The Married Alpha and His Arrow

Past Mark Pt. 1

         Lexi woke with a start when she heard a pop into her home. I looked over at the clock, “What the heck Haley? It’s five thirty in the morning.” Haley smiled, “I train with Molly at six, and I needed to talk to you.” I sat up, “Are you ok?” Haley nodded and sat down, “Technically speaking I am fine. You know Emmaline, my cousin, is the soul searcher.” I nodded, “And you know I don’t want her to tell me who my string is.” Haley said, “Your string does not feel the same way.” I gaped, “She told him?” Haley sighed, “No, she did not.” I frowned, “I’m pretty sure she told me she had to tell someone if she knew.” Haley said, “She does. As her princess I took the burden from her. So, I’m leaving it up to you. He doesn’t know your name. Emmaline can only tell someone their mate if she knows them both in a way. She could see a picture, meet them, see them on the street, or see a memory of someone to get their mate as well.” I thought about it, “I still want to see how I meet him without interference. Is he cute?” Haley sighed, “Yes. Mind you I say this through your lens. He’s not my type.” I laughed, “Eric is the only man you’ve looked at twice. I will take you saying you think I’ll think he's cute. Should I know anything else?” Haley said, “His situation is not ideal, but I’m on the case.” I frowned, “What does that mean? Wait… I don’t want to know.”

            Haley said, “He seems to be a good guy who made a shitty decision that he’s trying to fix. Now you’re in the mix, and I’m going to help him fix it.” I laughed, “Then I’m sure it will get fixed.” Haley nodded, “If you want to know more let me know.” I shook my head, “No, I just want to see how it all works out.” Haley hugged me, “I’m always here for you, and I’m always on your side. You know, that right?” I nodded, “I do. I don’t even know if I’m excited to meet him or not.” Haley said, “Noah is a f*****g troll.” I laughed, “I just can’t handle another secretly horrible man.” Haley said, “I’d kill your string if he was. Let’s be honest we know this about me. I’m not subtle. Your string is not horrible, just an i***t. Seems to be a problem with that Y chromosome f*****g s**t up.” I laughed, “That must be it.” Haley sighed, “You know how I was with men before Eric.” I nodded, “I do.” Haley said, “Even when he makes me so mad, I can’t f*****g see straight. Or even when he hurts my feelings; I’m happier with him than without. I can’t even imagine my life without him, and I don’t want to. Plus our kids are little stinkers, but they are so f*****g cute. I want that for you, Lex. I really do. You deserve the best, and I have been assured your string is a good one. Who on occasion, makes a bad call for what he feels are the right reasons.” I smiled, “Thanks Haley. I love you too.” Haley smiled, “I do love you. Onto other subjects. WE are going to Disney World with the girls after school today. So bring your BA mask and dress appropriately to be around humans and whatnot.” 

            I laughed, “I can work that into my schedule. Why are we going to Disney World?” Haley sighed, “Because men are assholes, and we need girl time.” I laughed harder, “Lucas in the doghouse?” Haley smirked, “Quite f*****g literally. So is his Beta.” I laughed, “What about Eric?” Haley smirked, “He’s not in the doghouse exactly. We yelled at each, f****d, talked more, then f****d again…. for a while. Then we calmly spoke to each other, and we are ok now.  After it was determined we were ok, we actually made love instead of fucking.” I gaped, “That’s still weird to hear you talking about s*x. Have you even slept yet then?” Haley snorted, “Sleep is for other people without a million things to do. Or a sexy mate to climb. Why is he so sexy? No the right f*****g question is: WHY DEAR GOD WHY do people make me do other s**t besides climb him all day?” I laughed, “So… you like having s*x? I know you were worried about it.” Haley smiled, “I love having s*x with him. It’s amazing.” I laughed, “I’d say so if you basically screwed him in between getting mad at him all night long into the morning. I’m surprised he didn’t get upset about you popping here.” 

