Page 104 of The Married Alpha And His Arrow: Vol 2

I called Chase. He answered, “Lexi?” Why was everyone so shocked when I called them? I shoved that aside and told him, “Put me on speaker.” Chase said, “Ok…” I asked, “Heath?” Heath said, “Yes.” I said, “I know who Betty Newcome is.”

Chase growled, “Who?” I said, “It’s Denise Calvert. I’m at Heath’s and my place. I’m going to meet her.” Chase snarled, “THE HELL YOU ARE!” I continued, “She doesn’t know that I know who she really is. She’ll be here soon, and I’m not alone. There are even archers in the trees. She won’t touch me. I have to do this for our family, Chase. For Emma and Emmett.”

Chase growled, “Next time do it WITH me.” I argued, “You wouldn’t have let me do this, and we’d miss this chance to get answers. Answers she won’t give when caged. I know her and so does Heath. I need my cocoon of love to return, and I’m going to snatch it back from their hands.” Heath said, “I hope you’re wrong, and it’s not her.” I left no room for debate, “I’m right.”

I nodded to Haley. I explained, “Haley is popping to your group to bring you here. Chase, no snarling.” Chase growled and I hung up the phone. My phone beeped.

Uncle Jordan:We are in position. Jasper set up recording devices. Your wolf is going to lose his shit after that phone call. I’ll put an arrow in her chest if she inches towards you.

Me:I’ll be fine, it’s not my first rodeo. I’ve been doing this since I was ten.

Uncle Jordan:I am aware. You were not alone on your first mission. Nor your first mission with the Fairy/Hackura Princess. That was a much harder one to follow you around on since she popped which had me scrambling in shock. I did not know partials had powers so I was unprepared for her to do so. Your mission was something to behold. I barely got out with all the Hackura around you guys.

Me:I bet it did shock you. My respect for you shot up through the roofs getting around them.

Uncle Jordan:Yes, well I’ll take it. How you mission ended certainly helped. They were worried about her. I was impressed with your shooting :)

Oddly, I was really touched he’d been there. I heard someone coming towards me quickly. So quickly it had to be someone who was Hood. I heard Haley pop back. Chase linked me, “If she even tries to hug you, I’ll shift and rip her apart. I don’t need answers, I just need you.”

I assured him, “We won’t hug. We haven’t been talking for months. I need to do this. I can’t let Noah win anymore. Not with our kids on the way.” Chase replied, “We are talking about this later, but for right now you need to focus. She’s here.”

I turned and smiled, “Denise.” She nodded to me. I said, “Thank you for coming so quickly.” Denise was emphatic, “I want to save my son.” I replied, “I know. I’ve been upset with him. Hell, I’m so mad at him I could spit nails.”

I rubbed my stomach and felt two kicks. I lied, “I don’t want him to die though, for Heath’s sake.” Denise muttered, “It did always come down to your brother and his needs.” I nonchalantly said, “You can understand that though, right?” Denise looked away answering, “I suppose I can.” I smiled, “I knew you would.”

Denise sighed, “If only you would’ve been his string, then everything would’ve been fine.” I argued, “He knew from the moment he turned eighteen that it wasn’t me. He knew it was Sally.” Denise shook her head, “He swore to me he didn’t.” I reasoned, “You know that’s a lie though. Maybe he was even lying to himself.”

Denise considered my words then agreed, “I do think he was lying to himself. He’s not a bad person. He just loves you so much.” I wasn’t going to acknowledge her last two sentences. Noah was a bad person, and he definitely didn’t love me.

I said, “You understand that too, the lying to himself part. He had to pretend he felt nothing towards Sally all those years. That must have been hard for him.” Denise nodded, “My poor boy. He just loves you so much, and Sally she just wouldn’t take my advice. I know how to deal with someone like Noah. You just keep your head down. I thought she listened to me until you came back into town, but she was lying to us all the whole time.”

