Page 9 of The Married Alpha And His Arrow: Vol 1

I was only surprised they’d waited this long to try; they'd known they were each other’s strings for three years. I quickly told him, “It’s fine. I’m honestly surprised they’ve waited this long.” Heath winced, “They’ve been trying for two years.” I sighed, “I’ll talk to Haley. She can heal either one if there’s a problem. Hopefully it’s Sally if there is one. Getting her to agree to heal someone she calls a Troll sounds like a task I am not prepared for.”

Heath smiled, “You always amaze me, Lex. You don’t have to do that. I can do it if it’s necessary.” I teased, “She likes me more than she likes you.” Heath shrugged, “I’m a male, so there’s that.” I laughed, “One day she’ll meet her mate, and then we can work on you two being friends.” Heath paled.

I frowned then it hit me. “YOU ASS! She met her mate while I was gone?! Is she ok? God, I need to get to her! How long ago?” Heath cringed, “About six months ago.” I gaped at him, “If she’s not ok….” I trailed off.

Heath assured me, “She’s fine.” I countered, “Sally said she was fine NOW. Explain what the hell happened!” Heath frowned, “She met her mate.” I hissed, “I got that. If he rejected her, and he’s still alive; I’ll kill him myself.”

Heath put up his hands, “He did not reject her, he loves her.” I gritted out, “WHO is he?” Heath smiled, “Alpha Eric Conners.” I sat back, astonished, “Shut up.” Heath smirked, “I said something similar when Bjourn told me. Anyway they met.”

I huffed, “You don’t know how she is, do you? Did she do ok with him? Does she still have a panic attack when men touch her? Does he understand? How could you not tell me? You know I feel like she’s family to me!”

Heath nodded, “I know that. Haley asked Bjourn if you were friends recently. She’s made some now and realizes you two are more than what she thought before.” My lips twitched. That was a big step for Haley.

Heath continued, “She was kidnapped.” I interrupted, “Excuse me?” Heath sighed, “Her fairy uncle...” I hissed interrupting, “Fabian. Who I am NOT allowed to kill.” Heath shrugged, “He’s dead. So…” I gaped. Heath sighed, “Just let me tell the story, Lex. Please.” I agreed, “Fine.”

Heath looked pained, “Her fairy uncle promised her to King Damon.” My anger was making me shake. A royal Fairy was promised to a vampire?! It was good he was dead. I’d disobey my brother’s order and make a special arrow made of iron with Fabian’s name etched into it. I’d sink it in his heart and watch him turn to dust.

Heath continued, “Eric had left Haley at their home because of the vampire threat to attend the supernatural summit.” I frowned. Leaving her behind would’ve hurt her feelings. Haley was much more sensitive than she let on.

Heath wasn’t done yet though, “Vampires and fairies attacked her in their home. She was hit with iron multiple times.” I hit the table with both hands. I knew how much that had to hurt her. Heath continued despite my fury, “She kept fighting and saved their pack any losses, including her mother-in-law.”

I actually smiled. That was Haley for you. He winced, “She almost made it to safety before Arion stepped out and hit her with more iron. He’d waited until she turned her back.” I sat back in my seat in shock. Aiden and Arion were the worst brothers in the history of the realms, but they’d never ever hurt her before physically. To hit her with iron… Fucker. Dead fucker. I’d get him. He took her from her mate? For Fabian? He was a dead fairy.

Heath stalled then said, “It came out after she was abducted that Haley was pregnant.” My eyes widened in shock and disbelief. I could no longer stay silent, “AND YOU DIDN'T CALL ME BACK IN?!” Heath said, “I didn’t call you back, but I didn’t do nothing. I helped them. Allie went and posed as a pet.”

I frowned, “Allie couldn’t fight her way out of a match with a cat! A tame cat.” Heath eye’s tightened, “I didn’t send her to fight, I sent her to be our eyes. She reported to me, and I reported to King Titus what we’d found.” I yelled, “I would’ve gotten her out. I could’ve posed as a pet!”

Heath ran a hand through his hair, “There’s more. They put her through SIMS.” I hissed, “THEY FUCKED UP HER HEAD? HEATH, HOW COULD YOU NOT TELL ME!” Heath sighed, “You know your mission was important.” I threw the cup off the table, “Fuck the mission! Haley is important! She’s… she’s like my little sister!” Heath sighed, “She’s fine. She even killed the vampire King herself.” I smiled, “Because she’s a bad ass.”

