The Alpha Wants Everything Book 1 The King's Queen

Damon was in the kitchen, waiting for pizza and fries to cook. He made extra in case Lydia showed up, girl had a sixth sense for fries. When he felt a pair of arms circle his waist he couldn’t help the dopey grin that crossed his face.

“How’d you know I was making fries?” He asked, covering her hands with his.

“The nose knows, and the baby wants fries.” She said, laughing behind him.

“The baby wants fries!” He repeated,

“Yes! A very demandy baby” he guided her around his waist so she was standing in front of him.

“Good thing I made extra. How was your Johnny’s an asshole meeting?” He asked, tucking stray strands of hair from her face.

“I don’t know! I don’t know why I’m supposed to be mad at Johnny, I am not fully understanding what he did that made him an asshole. Something about not taking her side on something, but Lacey didn’t really give many details. Just that he didn’t take her side on something and he’s an asshole and she’s mad at him. Seraphine, poor girl, just sat there with her hands in her lap the whole time not sure what to do or say, she looked like she was about to cry several times. Jackie was trying to console her and pay attention to Lacey at the same time.” Lydia threw her hands up. If she had to be completely truthful Lacey sounded like a fucking lunatic. Just kept saying Johnny was an asshole and they were all mad at him and if they weren’t then they were against her.

“So you have no idea why she’s mad at him?” He asked again,

“Nope, not a clue! I thought I’d go see my sister for a bit and see how she’s doing, and then maybe go for a nap or a bath then a nap. But I’m not going to tell Dax about the bath, poor sweetheart, she’s been dying for a bath, but can’t have one, I don’t want her to feel bad.” Damon could only smile at how easily sister rolled off her tongue when it came to Dax. “I think Seraphine and Jackie said they wanted to go see her as well, they’re still with Lacey, I got hungry and smelled fries so I excused myself.” She added.

“So you really like Dax I take it?” Damon asked,

“Are you kidding? She’s my frickin hero, even before all this scary stuff started happening to her. She was always so guarded when I saw her around town, always looking over her shoulder. Never stood with her back to anyone, made sure she could see the whole room at any time, and always looked for an exit when she entered a building, now I understand why. Crazy nutjob cutting people’s ears off chasing me. I’d be looking over my shoulder as well.” Lydia said wide eyed. “But you should have seen her, she took shit from no one. She was a force, this guy grabbed her ass at the diner once, one shot to the throat and he went down hard. Never knew what hit him! She rescued me once, she was dropping off an order and this guy was harassing me and wouldn’t take no for an answer. She asked him if he had a problem with the word or if he was so used to his cows not protesting that he didn’t understand it. Then she told me to go next door till she came to get me. I don’t know what she did, but he was sporting a black eye and a broken nose the next time I saw him. And now she gets to be my sister, and an aunt to our baby, the best freaking day of my life.” Lydia added, gushing over her.

“I’ll take that as a yes” Damon replied, staring at her, trying not to laugh, he thought he was excited.

“Yeah! I really like her! When she’s not kicking ass, she’s a sweetheart.” Lydia shortened her answer. Damon grinned at her, pulling her closer to him.

“Is everything going ok with you guys? Cause if it’s not I’m siding with her, fair warning” She wrapped her arms around his neck.

“Thanks for the warning, but sorry to break it to you baby girl, you have to share her with me, things are going great. We have a lot in common, more than I thought we would.” Damon brushed his lips against hers. She smiled up at him.

“Damn, I thought I would get her all to myself. I knew you would have a lot in common with her. You two have the same ‘Do you know you’re a fucking idiot face?’ it’s kinda funny actually.” He kissed her gently, but they were interrupted by the timer on the oven. Probably for the best, he still wanted to ask her what Lacey’s problem was with Dax. He took the pizza out and put it on the counter to cool off, while Lydia texted Jackie and Seraphine telling them she was going to the medical ward.

“That looks good, I’m starving, what’s wrong?”’ Lydia rubbed her belly. Trying to decide how to approach the subject, he was lost in thought and didn’t realize she had said anything.

“I’m sorry, what was that?” Damon snapped out of his thoughts and looked at her.

“What’s wrong, you look lost in your head.” She asked, rubbing his arm. He could tell her nothing, but she’d know he was lying. He decided to be direct and straightforward.

“Is Lacey mad at Dax for something?” He asked, Lydia furrowed her brows.

“Not that I know of, why? Did Dax say she was?” She replied, shaking her head.

“She doesn’t know, Lacey’s been brushing her off. Dax invited her to hang out after we got back from Garrison on Tuesday, but Lacey said she was busy, not that it would have happened with Dax ending up back in the medical ward, Lacey could have been busy I guess. Yesterday Dax said she called her in the morning and invited her to watch movies with her after she got back from the warehouse, but she said she was busy.” Lydia scrunched up her face, that didn’t make sense at all.

