The Alpha's Companion

Chapter 32 - Secret

After leaving her mother and seeing Scar, Lacey headed to her room to dress for dinner. She quickly bathed and dressed in a long, purple gown that fell over her body like water. This was the last night before she and Julien were to marry. Lacey just hoped that her family behaved themselves. But if they caused any trouble at all, she would have them thrown out.

But then again, her family may not be the ones to cause trouble. Scar had overheard her conversation with her mother earlier, and it was clear that she had heard enough to bury her. If Julien heard it from Scar, he’d never believe that she was of royal blood.

No, Lacey's best chance, her only chance with Julien, was to tell him herself.

When she was ready, Lacey hurried down the five flights of stairs and Julien was standing outside the dining hall.

"Julien, I have to talk to you—"

"Can it wait?" he asked, smiling. "Both of our packs are waiting for us."

"No, it can't—"

"Tell me inside." Julien gave her a cocky grin. "I'm eager to show you off." Then he leaned in and whispered into her hair. "You look lovely, by the way."

“Thank you.” She smirked. "You clean up pretty good yourself." Lacey that that she was probably worried about nothing. She should just enjoy the dinner with Julien and her mother and try not to worry about anything else.

When she and Julien walked into the dining hall, Scar was sitting next to Lacey's sisters Marissa and Lynette. "This can't be good," Lacey said to herself. Lynette and Marissa were the biggest troublemakers in the family. And if they were talking to Scar, then the three of them were up to something. Neither of them talked to anyone unless it benefitted them.

As soon as Julien and Lacey were seated, Julien stood and held up his wine glass. "Princess Lacey and I appreciate all of you coming to share in the joy of our wedding. However, I'd like to make a toast. To Lacey's parents, Thorn and Camari! May they have good health and prosperity for years to come!"

"To Thorn and Camari!" everyone shouted, joining in the toast, but Lynette and Marissa had their heads together, laughing.

Julien gave them a dirty look and then continued, "May the alliance between our two packs remain intact for years to come. And may the bond of my marriage to Princess Lacey seal our alliance forever!"

"Here, here!" everyone shouted.

But Marissa and Lynette laughed louder.

Julien sighed and Lacey could tell that he had enough of her sisters’ disrespect. "Thorn, please escort your two daughters to their rooms before I have my men do it."

"What?" Thorn looked over at his daughters as if seeing them for the first time. "What is the meaning of this? Are they not welcome here?" Obviously, he was so used to them showing Lacey disrespect that he didn’t have a clue as to what they had done.

Marissa and Lynette both scoffed, overhearing the exchange.

"If they cannot show their sister the respect she deserves in my house, then no, they aren't welcome here," Julien growled, slamming his wine glass onto the table.

Lynette laughed without humor. "I can assure you that we would show our full sister respect, but not an illegitimate pretender."

Everyone gasped.

"What did you just say?" Julien laughed without humor. “You’re disrespecting my Pledged Mate in my house and you call her the pretender?” He looked at them both, raising an eyebrow. Then he looked over at two of his men. “Escort them to their rooms. Now!”

“Yes, Alpha Grey,” both men said at once and grabbed both Lynette and Marissa.

“Father, Mother, tell him!” Lynette yelled as she was pulled from the room.

“Julien, please come with me… now,” Lacey said, taking his hand.

He nodded once and then said to everyone, “Please! Enjoy your meals.” Then he walked purposefully into the private dining room. “What were they talking about?” Julien asked, his voice low.

“I’ve been trying to tell you, but your always busy.”

“Tell me what?”

"I am of royal blood," Lacey said. "My father was an Alpha—”

“I know, Thorn Taregan—”

“No,” Lacey cur him off. “My mother had an affair years ago and my birthfather is Arkin Emerson of the Shadow Pack.”

“You’re not Thorn Taregan’s daughter?” Julien bellowed.

“Ssshh!” Lacey said, her voice low. “Please. I’ve tried to tell you several times—”

"So, that’s why your family has treated you with disrespect." Julien looked down at Lacey, narrowing his eyes. Then he marched back into the dining hall as Lacey followed, watching the horror unfold. Julien bit his lower lip, and then turned to her father. "Thorn, you sold me your daughter under false pretenses." Julien gripped the edge of the table, holding it so tightly that Lacey thought it might break. "Out! I want you all out of my castle! Now!"

Lacey stepped in front of her mother. "No! Not my mother."

Julien took a step closer. "I cannot have deception in my house, under my roof." Then he looked over at Thorn. "You have one hour to take your things out of my house. And if you're here tomorrow, then I will consider it an act of war." Julien grabbed Lacey's arm and escorted her out of the dining hall, wondering what was to become of her.

Tears filled Lacey's eyes as he pulled her up the stairs, giving Lacey a moment to think. But one thing was certain: If Julien let her live, then she would never go back to the Silver Pack. As he pulled her along, she tried to think of another pack that might take her. Maybe her birthfather's Shadow Pack. But there was no way that she was going to join the Wildclaws. Any pack would be better than joining them… even no pack at all.