Page 24 of The Married Alpha And His Arrow: Vol 2

Astrid shrugged, “She may very well be dead soon so you might not have to worry about it, Lexi.” I wiped my eyes as Haley popped away. Astrid said, “I wasn’t kidding. I think she might just kill her.” I said, “I might care later. I’m pretty sure I’m right it’s that magic. I don’t think she can help it at this point. It’s like something broke when I found out. I broke her.”

Astrid disagreed, “Haley made a choice to take on that magic. Nothing has managed to break her despite what Haley herself thinks. She will make it through this. My mate will see to it. Are you ok?” Bile rose in my throat. I stumbled trying to find a bathroom. Astrid guided me. I threw up everything in my stomach then laid on the floor crying.

Astrid stroked my back, “Lexi….” I interrupted, “I’m pregnant. I didn’t even get to tell him yet…. How can he be happy? He’s married to someone else. What if he doesn’t want them? Or me?” Astrid snorted, “He doesn’t love her, and he’d be a fool not to want you. You’re incredible, beautiful, and intelligent. You’re the whole package.”

I laughed humorlessly, “Don’t the married men say that? I don’t love my wife.” Astrid snorted, “I suppose they do. It was a marriage to allow her to be in power.” I whispered, “My heart feels shattered.” I rubbed my stomach and then threw up again. Astrid held my hair back. She rubbed my back. I laid down on the tile again crying.

Astrid picked me up and carried me to a room. She laid me on the bed. I asked, “How pathetic is it that I want him right now? I want him to hold me and tell me it will be ok.” Astrid put her arms around me, “It will be ok.” She pulled back and handed me something, “Here.” She held out Chase’s hoodie and sweatpants. I cried, “Where did that come from?” Astrid answered, “Haley.

I nodded and changed into Chase’s clothes. They smelled like him. I buried my face in the hood and cried smelling his scent. I knew it was my fault that I didn’t know he was married. I knew he would’ve told me, but I didn’t want to know. I knew if I found out though it would crush me, and I was right.

I couldn’t do the one thing I desperately wanted to do though. I wanted to feel nothing. To be nothing. More than I ever had before. But I had two reasons not to. I whispered, “I’ll protect you guys always. Mommy is here and we will be ok.”

Astrid held me as I rubbed my stomach. A very large part of me cried about the arms not being Chase’s. I rubbed my stomach wondering how I would keep my promise to my babies. How was everything going to be ok?

What if Chase did want her? What if he didn’t want me or our kids? Everything hurt. After hours of running through scenarios I fell asleep to someone playing with my hair and singing. It sounded like Haley. A peaceful calm overtook me, and I finally slept knowing that everything was absolutely not ok.

Most Dramatic Meeting of All Time

Chase pushed Lexi up against the wall. I needed to taste her, so I did. I couldn’t bring myself to stop us from making love until Lexi’s eyes fluttered after we’d both come one last time. I slid out of her and let her sleep. I cleaned us both off and pulled her close falling asleep right beside her.

Three hours later my phone buzzing on the nightstand woke me up. I instantly answered, “Hello?” Alpha Eric greeted me, “Alpha Chase, long time no talk.” I groaned, “Alpha Eric? Shouldn’t you still be busy being a rabbit with your mate right now? I swear my Beta said everyone calls you two rabbits.”

Alpha Eric laughed, “I just managed to stop being a rabbit, if you must know, that’s not my choice either. I decided after the constant headache you’ve given me these last few months you should be my first call.” I groaned, “Fair enough.” Alpha Eric groaned, “You have no idea. Haley changed the meeting to today.”

I sat up, “What?” Alpha Eric replied, “Yup, after having a conversation with the person I still don’t know that you care about the meeting was moved up a whole twenty-four hours. Fair warning: some weird fairy faction who doesn’t recognize Aiden as King is coming here today too.”

I frowned, “You can probably know now. That person told me they were going to tell your mate about us yesterday. Why are the fairies meeting there?” Alpha Eric blew out a breath, “Thank fucking Christ. I’ll have to ask my wife about it. Why are fairies saying they are officially coming here? Neutral ground.”

I glanced at Lexi’s sleeping form. I said, “But unofficially they are scouting and plotting to get your mate, right?” Alpha Eric growled, “That’s what I think, yes.” I sighed, “I’ll bring Kincade and Kevin with me to the meeting. I might just have to hang out until midnight rolls around with Kincade. I’m trying to make sure your lead warrior doesn’t challenge mine.”

