Page 109 of The Married Alpha And His Arrow: Vol 1

Derrick observed, “You want something though.” Aiden smiled, “Of course I do. We all want something, Gamma Derrick.” I raised an eyebrow, “He didn’t tell you his name.” Aiden smirked, “So he didn’t. I know a great deal of people, and I know many things. You are Alpha Chase; he is Beta Matt the first openly gay Beta; kudos on that progression welcome to the table with the literal rest of the supernatural world.” A fairy was scolding us. Bolt huffed, “He’s right, but that’s annoying.” Yes, it was.

Aiden continued, “My sister was up in arms once she found out it was a big deal in this realm. I do believe her brother Harper was on her mind when she heard that. I believe she was worried about him, his mate, and the man they are with. I believe she calls him Harper’s boytoy lover.” Huh?

Aiden shrugged, “I couldn’t tell you the man’s name, but she loves him too. For one who has so many walls, my sister loves a lot of people. He is Gamma Derrick, who is anxiously awaiting the return of Sally Quaid. Do be good to her, please. My sister quite likes her already, and they only recently met. You have some competition though. My sister introduced Sally to a partial fairy who thought she was quite beautiful.”

We were all gaping at him. Derrick was growling at the thought of Sally with a fairy. How was Aiden so well informed? The King simply smirked at us and continued, “I also know your wife has a secret, Alpha Chase.” I growled, “What secret?” Aiden laughed, “A good question. An impressive trait to have as an Alpha. Hold onto that. Your she wolf does have her secrets. A few at this point, but one well two that would interest you.” I repeated, “What two secrets?”

Aiden laughed, “This pack needs a Beta Dylan. He is so much more fun. I can’t just tell you the secrets, wolf. That would be dull, and I am FAR from dull.” I growled, “It’s Alpha.” Aiden rolled his eyes, “Yes, you all are quite touchy about that. Haley’s wolf demands I call him Alpha. Guess what I still call him? I’ll tell you this one, it’s Haley’s wolf. If we are around others, I call him consort. It makes his eye twitch even though it’s a sign of respect in my realm. He’s such fun to goad.”

Matt linked, “Words literally never spoken about Alpha Eric. He is NOT fun to goad.” I replied, “The Fairies seem to disagree.” They might be crazy; we might need to look into that. Aiden waved his hand, “I’ll give you a hint about your wife though because my sister is determined to like you for the sake of your mate. She took on quite the burden over it. I myself thought you’d have to be killed, but you surprised me. Rather my sister surprised me.”

I growled. Matt yelled, “EXCUSE ME?” Aiden frowned, “Excuse you for what?” Derrick growled, “You implied you would kill my Alpha!” Aiden said, “If my sister could not have handled the burden she took on from my cousin Emmaline; I would have killed him or his wife. More likely the wife though since my sister’s friend’s happiness is linked to him.” He pointed at me.

Matt linked, “Team King Aiden kills Sophia and solves all our problems.” I reminded him, “She has been our friend since we were pups.” Matt grumbled, “She changed. She acts likes she’s a damn island all the time. If a Male Alpha acted like she did all of you would’ve turned your back on him. She’s lied to her allies, kept dangerous secrets and let’s not forget that she’s promised things she didn’t follow through on. Not just your annulment. She did it to Alpha Eric when Haley was taken. She promises warriors she doesn’t deliver. She knew Hammond was turning rogues and didn’t tell ANYONE. If she was a man, you all would’ve acted by now.” He might have a point. Bolt shouted, “MIGHT?!”

Aiden watched us in fascination before continuing, “The last fairy who took on the burden from the soul searcher became depressed and suicidal. My sister continually surprises me with her strength. Your Alpha and his wife live. There is no need to fret. No one plans to kill him though there is a player who wants him dead while simultaneously watching out for him to make sure he lives. It’s fascinating, this realm.” My jaw dropped. What?

