The Married Alpha and His Arrow

Look at the Past Pt. 1

        Lexi felt sparks erupt over her entire body when Chase’s lips met hers. I directed him to my bedroom, and before I could comprehend anything else; we were on my bed. Later I might be upset Chase had ripped my clothes off, but the action was so hot I couldn’t remotely bring myself to care. My brain was telling me Chase was talking to me and I had to focus. He wanted to know if I wanted to do this. Ok, I knew werewolves had a great sense of smell. He could definitely smell I wanted to do this, but my heart warmed that he wanted verbal confirmation.  I told him I did want this. Badly. I started to run my hands over him like I had pictured myself doing the other night. We lost ourselves in each other. He began to explore my body in a way no one had ever done before. I was on fire for him. I wasn’t even embarrassed when he told me he could hear me last night. That made sense. The growling I’d heard was him. I wanted to laugh but my body was crying out from his ministrations all that would come out was a whimper. I knew he was going to give me a hickey or five, but I didn’t care. I literally felt all the walls I’d spent years erecting around my heart crumble when Chase called me sweetheart. I’d always wanted my string to call me that because that’s what my dad called my mom. Chase seemed to get off from me calling him by his name…. Calling him by his title set him off. I smirked. Haley told me that got Eric going. Seemed it was an Alpha thing.

       His hands were everywhere. He made me come with just his fingers. I was in so much trouble with this man. He went down on me, and I lost count of the times he built me up to back off. I’d never done anything like this before. I was all about getting off and getting out. Orgasm denial wasn’t on my agenda. I didn’t even care. I loved every second of this with Chase. When he finally made me come, I saw stars behind my eyes. I literally blacked out for a second. Chase offered to stop, but I might die if he did. I told him to make me his. His eyes went black and I saw his canines’ peek through his lips. He closed his eyes in concentration for just a moment. In that moment I knew my string was nothing like Noah. He wasn’t going to mark me. Not because he didn’t want to, but because of the situation he had going on. My last resolve to hang onto my heart shattered all around me. Alpha Chase owned my heart with one simple move. No matter what his instincts were telling him and despite what he wanted; Chase was putting me first here. I knew it was hard for werewolves to be away from their mates. Chase had given me guards and had stayed at a distance. Now he was pushing his wolf and himself back from marking when I TOLD him to make me his. Chase respected me. All those thoughts fell away when he entered me. I couldn’t control myself. I flipped us and took control. We went on for hours. Ted was NOT joking about werewolves' stamina. I ever understood Haley and Eric f*****g like bunnies. I’d climb Chase every five seconds if I could. I actually did. I was going to have to fix my room when we were done. Hell, I’d happily set up an account at a furniture store to experience this again and again.

       We fell apart around two in the morning. Chase took us into the bathroom, and if I wasn’t so tired; I’d have laughed at the triumphant look on his face that he’d picked the right door and ended up in my bathroom. I couldn’t help myself when I saw his backside. I needed to bite his ass, and I wanted to taste him. After we each went down on each other again Chase turned off the shower. He grabbed a towel and dried off every inch of me with such care. He quickly dried off himself then picked me up and put me in bed. I could tell by the look on his face… he was about to tell me about his situation. A small part of me was surprised at my immediate reaction. I could feel it with my entire being. I didn’t want to know. I didn’t want this bubble of ours to break. I knew Haley thought of him as a good man. She said the situation wasn’t his fault anymore he’d made a mistake and he was trying to fix it. The respect he’d already shown me told me he was a good man. I had my own issues going on. I might test out this whole telling Heath as my brother and not the Hood thing. Only because after thinking about it… Heath was right. I’d put up walls between us. I didn’t want him to feel that way. He was my brother and I loved him. Chase was surprised that I didn’t want him to tell me what was going on. So I explained it the best I could. I could see the hesitation in his eyes. He agreed though, and I couldn’t stop my smile. Chase was again letting what I wanted to override his best judgement. I guess the war goddess actually knew what she was doing giving Chase to me as my string. Chase was worried I was going to hate him. The terrifying part was I knew…. He could break my heart over and over he could shatter it to a million pieces. I could never hate him. My last thought after I kissed Chase good night was… Sally Quaid is the strongest woman alive.

