The Alpha's Companion

Chapter 53 - A Traitor Among Us

Lacey looked over the warriors, both young and experienced, and it felt good to be back.

"Scarlett, Lacey's back so she will take over the training of the young warriors," Julien said.

"Thank goodness," Scar said under her breath.

Lacey's head snapped up, taking in her young warriors, and they were hanging their heads. Rage instantly filled her. The young warriors had become like her own children, of sorts, and she wasn't about to have someone make her warriors feel inferior just because they were young and inexperienced.

Julien narrowed his eyes at Scar in warning.

"Since Lacey still needs to take it easy, Raye, I'd like for you to help her with the young warriors today," Julien replied. "Scarlett, you'll take a group to work with." Julien paced with his arms behind his back. “Each time the Wildclaws attack, it's been over the wall. That said, Scar, you and Brock will train the warriors how to defend the wall." Julien rattled off some names and each nodded. "The rest of you will train with me. Scarlett?" Her head popped up. "I'll switch out the groups so the experienced warriors will train with us both today. Agreed?"

"Aye!" the pack sounded off at the same time.

"Let's go!" he yelled.

Lacey started jogging toward the south field, but her leg was bothering her more than she cared to let on. But if she told Julien, he'd lock her up in their suite for the rest of eternity.

Raye jogged up beside her. "Look, I'm sorry about the other day—"

"Forget it," Lacey said, cutting him off. "We have work to do." Then she turned to face her young warriors. "Okay, everyone! Gather around." She motioned for them to come closer, and she looked each one in the eye. "Look. You all are brave warriors. You just need the experience and training to back it up." She bit her lip, searching for the right words. "I know that 'certain people' may have said some things about you in my absence but know this: I am proud of each one of you, and I'm proud to be your trainer." Then Lacey clapped her hands once. "Now, let's get to work! Raye, I want you to show them how to defend up the wall."

"Aye," he replied, and then started barking orders to the young warriors. But to Lacey's surprise, he was quite patient with them. Lacey guessed that she must have been just a bit too protective of her pups.

Throughout the day, Lacey gave instructions to Raye on how to teach the young warriors more efficiently. And to her surprise, Raye complied.

Lacey also noticed that Julien trained for a while with one group, and then switched them out with Scar and then worked with another group. And even though what she could do was limited, Lacey was enjoying working with her young warriors.

"Okay, everyone! Pack it up!" Lacey said at the end of the day. "Good practice today! Let's go get something to eat!"

"Aye!" the young warriors yelled in unison. Some ran for the woods, while others headed for the castle.

"Alpha Queen, I'm so glad you're back!" Koi said, bubbling with excitement as he started bouncing away. Then he turned around. "But don’t worry! I'll work really hard to make you proud!"

Lacey smiled as happy tears filled her eyes. "I'm already proud of you!"

Koi's smile spread from one ear to the other, and then he waved before he turned and jogged into the forest.

Lacey made a mental note to tell them the next day not to go hunting in the forest alone.

She was about to turn and gather her things, when she saw a shadow going around the wall. "Hey, Koi!" Lacey jogged toward the wall, hoping it was Koi and that she could talk to him. But the closer she got, the more she realized that it wasn’t Koi at all… and not one hooded figure, but two.

Lacey pulled her hoodie up and ran for a part of the forest that was protruding closer to where they were, but still a distance away. Tucked in the shadows, she could see that two people were talking. When she looked closer, the figure facing her had wavy dark hair protruding from under the hood. He was tall, much too tall. Muscles bulged, straining beneath the hoodie he wore. Huge, second only to Julien. Then his coal-black eyes raised, looking straight at Lacey… and her heart stopped. For the person looking at her was none other than Rex, the leader of the Wildclaws. If she didn’t find Julien now, they were all dead.

"I have to get to Julien," she said to herself, double backing through the forest, headed toward the castle where she wouldn't be seen. She ran in through the back way and Gwen was the first person she saw. "Where's Julien?"

"Aaahh... he's looking for you," she replied, her eyes wide. "I saw him a few minutes ago."

Lacey nodded, willing herself not to panic. "Which way did he go?"

Gwen paused.

"Gwen, please! It's important!" If she didn’t find him now and Rex knew he’d been recognized, then they were as good as dead… unless….

"Lacey, what's wrong?" Julien ran up fast behind her. "Where did you go? I was looking all over for you!"

"Julien, someone from the pack was talking to Rex!"

"Rex?" his eyebrows shot up, nearly into his hairline and then his eyes darkened. "Of the Wildclaws?" he asked, already headed outside, not waiting for an answer. "Which way?"

"That way!" Lacey pointed. "Someone was talking to him on the west wall! Hurry!"

They both ran at top speed as quickly as they could, but no one was there.

“Are you sure it was him?” Julien wheeled around, looking at every corner as quickly as he could.

"I swear, Julien!" Lacey looked around the wall. "Rex was here!"

“I believe you.” Julien nodded, headed toward the castle. "We have to sound the alarm. He couldn't have gone far."

Lexie just hoped that Julien, nor anyone else, got hurt in the process.. Rex was no one to mess with.