Page 141 of The Married Alpha And His Arrow: Vol 2

The second I sat down in the chair in our room, Ted flashed into the room. I smiled at him. He observed Emma in her bassinet then looked at me. He put his hand on his hips and said, “Girl, next time you’re in labor I don’t care what day it is for me; you TELL TeleTed. TeleTed is not used to hearing the pack gossip from other sources. TeleTed IS THE SOURCE of all news. I do not hear things second hand. Especially when that gossip happens to be that my girl gave birth.”

I admitted, “I don’t know how anyone knows. We kept it pretty quiet.” Ted gave me a look, “Girl, the future Alpha and Luna were born. Everyone is abuzz with the rumor mill going strong.” Chase walked into the room with Matt behind him. Matt walked over to the bassinet and picked up Emma who had just started squeaking.

Chase cautioned, “Watch her head, Matt.” Matt said, “I’ve been around pups, Chase. I am aware you have to be careful with their heads.” Chase muttered something I couldn’t hear. I smiled at him. I let Ted hold Emmett once he was done feeding. I reached out for Emma and Matt begrudgingly handed her over.

I teased, “You can hold her again when she’s done eating.” Ted gasped, “No he can’t! He gets Emmett. That sweet little girl is mine next.” Matt frowned and sat down. Chase questioned, “Am I on the schedule to get to hold my pups?”

Ted snorted, “You have to announce that it’s not a rumor your kids have been born.” Chase smirked, “That sounds like a job for the Beta Male. Especially considering his nickname is TeleTed.” Ted smirked, “Be right back.” He flashed out of the room with Emmett.

Panic gripped me, but I channeled my inner Haley and didn’t show it. Matt and Chase both chuckled. I’m sure it was about what Ted said to the pack. After what I’m sure was actually minutes but felt like an hour; Ted flashed back into the room with Emmett. He smiled, “All done. Everyone knows now.”

Emma had finished eating so I handed her to Ted and took Emmett back from him. I was able to calm down with Emmett in my arms for a few moments then handed him to Matt. I sat down on our bed and noticed everyone was looking at me. They all looked worried.

I asked, “What?” Ted started talking to Emma instead of answering, “Aren’t you just beautiful? You look so much like your momma. Your little cousin is on the way, you guys will have so much fun together.” Chase agreed, “That’s true. Cameron’s little one is on the way.”

Ted chuckled, “Him too. I meant Matt, Joanie, and my little nugget. Lex, I believe you have to explain to me how Matt and my part fairy kids no longer need a surrogate.” Chase said, “Oh yeah!” Matt asked, “What? How is that possible?”

I answered, “Well, it appears that with your blood and the blood of the mother, Haley and Aiden and whip up some super complicated magic to have a baby come out of a box into your arms. It’s way more complicated, but that’s the gist of it all.” Ted and Matt gaped for several moments.

Finally, Ted managed to ask, “Girl, are you serious? So when we are ready for baby number two I need a date picked out, a little blood, a Fairy Princess, Fairy King, and BAM I have a baby?” I said, “I think it’s more technical but yes.”

Ted exclaimed, “I’ll be damned!” Matt said, “That’s amazing.” Chase added, “It really is something to see. It’s surreal.” Matt muttered, “I’ll fucking say.'' We all smiled. Frank came in and plucked Emma from Ted. Matt grumbled, “I’m pretty sure I had next.” Frank proudly said, “I am claiming grandpa rights. Susie wants to meet the little ones. I told her to let me come get them. Lexi, why don't you jump in the shower? We’ll just be right downstairs.”

My feet felt like lead. I smiled keeping my tone light, “Sure.” They all left, and I forced myself to get in the shower. It felt like it was hard to breathe. I went down to my knees. Someone turned off the water and I felt a hand grip my arms. Someone said, “Lexi.”

I looked up to see who was holding me. All I knew is it wasn’t Chase. I was stunned, “Uther?” He replied, “Yes, just breathe please.” I asked, “Wh…. what…. are you doing?” Uther explained, “Trying to make sure you’re breathing. You were having a panic attack.” I said, “Ch…. cha... ssssee…. won’t like you seeing me naked.” Uther frowned telling me, “You are fully clothed, and you were standing in ice cold water. My job is to keep you safe so I’d be in here even if you were naked. The Alpha wolf would get over it and live.” I looked down, surprised to see Uther was right I was fully clothed. I could’ve sworn I’d taken off my clothes.

Uther said, “Get your wolf back up here please.” I linked Chase, “Can…. can you come back up?” Chase replied, “Of course. I’ll be right there. Are you ok?” I whispered, “He’s coming.” Uther said, “You just keep looking at me and breathing, Lexi Scott. Focus on me.” I nodded.

Chase growled, “What the hell?” Uther said, “She was having a panic attack of some kind, and I am here to protect her. I did my job. If you have her, I’ll get back to my post.” I panicked, “No, go guard the kids.” Uther smiled gently saying, “I could hardly do that. Chester and Ithios are here to do that.”

