A Ribbon Strand: Raised Hackura

I Won't Hurt My Family Pt.2

        Eric growled, “Why?” Hank said, “Everyone wants a piece of her. I think the going rate on the black market would be in the billions.” I gulped. Eric roared, “She’s mine!” Hank sighed, “Of course she is. The goddesses protect her by giving her you as a mate. Jesus freaking Christ.” Eric continued his questioning, “Why were you after my brother's mates?” Hank said, “Someone paid our affiliate to make sure your line died out. I don’t know who…. they just want your line gone. Probably because of all your tough guy but good man s**t you pull.” Eric asked Hank, “What coven are you from?” Hank answered, “Dark Cresten.” I frowned. They were new around here. They’d only been in the area for four months. They couldn’t have spelled Alpha Max. Eric was stunned, “The new coven in Alpha Allister’s territory? You were vetted.” Hank smiled, “We know what you are looking for. You are nowhere near as safe as you think.”

        Eric asked, “How many of Satan’s Coven’s installments are in this area?” Hank shrugged, “Ask Otis, but I doubt even he knows. We don’t know a lot in case we get caught.” He growled, “Why were you coming for Darrin?” Hank smiled, “I actually know that one. You four are a large target. The goal is to work from youngest to oldest to tear you apart. He was going to be spelled to start being a problem then cause a break.” They were trying to separate Eric and his brothers? Jackson asked, “A break?” Hank grinned, “Fracturing your packs so that you all were separated. There are those who do not like that you four work together and stay together. Spoiler alert….it’s not witches.” Harold growled, “Werewolves are working with you to spell Alpha’s?” Hank shrugged, “That’s my theory. Who else would care about your line dying out? Who else would care that you four are powerful together? It has to be another pack.” Eric asked, “Why are you working with them?” Hank said, “Again….I just joined to become more powerful. I don’t care about the inner workings of everything. I just wanted to have power.” Eric hissed, “Do you know anything else?” Hank said, “The fairy princess is hotter than I expected she was. I mean damn…. you lucky dog. Her body is banging.” Eric snapped his neck. 

        Jackson held up his prisoner, “Hello Otis…. I believe it’s your turn to answer some questions.” Eric turned and smiled, “Otis...you do appear to have answers I want.” The man said, “This wasn’t supposed to happen. This was supposed to be simple. The fairy princess ruined everything!” I smiled. Always a good thing to ruin the plans of evil people. I didn't even mean to this time. Also was NO ONE going to remember I was Hackura? I was even raised there...for god’s sake. Why was every damn person so focused on my fairy side? Eric said, “You all seem to be forgetting my mate’s other side. She’s a Hackura fairy princess, and she’s testy about the order others say it in.” Otis sighed, “Everyone like me you run across will call her a fairy princess.” I did not like the sound of that. Eric frowned, “Like you?” Otis said, “There will always be darkness around where she is. The darkness wants her, and now…. you’ve brought her out into the open. Hank said the goddesses were protecting her, but they were giving the rest of us a chance at her. You won’t keep her. You’ll know her for a time, and then she’ll simply vanish. Enjoy her Alpha Eric. She will not be with you long.” No one I knew would ever let that happen. This man was an i***t. As if I was some object to be taken. I was a f*****g person. A deadly person. Eric lunged for him. Jackson tried to stop him in vain. Eric reached Otis before Jackson could stop him. His knife dug into his chest. Otis screamed in pain. Jackson said, “Eric we still need answers from.”

         Eric linked me, “I need you. Because I WILL kill him for what he just said. No one will take you from me Haley. EVER!” I popped behind him and touched his back trying to soothe him. I spoke quietly, “Eric… I’m here. I’m with you. He’s wrong. We won’t let that happen. I will never disappear from you. We are twice light bonded, I am marked, we are bound by Hackura ties…. They cannot simply make me vanish.” I saw him visibly relax under my touch. He ripped his knife out of Otis. He motioned me forward. I looked into Otis’ eyes, “Which one of you trapped Molly in the car?” Otis answered, “Jane.” Jackson growled. I asked, “Why were doctors on standby? What doctors? Wasn’t the crash enough?” Otis replied, “We were paid to make sure they could never have pups. Dr Marcos and Dr. Tiel. They work for the rings.” 

