Page 147 of The Married Alpha And His Arrow: Vol 1

Frank agreed, “You are but I’d be careful in how you approach Sophia. If she has a brother, she could feel threatened by that.” I frowned, “Why?” Frank explained, “Oldest child and a boy? They could take her pack.”

I disagreed, “No they couldn’t. She’d kick their ass in a fight. She’s the daughter of the Alpha and his fated mate. She’d be more powerful than any of his children regardless of gender.” Frank nodded, “You are correct. She would be stronger. Tenley was an Omega, which wouldn’t matter if she was the Alpha’s true mate.”

I explained, “I just... I’d want to connect with family if I was her. Especially if they don’t know about each other. I think they deserve to have the knowledge. My brother has a lot going on, and I’d like to help him out. This is something I can do.”

Frank thought about it then agreed, “Alright. This will be between you and I.” I smiled, “Thank you. For what it’s worth, I’d like to start over between you and me. I don’t have a dad in my life anymore. I have father figures, but they aren’t my dad. I always wanted to be close with my string’s family. I have Heath, Haley, Ted, and Susanna. They’re my family, but I’d like for us to be….” I trailed off unsure how to finish that sentence. I waved, “God, I don’t know. Never mind it’s stupid.”

Frank hurriedly said, “No, starting over is more than I deserve. I was awful to you when you’d been nothing but kind and gracious with my family. Losing Chase’s mother was the hardest thing I’ve ever gone through. Even though everyone says it’s not true, I feel like I failed her. That’s hard for an Alpha to deal with. Failure of any kind, but to lose your own mate to failure; it clouds my judgement frequently.”

I did feel bad for him because the moment I thought his wolf was Chase’s, my judgement was absolutely clouded. Frank continued, “Chase told me I needed to stop being afraid, and he’s right. It’s just easier said than done. I do count you as family to me and mine, Lexi Scott. I’d love to have a clean slate with you.”

I was beyond relieved. I told him honestly, “Then we will have one. I’m not really a grudge holder when it comes to myself, and you thought you were protecting Chase. I understand that. I want to protect him too.” Frank smiled, “I think you suit my son quite well. I thought I would be in Cassandra Conners boat. I deserve to be. She did wrong with that daughter in law of hers.” I snorted, “You didn’t do anything near as bad as she has.” Frank tilted his head, “We will have to agree to disagree there.”

We were absolutely not going to do that. I crossed my arms, “For arguments sake we will put aside that I do not have the same life experiences as Haley. You did not deceivingly welcome me into your family giving me everything I’d ever wanted.” He frowned.

I admitted, “I do have that in common with her for different reasons. Haley has longed for acceptance and family. I just wished for family. You didn’t know who I was to Chase and warned me to stay away because you didn’t want your son to be hurt. Cassandra Conners is a bitch who welcomed Haley into their home and made her feel like she was part of this big happy family. Haley shared all of herself with them, and I KNOW they didn’t know what a big deal that was.”

I looked away because I knew my fury was on my face. I continued, “I will FOREVER be pissed at my brother for not getting word to me about what was happening in Haley’s life. I would’ve told them they better not fuck it up like they did. Haley fought for their family. She BLED for their family and let all her secrets, that she’d held onto her ENTIRE life, be exposed.”

Frank argued, “Physicals are mandatory. It would’ve come out.” Even HE knew what I was talking about without me explaining. I laughed humorlessly, “Do you really think that? Haley could’ve popped away. She could’ve cried, and Eric would’ve been worried just as her father was.”

I acknowledged, “Eventually, she would’ve had to get one because someone would’ve wanted to know about her reaction. Haley could’ve gotten out of it at the time. I’m sure she just reached the same conclusion that I did. One day it would happen, so she let it come out. Under the guise of the Conners have no secrets. Some secret, considering evenyouknow what I’m talking about. We both know you shouldn’t.”

Frank was silently absorbing my words. I waved my arms adding, “Then they kept a secret that could’ve ended up with her brothers injured, she believes they could’ve died. Then let’s add the possibly her brothers in law die, and her mate would’ve raped. That’s not even debatable. If EJ didn’t have his shield, iron would’ve flooded Haley’s system. She would’ve gone into the labor. The pain of Eric being raped could’ve killed one of the triplets or the iron could’ve.” Frank’s jaw dropped.

My suspicions were confirmed by his reaction. Cassandra likely let it leak that Haley wasn’t a wolf, so she didn’t understand their chain of command. Which was complete bullshit. Haley was a Princess. Cassandra was out of her depth now because I was in the game. I’d make sure the allies knew the REAL problem. She may be able to sweep everything under the rug and make her actions look like not that big of a faux pas, but now I was here. That shit wasn’t going to fly.

