Page 61 of The Married Alpha And His Arrow: Vol 1

A glow appeared around Haley. A few minutes later she sat up. She cooed, “You little stinker!” Alexander was now asleep in her arms. Eric snorted, “He’s a stinker?” Haley gaped, “I was…. It was obviously an emergency. Lex, are you ok?”

I nodded and gave her a side hug, “Thank you for always coming to heal me.” Haley snorted, “I’ve told a few people this, but there are some people I’d bring back from the brink of death itself. You’re one of them. I have a circle of friends and family now. NONE of you are allowed to leave me. It’s been fucking decided.”

Eric nuzzled her, “We need to go. I have a meeting and I’m watching you eat before I go to it.” Haley stuck her tongue out at him. Marcus chuckled, “Come on you three, let’s go.” Haley smiled at me, “Call anytime. I’ll always help.” Eric carried her through the portal.

I looked around the room. Ted's face was tear stained. I looked down, “Damn. She even removed the blood from my clothes. That’s amazing because I love this skirt.” Heath shouted, “THE SKIRT? That’s what you have to say?” I explained, “I had a split second. The knife was aimed at Sally’s heart.”

Sally cried, “I can’t even look at him right now.” Heath gently questioned her, “Did they tell you what this was about?” Sally nodded, “He’s gambling, and in debt. A lot of debt, and I don’t have enough to get him out. I can pay half. I offered it to them, but they…”

She teared up, “They wanted to kill me anyway.” Gambling? That didn’t ring true at all. It didn’t match his personality. He was too straight laced. Why would they lie though? Heath’s face darkened, “I’ll handle it.”

Ted offered, “You can stay in my special fairy house tonight, Sally. Matt and I are going to be in the pack house.” Sally wiped her tears, “You wouldn’t mind?” Ted consoled her, “I wouldn’t mind one bit. In fact, I insist you stay there.”

Heath pulled me into a hug. He turned to Sally, “I’m sorry you were hurt. Your business space will be cleaned and cleared. It will be ready for you to open tomorrow.” Ted interjected, “She’s going to have guards too. Matt insists. This is close to their territory. They want people to be safe here. This is a personal affront to them.”

I cringed. If Matt knew then Chase knew. Heath nodded agreeing, “Alright.” He gave me another hug then slammed the door open. He ordered, “NOAH! GET YOUR ASS OVER HERE!” I heard my brother drag Noah from the building.

Sally cried, “I hate him. I hate him so much! He’s gambled our money away, and he doesn’t even love me.” Ted argued, “Sally, he loves you.” Sally wiped her eyes, “Do you want to know what they said? I’m just the wife. That’s why they were going to kill me. Next, they were going to find Lexi Scott because he says she’s hisworld. They even recorded it. They gave it to me.”

I gasped, “WHAT?! Why do they think you’re his wife?” Sally curled into herself, “Noah told them I was. He’s never even asked me to marry him, but he tells people he owes debts to I’m his freaking wife! I can’t do this anymore. I can’t!”

I knelt beside her, “You don’t have to. Just reject him.” Sally was shaking. Ted hit play and we heard the Lieutenant’s voice. I couldn’t detect a single hint that it was spliced or tampered with in any way. It was his voice claiming Sally and I were both his.

Ted looked at me. He surmised, “You don’t think it was tampered with, do you?” I didn’t directly answer, “I’ll have Gunner look at it.” A pop sounded. Haley asked, “Have Gunner look at what?” I sighed and handed her the recording.

I requested, “Can you make sure this is authentic?” Haley agreed, “Sure. I just popped back after I ate to make sure everyone was ok. Everyone does not appear fucking ok. Sally, I’d like to ask the earth to grant you peace.” Sally nodded.

Haley spoke in Fealish and Sally stopped sobbing, Ted rocked her back and forth. Kevin and Kincade were exchanging glances. Haley asked, “What happened with those guys shook her this badly? Weren’t they after Lexi?”

Ted answered, “No, they were after Sally.” Haley gasped, “WHAT?” Ted threw the tape at Haley, “Play the recording in your space unheard thing. She shouldn’t have to hear it again.” Haley spoke her chant and hit play. Her eyes blazed. Her mouth moved obviously saying her space heard chant.

