Page 91 of The Married Alpha And His Arrow: Vol 1

Chase carried Lexi back to her bed. I was seething, thinking of all the way’s Noah would suffer once I found him. For putting this look on her face alone he’d spend time in my dungeon before he died. I began to search Lexi’s drawers for some underwear and a sports bra. The fact that she didn’t ask what I was doing further fueled my anger. Noah had no idea who he was dealing with. I would be sure to let him know shortly. No one would do this to Lexi and live. Not while there was still breath in my lungs.

I finally found what I was looking for. Lexi had such a blank expression as she put them on. I grabbed my hoodie off the floor. I’d need to get her another one so she could rotate between them. For now, she could keep wearing this one. She put my hoodie on and slid down on the bed.

Her broken cries were like a dagger to the heart. Matt linked me, “This Noah guy is so fucking dead. Ted is just broken by how he saw his mom. HELL, I love his mother already. He literally smashed her brains in. Haley is a very powerful healer, thank the Moon Goddess.”

I replied, “I’ve been calling Noah the dead motherfucker for weeks now. You’ll get no arguments from me. Thank god Haley likes me now, or I’d be sending her flowers every damn day.” Matt snorted, “Ted’s telling me about some mouse his mom tried to catch once.” I admitted, “I’m getting the same story.”

Matt huffed, “Anne is the sweetest lady. She reminds me of Ted. I’m going to crush Noah’s skull with my bare hands.” I reminded him, “You’ll have to get to him first then because I have plans for the dead motherfucker.” Thank the Goddess Alpha Eric had met Haley when he did. I’d have to call him and thank her. The grief Ted and Lexi would’ve felt if she hadn’t made it in time... Actually I didn’t want to think about that.

I felt bad listening to Lexi talk about how she wished she had met Haley earlier. She thought her parents would be alive. Unless a lot of events changed it wouldn’t have mattered. I couldn’t tell Lexi her parents would’ve been dead even if Haley had tried to heal them when Lexi found them. They were already dead. Haley couldn’t have done anything about that. I held her as she cried.

After what felt like hours of my heart breaking, she wiped her tears. She was worried about Ted now. I linked Derrick, “How’s everything going?” Derrick sighed, “Your dad is stalking around, and giving me a headache. I sent him to our border with Sophia.” I apologized, “I’m sorry man.” Derrick snorted, “I’ll be collecting in full on this debt you owe me when Sally comes back.” He purred her name.

I cautioned, “We don’t know if you are her mate yet. It’s just a guess.” Derrick huffed, “You don’t know. My wolf and I are damn sure.” I rolled my eyes. Before I could reply Lexi started crying again about Beta Dylan’s wedding. I wanted to groan.

She was worried about the attack. I was trying not to laugh because it wasn’t the right moment. I wasn’t walking into a wedding with my enemies. I would be surrounded by my allies. Alpha Eric would be there, and anyone who challenged that man was a fool.

I was more worried she was going out on his mission alone without my men. She was hysterical until I realized I had just the person to calm her down. Haley Conners. They were friends, and Lexi knew Haley was deadly. I could see it on her face that my words had their desired effect. Lexi relaxed and stopped crying.

Not that I thought Haley would let any of Eric’s allies get hurt. It wasn’t her style. When I tried to leave, Lexi stopped me. I heard the shame in her voice when she admitted she couldn’t be alone right now. I pulled back so I could see her eyes. I could see that it cost her to admit that to me. I took a deep inhale not smelling any drugs. All I could smell was the candy she’d picked up from her P.O Box. She must keep a secret stash of candy in the drawer of her bedside table.

I searched her eyes for any hint of deceit and found none when she said she didn’t have any pills. She looked more ashamed than ever when she admitted she could run away and find some drugs. I was proud of her though. I didn’t know how hard what she was doing was, but I could appreciate it. It’s hard to ask for help. Or admit where you’d fail. She was so strong.

I linked Kevin, “Order us pizza please.” Matt linked, “Ted wants to see Lexi.” I let him know, “I just had Kevin order pizza. Link him your order too.” Matt continued, “Ted’s a wreck thinking about Lexi starting popping pills again. I’ve had a whole history lesson. I’ve assured him you won’t let her take pills, but he doesn’t know if you know her past. He’s so worried today would trigger her.”

I answered, “I do know the story. She was triggered, but I’ve got her. Lexi wants to come to you guys for dinner. Tell Kevin to link me when the pizza arrives.” I thought that would be the end of the conversation with Matt until dinner.

I was wrong. I linked him, “Lexi is worried Ted might try drugs.” Matt said, “Yes, I heard about their conversation. He’s not heading in that direction. If he tried, I’d smell them.” I admitted, “I know.” Matt said, “Good. Now that that’s all good and settled. WOULD YOU KINDLY ASK YOUR MATE WHAT MALE WAS ALL OVER MY MATE?!”

