A Ribbon Strand: Raised Hackura

Need to Hear Your Voice Pt. 1

Eric is 29 years old

            Caleb slid Eric a memo. His eyes were raised. I picked it up. My eyes went wide. Alpha Raven walked up to Alpha Kyle in front of Lucas and Alpha Theo. He confessed he had plans to steal Luna Marissa from Alpha Kyle. Alpha Raven had detailed the entire plan out. He’d built a separate building and forbade the pack from coming to it. He was sheltering rogues and feeding them. Some were kept against their will to add to his numbers so he could attack Alpha Kyle’s pack and take her. Luna Marissa was originally from his pack, and they met before he met his mate...He was obsessed with her until he met his own Luna. Luna Marissa was not into him at all. She was beyond relieved when she turned eighteen and her wolf led her to the pack border. Alpha Kyle had been running with Beta McAlister. The rest was history. At least according to my dad's file on them. I looked up at Caleb and asked, “He just waltzed up and announced this?” Caleb said, “Like so many other potential problems of ours that have just vanished. Kind of like the time Alpha Theo and Alpha Lyons would’ve turned into enemies if someone hadn’t stepped in when his brother tried to take that girl from Lucas’ pack. Instead Alpha Theo got his brother under control. Another Alpha was spelled. The only things that haven’t been randomly solved is the Harden issues and figuring out who the HELL is spelling Alpha’s.” I smiled, “I don’t even know how she’s doing all this without her family knowing. It’s really impressive.” Caleb snorted, “I want her informant's name when she moves here. They are damn good.” I laughed, “You and me both.” A knock halted our conversation.

        I nodded to his two lead warriors as they entered the room. My lead warrior Liam Henderson and Judy Towns nodded to me. Liam said, “Judy caught a group of twenty rogues before they were going to attack.” I smiled, “How did you do that?” Judy said, “Well, I noticed some things in our last patrol. Little twigs out of place here and there. I thought I should take a group on an unscheduled run.” I smiled, “Your unscheduled runs have produced a lot of rogues. It seems they recognize our patterns. I’d like the two of you to get with Caleb. Let’s make a habit of unscheduled runs. Since you seem to have an eye for this Judy, I’d like you to bring any other ideas to Caleb.” Judy said, “Really Alpha?” Liam was beaming. Judy was his cousin after all. He should be proud. I said, “Really. You’ve done an amazing job in the last six months. You were the first female lead warrior in werewolf history, and of this pack. You’ve worked with Liam; you’ve seen things we haven’t. You are an asset to us, and very worthy of your title. Re-work the schedule with Liam and Caleb. I will review it.” I looked at my watch. I said, “You both did great work today. Dismissed.” They nodded, smiling. 

            Jackson said, “The time of your Sunday call with your little fairy is the worst kept secret of all time in this pack.” I shrugged, “I wasn’t trying to keep it a secret.” I got up and left my office. I took the stairs two at a time. I had just made it to my room when Haley called. We still pretended like I didn’t know it was her. It made Thor far too happy when she said his name for me to burst the bubble we had going on. She asked about my day. Her calls were the highlight of my day. I gave Haley credit for the lead female warrior idea. It was actually going really well with all my allies’ packs that had implemented it. More she wolves were training now that had a higher goal they could achieve. Some women were more comfortable going to the lead female warriors with issues. They looked at some situations in ways we never had. It had led to some little tweaks that had made things more efficient around here. I teased her about my exchange letter friend. I thought one day she’d slip up, but we’d been doing this for a year now and she hadn’t yet. 

            Haley and talked for hours again. I felt like a teenager who argued with his significant other about who would hand up first. I’d broken one of Darrin’s phone’s when he argued with his girlfriend before he met his mate about who would hang up first. Now I was in his shoes. I could tell Haley was about to end the conversation. I didn’t want it to end yet. I was addicted to the sound of her voice. I asked about Alpha Raven. She evaded for a second, but I got her calling her my Angel. She melted every time I said it. I did a double take when said Luna Marissa didn’t like Alpha Raven. How could she possibly know that unless she talked to her?  I was stunned that Alpha Kyle didn’t tell me. Everyone knew I lived for fairy new... I bit back a laugh when Haley told me that Marissa wouldn’t remember the conversation. She helped because she didn’t want me to fight. Oh my adorable little fairy. I fought people all the time. She admitted she made Alpha Raven tell Alpha Kyle the truth. I was more curious how she had perfect timing with the situation. It wasn’t Alpha Kyle’s word against Alpha Raven. There were other packs to witness it. Someone even recorded it and sent it to the council. It was untraceable. I let Haley know I knew about the other things she did. When she played coy again. I threw her through a loop. And spoke in Fealish. I’d been practicing with Jackson. He’d found a partial fairy who helped us a few times with pronunciations. 