           I frowned. Doctors were not supposed to do harm here in this realm. I helped Marcus study for his boards. I sighed, “Do you know by whom you were paid?” Otis said, “All I know is that it was a pack that is part of the alliance with your mate. They want your mate as an ally, but they don’t want their children to be powerful. Like him and his brothers. They are also the ones who paid for Darrin to spelled.” I continued, “Why are you trying to break Eric’s alliances?” Otis said, “He has one of the powerful alliances around. He’s going to find out about everything. He pays too close attention to details. We’ve barely avoided him as it is.” I frowned then asked, “Find out what?” Otis said, “The ring is so much more than you know. More than any of you know. We are all over the world, and we have groups of all races. We have she wolves we want in our ring, but your mate and his allies are in the way. He is too vigilant and too careful. His pack is the hardest to get to because you have four Alpha’s here. The tradition of pack’s splitting works better for us. It’s easier to operate when there is one Alpha per pack. A former and future.” I asked the question I really didn’t want an answer to but needed, “What do you want with me?” Eric pulled me back against him. 

        Otis was compelled to answer me, “That depends on which ring you are referring to. The fairies want you for the power they believe you possess. The goblins want you for that power as well. They want to strip your memories and form you into their weapon to defeat your brother. The fairies that are resisting your brother…. now they want so many things from you. They have a list of the things they want to do to you. Your brother has limited their options. He began searching and seeking partial fairies out. His uncle rejoined him before he could be killed. Their test subjects have to be taken discreetly and infrequently. They are too rough with theirs. They kill them and have to take others. You would solve all their problems. Everyone would focus on finding you. They could take the partials they wanted, and you…. are even more beautiful than your mother. There is so much one could do with you. I’d make you scream my name…” He trailed off screaming as I used my power to blow his finger off. I could tell my eyes were blazing. I gritted my teeth, “You would never touch me. Let’s be clear about that. Is anyone from this pack betraying their Alphas?” Otis was trying not to answer me. Eric growled and linked me, “Why did you ask that?” I answered, “Because it makes sense. How did they know where we were? Or when we were leaving?” You have patrols they would’ve sensed witches.” Eric hissed, “f**k. That is a good point.”

            Otis said, “Scarlett helps provide us with intel. She was the one that told us Darrin was going to be alone. His Beta couldn’t go on the trip where our group was killed. She texted us when your group left the club. She should’ve mentioned you were with them but didn’t.”  Eric roared and clutched me to him. I was sure he was ordering someone to get Scarlett right now. I hadn’t met her yet. Now I probably wouldn’t. Eric’s brothers were roaring right along with him. I asked, “Anyone else?” Otis said “No. She wants to be with the Alpha. That’s why she was helping us.” I sighed. I needed to know about my family. This group of people wouldn’t like the protectors of the realm, “What about my Hackura family? You cannot like them. Did you ever send my father letters about me?” Otis said, “We send all the letters to him for everyone for a fee. Your father could trace them if anyone else sent them.” 

            I used my power to blow off another finger. HOW DARE HE hurt my dad that way! My eyes were blazing so golden they hurt, “What about my brothers? Their mates.” Otis twitched. One of the witches yelled, “DO NOT TELL HER! WE WILL FINALLY CAUSE THEM PAIN!” I hissed, “What are you planning to do to one of my brother’s mates?” Otis clenched his teeth so hard he cracked one. He couldn’t stop himself from telling me though. I wasn’t going to let him. He knew something. Finally he said, “There is one…. we got word will be out alone. Because the intel being collected is about you. The Hackura that was supposed to go along got sick. The person selling your family intel is in our pocket. It’s a trap.” Oh god. I asked, “When?” Otis said, “Right now. You’re too late.” My mind was racing. My brother's mates’ faces were all flashing through my mind. They were family to me. They were mine, and this group of people would NOT hurt my family. I sent a warning to all my connections. My family was in danger, and now they knew. I yelled at Otis, “WHO IS IT? TELL ME!” Otis tried not to answer. I punched him in the face. I didn’t have time for this s**t! I yelled, “WHO?! ANSWER ME! GODDAMN IT! Do you even understand the things I could do to you? IF ANY member of my family is harmed…. you will PRAY for me to send you to hell!” He said, “The male.” I stepped back in shock, “Gunner?” Gunner was an excellent fighter. He would go down swinging. I had time. I could save him. I screamed, “BLADE!” Blade ran to me out of nowhere. It was good he was close. I’d have gone without him and taken the lecture from everyone later.

