Page 133 of The Married Alpha And His Arrow: Vol 2

I closed my eyes and counted to ten. Haley was frowning at me when I opened my eyes. I admitted, “Ok, MAYBE, just maybe, I shouldn't have been my perfectionist self about the decorations but LOOK at this reception.” Chelsea agreed, “It is stunning.” Sam agreed, “Yes, it is.”

After a few more moments they got up and left. Emmaline took Sam’s seat and Miley took Chelsea’s. Emmaline asked, “Are you both ok?” Haley said, “I was just asking Lexi how she was.” I pointed out, “That’s not really a wedding conversation.”

Haley rubbed her temples, “Oh for Christ’s sake what IS a wedding conversation?” Emmaline laughed, “Happy things.” Haley argued, “I just want to make sure my friend is ok.” Emmaline said, “She’s in pain but I think it’s physical. I’ve heard rumors she did set up. More power to you. I snap everything done these days, but you rock on with your badass self, Lexi.” Miley smirked.

I said, “Since we are down the rabbit trail of topics not appropriate for weddings.” I smiled at Ted who was animatedly talking to pack members with Matt rubbing his back at his side. I turned back to Haley, “How are you? You have wings, Eric was shot, lots of things happened to you in the last twenty-fourish hours.” I turned to Emmaline who was intently studying Haley.

Haley seemed to be thinking. Finally, Emmaline asked, “How do you do that?” Haley sighed. I questioned, “Do what?” Emmaline explained, “Her soul is a mess. She’s wrecked but she looks fine.” I pressed, “Wrecked?” Haley interjected, “I’m dealing with it.” That was evasive.

I turned, “Emmaline?” Emmaline answered, “She is but she’s got so many emotions. She’s…. I think she had a good day. She had fun. She’s excited. I’m guessing about the wings, but she’s devastated about what happened to Eric.” Haley sighed and set her drink down.

She said, “Each and every one of you would be just as fucked up as I am if you felt what I felt.” She looked away. Miley asked, “Why don’t your brother’s feel that from you?” Haley answered, “I’m good at controlling our bond most of the time. It’s…. no one can give me shit for this. Everyone would feel the same as I did. I heard... god. I heard the shot. We ALL did. Then I felt the burning pain, not just of a bullet, of a silver, wolfsbane laced fucking bullet. Fucking stupid Troll. Look I just... it hurt…. then I showed up and he said goodbye. He said he didn’t, but saying I love you while dying shouts goodfuckingbye to me.” I had to agree.

She waved off our concern, “I’ll deal with it. I just can’t be ok a little bit over twenty-four hours later.” I consoled her, “Hey, I wouldn't even be ok like a week or two later. You don’t have to be ok.” Emmaline said, “We’ve got to teach her poker. We’d kill everyone!” Haley pointed out, “I can’t lie.” Emmaline said, “You don’t have to. You could just raise and call. That does not require lying.” Haley shrugged, “I guess.”

I was in hell. My back was now a constant, throbbing pain. Eric, Jim, Alpha Lucas, and Chase came over to us. They asked, “Want to dance?” I crossed my arms. Haley would know that meant no. Haley smiled, “Not at the moment.” Emmaline threw out, “My feet kind of hurt.” Miley said, “I’m with my main bitch.” I chuckled, “Who am I to argue?” The guys all frowned but walked away.

Miley asked me, “What’s up? I know that’s your say no sign.” I admitted, “My back is killing me. I’m borderline ready to admit lifting things was not the way to go.” Miley said, “That’s what my labor felt like at first.”

I shook my head, “No, I just overexerted myself. Besides, if it is labor, these two can stay put until Ted and Matt leave for the night. This is their night not mine.” Haley made a plan, “So if your fucking water breaks Emmaline will snap the area clean, and I’ll pop us to the hospital. Miley will have to lie her ASS off since Emmaline can’t, and somehow get Chase and Eric to the hospital without anyone being the wiser.”

Miley chuckled, “Bitch, you KNOW I would be all over that.” I laughed, “At least there’s a plan.” Haley said, “I can help you. I’m certain Miley is right because I don’t sense anything to heal, but I have other things I can do.” I nodded gratefully, my brain clearly not thinking clearly, “See, my brain is on the fritz. I should’ve asked you that.” Haley said a chant and instantly the tension in my back lessoned.

It was still there but I no longer wanted to die. I said, “Before this wears off, let’s go snag a dance with our guys then come right back here.” We all got up. Haley popped me and Emmaline popped Miley over to the guys.

I said, “I’ll take that dance now, Valentine of mine.” Chase smiled and grabbed my hand. We did just a basic shuffle. He broke our silence, “On a scale of one to ten, how much does your back hurt?” I linked him back, “Haley granted me the peace of the earth. I’m feeling much better. I’ll just go back to my chair after this song.” Chase spoke out loud, “I’ll sit with you.”