“That doesn’t make sense, Tuesday Lacey asked us if we wanted to grab an early dinner, I asked if Dax was coming as well and she said she called her earlier and she was busy with you guys all day. Lacey got a phone call yesterday around breakfast and she stepped out to take it and when she came back she asked if we wanted to do a picnic lunch outside. Jackie asked if Dax was coming too but Lacey said no Dax was busy, which didn’t make sense to me when she said it because the other night when we went to check on her we said we would make plans to do something together just us girls. Lacey said Dax is always busy when she tries to do stuff with her, said she’s called her a bunch of times.” Damon’s eyebrows rose at that.

“Now that really doesn’t make sense. Dax said she hasn’t really seen or spoke to Lacey since Sunday at the bar. And how busy can she be? She’s spent most of the last few days either unconscious in the medical ward or hiding under Kane’s desk watching Scooby Doo.” Lydia pulled the pizza towards her and started cutting it.

“Why would she say she’s tried then? That doesn’t make sense at all.” She put the pizza on a plate and started to walk out of the kitchen.

“Where are you going?” He asked, looking at her and his pizza.

“To see my sister! You should check the fries.” Her phone went off when she saw the message and a smile crossed her face. “And make another pizza, one’s not going to be enough.” Damon gave a half laugh and nodded his head.

“If she doesn’t answer the door, she’s probably behind the couch. She’s feeling a bit overwhelmed.” Lydia just nodded and walked out of the kitchen.

Lydia made it to her door just before Jackie and Seraphine.

“That smells so good I’m starving” Jackie said coming down the hall smelling the pizza.

“I know right. I am starving too, Damon’s making another one. I told him one is not going to be enough.” Lydia giggled,

“Girl you got that boy all tied around those pretty little fingers, good for you.” Jackie giggled as well,

“How are you Seraphine?” Lydia asked,

“I’m ok, I don’t think Lacey likes me very much though.” She replied. Neither Lydia or Jackie knew what to say to that.

“Is she not in, maybe she’s with the doctor.” Jackie asked,

“I just got here actually, but Damon said if she doesn’t answer she might be hiding behind the couch. She’s a bit overwhelmed with everything that’s been going on.” Lydia explained,

“Oh, poor thing. It’s understandable though, she opened a box of ears. Marco probably lost his shit over that, especially in the state he was in.” Jackie exclaimed,

“Damon said he did, he couldn’t grasp the concept of why they weren’t buried or something.” Lydia said.

“Yeah, Alejandro likes to bury things. Our pack got attacked by a group of rogues once in New York and when the battle was done, he ran off and started burying the bodies. Kenneth had to sedate him and when he came to he tried to finish the job, until Kenneth told him it was already taken care of.” Jackie tried to explain. “I don’t think they found all of the ones he buried though. Kenneth had to tell him he could only bury limbs and not bodies or Alpha Kane would be angry, so now he only buries limbs. I am making him sound like a wacko, he is kind of a wacko, but he’s my wacko.” Lydia couldn’t help but smile at the look on Jackie’s face.

“Let’s see if we can get her to open up.” Lydia knocked on the door. When they heard no answer, she tried again.

“Dax sweetie, it’s Lydia” she called out. They heard rustling on the other side of the door, something about a stupid fucking couch had the girls grinning. When the door finally opened, Dax looked shocked to not only see Lydia, but Jackie and Seraphine as well.

“Damon told you I was hiding behind the couch didn’t he?” She asked as she stepped out of the way to let them in.

“He said you were feeling overwhelmed!” Lydia responded,

“Girl, after everything you’ve been through, I think being overwhelmed is allowed.” Dax smiled at Jackie.

“I’m so excited to finally and officially meet you, the other night you were exhausted and I could only stay for a minute. I’ve heard so much about you.” She said. She carefully wrapped her arms around Dax so she wouldn’t hurt her and gave her a hug.

“Welcome to my home!” She said inviting them in.

“Love what you’ve done with the place.” Jackie said, looking at all the couches and chairs.

“I know right, thinking of colouring the walls, they’re a little stark. Nothing too crazy though.” She said,

“Sounds good, just maybe not blood red, it’s not a good look.” Jackie remarked,

“Good tip!” Dax grinned. She could only assume that had something to do with when she was brought in. She looked at Seraphine who’s been quiet this whole time, her head was down and she looked kind of sad.

“Seraphine, is everything alright? Did Kenneth do something?” In her condition she wasn’t kicking anyone’s ass, but she could sick Kane on him. Seraphine just started shaking her head vigorously back and forth.

“No, no, no Kenneth didn’t do anything. We just came from being with Lacey and I don’t think she likes me very much.” Seraphine said, a little disheartened.

“That can’t be true. I’m sure Lacey likes you.” Dax reassured her. Jackie and Lydia shared a look, but said nothing.

“Damon’s bringing more pizza, this is not going to be enough for all of us and a hungry boy.” Lydia said instead, as she put the pizza on the coffee table. Dax nodded and invited them all to sit.

“Do you guys want something to drink? I have water or Gatorade. That’s what the doctor said I could drink, so that’s what Kane got me.” She explained after seeing their faces. “Between you and me both of them are sadistic, I could seriously use some fucking coffee, how am I supposed to be my charming self without it?” She added, they broke out laughing.

“Don’t worry we got you girl, next visit we’ll sneak you some.” Jackie said grinning.