I cried, “They have guards?” Uther said, “Until Hanson is caught, yes. King Titus sent them personally after the Princess told him that you’d given birth.” A sob escaped me as I nodded to Uther who faded into the background. I wished I could do that right now.

Chase held me, but I pushed away from him. I mumbled, “I’m getting your clothes all wet.” Chase was astonished, “Who gives a fuck about my clothes? What the hell happened?” I stalled, “I don’t….” Chase growled, “Don’t say you don’t know.” I cried, “I can’t…. being away from them makes me worry that Hanson will take Emma. I worry that he’ll kill Emmett now because we killed Noah. I just…. not them Chase. Not our babies.”

He held me and rocked me back and forth. He assured me, “That’s not going to happen. I won’t let it. I will protect our family. Hanson is weakened by his break with Eddie and Noah and his forces being taken out.” I cried, “You don’t know that. If he has some sick twisted ring like Fabian did then there were hundreds.”

I wiped my tears saying, “Let’s be brutally honest here, those are only the numbers Haley knew. I don’t believe, not even for one second, she knew all of them. I’d bet you Aiden is still tracking some Fairies who had something to do with that disgusting ring. I’m certain some of them slip into the cracks. That’s what rotten people do. They slip into the cracks and we don’t find them. What if Hanson slips into the cracks? Then for Emma’s entire life we have to wonder if she’s going to get kidnapped.”

Chase assured me, “No, we don’t. I will end this. For you, for Emma, for our family. Emma and Emmett have Hackura guards on them. Do you think Hanson is smart enough to get around them?” I snorted, “Chester and Ithios? Hell no. They are training to be Bjourn’s future children’s guards. Bjourn picked them himself and he trains them.” Chase said, “Well, there you have it. Nothing is going to happen to Emma or Emmett. Our pack will protect them, the Hackura will protect them, and WE will protect them.” I nodded and whispered, “Ok.”

Chase turned the water on warm and peeled me out of my clothes and we showered. I dried my hair on autopilot. I knew Chase was worried, but he let me deal with this. We walked downstairs together. Susie was watching the twins in their little swings. When I saw that they were fine, relief filled me. Chase kissed my forehead.

Nadine touched my arm smiling reassuringly. She whispered, “Why don’t you and I step into your office?” She held out a monitor with a camera. She continued, “I had this set up so we could talk.” I took the monitor from her. It helped a lot being able to see them, so I nodded. We walked into my office.

She said, “Your anxiety is normal Lexi.” I admitted, “It doesn’t feel normal.” Nadine explained, “You are a new mom. It’s hard to deal with all those fears and hormones. The thing you don’t do is hide it. If you feel a certain way, let us know. We all want to help you here.” Another weak moment for me.

She continued, “I myself had to be treated for postpartum depression after Susie was born. I couldn’t take a moment for myself. I was blowing up on everyone and trying to be a super mom. I felt like a complete failure twenty-four seven. It wasn’t healthy for me at all. Reagan was actually the one to suggest I needed to talk to someone. That it wasn’t just hormones, and that I needed help. All the guys were too worried about setting me off to say something.” Maybe it wasn’t a weak moment for me then. Maybe it was just something that can happen.

Nadine rubbed my arms, “You JUST gave birth, sweetie. Give yourself a beat here.” I had tears streaming down my face, “What if Hanson gets her? What if he wants to kill Emmett?” Nadine pushed me back into my chair. She looked me dead in the eye, “No one will take my grandpups. Frank will not let that happen. Nor will Chase or Cameron. Hell, Alpha Eric had Liam stationed ten of his best warriors in our pack house until Hanson is caught. No one is going to let them get taken. Your brother even has people here.”

I wiped my tears, “He does?” She reiterated, “He does. Why don’t you call him?” She stood then turned, “You can talk to me anytime, Lexi. Don’t let the dark thoughts or worry consume you. Your anxiety is perfectly normal. Baby blues are also normal and happen to everyone after birth. If you have postpartum, we can get you help. Just let your body level out. You’re dealing with so much right now, after having traumatizing experiences and an incredibly shortened pregnancy. You’re allowed to take a moment. Remember to breathe, and it’s ok to say I need the twins with me right now. Don’t feel like you can’t say that you can.” She left with that and closed the door.

I called Heath immediately. He answered, “Hey Lexi, how are my niece and nephew?” I burst into tears. Heath asked, “Lex? Lexi? I’m coming.” I gathered myself, “No, no, you don’t have to do that. They are fine.” He said, “They might be, but you’re not. I’m coming.” He didn’t hang up and neither did I.

I heard him ask, “Where is she?” Chase answered, “Her office.” Heath flashed into the room and slammed the door shut. I hung up the phone. He held me to him, “What’s this about?” I admitted, “I’m so afraid that I can’t focus. I can’t be away from them. I have to this video monitor to stay in here to feel like I can breathe.”

Heath hugged me and rubbed my back until I stopped crying. He said, “You just had them, and Chase was almost shot. I know it was Eric and not him, but Ted said Noah called to taunt you that he was going to die. Did you even process all that?” I shook my head, “Sort of.” Heath cringed, “So no.” I admitted, “I was scared, and I’m so tired of being scared.”

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