A Ribbon Strand: Raised Hackura

It's A Trick Pt. 1

        Eric held his breath when Haley ran her hands over his body. I started running my hands over her body. Her outfit was making me impossibly hard. She popped behind me and bit my ass. Oh I don’t think so. I’d caught my fairy. She popped behind me again to spank me. I hid my smile. My fairy wanted to play. I’d need to distract her, so she didn’t want to pop away. I put her on the counter and set to work. The second my tongue was on her c**t It became quickly apparent the last thing on her mind was popping away from me. The thrill of the chase was humming in my veins. I entered her quickly and told her that popping away from me was dangerous. She came quickly as did I. If she thought, we were done she had another thing coming. I told her to snap her clothes off. She was so responsive. I really couldn’t believe she was actually here with me.

         I pounded into her over and over and again. Her voice was hoarse from screaming. She was almost limp against me, but she was going to come again. I bit her mark as I came. She screamed my name and collapsed in my arms. I pulled out of her slowly and carried her to the bed. I admired her body, tucked her into bed, and pulled her against me. I smiled and kissed her forehead, “You are my Angel, Haley Cambridge. I do not deserve you, but you’re mine. I’ll protect you always. I won’t let you be taken from me. I’ve spent too long waiting for you, and now that you’re in my arms…. People do not want to see the man I will become without you. To get you back I would stare death itself in the face. I would tear people apart. I love you. I love you so damn much. You’re my best friend. The person I want to talk to most throughout the day. You’re mine and you’re here to stay.”

            I linked Ethan, “How was my mate drugged?” Ethan was nervous, “She was in pain…. I didn’t know she would have a reaction to it. I just didn’t want the future Luna in pain.” I said, “So you gave her…. what exactly?” Ethan sighed, “An incredibly LOW dose of morphine. I don’t know what to do or how to treat her Alpha…. If she gets hit with iron….and we need to give her pain medication. I’m researching and everything I find says fairies react strongly….to all drugs.” I said, “You did nothing wrong. I did not want her pain. If she needs to be given pain medication, then you do that. I would rather have to catch her than have her endure one moment of pain. I can and will catch her every time. Her goal is for me to catch her anyway.” Ethan snorted, “Ok Alpha. What if it’s not her goal sometime?” I said, “Even if it’s not…. I can feel her so strongly after being accepted into their bloodline in the Hackura. I could find her. You do what you have to do to treat her. I’ll find her if I have to.” Ethan said, “You are a good Alpha and Mate.” I smiled, “That means a lot coming from you. You’ve always been a good mate to Rose.” Ethan said, “I don’t deserve that woman, but I love her something fierce.” I asked, “How is my mother?” Ethan said, “She’s healed for the most part. Still has a lingering concussion. Your father refuses to let her leave. He wants her to be observed overnight.” I smiled, “That sounds like him.” Ethan said, “He’s a good man and mate as well.” I replied, “Hell of a father too.” 

            I linked my dad, “Are you alright?” My dad linked, “Fussing over your mother. She says it’s not necessary. She’s got a concussion. That mate of yours packs quite the punch.” I agreed with him, “That she does. I don’t want mom near her until she comes around. Haley will be my Luna when I decide she will be. I’m having her ceremony as soon as it can be put together, and I won’t listen to mom talk s**t about it.” My dad said, “I know that son. I think Haley is very mature for her age.” I smiled, “Yes, she is.” My dad laughed, “So…. I assume you caught her. Dale called. He thinks she’s hilarious. Frank…. Frank was beside himself. I guess she snapped him into some Hackura outfit with war paint. Nadine attacked him. Your mate is his new favorite person. Along with his former beta…. Guess Isaac didn’t even make it into the house before Isabella attacked him.” I smiled and kissed Haley’s hair, “She’s one of a kind and all mine.” My dad laughed, “You need someone like her. Someone to bring lightheartedness and fun to your life. You’ve always been so serious. She can be serious, but she’s also fun. Everything you need. Goodnight son.” I linked back, “Goodnight dad.” 