            I could hear the surprise in her voice when she responded saying she would do anything for me. Then in the same breath she said she loved me. She loved me? My heart soared. Thor howled with happiness. Before I could say anything, she had to go. I said, “Angel, wait!” I looked at the phone. She’d hung up. I sighed, “I love you too Haley Cambridge.” I looked up at the door rolling my eyes. I told my brothers, “If you three could breathe any louder it would be a miracle.” Darrin opened the door and came in. Jackson said, “So I wasn’t wrong in what I thought she said. She said she would do anything for you, and she loved you. I’m getting Fealish down guys. You’d better keep up.” I nodded. Harold laughed, “Then she hung up. We have panicked teenage girl on our hands fellas.” Darrin started laughing too. Harold slapped his knee then added, “And Eric doesn’t know how to deal with a panicked teenage girl because he’s never dated.” Molly walked in the room, “Shut up you two. As someone who was around while you dated…. you didn’t handle panicked teenagers’ girls well AT ALL. With ALL the practice you had too.” Darrin and Harold’s mates were behind her. Amber sounded sad, “All the practice Darrin?” Darrin said, “I mean…. I didn’t date that much.” Tabitha looked at Harold with a raised eyebrow and folded arm, “All the practice Harold?” Harold said, “Tabitha….” She laughed, “I’m just messing with you.” Harold sighed, “You know I was panicked there.” She lightly slapped his cheek twice and said, “That was my goal. I keep you on your toes. It’s our dynamic.” 

        Amber smiled at me, “Eric, how’s your fairy mate? I think it’s the sweetest thing ever how she runs around doing little things for you and your allies. Your secret phone calls, and your letters…. it’s just the cutest love story…. I mean who even gets a chance like that? You guys have been exchanging letters for over a decade. She had grown up looking forward to your letters, and now she talks to you on the phone every night. She’s already contributing around here as the Luna with ideas like the lead female warrior. We have another woman in power for our pack members to go for. In our pack’s case four more because you combined all the packs.” I said, “That was actually Molly’s idea. She thought after Judy started the job that since we have four lead male warriors with Liam as the one in charge there should be other female warriors too.” Tabitha said, “Because Molly has kick ass ideas! My cousin wants to move here because we are so progressive in this area.” Harold kissed her forehead, “Any family of yours is welcome in our pack.” I smiled and nodded my head agreeing with him. Harold and Tabitha had met when I’d sent Harold to Kentucky. She was stunned by how progressive we were here. She leaned on Molly a lot in the beginning because their Luna was not handling disputes or making decisions. She was a quick study. She’d taken over and done a great job.

        I smiled, “To answer your question Amber about how Haley is. She’s good. Apparently, she panicked because she said she loved me.” Amber squealed and Molly and Tabitha said, “Aww.” Harold said, “Yes, his pen pal mate is adorable.” Amber, Molly, and Tabitha said at the same time, “Letter exchange friend!” I laughed. Harold said, “That’s what she calls it because she doesn’t think it makes sense to be friends with a pen.” I said, “She’s right. That’s weird.” Harold groaned. We left my room and went to the kitchen. We ate together as a family. Tabitha said, “Gosh, I love when your parents go to Montana.” Harold cringed. Molly snorted. Amber turned red. Darrin said, “Here we go.” Tabitha said, “It’s just so nice. There’s no tension, no awkward cutting comments. I like it. No one judges me when I do this.” She knocked back her vodka and sprite. She said, “Ahhhh so nice. Come on girls! Let's have another.” Harold laughed and the girls got up to get drinks. We all went into the living room. Tabitha was a bartender for a year before she met Harold to rebel against her family. Her father was the Beta of their pack, and he was not amused with his youngest underage daughter working as a bartender. The girl could make a mean drink though. She handed me a Bourbon Old Fashioned. She said when we drank just whiskey in her presence her brain was offended. I had no problem with her making us drinks. I was about to take my first sip when a pack member linked me, “ALPHA! HELP!” I linked back knowing exactly who it was, “Mary? Mary, what’s wrong?” She was crying, “Michelle and I took Grant to the border. We like to have picnics here. We are being attacked by fairies! Five fairy men!” I snarled. 