         Blade spoke, “Wolf mad. Princess Push Wolf. Enjoys game.” I jumped, “I didn’t realize Blade was here.” Haley sighed, “Everyone is being crazy about me not going places alone. So Blade is on the crazy train today. He’s going to be extra levels of enterfuckingtained today.” I laughed, “What are you doing today?” Haley smiled, “Talking to you obviously. After this I have to pop back for training with Molly. Which our mates are obnoxious about because she’s pregnant. It’s not like we fight. Wolves. Jesus. She’s pregnant, not injured. Then I have time to shower. Get some information ready for my team to upload into our database from the event. Then I have a meeting. After that I plan to gather everyone for our Disney World fun.” I laughed, “You know relaxing is a thing you could do.” Haley frowned, “That’s what Disney World girl time is for.” I smiled and hugged her again, “Thank you for giving me the choice about knowing who my string is. I don’t know what fairy s**t you did to accomplish not telling him, but I’d guess it was to the detriment of yourself.” Blade snorted, “Arrow smart. Always smart.” I smiled. Haley said, “Nothing I can’t handle. Faerie is all abuzz with the ancient fairy ritual I performed. My brother tells me this as if I give a s**t about what they think.” I looked at Blade. “Haley…. Will you be ok? I don’t want this to hurt you.” Haley said, “I can handle it. I’m a pro at this s**t. Besides, you don’t want anyone to tell you. I respect that. Gives me time to handle the f*****g problem that your dumb string finds himself in. Now, you prepare your schedule, someone from my Hackura side of the family will come get you and bring you through a portal to Disney World.”

         I smiled, “You don’t know if I a mission.” Haley said, “You do have a f*****g mission. Mission cheer up the girls at Disney World because it’s f*****g girl time. Your brother owes me. Besides if that f*****g troll has another mission for you, I DARE him to try to have you do anything for it today. Seriously. I f*****g dare him.” Blade laughed. I smiled, “I’m actually on a break from missions. So, I appreciate you including me.” Haley smiled, “The badass girl gang sticks together. Alright, onto my wonderfully busy day of beating heads together.” I laughed, “Whose head are you beating? Need help?” Haley smiled, “I told you I have a meeting. Heads will be clanked. Fairy Hackura hijinks may need to happen.” I laughed, “Then they don’t stand a chance then.” Haley smiled, “I plan to be somewhat nice this meeting. If a second meeting is needed, then… then they will FEEL my wrath.” I laughed, “Oh to be a fly on that wall. Go get them Princess Haley Conners.” Haley smiled, “You go crush the party planning world!” I smiled, “I will see you later Haley.” Haley hugged me again. I think she was going for a record. Meeting Eric easily opened up her touchy feely side. We’d hugged before but not like this. He really was good for her. Blade nodded to me and they popped away. I looked at my clock. It was only six in the morning. I tried to go back to sleep for thirty minutes then gave up. I got up and got ready. 

         I drove to the hotel not feeling anyone following me. I smirked. They’d have a hell of time trying to follow me around. Best they figure that out now. I was almost inside when I smelled sandalwood again. Before I could investigate, I heard Ted yell, “Look at you! Early birding it! I got your coffee.” He handed me mine. I hugged him, “Bless you. I had an early wakeup call.” I forced my mind to stop focusing on the sandalwood smell. We got inside and I took a deep breath. Slowly my body began to relax. Ted evaluated me, “This area does weird things to me sometimes too. I swear the WHOLE area reeks of apple pie. I went to Sally’s yesterday DEMANDING a piece. My mouth was literally watering. She insisted she had no apple pie. I went into at least ten other places. No one claims to have this delicious smelling pie. I will find it though. You have no fear. No apple pie can hide from me for long.” I laughed, “I’m sure you will track it down. No one has a better nose for apple pie. I don’t smell that around here though. I smell sandalwood.” Ted frowned, “Ick. I’m going to focus on my apple pie. It smells amazing and must have myself a slice or five.” I smiled, “We need to get to work. Apparently, I’m being kidnapped for girl time at Disney World.” Ted stopped walking.