            I popped to Gunner with Blade. The informant was pointing and pulling a sword as Gunner looked away. I screamed, “GUNNER! LOOK OUT!” He turned back quickly and jumped backwards to avoid getting more than a cut across his chest. I called to the earth. My anger was pounding my ears. They were going to hurt Gunner. My Gunner. The man who was like a brother to me. He was family officially now that he was Harper’s mate. I screamed and flung the informant across the field directly into the new tree I’d grown from anger. Gunner said, “Well he’s incredibly dead. What the HELL are you going here Hales?” I said, “It’s a trap! I came because they were going to hurt you. We have to….” I trailed off. I felt magic surrounded us. I said, “Uh oh.” Gunner groaned, “Do not say Uh oh. What was that? The magic?” I said, “I think it was goblin magic.” Gunner’s eyes went wide, “Get out of here Hales! I can take whatever they do to me. I’ll take them out. I’ll cover you. Go get help!” A goblin laughed, “She cannot leave, and neither can you. Your help will not be able to find you should they arrive.” 

                    Gunner put me behind him. I whispered, “Gunner…. we are surrounded.” Gunner hissed, “f**k!” A goblin laughed, “Oh good…. here we thought we’d get a Hackura Prince’s mate to torture…. someone how fate decided to hand us the Fairy princess we have longed for.” I said, “Hackura Fairy princess you jackass. How does everyone keep forgetting that detail?” The goblin smiled, “You won’t remember that detail yourself when we are through with you.” Gunner stepped forward, “What the HELL does that mean?” A goblin laughed, “We will take her, and wipe her memories. She won’t know who you are. She will stand there as we torture you and do nothing. You will be nothing to her.” No... I would never do that. I whispered, “Gunner…. I wouldn’t...we’re family. I’d help you.” Gunner looked back, “Hey...he doesn’t know you.” He kissed my forehead and added, “You could take the whole lot of them for causing me pain. I know that they are the ones who don’t. Use it when we fight them. We will get out of here back to our mates. Do you hear me? We are getting out of her alive.” I nodded. The goblin added, “We will use her to kill King Aiden and take Faerie. Goblins will return to a palace of glory in the supernatural world when we use her to destroy him. She will be our weapon not his.” My eyes went wide. Oh my god. I forgot…. How could I forget? The pure of heart sibling had the ability to take people’s powers away. They wanted me to destroy Aiden. That’s why Aiden thought I could help the partials. I could call their magic to the forefront as well as take it away. 

            I whispered, “No.” I couldn’t do that. Not to my brother. The thought of betraying them hurt me. I felt concern from everyone in all my connections. The goblin laughed, “We will even use you to kill the future Hackura king. He would not fight you.” I shook my head and backed up. Tears filled my eyes. Not Bjourn and Aiden. Not my big brothers. My protectors. Gunner grabbed me, “They could never do that to you Haley. You would never do that. Not to Aiden and not to Bjourn.” A knife flew into Gunner’s arm. I screamed, “NO!” My eyes blazed. I held my hands out and took the goblins in the direction the knife flew from air. Gunner gritted his teeth, “I’m fine Haley.” I said, “They are still going to die. You think you can take us? You can’t. I won’t let you use me against my brothers. I call upon the earth, sky, and fire to bring the protection of my brothers the King and Prince of Faerie to my side.” Pop sounded immediately. Aiden hissed, “WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?! Goblins?” 

