Outside, Brogan walked over to Julien, standing in the center of the practice field, and whispered something to him just as Lacey was putting on her MMA fighting gloves. Julien looked over at Lacey and frowned, then he went on to address the pack. "Young warriors, you will train with the Alpha Queen today, Team Alpha is with me, Team Omega is with Kodiak...." Then just before they broke into their groups, Julien added, "Scarlett, a word.""Well, at least it isn't me this time," Lacey said to herself as she jogged off with her young warriors. She was tired of Scar and her antics. If Lacey had anything to say about it, Scar's days in the pack were numbered.The day was uneventful, and her warriors did a wonderful job. The young warriors had trained with Kodiak while she was away, and they had blossomed under his guidance. It was true that it takes a village to raise a child... and it takes a pack to raise a wolf-shifter. "Okay, everyone!" Lacey announced at the end of the day. "Gather r

After practice the next day, Lacey is packing up when Julien surprised her by wrapping his arms around her from behind."I thought we could have dinner together tonight in the small dining hall," Julien whispered into her ear.Lacey was taken aback by his public display of affection, but pack members smiled as they walked past, obviously approving the match. "Sounds good," she replied, leaning back against his chest, knowing it may be the last chance they had to enjoy their time together before the next Wildclaw attack. But she refused to think about it, wanting to have this one night together. But hopefully not their last."Ready?" Julien raised an eyebrow. When she nodded, he laid his arm across her shoulders and said. "Let's go." When they were inside, Julien gently kissed her forehead. "Why don't you go upstairs and relax. I'm going to speak with the chef.Lacey gave him one last hug. "Okay, but don't be long."Julien chuckled. "Yes, ma'am." Then he gave her another smile over his

"Good morning," Julien breathed into her ear the next morning, waking her to the start of a new day.Lacey turned over and yawned. "Good morning." Then she looked around and there was too much daylight streaming in through the door leading to the living room. "Oh, no! We've overslept!"Julien smiled. "No, you needed to rest. I asked Kodiak to take over the training for the young warriors for today so you could rest.""No, I have to work—""You've been burning the candle at both ends for too long." Then he gave her a long, lingering kiss. "Today, you need to rest.""Julien, I really don't think I'm—""Whether or not you're pregnant has nothing to do with it," he breathed, as he got up out of bed. "Now. Take a day off and rest from your trip. That's an order." Then he pointed at her and smiled as he headed toward the shower.Lacey turned over and curled up with her pillow. If he treated her like this for too long, it would drive her absolutely crazy. But then again, one day off couldn't

Julien headed up the stairs to check on Lacey. When he checked on her earlier, she was still sleeping, so he went to dinner with the pack, at Raye's and Brock's insistence. Julien hadn't had dinner with the pack in a while, so he reluctantly agreed. Then Scarlett urged him to have a last-minute Council Meeting and walked over with him. Before Julien knew it, it was late.He hurried to their room, hating himself for having spent so much time away from her. Because she had slept all day, he knew that she was probably awake by now. And since he hadn't seen her downstairs, he knew she was probably hungry. From the way she had been sleeping, she was either pregnant or coming down with the flu. It wasn't like Lacey to sleep all day, but he was glad she had. She obviously needed the rest. "Lacey?" he yelled, barging into their suite… then he saw it. Their suite was a mess. Two tables were broken along with a lamp, and the picture window was shattered. He ran over to it, afraid of what he mig

Julien had caught Lacey's scent just outside of their suite at the castle, and then followed it down the hallway toward the right, but there was nothing at the end of the hall. On a hunch, he started pushing on the walls over and again, then a panel opened to a hidden staircase that Julien knew nothing about. He ran down the stairwell, all five flights, and it opened to the outside of the castle on the ground floor. Julien cursed to himself, wondering why he had never seen this passage before, making a mental note to have every inch of the castle searched and mapped when everything settled down. Julien followed the scent around the corner of the castle, and then the trail headed for the woods.Julien and the pack had spent the rest of the night and into the next day searching for her, but nothing turned up. With no sleep, he was exhausted, but vowed not to stop until Lacey was found.It was clear that she hadn't left on her own accord. And some time during the search, Scarlett, Brock,