Aiden smirked, “That player is not me though. I have been thoroughly entertained by this entire situation. My sister wants a happy ending here. I myself am a sucker for happy endings so I’m rooting for team Alpha Chase and his mate. Though if Arion were still here you’d be a widower. God, I miss him.” He paused and looked away. The pain was clear on his face while he thought of his brother.

He advised, “I’d be careful though. My sister has a line not to be crossed for those she loves. Your mate’s line is much shorter for her than most. Your she wolf may find herself in a world full of hurt soon. My sister has ideas and timelines in her head and will only let this continue so long. I’d say you have until the New Year for said she wolf to remain unscathed from Haley’s wrath. She will consider that ample time to have resolved this. I’d let your she wolf know her February deadline is NOT going to cut it for my sister. You all don’t seem to understand the stakes here either.”

Matt linked, “What stakes?” I answered, “I do not know.” Derrick asked out loud, “What do you meant?” Aiden sighed, “The magic Haley is holding onto hurts her on a daily basis.” WHAT? Aiden looked directly at me, “It’s going to explode eventually. The magic in her will lash out, and on that day, everyone had better hope that this does not hurt your mate. Haley will not be able to control her emotions and anger will be her driving force. She is not the soul searcher, and she’s not meant for this type of knowledge.”

I frowned, “She said it was fine.” Aiden grimaced, “I hate that she believes that. It’s not fine. It’s quite the opposite. Haley was not in school. She was tutored privately, and that’s being gracious. She’s mostly self-taught. It is impressive, but she doesn’t know everything. The magic she took on is dangerous for her. If this doesn’t resolve itself quickly, your wife will likely die. The magic in Haley will call for it. She was never meant to have this knowledge or hold this power. Particularly since she’s the second most emotional fairy around. It would’ve been better if literally ANY other fairy had taken the burden.”

Matt linked, “I’m on information overload. We are screwed.” We were. Aiden shrugged, “I have hope it will resolve soon especially given that you have already met your mate. Your mate is quite happy with you, and that makes my sister happy.” He knew?

I went to warn him, but he put his hands up. He assured me, “Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me. Haley is fairly certain Lexi is dating you, but Lexi has said nothing. My sister is a very big advocate of people telling their stories on their terms. So, she doesn't know, but she knows. I think we all know Haley’s wolf knows but isn’t going to seek out the truth or he’d have to tell my sister. Because he doesn’t know she knows because she’s respecting your mate’s decision not to officially tell her. The tangled web this realm weaves. It’s a wonder I manage to leave it.”

I linked Matt, “Are we bugged? HOW does he know this?” I said out loud, “You seem to talk to your sister a lot.” Aiden laughed, “I do. Haley would NEVER tell me that though. We all have our resources. I have spies as all Kings do. I also spend a lot of time with my sister. The weight of this situation weighs heavily upon her, and I would like that to stop. She doesn’t fully understand why it’s bothering her.”

Matt interrupted, “You could tell her.” Aiden shrugged, “The damage is done. I should’ve stopped her when she came to our realm. I hesitated and that cost my sister. Arion wouldn’t have, but that’s not the point. I have my own limit. My sister’s is greater than mine because she has a longer attention span than I do. It’s part of why I wanted to meet with you other than to let you know Exsis may pop in to speak with TeleTed.”

His face went from teasing to deadly serious. He stated, “I’m letting you know to push your she wolf if you care for her. I do not. I don’t even have to get my hands dirty here. I have many who owe me favors. I am not afraid to cash them in. My sister has been unhappy enough in her life. Her devastation and anger would reach VERY high levels if your mate was upset, wolf.” Again with the wolf.

He continued, “Not just because the magic would demand it but because she loves her. That intensifies the magic because nothing is more sacred to magic than love. Even before Haley realized their connection was not one sided on her end, she was protective of Lexi Scott.” I inhaled. The fairy King just threw it out there.

