The Alpha's Companion

Chapter 27 - Scar

Lacey hurried up the five flights of stairs to her room and quickly dressed for dinner. After the warning from Scar, the gloves were off. Lacey was through playing with her. Tonight, Lacey dressed in a sexy, but classy, dress that hugged her body just right. She hoped Julien would like it. Then she donned her red high heels that lengthened her calves. Usually, Lacey didn’t pay attention to such things, but it was time she did. It was time to start fighting fire with fire.

Julien was making an effort to get along with her and take the next step, and so would she. Lacey had set the ground rules for her preparing for and agreeing to the wedding. And now that Julien had done his part with Scar, it was her turn to do her part, too.

Lacey purposefully headed down to dinner a bit early so she could take the seat to the right of Julien. It was petty, but it was necessary in order to prove to both Julien and Scar that she was worthy of the title Alpha Queen.

She headed down the stairs and she was one of the first ones there, so Lacey took the seat to the right of where she knew Julien would sit.

The table was already set with a gorgeous white floral centerpiece. After she was settled, a waiter approached and poured red wine into her glass. "Good evening, Princess."

"Good evening," she said taking a sip of her wine. “Thank you.”

"Well, well," Brock said, sauntering in. "As I live and breathe."

Lacey nodded. "Brock."

Brock smirked. "I see you're taking your rightful place beside the Alpha."

"As I should." Lacey took another sip of her wine, hoping he would take the hint and leave her alone.

"As you should," Brock agreed, moving a strand of her hair away from her face, and Lacey caught his hand.

Lacey looked into his eyes. "Never touch me again." She released his hand. "And never come near me again. I don't play games, Brock, and I'm sure not going to play one with you."

Brock straightened his suit coat. "Yes, you're right." He nodded once and smirked. "Please. Forgive me."

"What's going on here?" Julien asked, a crease forming between his eyes as he walked in.

"Nothing," Brock said, giving Lacey a smile. "Nothing at all."

Lacey smiled, crossing the room to Julien and held his hands. "It was nothing. I was just reminding Brock of something I taught him a while back."

"And I learn my lesson well," Brock added, taking his seat at the other end of the table to the left, his usual seat. "Lacey is, indeed, a good teacher."

Julien's eyes narrowed, but he kissed Lacey's hand and tucked it in his arm. "I'm glad you're here." Then he led her to the seat to his right and sat in his usual seat. Immediately, a waiter filled his wine glass. Julien nodded his thanks, and then turned to Lacey, giving her a sexy smile. "So, have you had time to think about my request?"

Lacey tilted her head to the side. "Your request to plan our wedding?"

Julien lifted her hand to his lips again, and then raised an eyebrow. "Well, have you?"

Lacey nodded as a smile curled her lips. "I’ll start tomorrow." Then she leaned over and gave him a lingering kiss. "When would you like me to plan the wedding for? What date?"

He covered her hand with his. "For as soon as possible."

"What's this?"

Lacey and Julien looked up and Scar was standing in the doorway.

"This is her rightful seat now, to my right… since she is to be my mate and queen," Julien said, rising to his feet. "Surely, you understand."

"I understand enough." Then she sat at the other end of the table, away from Julien.

"Scarlett...." Julien stood, but made no attempt to go to her. "Please. Come sit to my left."

Scar shook her head. "No, thank you, my Alpha. I'm fine sitting at your table... with the warriors."

Julien stood, looking at her for a moment, and then sat down, having decided to let it go and to give her time.

Lacey tucked her arm in his. "So, tell me what you would like for the wedding."

Julien shook his head, sitting back.

Lacey sighed, knowing that somehow, she had to make this right, if she could. "You were right."

Julien's head snapped up. "What are you talking about?"

Lacey leaned forward, keeping her voice low, and looked into his eyes. "I know Scar is important to you, so I’ll talk to her... see if she will come around."

Julien nodded. "Thank you."

Not wanting to add fuel to the fire, Lacey didn’t tell him that Scar had come to her in the practice ring and had threatened her just a few hours before. "I'll try, but there's no guarantee. Scar is—"

"Headstrong," Julien finished. "Scar is headstrong. This, I know. But if you could find a way to get along with Scar, I would truly appreciate it."

Lacey nodded. "I'll try."

***

The next day, Lacey knew that even though Scar had threatened her, she was Julien's most loyal friend. If she could get Scar to turn her attitude toward her around, then Julien would be happier for it. She dressed in her practice clothes: tight-fitting pants, a T-shirt, black leather boots, and a long, loose jacket that reached her knees. Then she marched purposefully to Scar's room and knocked.

Scar flung the door open, her eyes hopeful. It was clear that she was expecting someone else... Julien. When she saw it was Lacey, her face contorted into a snarl. "What do you want?"

"May I come in?" Lacey asked, her voice kind and low. "We need to talk... for Julien's sake, not for either of ours."

Scar stared at her for a moment, and then stepped back, letting out a deep breath. Then she walked into her room without another word, and Lacey followed her in.

Scar's room was bigger, but then again, she had been there longer. Lacey refused to be distracted, needing to focus. She was there for one reason, one purpose, and that was to help make it easier for Julien as she had promised.

Lacey walked in and closed the door behind her.

Scar stood by the big window, waiting. "Well? What do you want?" Scar stalked toward her. "Did you come here to gloat?"

"No," Lacey replied. "Look. I know we've gotten off to a bad start, but I'd like for us to get along."

Scar looked at her for a moment, and then burst out laughing. "It's a little late for that, don't you think?"

"I’m not asking for myself; I’m asking for Julien." Lacey let out a deep breath. "I know how important you are to him. And I'm willing to bury the hatchet if you are."

"The only place I'll be willing to bury the hatchet...." Scar stalked toward her, one side of her lips curling into a snarl. "Is in your back." Then she walked past Lacey and opened the door. "Now. Get out."

"Scar, I—"

"I said, get out!"

Lacey nodded. "Then so be it." She shrugged. "At least I tried." Then she walked toward the door and turned around. “And for the record, I wasn’t asking you to be my friend, but it was the least that both of us could do for Julien..” Then she walked out and headed down the hall, as the door slammed closed behind her.