Page 16 of The Married Alpha And His Arrow: Vol 1

I turned to those in the last two cars ordering, “Go back to your patrols or training.” They nodded. My dad stepped out, “I need them.” I disagreed, “You don’t. Ten warriors, yourself, and Nadine is more than enough. You do not have the authority to pull them anymore. You may be leaving to go ten minutes down the street, but I have to know when you take my people. If rogues attacked us, and I don’t know where the fuck my men are; that’s a problem. I have let this go on long enough. I am not a pup; I am the Alpha here now. I’m glad you’re taking Susie to pick out here school supplies, but these are my men. Understood?”

My dad shuffled, “I’m torn between being pissed at you and being so damn proud.” I said, “I’m torn between being pissed and even more pissed at you. You can’t keep Susie walled up here forever constantly guarded by twenty-two people. One day, she’ll meet her mate. Isn’t it better if she knows a bit more of the world before then?”

My dad paled, “I have at least thirteen years before that happens.” I pushed, “Eventually she will resent you. I’m not saying give her full blown freedom. I’m just saying twenty people to go ten minutes away is excessive. Especially considering you have probably called the manager of the store I own to shut it down.” He looked guilty, telling me he had done that very thing.

I let out a breath, “You’re overstepping. It’s actually beyond excessive. Next time, run this by me or Matt. Are we clear?” My dad sighed, “Fine. It’s hard getting used to not being in power anymore.” My face softened, “Dad, I’ve been in charge for almost four years. You have to trust me at some point.”

My dad stiffened, “I trust you.” I stated, “Then act like it. Or at the very least have the decency to pretend to respect me in front of my men. If you don’t, then they won’t. I’ll lose control and have to assert my dominance on the pack to remind them I am their Alpha. That’s not what I want.”

I turned before he could say anything else. I smiled at Nadine who was standing in the door worriedly glancing between my dad and me. I bent down and gave Susie a hug, “You have fun. Get yourself a colorful backpack.” Susie giggled, “I’m so excited.”

Nadine linked me, “Frank didn’t mean to undermine you.” I tried to lighten her mood, “It’s still weird to hear people call him by his name. He may not mean to, but he does. I can’t have it anymore. He has to know that.”

Nadine nodded replying, “You’re a good Alpha. Frank tells me that all the time. He’s proud of you.” I smiled, “Thank you. I would never leave Susie unprotected. You know that, right?” Nadine patted me on the cheek, “I know you wouldn’t. You are a good man, and an even better brother.”

She walked out the door, heading over to where my dad stood staring at me. I turned and went into my office. Matt was already waiting. He said, “You know, when one argues with their father, who happens to be the former Alpha, in front of the main house people hear said argument. Especially when you live with a bunch of werewolves who have super hearing.”

I sighed, “I am aware.” Matt laughed, “So you intended to cause a panic about anyone disrespecting your orders so that you’d have to assert your dominance?” I shrugged, “It’s better to have them whispering about the potential of it than have someone do something stupid because my dad can’t remember he handed the pack over to me.”

Matt reasoned, “Everyone knows it’s just because of Susie. He’s overprotective of her.” I snorted, “Over half the pack thinks she’s a rumor. They will know Monday that she’s not, but I need to step out of everyone’s shadows. It’s time to be my own man and Alpha.”

Matt questioned, “Everyone?” I said, “My dad, Sophia, Sophia’s pack. I am the Alpha of this pack, not some pup who just took over. I earned the right to take over my pack at eighteen. I worked hard, and even went to Europe for special training. I have reached the limit of shit that I can take. Sophia disrespects me by not honoring our agreement. My dad undermines my authority over some deep fear about keeping Susie safe, as if I would deny him men to take her to get her school supplies. Last I checked, I am not an unreasonable man. Sophia’s pack has been trying to pressure me to mate with her and mark her as my Luna. I clearly haven’t been firm enough about that.”

Matt cautiously agreed, “No you aren’t an unreasonable man. In other news, Derrick is on the phone with Beta Alfred.” I frowned. Derrick had been visiting Cameron and Reagan’s pack getting their Gamma up to speed since he was mine.

I asked, “Why aren’t you on the phone with Beta Alfred?” Matt shrugged, “Apparently, he didn’t like my tone. Words were exchanged and it got heated. Derrick seemed to think he could keep a cooler head than me. Through a series of events Derrick took the phone, and I am now here. Being linked about our Alpha asserting his dominance if he were to be disobeyed.”

