A Ribbon Strand: Raised Hackura

Too Much Disrespect Pt. 3

        A witch laughed, “Always be prepared. Those bullets are silver, wolfsbane, and iron.” I said, “Well, f**k you too.” One warlock said, “Surrender.” I stood the gun was gone. I laughed, “Prepared and armed with one whole bullet. Why the f**k are you dressed as paramedics?” The one looked at me in the eyes and I made him tell us the truth. Without preamble he said, “The accident was to render the girls infertile. We were here as a countermeasure to make sure the damage was done while getting them to a local hospital. There is a doctor waiting to perform hysterectomies.” I gaped. Tabby growled along with Amber. I asked, “Why?” The warlock shrugged, “We were paid.” I asked, “By whom?” The warlock shrugged, “It was just an assignment.” I smiled, “You’re with Satan’s Coven. Aren’t you?” The warlock said, “Yes.” One punched him, “Otis! What the HELL are you doing?” I laughed, “He can’t help it. People have to tell me the truth. It’s a thing that I do.” I saw a portal open behind them. I smiled, “Anyway….so you’re here because you’re part of Satan’s Coven and were assigned to attack the Luna’s of the Black Mountain Pack...but you didn’t know I was here.” The man looked into my eyes and said, “Their girls’ night is well known in this area.” I said, “So you were paid by another pack.” The man said, “I still don’t know. I just was told to come, so I am here.” I said, “What a good soldier you are. Being told to hurt innocent she wolves, and just doing it.” 

        The man shrugged, “You’re wasting our time.” I snorted, “No, I’m not. I’m distracting you.” Each warlock and witch froze as arms came around each of their necks. Eric, Jackson, Harold, Blade, Javi, Thomas, Darrin, Bjourn and Marcus were behind each one of them. I smiled, “I’m not even sorry.” Eric yelled, “You were shot!” I said, “With iron again. It was VERY rude.” Tabby said, “It was aimed at my pelvis.” Harold snarled. Jackson said, “Where is Molly?” I heard wolves running up behind me. One shifted back. He quickly grabbed shorts and said, “She’s safe Alpha. She ran back to the club for help. We had to shut it down. Beta Caleb said that was fine.” Eric spoke, “It’s more than fine. You do not need our permission to protect your Luna’s no matter what you are doing.” They nodded. Blade came over. He was pissed, “Is not fine.” I sighed, “I know. I’m never going to hear the end of this one, am I?” Blade answer didn’t surprise me, “No.” I rolled my eyes. Bjourn opened a portal and we stepped back through unsurprisingly to the hospital. A doctor was waiting. Eric put his arms around me. He inhaled deeply. I whispered, “I’m fine.” Eric tersely replied, “You got shot.” I said, “Grazed.” Eric growled, “I don’t care.” 

        The doctor said, “We need to start an iron drip.” Eric’s parents ran in. His mom looked over Tabby, and Amber. She asked, “Where’s Molly?” A portal opened and Marcus stepped through with a tear stained Molly. She ran over to us girls and hugged us. She said, “I’m so glad you’re alright.” Cassandra said, “Alright? What’s going on? Wasn’t she with you? I thought you were together.” Molly said, “Haley sent me back for help.” Cassandra said, “Why would you do that? Molly is the most experienced fighter among you.” I said, “I highly doubt that.” Molly said, “I do too. Cassandra she’s been training since she was five…. with the Hackura.” I said, “With all my brothers, mostly the one who’s going to be the future king. Along with the commander of our armies.” Cassandra frowned, “Molly is the highest ranking Luna in your group until your ceremony. She should be making the decisions.” Ethan said, “You can debate that later. I need to treat the Luna.” Cassandra frowned, “Which ones? They are fine.” Eric growled, “She’s been shot!” Cassandra said, “She’s not a Luna yet, Ethan.” Nope...I was not going to do this with her. Not tonight. 

        I punched her in the face. I said, “Look here. I don’t abide disrespect. Lose your attitude. I’ve done nothing to you. I got shot tackling Tabby to the ground. If not for me, they would’ve been in an accident designed with magic to make them infertile. Then Tabby would’ve shot with a silver laced wolfsbane bullet. You’re f*****g welcome you ungrateful shrew. You don’t have to like me but WILL respect me. I don’t care if that means I have to challenge you to a fight. I will. You make one more nasty comment, and it won’t be your choice. Pick here and now Cassandra.” She growled at me. I let my eyes blaze. It was easy. Eric’s feelings of anger slammed into me. Cassandra squared her shoulders and raised an eyebrow. She smiled, “You couldn’t beat me right now. You have no powers.” I snorted, “Wrong answer. I, Princess Haley Cambridge of the Hackura, challenge you, Cassandra Conners to a fight.” Eric growled. Cassandra said, “Big mistake little girl. I accept.” Nathan grabbed her. She turned to him, “She should know better.” Marcus and Bjourn’s eyes were blazing. I hissed, “You should’ve known better. I’m not a little girl. I am the princess of the protectors of the realm. Mate to your oldest son. You are a fool if you think I need my fairy powers to kick your ass.” 