“Awww, thanks! Where’s Lacey? How come she didn’t come down with you? Is she busy again?” Dax asked, looking at them all. This time Seraphine and Jackie shared a look, Lydia sat quietly waiting to see what Dax would say.

“Busy again?” Jackie asked,

“Yeah, I’ve been calling her all week and either she’s been busy or didn’t pick up. I called on Tuesday to see if everybody wanted to do something after we got back from Garrison, but she said she was busy. Probably a good thing, I ended up back here. Thinking about getting my own room, cause keeping my ass out of trouble doesn’t seem to be working for me. I called yesterday morning before we went to breakfast as well, to see if you all wanted to watch movies or something later, when I got back from the warehouse, but she said you were all busy. Again probably a good thing, because well here I am” Again Jackie and Seraphine shared a look. “What?” Dax asked, looking back and forth between them. “What’s with the looks?”

“What did Lacey say we were doing?” Jackie asked,

“Um….she said Seraphine booked time at the dance studio, Lydia had to work and you were yelling at the movers.” Dax replied,

“There’s a dance studio?” Seraphine asked. This was all news to them.

“I was yelling at the movers, but that wasn’t until later in the day” Jackie said

“And I didn’t go to work yesterday, I wanted to settle into the packhouse more” Lydia said.

“Has Lacey called you in the last few days or at all?” Jackie asked, a little perplexed, they were told one thing by Lacey and Dax is contradicting it.

“Not that I know of, I haven’t really spoken to Lacey since Sunday at the bar. This morning was the first time I’ve seen her. Maybe she called when I was unconscious.” She checked her call log, but there were no calls from Lacey over the last few days. “No, no calls from her,” she confirmed.

“Well that doesn’t make sense, why would she say she’s called when she didn’t?” Seraphine asked, equally confused.

“What?” Dax stared at them both in confusion.

“She said she called a few times, but you were always busy.” Jackie answered.

“Maybe she called Kane’s phone, I know they’re not really talking to each other, but maybe my phone was dead or something and she called him, but he would have told me.” She was trying to make sense of this, why would Lacey tell the others that she was too busy to hang out with them when she called Lacey to see if they wanted to hang out.

“Lacey invited us for a picnic yesterday after she got a phone call at breakfast, that must have been you calling. I asked if you were going to be there and she said you were too busy with the boys all day again.” Jackie replied. Dax furrowed her eyebrows, this really wasn’t making sense to her.

“Maybe we’ll wait to see what she says about this.” Dax didn’t want to jump to any conclusions, it could just be mixed signals, maybe Lacey thought Dax said she was going to be busy in town all day. Don’t make excuses for her! I’m not, I just want to make sure!

“Alpha Kane and Lacey are fighting?” Lydia asked, Johnny being an asshole and not taking her side was starting to make sense to her now.

“Yeah! They got into a huge fight at family dinner last Sunday, and Kane told her to grow up and until she does, he has nothing to say to her.” Dax replied, nodding. “Why?”

“Lacey called us this morning, said Johnny’s an asshole and won’t take her side for something, but didn’t tell us what that something was.” Jackie answered.

“What?” Dax asked, looking at all of them, that didn’t make sense. “I know I’m new to the werewolf world, but if Johnny took Lacey’s side in the fight she’s having with Kane wouldn’t that be like going against the Alpha?”

“That’s exactly what that would be like.” Seraphine replied wide eyed. “Was she trying to get us to take her side as well?”

“That’s exactly what she was doing” Jackie seemed to be getting angry.

“Then why is she asking him to do that?” Dax asked, no this didn’t make sense at all. Something was going on with Lacey, and she needed to find out what it was.

“I don’t know, but it’s suicide if he does. What are you saying about their fight?” Lydia asked, Rosie was growling in her head, not only was Lacey trying to get them to go against the Alpha, but she was trying to turn them on Luna as well.

“Nothing, it’s not my fight. It’s between Kane and Lacey, so I’m staying out of it. He’s my mate and she’s my….” Dax stopped there, she wasn’t sure if you continued to call someone a friend if they didn’t feel like a friend. I don’t think she ever was! We need to talk to Lacey. That means we have to leave the room! Time to be brave! Let’s go! Dax stood up and moved towards the door.

“Where are you going?” Lydia asked, concerned, getting to her feet.

“Something’s going on with Lacey, she’s not acting like herself.” Dax said. Or she’s acting exactly like who she is….a two faced back biting bitch! That might be a little harsh! Yeah, a harsh dose of truth! Let’s just talk to her! If I had teeth I’d bite her! Settle down Cujo! Taking a deep breath and with trembling hands she opened the door. Just breathe, remember full of werewolves!

“You’re not going alone, she lied to us as well, and I can only speak for myself, but I would like some answers.” Lydia said, moving towards the door. Jackie and Seraphine nodded their heads and stood up. Only for Jackie to sit back down and put her hand on her stomach.

“Are you ok?” Concern crossed their faces as Jackie let out a small whimper. “Do I need to get the doctor?” Dax was about to call for help when Jackie stopped her.

“It’s ok, she does this sometimes. I’ve spoken to a doctor, he says it’s normal.” Jackie reassured them.

