My dad linked me, “Susie wants me to tell you that you guys have two minutes.” I laughed and grabbed some sweats and a different hoodie. I picked Lexi up and carried her bridal style. She shot me a look, “I can walk you know?” I winked, “I know.” We both came down the stairs grinning like idiots.

Ted started crying. Lexi was immediately concerned, “Ted?” Ted waved his hand in front of his face like a fan. He told her, “Don’t mind me I’m just emotional.” I looked at Matt who sighed and rubbed Ted’s back.

Ted admitted, “I just didn’t know if we were going to be like this again. Those fucking Sophia and Opal bitches. I was plotting their demise. Matt told me Opal is with Prince Bjourn so that’s handled. I was just plotting Sophia’s death.” Lexi sighed, “No one can kill her.”

Everyone stopped and stared at her. Ted asked, “My girl says what now?” Lexi said, “She doesn’t die. For Heath’s sake alone. He already lost Dani and even if they can’t work past the insane amount of obstacles they have, she’s off limits and out of bounds.”

Ted threw his hands in the air, “Then my mother will give her HELL! HELL, I tell you.” Sally urged, “Let’s just give her a chance to change. Everyone deserves a chance.” Ted pursed his lips, “Fine. I still hate her, but for Heath, my girl, and you Miss Sally I will stop planning her demise. Where do we stand on maiming?” I laughed.

Matt kissed Ted. When they broke apart my Beta gushed, “Is it any wonder I love you?” I linked Lexi, “Do you want to tell them about the twins?” Lexi replied, “I kind of want Heath to know first. Well, you know after all of Faerie, Haley, Aiden, Blade, Serion, Alpha Eric, Beta Dylan, and you.” I laughed out loud. Everyone looked at me and I just shrugged.

Matt spoke out loud, “The suspense is killing us. The happy Alpha howl last night, what was that about?” I smirked, “Suspense is good for you.” Everyone booed. Lexi changed the subject, “Has Kincade seen Carry yet?” I nodded answering, “They are mates.” Matt said, “She moved in here after her birthday. Kincade bought her a car that she drives to school with another girl whose mate is in our pack but is from the Conners. Her mate had been dropping her off for months, but now they ride together. On days Carry’s going to be at your office, she’s riding with you guys. The other girl is just going to take the car herself.”

She cooed, “Aww, I can’t wait to see them together.” Sally grinned, “We haven’t seen them too much, but they are adorably happy.” Ted winked, “For the brief moment we saw them clothed.” I said, “I didn’t see them at your ceremony, Derrick.”

Derrick snorted, “They joined after you went to talk. They shifted before you came out and split off VERY quickly into the run.” I laughed admitting, “I can’t blame them.” Matt said, “Everyone at this table knows you can’t blame them.” I retorted, “Let’s do some paperwork before lunch.”

Lexi asked, “Can I help out?” She linked me, “I just want to be around you.” I smiled at her. Derrick said, “She can never leave again Chase. Never again.” I laughed, “We can show you how to do some of it today.” Ted and Sally joined us. We showed them the process, and their speed made them an incredibly efficient group.

I asked Matt, “Have we started the plans to have the first female lead warrior tournament?” Matt said, “Actually, Beta Caleb just told me they have theirs planned for next weekend. He offered to let us come see how theirs goes. A lot of packs are attending to see the process.”

I was a little surprised, “They aren’t going to wait until graduation? I was thinking that group of girls should be included.” Matt snorted, “They are being included in Black Mountain because Haley insisted. She said since they aren’t sure how the position will work the girls who are seniors should be allowed to compete. If one wins who is still attending school, the next highest competitor who is not attending school will split the position with them. They are going to have four lead Female Warriors for all packs under all the Conners Alpha’s. We will have two.” That was true The top four would be their Female Lead Warriors and whoever won would be Alpha Eric’s Female Lead warrior.

I considered it then agreed, “That could work.” Matt said, “I’ve heard Haley thinks she already knows who’s going to win.” I asked, “Who?” Matt answered, “Some girl named Tessa. That was a whole ordeal at the start, but now they are pretty good friends.”

Derrick said, “So Sophia has hope to be in Haley’s girl gang.” I linked him, “REALLY DERRICK?” Derrick winced, “Uhh sorry Luna.” Lexi laughed, “It’s Lexi, and it’s not a problem. It’s also not happening unless I tell her it’s ok.” I raised my eyebrows.

Ted agreed, “It’s so not. I’m next, it’s my turn!” Derrick muttered, “I didn’t mean anytime soon.” Lexi said, “It won’t happen. Haley is the nicest person, but when you hurt those she loves; she has no forgiveness to give you. She’s got a line in the sand and that’s it. If Sophia had hurt her, she’d get over it.” Ted said, “She hurt Lexi, so she’s fucked. Too bad, so sad.” Lexi laughed, “If I asked for Sophia to be included Haley would thaw. She’s just very loyal.” Ted pursed his lips, “Which is why you’d have to ask.”

