Page 1 of The Married Alpha And His Arrow: Vol 1

Prologue

Lexi Scott smiled at her brother, Heath, as he explained the string ceremony to all of us who were turning eighteen. Our group had twenty people in it. My birthday was actually on string ceremony day. Everyone else was already eighteen. We secluded ourselves from our people the month we turned eighteen to celebrate together if our string was in our group.

We were the Hood. My moniker was the Black Arrow. My brother was known as the Hood himself. I could see the sadness in his eyes as he talked about strings and how they were our other half. He’d lost his string a few years ago. She got sick and by the time they caught it, it was too late. She had stage four cancer. She wasn’t even able to communicate after the diagnosis.

I knew Heath blamed himself for not calling me and my friend, Haley Cambridge Holloran, out of our mission. He was going to wait until we finished and ask Haley to heal his string, but she passed in her sleep hours after her diagnosis. Haley and I completed our mission two days later. I was devastated. I'd fully accepted my brother’s string, Dani. People thought we wouldn’t because she was human, but I didn’t care.

Truthfully, I’d wished that my brother would be Haley’s string. Then I found out fairies knew their entire lives, so it was not meant to be. I got over it quickly. She was a little younger than me, quite skittish around people, but my heart went out to her. The first time we went out together we bonded. I think it’s why her dad asked my brother to send me out with her on missions after that. You had to be careful with Haley. Through the years she’d saved my ass, and I’d saved hers. She’d seen the most depraved side of life and it made me protective toward her.

Unfortunately, She wasn’t my brother’s string and now all he did was work. Nothing, not even me, could pull him out. He was determined to be the best leader we’d had. Our parents had died in an attack. We’d yet to find out who was behind it, but my brother was still determined to solve the crime a decade later.

I saw Heath’s eyes narrow on mine, and I straightened. He knew I wasn’t paying attention. He was explaining how we would walk in the ceremony space, and we’d know immediately if our string was in the room. They’d come to us, and we were allowed to leave with them. There were drinks afterwards for those of us who may not have found their string.

He continued on, saying we’d be welcome to try and find our string for a few months before going on a mission again. After that, we’d just have to keep trying to cross paths with new people. I hoped my string was my boyfriend, Noah Calvert. We’d been dating for two years and had done everything except have sex. He was known by his moniker the Spear, was my brother’s best friend.

Honestly, I was excited because I just knew he was my string. I loved him with everything I had, and he loved me. He was a rock for my brother and I when our parents died. We grew up together, and he’d always protected me. He was my first kiss when I was fourteen years old.

I’d been asked on a date by another guy my age, and Noah had been in a bad mood all day. When the boy dropped me home, Noah stepped out of the shadows of my porch. He yanked me into a searing kiss and told me every first date should end with a kiss. I couldn’t think about anyone but him from then on.

When I turned sixteen, he asked Heath for permission to date me. Heath was all too happy to agree, as Noah hadn’t found his string when he turned eighteen. With his interest in me everyone in the Hood was hoping I was his string. Now he was twenty-one, and with how overprotective he was of me, we all just knew. Haley didn’t like him though, and he defiantly didn’t like her. They just didn’t see each other how I saw them.

My brother asked me to stay after the meeting was over. I walked up to him and he stated, “You were somewhere else, Lex.” I smiled agreeing, “I’m just excited about tomorrow.” Heath looked worried for several seconds.

Eventually he said, “You know, if Noah isn’t your string. It’s ok if you want to be with him. Noah loves you.” I put my hand on his arm assuring him, “I just know he’s my string.” Heath stalled, “I’m just saying even if he’s not, it’s ok. Go on and get ready. Try to get some sleep.” I turned to leave, but Heath pulled me back. He told me, “I love you, little sister.” He pulled me into a hug and kissed my head. That was odd. I replied, “I love you too.”

I left and went to my separate assigned house. We spent the last night before in separate small houses. If we found our string this is where we would spend time together. I had stocked the house with Noah’s favorite snacks and drinks.

I froze when I heard movement in the bedroom. Silently I grabbed my bow from the corner of the room, notched my arrow, and walked silently throughout the house. I slowly peeked into the bedroom and couldn’t hide my astonishment. I dropped my bow shouting, “NOAH! I almost killed you! What are you doing here?”