“Are you sure?” Dax asked, looking from Jackie to her stomach.

“Yes, you go get answers. I’ll be there in a minute or ten, or you can fill me in later.” Jackie again reassured them and then kicked them out of the room. Dax still hesitated at the door, she walked back over to Jackie and gave her a hug, then entered her number into her phone. Making her promise to call her if she needed to.

Damon walked back into her room carrying another pizza and fries, when he only saw Jackie sitting there, a crooked grin crossed his face.

“What’d I miss?” He asked her. Something big had to happen to get Dax out of the room. Before Jackie could answer Marco burst into the door almost knocking Damon off balance. With a quick sorry over his shoulder he rushed to Jackie’s side.

“It’s fine!” She assured him,

“Sta lei causando di nuovo problemi? (Is she causing problems again?)” Marco asked, putting his hands on her stomach.

“It’s ok, she’s just being temperamental today.” Again Jackie tried to reassure him. “Three kids you’d think he’d stop panicking by now.” She said more to Damon. He just stood there and watched what was happening in front of him.

“Ascolta qui ragazzina, dai una pausa alla tua bellissima mamma. Sta andando alla grande. Papà non è stato in grado di aiutarla così tanto e lei sta facendo tutto il possibile. (Listen here little girl, give your beautiful mama a break. She’s doing amazing. Papa hasn’t been able to help her that much and she’s doing everything she can.)” Marco was talking to the baby growing inside Jackie’s stomach.

“Se ti fermi non riderò quando vorrai patatine fritte sulla pizza, e metterò anche burro di arachidi in più sulla cheesecake e non prenderò in giro la tua strana voglia. (If you stop I won’t laugh when you want fries on pizza, and I’ll even put extra peanut butter on the cheesecake and I won’t make fun of your weird craving.)” He continued. When he heard Jackie breath a sigh of relief as whatever was happening to her subsided, she just grinned at Marco.

“She listens to him” Jackie told Damon,

“Daddy….bambina,” Marco stated, pointing at himself as he helped Jackie to her feet.

“So you talk to her stomach?” Damon asked Marco,

“Sì! I bambini si legano subito alle madri, crescono dentro di loro, ascoltano i loro cuori e le loro voci. I papà devono lavorare di più per creare un legame. Perché aspettare? Parla con loro ora e anche loro conoscono la tua voce. (Babies bond with mothers immediately, growing inside them, listening to their hearts and their voices. Dads have to work harder to forge a bond. Why wait? Talk to them now and they know your voice too.)” Marco explained. Damon stared at him blankly and Marco just released a sigh.

“Did you say something about peanut butter on cheesecake? That sounds gross” Damon commented,

“It’s so good though” Jackie defended the weird craving. Marco just shook his head. Keeping his hand on her stomach Marco started to escort her out of the room.

“Um, where’s feisty pants?” Damon asked, he lost a whole person, now he knows how Carter felt the other day when he lost her under the desk.

“Luna mi ha sorpassato in corridoio, Jackie ha bisogno di me e io sono venuta di corsa. (Luna passed me in the hall, Jackie need me and I came running.)” Marco answered,

“That’s great….where is she now?” Damon repeated,

“They went to talk to Lacey!” Jackie replied. “We found out we were all lied to, and that Lacey is trying to make Johnny take her side in her fight with Alpha Kane, and she tried with us as well and now Dax wants answers.” Marco’s eyes went wide.

“È un suicidio se lo fa! (That’s suicide if he does!)” Marco exclaimed,

“Fuck, this is gonna get ugly” Damon commented moving quickly down the hall.

“Where are you going?” Jackie asked,

“Someone has to keep that girl’s little ass out of trouble.” Damon said moving faster, he had a sister to protect. Jackie and Marco hurried to catch up to him.

“What do you mean?” Jackie asked,

“Last time she went to get answers from someone she broke a tray over their head to get their attention.” Damon said over his shoulder, he handed the food he was still carrying to a nurse so he could move faster.

“Seriously?” Jackie looked at Marco who shrugged.

“And then knocked her out with a napkin dispenser.” Damon added,

“She just gets better,” Jackie said in awe, taking the food back from the nurse and shrugging when Marco looked at her.

“Carter!” Damon, knew if anyone could find either one of them it would be Carter

“Yeah!” Came his reply,

“Are you good?”

“Yeah!”

“There’s a angry feisty pants on the move?”

“Where’s she headed?” Damon could hear the concern lacing Carter’s reply.

“To get answers from Lacey!”

“Where’s Lacey?” Now Carter just sounded angry.

“I don’t know!”

“I’ll find her!” Carter called then was gone.

Damon cut the link and started searching the house, the only way to protect his sister was for him to find Lacey first. The first place he checked was Johnny and Lacey’s room. When no one answered the door he moved to search the rest of the house.

“Lacey!” Damon tried calling through the link

“Lacey!”

“Fuck Lacey answer!”

That fucking idiot! He thought. She’s always ignoring the link unless she wants something. He pulled out his phone to call her, she better pick up for her sake. There’s a pissed off feisty pants hunting her and she’s relentless.

“Lydia!” Still trying to reach Lacey on the phone, he called through the link to Lydia

“Yeah!”