He laughed at the look on my face, “Oh come now. My sister did an ancient fairy ritual to take on the pain of the soul searcher. I simply HAD to find out all I could about you and your wife. She’s not well liked anymore. My sister’s wolf nearly cut her off as an ally, but my sister stopped him. She’s seen women thrive in leadership, but those she’s seen do not have to face the adversity your wife does. If only the wolves were as advanced as literally everyone else. Such a shame.”

Bolt huffed, “Again with the scolding.” I replied, “I know.” Aiden snapped his fingers and had a drink in his hand. He took a sip and continued, “The difference between my sister and me is she respects people’s boundaries. I could not care less. I am a King. I needed information, and I needed to know who was so important besides Emmaline that my sister would do this for. She made the Fae more interested in her, and their interest with everything Haley was astronomically high already. Her performing an ancient Fae ritual that was successful only increased interest, and she knew it would. But she did it anyway.” It might be a miracle Alpha Eric hasn’t killed me himself then. He even seemed to still like me.

Aiden waved, “That is all beside the point though. You all are such good listeners I find myself babbling. Back to your she wolf and her secrets. Maybe there is another reason your wife didn’t take my sister up on her offer to get the bottom of her problem. No one can lie to my sister. It’s a simple solution really. You would be free to be with your Lexi had she taken her up on it. My sister only allowed your wife to decline because she’s being nice. That was solely out of respect for her wolf.” Damn it.

He winked, “Haley wants you to be single. She’s conflicted because she could end this many ways, but her wolf is allied with said she wolf. To add another layer of complexity, so are you. That matters to my sister as well because it would matter to Lexi. Surely, your she wolf wants to solve this problem on her own and prove her worth. She told my sister that, and it was not a lie. Haley was not expecting an additional reason. Haley stopped using her powers too quickly. Something that wouldn’t have happened if she’d been trained as a child like she should have been.”

Matt groaned, “Great.” I grumbled, “What other reason could she possibly have? She doesn’t have feelings for me.” Aiden smirked, “You? No. Rest assured other than friendship your wife has no feelings for YOU.”

Matt gritted his teeth, “She likes one of the traitors? FUCK ME! Was Sophia dating someone on the list?” I paled, “She is dating someone. Would she truly keep dating someone she thought could be a traitor?”

Aiden laughed, “You’re close but not there yet. My work here is done. Don’t kill Exsis should you see him with your Beta Male. He’s not into men, never has been. He’s held a candle that my sister would want a lover for decades. Fairy’s don’t see ages as others do.”

Derrick shivered, “That’s gross about the age thing. I guess if you live for centuries though that makes sense. Vampires are with people significantly younger and no one bats an eye.” Matt grumbled, ‘Sure, let’s talk about fairy ages instead of the problem. Exsis only wants the Princess who is the Luna of our ally. Our STRONGEST ally. What could go wrong here? You do understand we are duty bound to protect Alpha Eric’s Luna in any way we see necessary. Even if she wasn’t, we would do it anyway because we like your sister.”

Aiden’s eyes sparkled, “Yes, she does have the ability to make people like her. Even among any supernatural group. It’s fascinating because that is NOT a common for other supernatural groups to like us fairies. Nor the Hackura. Respect? Sure. Like them, to the degree people like my sister, no. It’s unique to my sister alone.”

He paused then mused, “Maybe partial fairies themselves have that quality. Many people like my cousin Emmaline as they do my sister. Or are they unique? These are the questions I ponder because they are quite unique those two. No one can argue that. It’s fun to see who Haley was always meant to be. I hate that I facilitated her hiding this marvelous nature of hers. It means I have to be grateful to all the wolves and assassins for her general countenance. It’s highly annoying.”

He waved a hand, “It’s fun at the same time though. All these people constantly talk about killing me. It’s quite funny. Some of them mean it, others simply say it.” I warned him, “If Alpha Eric threatened to kill you; he means it.”

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