The Alpha's Companion

Chapter 45 - Dinner

Lacey dressed in a floor length blue dress that made her feel like Cinderella going to the ball. It was strapless and fitted in the bodice and flared out at the skirt and sparkled. She left her hair down but put in hot rollers and let it fall into soft waves and curls over her shoulders. Then she slipped on white shimmery shoes and was ready. In a way, it seemed strange to be dressing up like this just for dinner. In the past, she would have thrown on a dress and called it good enough. But here, a certain amount of decorum was expected. As she looked in the mirror, it was as if she was playing dress up... nearly every night.

When she walked into the living room, Julien was waiting and got to his feet, dressed in a black suit and white shirt with cufflinks, but left the collar open, opting not to wear a tie. Her wolf growled her approval.

"You look exquisite." He crossed the room and took her hands, then gave her a chaste kiss on the lips. careful not to muss her lipstick.

"You look pretty good yourself." Actually, to say he looked "pretty good" was an understatement. "Divine" would have been more the word. She didn’t know what had prompted this change in Julien. But whatever it was, she was going to enjoy it while it lasted.

"Ready?" he asked, offering her his arm.

She took it and let him lead her down the stairs and into the small dining room. Chef Mastrano was in his usual corner, making last minute preparations to their meal. "Good evening, Alpha and Alpha Queen."

"Good evening," they both said in unison.

Chef Mastrano motioned toward the dining table. "Please, be seated. Everything will be ready in just a moment. Please let my assistant, Sharlie, pour you some wine."

"Thank you," Julien said and then held Lacey's chair for her as she sat.

Then he took the seat kitty corner from her at the head of the table.

"Wine, Alpha Grey?" Sharlie asked, holding a bottle wrapped with a white cloth napkin.

"Yes, please." Then she poured the wine for him. After asking Lacey, she poured hers, too, and then stood off to the side, out of the way.

Lacey smiled. "So, what's the occasion?" Although Lacey had no desire to shoot herself in the foot by asking, she was curious and had to know.

Julien shrugged. "No reason." Then he gave her hand a gentle squeeze. "I feel a bit guilty for not being able to take you on a proper honeymoon so this is the least I could do."

She looked in his eyes, smiling. "Just having dinner with you is enough."

"Well, think about where you'd like to go." Julien smiled as he shook out his napkin. "Because I'm taking you on a real honeymoon this summer as soon as this mess with the Wildclaws is over."

Lacey nodded, and took a sip of her wine.

"I wanted to tell you that the strategies you came up with for training and organizing are wonderful." Julien took a sip of his wine, too. "Now, we just need a schedule to follow."

Lacey nodded. "I already spoke with Raye and he is going to take care of it." For a moment, she wondered whether to tell Julien about the incident with Raye. She wasn't going to but thought she had better. "Julien, I have something I need to tell you, but I've already handled it so please don't be mad."

Julien's face suddenly became serious, but still kind, as his eyebrows rose. "Is this about Raye asked you?"

Lacey's head snapped up. "Yes. How did you know?"

Julien took another sip of his wine. "I overheard the exchange."

Lacey nodded, wondering how he could have overheard their conversation, when she didn't see him there. But she guessed that he had ears everywhere.

He reached over and held her hand. "Lacey, I'm very proud of you for your loyalty." He lifted her hand to his lips, kissed it, and then looked into her eyes. "You truly are my Alpha Queen."

She nodded, smiling, knowing that it ws the highest compliment he could give her. "Thank you." She just hoped that nothing would be done to Raye because of it.

"And don't worry about Raye." Julien chuckled, shaking his head. "I think you punished him enough."

Lacey nodded, wondering how he had read her mind. "Thank you."

"For your dining pleasure tonight, we have Prime Rib Au Jus, grilled asparagus spears, stuffed baked potatoes, and corn on the cob," Chef Mastrano proudly announced, folding his hands as a broad smile stretched across his face. "Shall we begin?"

Julien looked over at Lacey and lifted an eyebrow expectantly.

"Yes, please," Lacey replied, smiling. "Julien, you're spoiling me."

He gave her a sexy smile. "Never." He took another sip of his wine.

"Well, I have some ideas for defensive strategies that we can use with the warriors that I'd like to go over with you some time," Lacey said, and then took a sip of her wine.

Julien chuckled. "Sounds good. But tonight, no shop talk. This is just about you...." He kissed one of her fingers. "And me." He kissed another finger, and then placed her hand on his cheek as he looked into her eyes.

Chef Mastrano cleared his throat discretely, and Lacey pulled her hand back.

"Shall we begin?" the chef asked.

"Yes, please.." As Lacey shook out her white napkin and laid it across her lap, she wished this night with Julien would never end.