“Where’s Dax?” Please say he’s not too late, please say Dax didn’t find her.

“She’s looking for Lacey!” He could hear the hint of anger in Lydia’s tone when she said Lacey’s name.

“Where are you?”

“With Seraphine in the kitchen, Jackie just joined us!”

“You’re not with Dax?”

“We were, but she didn’t think it was a good idea if all of us spoke to Lacey!”

Or there would have been too many witnesses! Damon thought

“Fuck! Where the hell is she?” Damon was starting to panic, first he lost her and now he couldn’t find her. Putting a bell on her was starting to sound better and better.

“She was heading towards the river last I saw her, there’s a shallow part with calmer waters that Lacey likes to go to.” Came Lydia’s reply.

“Thank you baby girl!” He breathed a sigh of relief as he ran towards the river.

“Carter! Marco! The river!”

“Dirigendosi lì ora (Heading there now)” Marco replied.

“Following the bank, I smell Lacey but I don’t smell Luna!” Carter replied after a bit

“Keep looking Carter!”

****

He watched them from a distance as they approached his locker. The tall one was definitely in charge, they all did whatever he said, like good little boys. He had two different ones with him today, the one that always seemed to be laughing and one he wasn’t familiar with. He’s been around only recently. He watched them look around to make sure no one was watching them, but he was watching, he was always watching. His anger flared a little when his angel wasn’t with them, he wanted to see her, make sure she was ok. A dark feeling washed over him, what if she wasn’t ok, he saw the car hit her, he saw her thrown over it, he saw the blood spilling from her body. What if they didn’t help her in time. He chased the thought from his mind, no she was fine, she was stronger than that, much stronger, only he knew how strong she truly was. The tall one was not acting out of the ordinary. This gave him hope that she was truly ok and survived the accident. If she wasn’t they wouldn’t be here snooping through his storage unit. He would hold on to that hope, his angel was fine, she survived and would be his soon.

They were now standing outside his locker looking around once more, before they broke into it. Funny they didn’t have any tools with them, how did they get in so easily? He wasn’t concerned with them finding anything important, he was smarter than that simpleton Magnus who kept all his work at his home. It was just storage where he kept the extra art pieces his angel made for him. She was exceptional at it, from the very first piece he saw of hers. He still had it, he kept it close to him at all times. It made him feel close to her when he couldn’t be. Their time would come soon. He just had to get a few problems out of the way first, one was already taken care of, now he needed to get rid of the other ones. A smile spread across his face as he thought about how the hunter would soon become the hunted. He would make him know fear, the same fear he instilled in her.

****

Lacey was at her favourite spot by the river. She had been there most of the day after the other girls all left her. Bunch of stupids! What weren’t they getting? She was mad at Johnny, he was an asshole. He should be on her side. She was his mate, not Kane, her. He should be siding with her on all things. What kind of mate doesn’t side with their mate? A stupid one! A moron! One that should have never been my mate, that’s who! The moon goddess definitely fucked up when they paired them together. Why the hell would she pair her with Johnny? What did he have to offer her besides his money? She didn’t even like Johnny. No the Goddess royally fucked this one up. Stupid! There was only one wolf she should have been paired with, she knew that. How did the Goddess of all creation not know this? Was she a moron?

They’re all morons? She thought bitterly. Her brother was the biggest moron of all. He threw his family away for that stupid worthless imp. She was his family, his only family. The blood that flowed through his veins flowed through hers. The only difference was he was Alpha all because he had to be born first. What would have happened if she was born first? Then she would be Alpha, then she would be able to do whatever she wanted and wouldn’t have to answer to anyone. The stupid impy girl would not be here. She would have forced Kane to reject her. She never would have mated to Johnny and she would have got the mate she deserved, the one she wanted. Lacey screamed. Her life was so unfair. The Goddess was a cruel bitch, her brother was a selfish idiot, her mate was a bumbling moron and the man she loved despised her. She released a deep pained sigh.

“Lacey!”

She paused her thinking when she heard his voice.

“Lacey!”

His voice sounded beautiful, rough and deep. It always sounded like he was trapped in a growl when he spoke. Her body shivered at the sound of it. Lacey couldn’t help but wonder what Damon would do if he knew the thoughts that ran through her head when she heard his deep gruff voice.

“Fuck Lacey answer!”

Even angry his voice turned her on. Her body shivered more, he was calling out to her and getting upset that she was not responding to him. He does care! When her phone started ringing Lacey looked at the caller ID. A delighted squeal left her lips when she saw his name flash on the screen. She was positively giddy. He was calling her, he wanted to talk to her. Maybe he would apologize for the way he behaved. Maybe he came to his senses and realized how pathetic and useless that little imp was and he wanted her forgiveness. Of course she would forgive him, just not right now, she wanted him to see just how bad he fucked up. Her poor Damon was under the spell of that impy bitch. If he was on her side, then he could convince the others as well. A smile on her face, she declined the call and turned on some music, this was cause for celebration. Her Damon had seen the light and this day was looking better and better.

