Page 182 of The Married Alpha And His Arrow: Vol 1

Heath and I were fairly even fighting wise, but neither of us were trying too hard to hurt the other. Finally, Sally pushed Derrick aside. She yelled, “ENOUGH! Both of you! This is NOT going to help Lexi!” The Hood’s phone rang, and I put my hands down so he could answer.

As he read his text his facial expression was not making me happy. I asked, “What?” He ignored me. Ted pleaded, “Please tell us is she ok?” He looked at Ted and answered, “Noah, Zeke, and our liaison are back. The liaison was commanded by Haley to not return. He’s refusing to bring them back to help because she’s his Princess. I don’t think the Fairy King would get back to me in time to counteract that order.” Ted questioned, “Haley is with her?” The Hood huffed, “Evidently.”

Matt’s phone rang. He linked me, “It’s Beta Caleb.” I closed my eyes in frustration. Matt answered, “Beta Caleb.” Beta Caleb replied, “Uh huh. Happy Fucking Thanksgiving Beta Matt. My Alpha is SCREAMING in my head because Haley has popped off somewhere with a friend. Now, she is in apparently A LOT of pain. We might be calling our allies to go bring her home again. One can never know. I have calls to make, an angry Alpha, and Hackura to keep calm. Send alcohol. Can you let Alpha Chase know?”

I knew I was pale before my dad put his hand on my shoulder. He linked, “She’ll be ok.” Beta Caleb sighed, “Never mind. She’s back apparently. I’m still going to have to get back to the kitchen to calm down my Alpha. There was apparently an explosion of some kind based on the state of their clothes. He’s rip roaring mad.”

Matt responded, “I’d imagine his mate will calm him down.” Beta Caleb snorted, “Then I’ll have to tear them apart because Haley REALLY wants Thanksgiving dinner to go well. She even made some of the food herself. I’ve never been more fascinated. Dylan will camp out in our kitchens next year because it was an explosion of flour.” Matt chuckled, “I wish you luck.” He hung up.

He told me, “Chase, they are ok.” I pointed out, “He didn’t say anything about her friend.” The Hood scoffed, “Haley wouldn’t leave Lexi behind or hurting. Even you know that.” Matt linked me, “Don’t punch him again.” I growled, “Why not? I’d feel better.” Matt reasoned, “Lexi wouldn’t.”

The Hood’s phone rang again. He answered, “Bjourn.” Bjourn greeted, “Ahh the Hood. You have been causing all KINDS of trouble in my life lately. If I were you, I’d stop. I dislike feeling my sister in pain.” The Hood replied, “I didn’t call her this time.” Bjourn didn’t care, “It’s your fault all the same. Lexi is worried about you. She can’t find you.” The Hood responded, “I’m on my way.” He flashed out of the door.

A few minutes later Ted and I both got texts. I announced, “She said she’s running late, but she’ll be here soon.” Everyone breathed easier, but Ted and I were still pacing. Matt asked, “Can’t you just sit down?” I retorted, “If it was Ted, would you sit down?” Matt sighed, “No, but at least go and wash up, Lexi won’t like the look of you having a beat down with her brother.”

Ted said, “This is just as bad as her emergency calls.” I walked toward the kitchen calling behind me, “Emergency Calls?” Ted explained, “She has a system. People can reach out to her for help. A horrible alarm sounds on her phone with a code she assigns of who’s calling her. Just prepare yourself should you be with her, and it goes off. It’s awful and she goes in blind.”

Matt winced. I returned to the room, teeth bared, “Blind?” Ted said, “She doesn’t know why they called her, just that they did.” I sarcastically spat out, “Well isn’t that just great.” Ted shrugged, “She’s always fine.” I bit back, “Well that makes it so much better. Oh wait, no it doesn’t. Going in blind never does anyone any good.”

Ted snorted, “Say that to Haley when I’m around. She gets her protection called upon and goes in blind every time.” I shouted, “Fuck you, Ted! Now, I’ve got to feel sorry for Alpha Eric.” Matt linked, “Your mate has a calling card. That has to be what Ted is talking about.” I replied, “OF COURSE she does because we know she has a moniker.” Matt linked, “If you ask him what hers is we could figure out WHO she is.” He was right.

I asked, “What does she give people so they can call her?” Ted snorted, “I can’t tell you that.” I smirked triumphantly, “So, that would tell me who she is?” Ted pointed out, “Everyone has a unique calling card. It would tell you who any of them are if you knew their real identity and they gave it to you.”

I was about to answer when Lexi flashed through the front door. It was as if air had been breathed into my lungs. Not knowing where she was had been torture. When she got pregnant her brother would have to deal without her. Maybe even when I marked her. Although, I could have a hint at her emotions when I finally marked her. Bolt said, “I’m just saying it would solve A LOT of problems.” And anxiety.

