Page 144 of The Married Alpha And His Arrow: Vol 1

Kincade linked, “We’d heard she was ok, but we wanted to see her ourselves.” I nodded understanding their thought process, “I should’ve linked you, I’m sorry. Go get some rest.” They nodded. Lexi and I walked towards her place. Tonight was one of those nights I wished I could just take her up to our room here. I confided my feelings to her because she might be one of the only people I could tell about how scared I was to get word about my dad.

I wanted to know where the hell she was tonight because it wasn’t Cameron’s. Was she guarding Alpha Kyle’s border? Is that why she was in the area briefly? Bolt snarled in my head when I smelled an unfamiliar scent in the area. I had Lexi behind me in a flash.

I linked Matt, Kevin, and Kincade, “GET HERE NOW!” They all replied they were on the way. They got here faster than I thought they would. Matt linked, “We were almost back to our place.” Kevin admitted, “We were doing a perimeter sweep.” I ordered, “See if you can track down the new scent.”

They scoured the area but came up with nothing. Whoever was here, they were gone. Lexi pointed out they didn’t trip Haley’s booby traps. All that meant was someone was here that didn’t mean her harm. Matt handed me a letter. He linked me, “This was on the outside of her barrier on the ground.”

I handed it to Lexi. My eyes widened as I read it. I linked Matt, “It’s a warning supposedly from a member from her family. Get Ted over here.” He nodded. Lexi fainted. I swore, “FUCK!” I caught her before she hit the ground.

Ted ran up, “What’s going on? LEXI! Is she hurt?” I shook my head and gave him the note. He blinked several times and reread it clearly thinking he misunderstood. His voice shook, “We need to call Heath.” He stepped away to do so. Lexi still hadn’t come around.

Heath showed up and held his hand out for the note. He frowned. “I’ll keep looking. If they can find us why the HELL aren’t they saying anything?” He kissed Lexi’s forehead. He asked me, “You’ve got her, right?” I assured him, “I do.” He nodded, “Good.” He took off.

I told everyone, “Go home. I’ve got her. Ted and Matt be on standby. I’ll link Matt when she comes to, but she might need you.” Ted frowned, “She’ll be annoyed she fainted. Those assholes have no idea what they did with this note.” I frowned, “What do you mean?”

Ted answered, “Lexi always wanted more family. She’s felt guilty about staying away from the Shroud because it was always her and Heath against the world. She just thought he needed the Troll more than he needed her. She felt guilty he dealt with her drug problem alone. Things like this make her feel weak.”

I snorted, “She’s one of the strongest people I know.” Ted agreed, “I know but sometimes she doesn’t see that. They are jerks to do this to her.” I asked, “Is it possible they think Heath and Lexi know about them? This is a pretty callous introduction from someone who is actively looking out for them.”

Ted frowned, “You’re right. It is.” Matt added, “That would make sense. If someone lied to the kids, who is to say the adults weren’t lied to? They are far more to blame though. They should’ve demanded to speak to them. This does make me think that they are unaware Heath and Lexi don’t know they have family out there.”

We talked it over for a bit longer before Ted reluctantly left. I took Lexi upstairs to wait for her to open her beautiful eyes. I told her, “You are so strong. Your family will pay if they did this to hurt you. I’ll rip their hearts out.” Bolt agreed, “No one will hurt mate and get away with it.” We were in sync when it came to protecting our mate.

The Floors

Lexi looked around her slowly. I was in a meadow my family used to go to. I saw a woman laughing. I gasped as shock coursed through me. I whispered, “Mom?” She turned, “Hello, dear. I was beginning to think you weren’t going to make it here to see me.” I gulped, “Did I die?” My mom laughed, “No, silly girl you fainted. Your brain is on overload.” I wanted to cry, “So this isn’t real? You know what I don’t care.” I rushed over and hugged her.

I choked back a sob as my arms wrapped around my mother for the first time in over a decade. I said, “I miss you mom.” She smiled and patted my back, “I know you do, sweet girl. We don’t have much time. Your wolf needs you to wake up.” I scoffed, “My subconscious is weird today.” My mom smiled, “I am not your subconscious, Lexi Scarlett Scott. I am your mother, and we need to talk.”