        I put the glass down. My brothers were right behind me. I linked our warriors, “Two omegas and a pup are being attacked by fairies. It’s the border with Alpha Hammond.” Joseph, one of my warriors, linked me in a panic, “It’s Michele and Grant. Isn’t it?” I said, “We’ll get there.” I heard the howl of pain. I growled, shaking the trees. Joseph and Jaron, both women’s mates, howled in agony. NO! Fairies couldn’t kill my pack members. We arrived. Thor was humming with energy. He said, “I feel alert...” I said, “You should.” Thor said, “No like…” I whipped my head to where we heard Fealish being spoken. I linked Jackson, “Approach slowly make sure we aren’t going to be attacked. They made the space unheard.” Jackson linked back, “I learned Fealish too.” He started in that direction and I ran over to my downed pack members. I linked Ethan, “We need you. Grant has a chance.” Ethan linked, “I’m already on the way. We will do everything we can.” Joseph and Jaron shifted back. They grabbed their mates. Joseph whispered, “Don’t leave me Michele…. hang on….” He looked over, “Grant buddy…Daddy’s here. You’re going to be ok.” I hated hearing my warriors in such pain. Jaron said, “Baby…. baby don’t leave me. You can burn my dinner every damn night for the rest of our lives. I’ll eat it without complaint…. just don’t leave me.” Mary said, “I…. love…. you…...Jaron….” He howled in Agony. I shifted back. 

        I glared at the fairies asking what the meaning of this was. Their actions meant war. Thor and I were both in agony at that thought. I couldn’t declare war, but I should. They needed to believe I would. I couldn’t stand the thought of Haley popping somewhere, and my allies attacking her. No! That would never happen. The fairies spouted some s**t about how they didn’t think their magic would hurt my pack members. Arrogant little shits. Practicing magic outside Faerie, and they didn’t even know what it did? I was going to tear them apart. If Grant died…. he was only four. Mary and Jaron were planning to start a family on her next heat. Michelle and Joseph wanted to try for pup number two soon. Jackson said, “I don’t smell anything...Eric I think…Haley is here.” I touched my cheek. It felt like someone had kissed my cheek. What the hell? Joseph said, “WHAT THE f**k?! WHERE IS MY SON??! WHERE IS MY MATE?! WHAT DID YOU DO TO THEM?! I’LL TEAR YOU TO PIECES! GIVE HER BACK TO ME!” Jaron was screaming, “Mary?! MARY WHERE ARE YOU?!” I looked down.  My pack members were gone. Jackson shifted. He said, “Eric, no one’s over here and there’s no scent.” The fairies said, “The water fairy duchess can freeze time supposedly. It’s a rumor.” It was all he had time to say for Joseph grabbed him by the throat. Jaron had another.  I grabbed one that was about to use a power. Jackson and Harold grabbed the other two. 

        I said, “One of you tell me where they are, or I will LET their mates rip you to shreds.” I heard a pop. An amused voice said, “So... you must be my sister’s wolf. You are clearly in charge.” I whirled around. I said, “King Aiden?” He smiled, “Alpha Eric Conners. It is nice to meet you. I hear we should’ve talked sooner.” I said, “You’re damn right! I’ve been calling you for sixteen years!” Aiden said, “What?! You can’t be serious. The expression here is pulling my leg...yes?” Jackson said, “It is...and he’s not kidding.” I asked, “Where are my pack members?” Joseph started crying. I hoped that didn’t mean Michelle was gone. Joseph dropped the fairy after breaking his arm and nose. He said, “I feel Michelle is stronger in our bond…. she’s getting better.” Jaron said in wonder, “So is Mary. It’s not…. super strong but she’s hanging on.” Both men hugged each other. Ethan ran into the clearing and shifted. King Aiden snapped us all clothes. Ethan looked around, “Where are my patients?” I said, “I’m getting a feeling they are with my mate.” Aiden said, “Very good wolf. Seems my little sister cannot stand the idea of us fighting. Her exact words were she cannot stand against you. Which I found odd even though I’ve known you’ve exchanged letters for quite some time now. It seems my little sister thought I knew you were her mate. Seems last year when she was quite sorrowful and angry had to do with her finding out about you. Does anyone else think it’s HIGHLY unfair I dealt with her being upset about it when I had NO idea you were her mate?” No one answered him.