I brushed him off, “No, hang out with the guys and I’ll hang out with my girls. Then you’re all mine.” Chase snorted, “Because I’m your goddamn Valentine?” I asked, “What?” Chase explained, “Apparently your little sister and Eric got into a fight at some point today. They didn’t fight to hurt each other but sparred a little and she tackled him, said he was her goddamn Valentine, and then they went at it like the rabbits they are.” I snorted, “I hadn’t heard that story. I’ll have to ask.”

The song ended and Haley popped to me. She winked at me and stuck her tongue out at Chase and yelled, “Mine!” She popped us away to our seats. We both laughed at Chase’s astonished face. Haley said, “God, it’s too much fun to say that to them.” I agreed, “I’m stealing that.”

Miley and Emmaline popped back to us too. I frowned, “I don’t want to ruin anyone’s night.” Emmaline waved that off, “Oh please. I’ve been on my feet since Ry’s wedding. I’m ready to sit. Really, you’re doing me a favor.” Haley laughed.

I asked her, “What’s this story I heard about you saying Eric is your goddamn Valentine?” Haley laughed but turned bright red. I took in her dress complimenting her, “You look amazing by the way.” She was in a short red lace overlay dress with a sweetheart neckline. She smiled, “Thanks.”

I bumped her, “He really is ok, Hales. He’s over there smirking and sending heated gazes your way.” She said, “I know he is. It was just really scary. I almost lost him. As a healer I know the damage that was done. He had seconds left to live when I got there. I didn’t get a hold of myself soon enough. I should’ve gotten to him sooner.”

I admonished her, “Haley Melody Cambridge Conners.” She turned to me. I continued, “That was not your fault. Eric didn’t die. YOU saved him like the bad ass you are.” She studied me. She said, “Fine, but the fucking Troll not loving Sally is not your fault either. Nor was him being obsessed with you.” My jaw dropped. I looked around but no one reacted to her words. She reminded me, “Space unheard.”

Emmaline asked her, “How did you know that? You’re right she does feel worried, or she feels that way.” Haley admitted, “I know her probably better than I know myself.” I said, “Maybe I did something.” Haley argued, “By that logic I did something to my uncle and every other fairy who abused me.” I winced, “NO!”

Haley admitted, “I agree. I’m just saying the fucking Troll was fucked up. It’s not your fault he became obsessed to the single point of destruction with you. He should’ve turned it around for Sally. He should’ve been a better man; he just wasn’t. That’s on him. That’s his shit. Let him take that with him back to his people, the pile of shit his ashes are in.”

I spit out my drink. I gasped, “You didn’t!” Ted came over conspiratorially asking, “OOHHHH what did Haley do?” Haley answered, “Returned the fucking Troll to his people.” Ted asked, “Who are his people?” I explained, “Poop.”

Ted threw his head back and laughed. He said, “Oh my god. I love you, Haley Conners.” She shrugged, “Someone had already burned his body. I simply snapped the ashes into a pile of pig shit.” All of us were laughing uncontrollably. I said, “I needed that.”

Alpha Lucas came over and said, “Baby girl, I can feel how tired you are. Let’s go home.” I asked him, “Where’s Beta Dylan?” Emmaline smiled, “Baby Finn Frost was born at one o’clock this morning. He was full of all the Valentine’s Day jokes. He was distraught that he was going to miss the wedding, but he didn’t want to leave Lacy or Finn.”

Ted expressed his feelings, “That’s completely understandable. I’m practically attached to Joanie. I know where she is at all times.” Alpha Lucas laughed. Emmaline sighed admitting, “He’s right. I am really tired. I’ll see you guys later!” She gave Haley and I hugs and popped out.

I said, “Finn Frost is a really cool name.” Haley agreed, “It is.” Ted said, “Matt and I are heading out. I just wanted to say goodbye. Everything was perfect Lex. Thank you. Next time, I will hire people who move things exactly where you tell them to move things.” I laughed, “You liking it is what matters.”

Ted and Matt made their rounds and said goodbye before leaving. I turned to Miley asking, “Miley, how is your little girl?” Miley smiled, “Charity is the apple of her father’s eyes.” Haley said, “I just... apple? What the fuck…. no…. fuck it. That makes no damn sense!” I laughed, “Never change, Hales.” Haley asked, “Why would I change?” I admitted, “I have no idea.”

I asked, “So did the wicked mother-in-law come home because her son was shot?” Haley answered, “No, she’s….” Miley smirked. I asked, “She’s what?” Haley sighed, “Enjoying the mountain air. She wants Nathan to get the vasectomy he had reversed, mind you she made him fucking get one, so they can try for another child.” I said, “Sure, that will fix things.”

Miley and Haley looked away. I said, “Fuck no! Don’t tell me she wants you to do your thing?” Haley snorted, “No, she doesn’t fucking need me. If it’s meant to be it will be.” I frowned, “Are you ok?” Haley shrugged, “She’s staying in the mountains until the end of the summer. I have no problem with it.” I agreed, “That will be nice.”

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