Page 84 of The Married Alpha And His Arrow: Vol 1

Heath fiddled with a ring on his index finger. He’d gotten it after a trip three years ago. He’d wear it anytime he left the Shroud. The only time I’d seen him without it was when he answered the SOS from me for Sally.

Heath answered, “No, I don’t have a girlfriend. I haven’t ever met Alpha Sophia.” I smirked, “I sense a story that I’m letting go for now, but if you need to talk I’m here.” Heath looked away, “Your mission will be to end both the rogues and coven members that will be coming through her territory.” I didn’t like that tension in his shoulders. I answered, “Alright.”

Heath continued, “Meredith can’t be killed until after six in the evening.” I nodded, “Damn. I am going to have to run fast.” Heath smiled, “I believe in you. It’s important. That’s why I gave both missions to you.”

I questioned, “Does this have anything to do with Lacy Lyons wedding?” Heath sighed, “It’s going to be attacked. The wolves already know and are prepared.” My heart raced. Chase was going to the wedding, and he was ordering Matt to stay behind. Who would have his back? I couldn’t even be in the area to watch over him.

Heath instantly asked, “Problem?” I whispered, “Ted…” Heath cut me off, “Isn’t going. He will be in his territory. We have no intel to suggest a rogue attack will come at their borders. I have Noel watching over their border just in case. For Ted’s sake.” I gasped, “Noel Calvert?”

Heath nodded, “He came to me. He wants to prove he’s nothing like his brother. I’m giving him an opportunity.” I frowned. I didn’t like that, “You trust him to protect Ted? I know he’s gone on missions, but I got the impression the Lieutenant held him out as much as he could. There are kids in that pack. Alpha Chase’s little sister, Susie, is there. I’ve met her, she’s a cutie.”

Heath casually commented, “I find that incredibly interesting you’ve met the little sister of Alpha Chase who’s a rumor. Actually, some even considered her to be somewhat of a myth until recently.” I rolled my eyes, “I planned a party for Luna Reagan Daniels. We had dinner and drinks. Susie needed a babysitter because it was her parents date night. Alpha Chase shut down the restaurant so their dad would agree.”

Heath stared at me for several seconds. He begrudgingly said, “It seems he’s a good brother then.” I raised an eyebrow, “Why does it look like that was hard for you to admit? Do you not like Alpha Chase?” My heart was going to burst out of my chest if he didn’t.

Heath said, “He surprised me the other day. Maybe I do not know him like I thought I did.” I frowned, “You’ve met him before?” Heath admitted, “No, I hadn’t met him until recently. I almost did once.” I questioned, “What does that mean?” Heath shrugged, “Just that. I almost met him once, but things changed.” I said, “Oookkk.”

The door of Heath’s office opened. Isaiah was out of breath, “It’s Anne, she’s been attacked.” I jumped up, “Ted was going there! Is he alright?” Isaiah nodded, “He found her. He called his Beta Matt in a panic. The Princess and Alpha Eric just got here. Our healer’s assistant said Anne barely has a pulse. The Healer, Gerald, told the Princess there was nothing to be done. She threw him across the room with her wind and called him a Doubting Derrick.”

If I hadn’t been so worried, I’d have laughed. Heath and I both took off running. I had a half a step on Heath and entered the house first. The smell of blood assaulted my senses. I ran to Ted but slipped halfway to him. I felt the slick wetness on my hands and almost gagged. I looked at my hands getting on my knees. My mind was flashing between the present and past.

A hand gripped my shoulder, “I recognize you from the fairy event. You are the party planner. We didn’t get to meet then; I am Alpha Eric Conners. I’m going to help you to your feet. Alright?” I nodded slowly, and he lifted me up onto my feet.

I turned to see Heath frozen in the doorway. His jaw was locked in anger staring at Haley and Anne. I continued looking almost against my will, but I had to see her. Anne had lost a lot of blood from a wound to the back of her head. I actually gagged when I saw her lamp had her own brain matter on it.

Alpha Eric gently asked, “Are you alright?” I was shaking. I kept seeing my mom behind the couch, and my dad with his face beaten in. My throat was dry. Alpha Eric comforted, “Haley will heal her. She will be ok. My wife is very determined.”