I questioned, “Is Edgar why you know how to deal with someone like that?” Denise frowned, “What? No, of course not. Edgar is amazing.” I admitted, “You’ve always seemed unhappy, and I thought it was because of him.” Denise shook her head, “No, sometimes I wish it could just be Edgar and me. I hate lying to him. I think I would be happy if it was just me, Edgar, and our children.”

I pressed, “What about Noel?” Denise’s eyes shot to mine, “What do you mean?” I leveled her with a look saying, “I think you know exactly what I mean, Betty.” Denise’s eyes went wild. Then she laughed maniacally, “You’re crazier than a loon.”

I argued, “No I’m not, but you are. You sold your soul to kill Chase, and it didn’t work. You’re separated from the knife, and you’re losing it. Noah and Hanson told you not to deliver the present at the baby shower, didn’t they? You just couldn’t resist because you’re not thinking clearly. Let me help you, Betty. Like my mother helped you.”

Denise looked at me and whispered, “Allison.” I pushed, “My mom would want me to help you, so I will. I just need you to tell me the truth.” Denise sighed, “Allison tried to help me, and she died. I shouldn’t have allowed my brother back in the Shroud. I know that. But he promised me Lexi, he promised he’d changed!”

She cried, “He got his hooks into Noah, but I didn’t realize that until it was far too late. By then the die was cast and I could do nothing but hope the War Goddess knew you and Noah were just meant to be.” I said, “But Hanson didn’t get his hooks into Noel. Why wouldn't he want his hooks in Noel when he’s his son?”

I felt Chase’s surprise in my chest. Denise sighed, “How did you know that?” I said, “I met my mother’s family recently. His eyes are Lizzy’s. Given the fact that he’s her string and Noel ended up with you it lined up for me. She’s not dead, is she? She’s just been locked up somewhere.”

Denise cried, “I tried to help her. We were on a mission when Hanson showed up. They realized they were strings, but she was resistant because of his past with Allison. He just needed time to convince her that they belonged together. I did try to see her. I kept trying to get Hanson to let me see her. He keeps her out of his business. He just won’t let her go. He couldn’t resist their pull.” I felt sick.

She reassured me, “It was just once, he promised me it was just once. He just felt the pull so strong he had to be with her. Noel was the result. I love him as my own. I do. Edgar and I had been trying so long for baby two. His timing for a long mission was perfect.” We had different definitions of the word perfect.

She told me, “Edgar was gone for four months, and Hanson told me I had to raise Noel. Lizzy failed some test, and he took him from her. The moment I saw his face, he was my son.” I gently asked, “Where are their headquarters? That’s where Lizzy is, right?” Denise answered, “I don’t know. They won’t bring me there. Hanson thinks I’d free Lizzy.”

I pressed, “What does Hanson look like now?” Denise laughed, “He looks as he always did.” I disagreed, “No, I’ve seen his picture and I’ve never met him.” Denise laughed, “You don’t see his true face, but I do. I meet him when he tells me to.”

I whispered, “Why did he kill my parents?” Denise cried, “Allison…. She…. I thought they’d left everything alone, but Hanson found out they hadn’t. They were about to bust his part of the ring.” I questioned, “Ring? Like Haley’s fairy Uncle’s ring?”

Denise nodded, “Yes, there were some half Hood and other race children in it. There’s a system for all supernatural’s.” I was confused, “He gave them to him? To Fabian?” Denise started shaking, “I don’t know. I never wanted to know! He didn’t want me to know.” I abandoned that line of questioning, “Ok, I can understand that. Why did he kill my mom?”

She looked up at me pleading for me to understand, “He didn’t mean too! He only meant to kill James! Allison wouldn’t stop screaming. He…. He always loved her, and he couldn’t stop himself.” I threw up. I whispered, “He raped my mother?” Denise nodded, “She…. Allison slit her own throat afterwards. Hanson could never kill her.” I had to sit down.

I asked her, tone broken, “Why did he leave me?” Denise answered, “He couldn’t find you. He had a delivery to make, and you weren’t in your room. You were such a bad girl to leave your room.” I shivered.

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