Page 230 of The Married Alpha And His Arrow: Vol 1

I growled, “FIND MY DAMN MATE RIGHT NOW!” Sophia gasped. Alfred had joined her. I hung up. Sophia asked, “You found your mate?! Why didn’t you tell me?” I growled, “You are not my top priority or confidant, Sophia!”

Beta Alfred figured it out, “Oh my god! She’s not your fucking girlfriend! She’s your damn mate! That’s why you keep putting me through doors for her.” Sophia asked, “Lexi? It’s Lexi?” I answered, “It took you long enough! EVERONE but you knew. If you weren’t such a self-centered, shitty friend or ALLY you’d know. Alpha Nick knows, and he’s not my neighbor or mentor! I need to get home.”

Sophia held up her hands, “Chase, I didn’t know.” I whirled, “What would you have done differently? Would you give my annulment so I can be with her?” Sophia had tears in her eyes, “I just…” I spat out, “Need more time, I know. It’s just at my expense.”

Sophia whispered, “Chase I…. I was almost forcibly marked by….” It clicked for me, “You were dating Wallace, weren’t you? That’s how he was going to get close enough to you to mark you. He’d just do it while you were having sex.” Sophia cried, “He betrayed me. I love him, just not how he wanted. We had a deal that we would be each other’s chosen mates if we hadn’t met our mates by the time we were thirty-five.”

I stared at her seeing her for the first time. She wasn’t the girl Cameron and I spent time with when we were growing up. Taking care of Allister as a teenager when he was dying was a selfless act, and it had clearly changed her. Alpha Eric was right we treated her with kid gloves, and I was done.

I said, “I can't do this anymore. I’m done.” Sophia pleaded, “No! Chase, please! I’m so close! I’ll talk to Lexi. We can make this work.” I got in her face. I snarled, “You will do NO SUCH THING! STAY AWAY FROM HER!” Sophia burst into tears, and Alfred growled at me. Bolt snarled, “Let me out, I’ll tear him to pieces.”

Cameron had disappeared which wasn’t helping. Beta Dylan ran outside with Alpha Lucas and Alpha Eric. Cameron grabbed my arms as I reared back to punch Alfred. He told me to calm down. I couldn’t. I didn’t know where Lexi was. Horror gripped me. I linked Cameron, “What if Noah has her?” Cameron reasoned, “You don’t know that.”

I knew she’d been scared. I told him I wouldn't calm down. I told Sophia I was losing it. She pretended not to know why. I would be lying if I said it didn’t touch part of me that she was keeping a secret for me.

Our allies were now out here, and she wasn’t outing me to Alpha Eric that I knew Lexi. She knew I wasn't supposed to know her yet. I told her I wanted out. I NEEDED out. Cameron linked me, “Please calm down.” I replied, “She’s out there god knows where, and I’m stuck dealing with fucking Sophia. I can’t do this.”

Alpha Lucas asked if they could help us. Bolt grumbled, “He could help me find a cliff, that’s what he could help me do.” I told Sophia how I felt. I lashed out and it felt good. She was punishing me for being a good guy. For being the ONLY Alpha that stood up and helped her achieve her dream. Bolt grumbled, “Because we were the only one in town. It’s feeling more and more intentional.” Lexi was all I wanted. She was my dream, and Sophia was taking that from me.

I congratulated Alpha Lucas and took off. I shifted into Bolt. I ordered, “Get us back to our territory. NOW!” Bolt retorted, “I’m fast. We will get to mate.” I linked Matt, “Is she in the Shroud?” Matt replied carefully, “That’s a complicated answer.” I growled, “WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?!”

Cameron linked me, “Chase, wait!” I replied, “I can’t.” I pushed myself. I made the run faster than I ever had. I ran into the hospital panting. I saw Kevin first. He stood, “I’m sorry, Alpha. We were attacked from behind.” I questioned, “By who?”

Matt interrupted, “Chase…” I growled demanding answers, “BY WHO?” Kevin answered, “Noah and some warlocks.” I roared. I glared at Matt, “CALL ALL OUR ALLIES!” Matt put his hands up, “We don’t need to do that.” I ordered, “CALL THEM RIGHT FUCKING NOW! NO ONE WILL REST UNTIL SHE’S BACK BY MY SIDE!”

A throat cleared. I turned and saw Heath. I growled at him. He said, “She’s in the Shroud.” I threw my hands up, “Why didn’t anyone say just that?” Heath glowered, “Because she’s not in MY Shroud.” I questioned, “Come again?” Heath rubbed his face, “Don’t make it say it again.”