        I heard Lexi’s voice, “Oh you b***h!” I turned and grabbed her as she was about to run at Cassandra. She hissed at her, “OH I’ve got you next!” Alpha Chase was behind her. Cassandra asked, “Who’s your second, Haley?” I answered without looking at her, “Lexi.” Cassandra snorted, “She can’t be your second, she's not in this pack nor will she be joining it.” I laughed, “Fine. Then Miley.” Miley came running inside, eyes blazing.” I asked, “Who is your second, Cassandra?” She turned, “Molly?” Molly said, “No. Even if I wasn’t pregnant which is why Haley made me run to get help so I was out of the fight; I would say no.” Cassandra paled. Nathan’s eyes looked towards the ceiling and he pinched his nose with his fingers. Cassandra said, “This is just…. A misunderstanding.” Ethan said, “I need to treat you Princess.” I ignored him. I said, “Get outside Cassandra.” I turned and stalked out with Miley and Lexi on my six. Several people had already gathered on the lawn outside. Miley said, “The NERVE of that old bitty!” I laughed, “Old bitty?” Lexi said, “Are you ok?” I said, “Ok is a relative term. Do me a favor Lex…. Call Emmaline.” Lexi frowned, “Why?” I said, “Tell her what happened. She’ll pop here. Maybe Lucas can run fast enough to meet her.” Lexi laughed, “This is why I love you. You’re about to fight for your right to lead your pack and put an old bitty in her place; however, you still think of others.” She kissed my cheek. Miley said, “I’ve got your back.” I said, “No one has hers. She has to ask a female, and no one will take her side.” 

        Alpha Chase came and stood behind Lexi. I smiled, “I feel like we’ve met before, but I guess we haven’t.” Alpha Chase said, “We have not. It is nice to meet you Princess.” I smiled, “Haley. You’re mated to one of my best friends who’s more like a sister.” Alpha Chase smirked, “Then call me Chase.” Ted came running up. I gaped, “I’m sorry is TeleTed marked?” Lexi smirked, “So is Sally.” I gaped, “Same pack?” TeleTed said, “You bet your fairy Hackura ass! What the HELL is going on here? Why isn’t your arm healing? Why haven't you been treated? What is the MATTER with these people?” I said, “I’ve got to fight someone. I got hit with iron.” He said, “Who are you fighting? And why?” Beta Matt came running up, “You are fast Ted.” I smiled, “Beta Matt I presume.” He said, “Just Matt will do Princess.” I said, “Same goes. Haley is just fine.” Eric walked over. He said, “You do not have to do this. She will back down.” I said, “But she will never respect me.” Eric said, “Hales…. please just wait until your arm has healed. I won’t watch her fight you. If she hurts you….” I quickly told him, “She won’t hurt me. Can’t really say the same in return for her.” Eric growled, gritting his teeth. He was furious. He looked at me, “If she scratches you….” I linked him, “She won’t. I’m good at fighting, Eric.” Eric linked me back, “I’ll never forgive her. I may not now.” I replied, “She’s your mom. I doubt she’s a b***h to you.” Eric said, “She’s always been a b***h about you.” I shrugged, “Not everyone likes me.” Eric said, “She should.” I shrugged, “So should my own mother, but she doesn’t.” Eric hugged me. I linked, “It’s fine Eric. Whether your mom likes me or not doesn’t matter to me. You and I will keep being us all the same. I do need the pack to see her respecting me though. I know this is hard for you, but I’m going to prove I’m the Luna of this pack for a reason.”

        Eric closed his eyes and nodded. Cassandra was looking around. I didn’t push her on why she didn’t have a second. I knew the answer. She said, “We didn’t need to do this in public.” I said, “Then you shouldn’t have disrespected me in public.” Eric said, “No shifting, and no kill shots.” THOSE were their only rules? Jesus. I heard a pop and gasp. I smiled. I linked Eric, “Tell Lucas to run as fast as he ever has. If he can get to her, as her princess I can keep her with her mate. To separate them would be cruel, and I won’t tolerate that.” Eric replied, “He’s coming.” I shot Bjourn a look. He nodded to me. I nodded back. Cassandra thought I was distracted. She came at me. I flipped her over my back and slammed her onto the ground. I said, “I’d stay down if I were you.” She glared at me. She rolled and got back on her feet. I sighed. She threw a punch which I dodged. I grabbed her wrist and held her in chokehold. I said, “I really don’t want to hurt you. Just stop and surrender.” She pushed back against me and I let her break my hold. She stood in a huff. She said, “I was the Luna of this pack little girl.” I said, “Seriously? Even now you can’t address me without respect? It’s Princess Haley.” She said, “You are my son's mate.” I said, “Here I thought you hadn’t noticed that.” She snorted, “I’ve noticed. Everything’s been all about you since your other reality note happened.” I said, “You’re mad about something that happened when I was a baby? You do realize I didn’t leave the note.” Cassandra answered, “My son turned against me that very day.” I snorted, “Sounds like a personal problem. In my limited experience with you, I’ll guess you said some stupid s**t about me being his mate. He heard you and being an Alpha male who wanted his mate got pissed at you for it.” 

