Page 118 of The Married Alpha And His Arrow: Vol 1

I added, “Why did everyone let us think that? They all HAVE to know.” Heath frowned, “I’m sure they believe they are honoring our parents’ wishes.” I cringed, “I don’t know if that matters to me. They all know how I’ve felt these last three years. There was another place I could’ve gone while serving you. I could’ve taken space with my family. Hell, I at least deserved to show up and yell at them for being a bunch of jerks to us.”

Heath admitted, “You’re right. Are you going to mention the Bobby thing?” I shrugged, “I was getting there. It seems you already know though.” Heath said, “Other than our family being in the Shroud, and I do mean family by the way. We have aunts and uncles, probably cousins. Both mom and dad had siblings. I just assumed there was an accident and they all died, like our parents told us. I just thought they didn’t want us to mourn their siblings along with our grandparents.”

I sat back, “You think we have cousins?” Heath shrugged, “I’m sure we do.” I changed the subject because this one was painful. They let us go and didn’t even care about us. I cleared my throat, “The Troll and a witch tried to get into my house last night.” Heath raised an eyebrow, “I know. I am stunned you told me though.”

I groaned, “Is there anything you don’t know?” Heath laughed, “When it comes to you? No, there’s not much I don’t know. I make it my business to know.” I gulped, “Great. I should’ve had him.” Heath shrugged, “He had an escape route. There was nothing you could’ve done. He may have betrayed us, but he’s still good at what he does.” I pointed out, “He’s not smart enough to lead this type of effort.” Heath agreed, “No, he’s not.”

I began to throw out questions, “Could he be in the second Shroud? Could our family blame us for something that happened with mom and dad?” Heath said, “I can’t say no, but I doubt it.” I asked, “Why?” Heath pointed out, “Our family could’ve come back and taken over our Shroud when we were children. I couldn’t lead yet; I wasn’t old enough. They chose not to. We’ve never met them. Even if don’t want anything to do with us, I doubt they would let a crazy person take you. You are still their grandchild. We are their last links to their daughter or their son. It’s one thing to ignore us; it’s entirely another to help a deranged man who isn’t your string kidnap you. It’s not hard to envision what he has planned.”

Heath’s fists clenched as he spoke. I pressed, “What? What’s his master plan? Kill me?” Heath shook his head, “No, he’s not going to kill you. He’s going to try to break you. If he gets you he’ll rape you; that’s a given. He will punish you for everything that’s gone on. If he’s following you, he may know about your string. He will try to use you as a bargaining chip to come home and be my Lieutenant again.”

The blood drained from my face. Heath gave me a knowing look, “He won’t go after your string, Lex. Not until he has you. He’ll regroup, but eventually he will try again.” I snorted, “Not for a while he won’t.” Heath agreed, “No, I’d say around New Year’s Eve.” I laughed, “Bless his soul then. I’m spending New Year’s Eve how I always do.”

Heath smiled, “Then we can hope he tries to follow you and Haley somewhere.” I snorted, “That would be far too simple.” Heath sighed, “Yes, it probably would. I’ll still hope for it because her plan has to be epic. She’s been plotting for years. I think she plotted before you found out you weren’t strings. She hated him from the moment you mentioned him.” That was true. It solidified when they met.

Ted walked into the office. I frowned because he looked off. I asked, “Are you ok?” Ted answered, “Disturbed. I am disturbed.” I pressed, “Why?” Ted grumbled, “Secret pack stuff.” I laughed, “Oh boy. They are having you keep secrets. I’ll have to tell Matt that’s not how you got then nickname TeleTed.” He made a face at me.

Ted looked at Heath, “Hey, thanks for trying to make sure my big family dinner didn’t happen.” I glanced at Heath confused. Heath smirked, “I should’ve known Anne would just ask your string’s family to host.” I gaped, “You said they couldn’t come to the Shroud because you were trying to help Ted?”

Heath smiled, “I always try to help my people out. I think we all know something offensive will be said at this dinner. Matt’s family will get offended because they will insult Matt. I don’t really like it when a pack of wolves are offended by our people. I already have an apology gift ready to send.”

I laughed, “Of course you do.” Ted smiled, “I still appreciated the effort.” Heath looked at me, “I’ll look into this and get us answers.” I looked away, “I have answers. They are a bunch of assholes. I don’t care what our DNA says. It’s you and me Heath, always.” Ted looked between us clearly confused. Heath nodded, “I’ll still find out. They owe us answers. We have done nothing, and they let us hurt alone. They have a lot of explaining to do.” Heath gave me a hug and left.

Ted plopped down in the chair Heath vacated. He said, “Girl, spill.” I explained the whole thing to him. His jaw was on the floor. He sat back stating, “My mom has to know.” I nodded, “I know.” Ted frowned, “There has to be a reason my mom didn’t say anything. You know she would never do this to intentionally hurt you.”

