Page 56 of The Married Alpha And His Arrow: Vol 1

I hadn’t noticed Noah in the room, but he came over to hug us and his parents joined in. Denise stroked my hair saying, “We will take care of you both. We’ll build a new house for you guys.” The door burst open, and my best friend Ted stormed in with his mom right behind him. He joined our hug, “We’ve got you Lex. It’s ok.” I locked eyes with Heath because we both knew it wasn’t ok. It would never be ok. Our parents were dead.

*End of Dream/flashback*

Chase’s voice registered in my brain, “Lexi, come on Sweetheart wake up.” I sat straight up. I hadn’t had that dream in a long time. Arms were around me and I was shaking. Chase comforted me, “Shh, I’ve got you. It’s alright.”

I was gasping for breath. Tears were coursing down my cheeks. Chase wiped them away, “Talk to me, Lexi.” I whispered mostly to myself, “It was just a dream.” Chase disagreed, “It sounded more like a flashback than a dream.”

I cringed, “I found my parents dead bodies when I was eight. I broke my arm tripping over my dad because I slipped in his blood. I tried to help him, but he was already dead. I found my mom dead with her throat slit. I tried to keep pressure on her wound. Heath was spending the night with his now Lieutenant and his family. They were the closest house to us, and they heard me screaming.”

I took a deep breath, “His dad broke down the door as a lot of people gathered hearing me scream for help. I can’t remember who they were fighting with that night. I opened the door after dinner, and he was standing there. I just can’t picture his face no matter how hard I try. I’ve done hypnotherapy, regular therapy. No matter what I try, I cannot remember his face.”

Chase tensed, “I’ve seen an older man following you. Kincade and Kevin are going to stay closer to you now that you know about them. I won’t let you get hurt.” My eyes widened, “Following me? I can usually tell when people are following me.”

Chase admitted, “You did seem to notice, but when you turned, he hid. He’s following your brother too.” All the blood drained from my face. I whispered, “He’s following Heath too?” Chase sighed, “He seemed to care about both of you, but I swear to you that my guys will get a hold of him if they see him again.”

I shivered, “I can’t lose Heath. Wait, you heard me talking to Heath?” Chase nodded, “I’ve put together who he is, but I won’t say anything ever. I could never do anything to hurt you.” He knew Heath was the Hood himself.

I asked, “What do you know about me?” Chase smiled, “Other than you’re mine?” I laughed and shoved him, “Yes, other than that.” Chase listed off what he knew, “You own Bull Eye’s Events with Ted. You’re very good at your job. Both of them because you clearly gather intelligence for the Hood. The dead motherfucker, you call him the Lieutenant, is an asshole who belongs in one of the seven circles of hell, where I’ll send him if he doesn’t watch himself.” Why was that hot?

He continued, “I know you are worried about Sally and Ted. You have them both taking self-defense classes. I will be assigning guards to both Ted and Sally today. Technically, I can’t protect Sally outside my area, but I think it’s going to go without being mentioned currently.”

Tears filled my eyes. “You would do that?” Chase put his hands around my face and tilted my head towards his, “I’d do anything for you. You are worried about Sally. Since the dead motherfucker seems to be a sociopath, I can’t say that is unfounded. I won’t have her hurt if I can prevent it.”

I snorted, “You want to kill the Lieutenant of the Hood?” Chase looked at me seriously, “If I see him, he’s dead. If your brother knew what he’d done he’d kill him too.” I shook my head explaining, “The Lieutenant was there for us after our parents died. His entire family was. His relationship with Heath is rooted deep.”

Chase lifted my chin up with his fingers, “As someone with a sister, I’ll tell you it doesn’t matter. If anyone I cared for hurt Susie the way that asshole hurt, you; I’d kill them.” I frowned, “Matt told you.” Chase nodded, “Yes, he did. I wasn’t trying to invade your privacy. I’m trying to figure out how to protect you, and who all the players are.”

I smiled informing him, “I’m quite formidable on my own, thank you very much. I can’t deny Kevin, Kincade, yourself, and Matt have been helpful though. I’ve been shot a few times, it’s not fun. So, I didn’t get a chance to say it last night but thank you Chase.”

