Although Lacey enjoyed spending the last few days in bed, or laying around the suite, Lacey was feeling better now and eager to get back to work. She felt stifled and couldn't take another day being cooped up.So, she got up early the next morning, showered, but when she walked into the bedroom, Julien was waiting for her.He folded his arms across his chest, raising an eyebrow. "And where do you think you're going?"Lacey frowned tilting her head down, her lips forming a straight line. "I'm going to train. I miss my young warriors."Julien chuckled, and closed the distance between them, placed his hands on her shoulders, and looked into her eyes. "Lacey, it's endearing that you miss your babies, so to speak, but I don't want you to get hurt." He shrugged. "Why don't you stay in and rest? Take off a few more days."Lacey shook her head, standing before him, wrapped only in a towel. "No. I hate to bring it up, but the Wildclaws aren't resting. And hard telling when they might attack nex

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 t

Lacey sent word out to the other packs right away, just like Julien had asked. But instead of just sending word to the Shadow Pack and Silver Pack, she decided to visit both herself."I promise, I won't be gone long," Lacey said to Julien the night before she left. Lacey hated to leave him, but she wanted to make the plea to her birthfather, Arkin, in person. Julien looked into her eyes, his hands on her shoulders. "I wish I were going with you. But I'm sending Brogan with you. He will protect you and keep you safe." Lacey wrapped her arms around his neck, knowing this would be the last time she would see him for a few days. "I can keep myself safe." Then she kissed the tip of his nose. But his eyes were serious, pained even, as he laced his fingers through the side of her hair, holding her head still to look deeply into her eyes. "I know you can, but take Brogan. If you want more warriors to go with you, I'll give the order."She smiled as she looked up at him. "No. Brogan will be

"Are you well, Alpha Queen?" Brogan asked as Misty glanced at her in the rearview mirror from the front passenger seat as Victor drove them through the fates, leaving the Shadow Pack.After the frosty welcome she had received with the Silver Pack, the family she had grown up with, she had no idea what awaited them when they arrived at her stepfather's pack. Julien had called ahead and spoke to Arkin, letting him know that she was on her way.Lacey nodded. "Yes, thank you." Then she stared out the window, watching the bare trees, now ready for their winter slumber.Soon, the limo pulled to a stop in front of a mansion, one of the biggest that Lacey had ever seen. She couldn't help but think that it would have been amazing to grow up at this compound. But then memories of the way she had been treated at her parent's mansion came flooding back. If that was the way family treated her, then she wanted no part of it. When she and Julien had a family of their own, she wanted things to be diff

"Thank you so much for having me," Lacey said to Arkin, standing by the limo with Brogan and the other shifters from her pack. She hadn't seen her warriors since she had been there, but they seemed to have had a good time. A few members of the Shadow Pack had even come to say goodbye, and Brogan, Misty, and Victor were all smiling, which was a good sign. Misty and Victor got into the car, but Brogan waited for Lacey, holding the door open for her.Arkin placed his hands on her upper arms, and then gave her a kiss on both cheeks. "It was a pleasure to see you again. Please. Promise me that you'll come back again soon."Lacey nodded, smiling. "Only if you promise to come to the Harvest Moon Pack to visit us, too.""That, little sister, may be an offer we can't refuse," Seth said, smiling from ear to ear. "Good. I'm counting on it." Then Arkin pulled her close and whispered in her ear, "And don't worry about the alliance between our packs. It's very strong. When you need us, let us know