Page 126 of The Married Alpha And His Arrow: Vol 1

Ted continued, “Not to throw a wrench at you, but what plan could possibly work with you in a dungeon?” Wallace inclined his head, “For me to rule with her. It would just be a figurehead thing. I’m not meant to rule, but no one would need to know that. While they thought it was me, really it would be all her. She’s the Alpha blood not me.”

Ted nodded understandingly, “So, you really are doing this for her?” Wallace clasped his hands together, “Exactly! She’s my world.” Ted whispered, “Has she met her mate?” Wallace looked away, “No, she wants to though.” Ted cringed, “I’m sorry, man. That has to hurt.”

Wallace admitted, “It does. She overlooks what’s right in front of her.” Ted snorted, “Women.” Wallace laughed, “Yeah, lucky for you; you don’t have that problem.” Ted smiled, “You strong, silent type men come with your own problems.” Matt growled.

I grabbed his arm, “He’s not flirting. Calm down.” Matt kept growling. Ted continued, “You for example, have taken on this huge weight thinking you’re on your own. You could’ve asked for help.” Wallace shrugged, “I didn’t know who to trust. This came from within our own pack. I was one step away from meeting who set all this in motion with Alpha Hammond when my Sophia discovered what I had planned.”

Ted frowned, “So you don’t know who in your pack was involved?” Wallace chuckled, “I know who in the pack was involved. They were working with others outside the pack. I had a meeting that night to learn the lead instigator, but I didn’t make it. Now, I don’t know who is leading the charge from the outside.”

Ted sighed, “Why didn’t you just tell her? You should’ve trusted her.” Wallace said, “I was being watched.” Ted scoffed, “Dude, we established I’m not a werewolf, but even I know what mind link is.” Wallace begrudgingly admitted, “I could’ve done that, but…”

Ted looked at him and finished, “You didn’t want to. You wanted her, and this was your chance.” Wallace nodded then huffed, “Someone didn’t want me to have her. AGAIN! Did you know I offered to marry her before your Alpha? None of this would’ve happened if she’d agreed.”

Ted leaned forward, “Let me guess, she didn’t want the marriage to be real. With you…” Wallace nodded, “It would have been real between her and I. Saint Chase got to be the savior again.” Ted pressed, “Why not tell her she’s still in danger?” Wallace sank down, “I tell her all the time, but she wants names. If she gets them, I’m dead, then so is she.”

Ted pushed, “Why not give her a name? Not the big name. Just show her you are on her side by giving her little players. Slowly, build up trust again. You said you’ve known her your whole life. The trust is there, you just gotta get it back.”

Wallace seemed to consider that idea while Ted sat there quietly. Finally, he said, “Tell you what, you give me breakfast like this for the next two days and I’ll give her one name. Not the answer she wants, but a name. We could have this deal for when I’m here. When I return after getting a few good meals, I give her a name. You just listen with that pretty little head of yours…”

Matt growled. Derrick said, “Wallace is very not gay.” Matt snarled, “MINE!” I agreed, “Ted is yours.” Wallace continued, “To the word around your pack. You’ll know I’m giving names.” Ted nodded, “Alright. I’ll be back with your breakfast tomorrow. I can request to be the one who gives it to you. I’ll tell them we have a rapport.”

Wallace snorted, “I’m a traitor to my Alpha and pack. They won’t care that you want to come down here to see me. It means they won’t have to look at my face. The face of the man who betrayed his Alpha. They think it’s because she’s a woman. That I’m some sexist shithead, that I’m not. I’m just the guy who wants to save his girl.”

Ted nodded, “I understand. I have a girl I want to save too. Not in the romantic way you do, but she’s my best friend. She’s in danger. Not unlike your girl, she’s capable. I’m afraid she doesn’t know what she’s up against. I’ll be back tomorrow to talk.” Wallace agreed, “Us like minded guys have to stick together.” Ted smiled, “That we do.” He walked out.

Matt closed the laptop. “It’s more than we’ve gotten.” I agreed, “It’s not the name we want, but if he gives little names, we could get those people to crack.” Matt groaned, “Which means I have to coordinate with Beta Alfred Jr. Lucky me. I’m so happy. Do I sound happy?” Derrick snorted, “No, you should work on that.”

Matt added, “We won’t be able to move on the names which makes it even more fun.” I agreed, “No, we will have to have them watched. If those people know he’s naming names, they could kill him. If the deal hadn’t been to offer names when he gets back to her territory, I’d say we keep him here.”

Ted walked back in, “He actually believes he loves her. He thinks he’s protecting her. He’s…. I don’t even know. I’m so disturbed by that. He does love her, I could see it; however, he was willing to take away her choice of finding her mate, so that he could have her. It’s simultaneously real and fake love. Manipulative love. Maybe I can get more out of him as time goes on.”