            When I woke up in bed Haley wasn’t there. I sat straight up looking around. It took me a minute to realize where we were. The bed was still warm where she’d been. I could hear her swimming outside. Relief flooding my system. For a brief moment, I thought I’d longed for her for so long I’d imagined the entire thing. I went to the deck. I watched her swim a few laps. She was gloriously naked. It didn’t take long before I could no longer resist her. I jumped into the water and wrapped my arms around her. She smiled at me. I was watching the drops of water dripping down her body. I needed to know if she swam naked often. She’d never mentioned it, but I’d ban my pack members from the pool if she wanted to swim if she did. She laughed and said she didn’t usually swim naked. Thank the moon goddess. I laughed about her saying she had races with Emmaline. I’m sure Bjourn was working really hard on being able to beat Emmaline in a race. He hated to lose. He took it as a personal challenge to get better. 

            I teased her telling her that there would be no more morphine for her. She giggled and I couldn’t help smiling brighter. It was the most important sound in my world. She teased me saying it was fun. I’d need to know about the rogues, but the rest of it…. was actually fun. I told her the truth. Next time I’d be more prepared. Because if anyone of Ethan’s staff gave her morphine and didn’t warn me…. they’d be in trouble. She told me Ethan drugged her without her knowledge. I laughed and told her I already knew that. She was worried that I’d been too hard on him. I shrugged that off. I was pretty nice about it. Quite possibly because she was in my arms after I’d pleasured her to sleep…. The reason didn’t really matter though. I was VERY nice to Ethan about the entire ordeal. She wrapped her legs around me and soon we were buried inside each other. I wanted to take her away and spend all our time doing just this. Once we finished. Haley snapped. I glanced over to see her running outfit a brief second before she popped us to the front of the house. 

            I was surprised to see Molly waiting. I linked Jackson, “She’s running with us today?” Jackson said, “Catherine swears…. under threat of bodily harm it’s fine. Molly was already up so she wanted to join us.” I smirked, “Fine by me.” Haley was confused about the saying Molly used. I couldn’t help but laugh picturing Jackson, Molly, and Catherine standing by a tree talking about running. I couldn’t help but kiss her. She was so innocent and perfect. Haley popped away and started running. I watched her run for a minute before I took off. I caught her this time about halfway through the run. I ran beside her. I never knew how invigorating running with your mate could be. I could admire her out of the corner of my eye. As soon as we got back, I shifted and pinned her against the house. I kissed her fully intending to take her back up to our room. Harold grumbled and complained. I was going to have to get Tabitha to join our runs so he would understand. Jackson was currently sticking his tongue down Molly’s throat. Harold pointed out we had things to do.

            I begrudgingly pulled back from Haley. She of course knew exactly what I was about to do. I wasn’t surprised she wanted to be involved. I wanted to get some aggression out on those we’d captured though. I knew my brothers needed that too. I asked her to hang back, but I had no problem with her being there. If it was going to get out of hand…. I’d have her pop out. I didn’t want her to see that side of me just yet. I knew that was a silly notion. She’d sat with Bjourn while he’d tortured people for information and helped him when he asked her to; however…. I just didn’t need her to see everything I was capable of when those I loved were hurt. Darrin was curious why she didn’t insist. I had to smile. My mate was brought up understanding the way a hierarchy worked. She respected that I was the Alpha. She also pointed out she was still with our group. She wouldn't have complained if I’d sent her inside. I might have thought about it if part of me wasn’t convinced if she was out of my sight…. this would all turn out to be a figment of my imagination. I also knew that she would have good questions to ask. Her mind worked in ways even mine did not. She always had a unique perspective. I’d enjoyed her takes on many things over the last few years in our talks on the phone. 