            I said, “The goblins want to use me to kill you, brother. To take your power from you.” Tears filled my eyes as I asked, “Could they really do that Aiden? Could they wipe my memory and use me to take your power so they could kill you?” Arion said, “No, because they will be dead soon, little sister.” I wiped a tear from the corner of my eyes. Aiden took my hand, “No, Haley. They do not understand you or how you love. Even if you were without your memories…. you could feel the comfort of my presence. You would question that. Your light cannot forget me, we are related. You would feel your connections to your Hackura brothers and your wolf.” I asked hopefully, “I couldn’t kill Bjourn then either?” Aiden snorted, “No, you would never do that. You know magic cannot override your love. Love is a pure untouchable thing. You are untouchable to them because you are so full of love. The people who want to use you don’t understand that about you. You are pure of heart. You love so fiercely, and you instinctively know right from wrong. Even if they did manage to wipe your memories you would still be you, little sister.”

             Arion said, “Which they won’t f*****g do. That would hurt her…. severely Aiden. She would fight them. They CANNOT do that to her. I won’t let them.” Aiden said, “I am aware it would hurt her Arion. She is a fighter, our sister.” The goblins decided to attack first. Aiden blocked their magic, and we started fighting back. Gunner yelled, “Blade, don’t leave her side!” Blade grunted in response. My brothers popped away to flank the Goblins. I closed my eyes deciding what to do. I wanted to cover my brothers, but they had each other. If I left Gunner would be all alone. I couldn’t do that to him. I gave Blade a look. He smirked. We would all have each other’s back’s out here. I wouldn’t leave Gunner unprotected. I brought the rain and began using my lightning to electrocute and kill people. Suddenly we heard Harper yell, “GUNNER! HALEY WHERE THE f**k ARE YOU?!” Gunner yelled, “HARPER! FAIRY s**t IS GETTING WEIRD IN HERE! I CAN’T EVEN SEE YOU!” I yelled, “Really Gunner? This is goblin s**t! Not fairy hijinks!” Eric yelled, “HALEY CAMBRIDGE! WHERE ARE YOU?” I felt my light bursting with me. My light in him was calling out to me. Arion snorted and yelled to us, “Your lack of selfishness is about to help us. Have no fear one day to be Prince Gunner…. you will see your mate shortly.” I smiled as I felt the magic around us dissipate. Eric had channeled my magic without really trying. His desire to see me called to my light, and my light within him couldn’t help but answer.

            Eric began slaughtering everyone in his way to get to me. He shifted into Thor after the first few. I saw Caleb shift to have Eric’s back. I was so grateful for him. Gunner said, “You’re f****d Hales, and not in the fun way.” I frowned, “Why?” Gunner snorted, “Get your tunnel vision off your wolf.” I sighed and looked around. Oh shit...Evin, Drake, Harper, Marcus, Bjourn, and my dad were with Eric and Caleb. They were mad. They all jumped into the battle. All the people I loved were around. I needed to do something. If Aiden got angry enough…. he could unlock his wings and set everyone one fire. How could I make him mad enough though? It hit me. I could go down. I looked around then closed my eyes.

         I linked Eric, “I’m going to let them tackle me.” He linked back, “Don’t you f*****g dare!” I tried to explain quickly, “It will anger Aiden. He will end this.” Eric answered, “It will anger EVERYONE here. Not just Aiden. We will end this without you doing that. Hales, it's not necessarily! We will handle this threat without you needing to pretend to go down.” I told him, “They brought their army to torture Gunner. This is the way to end this without anyone else getting hurt. They want to use me to hurt the people I love. To make me forget everyone. I can’t Eric...I can’t hurt them. I won’t. I love them too much. I can’t forget you. Not you. Not our letters, not our calls...not a single moment of it Eric. I love you.” Eric growled.

