Page 205 of The Married Alpha And His Arrow: Vol 1

Haley snapped and then stared at Reagan’s drink in fascination. Finally, Haley declared, “Your drink has the wrong name.” I laughed, “People call it Shrek’s piss too.” Reagan gasped, “HEY!” Haley was confused, “Shrek? Who is that? No, those people are wrong too! It’s aDisneyvillain drink!” Miley and I watchedSleeping Beautythe other day. That should be called Maleficent. She’s always showing up in a cloud of green smoke.”

I laughed but agreed, “You aren’t wrong. On New Year’s Eve we should get Cassandra to drink them. We are doing something, right?” Haley started to crack up laughing, “We should have her drink them. Yes! We have to spend New Year’s Eve together! It’s tradition. Google says traditions are important.”

Reagan clarified, “Cassandra Conners?” I nodded. Reagan chugged her drink. Haley snapped her a new one. Reagan wiggled her neck and shoulders, “Spill the tea ladies! I am ready! Isabella hates Cassandra, so my mother hates her too. For literally only that reason.”

Haley laughed, “I’m going to start hanging around your pack more then. Cassandra walks on water in mine. Which is another insane saying. She can’t walk on water she doesn’t have the fairy power to do so.” I scoffed, “I doubt that she metaphorically does anyway. Particularly among those your age and younger. Maybe the older ones she brings around.” Haley seemed to be mentally recounting who she had been around.

Reagan offered, “Come over anytime. My mother would love you.” I announced, “Cassandra’s a bitch, and I’m punching her in the fucking face the first time I meet her.” Reagan choked on her drink. Haley put her hand on mine, “You don’t have to do that, Lex.”

I disagreed, “I most certainly do. No one hurts my little sister on my watch. That’s what big sisters are for.” Reagan said, “That is true, it is. I’d walk over hot coals for my little sister. My little sister says not to mess with me because she’s the crazier younger sibling who can get away with murder.”

Haley laughed, “That’s hilarious. We need to invite your little sister out with us. I love that saying. Did she make it up? Because I don’t believe the ‘they’ of this realm got that right. I’m saying that to ALL my brothers.” They would laugh really hard.

Haley stood, “Let’s get on the dance floor.” Reagan disagreed, “I don’t think so. Tea was NOT spilled.” Haley conjured a cup of tea and spilled it. I laughed as she asked, “Now, can we go dance?” Reagan stared in shock then started laughing.

I explained, “She means give her the dirt on Cassandra.” I knew I’d made a mistake the moment the words left my mouth. Haley frowned, “Cassandra does have a garden. She’s not very good at keeping things alive in it though. I have to use my earth magic to keep it among the living. I keep telling her she should use Google.”

Reagan gasped, “NOOOOOO! You’re why her garden is staying alive this time? She SWORE to my mother her green thumb had finally kicked in.” I smiled, “She doesn’t know Haley is the reason it’s alive. Does she, Hales?” Haley sighed, “It makes her happy. It also makes her spend HOURS in the garden. I have no reason to be in the garden during the day when she is.” I asked, “Does Eric know?”

The door opened and the man himself asked, “Does Eric know what?” Haley squealed, “It’s a mini bad ass girl gang night, Thor.” Eric kissed her, “Jackson and I will stay in my office.” Haley gave him a look, “If past experience is any indication, that’s just not true.”

Jackson winked, “So long as people behave themselves, we will stay in here.” Haley reiterated, “Again, the past indicates this will not happen. How did you know we were here?” Eric answered, “I got an alert there was someone in my office. As no one saw anyone walk in, it had to be you, Angel. Now, Lexi was wondering if I knew something.”

Reagan bit her lip. I lied, “I wondered if you knew we were here yet.” Eric laughed, “You are a skilled liar, but I’m talented at spotting them. Try again.” Haley assured me, “It’s fine, Lex.” Jackson chuckled, “My Spidey senses are calling bullshit sister-in-law.” Eric groaned, “Really, Jackson?”

Haley asked, “Spidey senses? You mean wolfie senses, yes?” Jackson answered, “No…” Then sighed, “Actually, yes. That’s exactly what I meant.” Haley smiled, “I knew it. Spidey senses would make no sense because you’re a wolf.”