            I came into the dungeon letting my anger from hearing Haley was attacked along with my sister in laws to the forefront. I glared at what was left of the coven. My men had a few accidents. Two were dead, and the others were injured. I couldn’t bring myself to care. The warriors showed them what they thought of them trying to hurt their Luna’s. They’d shot their long awaited Luna. The whole pack had been waiting for my mate to come along. It had spread like wildfire that Molly was pregnant again. The pack link had gone crazy with the news of twins. I was proud of my men for defending their Luna’s. I had no doubt Liam had been down here with the other pack lead warriors. Judy probably killed one of those witches on the ground. She was very close with Tabitha. I told them this would go better for them if they answered my questions. I hoped they didn’t. I was angry. I couldn’t stop my smile when they said nothing. I linked my brothers, “Grab a witch or warlock.” I grabbed the one who looked most uncertain. He would break easily for me. I cut him six times. Shallow ones...just enough to let him be in pain, but nothing that would seriously injure him. Like I thought…. he cracked. 

            He wanted to die quickly. I could do that. Would I? I honestly had no idea, but I could do that. I asked why they had iron in their bullets. I needed to know if they’d lied. If this was truly an attack to get Haley…. I needed to know. He claimed that was not the case. That they would’ve planned longer. I knew why, but I asked anyway. I saw red when he said on the black market my mate would go for billions. Jackson linked me, “You knew that Eric.” I linked back, “SHE’S A f*****g PERSON AND SHE’S MINE! BILLIONS JACKSON! BILLIONS!” Thor settled a little when Hank pointed out by mating me with Haley it was a form of protection. It was…. I was standing in anyone’s way who came for her. I was enraged to find out another pack was involved in this. We were warned, but we didn’t know who they were yet. Now they were working with the group spelling Alpha’s?

 My allies and I would take over their packs the SECOND I found out who they were. When he told me what coven they were from, I was stunned. Alpha Allister vetted them. Hank informed me they knew what we were looking for. f**k! I linked Jackson, “How the f**k are we supposed to stop them? We have to start over!” Jackson linked, “We can send Liam to check out their coven. Maybe they have papers…. something we can look for.” I nodded. I linked Liam, “I need you to get to Dark Cresten Coven’s. Take a group of warriors. Call Alpha Allister. They are Satan’s coven. Search for how they hid from us.” Liam answered, “Yes, Alpha. How many warriors?” I linked, “Take Judy. Have her gather ten of her warriors and ten of hers. I don’t know how many coven members are left. Take them into custody if you run across them. If they try to kill you…. kill them first.” Liam answered, “Yes, Alpha.”

            I asked how many covens were in this area working with Satan’s coven. Of course he didn’t know. I agreed with Hank…. Otis wouldn’t know either. They were too goddamn smart for that s**t. I asked why they were coming for Darrin. The answer surprised me, but it shouldn’t have. They wanted us to separate our packs. We were a very strong pack together, but if any of my brothers wanted to break off…. I’d try to stop them, but I swore I’d never stand in their way. I shouldn’t have been surprised that werewolves were behind the Alpha’s being spelled. Hank made a good point. Why would witches care about us? We don’t bother them. When Hank said Haley was hotter than he expected. I saw red. When he talked about her body, I snapped his neck. Thor growled in my head. Jackson linked me, “Well…. we might have got a bit more out of him, but…. we do have this guy.” I turned as he said Hello to Otis. f*****g Otis. 

            Otis blamed Haley for their plan failing. Fuckers. I could feel Haley’s annoyance that everyone kept referring to her as just a fairy princess. I hid my smile. To her she was a Hackura princess first and fairy second. She was raised there so that made the most sense to her. She didn’t understand why people couldn't get the order right. Otis said everyone like him would all call her the fairy princess. What the actual f**k? People like Him? Warlocks? He said there would be darkness coming for her. Of course they would. Darkness didn’t like light. He said her being her brought her out in the open. Panic and pain gripped me. He was right. She was safe in the Hackura realm. Only fairies she wanted to see could get in there. No other supernatural’s could get to her there. Here…. anyone could come. Jackson said, “She belongs here with you Eric.” I linked back, “At what cost? If anyone gets her….” Jackson said, “She would have to be betrayed. She’s fierce, Eric. She took our mother without breaking a sweat. She took down thirty-five fairies before we got to her without her powers. She can handle herself.” I nodded. He was right. When Otis said I’d lose her, I lost it. I lunged for him. Ripping him out of Jackson's arms. My brother tried to stop me, but Thor had taken over. Thor dug a knife into the man's chest. Opposite of his heart. I pictured it was his heart I was twisting. Jackson spoke out loud saying we needed answers. Jackson said, “Your mate is still down here Eric. Let her get us some answers…. then you can go crazy on him.” I hated that he had a point.