Dream/flashback Lexi is eight years old

       After my dad sent me to my room after I’d open the front door. I heard arguing downstairs. Daddy sounded angry. Mommy was crying her heart out. I got out of bed and tiptoed to Heath’s room. I quickly opened his door and went over to his bed. I sighed when I remembered Heath was at a sleepover at Noah’s house. I hid under his bed when I heard things breaking downstairs. I heard another voice yelling. I couldn’t make out what they were saying because I’d covered my ears. I eventually fell asleep under my brother's bed. I woke with a start and hit my head on the board runners under my brother's bed. I sighed remembering why I was in Heath’s room in the first place. I crawled out from under the bed. It wasn’t time for me to be up yet, and I wasn’t supposed to go downstairs. It was a rule, but I was really hungry. I tiptoed back to the stairs. I avoided all the creaks in the floorboards along the way. This was not my first early morning snack run. Normally Heath would come with me; it was our little secret. I knew if he was here, he’d have been right beside me. I reached the bottom of the stairs. It was still dark, but I knew my way around. I ran into something and tripped. I fell. I put my arms out to catch myself. I couldn’t stop my scream as I felt my arm break. My hand had slipped when I hit something wet. Nothing happened when I screamed. No one came to help me. Did Mommy and Daddy not hear me? I laid there sticky and whimpering. I finally managed to get up to go over to the light. I flipped the switch. When I turned around to see what I’d tripped over I screamed bloody murder. I’d tripped over my dad. His face had been beaten badly, but I knew it was him. All his tattoos were there. I ran to him, “Daddy! Daddy wake up!” I screamed, “MOMMY! MOMMY WHERE ARE YOU?!” 

       I saw lights flipping around outside. I’d woken up our neighbors. I didn’t care. I saw my mother’s shoe peeking out from around the couch in our living room. I ran over and screamed again, “MOMMY! MOMMY WAKE UP! DADDY NEEDS HELP!” I came around the couch and I invented an octave with my next scream. My mother’s throat was slit from ear to ear. I ran and grabbed a dish towel from the kitchen. I ignored the pounding on the door. The screams for me to open up were blurs to me. I couldn’t open the door right now. Mommy needed help. I ran back and held the towel on my mom’s wound. I ignored the pain in my arm, it was going numb anyway. “Mommy please! Mommy don’t leave me! HELP ME! SOMEBODY HELP ME PLEASE! HEATH! HEATH! HELP ME!” I heard the door being broken down. I heard strangled sobs, saying my mother’s name. “Allison…. Oh Allison.” It was Noah’s mom. I heard Noah’s dad say my dad's name, “James? Oh GOD! JAMES! WE NEED THE HEALER! GET THEM HERE NOW!” I heard my brother yelling, “LET ME GO! SHE CALLED FOR ME! LEXI IS IN THERE! GET OFF OF ME!” I heard a punch and then my brother barreled inside. I heard what must have been him hitting his knees. Noah’s mom touched my shoulder, “Lexi… give me the towel.” I shook my head, tears pouring down my face, “No…. no… mommy always says you have to keep pressure…. on wounds. I have to keep the pressure on it.” Noah’s mom cried, “Sweetie she’s gone.” I shook my head, “No….NO! I just have to keep pressure on it. I’m sorry mommy! I shouldn’t have come down for a snack. I’ll be good! Just don’t go mommy!” Noah’s mom was sobbing, “Sweetie…. This isn’t your fault. We will find who did this. Lexi, the healers are here. Let them look at your mom.” I shook my head. They would be like her. They would give up. They wouldn’t keep the pressure on the wound.

       I felt Heath’s hand on my back, “Lexi, I need you to come with me.” I shook my head, “No, I’m not going. They won’t keep the pressure on the wound. Mommy says you have to keep pressure on cuts.” Heath said, “Lexi…. please.” I cried, “I’m going to wake up. I want to wake up! Mommy will fix me breakfast and Daddy will tease me and call me his little girl with an appetite of a herd of lions.” Our healer said, “You have a bump on your head. Can I look at it, please Lexi? Your arm is broken too. We need to set it.” I said, “NO! You have to help Mommy and Daddy!” I felt a prick in my arm, and I was weightless. My eyes snapped open. Heath was sitting by my side. I was in the hospital in our shroud. I looked around, “Where’s mom and dad? What happened? Why am I here?” I reached up and rubbed my head. It hurt. I looked down at the cast on my arm. When did I break my arm? Heath said, “Lex, what do you remember?” I said, “Remember about….” I trailed off. Tears formed in my eyes. I looked at Heath, “Don’t say they are gone. Heath please. Don’t say they are gone.” Heath said, “It’s just us now, Lex.” Heath held onto me as I cried my heart out. Noah’s dad spoke, “Lexi… we need to know what happened. What do you know?” I said, “I don’t…” Noah’s mom spoke, “It’s alright. Just tell us what happened after Heath left for our house.” I sighed, “We ate dinner. I was about to pick out a movie when the doorbell rang. I ran to answer it, but daddy put me behind him when I opened it. He told me to go upstairs.” Noah’s dad sighed, “Who was at the door Lexi?” I closed my eyes. I saw a hooded figure, but I couldn’t make out his face. I looked up startled, “I don't know… I can’t remember.” Noah’s mom said, “That’s enough Edgar. She said she can’t remember.” Noah’s dad sighed, “Do you remember anything else? What happened to your head?” 