         “EXCUSE ME GIRL? Am I invited?” Ted exclaimed. I laughed, “It’s girl time.” Ted said, “AND?” I laughed, “It’s the badass girl gang. I’ll have Haley invite you to the next one. Then you can come to Disney World.” Ted sighed, “You better get me something fabulous from Disney World while I work my happy little ass off in the office.” I laughed, “You don’t have a little ass Ted. You work your ass off in the gym to have an ass of steel.” Ted turned around and I spanked him. Ted smiled, “Oh you KNOW that I do. Gotta make all the men run to my yard. I don’t have a milkshake. I use my buns of steel.” I laughed and we walked into my office. Ted picked up the ringing phone. “Well, you’re in luck. The boss lady is in the office early. She doesn't have anything on her calendar because she’s normally not here. I’ll transfer you back to her.” I heard Ted tell someone. I had to chuckle. “Hey, I get in the office before nine.” I said to him as he walked in my office. Ted rolled his eyes, “You do. A Reagan Daniels on the line. Apparently, with a party emergency. I guess her husband threw a party in her lap late last night and told her to call the nearest planner in the area. He requested someone whose website subtly hints that they work with supernatural’s. The she wolf is in a state of panic. Her mate’s an i***t. She may kill him.” I laughed, “Well, we can’t have that.”

       I put my phone on speaker, “This is Lexi Scott. Is this Reagan Daniels?” Reagan was clearly flustered, “Yes, ok thank god! Please say you can help me. My husband and I just took over this pack recently, and now the crazy man has INSISTED we have a party THIS WEEKEND. He seems to think planning a party is no big deal. This is our FIRST event with the pack, and the i***t thinks I can just throw together a party for one hundred people. BY MYSELF! I want to be a good Luna, and I’m trying really hard. Then he throws me this curve ball. Out of the blue might I add, and he has NO IDEA why I’m upset.” I bit my lip, “We can help you out. We actually do have an event this weekend, but it’s small and my partner can handle it. We’ve had the details down for it for months.” Ted beamed at me. It would be his first solo event. Reagan calmed down, “Oh thank you! Lexi, you are literally saving my husband's life right now. I can’t believe that man.” I laughed. We talked about details, and I decided I could swing out to her pack around ten this morning.

        I hung up with Reagan and called Sally, “Hi Lexi. Are you ok? We were all so worried!” I sighed. My SOS must have rattled everyone. I assured her, “I’m fine, I promise. I’m calling because I wanted to see if you could handle food for a barbeque for one hundred and fifty people this weekend?” Sally squeaked, “This weekend?” I said, “I convinced my client that Sunday afternoon would be good. If you can’t do it with our other event I understand.” Sally sighed, “I assume it’s for a good cause. Talk me into it, Lexi.” I laughed, “The client is Luna Reagan Daniels. She and her husband just took over the pack thirty minutes away from here, I guess. I don’t really know the territories other than Haley and Eric’s. Reagan’s husband is insistent they throw a party this weekend to get everyone to know each other.” Sally laughed, “Men. Dang it! It is for a good cause. Us women have to help each other out. I’ll get the supplies, and the staff.” I smiled, “She has staff you can use.” Sally laughed, “Even better.” I said, “I’m going out there at ten this morning. If you can swing it and want to join me, I could pick you up. I’ve got a contract prepped; I’ll add yours to it if you want in.” Sally said, “Whatever keeps me in this area. Yeah, I’ll do it. Poor thing. She’s probably worried about making a good impression.” 

         I thought back, “Oh she definitely is. I’ll pick you up here in a little bit.” I managed to make my other calls. Ted and I also managed to get everything confirmed for our other event this weekend. Ted said, “I know how hard it is for you to give me the reins. I won’t let you down.” I laughed, “Ted, I came to you asking you to join me as my partner in this business for a reason. I know you will do an amazing job running any event in my absence. We are going to get more business once word spreads about Haley’s event.” Ted snorted, “Going to? I have a million calls to return.” I said, “Maybe we should hire a receptionist. That’s not your job.” Ted said, “You hush! I love being on the front lines, girl. If it ever gets to be too much, we can hire an assistant. I could use some man candy.” I laughed, “We would hire the best candidate.” Ted groaned, “But I haven’t gotten laid in SO long. I’ve been so focused on our business, and I didn’t have an angel around ready to give it to me.” I laughed, “Raphael went back to his realm. It’s been a while for me too, but that’s called s****l harassment.” Ted said, “You shut your mouth. It’s only s****l harassment if he doesn’t like it. I assure you, I’m a catch.” I laughed, “I know you are catch Ted.” I looked at the time, “Ready to hold down the fort?” Ted nodded, “If you don’t get back before you go for Disney World fun remember to get me something fabulous. Don’t forget my invite to your next girls’ day either!” I saluted him and walked to my car.

