Eventually curiosity got the best of me. I stood and walked to the closet. I found the note Haley had left Lexi. I frowned. There were more clothes in here? I rubbed my face asking, “Am I that tired, or do you not see any garment bags in this closet for Lexi?”

Both wandered over. Matt laughed and handed me a cup of coffee. He said, “You didn’t read the whole note. Its fairy magicked so only Lexi can see them. You’re supposed to wonder what else in the closet.” I re-read the note.

I growled, “FUCK! Now I want to know what else is in the closet.” Matt agreed, “Same. We need to be prepared for her to rile up the pack. The she wolves will follow her lead.” We stayed there for several moments before we got back to work. I heard Lexi on the stairs talking to Haley shouting that we had ten kids. I snorted.

Matt smacked my arm shouting, “Damn. dude!” I rolled my eyes, “It was a dream. Let’s not count the pups before they’re here.” Matt commented, “You always wanted a big family.” I said, “Ten is not what I was thinking, but I’ll take as many pups as she gives me.”

My phone rang moments later. I answered, “Alpha Chase.” Alpha Eric questioned, “Do you get food delivered to your house?” I greeted, “Alpha Eric, good morning.” Alpha Eric growled, “DO YOU?” I answered, “No, our Omega’s go shopping for our food, why?” I heard a gasp.

Haley said, “We have to get to her! Now, Eric!” I went on alert. I asked, “Who?” My stomach dropped remembering who shew as talking to. Alpha Eric said, “Lexi just signed for a package at your door. She said it was food. I was about to tell her to wait, but she hung up. We are coming to you.”

I launched myself over the desk and threw the door open screaming for Lexi. My dad came running. I heard something get thrown in the kitchen I took off. My dad linked me, “What the hell, Chase?” I explained, “Some food just got delivered.” My dad asked, “From the pack house? That’s no reason to panic.” I replied, “From a delivery service.” My dad tensed.

We ran into the kitchen and found a very confused Lexi. She looked at me with wide innocent eyes talking about brownies. I was getting a bad feeling. I linked our pack doctor, “Lexi has ingested brownies that were probably tampered with. GET UP HERE NOW!” The pack doctor responded, “I’m on my way. You might have to bring her to the hospital though.”

I let him know, “Haley Conners is here.” The pack doctor said, “Ok then. I’m not sure my services will be required, but I’m coming.” I linked the Dr. April, “Lexi might deliver sooner than you thought. She ate brownies that were delivered to the main house. If Alpha Eric’s mate has to heal her then things could change timeline wise.”

Dr. April said, “Of course. I’ll be ready, Alpha.” I ran to Lexi and took her in my arms. I inhaled deeply. I didn’t smell any wolfsbane or silver. I explained our staff goes and buys fresh food. Lexi began to feel terrified. It was so intense on our bond it mingled with my own. I briefly swayed on my feet.

Alpha Eric linked me, “Haley doesn’t sense anything wrong, or you would’ve walked in on her healing the three of them.” That did help me relax. Haley popped out much to Alpha Eric’s annoyance. Lexi started crying and was blaming herself. I would not have that. She ate a damn brownie!

Haley popped back in with Prince Logan and his mate, Katie Bishop. Prince Logan nodded to us as Katie went over to the brownies. I couldn’t tell what she did, but she dropped the brownie as if it burned her.

I linked Matt, “I WILL RIP HIS TESTICLES OFF! He’s trying to kill my pups!” Matt winced replying, “Well sympathy pains... ow... it does look that way. It didn’t work though.” I growled, “It could've.”

Lexi started talking about her dream. I leaned back on the counter for support. Emmett warned her? Holy shit, her dream was real. We were going to have ten pups. Derrick linked me, “You better make sure we have enough rooms in the new main house.” He winked at me, and I appreciated that he was trying to being levity to this terrifying moment.

Lexi’s anger was so sharp I swore I could taste it on my tongue. She was issuing rapid orders and had become singularly focused. Derrick linked me, “What can Sally do?” I answered, “She knows Noah…” I trailed off when Derrick growled. I continued, “Better than most. She probably wants her advice.” Derrick growled, “I may have to leave to destroy the gym.” I responded, “I’ll help you.”

