Page 173 of The Married Alpha And His Arrow: Vol 1

Matt snorted, “When we join packs, you’ll hear it.” Cameron smirked, “I already called the contractor about soundproofing the rooms.” Lexi blushed. “What does he mean?” Ted chimed in, “Girl, I was not joking when I said you screamed so loud Matt, me, Derrick, and Sally heard it. Honestly, I’m surprised Cameron and Reagan DIDN’T hear you two. No, I’m surprised you have a voice left.” Lexi winked at him.

We laughed, drank, and danced. At one point Lexi and Ted ran over to request a song. Then Sally and Reagan joined them on the dance floor to sing,I Wanna Dance with Somebody, at the top of their lungs. We all watched them with amusement. They had dance moves to go along with it. They pretended they had microphones as they belted it out.

Derrick commented, “God, I can’t believe we all have mates.” I agreed, “This is a lot more fun than when we took our girlfriends out and Matt tagged along.” Matt snorted, “Matt never went home alone. I went back to someone’s place.”

I shook my head, “I’m really beginning to wonder how I missed all this.” Derrick reminded me, “He always left first. He’d disappear for a bit, then show back up saying he was heading out. Or he’d link us that he left.” I punched him in the shoulder, “You did do that. You ass!”

Matt laughed, “I wasn’t ready to tell.” I nudged my Gamma, “Derrick, I think we should give him shit for the rest of his life for not trusting us. His best friends…” Cameron coughed, “I knew the whole time.” We all started laughing.

Lexi ran over and grabbed me. Everyone cat called as she led me to the back. She whispered, “Show me your office.” Matt snorted, “Thank god his office IS soundproofed.” I laughed. I led Lexi where she wanted to go.

She was all over me the second the door was shut. I cleared everything off my desk and laid her down on it. I managed not to shred her dress. We made it back out after a bit, but no one was there. She frowned, “Did they leave?” I laughed, “I’m not the only one with an office here.” She smiled.

We grabbed drinks, and everyone slowly trickled back out. We stayed for several more hours before we all went home. I took Lexi to her place. She giggled and led me inside. She practically sang, “I’ve got a secret.” I asked, “Another one?” Lexi laughed, “I have so many secrets, but this one is about Kincade.” I frowned, “You have a secret about my lead warrior?” Lexi nodded.

I waited for her to continue, but she didn’t. I asked, “What is it?” Lexi smiled, “I think I know who his mate is. She’s so cute!” I gaped, “How does Kincade not about this if you do?” Lexi waved her hand, “She’s not eighteen yet. She’s the daughter of one of my clients. She came in today with her mom and sister in law. Kincade was enamored by her, and she thought he was handsome. She got all flustered.”

I questioned, “How old is she?” Lexi answered, “She’s seventeen.” It was going to be like pulling teeth for the details. I asked, “Is she a Werewolf?” She nodded. Then teased me, “Wanna guess who she’s related to?”

Now, she wants to give more details when it sounded ominous. I cringed, “Dear god. I’m getting a headache. Is she related to the Conners family? They have some cousins.” Lexi smirked, “Nope.” I guessed, “Is she in the Conners pack?” Lexi answered, “Yup.”

I wanted to groan. Then I sat up straight. Shit. Seventeen… I cringed, “Is she Lead Warrior Liam Henderson’s little sister?” Lexi smiled, “Yes! Bexley TOTALLY picked up the hint today too. Bex came with her mother in law, and her and Liam’s little girls. They were so cute.” She kept talking, but I was trying to think of all the ways Liam would try to kill my lead warrior.

I linked Matt, “Did you just get the Kincade bomb?” Matt replied, “What Kincade bomb?” I said, “Ask your mate about Kincade.” After a few moments Matt yelled, “Nnnnooooo!” His tone conveyed his disbelief. I asked, “They won’t actually hurt him, right? They joke but….” Matt coughed, “I don’t know.”

I theorized, “It will be one hell of a fight. He’s our lead warrior at the age of twenty-one for a reason.” Matt said, “Little Carry and Kincade.” I reminded him, “She’s not so little. When is her birthday?” Matt told me, “You just have to love this, Chase. Her birthday is January second.”

