The Alpha's Companion

Chapter 48 - Infirmary

Lacey woke in the castle infirmary and Julien was sitting in a chair by her side, holding her hand. "Julien...."

"Lacey...." He raised her hand to his cheek with tears in his eyes. "Lacey, why didn't you run when they attacked?"

She sighed, trying to sit up, but her head hurt too badly. So, she gave up and lay back down. "I had to protect my young warriors." She shook her head at the memory. "I wasn't about to leave them to fight experienced warriors alone. So, I sent them off." She didn't tell him that Koi wouldn't go.

"Except for Koi," Julien replied, voicing what she was thinking.

Well, so much for keeping the boy safe. "He didn't want to leave me—"

"Now, Alpha Queen, you know what it's like when someone doesn't obey your orders." Julien smirked.

Lacey sighed, defeated. "Touché." At that moment, she truly understood.

"So, if we're ever under attack again, you'll follow my orders?" Julien smiled, raising an eyebrow.

"I'll think about it," she teased, and then became serious. "But please. Don't order me not to fight. I have to protect my pack."

"I'll think about it." Then he kissed her hand again. "I'm just glad you're okay."

She let out a deep breath. "Is Koi okay?"

Julien nodded. "He feels really bad about not having followed your order."

Lacey nodded. "You didn't get onto him, did you?"

Julien shook his head. "No, I think he's punished himself enough.”

"I'd like to see him." Lacey closed her eyes, placing her arm over her forehead. “I need to talk to him.”

Julien smiled, tilting his head to the side. "You will... soon enough. But right now, you need to rest."

Lacey nodded. "What are my injuries?"

Julien’s face suddenly turning seriously. "You have three broken ribs, and a broken leg. Probably strained ligaments and muscles, too, but that's what is visible.” Julien sighed. “You’re a shifter, so now that the bone is set, you’ll hear quicker.”

"Thank you, Julien."

His head snapped up. "For what?"

"For saving me.” Lacey bit her lower lip and then released it. “I held them off for as long as I could—"

"So, this is where you're hiding?" Lacey looked up and Scarlett walked into the room, smiling as if nothing were amiss. But her being nice was obviously for Julien's benefit.

Lacey sighed, fidgeting in the infirmary bed. "Scar, not now."

"Why, what ever are you talking about?" Scar looked at her with an innocent look coloring her eyes. "I only came by to offer my condolences."

"Yeah, and if Julien wasn't here, you'd threaten me again."

"Lacey!" Julien looked back and forth between them. "Scarlett, please. Lacey needs to rest."

Scar nodded as a hurt look colored her face. "Sure. Whatever she needs." She reached over and patted Lacey's foot. "Feel better soon."

"Save it, Scar." Lacey adjusted herself to a sitting position. "And don't ever touch me or come near me again."

A crease formed between Julien's eyes. "Scarlett, leave. Now." He sighed. "I don't know what you've done to her, but it ends now."

Scarlett looked at him for a moment, clenching her jaw as she narrowed her eyes, and then nodded once. Then she turned on her heel and left.

"What was that all about?" Julien asked. "I realize you and Scar don't get along, but would you try and make an effort?"

Lacey scoffed. "Whoa! I didn't want to tell you, but the reason why I was late to practice today was because she threatened me in the gym, telling me to stay away from you." Lacey felt sick to her stomach to think that Scar still had him fooled. "Julien, I know you're seeing her through rose colored glasses, but you haven't seen the way she talks to me when you're not around. I've tried to respect your friendship with her. But right now, I just want her to stay away from me and to never speak to me again." She started shaking, not with fear, but with sudden rage.

Julien nodded, taking her hand again. "Lacey, I'm so sorry." Then he sat down beside her bed again. Then he kissed her fingers one at a time. "I'll have a talk with her."

Lacey nodded. "Thank you."

"And in the meantime...." He kissed another finger. "I'll make sure she stays out of here until you recover."

"I would truly appreciate that." Lacey didn't say it, but she just didn't feel like she should have to keep her guard up while in the infirmary. Scar being banned would help.

"So, what can I get for you?" Julien asked, one corner of his lips curling into a smile. "Are you hungry?"

Lacey lay back onto the bed, feeling like a truck had just run her over. "You're going to laugh."

Julien smiled. "No, tell me." He played with the wedding band on her finger, turning it around.

Lacey smiled, raising an eyebrow. "Maybe some Lobster Bisque?"

Julien chuckled. "I'll get right on it."

"You mean, you'll get the chef get right on it," she teased.

Julien nodded. "Yes. I'll get Chef Mastrano get right on it." Then he leaned down and pressed his lips to hers, giving her a passionate kiss. When he pulled back a moment later, he gave her one last sweet kiss. "I'll be right back."

"Keep kissing me like that and I'll follow you wherever you go," Lacey teased.

Julien turned around and lifted an eyebrow. "Keep teasing me like that and I may carry you out." Then his lips lifted into a smile. "Get some rest. I won't be long."

As Lacey waited for him to return, it seemed that something had changed between them, that they had somehow reached a turning point.. Lacey just hoped that Scar didn't do anything more to come between them.