        She turned red. I nodded, “That’s it…. isn’t it? Look, I don’t care if you like me. I can’t see what you possibly have against me since I was a baby; however, you are not apparently alone in that dislike. There are plenty of fairies, demons, goblins, Frost giants, and others who don’t like me. You’ve got lots of company in the I don’t like Haley Cambridge line.” Cassandra stiffened, “I’m not like them.” I said, “I don’t see how you can say that. You don’t like me because of my DNA and neither do they. Seems pretty straightforward.” She lunged at me and I knocked her down again. I looked at my nails and started picking dirt out from under my fingernails. I heard laughter. Cassandra got up, “You’re so disrespectful.” I shrugged, “You’re a lousy fighter, and you’ve been disrespectful towards me since you first laid eyes on me. I told you before, I train with my brothers. We’ve mostly talked during this fight between you and me. I do believe your problem is with the fairy half of me, right?” She flinched. I glanced at Emmaline who nodded. I smiled, “Well, then you should be aware. Fairies bore easily. This is tedious and boring to me.” She charged me again. I said, “You should stop. My brother gets angry when I toy with my opponents.” I ducked and swiped my feet knocking her to the ground. Bjourn was not amused, “Hales.” I smiled, “See? He doesn’t like it. Give up or I’ll have to hurt you. I actually truthfully don’t want to do that. I’d rather you just be a better person. Can’t you just realize as your moon goddess paired me with your son you should respect me and give me a chance?” She stood, “How can you be a good Luna?” I said, “How were you one? You’re not compassionate, and you’re incredibly judgmental. Everyone does things with their own style. I’m the princess of two races. I can be a Luna.” 

        I saw it in her eyes. She wasn’t going to back down. I sighed. She said, “When I win…. you do not take the Luna title until you are at least twenty years old, and you train under me.” I said, “When I win you will treat Tabitha, Molly, Amber, and I with respect. You will BACK off, and not say a single word about any decisions they make.” I held my hand up as she started to talk, “I know you whisper in their ears. I know everything about the vast majority of the people here. I have for years. You try to cut Tabby down because she won’t bend to you. Molly wants peace so she listens but doesn't implant many of your decisions. Amber listens to you to an extent because no one wants to live with you when you’re in one of your moods. Too bad for you, I don’t give a s**t. I will not sit back and be disrespected. I do not have to cater to your whims, and I won't. You may have this pack navigating a labyrinth of a minefield to keep you happy; however, I’m not inclined to do so since you have attacked me from the moment I was in your line of sight.” Cassandra sighed, “Walking on eggshells is the saying, and people don’t do that around me.” I raised an eyebrow, “I know the damn saying. It’s stupid have you ever walked on an eggshell? It cracks. It makes noise. It’s an absurd saying. People do that around you every damn day.” She told me, “You have so much to learn.” I shrugged, “Everyone does. There are always things to learn. The problem is people who refuse to admit anything, but their way of thinking is correct. You can’t even say well I think this, but you feel that way. That’s fine. No, you have to bend them to your will because you HAVE to be right. You can’t accept different ways of thinking, and that’s your downfall.” 

        She charged me again. I blocked her attack and hit her with an upper cut to the jaw and followed it up with a cross to the temple. She was out the second I connected my cross. I caught her as she fell. I hoisted her up over my shoulder and marched back to the hospital. The doctor was frowning. I said, “Do you have a bed for her?” He nodded and I followed him into a room and set her down. I said, “Treat her, then come find me.” He grabbed my good hand, “Oh no you don’t.” He had a pressure syringe in his hand I wasn’t expecting. My eyes went wide, “What was that?” He said, “Morphine. For your pain before the Alpha loses his mind.” I giggled, “Oh…. that was a bad move.” I walked out. Nathan was in the hallway. I nodded to him. He said, “Please…. I know things are awkward, but…. she’s my mate…” I said, “You love her. It’s fine. I understand.” He grabbed my hand, “You don’t understand. I do love her. She’s my everything, but I don’t agree with her about you. You showed more poise and grace out there than she did. One day I hope she sees that. You will be a great Luna, and we are lucky to have you. My son is lucky to have you. I still hope you can call me dad.” I smiled, “I am glad you feel that way. I always thought I’d get along with you guys. I’m sad that’s not the case. I would like to get to know you better. I think you were a fantastic Alpha. Your decisions and the way you expanded your pack and raised four excellent Alpha’s is impressive.” He was shocked, “You know what decisions I made?” I nodded, “I studied all of you. You and your Beta were progressive. I find that intriguing.” 