I groaned, “Nothing good is ever followed by those words. Can’t we just enjoy this visit until it ends?” My mom apologized, “Sorry but no. You need to tell Heath to open the floors.” I asked, “What?” My mom repeated, “Tell your brother to open the floors.” I stared at her then said, “I have NO IDEA what that means. What floors?” My mom answered, “In our house.”

I faltered, “Mom, we haven’t been back there since…. I can’t tell him that. He will think I’m crazy. It makes no sense. Then again neither does me seeing you or speaking with you.” My mom insisted, “You have to tell him because some answers are there.”

I changed the subject, “Speaking of answers, who was your ex-boyfriend? Is he after me and Heath?” My mom cringed, “Let’s not talk about him. Let’s discuss your string.” I shouted, “Mom! I need to know his name. Heath and I are in danger! I’m pretty sure we are anyway. I KNOW I am.”

My mom nodded, “I know that, sweetie. I was only allowed to tell you about the floors. Don’t trust everyone. Your father and I trusted the wrong people. In fact, we trusted too many people.” Tears filled my eyes, “One of our people killed you?” My mom rubbed my cheek, “I can’t tell you that.”

That annoyed me. I asked, “What can you tell me?” My mom reiterated, “Open the floors.” I groaned, “Fine. I’ll tell Heath about the dumb floors.” My mom smiled, “Good. Now, your string, quite the pickle you two are in.” I held up my hands, “I don’t want to know.”

My mom looked disappointed, “I know. I think you should let him tell you about what’s going on. Or ask your friend, the little Fairy Hackura Princess. She’s such a tiny adorable little fairy.” I sighed, “I know I could ask them both to tell me, but I don’t want to know.” My mom laughed, “You always were such a stubborn child. Just like your father.”

I asked, “Why isn’t dad here?” My mom raised an eyebrow, “What? I’m not good enough for you now? You were always such a daddy’s girl.” I gasped,” Mom! Don’t say that. I miss you both. I found you guys that morning.”

My mom tucked my hair behind my ear, “I know. I am so sorry about that. Your dad and I, we made mistakes. Don’t follow our path.” I threw my hands in exasperation, “How the heck am I supposed to know what that path is?” My mom answered, “Follow your heart, and stick by your wolf.” I grumbled, “Apparently that’s the family's going advice.”

Her question was immediate, “Which family? Mine or your father’s?” I rolled my eyes, “I don’t know. They left a letter.” She laughed, “Probably your father’s then, that’s more their style.” I asked, “Why didn’t you tell us about them?”

My mother sighed, “Sometimes, when you feel like it’s you and string against the world it’s a self-fulfilling prophecy. We thought they betrayed us and cut them out. One of those things you always think you’ll have time to fix later, but time was not on our side. Be brave my little Lexi. I am so proud of you and your brother.”

I smiled, “I’ll tell him you’re proud of him. That would make him happy.” My mom looked to her left, “I have to go. Just be careful. Just because you think someone is a good person doesn’t mean they are.” I tried again, “Do you know who killed you and dad?” My mom answered, “I do and so do you.” With that she was gone.

I sat up gasping. Chase instantly had me. He said, “Hey Sweetheart, it’s ok. I’ve got you.” I held onto him, “Chase! I….” I paused because I had no idea how to tell him what I’d just seen. I’d sound like a crazy person. Chase explained, “You passed out after reading the letter from your supposed family member. Heath came by and said he’s going to look into it.” I nodded. Heath came by? That means he met Chase. God. I did not have the mental capacity for this tonight.

I just said, “Ok. This night has been really crazy.” Chase laughed, “It has been, but is Halloween after all.” I bit my lip and nodded. I questioned, “How long was I out?” Chase answered, “A few hours.” I nodded, “That makes sense. I was running all over the damn place tonight.”

Chase cautiously asked, “Did everything go ok for you?” I nodded, “One unforeseen factor, but I dealt with it quickly.” Chase pressed, “Do you know why your brother was protecting Sophia’s area with the Black Arrow?” I admitted, “I know part of the reason is because her territory is where our Shroud is. I think there’s more to it though.” Chase nodded.

I bit my lip then asked my own question, “Do you think it’s weird that her father got sick?” Chase sighed, “So Heath told you he thinks her dad was murdered?” I’m sorry, they were friends who talked now? How did I miss that?

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