Page 4 of The Married Alpha And His Arrow: Vol 1

For what felt like the hundredth time, I told my dad “She’s great, dad. I’m so glad you found Nadine.” My dad smiled, “I am too. I just know your mom would’ve loved her.” I laughed, “Not for you, but I understand your point.”

My dad nodded towards the papers, “I’m guessing those are your unsigned annulment papers.” I growled, “Probably.” I opened them. My signature was there, but Sophia’s wasn’t. My dad sighed, “You know you could divorce her.” I shook my head, “I don’t want to take that route. For god's sake, we didn’t even have a wedding! We filed for a license, signed, and then filed it. It’s not like she’s holding onto some deep love we have for each other.”

My dad agreed, “No, not some deep love for you. It’s the older members of her pack. She’s scared of losing her father’s legacy. They are pressuring her to mate with you and have a pup to secure the alliance.” I growled, “She would never do that, nor would I. She hasn’t met her mate; she can’t even go into heat.”

My dad sighed, “They refuse to believe the facts. Claudia Harden circulated that rumor she used a witch to send her into heat. They want Sophia to do that.” I growled, “Claudia MET her mate. That’s how she went into heat. I wasn’t even here, and I heard that.”

My dad held up his hand, “I know that, and you know that. They are arguing she wasn’t marked so it had to be some type of magic.” I frowned, “Maybe, but the magic could only work because she’d met her mate. Or her wolf was trying to push her to Tucker. We will never know, but I won’t mate with Sophia. She’s like family.” My dad laughed, “Technically speaking she’s your wife, so she is family.”

Bolt howled in pain. I clutched my head. My dad grabbed me, “Chase, what’s going on?” I sighed, “Bolt’s testy about everything to do with Sophia. He wants our mate.” My dad frowned, “Don’t you?” I answered honestly, “Yes, of course I want her. I just don’t know what to do.” My dad said, “You are a good man. I know everyone has an opinion about what you did. You didn’t marry Sophia with the intent to stay married to her or even to reject your mate.”

Bolt howled again when he said that. God, this was going to be unbearable. My dad continued, “You married her so she could take her title that she deserved. Your mother would’ve been proud of the man you’ve become, like I am. The Moon Goddess will give you a worthy mate. I know she will. Sophia will see reason, she’s just scared. If her dad were still around, he’d give her one of his rallying speeches.”

I somewhat pleaded, “Do you want to try to give her that speech?” My dad smiled, “For you, I’ll give her one the next time I see her.” We left my office together.

I tossed and turned all night long because Bolt refused to let me go to sleep. He desperately wanted to go to Alpha Eric’s territory. At three in the morning, I gave up on even resting my eyes. I went outside and shifted. I ran to my border with Black Mountain’s territory. The pull to run to his home was so strong; I almost did.

An alarm went off in our link within our pack, “Rogues!” Bolt ran to the other side of our territory in a rage. There was a group of ten rogues attacking. Our border patrol was light this early, but with me there, we’d contained the threat in under ten minutes. Bolt had never been so furious.

Matt came running up to me. He shifted, “How did you get here so fast? What the hell did they do to you in Europe, man? You’re making me feel like I’m out of shape.” I laughed, “So many things.” We spent the morning dealing with this problem.

When I got back to my office my phone rang. Matt answered then grimaced, “It’s your wife.” I growled, “Sophia.” Sophia ignored my tone, “I heard there were rogues. We had two ourselves, but I wanted to make sure you guys were fine.” I brushed that off, “We are fine. Why won’t you sign the annulment papers?”

Sophia exhaled, “I didn’t call you to talk about that.” My voice softened, “Sophia, you knew this was the plan.” Sophia sounded near tears, “I’ll lose everything, Chase. I have to do this for my dad.” I pleaded, “I’m not your mate, and you don’t even like me that way.” Sophia sighed, “I know. I… there’s so much pressure. Would you consider picking a surrogate and having a pup together?”

Matt dropped his coffee. I stared at the phone in shock. Sophia continued, “Well, it’s just that we could get the annulment then. No one could argue the alliance between us even if we were no longer connected in marriage because I’d have an heir. We would be tied together by blood. No one could argue that.”

I emphatically stated, “No, that won’t happen. Even you know that’s a terrible idea. What the hell is going on? Where did you even come up with that?” Sophia agreed, “I know it’s crazy. I don’t want a pup with someone who’s not my mate. I just don’t know how to prove if we aren’t married, we are still a strong pack. Everyone’s just been on my case about us having a pup. A surrogate is the only way I could think about it working, because I don’t like you that way.”

