The Alpha's Companion

Chapter 24 - Truce

Lacey and Julien said nothing on the way back. But when the limo pulled up in front of the castle, she said, "Julien, thank you for the clothes."

He nodded but wouldn't look at her.

"Look. About Scar—"

"We have nothing more to say on the subject," Julien cut her off and then walked purposefully into the castle.

"Madame?"

Lacey looked over and the driver was waiting for her. She nodded as she took his hand, letting him help her out. "Thank you." Then she turned back to face him. "Could you have my clothes brought to my room, please?"

He nodded. "Yes. By all means."

She walked up the five flights of stairs to her room alone. Lacey saw a few shifters along the way. They smiled but quickly averted their eyes until she passed. It was clear that Julien had made it known that she was off limits. It didn't matter that the only thing she wanted from everyone but him was friendship.

When her clothes arrived, she spent the afternoon putting them away, glad that Julien had insisted on buying them for her. She just wished things could be simpler between them.

When it was time for dinner Lacey dressed in a new knee-length dress and headed downstairs. He hadn't banished her to her room this time, thank goodness, but there was still a precedent to set. Lacey wasn't about to cower in her room just because they had an argument. If she did, she wouldn't be worth of the title Alpha Queen.

Lacey wasn't sure what everyone was wearing to dinner tonight, but she thought she would be safe. The dress she chose could be considered dressy or not, depending upon what everyone else in the room was wearing.

When she reached the main dining room, Julien and Scar were already sitting at the table in their usual places. So, Lacey sat to Julien's left, the seat that he had guided her to before. Actually, when she was his wife and mate, she would sit to his right. But this was fine... for now. This would be the first full meal with Julien in the main dining hall and she wasn’t going to ruin it.

All the male shifters averted their eyes when she came in. Brock was going to stand, obviously to hold her chair, but she held her hand up, stopping him, and he sat back down.

To her surprise, Julien stood and held her chair, waving off one of the waiters.

"Thank you, Julien," Lacey said as he scooted her chair under her.

"Lacey," he said, giving her a kiss on the cheek. "I'm glad you could join us."

Across the table, Scar quickly downed her wine and slammed the glass down hard on the table, nearly shattering it. Then a low growl erupted from her chest.

"Of course," Lacey said, smiling sweetly to Julien, ignoring Scar’s little display. "I wouldn’t miss an opportunity for us to dine together."

Julien reached over and held her hand, surprising Lacey with this public display of affection. She guessed that Julien was trying, in his own way. Taking baby steps. Well, at least he didn't send her to her room this time, which was a plus. But then again, she would never stand for the humiliation.

Suddenly, a huge smile spread across Scar's face. "So, Lacey! When's the wedding?"

Julien's head snapped up, eyeing Scar.

Lacey knew that Scar was just trying to get a reaction from her, but she wasn't taking the bait. Lacey lifted her wine glass and smiled. "That's a question you'll have to ask Julien."

Julien looked over at Lacey and a crease formed between his eyes in silent warning. Then, to her surprise, he looked over at Scar. "Scarlett, we have to talk."

Scar slammed down her wine glass again, glaring at him. "Seriously?"

“Not here.” Julien sighed. "Scar, we need to talk privately. There's no need to make a scene."

Scar quickly got to her feet. "Oh, you haven't seen a scene yet!" Then she stormed out the door, just as the waitstaff came in with the first course, consisting of various hors d'oeuvres, one just as tasty as the last. But Lacey knew it wasn’t over with Scar yet. Lacey had won the battle, but the war was far from over.

Lacey knew that Julien was going to talk to Scar about her treatment of her, or at least she hoped. But she wasn't going to pour salt on the wound by asking… not here, at least. But she was curious as to his change of attitude. Lacey guessed that he just had time to think about what he wanted.

Julien squeezed her hand. "How are you tonight?" he asked, his voice low. "Did you get everything unpacked?"

Lacey smiled, not pulling her hand away. "Yes, I did. And thank you for the clothes. You shouldn't have."

He raised her hand to his lips, looking into her eyes. "Yes, I should. You're soon to be my wife, are you not?" It was his round-about way of asking if she was satisfied and would agree to set a date for the marriage now. They had inadvertently reached a truce.

She shrugged, one corner of her lips curling into a smile. "That all depends."

"Upon?" He gave her a cocky grin, taking her in.

"Upon what you're going to say in your conversation with—"

"Consider it done," Julien cut her off before she could finish. At that moment, she knew that he really didn't like to air his dirty laundry publicly, even in front of his pack.

"A toast!" Brock stood, raising his wine glass. "To our future Alpha Queen and the happy couple!" Then he looked over at them and raised his glass, his way of apologizing. Lacey was also glad to see that he had been released from the dungeon. She didn't want anyone to have to suffer on her account.

"To the Alpha Queen!" everyone said in unison, raising their wine glasses and drinking.

Lacey raised her hand. "Thank you, everyone. I'm glad to be a part of this pack…." Then she reached over and squeezed Julien’s hand. “And to be your Alpha Queen some time soon.”

Julien raised his glass to Brock, smiling, accepting his apology. "So, what are you doing later?" Julien asked Lacey, his voice low.

"Well, that all depends."

Julien smirked. "Upon?"

"Upon you."