A Ribbon Strand: Raised Hackura

What Could've Been Pt. 1

         Haley watched the wolf carefully that had just declared her cousin his. From his build this had to be Eric’s lead warrior, Liam. He was glaring at Blade though for some reason. That didn’t make sense. Blade was mated and gay. Bexley popped into his arms. I introduced them after Liam’s little sister confirmed that he was in fact Liam. Jackson actually sat down on the ground in shock. Bexley whispered to me, “mil actin to me.  Own branakes meself act negg (will he be kind to me cousin. You know I do not handle pain well) I smiled, “wolves negg fairies.  Eric uncecanbe   to me.  Seas   orto oto own mila.  Mou the put mila. put da (wolves are not fairies. Eric was very kind to me. Get yourself ready for when you mark him through. Bring out the animal in him...in a very fun way). Bexley smirked, “Meself plausin.  Meself sper plausin’t mila trying to me.  The ina mila causing me (I can handle animal fun. I just can't handle him trying to hurt me. The thought of him causing me pain…) I shook my head, “Mil.  Group owow simy spearite mates act.  Own branakes aiden owcan  lucinda.  Meself  arion   mils (He won't. They don't believe as fairy mates do. You know Aiden didn't hurt Lucinda. I doubt Arion will hurt his mate). Bexley smiled at my words. She nodded. 

            Liam was still glaring at Blade. I rolled my eyes and told him that Blade was gay. Liam relaxed. He was in trouble if he was going to glare at every guy within two feet of Bexley. Eric told Liam to take off. He grabbed Bexley who popped up onto his shoulders and told me she’d see me later. She winked at me saying we’d get in a lot of trouble here. I told her I’d see her later, and that I’d call Aiden. I quickly explained the situation to him. I wasn’t surprised he was annoyed about another Fae being mated to a wolf. I knew his frustration was really about me. He wanted me to spend more time in Faerie. I think I would’ve liked that, but I wouldn’t have changed my childhood for the world. I loved growing up in the Hackura realm with my dad and my mom. I would’ve despised growing up with my mother. She was a b***h. I popped to Eric. He led the pack in a howl. I wanted to pop him back to our room when Caleb said they had a situation. I sighed. We agreed on later. 

            Eric went inside. Tabby grabbed me, “I think we need a drink.” I laughed, “Let’s go.” We were halfway there when Darrin and Harold grabbed Amber and Tabby. They ran off. Tabby said, “We are still getting a drink later Haley!” I snapped myself a strawberry martini. I raised a glass to them as they ran off to the front of the house. Molly asked, “Can you snap me a virgin pina colada?” I laughed, “Yes, I absolutely can.” I snapped her a drink. She took a sip, “Damn that’s good, and without all the mess of making one.” We walked into the kitchen together.

         A woman turned around smiling. She set down pancakes. I smiled. She said, “Your brother Marcus and I already met. He said that you love having breakfast for dinner.” I laughed, “I do. I’m Haley Cambridge.” The woman laughed, “My dear sweet girl. Everyone knows who you are. You will do nicely for my Eric. I am Mrs. Blanch. I consider Eric one of my boys.” I said, “Great. I’ll take you as my chosen mother-in-law then.” Molly choked on her drink. Mrs. Blanch looked startled then started laughing. She said, “Oh…. that was… I needed a laugh. Cassandra…. has her issues, but she’s a bit like a bruised apple. Rough on the outside, but good on the inside.” 

            I shrugged, “I have no intention of getting past the bruised apple exterior. I’ll treat her with respect, and I expect the same in return.” Molly said, “She makes it her mission to get to know us all. All her sons’ mates.” I snorted, “Her mission will be short lived. She didn’t want to know anything about me the second she laid eyes on me. She wanted to judge me. She didn’t even want me here. One minute Eric and I were moving too fast because he marked me. The next time I was with her she was ready to claw my eyes out because we aren’t married yet.” Molly choked on her drink again. I raised an eyebrow, “You might need to stop drinking that.” She coughed, “No….no I’m fine. She said something about you guys not being married?” I nodded. I still wasn’t thinking about that. Mrs. Blanch said, “Now you listen here Ms. Haley. You move at a pace you are comfortable with. My Eric will be fine with that. Everyone else can get over it.” I smiled, “I really do like you. I’m not kidding, you're my chosen mother-in-law.” Mrs. Blanch blushed. She smiled, “I’d be honored to have you as a daughter in law.” I smiled, “So it’s settled.” We all laughed. Tabby and Amber came inside. I laughed, “I didn’t think we’d see you guys for a while.” Amber sighed, “The guys are heading out with Eric.” I frowned and popped to Eric. 