I pointed out, “The entire time we’ve been married you’ve run your pack. I wasn’t even here the last seven months.” Sophia's angrily spat back, “I know! I thought that would prove it to them. My dad was so beloved here. He NAMED me his successor. But does that appease them. NO! I’m good at this. I was BORN to be their Alpha, but without your name tied to mine, they don’t want me. I don’t know what to do anymore.”

I advised, “Then kick those that feel that way out of your pack. Tell them that is their choice. Be sure to let them know they won’t be welcome in my pack. I’m pretty sure Alpha Eric’s mate would use some fairy magic to kick them out of their territory if they tried. They actually might have to go to Nashville, but Soph… We can’t stay married. We just can’t.”

Sophia begged, “Just give me some more time.” Bolt was still howling in my head trying to pull me to Alpha Eric’s border again. I cautioned, “I don’t have much time left to give you. It’s been almost four years. This was supposed to be handled before I came home.” Sophia startled, “Why don’t you have the time to give me anymore?”

I avoided answering, “I just don’t. This was supposed to be resolved seven months ago. It’s just getting worse the longer it drags on. For god's sake, you just asked me to father a pup with you. This isn’t like you. Stand up to them and put them in their place. You are the strongest wolf in the pack. You could take them down.” Sophia was wistful, “I just want them to accept me as I am.”

I reasoned, “The ones that matter do. Both Alfred’s, Junior, AND Senior, REFUSED to take over as Alpha. One, because the name Alpha Alfred is ridiculous.” Sophia laughed as I continued, “And two, they know the title is yours.”

Sophia pushed, “Just give me a little more time, I’ll figure something out.” I reiterated, “We need to end this soon. I didn’t sign that paper for the long haul. You deserve better than some piece of paper and so do I. Your mate is out there, and he will give you the mating ceremony of your dreams. But you can’t already be married, or he can’t give it to you.”

I heard her intake of breath. I continued, “I don’t wear a ring. I didn’t even get you one because this was supposed to be nothing. I felt like the biggest jerk alive because I saw people look at your hand for a ring before I left for Europe. I heard while I was gone you got yourself one.”

Sophia admitted, “I know you are right; I really do. I just have a panic attack every time I try to sign the papers. I just feel like I’m losing everything for my dad. I had to buy the ring. My pack didn’t feel like our alliance was real since I didn’t have one.” I sighed, “It felt shady when Cameron told me you’d purchased one. It was three years of no ring, then I left, and you bought it.” Sophia was silent.

Matt rolled his eyes. I spoke softly, “You aren’t going to lose your pack. I’ll never let that happen. I’ll send the papers back next week, Ok?” Sophia gulped, “Ok.” I gently told her, “Call if you need me.” Sophia responded, “Same to you. I’m glad you guys are ok.” I hung up.

Matt surmised, “They are making her go crazy. Sophia and I have more chemistry than you two do, and that’s saying something because… she and I have none.” I rubbed my face, “I keep telling myself it wasn’t a mistake to marry her, but the longer this goes on; the more it feels like one that’s going to mess up my whole life.”

Matt studied me, “Did you sleep at all last night?” I shrugged. Matt eyebrows furrowed, “What’s going on?” I shook myself, “Nothing. I’m fine. I’m heading out for the afternoon.” Matt was worried, “Maybe stay here and get some rest.” I shook my head as I left.

I got in my car and drove. I ended up at the college in Alpha Eric’s territory. I got out of my car and got coffee. After an hour, Nick Kruthers sat down beside me. He greeted, “Alpha Chase, we got word you were here. None of my Alpha’s knew you were coming. Can we help you with anything?” I laughed hollowly, “I wish you could. You probably could. No, I’m fine.” Nick frowned, “Are you sure?”

I had to give him something, so I admitted, “My wolf is not happy that I’m married to someone that I don’t love, and the situation has turned into a nightmare.” We were both silent. I finally said, “I’m fine.” He stared at me. I sighed, “I’m sorry for being in your territory without calling. Apologize to Alpha Eric for me.”

Nick shrugged, “He didn’t care. He just wanted to make sure everything was ok. It’s not like you to just show up.” It was going to be very like me until Bolt calmed down. He was disappointed we hadn’t run into our mate, but he was quieter here than at home.

I could tell Nick was worried about me now. I stood announcing, “I’ll just get going.” I started to leave then turned, “How are Princess Luna Haley’s partial fairy events going?” Nick proudly stated, “It’s going very well. Alpha Eric is very impressed with everything she’s done, as is the pack. We had another pack member find his mate.”

---