Reagan whispered in my ear, “She’s going to say wolfie senses to some werewolf one day, and I hope to GOD I’m in the room when it happens.” I replied, “Me too.” Jackson winked at both of us. Eric said, “So back to the question of whether or not I know something.”

Haley winced, “I’ve…. I’ve been keeping your mother’s garden alive this year.” Eric and Jackson both blinked several times then roared with laughter. Jackson asked, “Molly knows, doesn’t she?” Haley nodded, “Yes, she does.”

Eric rubbed her arm, “Angel, that’s so nice of you. You could tell my mom you’re doing it.” Haley pleaded, “Please don’t tell her.” Eric frowned, “Alright. You know she thinks she’s some master gardener now? She’s giving people tips.”

Haley pointed out, “If they are any good at gardening, they will know she’s wrong. I’ve seen her working in her garden. I’ve googled lots of the stuff she does. It says not to do it.” Jackson couldn’t stop laughing. Eric was trying not to and failing.

Haley pressed, “I told her she should google it, but she won’t listen to me. She says she just has an instinct. The only thing I had left to do was save her damn garden with my powers.” Eric assured her, “Your secret is safe with Jackson and I.” I did not make that promise.

I was going to find the right moment to stick that nugget of information up Cassandra’s ass. I knew it would piss her off. Especially since she’d been bragging about her skills. I wanted her to know that the daughter in law she treats like second rate goods is the one actually keeping her stupid precious fucking garden alive. I wanted her to be humiliated.

Reagan said, “Well, I have to run to the restroom. Lexi, come with me.” Haley frowned, “Lexi, do you have to go to the bathroom too?” I laughed, “It’s a thing in this realm, Hales. Women go to the bathroom together.” Haley looked confused, “Well, I don’t have to go to the bathroom so I’ll meet you on the dance floor.” I nodded.

Reagan led me to the restroom. The second we walked inside she checked the stalls to make sure it was empty. Once confirmed she practically bounced up and down, “You’re going to tell Cassandra about the garden, aren’t you?”

I nodded, “Absolutely. I will use any and all information to sucker punch that bitch metaphorically and physically until she realizes she’s not perfect. She won’t get away with how she treats Haley. It may not be today, tomorrow, or next month, but Cassandra Conners will be on fucking notice that no one messes with MY little sister.”

Reagan whispered, “What did Cassandra do?” I explained, “She treats Haley like crap because Haley doesn’t sweep the fact that Cassandra fucked up under the rug like they all do. I’m pissed because in her own manipulative way Cassandra wants a beaten down version of Haley to surface.” That really torqued me.

I added, “That’s probably not fair because I saw the broken Haley and she didn’t. Fuck being fair though. Haley is who she is, and she shouldn’t have to apologize or hide her feelings. Her family and I have been working so damn hard with her to get her to open up and not push her pain down.” Like a lot of work. Her brothers were devastated when she did it. Logan confided in me how much it hurt, and I had helped them and her.

I continued, “Cassandra, in my opinion, wants to undermine all that work we’ve done. Granted it’s in a few specific cases, but that doesn’t really matter to me. She’s a bitch, and she needs to treat Haley better. If I was in Haley’s shoes, I’d have told Eric to throw that bitch out of the house. Haley didn’t. She’s still trying to make it work for everyone. You heard her. She LOVES the woman for giving birth to her mate.”

Reagan frowned, “I think it bothers Haley that she doesn’t really like Cassandra. I mean she may love her, but she certainly doesn’t like her.” I nodded, “I agree. She doesn’t. I hate Cassandra for that too. Haley wants to like Eric’s bitchy mother and be liked in return. All Haley has ever wanted is acceptance.”

Then the driving factor behind my anger came out, “Especially from mother figures. Her own mother was shit and claims to have loved her. It’s a shame the Fairy Queen and Cassandra didn’t get to spend more time together. Their actions towards Haley have been similar. The difference is, as much as I hate her, I believe Cassandra would do anything for her children.” Reagan agreed, “She definitely would.”

The door opened revealing Haley. She seemed confused then asked, “So, is going to the bathroom code for talking?” I laughed, “Sometimes. Ready to dance?” Haley squealed, “Hell yes!”

We walked onto the dance floor and I saw both Kincade and Kevin do a double take and wince. Reagan whispered in my ear, “Project Mischief has officially kicked off. The guys started their piece today, and now your shadows are going to tell Chase when you are being flirted with.”

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