The Alpha's Companion

Chapter 46 - Threat From The Alpha Wannabe

The next morning Lacey woke early and headed to the gym. Although she worked out with the warriors on the practice field, it was different than working out with weights in a gym, and she hadn't been there since her arrival at the castle. If was below the castle two flights below ground level, just above the dungeon.

It was dark when Lacey first walked in, but she groped the wall and found a light switch, then the whole room was illuminated with florescent lights from above in the high ceiling. No one else was there, so she walked around the gym, checking it out, amazed by all the equipment just sitting there, apparently not in use.

Lacey planned to change that.

She settled on a shoulder weight machine, set the weights, and began her repetitions.

"Well, well, well...." Scar sauntered into the room, setting down her workout bag. Then she threw a hand towel over her shoulder. "Look who we have here."

Lacey sighed. "Hello, Scar." After the practice, the day before, Lacey thought that Scar was finally trying to get along with everyone, but now Lacey could see that she was just putting up a good front in front of Julien. "We had a good practice yesterday," she said, making an effort.

"Yes, it seems that everything has changed since you and Julien have married." Scar walked slowly toward her. "I wonder why that is?"

Lacey let down the shoulder weights with a crash, setting them down a bit harder than she had intended. "Yes." Lacey wiped her hand towel over her face. "I had a lot of good ideas and Julien listened. Since the attack at our wedding reception, Julien and I knew that things had to change." Lacey stepped away from the equipment, positioning herself for a fight, if needed. She knew better than to let her guard down around Scar.

Scar took a step closer. "Well, consider this a warning. Be a good little wifey and stay out of pack business and away from Julien."

"Over my dead body," Lacey said in a deadpan voice.

"That, my friend, could be arranged." A sinister smile lit Scar's lips.

“Let’s be clear. You are not my friend.” Lacey's hands clenched into fists at her sides. "And I am the Alpha Queen, which means that I give the orders. The only one I take orders from is the Alpha, of course." She took a step closer, nose to nose. "And consider this your only warning. Do your duty as the Beta or you will no longer have the job."

One corner of Scar's lips raised into a snarl. "You cannot strip me of my job. Only the Alpha can do that."

Lacey shrugged. "Well, you said it yourself. Times have changed." Then she smirked. "But don't worry. We can find a job for you as a dishwasher in the kitchen, or someplace suitable, I'm sure."

Scar's eyes flared red. "And I'm warning you to stay away from Julien and stop filling his head full of nonsense."

Lacey pooched out her lower lip, feigning sympathy. "What's the matter, Scar? Can't stand the heat?"

"I'm warning you!" Scar repeated. "Julien is mine!"

Lacey shook her head, smiling. "That's not what our marriage certificate says." Then she narrowed her eyes. "And I'm warning you. I am no one to be trifled with. I will not roll over like a good little puppy at the first sign of trouble... and especially not from you. And if you ever threaten me again, you will find yourself without a pack."

A crease formed between Scar's eyes as she tilted her head to the side. "Have you been talking to Julien about me?"

Lacey laughed. "Not hardly! We have a pack to run and better things to discuss than you. So, if you leave now, I will pretend that this little conversation never happened." Lacey took a step closer, folding her arms over her chest. "But if you make one more threat, you're gone. And let me be clear. Julien is my husband and my Alpha, and I have no intention of staying away from him. But you will stay away from him. The only time you are allowed to approach him from here on out is for pack business. Is that understood?"

Scar’s stance never wavered. "And let me be clear. I will never follow your orders. Julien was mine long before you came."

Lacey shook her head. "He never was yours. Now, leave." No matter what transpired, there was no way that Lacey was going to be chased out by Scar.

Scar smirked, taking a step back. "Well... I guess I can work out some other time." She bowed mockingly. "Have a good workout... Alpha Queen." She grabbed her things and then stopped just before the door and turned around. "Oh! A word of warning." She gestured to the equipment around. "Be very careful," she said, lowering her voice. "This equipment is getting old, and sometimes accidents happen."

Lacey narrowed her eyes. "Are you threatening me?"

Scar smirked. "Have a great day." Then she gave her a wink. "I'll see you on the practice field."

As Lacey watched Scar walk away, she knew the Beta's days in the pack were numbered, if Lacey had anything to say about it. Julien was her mate and her Alpha.. Nothing was going to change that, especially not an Alpha wannabe.