I linked Lexi, “What about Heath?” Lexi answered, “Sophia doesn’t need to be friends with Haley to be Heath’s string. I’ll do what I have to, to make sure that my brother is happy. Even if that means being nice to Sophia for the rest of our lives. For Heath’s sake I’ll do it. The War Goddess paired her with him. She has to be a good person somewhere deep inside her.”

I wasn’t touching that with a ten-foot pool. I said, “Alright, so let’s tell them we will come see their tournament. We will be bringing plus ones.” Matt smirked. Lexi joked, “Why yes Chase, I’d love to come.” I snorted, “I’m not letting you get out of my sight anytime soon, Sweetheart.” Ted shouted, “Hear! Hear! Alpha!” Sally laughed.

Lexi frowned but didn’t say anything. Ted gasped, “Sally, did you see that? Just now, by the window.” Sally feigned astonishment, “I did, Ted!” I looked outside with Derrick and Matt. Matt said, “I didn’t see anything.”

Sally told him smiling, “A pig JUST flew by that window.” Ted gasped, “I think it was even a purple pig.” Sally agreed, “It must have been.” I laughed out loud. Ted frowned, “Seriously, you feeling ok Lex? You’d have decked Heath for saying that. You didn’t even argue with your Alpha wolf.” Lexi fidgeted, “We…. well…. this whole thing just happened. I almost died then the whole losing track of time in pain thing happened.”

Ted smacked her arm, “Girl, don’t ever do that again!” Lexi continued, “Then we were apart for so long so I’m going to give him a pass for a bit.” Ted said, “Goddess let me be there when you tell Heath that Chase gets a pass.” Lexi sighed, “I mean if you want to go home for lunch….”

Ted laughed, “Matt and I ARE coming to the Shroud today. Sally and Derrick are even coming. I can’t WAIT for this moment.” I asked confused, “What moment?” Lexi cringed. Sally laughed, “The moment Anne gives Lexi hell for keeping her string a secret.” Lexi stammered, “We are going straight to Heath’s.” Ted said, “Ohhhh she’s a gonna come for you.” Lexi sighed.

Suddenly she stood and flashed out of the room. Ted frowned, “We were just giving her crap. I mean my mother is mad, but she loves Lexi.” I felt in my chest she was getting sick. Sally said, “I’ll go check on her.” I stood, “No, I’ll go.” I ran upstairs. I pulled her hair back as she leaned over the toilet bowl. She held onto it, before laying down on the tile. She groaned. Then she got up and brushed her teeth.

I blew out a breath, “Sweetheart, maybe Heath should come here.” Lexi shook her head, “No, I want to tell him there.” I told her, “Ok, your friends think they upset you.” Lexi said, “I’ll tell them they didn’t.” We walked back downstairs.

Ted frowned, “Lexi, we were mostly joking, but my mom is going to give you hell.” Lexi laughed, “I know. I just needed some air.” Sally and Ted frowned. Our group left for the Shroud. Derrick, Matt, and I shifted. Ted busted up laughing, “He’s still pink.” Sally snorted. Lexi said, “I imagine he will be for a while.” I linked her, “How long is a while?” Lexi replied, “I don’t know, I’ll ask Haley.” I growled.

We ran to the Shroud. I linked Matt, “The literal last place on earth I want to be is in Sophia’s territory.” Matt responded, “Soon we will be in the Shroud.” We shifted and grabbed some clothes Matt had stashed in this area.

Lexi took my hand, and we stepped through. It was a trippy experience. Much like looking at a fairy enchanted house. One moment I was staring at what looked like the forest with a cliff drop off, and the next I was surrounded by a town all on its own. Lexi called, “Bye guys.” Ted laughed, “You’re not going to make it.” Lexi grabbed my hand and took off running.

I heard a woman yell, “You can run Lexi Scott, but you can’t hide from me!” I laughed, “I think she is going to get you.” Lexi stopped running when we got to what I assumed was Heath's house. Lexi said, “She’ll wait until we leave Heath’s.” I studied her then asked, “Are you ok?” She knocked and played with the sleeves of my hoodie she was wearing. She said, “I’m a little nervous to tell him.” I said, “He’ll be happy. He and I are cool now.”

Lexi admitted, “I know. The future him told me all about it.” I said, “We didn’t get to discuss that much.” Lexi nodded, “Which is why we are here.” Heath opened the door, “Hey guys.” Lexi stammered, “Hey... Heath.” Her voice was almost chattering. I raised an eyebrow and linked her, “Why are you so nervous to tell him?” Lexi sighed, “I’ll tell you inside.”

Heath stared at her then said, “Come in.” We walked inside holding hands. The table was already set, and the food was out. Lexi asked him, “Did you cook all this?” Heath replied absentmindedly, “Huh? Oh no, I had some help.” Lexi smirked but said nothing. We sat down.

Heath asked, “So what’s up with you? Let’s just get it out now. Or you’ll be all nervous the whole meal and pick at your food. Eventually I’ll yell for the love of god Lex, just spit it out! You’ll hem and haw then blurt it out nervously. Let’s skip all that, and you can just tell me so we can enjoy our lunch.”