      Tears filled my eyes. Heath said, “Get out! You’re upsetting her!” I cried, “I should’ve helped them! I’m so sorry Heath.” Heath grabbed me, “You couldn’t have done anything.” I cried, “I snuck into your room. I forgot you were there. They were yelling. Everyone was so mad. I heard things breaking so I hid under your bed and I fell asleep. I forgot where I was when I woke up and hit my head when I tried to sit up. I wasn’t supposed to get up for a snack, but I was really hungry.” Noah’s mom said, “Oh sweetie.” I looked at Heath, “I tripped over dad. That’s how I broke my arm. I tried to help them Heath. I really did. I kept pressure on Mommy’s cut. I did!” Heath was crying, “I know you did, Lex. It’s not your fault.” I cried as Heath hugged me. I hadn’t noticed Noah in the room, but he came over to hug us and his parents joined. “We will take care of you both. We’ll build a new house for you guys.” Noah’s mom said stroking my hair. The door burst open and my best friend Ted stormed in with his mom right behind him. He joined our hug, “We’ve got you Lex. It’s ok.” But it wasn’t ok. My parents were dead.

End of Dream/flashback

      “Lexi…. Come on sweetheart. Wake up.” Chase’s voice registered in my brain. I sat straight up. I hadn’t had that dream in a long time. Arms were around me and I was shaking. “Shh sweetheart. I’ve got you. It’s alright.” I was gasping for breath. Tears were coursing down my cheeks. Chase wiped them away, “Talk to me, Lexi.” I said, “It was just a dream.” Chase said, “Sounded more like a flashback than a dream.” I cringed, “I found my parents dead bodies when I was eight. I broke my arm tripping over my dad because I slipped in his blood. I tried to help him, but he was already dead. I found my mom with her throat slit. She was dead too, but I tried to keep pressure on her wound. Heath was spending the night with Noah and his family. They were the closest house to us, and they heard me screaming. Noah’s dad broke down the door as a lot of people gathered hearing me scream for help. I can’t remember who they were fighting with that night. I opened the door after dinner, and he was standing there. I just can’t picture his face no matter how hard I try. I’ve done hypnotherapy, regular therapy. No matter what I try, I cannot remember his face.” Chase tensed, “I’ve seen an older man following you. Kincade and Kevin and going to stay closer to you now that you know about them. I won’t have you getting hurt Lexi.” My eyes widened, “Following me? I can usually tell when people are following me.” Chase said, “You did seem to notice, but when you turned, he hid. Lexi…. He’s following your brother too.” All the blood drained from my face, “He’s following Heath too?” 

      Chase sighed, “He seemed to care about both of you, but I swear to you… My guys will get a hold of him.” I shivered, “I can’t lose Heath. Wait...You heard me talking to Heath?” Chase nodded, “I’ve put together who he is, but I won’t say anything ever. I could never do anything to hurt you.” He knew Heath was the hood. “What do you know about me?” Chase smiled, “Other than you’re mine?” I laughed and shoved him, “Yes, other than that.” Chase said, “You own Bull Eye’s Events with Ted. You’re very good at your job. Both of them because you clearly gather intelligence for the hood.  The dead motherfucker, you call him Noah, is an asshole who belongs in one of the seven circles of hell. I know you are worried about Sally and Ted. You have them both taking self-defense classes. I will be assigning guards to both Ted and Sally today. I can’t protect Sally outside my area, but I can assure her safety in my borders.” Tears filled my eyes. “You would do that?” Chase put his hands around my face and tilted my head towards his, “I’d do anything for you. You are worried about Sally. Since the dead motherfucker seems to be a sociopath, I can’t say that is unfounded. I won’t have her hurt when I can prevent it.” I snorted, “You want to kill the lieutenant of the Hood?” Chase looked at me seriously, “If I see him, he’s dead. If your brother knew what he’d done…. He’d kill him too.” I sighed, “Noah was there for us after our parents died. His entire family was. His relationship with Heath is rooted deep.”