She spoke again, “I WILL KILL THAT MOTHER FUCKING TROLL! Sally, you deserve the world! The Troll does not deserve you. I’m taking this to Bjourn to see if this counts as a problem! I think this fucking counts as him causing a god damn problem! I’ll let you know as soon as possible what Gunner says. Probably tomorrow. I will have Gunner run every test he can think of to make sure this is legit.” Sally said, “Thank you Haley.” Haley popped out and seconds later my office door slammed open again.

Matt and Chase filled the doorway. Chase had me in his arms in a second, “Are you alright, Sweetheart?” I assured him, “I’m fine.” Chase breathed in my scent. I could feel him calming down. I promised, “I’m really ok, Chase.” I felt tears on my shoulder, “They said you were coughing up blood. I have never been so scared in my entire life.” I rubbed his back.

When we parted Sally smiled, “The War Goddess knew I was at my limit. You have met your string. I have nothing to feel guilty about if that tape wasn’t tampered with. I fulfilled my purpose in being with Noah.”

I introduced them, “This is Chase. Chase, this is Sally. We are keeping the string deal quiet. I wish you wouldn't have stayed with him all this time.” Sally nodded, “It’s nice to meet you, and I’m sorry Chase. If Haley comes back saying that voice really is Noah saying Lexi is his world, I’m rejecting him. My conscience will be clear. I tried everything I could.”

Chase growled, “WHAT THE FUCK?!” I put my hand on his chest, “Calm down. I’m yours, not his. Only yours.” Chase declared, “I’ll kill him. I will rip his head off!” I put my arms around him and looked over his shoulder to Sally.

I asked her, “Are you ok?” Sally sighed, “I’ve resigned myself to the fact that Noah and I would never be the forever. I had hope for a few months into our relationship, but I knew this was coming. My tears were more from the shock of almost dying. If you hadn’t wanted breakfast, I would’ve died. For a man that I love, but I’m not in love with and who is absolutely NOT in love with me. I want that kind of love Ted and even you have after however long this has been going on with you two. His eyes only saw you when he entered the room. I want that. Noah’s eyes met mine first, but he always looks for you.”

I reached for her hand and squeezed, “I know you’ll get a second chance string, Sally. I just know you will. You deserve every happiness.” Sally wiped her eyes, “Hopefully if I do get one, he understands that I need to take things slow. He needs to prove to me he actually wants me. Sally Quaid will play second fiddle to no woman ever again, not even Lexi Scott. I consider it an honor to have kept him away from you while you had your world adventures and found your string.”

I hugged her awkwardly because Chase didn’t let go of me. I told her, “You are stronger than anyone I’ve ever met. It was actually the last coherent thought I had after last night with Chase. How you managed to survive these last three years, I will never know.”

Sally cringed, “No one will understand why I’m rejecting him. They will think I’m in shock or something. Where will I go if I reject Noah?” I quickly made plans as I talked, “I’ll talk to Haley. We can give you options. She has two realms you can go to. In both, time moves differently in than here. You can take a week off here and in the Hackura realm it will feel like you were there a month. Faerie is an option too. I’m sure Aiden would let you stay there.”

Sally burst into tears, “Really?” I replied, “Really and I will deal with everything else. We can get you a fairy protected house here until you're ready to go back to the Shroud. We will deal with this together, I promise you. You are not alone.”

Ted chimed in, “And you won’t be alone tonight.” I looked longingly at Chase agreeing, “No, you won’t.” Matt spoke, “Ted….” Ted replied, “One of my girls needs me tonight. That’s where I’m meant to be. I’m clearing my calendar until we get word from Haley.”

Sally said, “Lexi, you obviously have plans.” I shrugged, “We will change them. We are closing up for the day because we’d had a HELL of a morning. I’ll cook lunch for Chase, and then I’ll be over at Ted’s with alcohol, chocolates, and sappy movies.”

Ted snorted, “As if I am lacking sappy movies.” I said, “Fine. I’ll bring alcohol, and chocolates. With some other comfort foods.” Ted squealed, “PIZZA! We are having a pizza party! YIPPEE!!!” Matt warmly stated, “I love him so damn much.”

I confirmed, “Then it’s a plan.” Chase faced Sally, “When you come back from wherever you choose to stay for a while, you’ll have guards. We had just assigned them this morning when we got word. I am sorry it was too late.”

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