       I whirled thinking someone was behind me. I found nothing. “UGH LEXI! You are paranoid now.” I got in my car and picked up Sally. She ran out to the car. I was backing out as I saw Noah leaving the building. He glared at my car. Sally wiped her eyes. “Sally?” Sally sighed, “He’s been in a bad mood since your mission. It’s nothing.” I said, “He didn’t do his job thoroughly. That's not your fault.” Sally sighed, “He said the pressure of not having a kid is getting to him. He made an appointment for me to see a specialist.” I said, “That’s over the line. He can’t make you go to appointments.” Sally said, “I told him that. He’s insisting.” I said, “Well, the specialist can’t tell him anything. It’s a violation of your rights.” Sally sighed, “I feel guilty. He’s so upset, and I just… Maybe I should tell him I want to take a break from trying.” I grabbed her hand and squeezed it, “Whatever you think is best. Either way, he could’ve taken the extra few minutes to check an alias. That’s his job.” Sally sighed, “I feel bad though. I thought he did it to get back at you, but then he was so worried when you sent out your SOS. Maybe I’m making him out to be some monster he isn’t.” I said, “The thought crossed my mind as well. Either way, it’s not your fault. He’s a grown ass man who needs to act like it. People depend on him. Why all the sudden is this so stressful to him?” Sally frowned, “You’re right. I don’t know. He’s seemed disappointed a few times, but not ever stressed about it.” I smiled, “The girl gang is going to Disney World this afternoon. Do you want to come?” Sally laughed, “Wish I could, but I need to prepare for other events. I have menus to plan. One of my favorite parts of the job. Then I plan to step into the kitchen and bake.”

            I laughed, “What are you baking?” Sally said, “Oh, I felt so bad the other day. Ted insisted that I was withholding the best smelling apple pie from him. I’m going to make him a couple. I saw him running into shops around the area. He looked so sad when he came out of each one. He looked like he was chasing something. Poor guy.” I snorted, “Heaven help the person when he finds out who hid that damn apple pie from him.” Sally laughed, “No joke. He thinks he’s not a deadly hood member, but you hide sweets from the man…. All bets are off.” I laughed, “Hopefully it’s some hot manly chef withholding the apple pie. That’s the only chance the pie holder has.” We were both laughing by the time we pulled into the address Reagan gave me. There was a beautiful woman with brown hair waiting for us with the man who must be her husband. He was really tall. Sally gulped, “Is it me, or he is a giant?” I laughed, “Alpha Conners has him by a little bit.” We got out and the man said, “Alpha Conners has me by two inches. My older brother and Alpha Conners are the same height though.” I flushed red. I forgot how well werewolves could hear.

      I stuck my hand out, “I’m Lexi Scott, this is my colleague Sally Quaid she’s the caterer I work with.” The man smiled broadly, “Alpha Cameron Daniels. It’s very nice to meet you, Lexi Scott. You as well Miss Quaid.” Sally smiled, “You as well.” Reagan jumped in, “There, you’ve met her. Now off with you! I’m still mad at you.” Alpha Cameron looked reluctant. His eyes flashed to me briefly before he said, “Maybe I could join you.” Reagan said, “Umm no. Out!” Alpha Cameron sighed and left rather reluctantly. “That man is going to drive me insane. He has the GALL to think I don’t know something is going on. I know. I also know that he knows that I know that he knows he’s GOING to tell me eventually. Why we play this cat and mouse game, I couldn’t tell you. Men. Can’t live with them, can’t live without them.” I laughed, “You say that, but you’ve been looking at the door since he left.” Reagan smiled, “Oh, I love that man with everything in me. He’s my mate, and my whole world.” I smiled, “That’s great! So let’s talk about the party. Sally can whip together a barbecue meal for Sunday. You said informal meet and greet, so I thought that would be the easiest for us to get done.” I took the contracts out of my briefcase. “These are our standard contracts. Review them, and you can get them back to us so we can start getting everything going.”