Dax’s phone rang as she was on her way to the river to talk to Lacey. She sent the other girls away, she knew they wanted answers as well, but Lacey would get defensive and she would feel like they were ganging up on her. Dax didn’t want her to feel outnumbered, she just wanted to talk and find out what was going on with her. Last time you wanted to talk, you broke a tray over someone’s head! That was different! How? I had a tray, and I hate Justine! Yeah! Slutty bitch, had it coming! Her phone ringing again drew her from her thoughts.

“Hello?”

“Hello baby! How are you?” A small smile spread across her lips when she heard his deep smooth voice on the other end.

“I’m fine!” Liar!

“What’s wrong?” She could hear the note of concern in his voice.

“Nothing’s wrong! I need to go talk to someone” she stated simply,

“Talk to someone, do you remember what happened the last time you needed to talk to someone?” He laughed on the other end of the phone.

“Yes I remember the last time I had to talk to someone, this is different.” Yeah! You don’t have a tray! You be quiet!

“Does the doctor know you’re out of the medical ward?”

“He told me I should get out of the room, fresh air would do me some good” It’s not a total lie! Still a lie! Hush!

“What’s wrong?” He asked again

“I’m fine!” She repeated.

“I don’t believe you! That’s not your fine voice!”

“What do you mean that’s not my fine voice? I have different voices?” She was slightly offended by that.

“Yes you do! That’s your slightly upset and someone might get hit voice”

“I have no intentions of hitting anybody, but if you keep it up that might change. Is there something you need? Or were you just calling to check up on me?” She asked, she heard him chuckle.

“I need so many things, 95% of them only you can give me.” She didn’t miss the innuendo in his voice, or the low growl that sent the shiver up her back. “We are at the warehouse, Johnny and Kenneth are loading up the truck right now and I am standing in the loft wondering where my little mouse could possibly hide 13 sketchbooks”

“The coffee table!” She replied.

“The coffee table? I looked at the coffee table it doesn’t open”

“Did you ask her where the other books are?” She heard Johnny’s voice.

“She said the coffee table,” Kane replied,

“It doesn’t open!” Johnny remarked,

“If you both are finished, I can tell you how to open it” she interrupted them,

“Darling are you all right?” Johnny asked her a hint of concern in his voice.

“She says she’s fine” Kane said to him,

“She doesn’t sound fine, she sounds slightly upset, and someone’s gonna get hit.” Johnny quipped. She could hear Kenneth laughing and Kane was struggling to hold his back.

“I have things I need to do” she huffed, she could feel herself growing angry. She didn’t want to talk to Lacey, angry.

“Ok, I’m sorry baby, Johnny’s sorry too. How do you open the coffee table?” Kane asked, she could still hear the humour in his voice.

“Locate the side that has the ‘X’ on it. It’s small and carved into the wood.” She said,

“Ok I got it” Johnny replied,

“Lift the black ornate arrow straight towards you.” She instructed,

“Ok?” Johnny sounded uncertain,

“Turn it to the right until you hear it click”

“Ok it clicked!” He said,

“Push it all the way in, then you should be able to take the top off” she waited until they confirmed they removed the top.

“A secret storage box, impressive” she heard Kenneth remark.

“If I don’t want it seen it doesn’t stay in the open.” She told Kane that once.

“Ok baby it’s open!” Kane confirmed for her.

“There’s a wooden box in there, can you please bring that as well?” She asked,

“Sure!”

“There’s no body parts in there are there?” Johnny might have been joking, but he sounded a bit serious as well.

“Eww! Johnny, that’s gross. I don’t keep body parts in there like some freak. I keep mine in the freezer like a normal person” Dax could just see the look on Johnny’s face as he looked at her freezer. The laughter coming from the other end confirmed what she thought his face looked like.

“She’s not funny! That’s not funny! You’re not funny!” Johnny sounded mortified,

“It’s kinda funny!” She heard Kane say.

“Ok baby, we’ll bring all this as well, I’ll be home in an hour or so. I love you!”

“Thank you! I’ll see you in a bit, I love you too. Oh and Johnny! Don’t forget to check the bag of peas.” She heard another round of laughter from Kenneth and Kane.

“That’s not funny!” She giggled upon hearing the disgust in his voice.

Feeling less angry when she hung up the phone, less angry was good, she was less inclined to lose her temper if she wasn’t angry. Now to find Lacey and talk to her. Dax located her at the river where Lydia said she might be, Lacey had the biggest smile on her face. She was sitting on a rock bobbing her head along to whatever song she was listening to. When she looked up her smile fell and she was a little surprised to see Dax standing there.

“What are you doing here?” Lacey asked, her voice sounding a little harsh and dripped with disdain. Dax couldn’t help the tinge of hurt she felt at that.

“I just wanted to see how you’re doing?” Dax asked, trying to hide her feelings. “We haven’t talked in a while and I….”

“Oh, how I’m doing? You finally care how I’m doing and you want to talk. You finally have the time to talk to me. I feel so honoured” Lacey cut her off and rolled her eyes.

“What’s that supposed to mean? Lacey what’s going on? Are you ok? Why are you acting like this?” Dax asked, she was trying to keep the anger out of her voice but it was starting to mix with her concern. Lacey snapped at her and she didn’t understand why or what she did wrong.

