Page 197 of The Married Alpha And His Arrow: Vol 1

I laughed, “It was classic, and so her. If I recall her problem was us not telling anyone we got carried away on our run.” Derrick agreed, “Yeah it was.” My dad said, “You can always have your mate haul you over her petite little pregnant shoulder and run away with you, Derrick. The Black Arrow does it to me often enough, and she’s not pregnant. Come to think of it, Lexi did that too.”

Derrick shrugged, “I don’t think Sally could pick me up.” I argued, “I bet she can. The Hood are all strong whether or not they go on missions or not. Lexi carried me back to her place the day we officially met.” Derrick frowned.

I gave him a look, “Really? You’re going to be put out over your mate being freakishly strong? You and Matt got Hood mates that don’t have a moniker NOR do they have missions. My mate can toss my father around like a sack of potatoes, has a moniker that I don’t know, AND goes on missions.”

Matt pointed out, “All those with a moniker have missions.” I pointed out, “Usually they only go out as their moniker. Lexi goes as her moniker AND herself, as someone who collects information.” My dad agreed, “That’s true. It’s rare that they do both.”

Matt asked, “Can I rub this ring so the Black Arrow shows up where I am so I can meet her? Lexi being the Black Arrow is solidifying for me.” I argued, “I still think she’s the Avenging Angel.” Matt said, “Yes, but you’re an Alpha.” I asked, “What on god’s green earth does that have to do with anything?” Matt smirked, “Derrick gets it.”

Derrick agreed, “Derrick does get it. You need Matt and I because we are better at certain things than you are. This is one of them.” Matt smiled, “I could just lay this all out for Beta Dylan, and he'd spin me a fabulous tale.”

I growled, “You will NOT speak of this to Beta Dylan. No matter what Lexi’s moniker is that information being widely known would be dangerous and I won’t have that.” Cameron reasoned, “They are our allies, and Haley would charm some evil fairy shit on them if Lexi got hurt because they didn’t keep their yap shut.”

My dad told them, “He can’t help it.” I snarked, “Can’t help what? Wanting to protect my mate?” My dad said, “No, being unreasonable when it comes to your mate. You know our allies would NEVER leak information about your mate that could get her hurt. Regardless of her friendship with Haley. Because you aren’t marking her you are overly aggressive and sensitive about her.” I was fine. Bolt scoffed.

My dad continued, “For example, you threw me through a glass door instead of opening it and throwing me outside. Or using the front door, which was open and closer.” I growled. Cameron pointed at our dad, “He’s right the front door was wide open.”

I grumbled, “It made me feel better to throw him through the glass.” Matt laughed, “Oh, please. You didn’t even NOTICE the front door was open. Lexi cried and you lost all sense.” I countered, “You think that will be better if I mark her?”

My dad laughed, “No, but you’d have considered the front door. You might still have thrown me through the glass door, but you would have noticed there were other options.” I huffed, “There were other options. I just didn’t think throwing you through the kitchen window would've been nice.”

Derrick pointed out, “He wouldn’t have fit.” I said, “Exactly, but I did think of other options.” My dad rolled his eyes, “I’m just saying you’d feel less restless if you marked her. I’d say if you lived with her, but you do that now.”

I pointed out, “We don’t technically live together.” Matt disagreed, “You have clothes there, and she has clothes here. You never spend the night apart. If there were leases, you two would be paying them both for no reason.” Holy shit. We did live together.

I explained, “I just don’t want her to feel like she’s not the most important person in my life. I know there’s no summit coming up, but if there was everyone would whisper behind her back because of Sophia. I don’t want that for her. She’s everything, and I’ll crush anyone who makes her feel otherwise. Speaking of, where are we with Sophia?”

Matt said, “I’m going to need more than that to get you information.” I rolled my eyes, “Her long lost brother showed up, and she’s pretty damn happy about it. If he moves to her damn pack, will she sign the annulment papers?” Matt shrugged, “Let’s call her and ask.” I nodded.

Matt dialed. His counterpart answered, “This is Beta Alfred.” Matt replies, “It’s Beta Matt.” Beta Alfred sighed, “Wonderful. Here I thought we were in a good place where you didn’t call and make my life hell. It was a good run.”