            I asked if he was trying to leave without saying goodbye. He smiled and said goodbye. I leaned in and kissed him. A glow caught my eye when I pulled back. I smiled at my brother Logan and his mate Katie. I winked at her and congratulated them. She caught it immediately, but of course my brother didn’t. She told me to shut up. I did not understand why people from this realm said shut up…. when they did not in fact want you to shut up. It made no sense. Logan figured it out and they left. They must think another Alpha is spelled if Katie was with them. I saw Marcus, Bjourn, and Blade in the corner. I walked over to them. I said, “We could hang out inside you know.” Bjourn nodded, “We could.” I bit my lip. Marcus said, “What?” I frowned. Bjourn laughed, “That’s your tell little sister. When you have something to say you bite your lip.” I stuck my tongue out at them. Blade said, “Princess Tells.” 

            I looked at Bjourn, “Satan’s coven is the one sending dad those letters about what people want to do to me. They are sending them as a proxy. I know we don’t know where all they are….” Marcus spoke with a bit of a bite to his tone, “Yes, because you’ve been investigating them. Alone.” I frowned, “Not alone.” Bjourn said, “Without any of us.” I sighed, “You guys investigate stuff without me all the time. I was with Lexi, Emmaline, and Miles. Heath helped on occasion. Even Ted did too.” Marcus’ lips twitched, “Did Heath know he was helping? Or what he was helping with?” I looked away. Marcus laughed, “That would be a no, he didn’t.” I pursed my lips, “You didn’t ask who knew they were helping. You just said no one helped. Technically speaking…. Gunner helped too.” Bjourn laughed, “Oh he’s going to be pissed.” I kicked the dirt. That was probably true, but he wouldn’t be very mad. I shrugged. Marcus cleared his throat, “Let’s go inside little one.” 

            Bjourn grabbed my arm. He said, “You guys go on. I’ll bring her in a second.” Marcus looked at our older brother then nodded. He and Blade went inside. I turned back to face my oldest brother. Bjourn said, “I don’t ever want to feel self loathing from you ever again little sister.” I looked away from him. He continued, “You are amazing. You are kind and somehow innocent in ways that most are not. There is nothing about yourself to hate.” I wipe a tear out of the corner of my eye. I answered, “I’m a weapon. I can take people’s powers. When they said…. when they said they’d used me to kill Aiden…. then you Bjourn…” Tears clouded my vision. I whispered, “I’ve never hated being myself more. I can’t even...the thought of it…. of hurting you.” Bjourn crushed me into a hug. He pulled back and looked into my eyes, “Those that believe they can do that do not understand you. Even if you had no memories of me and all the fun, we have had…. you would stand here feeling our bond. They do not understand that you would pause because of that. You would question the things you were told. You could feel my sincerity when I spoke to you.” I couldn’t stop my tears. Bjourn said, “Haley Cambridge, you could never hurt me or our brothers. You go out of your way not to hurt people unless they hurt those you love. You did not need to promise me that for me to know that you would never hurt me.” 

            I pulled away from him and tried to wipe angrily at my tears that couldn’t seem to stop. I whispered, “What if I could? What if I just lost control?” Bjourn said, “We would be there for you. As you would be there for us. I don’t think you could lose control.” I knew he was wrong. I whispered, “I made a tree grow in the middle of nowhere where a tree didn’t belong. I saw Gunner get hurt, and I snapped Bjourn. I have it in me.” Bjourn said, “That is not snapping. That is your Hackura blood humming within you. Do you think I would’ve done anything differently? If I saw anyone raise a hand to Gunner, or anyone I loved…. they lose the hand for starters, and I would slowly gut them like a fish. To defend those you love is in your very blood. You could not deny that even if you wanted to.” I said, “Just don’t let me hurt people I shouldn’t Bjourn.” Bjourn kissed my forehead, “You never could, but I swear to you…. I’ll always help you. I’ll stop you, but I will not hurt you.” I nodded. Bjourn said, “Little one…. you already promised not to hurt us. What’s this about?” I said, “What if it doesn’t work? If I don’t remember the promise…. does it even matter that I made it?” Bjourn said, “I don’t know, but I know you. I’ll not let some goblin get his hands on you and erase your memories. I would be devastated if you forgot all our trips to Chicago for pizza runs.” He put a fake dagger to his heart. I laughed as he continued, “Or all our pranks.” I smiled, “You guys really suck at them. You need me.” Bjourn laughed, “No you’re just some prank crazy mastermind. We plan pranks like normal people. You’re just up in a whole other stratosphere of pranks.” I smiled. 

