A Ribbon Strand: Raised Hackura

Presents Pt. 3

          Lucas and I were both holding back laughter. I said, “It seems you have company.” She said, “So do you.” I said, “Yes, I do. I only have my friend Lucas with me. Who’s with you Angel?” I heard her quick intake of breath. She finally answered, “My three best friends.” Lucas linked, “Who does that mean?” I answered, “Lexi, Miley, and Emmaline.” Lucas said, “Your letter exchanges are coming in handy. You already know this information. Dylan is coming. Says he has news.” Caleb linked me, “You are never going to believe this. We are on our way with news.” I linked back, “It’s going to have to wait. I’m on the phone with Haley who doesn’t want me to know it’s her.” Caleb said, “I see that is going well for her since you know.” I snorted, “Not particularly well. I’m in a FAR better mood though.” I asked Haley, “Why won’t you tell me your name?” Haley said, “Mystery is good for the mind.” I heard someone sigh, “Cousin...” Lucas stiffened. I turned, raising an eyebrow at him as the voice continued, “That’s not the saying. Its mystery is good for the soul.” Haley said, “But that’s ridiculous! Your soul can’t enjoy a mystery your mind does AND its alliteration! This realm LOVES alliteration. Right Thor?” I said, “That’s…. true yes, but your cousin is right. It’s soul.” I linked, “Lucas…what’s wrong?” He said, “That’s my mate. I’m sure of it.” I linked back, “So it’s Emmaline...that was honestly my guess for who yours was.” He motioned for me to put it on speaker. 

        I did. Haley said, “Yeah, well my saying is better. Back to my present.” Dylan and Caleb burst into the room. Dylan glowered at me. I winked at him. He looked at Lucas and they started to link. I said, “Angel, your present for me?” Haley giggled, “It’s perfect! I know it is! I’m so good at presents!” I smiled. She was. I’d loved every present she’d gotten me. I said, “Are you now Angel?” Dylan snorted. She said, “Oh I am! Everyone says so!” I couldn't stop smiling. Jackson stepped into the room smiling. I said, “What did you get me?” She laughed again, “You have to find it! It’s in your room.” I said, “How did it get here?” She said, “Uhhh magic. You’re silly Thor!” I said, “On occasion.” Dylan said, “ON OCCASION?! Are you kidding me? Your nickname is ALPHA FUN SUCKER!” I heard a laugh. I growled at him. Dylan said, “I’m just speaking the truth. Also I WILL get you back for the paperwork Alpha Fun Sucker…. I will. Are my eyeball’s bleeding? I Feel like they are! I’m only halfway done!” I heard a snap and the paperwork appeared in Dylan’s hands. He tilted his head and looked through the paperwork. He set it down and ran to me. He jumped on me wrapping his arms around my neck. He kissed my cheek before I could push him off me. I said, “WHAT THE HELL DYLAN?!” Laughter was blasting through my speaker it was so loud on their end. He said, “Your phone friend snapped the paperwork done for me. I’d kiss her too if she was in the room.” I growled at him and grabbed him by the shirt. Thor growled in our link, “MINE!” Dylan’s eyes went wide. Caleb grabbed him from me and took him into the hall for the second. Caleb said, “I didn’t tell him it was Haley. I’ll explain.”