I agreed, “I know. We aren’t saying anything yet. Besides, we have your big family dinner to get through. Are you really ok about shooting that witch?” Ted snorted, “I’m fine. The witch was given to Haley’s wolf. The shot in the thigh will be nothing compared to what he does.”

I laughed, “Haley really took her? She actually went through proper channels?” Ted nodded, “She did. Alpha Eric was trying not to laugh about it. Apparently, Haley was spending the morning with the triplets. So, her Alpha wolf was going to question the witch for answers. Then when Haley put the triplets down for their nap she will join them. She requested her husband do awful things to try for answers first.”

That told me how mad she was. I stated, “She wants the witch to be hurt physically then.” Ted said, “Her wolf seemed to think she might have the babies practice their abilities on the witch.” I admitted, “I would actually pay to see that.” Ted agreed, “Me too.”

We got through the rest of our day. Matt showed up as we were wrapping up, which worked out really well. I sent him to pick up the food because I was going to have Ted be busy until the last possible minute. I could read my friend like the back of my hand at this point in our lives. He was worried, and he needed to be doing something.

Matt came back with the food, and unfortunately we couldn’t stall anymore. I sighed, “All right. Let’s wrap for the day.” Ted pleaded, “Can’t we have some emergency?” I shook my head, “Sadly, no. I wish that phone would ring and some catastrophe would keep us here, but it seems the war goddess wants us to make this dinner.” Ted grumbled, “But I don’t want to.” Me either. This wasn’t going to end well and we all knew it.

We had locked up when the King’s daytime assistance came around the corner. She smiled, “Sorry, I don’t mean to catch you on the way out. The King expresses his deepest regret for what happened to your car. We reviewed the footage and easily spotted what happened. Their men came in between sweeps. Adjustments will be made to security and we are paying for the damages to your car.”

I took her hand, “Please tell King Arthur it was simply supposed to be a party. Not some ‘gone in sixty seconds’ heist. I appreciate his gesture for the car repairs, it’s very kind of him.” She smiled and handed me a bouquet of roses.

I accepted them, “These are beautiful, thank you.” I opened the office back up to put them on my desk. I set them on the desk and turned to leave. Kincade was there ready to sweep for bugs. I sighed, “She’s dating a vampire. The Troll doesn’t have an in with her. She’s the vampire King’s day person for crying out loud.” He ignored me. To my utter lack of shock, the bug sweeper turned up nothing. I stuck my tongue out at Kincade.

We all walked outside and piled into my car except for Ted and Matt. We went back to my house. Ted followed me inside, but Matt drove away. Ted tapped my shoulder, “We need to raid the Haley closet.” I joked, “I thought you’d go for a rainbow outfit to piss your grandparents off.”

Ted snorted, “That’s not a bad idea, but my mom really wants this to go well. I’m going to try not to get pissed about the things they say to me.” I nodded. He might but Tate, Anne, and particularly Tony would not.

We went for a casual look. A light pair of jeans with a cuff at the bottom, and a long-sleeved navy shirt. I followed suit with skin colored jeans that had rips in them. I pulled out a black off the shoulder loose shirt and threw some heels on.

Ted sighed, “Let’s do this, I guess. I had Matt take the food over already. War Goddess be with us.” I nodded and looped my arm in his. I assured him, “She will be. They have tried to put you in a box you were never meant to be in. You win because you are unapologetically you, and if they can’t embrace that it’s their loss.” He hugged me quickly.

We ran over, and I let him lead the way to Matt’s parents’ house. We walked inside arm in arm, the last to arrive. Ted's grandparents were standing stiffly in the corner. Everyone one else was hugging and meeting each other.

I nodded to Ted signaling I’d take his grandparents. Ted walked over to introduce Matt to Tate and Kylie. I smiled and took a deep breath. I flashed over and smiled nicely, “Amelia and Andrew, it’s so good to see you.”

They smiled warmly. Andrew said, “Lexi, I’m so glad you could come.” I nodded. Anne came over with a smile. She spoke to Amelia and Andrew, “Come meet the Millers.” Neither moved and Anne put some steel in her tone, “Right now you two, I’m not asking. You wanted this dinner. You came back for it, and you can’t sit in the corner all dang night long. Move your butts, meet these kind people, and for goddess sake; you’d better be nice.”

Both grumbled as they walked away. Anne smiled at me and rolled her eyes once they left. I was itching to ask her about my family, but tonight wasn’t about me. Thankfully, Amelia and Andrew were charming with Matt’s parents.

The problem was they had yet to make an effort to meet Matt. Ted had a smile on his face, but I could see the anger in his eyes. I cleared my throat as Chase walked in the house. I guess I wasn’t last. He smiled at me. I forced my eyes away and dragged Ted’s grandparents to my string’s Beta.

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