            Bjourn tugged my arm, “Come on. Let’s go see what everyone else is doing. We walked inside and everyone was startled by our appearance. Tabby said, “WHAT? How many drinks did I have?” Marcus said, “Not too many Tabitha, there are two of them.” I clapped, “REALLY?! There’s a ribbon me here?” Molly snorted, “It’s like being in the twilight zone.” I walked further into the room and saw another me on the couch with a blanket. I asked, “Did she just appear?” Marcus said, “Like a pop. I thought Bjourn bored you to sleep.” Bjourn rolled his eyes. I popped over in front of myself. I smiled, “She’s glowing.” Marcus said, “Ok…. we definitely can’t let anything happen to this version of her.” I smiled, “It’s triplets. AWWW Eric and I have triplets!” The other me’s eyes snapped open. She looked around and saw me. She sighed in relief, “YES! For once I am not in f*****g Faerie! Praise be to the Hackura god! I know it had to be his f*****g doing.” I laughed. Her eyes went wide, and she sat straight up, “OH MY GOD! YOU ARE SO f*****g TALL! f**k YES b***h! I KNEW I WAS SUPPOSED TO BE TALL!” She jumped up. She pulled her phone out of her bra. She turned, “Molly catch fast!” She threw her phone to a stunned Molly. She said, “Take our f*****g picture because I WILL make Aiden announce it all of Faerie. I’m supposed to be f*****g tall.” She stood and my eyes went wide. She was almost a foot shorter than I was. 

            I looked at my brother bewildered. They were frowning. She poked me, “f*****g smile please.” I had to laugh. I turned to Molly and smiled. Molly handed her phone back. Bjourn said, “So... which one are you?” The other me said, “I have no f*****g clue how to answer that. I’m me Bjourn.” I laughed, “In our reality another me brought me to our dad.” The other me screamed, “SHUT THE f**k UP! THAT WAS LIKE THREE f*****g YEARS AGO! HOW ARE YOU THIS OLD?!” I laughed, “I’m seventeen.” She was gaping, “I’ll have to ask Aiden about this f*****g bit of information. It was three years…. not f*****g seventeen.” Tabby laughed, “I like her. I’m going to get you a drink.” Haley whirled, “Virgin drink please. Who the f**k is she?” Tabby said, “She is Harold’s f*****g mate. I’m from Kentucky daughter of a Beta. I was bartending when Harold found me. Mostly to piss of my father.” Haley pursed her lips, “I’m taking her back with me. I like her. We could be f*****g friends.” Tabby laughed, “Just go find your me.” Haley said, “f*****g GENIUS! I will go find my new friend…. who are you?” Tabby laughed, “Tabitha maiden name Jacobs.” Haley said, “We WILL be f*****g friend in my reality Tabitha Jacobs. OHHH You can join my girl gang of badasses!” 

            Marcus laughed, “You’re what now?” Haley said, “My group of girls. We are badasses! When we hang out, we do fashion shows in our underwear, we did a drinking TeleTed trolley that Harper’s boytoy lover helped with. Astrid learned how to be a pole dancing instructor for one.” Bjourn said, “Astrid did what now? Hales….my Hales...get on that. I’d like to see Astrid pole dance.” I laughed. Haley asked, “Where’s your Eric?” Then she sat down, “Scratch that...where are our f*****g Eric’s?” I shrugged, “They left.” Amber said, “They went to Green Timbers.” The other me shot up, “WHAT?! THEY CAN’T f*****g DO THAT! Bjourn Call Harper’s boytoy lover! Track them right now!” I laughed, “Do you mean Gunner?” She sighed, “That’s not his f*****g name. Did you not read my letter?” I blushed, “Not the whole thing, no.” She frowned, “Read it. I explain that people say his name is something else, but his name is Harper’s boytoy lover. Do Harper, Calista, and his boytoy lover realize they are mates here? I had to be their own personal f*****g cupid to get that accomplished.” I frowned, “Yes, they know. How would they not know?” Haley said, “Stupid s**t. Harper was messed the f**k up about not being able to save Gunner’s mate. It wasn’t his f*****g fault. He couldn’t have done anything. Damn drunk driver.” I gaped, “Gunner’s mate? Harper saw Gunner mate die?” She frowned, “So did Harper…. did that not f*****g happen here? This reality kicks ass.” 

