Page 58 of The Married Alpha And His Arrow: Vol 1

I forced myself away from Chase. I breathed deeply when I got back inside and shut the door. I picked up my phone smiling. I sent Chase a quick text from both my phones, so he’d have the numbers. I shook myself and called my brother.

He answered instantly, “Lexi, I wasn’t expecting to hear from you today. I just got home from Kentucky if that’s what you were calling about. That pack will never bother Ted again.” I told him, “That’s good news, but I need to talk to you in person.”

I heard the Lieutenant say, “We have work to do.” I snarked, “Good thing I said I needed to see my brother, and not you Lieutenant.” The Lieutenant sighed heavily, “Lexi, let’s not do this.” I retorted, “I had no intention of doing this. I called my brother, not you.” He hissed, “You haven’t called me in three years.” I sarcastically replied, “I wonder why. Oh wait no, I don’t. Heath?” Heath asked, “Our place?” I confirmed, “Yes, and I’m asking you and you alone. If he’s there I can’t be held responsible for my actions.” I hung up.

I called Haley next because I trusted the Lieutenant about as far as I could throw him. She answered, “Good morning, Lexi.” I greeted, “It is mostly a good morning. I heard the Troll’s voice when I called my brother. He’s trying to dampen my mood. I need a favor.” Haley happily said, “You want me to kill the fucking Troll? Done. Bjourn has to agree if you say he’s a problem.” I laughed, “Not today.”

Haley groaned, “Damn it! When will people admit if I say someone needs to die, they NEED to fucking die!” I wasn’t touching that, “I need you to do your space unheard chant to the area my parents are buried in. I actually need it done now. I’m sorry for the late notice, but I wouldn’t put it past the Troll to try and spy on Heath and me.”

Haley agreed, “Consider it done. I will help ruin the fucking Troll’s day because he will absolutely try to spy, and he’ll know it was me that thwarted him. I’ll pop there now.” I heard a growl. Haley groaned, “Oh for fuck’s sake you can come too. It will take less than thirty seconds.” Haley hung up and I laughed. They were too cute.

I went back outside and explained to my guards, “I’m going to the place I met my brother at god… yesterday. How does that feel like a year ago at this point? I’ll race you. Just stay back so he doesn’t see you please.” Kincade replied, “Yes, Luna.” I paused then laughed. I waved my hand, “Oh god, I’m Luna Lexi. Let’s just go with Lexi since I’m not your official Luna.”

Kevin tilted his head, “You are our Alpha’s mate. You will always be Luna to us, but we can call you Lexi if you prefer.” I was relieved, “I do prefer Lexi. Race ya!” I took off. I smiled when I saw that Heath was already there. I saw the Troll in the distance.

I glared at my brother, “Really, Heath?” Heath looked at me then looked where I was staring. His face darkened. He ordered, “Noah! LEAVE!” Noah looked confused. I explained to my brother, “He can’t hear you.”

Heath turned to me. Now he was amused. He asked, “Haley?” I nodded. Heath flipped Noah off and turned me, “What’s going on?” I walked to his other side and led him out of Noah’s eyesight. I had to lead him around a boulder to a bench Haley had conjured for me. I came here to think sometimes.

I sat down, satisfied the Troll couldn’t see us or even attempt to read lips. Heath assured me, “I didn’t tell him to follow me. In fact, I told him to stay away.” I shrugged, “He’s the worst. What’s new? That’s not why I called.” Heath said, “I thought you called for an update on that pack in Kentucky, but that’s clearly not the case.”

I took a deep breath then explained, “I have two things to tell you one as my brother and the Hood, the other as my brother and my brother alone. Like you said I could. Which do you want to hear first?” Heath smiled, “Let’s go with brother and the Hood.” I didn’t mince words, “Someone is following both of us. An older man. One who seems to show interest in both of us, and cares about us.”

Heath’s face darkened asking, “Did you catch him?” I shook my head, “I was told about him. I thought I was being followed but didn’t see anyone when I turned around. I’m told the man followed you after we left here the other day.”

Heath stood to pace demanding answers, “Who told you?” I cringed, “That’s a bit sticky as it bleeds into the other thing, that I’m only telling my brother and not the Hood.” Heath groaned, “Of course it does. What is it you are just telling me as your brother?”

