I agreed, she did. I thought about it then said, “If we get proof we will tell her. DAMN IT! We can’t even have Ted ask Wallace about it because he’d tell Sophia.” Matt raised his index finger, “Unless he already knows.” I sighed, “He loved his parents. He would’ve told her so he could avenge their deaths at minimum. I don’t think he’d keep that to himself. Or that anyone would tell him. Someone obviously knew he was in love with her.”
Derrick coughed, “Everyone.” I asked, “What?” Derrick said, “Everyone knew, man. He’s always been gaga over her.” I yelled, “No one told me that!” Matt laughed, “Why would you care? It’s not like you had eyes on her ever.” I admitted, “You’re right.”
We stepped outside my office and saw Nadine and Isaac talking. My eyes widened. I interrupted them, “Isaac, I thought you were with Lexi and my dad.” Nadine clapped, “Frank and Lexi are talking? That’s great!” She paused and looked at me then said, “I mean, isn’t it? Why do you look like that? It’s a good thing, right?”
I disagreed, “Gee, I don’t know. The last interactions they had alone he bugged her, then accosted her telling her to stay away from me. I wonder what jolly good times this visit will bring.” Nadine frowned, “He won’t do anything to her.”
I snorted, “Since he’s not currently able to get out of bed to try to chain her down….” Then it hit me what he could do. I yelled, “Come on!” Isaac called, “He won’t hurt her, Chase. You know that.” I did know that. It wasn’t what I was worried about.
Matt linked, “You are worried he’ll spill the Sophia beans.” I answered, “Yes or that he will CHAIN HER to the wall to try to keep her here.” Matt said, “As someone who saw their first round of fighting. She’d just run away, and maybe chain him up instead. He’d probably come up with a different plan. Alpha’s don’t use the same method twice if they fail.” That was true. Those of us who were sane anyway.
Ted was waiting outside the house. He asked, “Hey Matt, are you ready for dinner with my family?” He paused then asked, “What is wrong with you two?” I called, “Matt, explain while we run to stop this conversation from continuing.” Matt quickly broke it down.
Ted laughed easily keeping pace with us. He waved his hand “Come on now, Lexi’s too smart for that. She’d have told him she doesn’t want to know. Your dad is too afraid to mess up with her again. If that was his first strike, then sure he’d swing for the fences. Luckily for us all, he wants her to like him now. He won’t tell her.”
I didn't have the same faith Ted had. We rounded the corner and ran into the hospital. I quickly walked into my dad’s room. I linked my dad, “Did you tell her?” My dad replied, “Be more specific, son. I told her a lot of things.” My heart sank. I looked at Lexi, but she didn’t seem anything but concerned about me.
I answered, “About Sophia.” My dad said, “I didn’t tell her about your fake marriage. She told me she didn’t want to know about your, ‘situation,’ as she calls it. You should tell her though. She belongs here with you.” I ignored him and made sure everything was ok.
I asked, “What did you guys talk about?” My dad responded, “A lot of things. Some are between her and I.” I growled, “Don’t pull that.” My dad sounded smug when he told me, “It was her request.” I grumbled, “Come on! Really?” My dad smirked, “Ask her about it if you want to know. These lips are sealed.”
A strange happiness settled into my chest when we were told they were starting over. A worry I didn’t even know I had lifted from my shoulders. She was amazing. Matt linked me, “Worst. Kept. Secret. Ever. You dad already knows, but now he knows that he knows beyond a shadow of a doubt.” I pulled back from Lexi as Isaac came in.
I linked Matt, “The Conners are the ones who can’t know.” Matt snorted, “They can’t know that they know for certain because they for DAMN sure know but haven’t confirmed it. Molly practically ignored you guys at the family dinner. Which I find odd myself, so she knows and has said nothing. I’m sure Alpha Eric will punch you one day soon for making it so damn hard for him not to officially know you met Lexi.”
We all watched my dad and Lexi exchange numbers in a bit of shock. Matt linked, “Clean slate means exchanging phone numbers? I don’t even have her damn number. What the hell happened in here?” I answered, “I don’t know. I do know that she always wanted to close to her mate’s family.”
Matt responded “Ok, but I think something is up.” I agreed, “I do too, but we can figure it out later. In the meantime, they are bonding. I thought that was going to be an uphill battle.” Matt admitted, “Me too. Everyone looks happy so that’s all positive.”
We left the hospital. As soon as I got her back to her place, I got her naked. I needed to be inside her. We spent the rest of the day together. We eventually fell asleep. I heard a distorted voice say, “Wakey, Wakey, Chase.” I groaned, “No, I’m sleeping.” BA laughed, “Come on!”
I opened my eyes and found her right in front of me. I scooted away. I told her, “I love Lexi.” BA tilted her head, “I know that.” I announced, “I’m not cheating on her.” BA pointed out, “It’s a dream, not real life. If you told Lexi about your dream she might just laugh.”
