I had just walked into my house when I heard a pop. I smiled, “Haley…” I trailed off when I saw her face asking, “What happened?” Haley gently instructed, “Suit up.” I opened my panel and grabbed my arrow gear, putting it on quickly.
I questioned, “What’s going on?” Haley's eyes blazed, “We are going to rescue Ted.” I paled shrieking, “WHAT?” Haley explained, “One of Alpha Chase’s pack members bragged about how progressive their pack is to her cousin in Kentucky. Said cousin turned around and bragged to his pack, and some members didn’t see it positively. They drove all night to kidnap him. We are going to pop to him. It’s going to come out he’s Hood since you’re with me. I can do it without you, but…”
I interrupted, “Fuck that. Ted doesn’t go on missions. If it comes out, he’s part of the Hood it will protect him. I won’t leave him in trouble. How long have they had him?” Haley answered, “I just popped Eric and Jackson to Alpha Chase. None of the other packs around here know it’s even happened yet. I told Eric that Emmaline and Lucas need a minute. Emmaline is still dealing with what she saw at the dance. It wasn’t real, but her soul needs Lucas. I told Beta Matt and Alpha Chase I’d handle it. That there was no need to call in other packs because Ted would be back shortly.”
I looked and saw Blade in the corner. I nodded to him, “You disappear so fast, Blade, I didn’t see you fade back. Let’s go get Ted and kill some assholes.” Haley grabbed me. We popped to tree cover in a field.
I heard Ted yell, followed by a hit. I hissed, “I’ll kill them.” I notched an arrow and began to let them fly. We’d killed those guarding the perimeter easily working our way inside. We went through a broken window I’d spotted. Haley signaled me. She felt twenty unfriendlies and Ted. I nodded and we split up.
We reached the room where they were holding Ted. My anger consumed me. Ted was bleeding. One of the men spoke, “He wasn’t even hard to take.” Matt growled, “I WILL KILL YOU!” The wolf laughed, “You marked him, so meet our demands and step down as Beta.” Ted yelled, “Don’t!”
I heard Alpha Chase growl, “You will all die for taking our Beta Male. I’ll follow you all the way back to Kentucky if need be. I will declare war between us. Give him back to us, NOW!” I shivered. His tone was so hot. FOCUS LEXI!
Another man raised a knife, his intent clear. He was going to cut Ted. I let my arrow fly, hitting him in the hand holding the knife. Killing him too quickly wasn’t something I wanted to do. I wanted him to have a moment of panic before he died.
The man screamed and I sank three arrows into his chest. Ted’s gaze shot to me. He laughed, “Well, it’s about time.” Haley took half the room out, and I jumped down from my perch. I sank my arrows into several of them before I got to the man who’d been speaking.
I spoke, “In your arrogance you made a VERY foolish mistake.” The man was shaking in fear. He asked, “Why are you even here, Black Arrow?” I said, “Because we come for our own.” Ted smirked and I heard gasps on the computer.
The man looked horrified. He shrieked, “He’s Hood? HIM?” I confirmed, “Yes, he’s one of us.” I slammed my bow into his face then quickly snapped his neck. I untied Ted while Haley handled the other side of the room.
Haley stepped towards him asking, “Ted, do you want me to pop you to Matt before I heal you?” Ted shakily nodded, “Yes. Thank you, BA. I just knew someone was coming.” I put a hand on his shoulder, “Any time. No one messes with our people and lives. I’m sure the Hood himself will have a lovely chat with the ass backwards packs in Kentucky. This is the start of the wrath they will feel for taking a Hood member and hurting them.” I touched his face and he winced. Haley interjected, “Well, let’s get going.”
She popped us to my place. Ted hugged me, “Thank you, Lex.” I said, “I know I outed who you were to Matt, I’m sorry.” Ted shrugged, “You’ve solidified that I can’t go on missions. I could kiss you. In fact,” He kissed me on the cheek then continued, “Seriously, I’m not upset and now I can tell Matt. He’ll know you’re Hood too though.”
I shrugged, “He already figured that out, but not who I am within the Hood. It’s not like Hood members don’t blend into other businesses. It won’t be assumed I’m Hood unless they meet us both. It’s not a problem anyway. I don’t travel as Lexi Scott. Everyone in the Hood will find out that you’ve found your string now though.”
Ted gave me another hug before he stepped back, “That’s fine. We will figure it out. The situation was out of our hands. I can already hear my mom yelling from here about me not telling her immediately I’d found him.” I laughed.