I raised an eyebrow waiting for him to explain. Matt leveled me with a meaningful look, “You’re my best friend. You may be keeping secrets, but this clearly bothers you. What bothers you, bothers me. I don’t care if Sophia has some desperate fear of annulling your marriage. Her pack is not my concern. Hell, SHE is not my concern. It would hurt you the most if your mate rejected you, but she is my Luna. It would hurt our pack. I swore an oath to you and this pack right along with an oath to our future Luna. I do not care about Sophia and her issues.”

His speech made me feel guilty. I should tell him about trying to find my mate because she was nearby. I opened my mouth to explain everything to Matt when Derrick walked in. He immediately said, “Beta Alfred said he understands your position and will explain your feelings to his Alpha.”

My phone rang a second later. I answered, “Hello, this is Alpha Chase.” Sophia said, “Chase, your people are threatening my Beta and I won’t have it.” I retorted, “Agreed. Give me my annulment and my people will leave your Beta alone.”

Sophia yelled, “CHASE DANIELS! Threats are not acceptable!” I countered, “Neither is forcing someone to stay married to you when they do not want to be. Neither is going against your word, YOUR OATH AND PROMISE! If you are looking for sympathy, you WILL NOT find it here. You are pushing me and that pushes my people. If you want to be mad at someone, be mad at me. They act on my orders and mine alone. If that upsets you then SIGN THE DAMN ANNULMENT PAPERS!”

Sophia sighed, “So the rumors are true. You are not acting like yourself.” I growled, “Neither are you. The REAL Sophia, the one I grew up with, fought anyone who said she didn’t deserve her place as Alpha. What the hell happened to you?”

Sophia quietly answered, “I don’t have a mate.” I disagreed, “You do, he just hasn’t shown up. I better not be understanding correctly that I have to wait for your mate to appear to be done with this. That’s not what we agreed to Sophia. WHAT ABOUT ME? What if I meet my mate? What if she rejects me because of YOU!”

Sophia answered, “I’d talk to her. Just don’t accept her rejection. I’d tell her there’s nothing between us.” Matt blew out a breath, “Sure, that would go well. Let’s have the wife talk to the mate. What could possibly go wrong? You could have a pillow fight later during your sleepover in your underwear.”

Sophia growled, “Beta Matt, you owe my Beta an apology.” I disagreed, “He does not, and I’m telling him here and now not to give it. This is the treatment you can expect here until I have my annulment.” Sophia huffed, “We are allies for god’s sake! You can’t threaten my Beta with bodily harm.”

I raised an eyebrow at Matt, who shrugged. Derrick was trying not to laugh. I softened my tone, “Sophia, I will always be your ally. We’ve been friends since we were pups. I just can’t be your husband anymore. I never should’ve been and I need you to give this to me. To make good on your word.”

Sophia lamely replied, “You said I had more time.” I corrected, “I told you I was running out of time. With Cameron becoming an Alpha of his own pack, we lost Reagan here. The pack feels a hole. We have our former Luna Nadine still here, of course, but they want their rightful Luna. Everyone in my pack KNOWS you will never be their Luna.”

Matt linked me, “Nadine didn’t have her ceremony.” I replied, “And? We still consider her a Luna around here.” He conceded, “Agreed. Don’t get mad.” I growled, “Why?” I looked down at the paper Derrick slid in front of me.

Anger coursed through me as I snapped back at Sophia, “But according to the reports I’m looking at, your pack does not know that. It seems there are rumors of you becoming my Luna soon are circulating.” Sophia growled, “WHAT? Alfred!”

Alfred sighed, “We just got that report too. They are trying to force both of your hands. Chase is known as an honorable man. If they get it circulated around, they think he will act.” I growled, “Get your pack in line, Sophia. Or I WILL act, and it won’t be the kind they are hoping for.” I hung up the phone and put my head in my hands.

When I looked up both Derrick and Matt were fidgeting. Bolt said, “Mate is near again, Chase.” I sighed and asked my Gamma and Beta, “What is up with you two?” Matt snapped out of it, “Huh? What? Nothing. I... nothing.” I raised an eyebrow.

Derrick glanced at Matt oddly before answering, “My wolf is just a little anxious. It was brief.” I wanted to groan. That must be how I looked when Bolt told me my mate was nearby. Good lord. Were all our mate’s fairy’s?

Matt yelled, “That’s it!” I asked, “What’s it?” Matt quickly said, “Nothing.” We shared a look, and I knew he’d just figured out what happened to me the other day. Derrick glanced at him in surprise. Derrick didn’t understand because he wasn’t in my office. Matt was becoming more visibly agitated, whereas Derrick had calmed down.

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