I growled, “Why isn’t she in YOUR Shroud? Do we trust anyone in the other Shroud?” Heath acknowledged, “Those are good questions.” I snarled, “What’s the damn answer? Don’t fuck with me today, Heath. I’m not in the mood.”

Cameron and Reagan arrived with my dad on their heels, all were breathing hard. Heath said, “She is alive, and physically uninjured.” I said, “She was scared.” Heath frowned, “How do you know that?” I admitted, “Because I felt it.” Heath yelled, “You marked her!” I said, “She asked me to, and don’t pretend you didn’t know I did. I’m not in the mood for your mental games.”

Heath punched a wall. He took several deep breaths before saying, “I’m trying to get her back.” I growled, “Tell me where she is, and I’ll get her back. I’ll call Haley, and she’ll bring her back to me.” Heath said, “If Lexi was in danger, I’d call Haley.”

I argued, “You don’t know that she’s not. You don’t know those people.” Heath agreed, “No, I don’t.” Matt asked, “Why are you out of the Shroud, Heath?” Heath admitted, “To give the appearance that I’m out looking for Lexi.”

I yelled, “For god’s sake! Why would you need to give that appearance? You said she’s in another Shroud, and we have NO FUCKING CLUE where it is! Did I miss anything?” Heath wearily added, “You are in a worse mood than normal.” I snarked, “Nothing gets by you, does it?!”

Heath explained, “I was contacted and told where Lexi was. I was told where to meet to get her back in two hours.” I growled, “TWO HOURS?! MATT, CALL OUR DAMN ALLIES! I’m not waiting two goddamn hours.”

Heath sighed, “Lexi wouldn’t want you to do that.” I asked, “Why? Why wouldn't’ she want me to do that? How do you know this isn’t a trap and that Noah is just getting further away with her?” Heath said, “Because she’s with family.” He gritted the word out.

I scoffed, “Your family that abandoned you? Pardon me if that doesn’t put me at ease.” Heath spat back, “Do you think I’m at ease? Do I look like I am?” I studied him for the first time. He looked bad. My tone softened, “No, you don’t actually. Matt, get a doctor. Heath, were you hurt?” I didn’t smell blood. Bolt commented, “He could’ve run into the warlocks. It could be a spell.”

Heath looked up startled, “No.” I replied, “You're sweating and you’re very pale.” A doctor came over and evaluated him. He frowned, “He’s in shock.” I asked, “Heath? What happened?” Heath started, “I….” He trailed off unable to say anything else.

Ted flashed over to him. He hugged him and whispered, “It’s going to be ok. Tate’s coming, I called him, and he’s going to stick around in the background to make sure everything is ok. You can tell us what’s going on. It’s not by blood, but you’re our family too Heath. Those assholes can’t have you or Lexi. You’re ours. We will get her back.” Heath let tears fall.

Matt questioned Heath cautiously, “You said she was with family. What family?” Heath pulled away from Ted and sat down. He put his head in hands. The doctor came back with some apple juice and a cookie. Did he donate blood? Bolt scoffed, “No.” I replied, “It was a sarcastic thought.”

Heath finally spoke, “I don’t know but I think….” I linked Matt, “I’m going to lose my mind if he can’t finish a sentence.” Matt replied, “Going to? Chase, you’ve lost it already. It’s somewhere back in the Virgin Islands.”

Reagan came forward, kneeled down, and took Heath’s hands in hers. Cameron growled softly. Reagan shot him a look. Reagan turned back to Heath and said, “We love Lexi here. We will help you get her back with your deadline. Tell us what you think is going on. We will help you here. She’s Chase’s mate and our Luna. You are not alone when you are inside our territory. Ted’s here and we can even get Sally here. I’m sure we’d notice Tate, but I’m sure he’s flashing around.”

Heath actually chuckled a little then looked up. He looked haunted. He whispered, “I think I spoke to my dad tonight.” My jaw dropped. Their dad? Bolt growled, “Their dad our mate believes she tripped over and broke her arm? Their DEAD dad?” I replied, “They only have one dad.”

My poor Sweetheart. If she saw him or was dealing with that alone… That pissed me off all over again Matt commented, “Well, Merry fucking Christmas. We have a possible not dead dad in play. Did anyone see that coming?” It was safe to say that the answer was no. Ted nearly hit the ground, but Isaac caught him. He was shaking his head in disbelief.

Heath and I locked eyes. I knew if he was right, if their father was alive we would be on the same side again. We would both beat Lexi’s father’s ass for what this had done to her. Heath would never know, but it would be for him too. I could empathize with him being in a leadership position. I had my dad, thanks to Nadine, but I had him.

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