Chase growled, “You’ve been shot?” That would be all he heard. Men. I nodded, “A lot has happened to me, but I’m still here.” Chase’s eyes went black. I touched his cheek asking his wolf, “What’s your name? I’ve seen you before and in action, but I don’t know your name.”

Chase’s wolf responded, “I am Bolt.” I teased, “So that’s how you keep up with me. You’re fast too.” Bolt agreed, “I am.” Chase’s eyes cleared, and he was back. He promised, “I will always protect you with everything I have. Everything I have, everything I am, is yours. I need you to know that.”

I nuzzled his neck, “That’s good because you have my heart, Chase. What’s your last name? You know mine.” Chase laughed, “My name is Chase Daniels.” I admitted, “I like your name, Chase Daniels.” It was a little odd he was so close to the Shroud, but Heath had never mentioned his name. I shrugged that off.

Chase questioned, “Will you be able to find a place for four guards in your office?” I admitted, “I pay for two offices across from mine in the building. I can accommodate your guards. Just make sure it doesn’t look like we are being guarded. It could scare off some customers.”

Chase nodded in agreement, “I can manage that.” I asked, “Who knows I’m your mate?” Chase sighed, “Matt, my Gamma, Derrick, Cameron my brother...” I cut him off, “THAT’S why he was so weird about the party. OH MY GOD! That’s why he pushed the party on Reagan.” He nodded.

I tilted my head, “She doesn’t know, does she?” Chase snorted, “She got a pretty good idea when you guys went to the club.” I was taken aback, “You were there?” Chase nodded, “And bouncing every man who looked at you.” I laughed, “Reagan mentioned something about that.”

Chase huffed, “It was hard enough staying away from you. I couldn’t see another man touch you. I’d kill him.” I raised an eyebrow, “If I recall correctly, I broke a man’s hand for just that.” Chase plainly stated, “And I killed him. I’ll have to figure out what pack he was with today and inform his Alpha.”

I stared a, wide eyed, “You killed him?” Chase nodded, “Not unlike you killed those two wolves I banished for hurting Ted’s feelings.” I rolled my eyes, “TeleTed strikes again, I assume.” Chase nodded. I touched his shoulder, “You know the Hood will wipe that pack out right?”

Chase teased, “You mean your brother will kill them?” I smiled, “Yes, but I didn’t mean the Hood himself. I meant our people the Hood. He will be there though.” Chase said, “Why would your brother pick a moniker that’s so confusing? You are the Hood and he is the Hood himself.” I winked, “Because it’s confusing. Few people would put together it was the Hood himself who was the leader of our people, but if you think about it; it’s obvious.” He tilted his head in agreement.

He asked, “Do you have a moniker too?” I admitted, “I do.” Chase frowned, “I suppose you can’t tell me what it is.” I explained, “I have to ask my brother’s permission as the Hood himself, and he has to grant it before I can tell you.” Chase nodded.

I continued, “I might tell my brother I found you, as my brother, but not as the Hood. Not yet.” Chase laughed, “If I wasn’t an Alpha and a brother, that sentence would make no sense to me.” I shrugged, “I don’t think I’ll tell him your name, but I’m trying a new thing out.”

Chase was quiet then said, “I do have a question, but if you don’t want to answer you don’t have to.” I turned and said, “Hit me.” Chase asked, “Why did you say you don’t lie to your brother anymore? You said you had promised.” I sighed and thought back.

*Flashback*

At thirteen years old I had seen too many things I shouldn’t have. I wanted to erase my pain. I saw my mother’s dead eyes and my father’s damaged face in every dream I’d had since I was eight. I wanted to stop my dreams. I didn’t want to feel anything anymore.

I snuck out of the Shroud. I’d researched where to go to find what I needed. I found the dealer I’d arranged to meet. I’d saved enough money to buy enough drugs to get me through a few months. The dealer saw how old I was and wouldn’t give me heroin like we’d discussed. He sold me some pills that he said were opiates but not as powerful. I popped them and finally felt numb.

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