Page 119 of The Married Alpha And His Arrow: Vol 1

I introduced them, “Amelia, Andrew, this is the man you came to meet. This is Ted’s string, Beta Matt Miller.” Both evaluated him. Amelia stuck her hand out, “It’s a pleasure to finally meet Ted’s string.” Matt nodded, “It’s nice to meet you too.” Amelia drew her hand back. Andrew said, “We’ve heard a lot about you, Matt. Anne speaks of you fondly.”

Matt replied, “I can’t say the same. I hadn't heard about you until last night.” I bit my lip. The claws were out. Amelia glanced at Ted, shocked. She sounded hurt when she asked, “You didn’t tell your string about your grandparents?” Ted stared at her and it got awkward.

Eventually he said, “I did when mom told me about dinner.” Andrew's face turned red. Tate quickly grabbed his grandfather and led him into the dining room. Matt’s mom walked up to me, “I hear you met my husband already, kind of. I’m Isabella, that’s my husband Isaac. You probably remember him from your office fiasco with the meddling men. I tell you, you’ll have to watch out for them.”

I snorted, “It was no problem.” She raised an eyebrow, “It was definitely a problem. A glass shattering problem. Men. They just refuse to see what’s in front of me. I myself knew certain things the moment someone stopped spending the night here. How did I know where he was? Well, some people forgot other people having enhanced hearing and have their ‘I’m so worried about my son’ conversation where others can hear them. I knew from that moment who you were, and yet these men just need a flashing neon sign. I’m working on that. I’ve put in an order for it.” I put my hand over my mouth to cover my laugh.

She turned to Matt, “Now, Matthew you BEHAVE!” Matt argued, “They are acting like I don’t exist, which is fine. They are upsetting Ted though, and I won’t have that mom. Not even under your roof.” Isaac interjected, “As if you would expect any less from him, Isabella. I know you’re secretly proud of him.”

Isabella whacked him lightly on the arm, “You and your loud conversation forgetting I can hear you mate of mine hush.” The looked lovingly at each other before he quickly kissed her. Everyone left to go into the dining room.

I was heading that way when Chase pulled me back into the living room. He kissed me, “I missed you.” I laughed, “Maybe I missed you too.” He pulled away, smirking. I was confused until another woman bounded into the room. She greeted me, “Hi, I’m Jenna. I had to go pick up Molly and Jackson.” She pointed back towards the door. Shit. I didn’t think about how to explain why I was here. Jackson would tell Eric. Fuck!

I smiled greeting, “Molly, good to see you again.” Isabella walked back into the room in, “Molly, where are my grandpups?” Molly smiled, “The twins are sleeping. Saied is at piano lessons. She said Jackson had to attend her lesson. He’s not going to make it. She was insistent. There was no arguing with her.” Thank god.

Seeing Chase and me together would mean he’d know for sure. I knew I didn’t know Molly well, but she’d have plenty to talk of about this dinner without mentioning I came. Andrew and Amelia were going to provide her with enough ammunition for her to focus on instead of me.

Isabella laughed, “She is her mother’s daughter. That’s too bad. They would’ve been fabulous ice breakers.” Molly frowned, “Ice breakers?” I explained, “Amelia and Andrew, the grandparents, thought Ted liking men was a phase.”

Molly huffed, “Great. Is Haley popping in? Dear god say no.” I laughed, “I didn’t tell her about the dinner. Did you?” Molly shook her head, “She knows it’s with Ted’s family. I think this will be a mum's the word kinda deal. She could decide to pop in on her own to put the grandparents in their place though.”

I shrugged, “She’s never met Amelia and Andrew.” Molly snorted, “Maybe she should.” Isabella looked at the door. I asked, “Is anyone else coming?” She sighed sadly, “No, my two other boys are off on a covert mission for Chase, I just… I miss them. I knew they weren’t coming though.” Jenna and Molly hugged her.

We all walked into the dining room. I realized my seat was next to Chase. Nothing slid past Isabella, of that I was certain. We all made small talk for a while. Everything was almost going too well. I knew it would end soon, but I was enjoying the moment.

Amelia asked me, “Lexi, are you dating that strapping young man next to you? He’s very handsome. You two are quite striking.” Anne cut in, “Lexi hasn’t met her string yet, Amelia. Unless she’s hiding him like my Ted did at first. Then she will be in big trouble.” I laughed. Isabella raised an eyebrow at me. Isaac choked on his drink and she clapped him on the back. Anne frowned.