I was stunned, “Excuse me?” Matt shouted, “HE REEKED of some OTHER MAN! No one I have met. I know he has ex’s in the Hood. Both he AND his mother told me. If one of them tried to take advantage of his grief and held him as he looked at the scene of his mother’s attempted murder I WILL KILL THEM.”

So, he was not rational. I replied, “Off the cuff question for you, did you ask Ted?” Matt growled, “HE HAS BEEN TRAUMATIZED!” I commented, “And probably thoroughly fucked.” Matt growled, “ASK HER!” That meant I was right.

I about fell off the bed when she said Haley said this would happen. Alpha Eric wouldn’t let them taunt Matt this way without warning. I linked Derrick while asking Lexi to clarify. “Did Alpha Eric call?” Derrick sounded confused, “No. Were we expecting him to?” I answered, “Not really.”

Lexi answered me, but I was still confused. Bolt groaned, “For the LOVE of God! WHO is Tate?” I agreed with him. I laughed way too hard when she told me it was Ted’s brother. I linked Matt, “You got all possessive on your mate because his brother hugged him.”

Matt was quiet for several moments then asked, “That smell was Tate? He’s home?” I answered, “Lexi said this clusterfuck was his welcome home.” Matt huffed, “Well at least I don’t have to kill anyone.” I joked, “Killing the brother is frowned upon.”

Matt ignored my jab, “Ted’s family is really great. According to Ted, Tate was the first one to tell him it was ok if he liked guys.” I asked, “How did he know?” Matt replied, “Ted said he just knew. He thinks he could’ve seen him kiss a classmate, who is an ex. I hope I never meet him. I find I want to punch him in his stupid face that I’ve never seen.”

I laughed, “You’d clearly handle it really well.” Matt countered, “Like you’d handle meeting the Angel that was your mate’s former bed buddy.” I growled and shut our link. Lexi’s theory was Noah punished them by going after Anne.

Bolt linked, “Not a fan of the dead motherfucker, but for prank calls? That’s insane. He could’ve shut off his damn phone or not answered.” He was right. I didn’t have answers, but I did know that Noah would be dead if he entered my territory, or that of my allies.

Lexi was trying to figure out who was helping him. Witches were a given. I’d offer Alpha Hammond but even in his crazed mind there’s no way he gives a SHIT about the Hood. He had enough problems without adding theirs to his plate.

Knowing that Noah wanted her as his end game, and possibly to lead the Hood had my blood pounding to claim her. I gritted my teeth and put it off because it’s not what she needed right now. Bolt huffed, “He can be a numbers guy all he wants. MATE IS OURS!” I assured him, “His numbers were damn wishful thinking because no one would take her from my side. Alpha Eric wouldn’t care that Lexi isn’t marked. He knows she’s my mate, and if he came to my aide everyone else would. We’d bring her back from wherever Noah tried to take her.”

Bolt and I both wanted to claim her. Kevin threw water onto the situation when he linked me, “The pizza is at TeleTed’s house. He’s pacing waiting for Lexi according to Beta Matt. I wouldn’t know because I can’t see him. Which is still freaking weird.” I rolled my eyes. Matt couldn’t have kept Ted busy for a little bit longer?

We walked together to Ted’s. I had to stifle my growl when an arm reached out of thin air to pull me inside. Matt linked me, “This situation is fucked up.” I glared at him, “You’re telling me? I am aware.” Matt sighed, “Your dad is becoming VERY annoying. Now MY DAD is asking me about things. They act like you and I don’t talk to each other and won’t figure out what they are doing. Seriously, this shit didn’t work when we were pups. Why would it work as adults?”

I shrugged, “If you were still worried you might tell him something.” Matt disagreed, “No, I wouldn’t.” I raised an eyebrow, “You, Cameron, Nadine, Dad, and Reagan were all ready to do an intervention.” Matt cringed, “Maybe.” I rolled my eyes, “Not maybe. I’m sure with Cameron and you no longer being worried my dad feels like he’s isolated in helping me. So, he’s pulled in the man who always has his back.” Matt huffed, “Screw your point.”

Matt linked me, “If you need to deal with your dad tonight, she can stay with us.” I snorted, “I’m not missing time with Lexi to appease my father. I’m not a pup anymore. I’m a grown ass man. I’ve got her.” Ted was all too amused Matt had linked me to get details on the male scent.

Matt linked me, “Again, I couldn't ask him. That would be insensitive and I’d look like an ass.” I was just really happy that all this was working out for Matt and Ted. They would face discrimination in our world, but at least they had a strong support system around them.

---