            I linked Haley telling her that I needed her. I was going to kill Otis for what he just said. No one would take her from me. Haley popped to me and put a hand on my back. She pointed out we couldn’t ever be truly separated. We had the Hackura bond, and her light lived within me. She was right. Everyone would know that to be taken from me would drive her insane….it would kill her slowly. Not many actually wanted her to die. I would always be able to feel her. I could find her if anyone touched one perfect hair on her head…. then they would pay. Haley asked who trapped Molly in the car. Jackson linked me, “WHAT?! HOW DID NO ONE MENTION THAT?” The man said it was Jane. Harold linked, “That’s who I have.” Jackson growled, “SHE is f*****g mine to kill.” Harold said, “Fine. Gun toting asshole in Darrin’s arms is mine. He wanted to shoot Tabitha.” I could argue he did shoot Haley, but I killed Hank. I was also going to torture the f**k out of Otis. Haley got the names of the doctors that were going to help them. I linked Harold, “Link your lead warriors. Have them coordinate with Darrin’s. I want those doctors in our dungeons. Now.” Harold nodded. Haley got Otis to admit he knew the pack was part of our alliance that was paying for these things. OH FOR GOD’S SAKE! Jackson linked, “We can rule out Yellow Hills, Blue Moon, Thunders Ridge, Red Run, and Green Crescent.” That was true. I sighed, “Still…. we have alliances with people we are on the fence about.” Jackson linked, “I know.” 

            Haley asked why they were trying to break our alliances. He told her I was going to find something out. What the hell? I looked at my brothers in question. All of them shrugged. When he said the ring was more than we knew...I paled. The Hackura had that theory, but we had no evidence werewolves were involved. We’d killed the Ducant Alpha’s father. We’d made it look like an accident. Alpha Hammond...was being watched, but my dad had killed his father discreetly. This statement seemed to imply they were others, and if they were…. there were Alpha’s disregarding their oaths. They were taking people. That was clear. When packs were taken over…. we were losing people to these rings. Oh god. Jackson linked me, “We account for everyone when we take over a pack.” I said, “But not everyone does. Assumptions are made about people fleeing or dying.” Jackson winced. Darrin looked away. We’d been careless. Wolves were somewhere suffering for it. At the hands of depraved individuals. Never again. I would never let my allies take over without accounting for every single previous pack member. We’d have to go back through our records and hunt down the missing. 

            I felt Haley’s dread at her next question. She asked why they wanted her. I cursed myself. I should’ve known she’d ask that. I pulled her against me. I felt her horror when he told her why goblins wanted her. She felt extreme anger about what the partial fairies were suffering. When he said he’d r**e her our combined anger had her using her powers. I bared my teeth at Otis. Haley told him he’d never touch her then asked if anyone in our pack was betraying us. All my brothers linked me growling. They better f*****g not be. I asked her why she thought that. She’d never ask a question without a reason. She responded that someone had to tell the witches they’d left the club. Our patrols would’ve sniffed out a coven of witches just lying in wait. I linked Jackson, “She’s right. Someone betrayed us.” Jackson hissed, “They will f*****g pay for that with their lives.” I nodded. They would. 

            When we got the name, I looked wide eyed at my brother. Scarlett? REALLY? She was friends with Amber! How the hell could she do this? I linked Marshall and Caleb, “Get Scarlett in silver cuffs and down the dungeon.” Marshall asked, “Eric?” I answered, “She f*****g betrayed us!” Caleb said, “Yes, Alpha.” Normally, both would call me Eric. Only when I was extremely angry did they call me Alpha. Otis said it was just her and she’d wanted to be with me that’s why she did it. That made no goddamn sense. I knew she wanted to be with me. She’d tried to get me to f**k her many times. I never did. I linked Jackson, “By what logic does hurting your mates get me into bed with Scarlett?” Jackson answered, “Grief? I have no f*****g clue. She’s clearly insane. We will ask her.” I didn’t know if I actually cared that much.