        Reagan nodded and read the contracts. She looked up at me in shock, “You aren’t charging me for the quick turnaround.” I shook my head, “Sally will charge you for the food, but we do that at cost. If she had more time she would shop around for the best prices. With this quick of a turnaround we won’t have the time. You don’t need an event space. That lawn I saw driving in will be perfect. We can get tables set up out there. I think we should set up a game area for kids, as well as the teenagers. We strive to be fair at Bull’s Eye. I won’t take advantage of my clients. I want to build up my customer base. I’m an honest person.” Reagan evaluated me, “Well, you will certainly get a recommendation from me.” I smiled, “I appreciate that.” Sally said, “The Princess was impressed by us too. I’m sure we will exceed your expectations too for the party.” Reagan said, “YOU GUYS PLANNED HER PARTY? And you’re going to do my get to know pack lunch? Bless you both. Seriously, I’m going to tell the moon goddess to bless you both. I hope to become better friends with the Princess after the new year. She’s a new Luna and so I am. We also share a border. You guys should’ve seen her in action when we rescued her husband and Alpha Lyons.” I raised an eyebrow. Haley didn’t mention that. She continued, “Well rescued is a strong word. It was the plan, but it went south; however, the princess and the duchess had a side plan going with their mates we didn’t know about. Gosh, after hearing it all I want to be her best friend.” 

       Sally smirked, “She’s very nice.” I said, “She is. I’m pretty good friends with her. I can put in a good word. I want her to have good friends in the area. Just know that It’s new to her; trying to make friends. Just tell her directly you want to be her friend. It will surprise her and make her happy. Always go with the direct route with Haley. She doesn’t do subtle hints.” Reagan said, “Oh thank god. I’m the least subtle person I know. Cameron tells me I’m as subtle as a wrecking ball.” I laughed, “That’s perfect for being friends with Haley.” Reagan smiled, “Well, let me go introduce Sally to the team of helpers I have for her to use. She is also welcome to our kitchens.” Sally smiled, “Let’s go see them.” The helpers were all in the kitchen, which Sally salivated over. It was nicer than the hood’s kitchen. I needed to tell Heath we needed to renovate. Badly. I really liked Reagan. She was talking with Sally when I heard a voice behind me, “Think you can pull off the party quick enough?” I whirled, “Alpha Cameron. We can. We will get everything ready for you in time.” Alpha Cameron smiled, “Please, Call me Cameron.” I smiled. I liked him. He seemed like someone I could trust. I frowned at that thought. Why the heck would I instinctually trust this man? “If that’s what you prefer.” I told him. Cameron smiled, “I do. So, how did you get into party planning?” 

        I smiled, “A friend of mine encouraged me to do something for myself. I’ve always loved to plan parties. She pointed out with my contacts I could work with supernatural groups. I have a bit of a hectic schedule, so I pulled in my best friend to work with me. He’s going to keep everything going if I have to step away for a period of time.” Cameron frowned, “Why would you step away?” I smiled, “For my other job.” Cameron laughed, “What else do you do? Party planner by day, superwoman by night?” I laughed, “Something like that.” Cameron said, “Is Sally the friend that encouraged you?” I said, “Actually, I got her to do the catering piece for me. Love her cooking. My friend is Haley Conners.” Cameron choked, “Really?” I said, “You ok? Yes, Haley and I have been friends for about six years. Though she was a bit… shy when we first met so she recently realized we’ve been friends this entire time. I consider her to be my little sister.” Cameron nodded, “That’s… good for you both.” I laughed, “Your wife wants to be her friend.” Cameron smiled, “I know she does. Reagan tends to get what she wants.” I smiled, “I have a feeling her and Haley will get along quite well.” Cameron said, “So, what are you?” I frowned, “A party planner. Was that not clear?”