I smiled admitting, “I met my string.” Heath stilled, “Did you really?” Something in his reaction told me he’d already known. He was just surprised that I told him. I nodded, “Yes, with everything going on in both of our lives we are keeping it quiet. I’m telling you and Ted.” Heath was surprised, “You’re not telling Haley?”

I admitted, “That’s actually complicated. It's a whole bag of struggling cats right now, but I’m not telling her I’ve met him yet.” Heath smiled, “But you’re telling me that you met your string.” I reiterated, “As my brother who will not utter a single word to your Lieutenant or anyone else. I’m trying here, Heath. You said I had walls. I don’t want that. Not with us.” Heath started to pace again.

After several moments he sat back down, “I am resisting every instinct in my body to lock you down until we find out who’s following us. That would take you from your string though, and I know that you had to have met him recently.” I admitted, “Yesterday evening.”

Heath questioned, “But he was following you that afternoon to see someone else following you?” I nodded, “That pretty much sums it up.” Heath asked, “What is he?” I had a feeling he knew somehow, but I wasn’t discussing that. I told him, “That’s not really on the table right now.” Heath pressed, “As in you aren’t telling me? Or you don’t know?”

I stated, “As in not telling you. This is a big thing for me. I’m terrified the Lieutenant will find out and try to ruin this for me.” Heath questioned, “Why would he do that?” I replied, “Do you actually want an answer?” Heath was confused, “Why else would I ask?”

Well, he asked. I answered, “Because he’s a lying, narcissist asshole who likes seeing me in pain. I can’t imagine he will take it well that I’ve officially moved on. I’m over him but we all know he doesn't believe that.”

Heath looked shocked then said slowly, “You don’t believe him. About feeling the pull to you. You think he did that to hurt you?” I snorted, “It’s not that I just don’t believe him, I KNOW he’s lying to everyone about it.” Heath frowned, “You’ve never talked to him about that day. He’s so sincere. It tore him up that he hurt you.”

It grated to admit, “I’m sure he is convincing. It doesn’t change what I know, and one day if you ask me, I’ll tell you why. Just know you’ll walk away with knowledge that your best friend isn’t who he portrays himself to be.”

Heath stood, “FUCK! I need him right now.” I cautioned, “Be careful then. Watch him but don’t let him know you are. I think you’ll be surprised at what you find.” Heath asked, “What the hell does that mean?” I repeated, “Just watch him. You’ll figure it out.”

I studied my brother and realized he was taking me seriously. He was going to observe his Lieutenant, and he was going to find out what he was doing to Sally and me. Once Heath knew, that lying Troll was out of luck. Not just about me, but about Sally. Heath wouldn’t accept Noah treating her this way. She was one of his people.

Heath gave me a hug, “I’m glad you told me about meeting your string, and I’m glad we are talking. I will look into who’s following us discreetly. I promise you I will protect us.” I kissed his cheek, “And when your Lieutenant suggests I stay in the Shroud kick him in the balls for me, please.”

Heath lips twitched into a smile. He mused, “I’m not sure that’s the best idea.” I shrugged, “It’s how I feel. He deserves a kick to the balls, honestly. It’s better I ask you than Haley. She’d do it with bells on.” Heath chuckled, “I’ll get your feelings across without kicking him in the balls.”

I joked, “A punch to face then? I’m really open to many possibilities.” Heath laughed, “I’ll see you later, little sister. Enjoy your string and don’t hide yourselves for too long. I want to meet him. He better be good enough for my baby sister. I won’t see you hurt again.” His eyes flashed. I briefly wondered if he knew about Chase’s situation, but I shoved that from my head. I wasn’t thinking about that. Heath would fight Chase if it was bad.

I assured him, “He’s a really good guy.” Heath said, “You met last night, but are already calling a good guy? You? My little sister whose walls are higher than Mount Everest? I can’t say I thought you’d say that when you met your string.” Something was odd about this, but I wasn’t going to focus on it.

I laughed, “Go solve the world’s problems, big brother.” Heath hugged me again, “The world would mean nothing to me without you. Call me anytime. It was a pleasant surprise. On both fronts. Normally you’d tell me we were being followed as you handed me the guy who’d been following us.”

I admitted, “I’m trying this whole new thing.” Heath laughed oddly, “Maybe this guy has magical powers.” I slapped his arm, “Hey now! This isn’t about him. It’s about what you said the other day. I love you, and I don’t want you to be at arm’s distance. I want you front and center. Without your horrid sidekick.”

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