            I was surprised when Haley asked about her Hackura family. She was right though, not everyone liked them. They were the protectors of the realm, but her family could handle themselves. I was startled when Otis admitted they were the ones sending all the threats against her to Titus so he couldn’t trace them. Jackson linked, “Holy f*****g s**t. Titus will wipe out their coven in Louisiana for this.” I smiled, “Yes, he will. They messed up. Big time.” Haley’s anger tripled and she used her powers to blow off another one of Otis’ fingers. She asked about her brother and when she mentioned their mates Otis twitched. I linked Jackson, “There’s a plot against one of the Prince's mates….do we have that?” Jackson said, “No... we don’t. It must be new.” Harold’s witch yelled for him not to tell. Jackson linked, “Seriously? Just hand Haley the evidence she needs.” I said, “She’s very angry...that didn’t help.” Jackson said, “I don’t blame her. I’d be pissed off too.” Otis tried not to answer her. I even heard several of his teeth crack. One was so loud there was no way Haley missed it. He finally told her that one was on a mission trying to get information on her. It was a trap. 

            Jackson linked, “s**t! We need Marcus and Bjourn.” I linked the pack, “Who has eyes on Marcus and Bjourn Cambridge?” One warrior answered, “They are with us in the gym Alpha. They've been kicking our asses for an hour.” I linked back, “Tell them we need them in the dungeons. Right now.” Otis told Haley the trap was already set, and someone had walked into it already. That she would be too late. f**k! I linked my warrior as Haley stepped away from me to punch Otis. I linked, “Where are Marcus and Bjourn?” The warrior answered, “They just left.” I linked him, “Tell them to run as fast as they ever have.” The warrior replied, “Yes, Alpha.” I was painfully hard listening to Haley threaten Otis with what she would do to him if any of her family was hurt. I’d actually like to see what she could do. I’m sure she’d learned a lot of questioning and interrogation techniques with Bjourn. Otis told her it was the male. Harold linked, “What the f**k? You? You’re here.” Jackson linked, “It’s Gunner.” Haley stepped back in shock. She screamed for Blade.

        I lunged for them as Blade appeared. Haley popped away before I could reach her. I cursed, “f**k!” Scarlett was brought in. I growled at her, “You will die for what you’ve done.” Marshall’s eyes went wide. Scarlett cried, “Alpha…. I don’t understand!” I growled, “I don’t have time for you, you treasonous b***h!” I took the stairs two at a time. I met Marcus and Bjourn in between the gym and dungeons. Marcus asked, “What’s going on? Haley sent us all a warning…. what’s happened? Where did she go?” I said, “We need a portal to Haley and Gunner! NOW!” Bjourn said, “Haley shouldn’t be with Gunner. He’s in the field. She was with you! What the hell happened?” I said, “We were questioning the witches and warlocks. Haley asked about your family. They said they would make you hurt through one of the mates. Haley asked which one…. after some time the man admitted it was Gunner.”

         Marcus swore, “f**k!” He opened his phone, “Harper, we need Gunner’s location.” Harper said, “Why? He feels off in the bond…. He’s worried…. f**k! he shouldn’t be fighting, but he is. HE IS IN PAIN! What the hell is going on?” Bjourn said, “TRACK HIM OR HALEY!” Harper yelled, “HALEY?! WHAT THE f**k IS GOING ON?! Why would she be with him?!” Marcus yelled, “HARPER! JUST TRACK HIM!” Harper was quiet then finally said, “I can’t. He went in dark. It was the only way the informant would meet with him.” I said, “Try Haley’s phone.” Harper said, “Luckily for us…. Gunner’s computer is here. He has a special Haley folder full of shortcuts to track her popping fairy mischievous ass down. Hang on…. He’s in danger…. isn’t he?” I answered, “You were betrayed. The informant is in the rings pocket.”