Gerald spoke, “Lexi, please do not get any false hope here. Anne’s brain was damaged; she had a slow, almost non-existent heartbeat.” Alpha Eric growled and took a step forward. He stopped when a vase flew through the air and nailed the healer in the head.

Ted screamed, “DON’T YOU SAY THAT! NOT ABOUT MY MOTHER! She’s going to be fine!” His voice snapped me out of the past and into the present. I ran over and threw my arms around him, not caring that we were both covered in blood. He broke down sobbing, a desperate look in his eye.

He sobbed, “I need Matt. She…. I just came to see her with him not that long ago. She was fine, and she even told jokes. She called Matt the other night. She has to be alright, Lex.” I heard bags crash outside. I heard Tony, Ted’s dad, scream, “ANNE!”

I watched Tony run inside. He’d seen the state of disarray his living room was in from the window. Tony sank to his knees once he saw Anne. Isaiah gathered up the groceries he’d dropped. Ted’s older brother, Tate, came running through the door next.

His eyes looked all over then rested on Ted. He asked, “Teddy?” He ran and gently pulled Ted away from me. He looked at Gerald and didn’t bother to hide his anger. He hissed, “He’s covered in blood! WHY aren’t you helping him?”

Ted sounded far away when he answered, “It’s not my blood, Tate.” Tate was nonplussed. He glared at Gerald, “He’s in shock, and so is my father. DO SOMETHING!” Alpha Eric snorted, “He’s not much help. I’m barely refraining my wolf from ripping him to pieces.” I was tempted to tell him to have at it.

Heath spoke to their dad, “Tony, we will find who did this.” Susanna ran up. She told Heath, “Owen is down, and Noah is gone.” Tate threw a lamp. “THE FORMER LIEUTENANT HURT MY MOTHER?!” Susanna gasped then came inside. She stared at Anne in shock.

Heath demanded, “Owen. What’s his status?” Susanne reported, “He’s alive. He’s got a nasty bump on the head, and he was drugged.” Heath was vibrating in anger. He gritted his teeth, “Noah is now on the run. He’s an enemy of the Hood, and anyone who sees him will bring him to me.”

Alpha Eric was on the phone speaking in hushed tones. I wished I had werewolf hearing. I watched his lips and made out that he was talking to Chase. That made something in my heart lift. I wouldn’t have to explain it to him later. I was barely holding it together, but I was managing for my best friend.

Tate and Alpha Eric’s conversation had kicked the healer into gear. Gerald was evaluating Ted who was cursing at him and slapping his hands away. Tate looked at me then asked, “Are you alright?” I shook off the cobwebs of my past that were trying to force their way back in, giving him a nod.

Heath came over to me and put a hand on my shoulder. We all watched as Haley moved her hands away. She was a little pale, but she didn’t pass out. I ran to the kitchen and made her a sandwich. It was a small thing, but it was something I could do. I handed it to Haley as she yelled about Noah being a Troll who needed to die.

I looked around my friend’s childhood home. I’d kill the former Lieutenant myself for this. Anne was a mother figure to me. If he attacked Anne it was to punish me, Ted, and Sally. Haley was lamenting how she should’ve just killed Noah that night of my string ceremony. At this moment, I wished she had.

Anne’s eyes fluttered open. Heath, Ted, Tate, Tony, and I burst into tears. We surrounded her in seconds. Tony was rocking her back and forth. He cried, “You can’t do that to me, Anne. If you think you’ll get to stay behind while I go, get those groceries you demand from the other side of the Shroud… Well, you have just got another think coming.”

Anne huffed, “I just have no idea what you are talking about, Tony. Why is everyone blubbering? Ted! You came to see me. Our fearless leader too. Tate! You are home! We have so much news! Ohhh Miss Haley and her Alpha wolf…” She trailed off when she looked around. She shrieked, “WHAT HAPPENED? MY HOUSE IS A WRECK!”

Haley had snapped everything clear of blood, but the broken lamps and overturned furniture weren’t fixed yet. Heath questioned, “Anne, do you remember what happened?” Anne frowned, “Happened? Did you boys rough house and knock over the furniture?”

Tate snorted, “Mom, Ted and I have never rough housed. He doesn’t like to fight.” Anne pursed her lips, “That’s true. Surely I should remember….” Haley interjected, “You were drugged, but it looks like you put up a heck of a fight even in that state.”

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