then he offered her his arm and led her to the limo waiting outside. "You look divine," he whispered into her hair as he helped her in, and then slid in behind her.

"Thank you," she replied. "So, do you."

On the way, he sat beside her close to her and held her hand. Lacey was grateful that they were finally getting along. But after the way he had treated her when they first met, it was going to take a while for her to let down her guard completely.

"Where are we going?” she asked.

He laughed. "We’re going shopping.”

Lacey rolled her eyes. “But where are we going?”

"An exclusive shop." Julien shrugged. "I know the owner."

"And who is that?"

"Me."

She laughed, pulling back to look into his eyes. "Seriously?"

He tilted his head to the side. "Well, technically, it belongs to the pack and since I'm the Alpha—"

"The shop belongs to you," she finished. "Does the pack have other businesses as well?"

"Several." Julien shrugged. “That’s how we make our money.”

Soon the limo pulled to a stop in front of Aurora Clothing Boutique.

"You own Aurora?" Lacey asked, raising an eyebrow. “Seriously?”

Julien chuckled at her response. "Yes. Why?"

Lacey shook her head. "Nothing. It's just one of the biggest clothing boutiques in the area."

Just then, the driver opened the door.

Julien chuckled, taking her hand. "Come on."

Clothing lined the walls as they walked in... and Lacey thought she had died and gone to heaven. She had never had anything new before, let alone shop in an exclusive shop like this. She would have been just as happy going to the mall.. But she didn’t say that to Julien, not wanting to ruin his fun.