        I heard her melodic voice, “Are you ok, Thor?” I said, “Keep talking and I might be.” She said, “Or you could start looking for your present! It will make you happy! I’m pretty sure…. No, it definitely will! I hope you like it! It’s a two-part present.” I smiled, “Two parts?” Dylan and Caleb came back in. Dylan mouthed, “Sorry.” I nodded. He didn’t often apologize for his jokes. He said, “Hello fun little fairy. My name is Dylan...I’m the werewolf’s partial fairy expert. I have to say…. I’m going to have to shame my partial fairy friends now…. All these years and not ONE of those selfish shits told me they could snap my paperwork done.” Haley giggled, “It’s not something everyone can do, Partial Fairy Expert Werewolf Beta Dylan.” Lucas linked, “We didn’t tell her his rank.” I replied, “She knows who he is. I talk about you guys in my letters.” Dylan grinned broadly, “Did you all just hear my new title? It’s fabulous. I’m going to send out a memo immediately. I’ll drop the werewolf part...the rest of it though…. that’s happening.” Caleb groaned. I said, “Do I get a hint?” Haley said, “Hmmm…. it’s a hotel room…. I’m not sure a hint is fair.” I smiled, “But you’re my Angel.” She giggled again. She said, “Hmmm I suppose your clue is….” She thought about it and said, “The place you turn when nature calls.” The other side of the phone erupted in giggles. A girl said, “Oh my god! You didn’t!” Haley said, “What? It’s the only thing that works!” I laughed. Caleb cleared his throat and inclined his head to the bathroom. I nodded. 

        Dylan whispered, “You Alpha’s would be LOST without us. Well done, Caleb. Solving the fairy riddle. Good man!” I rolled my eyes and walked towards the bathroom. I opened the door. I dropped the phone. Jackson quickly picked it up. He said, “Is that….” Lucas said, “A head? IS THAT A HEAD?!” Caleb answered him in shock, “It is.” Dylan said, “SHUT UP!” He had popcorn. He pushed through us and started laughing. It was Alpha Max’s head encased in glass. Holy s**t. Haley said, “Do you like it? You like it right? You were so upset, and I wanted to help…. Do you like it?” We all turned towards the phone as if it were a bomb. I asked, “How did you know I was upset about Alpha Max?” Haley said, “Secret phone call code name buddies have to know these things to give good presents.” I linked Jackson, “My room was wired for sound…. she wired the conference room too.” Jackson linked, “Liam did a sweep of the room before we started. People were in the room as soon as he left. Harold was there. He definitely would’ve mentioned a fairy putting up mics. How the hell could she do that?” I said, “Magic.” Her voice sounded small when she said, “You don’t like it.” She’d totally deflated. I said, “No, it’s not that. I’m just surprised. There will be repercussions from this.” Haley sounded happy again, “Nu huh! That’s all been handled. I sort of told Alpha Max’s Beta you’d help him…. There was a whole thing going on.” Caleb said, “That’s actually why we came upstairs. We just got word…. Alpha Max was killed by rogues. When they freed the Luna, she took her son and fled. They couldn’t catch her. She ordered them not to as their Luna. Alpha Prater has scouts looking for her at his border.” 

        I turned back to my phone, “You got Alpha Max’s Beta to lie, Angel?” Haley said, “Well, he wants revenge. We couldn’t save Alpha Max. There was a spell on him. His soul was too far gone when got there. Nothing could be done. Killing him was the only option. His Beta said Alpha Max was looking into something secretly. He wants revenge on the coven that did this to his Alpha…. You’ll help him, right?” I growled, “Alpha Max was spelled? That’s what happened to him?” She said, “Yes.” Everyone’s jaws were on the floor. Dylan was passing out bites of popcorn to people. I said, “I’ll Help Beta Tyrion. We need to find Luna Stephanie.” Haley giggled, “Part two of your surprise happens to line up with your goal. That’s a huge hint. Next time I’ll have to make it harder.” Dylan squealed, “YOU HID A LUNA?! AND A FUTURE ALPHA?! Oh my god….be my BPFF!” Haley said, “BPFF?” I said, “Best Partial Fairy Friend.” Haley laughed, “Is that a thing?” Dylan said, “It’s MY thing! MINE! Be mine...you can even skip the application process.” Haley laughed, “Ok. I’ll be your BPFF.” Dylan squealed, “YES!” She was laughing or I’d have punched him. I said, “Where is Luna Stephanie, Angel?” Haley said, “Across the hall from your room. Knock three times on her door. She won’t answer otherwise. She doesn’t want to go to her old pack. I don’t blame her…. that Alpha is a coward. When we found her, she was covered in blood and dirt. Her hair was matted to her face. He was about to rape her. He….” She trailed off. I said, “He what?” If he tried to hurt Haley…. he’d better be glad he was dead. She said, “He seemed relieved. Right before I killed him. Almost like his eyes were begging me to finish him.” 

