I wasn’t going to lose her. I loved her with everything in me, and I wasn’t a good enough man to let her go. Lexi told me her thoughts on me marking her and when. Bolt said, “Marking on our getaway. It’s like I had the same thought.” I ordered, “Shut up, mutt.” Bolt snorted, “Insulting.” Then I found out my wolf knew her plan the whole time.

I linked Bolt, “Now you deserve the mutt comment. You could’ve told me you both had a plan. You just said that you thought I should mark her on our getaway. As if it was your idea.” Bolt said, “Fair is fair. You have been denying me the chance to mark her since we met.” I huffed, “Touché Bolt. Touché.”

I couldn’t stop my glance down to her marking spot. Soon my mark would be there forever. My dick twitched desperately wanting to bury itself in her. I was about to act on that when someone knocked on the door. I. Was. Going. To. KILL. The. Cockblocking. Son. of. A. Bitch. I could smell it was Matt.

I yanked the door open and linked Matt, “A MEETING? You could cancel it. Your job is to move my schedule around when I wanted it done.” He didn’t reply. Lexi’s touch instantly cooled my temper. We decided to spend the night at my house.

I linked Matt, “I swear to god if you say one word about soundproofing and cockblock me in my own home after cockblocking me now, I’ll find something for you to do at nights besides your mate until you're ready to combust.” Matt’s jaw dropped, but he said nothing else.

I was about to leave, but Lexi wanted to talk. She paused Matt and shut the door in his face, and I actually bit back a laugh. Matt linked me, “I can still hear you both. She does know that, right? Closing the door in my face is a little harsh. It’s also pointless.” I didn’t care.

He knocked on the door and stopped us from having sex. I would’ve been happier if we had sex or there wasn’t a crazy insane vampire made up plan to use my reason for breathing as bait. Then she mentioned marking her again. Bolt purred in my head, and my mood lifted.

Matt linked me, “Marking her? Are you going to mark her? Thank god.” I ignored him and told her I was very happy about that. Matt said, “I love her. She needs to move into the main house. Tomorrow. She got to calm down in less than thirty seconds.” I replied, “You are my best friend and I love you but shut up.” I kissed her again and we left.

I linked Kevin and Kincade, “If she’s out of your sight or smelling distance again today you will not like what follows. Are we clear?” Both replied, “Yes, Alpha.” We left and I slammed my car door shut. Matt said, “You did promise your mate not to bite anyone’s head off.”

I growled at him, “Who is our meeting with that you refused to cancel?” Matt answered, “Alpha Eric. So, if you could get into a mood that won’t result in him punching you in the face that would be great.” I growled and we drove the rest of the way in silence.

Derrick said, “Maybe we should just cancel.” Matt agreed, “Right, let’s reschedule it for after you mark Lexi. I did hear her say she’d agreed. When is that happening? Moon Goddess, please let it be soon.” Derrick asked, “She did? Sally said that would be a big deal for her but thank the Goddess.”

I answered, “I’m marking her on our getaway. You can’t reschedule the meeting by the way. That’s his damn car in our driveway.” Matt sighed, “I will never understand why he drives now.” I growled, “His wife is probably at Lexi’s.” Derrick said, “That’s apparently true according to Kincade and Kevin.”

I took a deep breath and walked into my office. Alpha Eric was clearly amused from the moment he laid eyes on me. Matt linked, “I don’t like this. Not one bit.” Matt greeted his brother in law, “Jackson.” Alpha Jackson smiled, “Matt.”

I asked, “What’s this meeting for?” Alpha Eric answered, “Just a heads up.” I irritably asked, “About?” Alpha Jackson was trying not to laugh. Alpha Eric explained, “A very good friend of my wife’s, that she considers family, just signed a lease in your territory.”

Matt linked, “Shit.” Derrick agreed, “Ditto.” I asked, “And?” Alpha Eric raised an eyebrow, “I don’t want anything to happen to my wife’s friend. It’s a bit of a trap they are baiting. As you know, all traps present some danger. I also wanted you to know some things may be going down in your area. Haley’s friend has been living here, but now she lives in a building you own in the open.” Alpha Eric and I stared at each other.

Finally, I said, “I take care of those in my area. Alpha Eric. I appreciate the heads up. Matt can look into the property and the tenant.” Alpha Eric smiled, “I don’t think it will be hard. You have men on her already. I’ve seen them at my club. Kincade, you know, your lead warrior and his brother. I believe I heard the reason is for the peace of mind for your Beta Male. I told Jackson here how odd I found it that you are using your lead warrior for your Beta Male’s peace of mind, but he is unmated at the moment. He can spend the night away from the pack house.”

My throat tightened, “This is about Lexi Scott then.” Alpha Eric smiled, “It is.” I questioned, “Why didn’t you just have her pick an apartment in your territory?” Alpha Jackson actually laughed. Alpha Eric said, “I think we both know I’m not acknowledging the reason behind my motives on that one. And NONE of you better say anything that would confirm the thing I don’t want to know.”