      Chase said, “As someone with a sister…. It doesn’t matter. If anyone I cared for hurt Susie the way Noah hurt, you; I’d kill them.” I sighed, “Matt told you.” Chase nodded, “Yes, he did. I wasn’t trying to invade your privacy Lexi. I’m trying to figure out how to protect you, and who all the players are.” I smiled, “I’m quite formidable on my own, thank you very much. I can’t deny Kevin and Kincade, along with yourself and Matt have been helpful though. I’ve been shot a few times, it’s not fun. So… I didn’t get a chance to say it last night but thank you Chase.” Chase growled, “You’ve been shot?” I nodded, “A lot has happened to me, but I’m still here.” Chase’s eyes went black. I smiled, “What’s your name? I’ve seen you before and in action, but I don’t know your name.” Chase’s wolf responded, “I am Bolt.” I smiled, “So that’s how you keep up with me. You’re fast too.” Bolt smiled, “I am.” Chase’s eyes cleared, and he was back. “I will always protect you with everything I have Lexi. Everything I have, everything I am is yours. I need you to know that.” I smiled, “That’s good because you have heart Chase. What’s your last name? You know mine.” Chase laughed, “Chase Daniels.” I smiled, “I like your name, Chase Daniels.” Chase said, “Will you be able to find a place for four guards in your office?” I laughed, “I pay for two offices across from mine in the building. I can accommodate your men. Just make sure it doesn’t look like we are being guarded. It could scare off some customers.” Chase smirked, “I can manage that.” I said, “So who all knows I’m your mate?” Chase sighed, “Matt, my Gamma Derrick, Cameron my brother...” I cut him off, “THAT’S why he was so weird about the party. OH MY GOD! That’s why he pushed the party on Reagan.” I laughed, “She doesn’t know?” 

      Chase snorted, “She got a pretty good idea when you guys went to the club.” I smiled, “You were there?” Chase nodded, “And bouncing every man who looked at you.” I laughed, “Reagan mentioned something about that.” Chase said, “It was hard enough staying away from you. I couldn’t see another man touch you. I’d kill him.” I laughed, “If I recall correctly, I broke a man’s hand for just that.” Chase said quite plainly, “And I killed him. I’ll have to figure out what pack he was with today and inform his Alpha.” I gaped, “You killed him?” Chase said, “Not unlike you killed those two wolves I banished for hurting Ted’s feelings.” I rolled my eyes, “TeleTed strikes again, I assume?” Chase nodded, “You know the Hood will wipe that pack out...Right?” Chase said, “You mean your brother will kill them?” I sighed, “Along with other people, yes.” Chase said, “Do you have a moniker too?” I said, “I do.” Chase frowned, “I suppose you can’t tell me what it is.” I sighed, “I have to ask my brother’s permission and he has to grant it before I can tell you. You’ve already figured out He’s the Hood himself though.” Chase nodded. I continued, “I might tell my brother I found you, as my brother, but not as the hood. Not yet.” Chase laughed, “If I wasn’t an Alpha and a brother, that sentence would make no sense to me.” I shrugged, “I don’t think I’ll tell him your name, but I’m trying a new thing out.” Chase said, “I do have a question, but if you don’t want to answer you don’t have to.” I said, “Hit me.” Chase asked, “Why did you say you don’t lie to your brother anymore? You said you had promised.” I sighed and thought back.

Flashback

            At thirteen I had seen too many things I shouldn’t. I wanted to erase my pain. I saw my mother’s dead eyes and my father’s lack of face in every dream I had since I was eight. I wanted to hold off my dreams. I didn’t want to feel anymore. I snuck out of the shroud. I’d researched where to go. I found the dealer I’d arranged to meet. I’d saved enough money to buy enough drugs to get me through a few months. The dealer saw how old I was and wouldn’t give me heroin like we’d discussed. He sold me some pills that he said were opiates but not as powerful. I popped them and finally felt numb. I snuck back into the shroud. Heath was pacing the floors of our home. “Where were you?” He yelled at me. I said, “I was out for a walk.” Heath sighed, “You… can’t just disappear Lex.” I quietly said, “I’m sorry.” Heath hugged me, “As long as you’re alright.” I had enough drugs that I got through three months with my pills. The dreams were gone, and I felt nothing. It was exactly what I wanted. I snuck out again to meet up to get more. I got enough for three more months. Heath had asked me countless times what was wrong, but I’d told him nothing was wrong. I was finally okay.

            At thanksgiving I tried… I tried to let myself feel. It was too hard. It was too hard not to think about mom in kitchen humming. Thinking about dad watching the football game with Heath, sneaking me a small sliver of pumpkin pie. I ran to my room and popped out the hidden compartment I’d made in my dresser. I went to my bathroom and grabbed a cup filling it with water. I was about to pop the pill when my wrist was grabbed from behind. “What is this Lex?” Heath’s angry voice asked. I said, “Nothing.” Heath said, “DON’T lie to me! This is what’s been going on for the last five months? You’ve been popping pills?” I couldn’t say anything. Heath said, “Lexi look at me. Promise me no more lies ever.” I gulped, “I….I... promise.” Heath said, “What is going on?” I cried, “I can’t do it! They are everywhere, but they aren’t here! I see their dead eyes in my dreams. I can’t feel the hurt anymore. Those…. Those pills make me not feel hurt anymore. I feel nothing. I don’t dream. I can’t see them dead in my dreams anymore Heath. I can’t!” Heath said, “We are going to get you some help, Lexi. I promise we will get you help. I need you Lexi.” We sat on the bathroom floor each crying clinging to each other.”

End Flashback