I linked my dad, “Is there a spell that could kill one pup? Specific to gender?” My dad replied, “I’m not a warlock, but it certainly seems that way. I feel the need to point out it didn’t happen. We will be more careful from now.”

I linked my dad and Matt, “Matt, assign an Omega to accept packages. Any food gets taken to our resident warlocks.” My dad linked clarifying, “Do you mean the Bishop brothers?” I nodded. Lexi said these brownies were her favorite. I took a peek inside the box; I could make these for her.

Lexi called Heath. I linked Matt, “Heath would’ve caught him if he kept his drop the same.” Matt said, “That would’ve been far too simple.” Sally came in then paled when she saw the box of brownies. Lexi hung up on Heath, which meant he would be here soon.

Lexi was going to call Noah on some number Sally had. I linked Derrick, “You memorize that number when she puts it into the phone.” Derrick nodded. We had things to say to Noah too. Heath flashed into the kitchen. He looked furious. It was all replaced with worry as soon as he saw the delivery box with brownies. He paled. I mouthed, “She’s fine and the pups are fine.” Heath nodded in relief.

Lexi ripped Noah apart in her message. Bolt huffed, “Mate would have to get to him first. We plan to beat her to him.” Agreed. Heath’s eyes snapped to mine when she said Emmett wasn’t dead. Haley not understanding a saying was what we all needed though. She managed to accomplish the impossible. She made us all laugh during this very tense moment.

I comforted Lexi when she became hysterical. Heath asked Katie, “This would’ve killed Emmett?” Katie answered, “One of the children, yes. Given what we know Emmett makes the most sense.” Heath hissed, “I’ll fucking kill him.”

I carried Lexi upstairs. The pack doctor linked me, “Alpha Eric’s mate is right. The Luna is fine. I want her on bedrest though until the Luna Ceremony. I linked Dr. April and she agrees out of an abundance of caution, we want her in bed.” I replied, “I’ll make sure she stays in bed.” Lexi didn’t argue when I told her. She simply requested her laptop. I sighed. It appeared Lexi staying out of the hunt for Noah was over.

The plans I had for him had increased. She wanted her cocoon of love, and he was forcing her out of it. My heart broke and rage seeped into my bones when she cried saying we could’ve lost Emmett. Fury laced through me like an erupting volcano.

Haley Conners argued she would’ve healed Lexi. My mind was a vortex of questions. Would she have gotten here too late though? Could my son have been taken from my mate’s womb? Would he be a loss that his mother blamed herself for, for the rest of her life?

Noah Calvert wasn’t getting a free pass for the pain he wanted to cause my mate and my family. I WOULD kill him. Lexi clung to Haley as she cried. A portal opened and the techy boyfriend of one of the prince’s walked through. I couldn’t remember his name, but I wasn’t going to call him Harper’s boytoy lover though. Something told me if anyone besides Haley called him that he’d punch them. I was in the mood for a fight, but not a Hackura Prince’s boyfriend. That was suicidal.

I made sure Lexi was ok then I left. I bolted down the stairs, and shifted before I left the house. I charged through the front door. I heard Matt sigh, “Ordering a new front door.” I could hear someone behind me. I knew who it would be. There was one wolf who wouldn’t strain to keep up. It was Alpha Eric. Behind him was likely my father, Matt, and Derrick. They were trying harder to keep up.

I ran exactly where I needed to go. I ran to Cameron, to my little brother. I don’t know how we thought we could keep our packs separate. He was the balance who would understand me. My dad must have warned him because Cameron was just over his border with us. Soon to be our territory. There would be no borders or lines separating us.

I shifted and he threw shorts at me. I yanked them on as some of his men threw shorts to those who’d followed me. I was breathing heavily. Not from being out of breath from the run, but from rage. Cameron ordered, “Come on Chase.” I growled. Cameron said, “You came to me, big brother. Let’s go.” I growled again.

Cameron got in my face, “You need to fight then we need to plan.” He pushed me so I pushed him back. We fought. After I beat him, I heard a throat clear. Alpha Eric said, “Let’s see what you’ve got.” I was blinded by fury as I went at him.

It became clear in the fight Alpha Eric was messing with me. He’d learned new things since I’d last seen him fight. I held my own though. When he knocked me down for the tenth time. I didn’t get up right away. My anger was on a simmer, but I was no longer dangerous.