Page 159 of The Married Alpha And His Arrow: Vol 1

I admitted, “Matt told me to talk to you. I was going to ignore you.” Lexi shrugged, “You didn’t though.” I asked, “How was girls’ night?” Lexi laughed, “Productive. Haley helped me get all the names of those with P.O. Boxes in the building where mine is. I gave them to Heath.”

Now, I was lost. Bolt told me, “I don’t know either.” I asked, “Why?” Lexi explained, “I think I ran into someone I’m related to that night you drove me there. I got this flash of a man in my memory. I think he said his name was James. There were a few people named James on the list. Heath said he was going to look into them all.”

I snarled, “Did you run into Alfred while you were there?” Lexi laughed, “No, we didn’t run into anyone. That was the whole point.” Bolt was happy with that answer. Lexi sighed looking at the time, “I guess I should get ready for work. We have a lunch we are doing today. I need to set up.” She rolled over and got into the shower. I followed her and took her again while we were in there. We both got ready then I kissed her before I opened her car door.

Matt linked me, “Your wife is here. In your office” I growled, “Don’t call her that.” Bolt snarled, “Send a memo the next person who calls her that is in for it.” I replied, “I don’t send memos. Matt does.” He grumbled, “Fine. I’m telling Balto to tell his human to write a memo.” Fine by me.

I shifted and ran back to the house. Sophia was sitting in on my guest chairs. She had tears streaming down her face. I closed the door asking, “Sophia?” She wiped her eyes, “I have alerts on searches done on my dad's name. What are you looking for? Keep in mind, I have a good idea based on what I found.”

I linked Matt, “Fuck! She knows about her dad.” Matt agreed, “It sounds that way.” I said, “I simply want to look into his death. A Werewolf getting sick is odd.” Sophia studied me then pulled out a massive file. I opened it and glanced up at her startled.

I said, “Sophia….” Sophia interrupted, “It was always weird to me that no one would tell me what happened to my mother. My father couldn’t bring himself to talk about it. Towards the end we had a lot of talks, my dad and me. The doctors told me he wasn’t fully aware anymore, but we had several lucid conversations. My dad’s last words to me were ‘Avenge us. No matter how you have to do that. Avenge us.’ I’ve been trying, but it’s hard.”

Matt and I both stared at her in shock. I asked, “You’ve been looking into their deaths, alone. For four years?” Sophia answered, “Yes, I know it’s someone in the pack. I just don’t know who. I know they have outside help, but I don’t know why. I have to do this for my family.”

I said, “Sophia, this shouldn’t have been kept quiet. This is what allies are for. You have to know that! This is a big deal!” She looked up, “I just need a little more time. I’m close, Chase. I can feel it.” Bolt snarled, “We could’ve had this solved.” Maybe. He growled, “We would’ve.” With several Alpha’s looking the possibly, it was likely.

I told her, “Alpha Eric is helping me look Sophia. We will solve this.” Sophia set her jaw stubbornly, “My dad asked me to avenge him. I have to do this for him and my mother.” I argued, “This file says she was murdered, Sophia. We have to have that investigated.”

Sophia argued, “I AM investigating it. I’ve just done it quietly. They think I’m this meek little girl they forced to get married to keep power. They don’t know that I’ve been onto them since day one. I feel like it’s all connected now. There’s this play to take over my pack. To have me forcibly….” Her voice broke, “Marked. They don’t want me dead. Why? I can’t figure that out. They killed my family, but me they… What? What was the plan? I can’t make sense of it.”

I realized, “You used me from the start.” She glanced up, but the guilt was in her eyes. I stared at her, “You came here crying about needing my help.” She interrupted, “I do need your help.” I scoffed, “You needed a cover, and you lied to me about it instead of trusting me with the facts. I’ll look into all of this and help you. Because I remember we are allies, and we used to be friends. I thought we confided in each other, but I’ve been a pawn for in game all along.”

She reached for my hand, but I pulled it back. She told me, “He said avenge them no matter what. I have to get them justice. You are my friend, and you have been a great one. I just had to do this on my own.” I scoffed, “No, you didn’t.” She frowned, “We can discuss this later, but have to go.” I asked, “Where?” Sophia said, “I’m taking a quick trip to Kentucky.”

I looked at Matt who shrugged. I asked, “Why?” Sophia smiled softly, “I’m meeting someone. I think they are trustworthy. We are meeting in the middle of both of us.” I gritted my teeth, “Middle? Sophia don’t meet anyone from Missouri. We are having problems with them right now for some reason.” Sophia explained, “They are from Illinois.”