Noah ran to me and grabbed me around my waist. He kissed me hard. “I missed you. I have been going crazy for a month! I slipped into your brother’s office during the meeting and found which house you were in. You stocked the kitchen with my favorite things and yours.” I blushed saying, “Well, you know.”

Noah kissed me again then pulled back, “You’re my string, babe. I’ve felt the pull since the day I turned eighteen. Tomorrow everyone will know the truth, you’re mine.” I gasped, “You’ve never said that.” Noah kissed the top of my head, “I can’t keep it in anymore. I’m so close to everything I’ve always wanted. I can’t stop myself anymore. I want you, Lex. Do you want me?”

I knew what he was asking. It wasn’t common among our people to wait for your string, but I had wanted to. Noah had always respected that. I wanted to because my mom did, and it felt like a way to honor her. Noah was my string though. I can't believe he’d never told me until now.

I kissed him, “We could’ve been doing this for years if you’d only told me.” Noah's hand was under my shirt. He slammed me back into the wall and ground against me, “You’re so hot, Lex. You’re mine. Always.” I smiled, “I’m yours, Noah. I love you.” He threw my shirt off me replying, “I love you too, Lex.”

We made out hot and heavy for a long time before he led me to the bed. While I’d waited, Noah hadn’t. He knew what he was doing. I was suddenly nervous. Noah smiled assuring me, “I’ll take care of you, babe.”

He laid me on the bed and went down on me. After I came, he slid up to me gently saying, “It will hurt for a moment.” I nodded. He slid into me. I hissed as he sailed past my barrier. He stroked my hair, “Shh, Lex. It’s alright.” He kissed me softly for several minutes.

I told him, “I’m good now.” He began to move then stilled and moaned quickly. It wasn’t that great for me, but I didn’t want him to know that since he was my string. Noah got up and cleaned himself off. He smugly told me, “You were perfect, babe.” He kissed me.

Dread filled me. I whispered, “You’re leaving?” Noah hurriedly kissed the top of my head again, “Your brother is expecting me in ten minutes.” I sat up, “Oh…” Noah winked saying, “After tomorrow, I’ll never have to leave you except to go on a mission.” I nodded.

He winced, “Don’t look at me like that, Lex. You know I can’t leave you when you look sad.” I put on a fake smile, “I’m fine.” He kissed me, “That’s my girl.” Part of me didn’t believe he’d really leave, but he did.

I sat there looking down at the sheets where I’d lost my virginity. I got up and changed the them, throwing the ones we’d used in the washer. I felt empty. Why did I feel this way? I loved Noah, and now I knew for sure he was my string. It must be because he left right after. I shook myself and went to take a bath. I was pretty sore.

After I got ready for bed, I sent Noah a text saying good night and I loved him. I got nothing back. I frowned. That was odd. He always replied back. I shrugged it off and went to bed. I checked my phone first thing when I woke up. Noah had texted that he’d see me soon. There. I was making a big deal out of nothing.

I dressed in my Black Arrow gear for the ceremony. Everyone with moniker’s came in their gear. I left after eating a quick breakfast. I met up with all the girls in our group. All were really excited. One girl was really sweet. She never had missions because it just wasn’t her style. She’d asked my brother if she could cook for everyone. That was her passion. Chef Sally Quaid and she was the best at it.

I smiled at her, “I know your string will be the sweetest man.” She smiled, “I hope so, I can feel him.” I smiled, hiding my panic. Two other girls agreed that they felt their strings too. Why didn’t I feel anything? Noah had to be here. Was he not coming?

Noah’s mom came out and smiled at me. She was leading us into the ceremony space. My tension was mounting. I didn’t understand. I should feel something like the other girls. We all stood there, and several people got up. My eyes landed on Noah walking directly towards me. I sent him a confused look. He smirked at me but right before he got to me, he cut away and went to Sally Quaid.

Everyone gasped as my heart stopped. He lied to me. He knew he wasn’t my string. The whole time we’d been dating he knew Sally Quaid was his, not me. Tears stung my eyes. Sally shot me a quick look of horror before Noah dragged her off.

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