Page 93 of The Married Alpha And His Arrow: Vol 1

I woke up to Lexi whimpering in her sleep. She yelled for her mother. I closed my eyes and pulled her closer to me. I trailed my fingers up her side, “Lexi, it’s alright.” Her whimpers turned to sobs. She was screaming for Sally. She was begging Noah to let her go. I sat up and shook her, begging her to wake up. I was about to go get some cold water to splash on her when she startled out of bed.

She immediately started making calls. I bit my lip when Haley said she hadn’t been to sleep yet. If I laughed Alpha Eric would hear me, and then the subterfuge would be pointless. When Lexi hung up her hands were still shaking. She was worried, but I wouldn't let that happen to my Gamma or his mate, should Sally be his. Or to anyone if I could help it.

I would take Lexi’s dream as a warning from the Moon Goddess herself. Sally could take her time, but she’d be very well protected until she was marked. Once she was then her protection detail could revert to only Opal and Willow again. I would not let any harm come to Sally Quaid.

I encouraged Lexi to call her brother about the other part of her dream. I contemplated what she told me. What would make James Scott force his family out? One look at Lexi and I could tell you there was one person in the world I could cut my family off for, it was her. If her parents cut their families off, it was for each other.

I was worried that Lexi’s thought process about isolating her parents was right. If it was, that was one hell of a slow burn for revenge. I didn’t know how to dig into Lexi’s past, but something told me this was what was lurking in the shadows for her. Whatever hung over her family, this was it. I couldn’t lose her. Without her the rest meant nothing.

I linked Matt. “Are you awake?” Matt grunted, “I hate you.” I ignored the jab, “We have a lot to discuss. Someone possibly isolated Lexi’s parents from their families. Enough that her father threw them out of the Shroud. Neither Scott sibling remembers their family, but Lexi remembered the conversation being had that night. It seems to indicate they have family out here.”

Matt speculated, “Or that there are two Shrouds. Lexi’s family created it for their people. If they were kicked out, they could just create a new one.” I groaned, “FUCK!” Matt grumbled, “I’ll get to the office.” Lexi and her brother hung up the phone and she went into hysterics.

I offered to help her look, but she was right. Heath would know I was looking. He’d probably come try to fight me. For some reason he seemed to be waiting for me to make just one mistake. I just wish I knew why. We showered and left together. I walked her to her car and kissed her goodbye.

I shifted and took off running. I knew that Kincade and Kevin would be with Lexi. Bolt huffed, “Something feels off, Chase.” I asked, “What?” He huffed, “I don’t know.” I mentally shrugged, “Let me know if you get an idea.” He huffed but shut himself off. He usually did that when he was thinking.

I walked into my office. Matt and Derrick were already there. I said, “Derrick. I need you to remain as calm as possible.” Derrick shot up, “Is Sally hurt?” I answered, “No, and we are going to keep it that way. I need you to come up with three more guards for Sally that are acceptable to you. Lexi had a dream. I’m taking it as a warning from the Moon Goddess.”

Derrick growled, “What happened in the dream?” I sat down, “Noah had Sally, and told her she should’ve accepted her wolf. She cried saying she did, she just wanted time. Noah told her that her wolf could’ve saved her, and then he slit her throat.”

It was a good thing Haley had enchanted my office because Derrick’s growl of anger shook my windows. I was actually impressed. I continued, “Which is why you will pick three guards you are comfortable with adding to her detail until she’s ready to be marked. I will NOT be defeated by some sniveling, wheezing coward who goes after women he’s abused. When Sally comes back not only will she be learning self-defense in the class Lexi signed her up for; she will train with Opal.” Derrick paced but acknowledged, “It’s a good plan.”

Kevin called my cell phone. I tensed, “Kevin? Is Lexi ok?” I asked, at the same time Matt got a call from Ted. My heart sank. Kevin questioned, “You don’t have Lexi with you?” What? He should be with her. Kevin explained before I asked, “Your dad linked us this morning. He sent us to our border with Sophia. He said there was a rogue attack, and he needed our help. The thing is there’s nothing here. The warriors on patrol said there’s been no activity either. We can’t catch the scent of a single rogue.”

I was beyond enraged. My dad put Lexi at risk for a fake threat? I listened to Matt’s conversation. My dad had bugged Lexi. I spoke in hushed tones to Kevin, “GET in a car and GET to Lexi. NOW! Check over her car. My dad wouldn’t be satisfied with just bugging her. He’d do it to her car too. From now on you only leave your post if I tell you to! I DON’T CARE IF THE MOON GODDESS HERSELF APPEARS TO YOU! YOU ASK ME FIRST! AM I CLEAR?” Kevin answered, “Yes, Alpha. We will get to her now.”

I hung up and spoke to Lexi. Matt linked me, “He wouldn't hurt her.” Bolt growled, “That’s what felt off. I didn’t sense wolves following mate. I thought they were just further back giving us space.” I assured him, “That’s not your fault.”