I rubbed my head, “They?” Sophia nodded, “This guy and his mate.” I snarled, “What guy?” She smiled, “Tyson. His mate’s name is Ashley. I really need to get on the road.” She picked up her file. She put a flash drive down.

Her eyes flashed an apology. She told me, “It’s all on here. I made you a copy of everything.” I nodded, “I’ll look into everything. I would’ve been for four years if you trusted me back then and at some point we WILL have a conversation about the way you’ve manipulated me this entire time.” She nodded, “A second pair of eyes couldn’t hurt.”

I raised my hand, “One last thing, how did you lie to Haley that day? This has to be why you stalled our annulment.” Sophia shook her head, “No, it’s not. There may be more to my reason, but betrayal is why I stalled. I’ve known about this since before we got married. I thought I had more of the pack’s loyalty. I thought I’d prove myself. I didn’t think there would be a coup to take over.”

She sighed, “I was naive. This is about so much more than letting me prove myself. Someone’s out for blood, and they’ve gotten it. They just can’t have mine too.” I agreed, “I won’t let you be killed even if I’m incredibly pissed off at you right now.”

Sophia smiled sadly, “If my Gamma had stuck a knife in my back, you would’ve avenged me. You couldn’t have stopped him though. I understand you’re angry. That’s fair.” Bolt snarled, “FAIR?! Is she serious? LET ME OUT!” I didn’t answer him.

I frowned, “Stay safe. Are you sure this guy is on the level?” Sophia nodded, “I am. Someone I trust told me that Tyson’s call was coming before I got it. I’m glad they did, or I might have hung up on him.” She laughed and left. Matt went to say something, but my office phone rang. I answered, “This is Alpha Chase.” Heath’s panicked voice came across the phone, “Where is Lexi? She’s not answering her phone!” I told him, “She had an event today. Why?” Heath whispered, “We have a Hood member down in your area. The cops are involved. I can’t get in.” My heart dropped, “Down as in….” Heath cut me off, “I don’t know. Someone is down. I know they are hurt. FIND MY SISTER! I’m calling Haley. She can probably get in.” He hung up. I linked Kevin and Kincade, “What’s going on?” I got nothing back.

I looked at Matt. He told me, “Joanie and Mark aren’t answering their links.” I replied, “Neither are Kevin and Kincade.” I called Lexi and got her voicemail. Colt came in, “Alpha….” I yelled, “I’m busy!” Colt continued, “I got a call. Kincade’s on the phone.” I breathed a sigh of relief and took the phone from him. I said, “Kincade.” Kincade spoke quickly, “Alpha, you need to get down here. There’s definitely magic at play. I can’t even link Kevin and he’s standing right next to me.”

I questioned, “Is Lexi ok?” Kincade took a deep breath, “She’s being questioned for attempted murder.” I shouted, “SHE’S WHAT?!” Kincade replied, “She didn’t do it.” I closed my eyes. “What?” Kincade said, “Something is off with these cops. They are warlocks, and they won’t listen to anyone. They just want to arrest her. My instincts and wolf are screaming that they are a danger to the Luna.” He paused then said, “Wait, the Fairy Princess just walked in. I’ll call you back.” He hung up. Matt and I paced, waiting anxiously for an update.

Hear Me Roar

Lexi stared at Frank in surprise as he filled the doorway. Did he just say I was with him? Holy crap! Was he the one who was following me in the airport? Damn, I need to pay more attention to my surroundings. I’m obviously slacking when I’m not in my BA gear. I was so desperate for my family stalking me to make contact that I didn’t even notice him.

I winced when I saw Kincade and Kevin’s glares. UGH. Wolves were so much testier about being ditched than Hood details. Ted slipped me a note as he left to let Frank and I have our meeting I didn’t know we had.

Frank closed the door, and I walked behind my desk to sit down. Frank asked, “Who did the soundproofing is this place? If I know my son, and I do, he’s yelling right now.” I laughed, “Haley charmed it. You can’t hear in or out of my office.” Frank nodded, “Do you want to read that? I shrugged, “I might as well.”

Lex,

Your wolf is insane. He’s hella pissed. I tried to have your back, truly. He barged into your office. Like an animal. I guess he is part one. Then we all had to awkwardly eat lunch and sit here and wait for you to come back. You owe me so big! You’ve GOT to tell me what you and Frank have cooked up. TeleTed wants to be told the deets!

Ted (duh)

I laughed because that was the most Ted note of all time. I looked up asking, “Why did you say I was with you? Were you the one following me at the airport?” Frank nodded, “I’d scheduled a trip to visit the pack Tenley first went to when she left. That was all I could get on her whereabouts. I didn’t see your text until after you’d shown up.”

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