Page 62 of The Married Alpha And His Arrow: Vol 1

Sally was surprised, “You’re giving me guards?” He nodded. She turned to me, “Yup, I want what you have. He’s worried about me for you.” I smiled, “He’s a good one.” Sally smiled, “I’m glad you found him, I really am.”

I apologized, “I’m really sorry about the Troll. I should’ve been there more for you.” Sally shook her head, “You healed at the rate you needed to. We all have our stories. I’ve mourned my relationship for what has basically been three years. I’m ready to have a girl’s night, a good cry, get drunk, and move on.” I smiled, “Good.” Ted said, “Come on. Me and my Matt will take you to the fairy getaway.”

They left and I turned to Chase asking, “Do you mind changing our plans?” As I spoke Kincade and Kevin left the room. Chase dragged me into my office. He ripped my shirt off over my head, and kissed the spot I’d been stabbed in. He pulled my pencil skirt up then dropped to his knees.

I asked, “Chase, what are you... OH GOD!” His tongue was on me. I gripped his hair tight. I pulled lightly and he growled. I came screaming his name. He stood and dropped his pants. He entered me growling, “You. Are. Mine! No getting stabbed!” I clutched onto him. “SHIT! CHASE!”

Chase growled, “Say you’re mine, Lexi.” I looked into his eyes, “I’m yours.” I saw his teeth elongate. I could practically taste his struggle. I came screaming and he came moments after. I watched in shock as he sank his teeth into his own arm.

Tears filled my eyes. I didn’t even care what his situation was. That he would do that meant more to me than he could ever know. I wasn’t ready for him to mark me, but I was getting there. Something told me I’d want him to mark me before his situation was handled. That scared me a little bit, but as I looked into Chase’s eyes, I wanted to be his forever.

Change of Heart

Chase was startled awake by Lexi screaming for her mother. I tried to wake her, but whatever sort of flashback she was in; it was holding her tight. I stiffened listening to her words. She’d seen her mother’s dead body. My heart broke for my mate. I can’t imagine how devastating it must have been. She was whimpering, but no matter what I did she wouldn’t wake up. I spoke to her in soothing tones gently running my fingertips up and down her arm.

When she did wake up, she sat straight up gasping for breath. She was shaking so I put my arms around her. I hated seeing her like this. She was clearly in pain from the echoes in her past. I knew talking sometimes helped our young warriors from their first attack on rogues or their first kills. She tried to brush it off as a dream, but I disagreed.

I was shocked by the story she told. Who the hell murders a family while their child sleeps upstairs? I thanked the Moon Goddess whoever it was had left her alone though. I stiffened when she said she thought the man she saw on their porch that night killed her parents. Could that be the man following her?

I linked Kincade and Kevin, “That man that’s following Lexi. DO NOT let him EVER get near her. He could be the man who murdered her parents. IF you see him detain him and bring him to me. Immediately.” Kincade replied, “Yes, Alpha.”

We discussed what I knew from following her. I could see the trust in her eyes that I would not betray her secrets. I knew one day she would be my wife, mother of my pups, and the amazing Luna of our pack. I didn’t want to mention marriage just yet thought because of Sophia and her damn former Gamma Wallace. I was going to have to find a way to kill that piece of shit.

I linked Derrick, “I need you to work on how to get to your former counterpart out of Sophia’s dungeons and into ours.” Derrick linked, “Uhh seriously?” I retorted, “He’s the reason I can’t bring Lexi home. He’s the reason I had to stay away from her. HE is someone I can make pay.” Derrick groaned, “Wonderful. I’m on it. Does Matt know about this plan?” I admitted, “Not yet. We will talk about it tomorrow. I’ll tell him then.” Derrick said, “Alrighty then. I’ll just be thinking of ways to steal a prisoner from your wife.”

I explained the guard situation for her friends to Lexi. Her brother was the leader of the Hood, but Lexi was the heart. She was who their people came to with their problems. Sally had obviously come to her, and she was trying to help. I would support her in any move to protect our pack one day, and this was something I could do. I would do this for her.

It was small. I had enough men, and it would make me feel like less of a shit mate. Sally worked just outside my territory. My surrounding allies wouldn’t mind if my men or women crossed into their borders, after I sent out the word I was guarding her. They would assume it was for Ted. Bolt snorted, “Thor won’t.” I was still adjusting to calling him that instead of Duke, but all the wolves accepted his name change easily. I did too, I’d just known him as Duke all my life. I’d adjust.