Haley said, “I’ll have him call you after he’s healed. It would spread around that he got taken.” I nodded, “I’ll call my brother. I’m sure since we are friends it makes sense anyway that you called me; should it get asked though, my brother is out of town.” Haley nodded, “Always good to have that knowledge.” She smiled at me and popped them away.
I put my gear away and jumped in my bathroom for a quick shower, which was silly because I got right out and put on running clothes. I was amped up and needed to go for a run. I called Heath first. He answered, “Hi, Lex. Do you miss me already?” I jumped right in, “Ted found his string.” Heath replied, “That’s great!” I cringed, “I’m not done. His string is Beta in a pack near us.”
Heath went quiet for several moments then said, “If his string rejected him for his position, they are going to be in a world of hurt from us. If this pack made his string step down then he is welcome with us.” I smiled proudly stating, “Their Alpha did not let him step down. Ted is the first Beta Male in pack history.”
Heath said, “Well, that is good.” I agreed, “Yes, but...” Heath interrupted, “I knew that was coming. I could literally hear the but in your voice when you first spoke.” I continued, “Ted was kidnapped after our event. We had two and I had sent him to run one on his own.” Heath barked out, “He’d better be fine.”
I assured him, “Haley and I went to get him, however it means that they now know he’s Hood.” Heath wasn’t upset, “That’s not a problem. He doesn’t go on missions and now he’s part of the pack as their Beta Male. He and his Beta will be welcome in the Shroud any time. Others will think twice about coming for him. What pack kidnapped him?”
My phone beeped signaling a text. It was Haley with the answer Heath wanted. I told him, “Two Hills pack.” Heath gritted out, “Well, Two Hills pack in Kentucky is going to get a call and a visit from us. No one messes with the Hood and gets away unscathed.”
I admitted, “I said something similar. Gotta go, Ted is calling to inform me that he’s fine.” Heath laughed, “Of course he is. You and Haley always cover your ass. It’s so impressive because she can’t lie. It’s good that you got him quickly. We’d have brought him home. He’s Hood and he’s family.” I replied, “Love you, Heath. Stay safe.” Heath chuckled, “You too. Get your I’m scared tone on.” I laughed and hung up the phone.
I answered Ted’s call making my voice sound panicked and shaky, “TED? Ted are you alright?” Ted said, “I’m fine.” I heard a growl. I rambled, “Words going out, no one had an official word. The Hood himself is pissed, Ted. He’s talking about paying people visits, angry visits!”
Ted huffed, “I figured he would be. I’m all good, Fairy Hackura Princess healed and everything.” I heard Matt say, “From now he will have guards, Lex.” Ted groaned, “AWWW come on! BA came to get me herself. That should count for something. See how protected I am? BA? Come on people!”
Matt growled. Ted sighed, “It seems I will have bodyguards. We will need to find somewhere for them to sit in our office.” I agreed, “At minimum, you need them for events. I can’t be without you. You scared the crap out of me.” Ted huffed, “I’m alright. I gotta call my mom. Words definitely out, she’s called twenty times.” I laughed, “I wish you well. You know you should just show up with Matt. That would help you get off her bad side.”
Ted said, “This is why you’re my best friend. I’ll bring him home, and she’ll be too excited to meet him to be mad at me for long.” I said, “She’s been waiting for you to bring home your string for three and a half years. She’s been collecting presents for him that whole time. Matt, I hope you have a truck to haul the LOAD of presents you are going to head back to your pack with. Bye, Ted. I’m glad you’re alright.” Ted agreed, “Me too. BA saves the day again.” I heard Matt ask, “Presents?” I laughed as I closed my phone.
I went out the front and sighed. I still had shadows. I smirked. Let’s see if they wanted to come out and play. I took off running. I could hear them behind me, but they weren’t too close. I was somewhat disappointed because it seemed like they weren’t going to come out even though I’d presented them the opportunity.
I wondered if Alpha Chase have people on me because I was Ted’s friend. These shadows clearly didn’t want to hurt me. I reached a clearing and decided to take a break, which turned out to be a bad call on my part. I saw shimmers start in the space around me.
I yelled, “SON OF A BITCH!” I leaned down and pulled two knives out of my shoes to fight demons. A trick I’d picked up from Logan Cambridge. In the time we spent together, he taught me that the Hackura always had a spare weapon. I’d adopted that policy. The only time I’d forgotten was when I’d put on that Jasmine costume. I wasn’t going to make that mistake again.
Eight demons appeared from the shimmers. One ordered, “Come with us.” I rolled my eyes hiding my weapons behind my back. I questioned, “Why would I do that?” One stepped forward, “We have questions, Diane.” I nearly cursed out loud. FUCK IT ALL TO HELL AND BACK!