Page 77 of The Married Alpha And His Arrow: Vol 1

Wallace shook his head, “I would never kill her. The plan was for me to run the pack and mark her as mine.” I growled, “You said you weren’t her mate!” Wallace yelled, “I’m not! We can have chosen mates!” I was stunned, “You’d have marked her against her will?!” Wallace glared, “Who said it would’ve been against her will?” I pointed out, “She’s only twenty-two. She hasn’t given up on her mate yet.” Wallace agreed, “Not yet.” Was he really this delusional?

I questioned, “How did you get caught?” Wallace snorted, “Ask Sophia. I still don’t know. She got some tip. I honestly don’t even think she knows who it was from. We KNOW it wasn’t you, you weren’t here. Your pack would’ve told you.”

He huffed, “Alpha Eric was my best guess, but when I asked Sophia if it was him her eyes moved to the left. It’s her tell. I just don’t think it was him. I’m beginning to question if it even was a wolf that warned her. Other than you, your brother, Alpha Eric, Alpha Kyle, and Alpha Lucas, everyone else would’ve wanted me in charge of Sophia.”

I reiterated, “Again, even being her mate does NOT mean you are in charge. She still would’ve been.” Wallace mocked, “Really? You don’t think it would break an Alpha’s spirit to be marked against their will? You thought I didn’t go to class, but even I know that. She’d have been broken and tied to me. I could’ve ruled.”

Matt scoffed, “That’s just fucking disgusting.” I questioned, “Did Alpha Hammond help you?” Wallace’s mouth moved into a grin that looked somewhat intimidating with his bloody teeth, “He was letting the rogues into our territory. He even kicked out a few warriors so they would become rogues. Sophia though, she took them in realizing where they’d come from. She offered them a place to stay and trained them. They are completely loyal to her.”

I frowned, “How many?” Wallace asked, “How many what?” I huffed, “How many rogues were from Alpha Hammond’s pack?” Wallace answered, “Thirty.” I gaped, “He kicked out thirty members to help you take over? Why?”

Wallace laughed, “He’s a sexist bastard.” I growled, “Soon to be was. He’s wanted for trying to take Alpha Lucas’ mate. He fled his pack. Did you not notice Cameron wasn’t with us? Our allies offered the pack to him.” Wallace paled.

I smirked, “Are you realizing Hammond could never take on my brother? He will NEVER get that pack back from my brother. Alpha Eric’s Fairy Hackura Princess Luna SLAUGHTERED everyone and anyone in her way to get to her husband. Alpha Hammond is on her shit list.”

Matt casually commented, “Beta Dylan said they think his wedding will be attacked. We got word of that yesterday. They want everyone on alert.” I snorted, “So we have to dress in costumes and prepare for an attack. This is the most apt Halloween wedding of all time.” Derrick observed, “It’s kind of awesome, and completely Beta Dylan. The costume wedding party part anyway.” I sighed. I was glad Lexi couldn’t come to the wedding with me now.

Now that I thought about it, Alpha Hammond would think all our defenses would be down. He probably was going to attack. I’d have our warriors on high alert. He would be stupid to try to come through me, but I did need to warn Sophia. She had Alpha Hammond sympathizers in her pack.

I asked, “What I really want to know is if former Beta Alfred Sr. had anything to do with this plan?” Wallace smiled, “I wondered when you were going to get there. I’ll tell you what I told Sophia, I’m not going to tell you.” I broke his arm. “I didn’t think you would, but you see Wallace now I know you have hope. I’ll have you back here the SECOND that hope is destroyed.”

Wallace stared at me. I smirked, “I’ll keep you down here for the time Sophia and I agreed on, but I’m going to give her a call. Now I know that once Alpha Hammond is dead you will lose all hope of a rescue. Even if Beta Alfred Sr. is involved, we all know he can’t take down Sophia. We all know that, even the man himself. Once Alpha Hammond is dead it’s over. You have nothing.” Matt laughed, “How very true.” I grabbed Wallace and flung him into the silver bars and walked out.

I entered my office and called Sophia. Sophia answered, “If you’re calling to tell me he already told you the answers we want to know; I’m going to need pointers on your techniques.” I admitted, “He didn’t tell me if your Beta’s father was involved, but he did tell me some things.” Sophia’s interest was immediate, “What did he tell you?” I highlighted it, “That you were tipped off somehow to what was going on. That he never planned to kill you.” Sophia cut in shocked, “He didn’t? But that’s how you take over!”

I continued, “I know that. His plan was to forcibly mark you.” Sophia snarled and gasped. She was quiet for a long time but could hear her crying. I gently said, “Sophia…” Sophia sniffled, “What else?” I looked at Matt who shrugged.