“Damon, I found them, you better get here quick!” Carter sounded quite concerned in the link.

“Sono qui anche io, questo diventerà brutto! Che cazzo è il problema di Lacey? (I’m here too, this will get ugly! What the fuck is Lacey’s problem?)” Marco added.

“You have done nothing to prove to me that we’re actually friends, nothing that says you actually care about me. You’re always running off with the boys doing something instead of hanging out with me. You should have been here to greet Jackie and Seraphine, not me, it’s your job as Luna, not mine as a simple Beta’s mate.” Lacey snapped at her, Dax slightly flinched at the tone Lacey took, but she held her ground.

“I asked you if you wanted to do something when we got back from Garrison, you said you were busy.” Dax started feeling defensive, why was Lacey attacking her. What did she do wrong?

“Good thing too, cause where did you end up again? Oh that’s right, the medical ward. Because something happened to you. Poor little delicate Dax, bad stuff always happens to her, but it’s not her fault, it’s never her fault.” The look she saw on Lacey’s face made her take a step back.

“Except you made those plans after I asked you to hang out with me, just like you did yesterday when I called at breakfast. I talked to Lydia and them. You lied to me when you said they were all busy and you lied to them as well, you said I was busy when I had asked you if you wanted to do something. You’ve been blowing me off all week, what is going on with you? Don’t you dare blame it on being pregnant. Why are you acting like this?” Dax fired back, she kept fighting to keep control of her anger, if she kept control of her anger she won’t lose control and do something she’ll regret. Lacey got up from the rock she was sitting on and started stomping towards her. Her eyes were darkening, with the hatred she was feeling towards Dax.

“Acting like what Dax? Like you aren’t the greatest thing on earth. How does it feel to not have everyone worship at the altar of Dax? How does it feel to know not everyone thinks you’re amazing for the pathetic little life you lived? I am sick and tired of hearing how great you are all the fucking time. Of how amazing, special and nice you are. It’s disgusting how they all fuss over you. How my brother, the most powerful revered Alpha is being led around by a weak, worthless, pathetic little bitch like you. You don’t deserve him and you know it, he should have rejected you the second he saw you.” Dax clenched her fist, fighting the urge to touch the scar on her ear. The whispered words of her past started swirling around her. She blinked back the tears that were forming.

“What’s the matter, are you gonna have another episode?” Lacey hissed at her, now standing toe to toe with her, Lacey gave her a shove. Not hard enough to knock her down but enough that she stumbled back causing a burst of pain to explode through her back.

“No!” Dax tried to keep her voice flat. She tried to keep the emotion and the pain out of it. She didn’t want to give Lacey the satisfaction of knowing she was getting to her.

“My brother won’t even talk to me and it’s your fault, he says I need to grow up, but he needs to open his fucking eyes and stop being so fucking blind, they all do. My mate the moron won’t even take my side. Kane has you and the whole pack because he’s the Alpha, who do I have, I have no one. I’m the Alpha’s sister, I’m supposed to come first, I was here first.” Lacey spat,

“I’m not on Kane’s side, what is happening between Kane and you is between Kane and you. No one wants anything to do with it. Asking people to take your side is going against the Alpha, I might be new to the werewolf world but I know that. What your asking Johnny to do is suicide. He loves you and you’re hurting him.” Dax snapped back standing her ground. She could feel her body vibrating with anger.

“Don’t you tell me about the werewolf world, you know absolutely nothing about it. You’re just a pathetic human. And don’t tell me how to treat my mate, I’ll treat him the way I see fit, he wasn’t even the one I wanted. You know that moron gushed over you and I was excited to meet you and I tried to be your friend, I tried to like you, but you wrecked everything. They all love you and would do anything for you and you don’t even belong here. You don’t deserve to be here, you don’t deserve their attention or adoration, I do, I deserve it, I came first and you stole it all from me. We would all be better off if none of us had met you.” Lacey continued attacking Dax, the whispers swirling around her getting louder and louder till they were screaming in her head. Instead of saying anything to her, Dax turned on her heel and tried to walk away, she had heard enough. Lacey wasn’t her friend, she was only pretending and now Dax wanted nothing more to do with her.

Punching random people was one thing but this was Kane’s sister, he might be mad at her but he still cared and punching her in the throat would get her in big big trouble. Big, big trouble was not worth it. And she was pregnant with Johnny’s baby, big, big, big trouble was definitely not worth it.

“Oh, go ahead, run away little girl, it’s what you’re good at. You really are pathetic and weak like a little mouse. Now I understand why he calls you that. He doesn’t want to hurt your feelings by calling you what you actually are. If you were strong, or fierce he would have called you little tiger. But he chose to call you the most pathetic little creature on the face of the planet.” That one hit her heart, a shot of pain coursed through her, her vision began to get cloudy as tears began to form in her eyes. She fought to control them, fought to keep them from falling, she didn’t want Lacey to see how that hurt her. She kept moving away from Lacey faster and faster and Lacey kept following her spewing mean hateful things at her.