            Bjourn said, “Thank f*****g Christ that did not happen here.” I snorted, “Gunner was almost taken by goblins and tortured here.” Haley screamed, “WHAT?!” Marcus explained while I linked Eric that we had the other Haley here. He told me to get to his brother’s mates. The other me ordered, “Order the warriors here. Ask Liam to guard Molly, Tabitha and…. who are you?” Amber smiled, “I’m Amber.” Haley said, “I’m f*****g finding you too and surrounding myself with what could’ve been. We are going to round up the other Alpha’s out to get the Conners family in this damn reality. There will be no f*****g witch bitches taking your sister in laws with strands of their hair.” I looked at her hand. It had a massive ring and wedding band on it. I grabbed her hand, “YOU’RE MARRIED?!” She nodded, “The werewolves and fairies were at war. Aiden and…” her voice broke. She shook herself, “Aiden and Arion agreed to peace with Eric and his allies. Through our marriage. Dad could give a f**k less about the fairies so...he and Eric reached their own agreement.” I nodded. That made sense. She got married because of a treaty. She smiled, “I wasn’t raised in the Hackura realm like you were.” I nodded and changed the subject. I was still not thinking about marriage. I asked, “Why are you so much shorter than I am?” She frowned, “Oh let’s not talk about sad things. Let’s go kill some f*****g witches.” I said, “I can’t link warriors. I’m not the Luna yet. Plus Liam and Bex just met. He’s uhh...busy.” She clapped, “OH GOODIE! They are mates here too! That’s so f*****g cool!” 

            I nodded, “HEY WAIT! Do you know who Arion’s mate is?” She flinched. Bjourn’s eyes narrowed. She whispered, “Megan...is his mate in my f*****g reality. She’s a witch around in this Area. Because the fairy goddess thinks she f*****g funny.” I smiled, “I’ll find her. Arion will be so happy.” Her eyes widened, “Could you…. never mind.” I frowned. I texted Aiden letting him know to pop in with Arion for our ribbon visitor. I could tell she wanted to see Arion. Aiden said they would stop by soon. The other me looked around then smiled, “Blade…. are you coming with us? It would be VERY weird if you didn’t. Daddy decreed that I have to take you wherever I go.” Marcus laughed. Blade snorted, “It's a good idea.” I said, “HEY! I take Blade with me most places! There is no decree needed.” Bjourn just smirked at me, “Marcus and I are coming too.” Haley looked at the girls, “Don’t any of you dissafuckingpear into a golden mist while we are gone…. or I will be pissed the f**k off.” I laughed, “You are very sweary.” She said, “Oh is Cassandra here? I can help you with her. She f*****g hates me and my sweariness.” I snorted, “She’s no fan of mine either.” Haley hissed, “b***h! Why the f**k not?” I said, “Because I’m a partial fairy.” The other Haley’s eyebrow furrowed, “Whatthefuckever. Let’s go collect Alpha’s and leave our bitchy mother-in-law problems behind us.” I laughed, “Like Pokémon.” The other me frowned, “poke what?” I snorted, “Never mind. Are you sure you should go? Will your Eric get mad since you're pregnant with triplets? Does he know?” Haley shrugged, “He probably will. He’s overprotective when I’m pregnant because of the first time…. plus he’s got that whole Alpha f*****g male thing going on. He does know this time though. Alexander tattled.”

            I squealed, “How many kids do you have?” She laughed, “Five this will be eight.” I clapped my hands together in a prayer gesture, “PLEASE tell me I give birth like a fairy!” She laughed, “Of f*****g course we do b***h!” I sighed in relief, “Thank the lord.” She popped our group to Silver wings. She said, “Oh look, It’s the prick I killed with the tiny d**k he was so proud of.” I laughed. She said, “And you’re all together. How f*****g considerate. OH LOOK…. witches who need to be put in f*****g ditches.” Marcus said, “Ummm...what?” She called the wind and flung them into the air. They hit the trees. I gaped as the tree grew around them turned them into bark itself. They slowly morphed into the tree then their bodies exploded. Bjourn said, “Since when can you do that little one?” I gaped, “I have no idea…. that’s a serious earth power!” Haley said, “Oh that’s one of the triplets’ powers. They can do cool s**t from the womb. Have fun with that. With the first set of triplets…. the shield comes in handy.” I squealed “A SHIELD! ONE OF MY KIDS HAS A SHIELD?!” She winked and nodded. She conjured swords and began to pop to the witches to kill them. Bjourn, Marcus, Blade and I gathered up the Alphas. Bjourn said, “Sister….do you have deep seated hate for witches we need to discuss? That you…. clearly doesn’t like them.” I shrugged, “No?” Marcus snorted, “You say that like it’s a question.” I said, “Well…. I don’t know. She clearly doesn’t like them. Hopefully she likes Katie.” Haley popped back covered in blood. She said, “I f*****g love that b***h! She’s amazing.” 