Heath nodded, “No arguments from me but she’s all back to normal now. She had triplets recently.” I looked at him with tears in my eyes, “I can’t believe I missed her baby shower. At least they aren’t married. If you let me miss her wedding...” Heath looked away.

I shrieked, “I MISSED HER WEDDING?! The Hackura date for DECADES before they get married!” Heath winced, “They are mates, Lex. Originally Haley was given to Alpha Eric as a bride for a treaty to end the war between the werewolves and fairies.”

Tears coursed down my face, “I’m calling her.” Heath pleaded, “Lex, please. I missed you; I want to spend time with you.” I snarked, “For future reference, Haley, you, Susanna, and Ted are my family. You’re all I’ve got. If I get back and find out something happened to ANY of you while I was and I wasn’t told heads WILL roll. So, pass that onto your Lieutenant.” I spat out Noah’s title refusing to say his name, “He’d be first on my list to beat up. He knows what Haley means to me too. Let me just GUESS who told you I should stay put, and you listened to him. Didn’t you?”

Heath sighed, “It’s not Noah’s fault.” I disagreed, “That’s where you're wrong. You would’ve pulled me back, and we both know it. The ONLY person who could have convinced you not to, is your Lieutenant.”

Heath cringed, “Will you ever say his name again?” I spat out, “No. He is my Lieutenant, and that’s it. I don’t even have to listen to his orders. I am here for you and you alone, brother. I love our people, but the ONLY thing that kept me here after what he did to me, was you.”

Heath was taken aback, “You can’t mean that.” I clenched my fists, “I mean it. The Hackura would’ve taken me in. Haley OFFERED to let me live there. Astrid offered to train me to be in their army. I had options, but I stayed for you. I work for you. I SERVE YOU. Do NOT make the mistake of EVER trusting your Lieutenant’s word when it comes to me, or you will lose your Black Arrow. Are we clear?”

Heath paled, “I don’t care about the Black Arrow. I care about you! You said you were over Noah.” I laughed humorlessly, “I’m beyond over him.” Heath frowned, “Then what the hell?” I angrily told him, “You will NEVER understand the hurt he caused me. I made sacrifices for you and the people around here. Of course, this is how I am repaid. You tell your Lieutenant he has no say over what I get to find out or when. EVER.”

Heath asked, “What are you talking about?” I retorted, “Ask him and when he doesn’t answer you saying he has no idea; remember that the next time you ask him for advice about something about me. I just bet you Heath he says nothing. He will say to do what YOU feel is best. I am leaving. I’ll call you later.” Heath pleaded, “No, please just stay! I’m sorry!” I turned, “Fuck your sorry. I’ll be back to see you, but now I need to check on my little sister.”

I went to my car and slammed the door shut. I drove through the Shroud that hides our territory in this realm. I called Haley. She answered happily, “BA, you’re back! We have so much to catch up on!” She giggled, “Eric, I’m on the phone!”

I quickly said, “I just heard about everything. Haley, I am so sorry. I would’ve come for you. I would’ve come for your wedding, and your baby shower. I would NOT have let you be some vampire King’s snack. I’m so mad at Heath right now that I can barely see straight.”

Haley said, “Bjourn said it was the Troll who needs to die’s fault, not Heath’s.” I laughed. Haley had a long list of other names for him, but the Troll was the nicest. I’d told her to go with that.

I agreed, “I know. I still should’ve been there. Meet me at our place, I’m on the way.” Haley said, “I’ll pop to you.” She was quiet for a moment then I heard her say, “COME ON! I’ll be with THE Black Arrow, Eric. You can meet her later! It’s girl time! HA! The triplets are down for the night already. Bye, Eric. Love you.” She hung up.

I heard a pop and swerved when she greeted me, “Hi, Lexi!” Her phone rang. I saw Thor’s name on the readout. I asked, “You call him that? You found your Thor?” She smiled, “I did.” She answered, “Haley is having some fucking girl time, and can’t come to the phone right now. Please leave your message at the beep. BEEP!” I had to laugh.

I heard Alpha Eric snarl. I took the phone, “Alpha Eric, I assure you no harm will come to her. She’ll be back… well not shortly, but she will be back.” Alpha Eric sighed, “Text Blade where you are. He will come guard the both of you.” I laughed, “Tell Blade it’s my secret place with Haley. He will know where we are.”

I drove to my little house. No one knew I owned it or that there was a house here. Haley had conjured it for me. I couldn’t stay in the Shroud where the Hood lived after my string ceremony. So she’d conjured this place in seclusion for me. I’d picked this area because it just felt right.

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