Matt snorted, “I make your life hell? Your Alpha is the one who is making life difficult for all of us unnecessarily. I need to speak to Alpha Sophia.” Beta Alfred replied, “One second.” The line was quiet then Alpha Sophia said, “Beta Matt, I hear you were civil to Alfred for the first time in several months.”

Matt told her, “A blind squirrel finds a nut every once in a while. I have a question regarding the man we met in Cameron’s territory the other day.” I linked, “Smart. You don’t know if Beta Alfred knows Tyson is her half-brother.” Matt replied, “This is not my first rodeo.”

Alpha Sophia said, “Alfred, give us one second.” Beta Alfred groaned, “Ugh, are you just going to tell me if you hooked up with some mated couple somehow? You all are a weird trio.” We heard the door slam.

Sophia sighed, “He’s not happy that I haven’t explained who Tyson and Ashley are.” I asked, “Why haven’t you?” Sophia explained, “I trust Alfred implicitly, but Tyson doesn’t. I really want us to get along, so I’m respecting his decision not to tell anyone in my pack of his relationship to me.”

I questioned, “Who do they think he is?” Sophia answered, “A potential lead warrior candidate.” I pointed out, “You told people at Cameron’s he was your half-brother.” Sophia admitted, “Yes, but my pack doesn’t listen to pack gossip.”

My dad snorted, “I’ll say.” I shot him a glare. Sophia asked, “Frank? What does that mean?” My dad said, “That your pack has never been one for gossip after Beta Alfred’s mother died. She was quite well known, respected, and bit of a chatty Cathy.” Sophia laughed, “I’d heard that about her.”

I gently started, “With your brother coming into the picture….” I trailed off. Sophia sighed, “I just need some more time. With all the breaks in my father’s case, this is the closest I’ve been to answers. I’m scared to cut off that avenue.” I sighed, “Well we are all meeting with Haley Conners on January second in their territory. Evidently that’s when she plans to stop being nice about this.”

Sophia sighed, “I’ll add to it my calendar. Alfred and I will be there. I don’t think I want to see what she considers to be mean.” I said, “It may or may not swing in your favor that she wasn’t raised in this realm.” Sophia scoffed, “Based on what we’ve heard about her time in Faerie; I highly doubt that would work in my favor.”

I said, “She doesn’t want to dislike you.” Sophia snorted, “I know she doesn’t. She apparently googled motivational sayings. One appears on my desk every day with a unique motivational saying. None of them are right, but all are hilarious.” I agreed, “Sayings don’t appear to be her forte.”

Sophia said, “In her defense, some make no sense whatsoever.” Matt interjected, “Beta Dylan would chew off his right arm if you’d put those together and send them to him.” Alpha Sophia laughed, “I told Alpha Eric she should put a super motivational quotes calendar together. I believe the Princess heard me.” I laughed, “I look forward to my new calendar then.” I hung up.

Derrick pointed out, “That wasn’t terrible.” My dad disagreed, “She didn’t agree or answer the question.” I said, “I am aware. I have a slight understanding for her situation knowing she’s looking to avenge her father’s murder.”

Cameron yelled, “WHAT? Alpha Allister was murdered?!” I winced, “Did we not catch you up on that one?” Cameron shook his head, “No... no, you did not.” I explained, “Alpha Eric, myself, dad, The Hood, and Lexi felt there was a chance Alpha Allister was murdered. Then we started looking into it, and Sophia showed up in my office. She’s known this whole time because of her father’s last words to her. She’s been playing along with her pack, so they don’t catch on to the fact that she’s looking for her father’s murderer.”

Cameron caught on, “So your marriage is her cover? How?” I clarified, “They believe her to be a weak willed little girl they can control. It’s annoyingly smart on her end. It was just at my expense, and I would’ve helped her more if she’d just been honest.”

Cameron said, “That’s bullshit. She came to you as a friend and ally then didn’t use your help. She lied to you! Did she think she would have it solved while you were gone?” I nodded, “I think she did.” Cameron sighed, “It’s still being done at your expense and I won’t pretend I’m ok about that.”

---