Alpha Eric snorted, “If we all get to leave before your Gamma’s mating ceremony let’s consider that a win.” I questioned, “What?” Alpha Eric chuckled, “My mate says no one is leaving until ALL our issues are resolved.” I sighed, “Great. Maybe she could take Sophia’s hand and force her to put her signature on the paper.” Alpha Eric snorted, “In the mood my Angel is in I don’t think that’s going to be her style.”

I groaned, “What mood?” Alpha Eric answered, “She’s determined, and she’s got a slight tinge of anger. Her eyes have some weird color thing going on. I texted Aiden about it. He was worried which I do not care for.”

I said, “I’ll just be sitting in the corner to avoid her wrath.” Alpha Eric snorted, “You should worry more about mine. My wife is not upset with you.” I startled, “Why are you?” Alpha Eric replied, “You’ll know when you know, but I’m not telling you. Alpha Lucas and Beta Dylan will be here.”

I snorted, “My Beta told me Beta Dylan would find a way to be there. What’s the reason he came up with?” Alpha Eric groaned, “To annoy me? Officially, he’s coming so the rogue fairies see who they are dealing with. Alpha Kyle will be here too.”

I winced, “I haven’t seen him since Alpha Lucas’ wedding. That was not my best moment. I heard about that business with Alpha Raven.” Alpha Eric snarled, “His son is being watched, but so far all the pups seem relieved their father is gone. Sad but relieved. I was surprised Daniel chose to go by Alpha Raven like his dad, but that’s his choice.”

I agreed, “It is sad they are relieved. I’ll get ready and head over. Do you want me to tell Sophia about the change?” Alpha Eric replied, “That’s not necessary. My Angel is getting her, and I’ll just guess Former Beta Alfred Sr. Since I believe we both don’t officially know that Beta Alfred Jr. is missing.”

I gaped at my phone, “Seriously? How did you know that?” Alpha Eric replied, “I make it my business to know things. I’ve been looking for him discreetly, but someone seems to have more information than I do.” I winced, “I wanted to call everyone, but he’s not my Beta and she didn’t tell me.”

Alpha Eric said, “And that’s another thing we are going to talk about. I have asked for years if she wanted a mentor, but she declined. She’s taking one now, and I’m not asking. This is how packs get taken down when you don’t count on your allies. Our goddess allowed us to mind link other Alpha’s for a reason. She didn’t have to say a damn word out loud to let us know she needed help.”

I sighed and rubbed my face. This was not going to be a fun meeting for Sophia, but he was right. We’d have found Alfred Jr. by now, but I honestly didn’t think she knew that. She doesn’t understand allies, or how they truly work. She’s used the system for her benefit which was smart, but I think there was a lack of understanding on her end for the full picture.

I jumped in the shower and linked Matt, “The meeting changed to today. Get moving. We are leaving soon.” Matt chuckled, “You are lucky we aren’t humans, or I’d be down for the count.” I laughed then linked Derrick. I said, “Hey man, the meeting with the Conners and Sophia changed to today.” Derrick replied, “I was already up with Sally. She gets sick every day at five. She’s making us all breakfast. We will see you at the main house.”

I linked Kevin and Kincade, “I need you both to get ready and meet at the main house for breakfast. We are going to the Conners territory.” Kincade linked me, “Not tomorrow?” I explained, “Alpha Eric seems to think we will still be there at midnight tonight. You and I won’t leave until it’s Carry’s birthday.” Kincade sighed in relief, “Thank you, Alpha.”

I replied, “I’ll always have your back, Kincade.” Kincade said, “They won’t keep her from me. She’s mine!” I replied, “If she is, they won’t keep her from you.” Kincade growled in response. This was going to be an interesting day.

I asked Bolt, “What happened that Haley’s decided she couldn't wait one more day? Did Lexi tell her that we’d met, and Haley decided that was enough?” Bolt replied, “That doesn’t seem like enough since she knew already.” He was right, but I had no idea what could’ve happened.

I got out of the shower and grabbed a hoodie and sweatpants. I stared at Lexi’s sleeping form. She looked so beautiful that I couldn’t stop my smile. I knew when I came home to her next, I wouldn’t be married. We would be free of my baggage.

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