I asked, “Why didn’t you convince your wife or her friend this was a dangerous plan?” Alpha Eric said, “Because it’s smart.” I scoffed, “And if it was your wife that was going through with this plan. Would you have let it happen?” Alpha Jackson stopped laughing.

Matt linked me, “Why? Dear god man WHY?” Alpha Eric said, “I don’t control my wife. Nor would I let anything happen to my wife’s friends. Haley feels very deeply, and something happening to her friend would devastate her. I don’t appreciate the insinuation, Alpha Chase. I can’t stop my mate from doing the things she feels are necessary.” He had a point, an annoying one but still.

Alpha Eric sat forward, “Would I like the plan? No. Would I stop her? Let me know when you figure out how to stop a fairy from doing what they want. Hell, let me know if you figure out a way to stop woman in general.”

I replied, “I’ve seen the two of you together. If anyone could stop Haley, it would be you.” Alpha Eric asked, “At what cost? Haley is who she is. I would make DAMN sure she was as safe as possible. We are all in interesting positions right now, Alpha Chase. I know things I won’t confirm which is not normal for me. I’m doing it for you and my wife. I also made the mistake of keeping her in the dark once, and that didn’t end well for me. I won’t do again.”

I sat back, “And if your wife knows what you're trying not to confirm. What then?” Alpha Jackson raised an eyebrow. Alpha Eric evaluated me for several moments. He surmised, “You think she does.” Matt linked, “Will you SHUT UP!”

I replied, “I don’t know. As you said we are all doing a tap dance right now. I think based on things I’ve heard she does know but is giving everyone their space and time.” Alpha Eric chuckled, “Well, that would be interesting. I’d ask her, but then she’d ask what I know. Which is nothing, because officially I know nothing.”

I admitted, “Honestly, on any given day anymore I feel like I know nothing.” Alpha Eric frowned, “If you are doing what I think you’re doing it can’t be easy for you. Eventually, you’ll have to do one of two things.” I tensed.

He meant reject or mark Lexi. My eyes burned with anger from the mere thought of rejecting her. I said with conviction, “I’d never do one of those things.” Alpha Eric inclined his head, “That’s probably good unless you want my wife to curse you in some creative way. Lucas and Dylan have a sparkly pink tattoo on their ass to remind them my wife is not one to cross. And she likes them.”

I gaped, “WHAT?” Alpha Jackson started laughing again. He told us, “It’s hilarious.” I looked at Matt. I asked, “Why don’t I know this?” Matt shrugged, “We’ve had a lot going on.” I incredulously stated, “With all the other crap you tell me, you don’t mention there’s an Alpha and Beta walking around with sparkly pink tattoos on their asses? What does the tattoo say?” Haley was going to make me laugh when I thought it would be impossible today.

Matt answered, “It says I speak Idiotese call Alpha Eric Conners for interpretation.” My jaw dropped, “That has to be on both cheeks.” Alpha Eric chuckled, “It is.” I laughed. I couldn’t help it. Alpha Eric stood, “I only came to give you a heads up.” I sighed, “I didn’t mean to snap at you.” Alpha Eric admitted, “I’d have been more surprised if you didn’t. A little worried too because then you might not care enough about the person I don’t know you’ve met. That would be a massive problem that I don’t have time for.” With that he left the room.

Alpha Jackson stood, “I wouldn’t do it again if I were you.” I told him, “I’m on edge right now.” Alpha Jackson replied, “I’m sure you are. At a certain point, nature overtakes us. We are part animal. I respect you’re making hard choices for the benefit of someone I don’t know you’ve met yet. Since my wife stoically refused to tell me who was at dinner I was supposed to attend. Eric has postulated in theory you might not be sharing your marriage at Haley’s friend’s request. Maybe bring it up again and try to change her mind.” He walked to the door and added, “Hypothetically of course.” I sighed as he left.

Derrick said, “Ok, we need you to mark Lexi before you get into a dual with Alpha Eric or Matt’s brother in law.” I huffed, “I’m already going to mark her.” Matt sighed, “I’ll just reschedule everything on our calendar that’s not necessary until after Christmas.” I rolled my eyes, “I’ll be fine.” Derrick snorted, “Obviously. You’re totally fine. You didn’t just snark at two powerful Alpha’s and imply that one would let your mate get hurt over his. When they are friends and he’s your mentor. That’s totally not what just happened.” I already felt bad about it, there was no need to rub it in.

We got to work. When we got to the end of the day the last dispute had just left my office. I pointed out, “No one argued their dispute resolutions today. That’s a first.” Matt mockingly asked, “Could there be a reason for that, Derrick?” Derrick responded, “Quite possibly, Matt. The angry look on our Alpha’s face comes to mind.”