I continued, “I don’t think Eric is the type of man who would’ve known how to forgive himself for that. I don’t even know him that well, and I figured that out. Which means Haley absolutely knows that, and I’d hope his mother does too. What Cassandra did is a HELL of a lot worse than what you did to me. It’s water under the bridge for us.”

I added, “If you did what Cassandra has done, I’d have Chase kick your fucking ass out of our home. Haley is a better person than me in that respect. I’d live in the land of what ifs from Cassandra’s actions, and NEVER be cordial with her.”

I winked, “In fact, if I’m ever around Cassandra Conners she can expect me to be the rudest person she’s ever encountered. Everyone else may content to let her get away with her bullshit, but I am NOT. I see Haley as a little sister. Her brothers have been FAR too nice to Cassandra in my opinion, but I know why they have been.”

Frank was clearly intrigued, “Why would the Hackura be nice to Cassandra if Haley is truly that hurt?” I gritted my teeth, “She is that hurt, but Logan always told me she had a unique ability with their bond.” His eyebrow raised when I said Logan’s name.

I explained, “She can make sure they only feel certain things from her. I am probably the ONLY person Haley expressed her true feelings about mates to. Fabian always told her she wouldn’t get one, and that if she did, she’d get rejected. I think she put it so far out of her mind as a possibility. That’s what her family knows.”

Frank raised an eyebrow. I was not going to let Cassandra alter people’s perception of the real Haley. I was going to get this out there for everyone to know. I explained, “Haley told me on one of our longer recon missions that she’d hoped IF she had a mate, he and his family would accept her. She tried not to dream of her mate and a family. She confided that she really wanted those things, but she was too fucked up to have them.”

Frank cringed. Good. I looked away again, “Cassandra’s actions would lead Haley to believe she didn’t want her with Eric. Because she wanted Haley to be someone she’s not. Her brothers have been nice because Haley wants peace in her home. I actually don’t think Cassandra wants Haley with Eric at all, but she needs to do better at hiding that.”

Frank disagreed, “No, she may have her issues with fairies but she knows how happy Eric is. We all do.” Interesting. I would have to dig into that. She has motivations behind wanting Haley out other than Haley herself. Because of course she did. That woman was scum.

I shrugged, “Regardless, she’s a snake and I’ve got my eye on her. I’d also have punched that bitch in the face for telling Haley she kept forgetting about her children. Haley never thought she’d HAVE kids because of what happened to her.”

I scoffed, “The one time I got her to speak in the hypothetical, which is feat considering how fairies operate, she told me she wanted a lot of kids. Then added it was stupid to dream of because she couldn’t have it. Her reaction to being touched meant she just didn’t think she had it in her. She’s afraid of being a bad mom because Alania is trash, and I want to punch Cassandra in the throat for saying that to her.”

Frank looked upset when he said, “I didn’t know Cassandra had said that to her.” I knew that. I told him, “Haley and I had ourselves a VERY long chat when I got back. Cassandra is lucky I haven’t actually met her yet.” Frank laughed, “Is it wrong that I hope I’m there when you do meet her?”

I snorted, “It might put you in an awkward position.” Frank disagreed, “I am close friends with Nathan Conners. Chase’s mother was friends with Cassandra. I respect the woman to a degree, but if you punched her in the throat it would be one hell of an event to watch. Haley would protect you which would put Alpha Eric in a spot.”

He tapped his chin then added, “Do me a favor and wait to punch Cassandra when I’m around.” I laughed, “I suppose I can do that, but if the opportunity presents itself and you aren’t there, I WILL hit her.” Frank chuckled, “She’s the former Luna of the most powerful pack in the country.” I assured him, “I can handle them. Eric wouldn’t do anything because Haley would be upset. Her Hackura brothers are absolutely anticipating me meeting her.”

Frank questioned, “Why?” I smirked, “Because they do things differently with Haley than they do each other. They always feel a bit out of their depth with her because of how she can control their bond. They had this idea in their heads of her life, and Fabian suppressing her pain in their bond guts them. They do what they feel they have to in order to protect her. Haley wants her children to have everything she didn’t as a child. That includes grandparents. I’m different. I will get in anyone’s faces that hurts her, and they all know that.”

Frank asked, “Does she?” I nodded, “Yes, Haley is very aware of how I feel. We are very protective of each other. She called my ex a Troll from the very first story I told her about him.” Frank questioned, “And what does she think about you and her brother?” I replied, “I’m not sure what you mean.” He snorted, “You say Prince Logan’s name with a familiarity in your tone.”

That was true, I did. Logan and I were friends for a several years before I met Haley. Then got even closer after that, but I was with Noah. Our relationship never crossed into anything else until after everything ended with Noah. We weren’t in love though; it was a friends with benefits situation. He would be happy for me that I’ve found Chase, just as I was happy for him that he found Katie. He’d always wanted his mate. It was hard for him being the only Cambridge without his mate.

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