Lexi made logical points and all I wanted to do was scream. Fuck her points and fuck my dad. I linked Matt, “When you are done you let me know because I will put his ass in PLACE for thinking of using a false rogue attack. As if that’s something this family should joke about.” Matt winced.

Derrick followed me outside. I didn’t even think I just ran. I only stopped when I saw the Conners brothers on our border with them. I shifted back, “Hello to all the Conners.”

They all shifted laughing except Alpha Eric. He observed me, “Alpha Chase, you look angry.” I complained, “My dad can’t accept that he retired.” Alpha Eric tilted his head, “Been there done that, Alpha Chase.” I raised an eyebrow, “Really?” Eric nodded. I asked, “How did you resolve it?” Alpha Eric smirked, “I challenged him to a fight and he lost. Then he accepted that he couldn’t make decisions anymore without me.” I sighed, “I don’t want to fight my dad.”

Alpha Eric shrugged, “You have to do what works for you.” I snorted, “Can I send him over to you guys for a while? We could let Haley straighten him out.” All of them laughed. Alpha Jackson asked, “What did he do?” Derrick answered, “Bugged the partner of our Beta Male. He clearly forgot who she is.”

I quickly added, “A member of the Hood. Great. I’m going to have to call the Hood himself, aren’t I?” Alpha Eric wryly added, “Not if Lexi doesn’t call him. She doesn’t seem like the type unless your dad heard something he shouldn’t.” I shook my head, “No, they found out right away.”

I changed the subject, “Anyway, I was going to call you this morning. I wanted to thank your mate for saving our Beta Male’s mother. He was aggrieved she had been injured. I believe he would’ve blamed himself. Apparently in the Hood receiving prank calls leads to drugging older women. As rational people do.” Alpha Eric growled, “It’s fucked up. My wife has been on a tangent ever since.” I nodded.

Matt linked me, “You’re up.” I waved, “I’m sure she has. I’ve been told she hates the Troll by our Beta Male. I’ve got to get back. Let me know if Haley wants to take a crack at my dad.” Alpha Eric laughed, “She likes Lexi quite a bit. They are friends. I’d advise your dad not to upset Miss Scott. My wife will be mad if she finds out. That never ends well for those she is upset with. Keep it in mind Alpha Chase if you keep having problems, you may just have to challenge your father. It was the only thing that made my dad realize I’d grown up.” I nodded, “I will. Thank you, Alpha Eric.”

Derrick and I shifted. Derrick linked me, “I know you hate the idea, but he’s right. Your dad is acting like you’re still a pup and he’s the top wolf.” I sighed, “If he does one more thing to Lexi, I don’t know if I could stop myself.” Derrick nodded. We got back to the house and shifted.

Nadine’s car was gone. I looked at Derrick who shrugged. “Good for her. Now that your dad let’s Susie leave Nadine feels like she can actually get out and do things.” I snorted, “He trapped her here as much as Susie.” That fired my anger up again.

I stalked into my office. My dad was sitting there frowning. Isaac was in the corner clearly not sure what to do. I yelled, “What the HELL were you thinking?!” My dad crossed his arms, “I want answers, and no one is giving them to me!”

I got in his face, “So you decided that making up a rogue attack was the way to go? AFTER WHAT HAPPENED TO MY MOTHER? WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?” My dad paled, “I….” I yelled, “YOU WHAT? Tell me dad! Tell me what excuse you use that would be remotely acceptable to send a guard detail I ASSIGNED away from their charge using the VERY threat that killed my mother? Please tell me.”

I stormed to my desk and sat down not bothering to hide my anger. I heard a strangled noise from the doorway. Reagan stood ashen faced with cupcakes. She sputtered, “I... Susie needs cupcakes for her class. Your mom did the cookies. I brought the cupcakes.” I told her, “She’s already at school. Just take them to Jenna’s classroom.” Reagan’s eyes showed her shock while she nodded.

I linked Matt, “Cameron will be coming.” Matt said, “Not in time he won’t. Maybe next time you should slam the door angrily since she wouldn’t have heard that if the door was closed in your super special fairy charmed office.”

My dad acknowledged, “I shouldn’t have done that, but you are LYING to me!” I snarled, “I am NOT a pup nor am I lying to you.” My dad slammed his hands down, “Something is going on! I know it is!” I stared at him, “I’m not telling you it’s not. I AM telling you that if you EVER fake a rogue attack again, I’ll throw you in the dungeons.” He blinked,

I ordered, “LEAVE Ted’s business partner alone. Do you have ANY idea what you could’ve done? You could’ve sicced the Hood HIMSELF on our pack. Did you know he once killed ten people in sixty seconds? You could’ve heard something they didn’t want known. They could’ve come for YOU personally. How can you be so selfish? Cameron and I NEED you! Susie and Nadine NEED you!”

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