I explained, “Alpha Hammond was sending rogues to your border in an attempt to weaken you. Even banishing his own pack members turning them into rogues.” Sophia sighed, “They didn’t know why he was banishing them, and neither did I. I only suspected. He did them a disservice. He thought they were weak, but once they caught up to our training level all of them are excellent warriors. I thought I was being paranoid thinking he was turning his own pack members into rogues because of me.”

I said, “You are not paranoid evidently, but you do know those are things you share with your allies. We would’ve helped you.” Sophia ignored the last part of my statement, “Well, that’s more than I’ve gotten out of him.”

Ok then. I told her, “He has hope. He didn’t know Alpha Hammond was no longer in control of his pack. He had no idea Cameron took over.” Sophia admitted, “He wouldn’t know, no. The only people who see him are me and Alfred Jr. We certainly weren’t going to tell him about our allies updates.”

I could see that, but he needed to know about Hammond. I said, “Once Hammond is dead, his last hope of being rescued dies right alongside him.” Sophia sounded surprised, “He thinks he’s going to be rescued?” I told her, “Hammond was working with members of your pack. I’m sure he believes Hammond will defeat you somehow.”

Sophia snorted, “Please, that pandering buffoon couldn't take me. Alfred Sr. knows that.” I pointed out, “Everyone with a functioning brain knows that. You trained with your father. They’ve seen you fight. I don’t know what their plan is, but they seem to have something in mind. Wallace still has hope his plan will succeed.”

Sophia angrily spat out, “I will NOT be forcibly marked.” I assured her, “Wife or not, I would not let that stand. None of the Alpha’s in this area would. I think Haley would come up with something creative to decimate them to dust. She’s friends with the Black Arrow. Those two could definitely do some damage.”

Sophia laughed, “I would actually be curious how the Princess would handle that. Of course she’s friends with the Black Arrow. That’s the dream team right there.” I theorized, “She’d handle it by shedding blood in some Fairy Hackura way.” Sophia laughed.

Eventually she said, “This is the most civil conversation we’ve had in a while.” I ignored that, “I’ll keep Wallace until my allotted time. We can pass him back and forth, but I think once Hammond dies; we hit him hard and get your answers.”

Sophia said, “So you agree with this memo I have. You believe Hammond will attack Beta Dylan’s mating ceremony.” I admitted, “I do.” Sophia concurred, “It does make the most sense. Poor Lacy, that has to be rough.” I said, “Hopefully, we can get this resolved quickly once that happens. How did you find out about the coup attempt?”

Sophia sighed, “I don’t really know exactly. A supernatural being walked up to the front door. They’d made an appointment with me through Alfred. They handed me a file with everything in it. They said it was important to someone close to them that I have this information.”

I asked, “What kind of supernatural being?” Sophia answered, “A fast one? I don’t know, he left as soon as I had it. I asked if he collected the information, and he said his boss did. Who the fuck is his boss? No clue. Why it mattered to his boss? Again, no clue. I owe his boss, and when I tried to tell him that; the man said no charge and shot out of my office as if I’d shot him.”

Matt, Derrick, and I exchanged glances. Sophia hadn’t met Ted yet, and her new Gamma wouldn’t have met the person who gave the information. I cleared my throat, “Alright. Have a good night, Sophia.” Sophia responded, “You too, Chase. Thanks for sharing your information.”

I frowned, “That is what allies do. If my Gamma betrayed me, I know you’d have done the same.” Did she not understand how allies were supposed to work? Did Allister not get to that before he passed in her Alpha lessons? What the hell was going on?

Sophia said, “I would have told you, but Derrick wouldn’t betray you.” Derrick linked me, “Damn straight.” I said, “I am sorry for the hurt that must have caused you.” Sophia huffed, “With the exception of you and Alfred Jr. it’s been the status quo for my reign as Alpha. Betrayal after betrayal. It is what it is.” I frowned, “I’ll talk to you soon. Alright?” Sophia replied, “Good night, Chase.” I hung up the phone.

I asked, “Is it me or does she not understand allies and their purpose? What does she mean betrayal after betrayal?” Matt answered, “I don’t know. I must have missed the memo from Beta Alfred Jr.” Derrick snorted, “You didn’t because they didn’t say. They are keeping everything in house to a serious extreme.” I agreed, “Knowing Hammond was expelling pack members and turning them rogue was information we all needed.” Both of them nodded.

Matt commented, “So, the Hood cares about Sophia staying in power?” I asked, “Wouldn’t you? Their Shroud is in her territory. With a weaker wolf in charge there would be turmoil outside their walls. Despite what Hammond must have told Wallace and his conspirators his plan HAD to be to take over the pack once Sophia was forcibly marked. She would have been unconscious for a few days. It would’ve been the perfect opportunity for him.”

---