         I lowered my hands. My dad screamed, “HALEY! NO!” I popped away from Blade. A goblin tackled me the second I was alone. I took a deep breath and screamed bloody murder. The globin stared at me in surprise, but I had to get Aiden’s attention. Gunner, Evin, Drake, Bjourn, Marcus, and my dad screamed, “TOUCH HER AND YOU DIE!” Arion yelled, “SISTER!” Suddenly a red mist shot out all around us. It quickly turned to fire. There was fire all around us. Every goblin was on fire. The goblin jumped off me and started to burn. Aiden yelled in anger. I turned towards him as wings of flames erupted from his back. I smiled. They were beautiful. I was in awe as he flew into the air. His eyes were totally amber now. Arion whistled, “Damn. I never thought I’d get to see a fairy with wings.” He popped to me. He pulled me up to my feet. Eric ran across the field to me and shifted. He grabbed me out of Arion’s arms. Arion snapped, “I’m not going to watch you f**k my sister. I’m a fairy not a Hackura, wolf.” Eric looked into my eyes. His anger was burning inside me. “No getting tackled on purpose to unlock your brother's wings.” Arion said, “ON PURPOSE?! He did NOT just say on purpose!” I blushed. Arion hissed, “OH MY GOD! STOP BEING SO f*****g PURE OF HEART!” I disagree, “It was a tactile decision, not a pure of heart decision. They had their whole army here, Arion.” I couldn't bring myself to say the rest of what they wanted me to do. Arion said, “I swear to god….” He turned to my dad, “Do you all preach love, harmony, and stick to the f*****g plan above all in your damn realm? Next time one of you knocks up a fairy…. have a class on selfishness. For ALL our sakes. Or leave them with us.” 

        I grabbed Eric’s hand and popped to Gunner. Harper’s eyes were golden. He glared at me, “Never do that again Haley.” I ignored him. I held out my hands to heal Gunner. Gunner raised his hand and took the dagger out of his arm. I could feel his pain as a healer. I winced. I never wanted Gunner to be in pain. He was like a brother to me. He was family to me. I healed him quickly. He opened his eyes and hugged me. He sighed and admitted, “I knew it was a trap.” I smiled sadly, “I know. You came because it was about me. I’m sorry Gunner. I’m so sorry. You shouldn’t have been here. I was not going to let you be taken and tortured for me Gunner.” Harper hissed, “TORTURED?! DID the fairy king HAVE to light them all on fire?! MY MATE?! THEY WOULD DARE TORTURE ONE OF MY MATES?! BJOURN! We are going to ROUND up some damn goblins. It’s goblins spree killing time.” Gunner put his hands on Harper's face and rubbed his thumb in circles, “I am fine, my love. Completely healed by your sister. You’ve been stabbed before.” Harper hissed, “That’s different.” Gunner laughed, “No it’s not.” Harper said, “I cannot stand your pain. Not yours and not Calista’s.” He put his forehead on Gunner’s, “I love you Gunner. I love you so damn much.” He kissed him hard on the mouth.

         Arion popped away and came back with three goblins. He threw them at Harper, “Not all the goblins died Prince Harper…. these three retreated. Have no fear. Prince to Prince...they are my gift to you. Do kill them in some deliciously fun way for your mate and our sister.” Harper hissed as he broke apart from Gunner. He whirled around and his elbow connected with one’s head. It knocked the goblin unconscious immediately. Then he knocked the other two’s heads together so hard they went down unconscious before they hit the ground. Gunner wrapped his arms around Harper. He bit Harper’s ear who was breathing hard, eyes blazing. Gunner said, “That’s so hot when you go all Prince of the Hackura on people, Harper.” Harper whirled around and slammed his lips back on Gunners. I knew Harper and Gunner were about to f**k. Harper needed it and so did Gunner. 

        I popped Eric and I to the middle of the field. We could all hear Harper and Gunner, but that didn’t faze us. Most of us had heard it before. Eric didn’t look surprised at all. I looked up into the air and yelled, “Come down, Brother. We are safe.” He came back down to the ground and his wings disappeared. He glanced at me frowning, “You did that on purpose. You wanted me to be so angry that my wings unlocked.” I kissed his cheek, “They are beautiful, brother. Faerie will throw epic parties about this.” Arion said, “Do me a favor, and don’t let us think a goblin is going to take you to get me to unlock mine. The plans we know of are disturbing to say the least. I cannot think of you in their clutches.” He rubbed my hair lovingly. Eric asked, “Why didn’t her being tackled unlock your wing too?” I answered wanting to defend Arion, “Aiden’s have to be unlocked first for anyone in the family to unlock theirs. It’s not a guarantee that any fairy will get wings. Even now. Aiden could be the only one with them in our family. It’s...they are really amazing Aiden.”