Lexi’s eyes filled with tears, clearly moved I would help her friends. It was literally the least I could do. She seemed to find my plan to kill Noah funny. One day I’d know where the Shroud was, and I could efficiently plan how to end his miserable existence. Matt might actually know since he visited Ted’s family. Once I knew where it was, I had options.

I knew Heath would kill him if he knew. I saw how Heath looked at Lexi when they met up. He truly loved her. I was relieved she seemed to understand Matt explained everything to me. She must know things about pack hierarchies. As my Beta, Matt wasn’t keeping things from me. If anyone kept a secret about my mate from me, they would NOT like the consequences. At least not anyone in my pack.

I’m sure she and Ted had their secrets. Ted could be my exception, but I’m pretty sure he’d gab eventually. I just had to be patient. I could be an incredibly patient man. Bolt and I were both enraged that she’d been shot before. Then we both preened that she thanked us for taking the tranquilizer for her. Bolt linked me, “Mate is so gracious. She will be an amazing Luna.” I agreed, “Yes, she will.”

Bolt was in heaven when he took over and Lexi recognized the difference between us then spoke to him. I couldn’t help but laugh realizing she didn’t know my last name. I mentally promised to always treasure her heart. I knew she’d been burned in the past. I’d do my best to keep her clear of everything with Sophia until it was handled.

I changed the subject wanting to discuss her having guards. They could protect her better if they were inside with her. I was impressed she was tactical enough to have the office across from hers rented as well. That made sense because she is the sister of a leader. I was glad Heath taught her how to anticipate different situations and possibilities.

Her only request about their presence was simple enough, lay low. They could do that. She’d been guarded this whole time and she didn’t know about it. She teased me about Cameron and Reagan’s party. I laughed because Cameron had told me Reagan berated him when he came home. He wouldn’t confirm if Lexi was my mate, but Reagan said she didn’t need him to. She said she had to be someone’s mate, and she’d heard my growl outside. We still hadn’t told her, but it seemed like a moot point.

We discussed her night at the club with Reagan. I still needed to deal with the situation of the wolf’s family, someone needed to be informed. That segwayed into my former pack members. I needed to have myself a chat with TeleTed. The man really did have a gift of gab. I wanted to plan the perfect date for Lexi, and he was my in.

I asked if she had a moniker, and I was woefully unprepared for her answer. I was shocked to find out she had one. Bolt whined, “Normally it’s one per family.” I replied, “I know, buddy.” My palms broke out into a sweat thinking of her on a mission. She didn’t just gather intelligence. She would go somewhere to kill someone. She could get hurt.

She told me her dilemma about telling her brother and not the Hood about finding me. I had to laugh. Susie had come to me as a sister before. Cameron had come as my younger brother. They needed their brother, not the Alpha and I had always tried to be the person they needed.

My curiosity got the best of me. She already knew that I’d overheard her speaking to her brother. I wanted to know what had happened to elicit the promise that she would never lie to him again. Cameron and I just had an unspoken rule. We didn’t lie to each other. I wanted to know why Heath felt the need to make her promise him that.

Bolt growled, “You upset her.” He was right. I could see shame all across her face. I frowned, not wanting her to feel that way. I was stunned when she confided she’d developed a drug problem. That was not what I was expecting at all. I was so proud of her for staying away from drugs. Even something as simple as over the counter medicine. That was very self-aware of her. Heath getting her to promise him that made a lot of sense now.

His actions in her story confirmed in my mind that if Heath knew about Noah, he’d do something. I might have to find a way to slip the Hood some information. Lexi thought she was weak, but I didn’t. Detoxing and staying away from drugs is hard. Many can’t manage because drugs are so addicting, relapsing countless times, or not quitting at all.

It was small, but I encouraged her to talk to her brother. I could tell they were very close until the Noah thing. She’d put up walls, and while I understood why, as an older brother I felt for Heath. He didn’t understand what happened. He didn’t have the full picture, he just thought he did. I wanted the siblings to get back to that place with each other, even if I had to step in and leak information about Noah.

The conversation changed to my life, which I highlighted. I missed my mom, but I’d always be grateful for Nadine. I knew some pups had problems with their parents finding a second chance mate; but Cameron and I prayed every night for our mom and the Moon Goddess to give him another chance. We both knew our mother wouldn’t want him to kill himself, and that’s the path he was on.

The Moon Goddess loves her children and wouldn’t want to see that. Cameron and I couldn’t lose our dad either. One day when he was old and grey and lived a full life, I’d accept his death. I couldn’t accept losing another parent in a violent way.

---