My dad linked me, “She’s here and she’s fine.” I managed to get my joke out. Matt linked, “That was a pity laugh she just did. If you’d told it all together it could be real.” I responded, “Shut up.” Lexi turned to face everyone. Cameron linked me, “She’s going to take ten years off all our lives with this shit.” I scoffed, “Going to? My life is shortened by this experience.”

My dad stood to hug her followed by Nadine. Susie cut in front of Cameron. Susie greeted, “Hi, Lexi! Everyone was worried, but I knew you’d be fine. You’re SUPER fast!” Lexi laughed, “That’s true. I am super-fast.”

The joy on Lexi’s face as each member of the family hugged her couldn't be contained. Bolt linked, “She belongs here with us.” I replied, “I know she does.” We all sat down. Sally and Nadine took everything out of the oven. I guess they’d moved everything back to keep it warm.

My dad carved the turkey since we’d sent the staff home to be with their families. We talked and laughed for hours. Nadine made her Thanksgiving cocktail for the girls while they cleaned up. My dad sat down, “You look happy with her Chase. You two are striking together.” I smiled and looked down.

My dad looked between Cameron and me. He told us, “I’m not getting any younger you two. A grandpup would be welcomed.” I choked on my beer. Cameron laughed, “We should be able to give you one after Reagan’s next heat.” My dad had no idea they’d been trying all this time.

My dad gave us both pointed looks, “Then you two BETTER figure out how to join our packs before my grandpup is born.” Cameron cautiously told him, “Ummm that would be several months ahead of when the plans say work will be complete.” My dad shrugged, “I said what I said, boys.”

Isaac laughed, “I’ve got you there. Matt, Ted, and Joanie plan to start their parenting journey after the packhouse is finished. We will all be in the same place, and I cannot thank you enough for that, son. Your mother would be madder than a hornet.”

Isabell walked into the room and snorted, “I’ve got three grandpups now. NONE of whom live here!” Isaac smiled at her, “It’s MAYBE a thirty-minute run to see them, and you make it several times a week.” Isabella retorted, “Yes, and I will continue to do so. They are all cuties, but to have one here; that I could see and help with all the time. Well….” We all laughed.

Ted chimed in, “Since you brought up that point, I was going to ask if you wanted to stay with us for the first two weeks after the baby is born.” Everyone turned to Ted in shock. Ted blinked, “What? My mom wants to take the second two weeks. Based on when all this is going on Tate will be out on missions during those weeks. It will distract her. I guess we should factor in Joanie’s mom too.”

Isabella asked, “Stay with you? Really?” Ted sounded confused, “Yeah, I mean we will all need to get sleep. An extra pair of hands can’t hurt. If you don’t want to that’s fine! You’re not far away...” Isabella cut him off by hugging him tightly.

She looked at Matt stating emphatically, “I love him, Matthew. I would love to stay with you the first two weeks. I’ll talk to Joanie’s mom and work it out. Since Joanie’s got her own separate house, her mom could stay there if she wanted.”

Isaac grumbled, “And leave me all alone getting in all that time with our grandpup? I don’t think so! I’m coming too.” Matt snorted, “Fine. Everyone is invited for the first two weeks.” Isaac smiled, “I did love those first couple weeks bringing you all home. You were all so different. It was better when you started sleeping more though. So much better.” We all started laughing.

The rest of the women came in and sat down. Derrick’s parents walked inside. His mom waved, “Sorry we were late! What did we miss?” Sally walked over and hugged them. They beamed at her. She said, “Actually you’re just in time! I was just about to hand out pie.” Lexi jumped up smiling, “I’ll help you pass them out.”

They started to leave then both turned around. Simultaneously they called, “Ted!” Ted sighed, “Fine.” He followed after them. After several moments, we heard Ted’s squeal from the kitchen. Matt stood as we heard two slaps probably on the arm.

Matt frowned then sat down. He told us, “He says it’s his favorite dessert.” I linked him, “Why do you have that look?” Matt answered, “Because he’s lying.” I assured him, “I’m sure we will find out soon.” Their group came back, and they all passed out pie.

Sally gave Derrick his piece last, and they all sat down. None of them were eating their pie. They were just staring at Derrick. I linked Matt, “What the hell is going on?” Matt answered, “I don’t know.” Derrick bit into his pie. Sally put her fork down and just looked at him.

I linked Matt, “Look at his plate.” Matt’s eyes widened, “OH MY GOD!” Derrick turned to Sally, “This is amazing, sweetie pie. It’s a good thing I’m a werewolf or with all your amazing cooking I’d have to be in our gym all the time.” She smiled at him, and he stuck his fork back into his pie.

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