I stared at her as if she’d lost her mind. I muttered, “You don’t understand women then. She’s my mate, and I love her. I’m sorry if you're my second chance mate, but I love her. I’m not giving her up.” BA laughed, “Men are so clueless. Your subconscious is trying to tell you something, and you’re ignoring it. Typical.” I frowned, “Tell me what?”
BA moved closer to me. In a flash she was in my lap. She bit my ear, “I can’t just tell you. You have to figure it out.” I leaned into her for a second before I stood up and moved away. I shouted, “NO! Stop this! I love Lexi.” BA sighed, “Yes, yes, I know. Maybe you love me too.”
I shook my head, “No, I don’t even know you.” BA teased, “Don’t you? You have to admit you’re intrigued by me.” I wanted to deny that, but I couldn’t. I shook myself, “I don’t care that you intrigue me. I will NEVER hurt Lexi.” BA sighed, “You do care that I intrigue you. That’s part of why I’m here. I already told you; Lexi would laugh about your dream.”
I argued, “I already told you she wouldn’t.” BA laughed, “I think I know her better than you do.” I disagreed, “You may be her friend, but she’s my mate. I won’t hurt her.” BA snorted, “I’m more than a friend.” With that I woke up.
Now I was completely confused. Did Lexi and BA have some kind of past? Did they have a fling to help her get over Noah? That was hot. NO, CHASE! It wasn’t hot, not at all. We are not picturing this. What the HELL was going on? Maybe Matt could ask Ted. THAT’S IT! Stupid Chase. I growled at my wolf, “Bolt, where were you with that idea?” Bolt huffed, “I’m just confused. I don’t understand what’s going on.” Yeah well, he could get in line.
When Lexi woke up, she was clearly worried about something. Could she know I’ve had dreams about the Black Arrow? Was I talking in my sleep? She brushed me off. I sighed in relief when I found out it was about going to the Shroud.
That made sense given the last time she went Ted’s mom almost died. I kissed her goodbye when we reached her car. I shifted and ran to the house. Kincade linked me, “The Luna is going to Shroud, and we aren’t allowed to go because her brother doesn’t know about you. See, I find that curious because he DOES know about you. I saw him the other night. Can’t you call him?” I replied, “I’ll call him.” Kincade sighed in relief, “Let us know.”
I ran inside and found my dad was waiting. I told him, “Give me second, dad.” He nodded. I went into my office. I quickly dialed the number I had for Heath. Someone answered, “Hello.” I frowned, “Who is this?” The man replied, “Isaiah.” I stated the obvious, “I wanted to speak to Heath.” Isaiah told me, “That’s not possible, Alpha Chase. On the anniversary of his parent’s death Heath leaves the Shroud. He’ll be back later this week.” Isaiah hung up.
I sat back in my seat. Matt looked at me when I threw a pen on my desk. I groaned, “That’s why she’s so damn anxious. It’s the anniversary of her parent’s death. GOD! I am SUCH an ass!” Matt told me, “I’m not sure you’re an ass based on the details I have. I do know Mark and Joanie are pissed they can’t go.” I frowned, “They could. You are official with Ted. He’d just have to ask Heath which apparently no one can do. Because he’s gone”
I linked Kincade, “Heath is apparently unreachable.” Kincade sighed, “Fine.” Matt shrugged, “It sounds like Heath has a thing he does. Maybe Ted does something with Lexi.” I didn’t agree. I pointed out, “I didn’t get the impression Lexi was around much after she turned eighteen.”
Matt shrugged again, “Moving on from that can of worms. Why do you think you’re an ass?” Derrick walked into my office. I groaned, “I don’t want to talk about it.” Matt snorted, “Now we HAVE to know what that’s about. I need to know if I should be on alert for our allies Luna to pop up and charm the area or beat you up.” Derrick laughed, “Do you mean Haley?” Matt answered, “Yes, she’s literally the only who would do any of those things.”
I admitted, “I’m having dreams about the Black Arrow. Sometimes sexual dreams. Bolt thinks she’s our second chance mate. He has speculated because I haven’t marked Lexi that bond feels like we have a chance or something.” Both of them gaped at me.
Derrick said, “You have to mark her, man.” I cringed, “Not yet. I’ve never even met the Black Arrow.” Matt covered his face, “But you’re dreaming about her.” I sighed, “I told her I won’t hurt Lexi.” Matt groaned, “So let me get this straight. You told the Black Arrow in your dream that you wouldn’t hurt Lexi? Brilliant. What did your subconscious say back?” I sighed, “That Lexi would laugh if I told her about my dream.” Derrick scoffed, “Your subconscious is trying to fuck you over.” I snorted, “Tell me about it.”