            We all looked around. Jackson said, “I would too. If I was hurting my mate against my will…. I’d welcome death too. I can’t imagine raising a hand to Molly.” He shivered. I said, “Why did you do this?” Haley said, “Several reasons.” I said, “What’s one?” Haley said, “For you. You couldn't do it, but I could. It made you unhappy that you couldn’t help her. I needed to help her.” I said, “Needed?” Haley said, “Yes, I can’t leave someone in a situation like hers.” That was definitely not her fairy blood talking. She added, “I told Luna Stephanie you or Lucas would offer her shelter until she’s ready to return. She wants her son to lead the pack one day.” I said, “We can do that. We can run their pack until he’s old enough or Alpha Chase can. Either one would work with our borders.” She said, “He’s a newer Alpha…. right?” I smiled. I’d told her when I attended his Alpha Ceremony two years ago. I said, “He is. He’s very capable though. He’s my ally. He was actually in the meeting with us.” I heard someone whisper, “Bet he was the super hot guy who charged into the room and was to punch Alpha Prater...he was hot.” I caught Jackson’s eyes. He linked me, “They SAW the meeting?” I said, “We need Liam to check for Cameras in the conference room.” Jackson nodded. Haley said, “Can I call you again sometime?” I laughed, “If you don’t, I’ll call you. I don’t think I can go without hearing your voice. Thank you, Angel. Our hands were tied.” Dylan said, “AWWW HOW CUTE! Phone love birds!” I rolled my eyes at him.

        I heard her clap, “I knew you’d like my presents!” A phone beeped and someone gasped. The voice said, “We have to go! Right now!” Haley said, “What, why? Is someone coming?” I linked Jackson, “Coming? Are they here?!?” Jackson said, “Thor would know.” Lucas and I locked eyes. They’d done something to conceal themselves from us. That’s why Thor and Dominic thought something was up. The girl...the other girl thought Alpha Chase was hot. I linked Alpha Chase, “Did you wolf tense up in the meeting?” Alpha Chase said, “He’s still not settled. Bolt doesn’t know what’s going on.” I linked, “Get to my room now.” I linked Jackson and Caleb, “They are in this hotel! Lucas, mine, and Chase’s wolf are tense.” Caleb linked, “Jim has been tense…. they are here? And all four of their mates are here. How can you not sense them?” I said, “Jim too?” He nodded. Son of a b***h! The phone was cutting out. We got, “Kidnapped…. called…. home…” I was tense. I said, “Angel? Angel? Let me help you.” My mind raced with how I could get her to agree. It hit me, “It’s only fair.” The phone cleared. Haley said, “I can do this Thor. I have to go. Keep this our secret. Please?” I closed my eyes, “Of course. Please...just...I’ll help you. I can send men to escort you home. Just to make sure you’re safe.” She laughed, “Oh…I’m not going home. I’m going to kick some ass. Apparently earlier was a warmup. Talk soon Thor.” She hung up as I yelled, “NO WAIT!” I growled, “FIND THEM!” Lucas said, “How the f**k can they do that? We should know they are here. Dominic is furious!” 