I scoffed, “No fucking way.” Matt answered, “Yes fucking way. Kevin will have to do guard duty by himself.” I didn’t like that. I said, “One of their other brothers can join him. I’ll have Ken do it. You live for drama.” Matt snorted, “This will be the most epic werewolf meeting OF ALL TIME! I’m telling Beta Dylan he HAS to come. He’d never forgive me otherwise.”

I snorted asking, “Why would he come?” Matt replied, “He can engineer the reason. I’m just going to tell him to come.” I sighed, “We will have to protect Kincade. You know that, right? Liam is the oldest of five brothers. Carry is the only girl and the youngest.” Matt replied, “They won’t really hurt him. Come on now.” I wasn’t so sure. I’d make sure Susie’s mate was capable of taking care of her.

I went to sleep hoping he was right. He was right about the fact that January second stood to be an interesting day if Lexi and Ted were right. The weeks went by quickly. Matt had paid Dustin and Ryan Bishop to come check our grounds. They found four holoports in a few places and blocked them with some warlock magic.

Before I knew it, I was kissing Lexi goodbye for her Thanksgiving lunch with her brother in the Shroud. I was ridiculously happy Matt and Ted were going too. Ted’s family had a Lunch too, and they were coming back or dinner.

I managed to get some work done trying to pass the time. It worked really well. By the time I exited my office everyone was due back in ten minutes. Matt and Ted arrived last. Both looked around the room. Ted’s face fell, and he ran back outside. Bolt growled, “Chase, I don’t like that.” He could join the club.

I frowned, “Matt, where’s Lexi?” Matt sighed, “We were hoping she was here already. Ted called her, he didn’t get an answer.” We all heard Ted shout, “MOTHER FUCKER! SERIOUSLY?! TELL ME SHE DIDN’T GO ALONE! A FAIRY! A FAIRY! I SWEAR TO THE FUCKING WAR GODDESS IF THAT DAMN LIASON DIDN’T LIASE... I WILL… HAVE MY STRING DO SOMETHING HORRIBLE TO YOU!” Ted ran back inside.

My heart sank. I asked, “Where is she?” Ted sighed, “We had someone miss a check in, and Lex was their on call person.” I asked, “Was that her brother on the phone?” Ted scoffed, “No, he’d kick my ass if I spoke to him like that. I’m serious about siccing Matt on them though. Balto could go wolf on their ass if the fairy liaison didn’t get the memo to liaise.”

I closed my eyes, “I assume this liaison is the fairy Exsis.” Ted sighed, “Yes, Lexi gave him a message to get to Haley.” I paced. Bolt was giving me hell again about not marking Lexi. I didn’t bother responding. He was right.

A knock sounded at the door, and I practically ripped it off the hinges. I looked at who was on my porch and my heart sank because it wasn’t Lexi. Nor was it someone I wanted to see right now.

Plan B

Lexi followed Chase out of the building in a daze. I got into the car and looked out the window as we passed everything on the way to my house. I sighed thinking over my conversation with Bolt. Was I ready to be marked? My heart said yes, but my head said there were too many unknowns right now.

I wondered if this is how Chase felt having a wolf. Having two pieces of yourself at war with each other. At least my head and heart didn’t talk to each other. I was so deep in thought I didn’t realize we’d made it my house until Chase opened my door and carried me upstairs.

Being in his arms felt righter than anything else in my life. I was scared that Noah was going to snatch this all away from me. We were all fighting against the plan, but it felt like we were out of our depth. Maybe Susanna could help. She could talk things through with her Vampire. Vampires had been around long enough to have seen it all. Hers could address things we didn’t see.

I was trying to remember things about King’s and their second’s. I was fairly certain to hold either position as a vampire you had to be at least one century old. Maybe he could help us with a strategy. Or at least help me and my friends for Susanna’s sake.

Chase laid me down on the bed and walked into the bathroom. When I heard him turn on the tub I wanted to cry. He was the sweetest man alive. The very real fear of being taken from him, from my friends, was gnawing at me. If Haley could get kidnapped, then so could I.

They couldn’t fuck my brain up though, and Haley would come for me. As I would’ve come for her. Damn Heath for not telling me about that! Noah knows that though and he’d be ready for Haley. Well, he’d think he was, but he doesn’t know this version of Haley. Nor does he know this me.

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