Page 112 of The Married Alpha And His Arrow: Vol 1

My dad stepped back, “Are you taking her as your chosen mate?” I said, “I’m not here to explain things to you. I was here to make sure you didn’t go try to force Susie inside, embarrass her and further alienate yourself from her. She misses you. Your best shot at forgiveness with her is after Lexi leaves today. Susie will know Lexi is still truly her friend. So, don’t fuck it up.” Nadine did a slow clap, “I couldn’t have said it better myself.”

My dad said, “Son, I didn’t think you were thinking about taking a chosen mate. If you’d just told me, I wouldn’t have… Well, I’ve made an ass of myself with her. I thought if I was the bad guy then everyone would be happier in the end. I’d like to fix that.” I growled, “Stay away from her!” My dad said, “But…”

Just then we all heard all the pups screaming at Susie and Lexi to run. We all looked outside to see Susie running for all she was worth with the other team’s flag in her hand. Lexi was by her side. Susie had the biggest grin on her face.

Lexi wasn’t helping her run faster, and Susie was outrunning the other pups. I said, “It’s her Alpha blood.” Nadine laughed, “Double Alpha blood.” Isabella dropped her glass. I had to laugh. It wasn’t well known that Nadine had Alpha blood in her. Her dad was the Alpha of her old pack, but no one really knew Nadine was his daughter if they weren’t close allies. She was the youngest. Her mother was a Gamma’s daughter.

Nadine had Gamma and Alpha blood running through her. Susie was one powerful little wolf. Susie and Lexi made it to their team. No one got close to catching either of them. Susie’s team surrounded her. My dad actually wiped tears from his eyes watching them hoist Susie up on their shoulders.

I’d never seen my sister this happy. Her cheeks were flushed from running, but she was holding the flag up as her team chanted her name. She turned and saw us all watching and blew us a kiss. Eventually the pups set her down and started playing a new game. My dad hugged Nadine, “She’s such a beauty. I’ve never seen her run. She’s a fast little bugger.”

Nadine smiled and kissed his cheek, “She’s special, our little girl.” My dad teased, “We could always have another. It could loosen me up, you never know.” I choked, “Goodbye.” My dad laughed, “Watch it, Chase! If you and your brother don’t give me a grandpup soon, I’ll have another one with Nadine.” I shivered, “Ew. Bye, dad.” I could hear all of them laughing at me as I left.

Matt and I did some paperwork once we made it back to my office. We both got distracted watching the pups. Susie’s laughter was infections. When I saw Lexi and Susie heading inside I linked Kevin, “Get Lexi upstairs to my room. I’ll be waiting.” Kincade was training the warriors and was busy.

Kevin answered, “Yes, Alpha. The pups had a lot of fun. Whispers of her being our Luna are going around.” I replied, “Nothing will be confirmed.” Kevin laughed a little, “Whatever you say. Your actions towards her confirm it.” I said, “Until announced it’s a rumor. Besides, our pack knows better than to run the rumor mill outside our pack. My dad thinks she’s going to be my chosen mate.” Kevin replied, “That’s true we don’t gossip with others. Your old man is really hiding from the writing on the wall.”

Matt handed me the last bit of paperwork. I finished and ran upstairs. I opened my door and saw the trail of Lexi’s clothes. I could hear the shower going. I smirked. She’d smell even more like me before this event if I had anything to say about it.

Afterwards, Lexi came in out in a dress that hugged all her curves. He boobs begged me to play with them. Vampires were going to want what was mine. Thank the Moon Goddess my scent was practically wafting from her at this point.

I begrudgingly led her to her car with Kincade and Kevin following her. Kincade had been working all day, but he was adamant on protecting his Luna. I linked Kincade and Kevin, “I know you can’t stop anyone from touching her tonight. I believe King Arthur will. Just make sure she comes back to me safely.” Kincade replied, “Yes Alpha.”

I watched Lexi leave. She waved to someone. I turned in that direction and saw it was my dad. I nodded to him and walked back into the house. Nadine asked me, “She’s your mate, isn’t she? You’re not considering her as a chosen mate because she’s your fated mate.” I said, “I’m not going to answer that.” Nadine smiled, “That is an answer in and of itself. She’s beautiful and she’ll be an amazing Luna.”

I smiled and walked away. My phone started to ring. It was Cameron calling. He asked me, “Can you meet me at our border?” I answered, “Of course.” I hung up, nodded to Matt, then took off for the border with Cameron’s pack. He was already there with shorts. I shifted and he threw them to me.

We both sat down. He admitted, “I’m pissed at you.” I said, “I know.” Cameron argued, “You didn’t have to challenge him.” I disagreed, “I did.” Cameron yelled, “The fuck you did! You lost your temper because of this whole Lexi thing. You’re ready to blow because you haven’t marked her and brought her home. Just explain the situation to her and bring her to your side.”