Matt said, “You don’t have to do that, Ted. I know that hurt you.” Ted shook his head, “I am doing this for Lexi. Speaking of, I need to get to the office. You know, the disturbing part other than the whole conversation…. Part of me is rooting for whatever plot they have going on against Sophia. She’s in the way of my friend's happiness. I can’t believe there’s a part of me that just wants her out of the way. I have to go.” He stood and dashed out, but Matt went after him.

Derrick said, “I hope Matt convinces him he’s not a bad person.” I agreed, “He’s not. I understand the motivation he has. Not only is Lexi his friend, but she’s also a leader in their community. It’s in his blood to want to protect her and to have her be happy. Add in they are best friends and that he’s her Beta Male... Sophia is probably lucky he doesn’t have a moniker or she’d be dead.”

I called Sophia and filled her in. She was excited to be getting some answers. She thought Wallace would just be confirming names she knew, but she agreed it was progress. Derrick commented, “That’s the happiest she’s sounded in weeks.” I agreed, “Hopefully this gets it all wrapped up.”

Derrick said, “You didn’t warn her about what King Aiden or Alpha Eric told us.” Matt walked back in. I admitted, “I want Matt to look into the former Beta Female discreetly and see if we can’t offer proof. I’m also not telling her that on the phone anyway. I plan to talk at our prisoner exchange. As far as King Aiden telling us about Haley, the woman warned Sophia herself.” Derrick snorted, “You want to see if Wallace has a good poker face at the prisoner exchange.” I smiled, “I do.”

We worked on paperwork and disputes the rest of the day. Matt paced in between. Finally I asked him, “Why are you pacing?” Matt admitted, “I have a meeting with Joanie. I’m going to ask her about doing an insemination around the beginning of June. I want her recommendations on who should take her place in Ted’s guard. I’m just nervous.”

I practically pushed him out the door, “Go to your meeting. I already found a place for you guys to break ground on your duplex house idea. If you agree, they can start that tomorrow.” Matt asked, “Where?” He walked back into my office and I showed him. He laughed, “My mother will LOVE this.” I smiled, “I know.” He left.

Derrick and I kept going through paperwork. Our lunch was brought to us. Matt came back whistling and smiling. I surmised, “So she agreed?” Matt nodded, “She did. It went better than I thought it would.” We got back to work. Matt was so nervous the rest of the day.

Eventually I yelled, “For god's sake, what now?” Matt admitted, “Ted’s so nervous my skin is practically crawling with our mate bond.” I waved him away, “Then get out of here and go comfort him before you wear a hole in the floor of my office.” Matt left.

Derrick and I didn’t look up until Nadine knocked on the door. I nodded to Derrick, “Take off for the night.” Nadine smiled at him as he left. She looked at me, “I know you’re busy.” I shook my head, “I actually have a dinner to get to.” Nadine admitted, “That’s why I came. I just saw Lexi flash by the window.” I laughed, “Thank you.” Nadine nodded.

I added, “I thought you were going to tell me to forgive my dad.” Nadine shook her head, “I’m not getting involved. This is between the two of you. He broke your trust, and it’s up to you how you want Frank to fix it. I will say, you know he loves you. We all know you love him. Don’t push this so long you hurt yourself in the process. I know doing all this with him hurt you, and I don’t want that.” She kissed my cheek and walked away.

I called, “If you want him back in the house, he can come home. If Lexi’s here though, he can’t be here. That still stands.” Nadine nodded, “I’ll let him fret a few more nights. Then he can come home because Susie misses him.” I pointed out, “So do you.” She smiled admitting, “I do miss the crazy man.” She left and I ran out the door.

I walked into Isabella and Isaac’s house as Lexi cleared her throat. The tension was so thick wafting off the grandparents I was surprised they could stand. I took Lexi in. Seriously, did she own clothes that didn’t make me want to rip them off her and claim her on the floor?

Matt linked me, “No mating on my mother’s floor. It’s a rule.” I ripped my gaze away from Lexi as she introduced Matt to them. They hadn’t met him yet? I asked him, “Were you as late as I was?” Matt answered, “Nope. They haven’t even looked my way once. They are out and out ignoring me. Ted is hurt and furious. I am going to kill them.”

I linked Derrick, “Did you have the grandparents followed in here?” Derrick replied, “As much as I could. They came with their family.” I gritted my teeth, “They didn’t even introduce themselves to Matt. I don’t think they are here to meet him.” Derrick asked, “Then why come?” I answered, “I don’t know, but keep the patrols running. Get supplies ready to check for bugs once they leave just in case.” He agreed.

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