        I said, “I don’t know...how they did it… where they hell could they even be…. OH MY GOD!” I took off running. The only damn open room in the entire f*****g building was below me. I did hear something when I came into my room. It was them. I could hear shouting behind me. I took the stairs. Thank god I’d grabbed my wallet. I burst into the room the second the light turned green from the keycard. Lucas caught it behind me before it slammed shut. The room smelled like nothing, but people had obviously been in here. The desk had been used. People had sat on the bed and the couch. I turned on the tv and saw my room. Caleb said, “Holy s**t!” I said, “SON OF b***h!” Lucas said, “I smell nothing.” I said, “I don’t either.” Alpha Chase ran in, “For the record…. this is not your room. If I hadn’t seen, you all running down the hall….” He trailed off then asked, “Why is there a picture of your room on that tv?” I turned and looked at the desk. They’d left a laptop. I grabbed it and yanked it open for a second before it was conjured out my hands. I groaned and put my head down. Dylan started laughing hysterically. Lucas said, “DYLAN!” Dylan said, “What? We FINALLY got a clue and his mate conjured it away…. or yours Lucas. It’s too good.” Alpha Chase said, “WHAT? Your princess was here? And Lucas’ Duchess?” I said, “And your mate.” Jim walked in. I added, “Yours too. One of your mate’s is Duchess Miley Youngs and the other is Lexi Scott.” Both their jaws dropped. Alpha Chase smiled, “Really?” I nodded. Jim growled, “Why can’t we smell them? Why didn’t we sense them?” I said, “I don’t know…. fairy s**t?” Dylan said, “POWERFUL fairy s**t. To conceal themselves their smell AND from your wolves….it was the royal fairies….one of Princesses brothers might have had to help them. If they did it on their own…. WE ARE NOT PREPARED! OH MY GOD! I need to buy things. We need new protocols…. Let’s call them WE ARE f****d FAIRY LIVES HERE! Has a nice ring to it.” 

        I said, “Fairy Hijinks. Haley calls it Fairy hijinks.” My phone rang. This time it was Bjourn. I answered, “Bjourn.” He said, “I need a favor.” I said, “What is it?” Bjourn said, “Marcus’ mate was taken in the human realm. Not far from you. Can you get eyes on Torvi for us?  We…. we can’t find Haley. My dad recalled the royal family, but her phone is here. Miley is gone too, so is Lexi...and we can’t get ahold of Marcious to ask about Emmaline. Let’s just go with they are together, they always are. We need them home.” I said, “Can’t you feel Haley in the bond?” Bjourn said, “She’s done something to it….” He trailed off and sucked in a breath. He hissed, “f**k!” I said, “What?” He said, “I feel her again. She’s fighting someone. Miley had her damn phone on her; but it was conjured back here before Gunner could trace it...SHIT! They went after Torvi….” The smell hit the room like lightning. Honey and Vanilla assaulted my senses. I growled along with Jim, Lucas, and Chase. Bjourn said, “Never mind…. She’s safe...she’s here. I’ve got to go.” He hung up. Chase said, “I smell my mate now.” I said, “So do I.” Jim growled, “WHERE ARE THEY?” I said, “In the Hackura realm most likely.” Caleb put his hand on Jim. He said, “She’s fifteen or sixteen, son.” I said, “Almost sixteen Miley turns sixteen in a few weeks. Lexi is a little bit older than them. She’s seventeen already.” Jim had just turned eighteen just a month ago. Nick ran into the room. I said, “We need to do a regular sweep of this room from now on. It’s a security risk. Obviously.” 

        Liam walked in with an empty tub. He said, “I had mics and cameras in the tub…. they disappeared.” I said, “Fairy hijinks Liam...it’s not your fault. Disregard checking my room. They’ll be gone soon too.” Caleb said, “Maybe not. We don’t have another meeting scheduled there, but you’ll be in your room for several more days.” I smiled, “Leave them.” If she wanted to see me…. I’d hoped she would.” I sighed, “I need to go see someone. Chase, Lucas, let’s go.” They followed me. Chase said, “Who are we seeing?” I linked him, “Luna Stephanie.” Chase said, “Uhhh you found her already? DAMN...you’re good.” I linked back, “Our mates brought her here.” Chase said, “How did they know?” I said, “Alpha Max was not killed by rogues. He was spelled to go crazy by someone...that we WILL find….my mate killed him. His head is in my bathroom.” Chase whistled. Out loud he said, “Damn.” I knocked on the door across from mine three times. It slowly opened. I said, “Luna Stephanie.” She held the door open, and we entered. I said, “I’m glad you’re safe. We are going to look into this with Beta Tyrion quietly. We will avenge Alpha Max.” She whispered, “They call him Alpha Mad Max now.” I said, “We know it wasn’t his fault.” She smiled, “It will help me sleep I think.”