The Alpha's Companion

Chapter 28 - Wedding Planning

Lacey started toward the stairs, but Julien met her there, frowning.

"Did you hear?" Lacey asked, wishing that he hadn't.

Julien nodded. "Yes, I’m afraid so. But thank you for making the effort."

Lacey nodded.

Then one corner of Julien's lips curled into a smile. "What do you have planned for today?"

"Well, I was going to work with the warriors—"

"I asked Brock to lead the practice today," Julien cut her off. "The only thing I want you to do today is to plan our wedding."

Lacey's eyebrows rose nearly into her hairline. "Seriously? Today?"

Julien looked at her seductively, biting his lower lip, reminding her of the first time she saw him in the woods. "Yes. I can't wait another day to have you all to myself."

Lacey laughed, smacking him playfully on his chest, laughing. "So, I suppose you have wedding planners ready and waiting?"

Julien smiled, nodding. "As a matter of fact, they're waiting in the small dining room. I've spoken to the chef and he prepared a nice brunch for all of you while you work." Then he leaned in conspiratorially. “Complete with mimosas.”

Lacey kissed his cheek, and then placed a hand on the side of his face and looked into his eyes. If he was going to go through the trouble of organizing the wedding planners, then she wasn’t going to object.

"You're too kind." Then Lacey thought of something. "What's your favorite color?"

"Blue," he replied without hesitation. "What’s yours?"

"Purple," she said. "I guess I shouldn't keep them waiting."

Julien shook his head as a smile lit his lips. "I'll see you later then. I'll be out of the castle for a while today."

Lacey nodded. "Be safe."

"Always."

***

Lacey headed down the five flights of stairs, and when she entered the intimate dining room, the table was filled with many people. Some had swatches in various colors, and some had boards with drawings.

"What's this?" Lacey asked as she walked in.

Everyone stood. "Princess," they all said in unison.

Then one woman with long, black hair approached. She was American Indian, too, and gorgeous. From the way that the woman carried herself, Lacey knew that she was much older than she looked. She was probably a shifter.

"Hello." The woman tilted her head to the side. "My name is Cairo, and I'm your wedding planner."

"It's nice to meet you," Lacey held out her hand but Cairo placed her hand in hers, face down. It was obvious that she didn't shake hands, per say.

"Charmed," Cairo said, ushering Lacey to the empty seat at the head of the table. "Now. If you don't mind, we have some sketches and presentations that we'd like to show you." Then she thought for a moment, and asked, "What color scheme would you like for the wedding?"

"Blue," Lacey replied. "But I'd like purple or lavender in my bouquet and in the centerpieces."

"Yes, of course." Cairo took her seat beside Lacey and then everyone else sat. Cairo clapped her hands twice and each woman presented her plans to Lacey at the front of the room, one at a time. When each was finished, Lacey said what she liked and what she didn't like, determined to keep control over this wedding.

"And, of course, we will be inviting the Silver Pack," Cairo added. "But we have to settle on a date now in an effort to ensure your family is invited, and to give them enough time to travel." Then Cairo turned her attention toward the front. "Now for the flowers, what did you like...."

As the day went on, the wedding started to shape up. It was going to be beautiful and all the important surrounding packs close by were on the guest list. She was relieved when Chef Mastrano interrupted with a nice brunch with mimosas, as promised. Lacey wondered what her family would do when they came to their wedding, if they came at all. Lacey had nearly thought of vetoing her own family for fear of what they might do, but she really wanted her mother to be there.. She just hoped that if the rest of the family came, they'd be on their best behavior.