Alpha Eric laughed, “Do I look like I was born last night? She’s not going to approach Lexi. I actually met with Sophia the other day. She seems to get it for the first time. She apologized for all the small promises she broke. I apologized again for my pup’s behavior. Haley apologized for the magic getting the better of her. It was a meeting full of the word sorry.”

I asked, “You apologized for the pups sunlight hands and the pushing?” Alpha Eric nodded, “Yes, they shouldn’t have done that. They felt their mother’s pain. They do not react well to either of us being in pain. But they are young, and therefore they react without thinking, impulsive is a word I’d use. They’ve only felt it when we are in danger and have been hurt.” I nodded saying, “That makes sense.”

Alpha Eric announced, “Former Gamma Wallace is dead.” Matt and Derrick inhaled deeply in surprise. I said, “Well, she did find the traitor in her pack. Did you kill him?” Alpha Eric laughed, “Me? No, I watched.”

Matt shouted, “HALEY KILLED HIM?” Alpha Eric nodded, “Yes, she did. I explained to her what went down. Sophia told her mentor and I the circumstances of her and Wallace first time sleeping together. He fucking used her grief.”

I growled, “HE WHAT?!” Alpha Eric said, “When my Angel heard that she called and talked through some things with Sophia then asked if she could kill Wallace. He did not go kindly.” I gritted out, “He basically raped her.”

Alpha Eric commented, “He didn’t basically rape her. As far as I’m concerned, based on the information, she was not in her right mind to consent to anything happening. He did rape her.” I cursed, “Shit! I wouldn't have let that go!”

Alpha Eric said, “None of us would have. I should’ve...” He trailed off amending, “We should’ve gotten her a mentor. I kept thinking she’d accept the ones we offered. Or that Beta Alfred Sr. would’ve said something. I will not make that mistake again.” I could tell by the look on his face he was serious.

He shook himself, “Anyway, for the first time, I think Sophia has a chance. She’s got good people around her now. Her mentor won’t let her be taken advantage of, and I’m monitoring the entire thing much more closely.” I nodded.

I would’ve killed Wallace. My dad would’ve torn him apart. Alpha Eric stood, “Haley linked me the nurseries are done. I have a meeting I have to get back for this afternoon.” I stood to follow him out. We ran into Heath.

Heath told me, “I checked everything out. Noah did not order anyone to switch Lexi’s birth control. According to the logs it was filled correctly.” I said, “So he did it himself.” Heath said, “Or he has help. All of our healers are on my radar now.”

Alpha Eric said, “Your sister is with my mate. I can take you to them, I was just leaving.” Heath nodded to me and left to go talk to Lexi. Matt said, “Onto Alpha Davis.” He dialed. Alpha Davis’s shaky voice came through the receiver, “Allpphhhaa Chassseee... I am so sorry! I had NOTHING to do with Gamma McCann’s actions.”

I linked Matt, “What the fuck?! Is he an Alpha?” Matt replied, “I maintain that’s up for debate.” Out loud I said, “He was your Gamma and he tried to KILL my mate. She dove in front of my brother’s mate to protect her.”

Alpha Davis explained, “He told me he was visiting his family. I didn’t know he’d gone to your territory. I told him to let this go. I swear, Alpha Chase! None of us have a problem with your people.” I motioned to Matt to pull up the footage. “I will review the footage with you as we speak,” I told Alpha Davis. Matt cued it up. He linked me, “This might not be the time to view this.”

I watched the fight play out. Gamma McCann was the one who’d hurt Jenna. He went for Susie, and Jenna defended her. Matt linked, “I take it back. Now is ABSOLUTELY the time for this.” Lexi appeared. She fought so well. She didn’t even hesitate when Gamma McCann went for Reagan.

I roared when he latched his teeth into her throat. I saw Haley pop in. The devastation she caused was justified. I watched as she started to heal Lexi. She would’ve died. Her throat was torn open. I said, “Your Gamma would’ve killed my mate if Princess Luna Haley hadn’t come. If I see you, you’re a dead man. Stay in fucking Nashville. I’d avoid summits too if I were you. I’ll beat your pathetic ass!”