I put a hand on his shoulder, “Cameron, this was about more than Lexi. He’s pulling warriors from details. He practically spat on our mother’s grave. He’s held Susie back far too long. It’s time to kick his ass out of his scared little shell. It doesn't suit him. He’s an Alpha and he needs to act like it. He undermined me by taking my warriors without me knowing, haggling for more guards at the school for Susie. He second guesses me all over the place. I couldn’t let it continue before I lost control of the pack.” His rigid stance relaxed a little.

I added, “Or before I had to take some punk young warrior to task because I let our dad step on me. You know it would’ve happened. I could’ve seriously injured a warrior. With Dad, neither Bolt nor I wanted to seriously hurt him. Just put him in his place.”

Cameron sighed, “Can you make less valid points? I want to be mad at you.” I laughed, “No.” Cameron slugged me in the shoulder. “You didn’t have to throw him out the glass door.” I agreed, “THAT I didn’t have to do. He pissed me off and wasn’t listening to me. I kept replaying Lexi crying saying he hates her, and how she wanted my parents to like her because hers are gone.”

Cameron blew out a breath, “Yeah, Reagan has been saying all week I’d do the same. She’s right.” I nodded. After a few moments of silence I said, “It was brought up we could be Alpha’s like the Conners brothers are. We could build new pack houses between our territories and combine our lands. We could build a bigger main house. You’d still have your pack, and I’d have mine.”

Cameron immediately said, “I’ll think about it. I miss you a lot.” I smiled, “I’m never too far away, little brother. Even if you want to remain your own pack.” Cameron smiled, “Same goes.” I nudged him, “I know.” It was midnight by the time we parted ways.

I ran to Lexi’s house and fell asleep as soon as I hit her pillow. Matt woke me up linking, “Dear god please tell me Lexi is with you.” I startled awake. I felt her side of the bed. It was cold. I looked all over the house even though I knew she wasn’t there.

I linked Kevin and Kincade, “Where’s Lexi?” Kincade answered, “With TeleTed.” I frowned, “Matt, Kevin and Kincade say she’s with Ted.” Matt yelled, “FUCK! Ted says she’s with you.” I growled and shifted running to Ted’s house.

I shifted back yelling, “WHERE IS SHE?” I got in Kincade's face. He was confused, “With Beta Male Ted.” I punched him. I roared, “HE’S STANDING RIGHT HERE! KEVIN?” Kevin was also confused, “Alpha, we swear she’s with him.” I hit him too. Cameron came running up and pushed me away from them. He calmly said, “Chase, we don’t know what’s going on.” I yelled, “SHE’S MISSING! They were supposed to protect her.”

Shots rang out in the distance and we all froze. Ted started to cry. I asked, “Can Lexi use a gun?” Ted said nothing. I yelled, “TED! Can Lexi use a gun?” Ted answered, “Yes, but it’s not her weapon of choice.” More shots rang out. Ted fell to his knees sobbing. I went at Kevin and Kincade, but Cameron and Matt got in my way.

Cameron demanded, “Chase, stop it! I’ll call Dad so help me god, I will. CALM DOWN!” I growled, “He can’t stop me! I already proved that! She could need my help, and I don’t know because I haven’t fucking marked her!”

Matt told me, “Alpha Eric is aware of the situation, gunshots were fired. Beta Caleb just texted. Haley already popped out. She’s probably there with Lexi IF it’s Lexi. We don’t even know if she’s involved.” Cameron questioned, “What did you tell Beta Caleb?” Matt explained, “That Ted just got home. We were walking inside and heard shots from his territory. Lexi left after him, and he was worried.”

I said, “If they don’t find her, I want men out searching for her. I don’t care whose fucking territory we go into. I’ll tell every goddamn wolf who she is to me. I WANT HER BACK!” Cameron assured me, “We will find her.” I snarked, “Will we? I haven’t even marked her. I have no bond to find her with!”

Matt had gone to console Ted. Time ceased to have meaning. Was my sweetheart out there shot and wondering where I was? I couldn’t stay here. I whispered, “I have to go.” Cameron warned, “Chase…” I shouted, “SHE COULD BE SHOT! She could be wondering where I am! She could think I don’t love her because I’m not with her! She’s my whole damn world and I have to find her! She NEEDS TO KNOW!”

Lexi’s voice filtered to us. I couldn’t move at first. Relief hit me so hard as I practically drank in her appearance. She had some dirt on her shoulder, and she smelled like gasoline, vampires, combined with a bit of Haley.

Lexi’s hair was windblown, but she was standing there in front of us. Ted ran to her first. Matt linked me, “She’s here and she’s ok.” That got me moving. She was ok. I took her from Ted and buried my face in her neck. I have never had a harder time controlling Bolt since he’d come to me at sixteen. Both of us wanted to mark her. We didn’t want this to EVER happen again. We’d know if she was in danger if we just marked her.

---