        Nathan smiled, “I find you intriguing as well. I told Eric to give us a second. That’s why he’s not here.” I laughed, “I figured. If you are the praying type…. pray for him later.” Nathan laughed, “Why?” I said, “Your doctor gave me morphine. In about ten minutes…. Eric’s world is going to be very different.” Nathan said, “I actually can’t wait to see that.” I told him truthfully, “I really didn’t want to hurt her.” Nathan said, “She didn’t give you a choice. You gave her several to back down.” I nodded, “I am sorry. I know this is not an easy position for you. I’ll come talk to her in a few days when things settle down. I was not raised to watch someone disrespect me or others, and I won’t compromise that for her. She probably would’ve done better with a different reality version of me raised in Faerie. I’d imagine growing up ridiculed…. would’ve made a stark difference in how I handle her.” Nathan said, “I am glad that is not your reality here. I hope there are far more realities where it is not. No matter what that makes your relationship with my mate.” I hugged him and smiled, “Thanks, dad.” He blushed as I walked back outside. Emmaline popped to me, “Your soul is in a strange place.” I smiled, “You’re still here.” She said, “Of course. I needed to make sure you were alright.” I saw Lucas run out from behind a tree with Dylan not far behind. I smiled, “Turn around Emmaline.”

        She did and gasped. She popped into his arms. He growled, “MINE!” Dylan said, “Alpha Fun Sucker...DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW HARD IT WAS TO KEEP UP WITH HIM?! Couldn’t you warn a beta?” Eric shrugged and grabbed me. I sighed when Marcious popped in, his face red with anger. He said, “EMMALINE! GO HOME!” I said, “No, Emmaline. Stay. Marcious. Leave. We will discuss this later.” He glared, “She’s my daughter!” I said, “She’s my subject and so are you.” We stared at each other. I said, “You’re hurting her. Keeping the soul searcher from her mate is cruel. She was hurting because of it. Do you think it would be the last time? Do you think she would not find a way to keep checking on him? Her very soul couldn’t let her stop. I know you spoke to a jumper. I know that scares you for her, but our Emmaline is fine. She needs him. She’s safer this way, and he’s not going to keep her from coming to Faerie to see you.” Emmaline was crying, “Please daddy. Please. I just want to know him.” Lucas growled and put her behind him. Dylan was at his side. I’d never seen him so serious. It wasn’t necessarily. Marcious said, “Emmaline…. I…. I’m sorry. I just wanted to protect you.” She peeked out from behind Lucas. She said, “I can stay then? With Lucas?” I looked at Marcious, “She’ll turn to water if you say no.” Marcious sighed, “Yes Emmaline. You can stay. I want to see you both tomorrow though.” Lucas said, “You are welcome in my territory anytime so long as you do not try to take her from me.” Marcious nodded, “That is kind. Thank you. I do so love her, she’s my youngest.” Emmaline muttered, “For now.” Marcious smiled, “That’s true. You’ll always be my baby Emmaline. You’re the only one I got to raise full time. It’s hard to let go. Much harder than I ever anticipated.” 

        I began to feel light. Marcious turned towards me and laughed, “Who gave the Princess drugs?” Eric frowned, “What?” A giggle bubbled up inside me. I couldn’t stop laughing. Lexi said, “Oh fuck.” Miley sighed, “They are not prepared.” Emmaline laughed, “Oh boy.” Marcus groaned. Bjourn said, “Little one...don’t….” I felt my power return. I laughed. I popped away from Eric. He was startled. Marcious said, “Emmaline and I’s presence sped her fairy side healing along. I’d imagine she didn’t take on much iron anyway. I’d say sorry, but I cannot lie.” Eric stepped towards me, “Angel…. we need to get your arm looked at.” I looked over at my arm. I healed it. I said, “All better! Catch me mate!” I popped away. I conjured a treehouse. Marcus found it first. He said, “I see you still include me in your treehouses.” He smiled at me when he made it up the stairs and inside. I smiled, “I promised you to include you in all my treehouses, brother...” He raised an eyebrow, “Don’t you do it!” I popped away giggling. I popped behind Eric’s group, “You’re losing Alpha. You need to up your game.” Dylan howled, “I love her.” Emmaline smiled, “I wanna play cousin.” I laughed and popped to her. I grabbed her and yelled, “FEARSOME FOURSOME VERSUS THE PACK!” Eric, Lucas, and Bjourn yelled, “NO!” I laughed, “Too late.” I popped to grab Miley and Lexi and we began to play.