Alpha Davis sounded relieved, “You’re not coming down here?” I sneered, “I wouldn’t waste the gas on you.” I hung up. I looked at Matt, “Did he sound too relieved? Almost as if he was worried, we’d find something if we came down there.” Matt thought about it before replying, “I don’t know.”

Derrick said, “I think he was relieved you weren’t going to kill him. That dude should not be an Alpha. I’m pretty sure I could take him. No, no, Alpha Eric’s pups could take him. Easily. Hell, maybe even your pups in utero. He’s a pathetic excuse of an Alpha.”

I questioned, “How is he still in power then?” Derrick shrugged, “No one wants the headache of killing him? They are probably waiting for him to cross some line.” I said, “Maybe.” Matt admitted, “He is actually a good fighter. So is his son.” That was not my problem.

I ran outside and shifted, needing to run after what I saw. I stopped by a lake. I growled at my reflection. I ran back and shifted. My dad laughed, “Are you still pink?” I said, “Evidently.” I walked into my office and called Alpha Eric.

Beta Caleb answered the phone, “Alpha Chase?” I said, “I need to ask Alpha Eric a question.” Beta Caleb replied, “He just got done with a meeting. One second.” Alpha Eric came in seconds later, “Do you miss me already?” Matt linked, “I’m texting the Beta Chat that he cracks jokes now. It’s so weird.” It was nice though.

I questioned, “How long am I going to be a pink wolf?” Alpha Eric paused then asked, “I beg your pardon?” I said, “Your mate turned Bolt pink and he doesn’t like it.” Alpha Eric burst into laughter. He howled, “She turned…. you pink?” I heard a pop.

Haley asked, “What’s so damn funny?” Alpha Eric said, “You Angel. You turned Alpha Chase pink?” Haley answered, “No.” I accused, “I know it was you.” Haley emphasized, “I did NOT turn Alpha Chase pink. You just saw him. Was he pink?” Alpha Eric howled, “You turned his wolf pink.”

Haley replied, “Aiden said turning Chase himself pink would’ve been mean. Lexi said his wolf’s name is Bolt. So, I did NOT turn Chase pink. I turned Bolt pink.” I cut in, “Can I just have the pink ass tattoo? Bolt doesn’t like being pink.”

Haley said, “It will wear off by this weekend. If I do that tattoo, I’d have to remember to magic it off. The pink wolf has an expiration date.” I snorted, “Fine. I’ll continue to be a pink glittery wolf.” Alpha Eric’s side of the phone was beside themselves. I hung up.

Lexi linked me that she needed me. I was out of the door and to her office before she could give more details. Heath looked like he’d eaten something sour. We all started walking towards Sophia’s border but not the part where the Shroud was.

Bolt whined when we found out this was likely going to be a rejection. I didn’t want that for either of them. I said he deserved better, but a rejection this fast could be a mistake. They needed to take a beat. Bolt was howling in pain at the thought of Lexi rejecting us.

I linked him, “It didn’t happen to us. She’s with us. She bares our mark and she’s having our pups. Lexi loves us.” Bolt was still in pain, but he said, “Mate does love us.” I was trying to defend their bond to my mate. Heath did hold her, that had to count for something.

I had to admit in his shoes I’d have attacked. I know Alpha Eric would go insane on anyone who’d done that to Haley. Heath didn’t. I didn't blame him, but Lexi was right. If it was her, I wouldn’t have just stood there and cried.

I linked Sophia, “Lexi and I are at your border. I know we have had issues lately, but I can hear you and I’m here for you.” Sophia replied, “I’m sorry doesn’t really seem like enough, but I’m sorry.” I apologized, “I’m sorry I didn’t know what was truly going on with you.” Sophia said, “I didn’t let anyone. I trusted you to help me keep my pack, but other than that I boxed you out. Don’t worry about hearing us. Tyson is close by too. He didn’t want me to come alone.”

That was good she shouldn’t be alone. Heath and Sophia’s talk didn’t even start out as let’s work this out. They both seemed resigned to their fates. I looked at Lexi. I couldn’t imagine life without her, but our situation wasn’t Heath and Sophia’s.