Before she could ask Andrew said, “Tate, when are you and Kylie going to give us grandchildren?” Ted was turning red. I quickly stood to defuse that bomb. I cleared my throat, “Ted, why don’t we go grab the wine?” I walked to him and grabbed his hand pulling him away.

Tate answered, “Not for a few more years. We aren’t ready yet.” Andrew pointed out, “I’m not getting any younger. You two have been together since the day you both turned eighteen. What’s the hold up?” Kylie gently said, “I still do missions. We like our life the way it is.” Her voice faded.

Ted stopped walking. I grabbed several bottles of wine and opened them. I turned back around to see Ted wiping tears away from his eyes. He said, “They won’t even ask us; you just watch.” I put my hand on his back, “Then I’ll ask you.” Ted hugged me, “I love you, Lex.” I smiled, “And I love you.” I kissed his cheek, “Don’t let them get you down.” Ted nodded.

I knew they did get him down though. He wanted them to be proud of him. He’d even gone on a date with a girl they’d set him up with once. It was a disaster. I couldn’t prove it, but I was sure Anne and Tony found out because it was shortly after that date that Andrew and Amelia left the Shroud for Nashville.

We walked back out and poured everyone some wine. When we sat down, I asked, “So Ted, what about you and Matt? Are you guys thinking of, I believe Matt says pup and since we are on their lands I’ll use their terminology.”

Andrew snorted, “Lexi Scott, you’re smart enough to know neither of them have the right parts together to have a child.” Tate yelled, “Grandpa!” Matt growled silencing the table. Ted looked right at me. “We plan to have our first child this summer. We are going with Matt and his co-parent first. We want our kids close in age, so we plan to have mine the following year. Maybe even Christmas time.”

Amelia gasped, “That’s not normal! You… that’s not how babies are made.” I disagreed, “In today’s age that’s how many babies are made. Would you condone Tate and Kylie doing IVF if they needed to?” Andrew answered, “Of course, but…”

Tate interrupted, “But nothing. That’s great, Teddy! You’ll be such a good dad! Are you still planning on using your fairy for your turn? Or will you use a she wolf too?” Ted laughed, “Of course I’m going with my fairy. A baby that can conjure its own bottle? Sign TeleTed up.” Matt grabbed his hand and kissed his cheek.

Anne squealed, “Did you hear that, Tony? A grandbaby by the end of next summer!” She got up and hugged Matt and Ted. She warned them both, “I will go crazy. You both need to know that now. Tony, I need to start shopping!”

Tony laughed, “Of course you do.” Amelia frowned, “It might not take.” I might punch her. Ted said, “I already spoke with Haley. She’s going to do her thing.” Matt asked, “She is?” Ted nodded and cupped his face, “I wasn’t leaving our baby to chance when we have a healing Fairy Hackura Princess on our side.” Matt kissed him.

Andrew choked on his water. Anne and Tony glared at him. Amelia had gone pale. Matt pulled back then said, “I love you, Ted.” Ted smiled, “Good because I love you too.” Amelia sputtered, “The woman, who is she?” Ted smiled, “She’s a strong she wolf...”

Andrew interrupted, “The fairy. The wolf won’t be our grandchild.” Ted stood, “YES, the wolf WILL be your grandchild. Any part of Matt is my family.” Andrew argued, “Not technically.” That was it. I wasn’t listening to this anymore.

I stood, “Outside. Both of you.” Everyone turned to me. I wasn’t the leader of the Hood, but my brother was. I still held a position of power among my people. No one moved. I raised an eyebrow, “Did I stutter? Or did you lose use of your legs? Amelia and Andrew, GET. OUTSIDE. NOW!” I glared at both of them until they both put their heads down and walked outside.

I put my napkin on the table. I glanced at our hostess, “Isabella, I apologize for my people’s attitude in your home. Rest assured, it will not happen when we return.” Everyone was staring at me. Ted was surprised but proud. Chase was turned on. His eyes were full of lust looking into mine. I was pissed I couldn’t do anything about it at the moment.

I stalked out of the room and slammed the front door shut. I whisper yelled, “WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU’RE DOING? You came into the former Beta’s home and insulted his son! WHO JUST SO HAPPENS TO BE THE CURRENT BETA! You’ve insulted your grandson, your family, and our goddess. That is Ted’s War Goddess destined string in there that you so callously dismissed. You spit at her with your comments. EXPLAIN YOURSELVES!”

Amelia had tears coursing down her cheeks. I didn’t let them stop me. I pressed on, “You came home for this. YOU asked for this dinner. Why? Tell me, or so help me your business will be without you for six months.”

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