“Kane will come to his senses, he always does, he’ll realize how worthless you really are and he’ll get rid of you, then things will go back to the way they should be, with me on top. Everyone really would be better off without you. All you’re doing is making everyone’s life miserable and unbearably hard for no reason. Everyone has to take care of you all the time, you’re such a worthless burden on all of us and you’re useless, you have nothing to offer. You contribute nothing and just take from others” By this time Damon had reached them and had heard what Lacey had said to her. He saw the pain rip across his sister’s face, her breathing was hard and she was fighting to remain in control of her emotions, but Lacey didn’t stop there.

“You should just do everyone a favour and leave, if you really cared about everyone like you pretend to then you would just leave and make it easier on them. Instead you’re selfish and you’re only concerned with yourself, holding onto a family that doesn’t belong to you and you’ll never belong to.” Lacey continued her verbal assault, she could see that Dax was starting to lose control and she kept going at her, pushing her to her breaking point.

“Stop it Lacey! Just stop it!” Dax tried to cover her ears, she didn’t want to hear anymore. Lacey had caught up to her, grabbing her right arm, she snapped it back, when she spun Dax around to face her. Pain ripped through Dax at the sudden movement and she was certain a few of her stitches ripped.

Unable to watch anymore, Damon had to step in. He rushed towards them but it was like going in slow motion the next sequence of events happened so fast.

“Don’t you ignore me you stupid little bitch! It’s not my fault you can’t handle the truth, you were told this a long time ago, but apparently you need reminding.” Lacey growled at her, her eyes flashing amber. Dax clutched her more injured arm to her chest as she stared up at Lacey, she could feel the fire raging inside of her as her anger began to build.

“You’re just a jealous self-entitled bitch!” The words were barely out of Dax’s mouth. Blinding pain shot across Dax’s left cheek as she recoiled and fell to the ground from the force of Lacey’s hit. Another growl, lower and deeper than before came from Lacey. Marco and Carter came running as well.

“What the fuck is there to be jealous of? Look at you, you worthless little slut, I barely touched you and your arm is injured and one hit brought you to the ground.” Lacey seethed,

“Lacey what the fuck?” Damon said, pushing her away from Dax. Carter and Marco kneeled on the ground next to Dax trying to help her up. Low quiet growls rolled from her, but they were getting louder and angrier the more Lacey spoke.

“Look at her, Damon! Do you really want someone so weak being our Luna? We are the strongest pack, and she’ll be our downfall.” Lacey snapped at him. Damon shook his head taking out his phone, Kane needed to get here now this was getting out of hand.

“You don’t know what you’re talking about!” Damon snapped back,

“Yeah” Kane answered the phone laughing.

“I can’t believe you actually searched the freezer for body parts” Damon could hear Kenneth laughing in the background.

“It’s not funny!” Johnny was saying,

“You need to tell Johnny to punch it and get your asses back to the pack house, shit’s going sideways” Damon told Kane,

“What’s going on?” His laughter gone, a note of edginess to his voice.

Before Damon could reply he heard a low menacing growl it grew louder and louder, becoming angrier and angrier with each octave it rose.

….grrrRRRrrrRrRRRrRrrrRRRrrrr….

It ripped from Dax’s chest as she stood and faced Lacey. Glowing amethyst eyes narrowed and focused on their target. Lacey’s eyes bulged from her head as she stared at Dax, she swallowed hard and backed away from her.

“Damon, what’s going on? Who was that?” Kane yelled through the phone.

“Hell is breaking loose! Dax went to talk to Lacey and Lacey went after her!” Damon yelled back to be heard over the growls, though he wasn’t sure how much Kane actually heard.

“What?” He heard Kane yell. “Get to my office NOW! Step on it Johnny!” Was the last thing Damon heard before the call disconnected, he didn’t need to be in the truck to know Kane was livid.

“You stupid pathetic little wretch. You’re unimaginative and unoriginal, telling us what we already know, things we already think. Do you honestly think we need someone like you reminding us? It plays on a loop in our head.” Dax’s wolf snarled at her.

Damon stood in front of Dax blocking her view of Lacey, she blinked a few times then looked up at him, he couldn’t help the feeling of pride that washed over him.

“You….you….you’re….you’re a….” Lacey stammered.

“If you pulled your head out of your ass and stopped wearing it as a hat, you’d know this. You selfish, spoiled, vapid, little bitch! Grow the fuck up, you’re not the most important person on earth, everybody else lives here to” Dax spit at her, she clutched her arm to her chest, Damon guided her towards the pack house, their little feud and her massive growl had drawn quite the crowd.

“Carter, Marco grab Lacey, we need to get them to Kane’s office.” Damon said. He wanted to take her to the medical ward to get her checked out. He heard the snap and he could see blood on her back, but Kane said his office. He linked the doctor to have him go there immediately with something to at least stabilize her arm, look at the swelling in her cheek and her back. Marco and Carter just glared at Lacey, she looked back and forth between the two eyes wide.

“Ti suggerisco di camminare, perché non ho problemi a trascinarti. (I suggest you walk, because I don’t have an issue dragging you.)” Marco hissed at her. Lacey slowly started to make her way towards the house.

“Walk….Faster!” Carter barked, and she picked up her pace.