            I frowned, “Do you like Megan?” Haley said, “She lives with us part of the time. If I didn’t f*****g like her ass would not live in my house.” I smiled, “So you and Arion get along.” She looked away. Marcus frowned. Haley said, “Let’s get these f*****g assholes to the dungeons.” Bjourn said, “How evasive.” She ignored him and popped us home. She popped to the dungeons, locked up the Alpha’s who were yelling at us. Then she popped us to the living room. Tabby was waiting with drinks. She held one out to the other Haley, “A virgin drink specialty of mine for you.” She turned to me, “A strawberry heavy on the alcohol martini for you.”  The other me laughed and popped to her, “Oh my god…. I’m f*****g stealing her! She’s amazing!” I asked, “So…. should I call anyone…. I could call Uncle Zader, or Aaron. Topher…. our other Hackura brothers…. Logan will come back with our Eric’s.” She frowned, “Uncle Zader wouldn’t come here…. we’d have to go to him.” I gasped, “You and Emmaline didn’t fix him? He’s spelled. Emmaline needs to cleanse his soul...then you will feel the snakes in his mind.” She gaped, “Emmaline’s never met Uncle Zader…. SOMEONE SPELLED MY f*****g UNCLE! I WILL KILL THEIR GODDAMN ASSES!” 

        Before anyone could comment two pops sounded. Aiden smiled at the other me, “Ahhh I believe we’ve met sister. You are the one I met before, right?” The other me snorted, “Of course you f*****g know other reality moves at the speed of light. For me it’s been three years…. for you guys it’s been seventeen...I swear to fuckin….” She trailed off when she saw Arion. Tears filled her eyes, “Arion?” Arion smiled, “Hello little sister. Why on god’s green earth are you so short?” She started sobbing. Arion frowned, “Well…. don’t cry…. it’s fine that you’re short. Just strange.” She popped into his arms. She was incoherently sobbing, but I could understand what she was saying sorry. Arion and Aiden were both bewildered. Aiden said, “She is glowing….and it’s triplets…. maybe that’s why it set her off.” Arion stroked her hair gently which only made her cry harder. She clung to him as if he was going to disappear. He told her was going to be alright. I heard a growl. I looked over at Marcus and Bjourn. Both looked grim. What the hell happened in her reality? Oh god…. was Arion dead? It hurt to even think about that being a possibility. Eric ran in, but I knew he wasn’t mine. He ripped his Haley and Arion apart. 

        She was begging him not to hurt Arion. Why would Eric hurt Arion? Her Eric threatened to kill him. I popped in front of my brother. Maybe seeing two of us defend Arion would stop him. My Eric ran in the room. He was just as confused as we were. Aiden tried to reason with her Eric, but he said he had no idea what Arion had done to them. His Haley told him their reality was not ours. She begged him saying Arion helps her how he can now. I looked at my siblings. I turned and held onto Arion’s hand tightly as did Aiden. We all knew what that meant. Their Arion helped this Haley in the beyond. Which means he was dead in their reality. Arion said, “It’s their reality you guys. I’m still here to save you two from your bleeding hearts. Goddess knows you two would be screwed without me.” Haley had reasoned with her Eric. Mine was confused. Arion said, “So…. I died in your reality then. Look at that Hales...your wolf cares so much about my death. I’m touched.” Her Eric growled. Marcus asked, “Other Eric that is not ours, why are you so upset with him?” Haley said, “Why don’t you tell us about how things are here? The three of us fairy siblings seem...close.” I smiled, “We are close. Arion helped me so I could talk to Eric before we met. He’s always on me about finding my selfishness.” The other me nodded and wiped her eyes, “That’s….so sweet.” Her Eric gripped her tightly. Arion said, “Hales…” Her Eric growled, “Don’t you come near my wife!”