        He smirked continuing, “Don’t you just bet…. she wasn’t mad at you though. No…. she wasn’t at all upset with her wolf. Was she? Even though she KNEW you knew the whole time. I was an innocent bystander, and my sister lashed out at me for two whole weeks. Though….it did bond my siblings. So, I suppose I have to say thanks for that. The three of us being close makes things…. much simpler.” He turned to the fairies, “Now, idefter, feffy, nadeser, ophuls, and yeseffie. What the HELL WERE YOU THINKING?! Do you think I have time to go to war with the werewolves?! You are lucky my sister can save those wolves and the little boy. A LITTLE BOY! You could’ve killed him! YOU ALMOST KILLED HIM!” Aiden’s hand lit up on fire and he threw fire burning all three men in the arm. He stepped towards them, “He’s the same age as one of my own sons. YOU DARE attack a child and innocent women?! What do you have to say for yourselves?” I linked Jackson, “I am speechless. Actually speechless. He’s not on their side.” Jackson linked back, “Haley and Arion are not on their side. No sane human would be on their side, and his youngest son IS Grant’s age.” None of the fairies spoke.

        Aiden commanded, “ANSWER ME!” One cleared his throat, “We didn’t think it would hurt them.” Aiden said, “Oh…. I KNOW you didn’t think! IDIOTS! My sister is going to pass out from healing them. You might as well have attacked the royal house of Faerie!” I growled, “WHAT?! She’s never passed out from healing! She said that she gets tired, but she just needs to eat. Why would she pass out?” Aiden said, “Tell him feffy. Tell my sister’s wolf why he won’t be able to talk to his mate.” The man named Feffy shrank back. Aiden yelled, “TELL HIM!” Feffy said, “Because it’s harder to heal when magic is used. I don’t think a halfling can save them. No healer in Faerie could.” Aiden set him on fire before I could do anything. He walked over and grabbed the man by the throat, “You will never speak again, but my sister is a princess, and she will be addressed as such.” He put his hands around Feffy, and his screams echoed around until the clearing until Aiden decapitated him with his hands. Holy s**t. Harold said, “Umm….” Jackson said, “Dylan will s**t his pants he missed this.” I snorted. Aiden said, “You may keep them for a week as retribution. Is that acceptable to you, Haley's wolf? I do not wish to be at war or fight you. My sister will heal your wolves after all…. None of your pack members will die.” I linked Jaron and Joseph, “Is a week with them suitable for you?” They nodded. Jaron added, “If they come back alive. That is enough.” Joseph said, “Agreed.”  I said, “In what condition do you expect them to return to you, King Aiden?” Aiden snapped and Feffy’s body disappeared. He said, “Alive is my stipulation.” 

        I nodded, “Then once my wolves are back, those terms are agreeable.” I asked, “Is Haley in Faerie?” Aiden said, “No…. I am actually surprised my sister could get to us. She should not have been able to. We are looking for a dagger. The demons don’t want to give it to us.” My eyes widened, “SHE’S IN THE DEMON’S REALM?! They want her!” Aiden said, “Most want her. They cannot get to her. Aiden and I warded everyone out. Time passes quickly there as opposed to here. Haley should be almost done healing them.  I’m sure my brother will pop in with the wolves and little boy soon. Now...about these phone calls I should’ve had...what number are you calling?” I said, “YOUR DAMN NUMBER!” Aiden said, “I don’t know how that’s possible.” I said, “It’s possible. I’ve been trying to pass off intel to you for years. You have a mole.” Aiden said, “I am aware. Do you know who?” I said, “Your secretary comes to mind.” Aiden held out a card, “This is my personal line, call this from now on.” I said, “Are you going to find out why your secretary never gave you, my messages?” Aiden laughed, “Of course. I’ll watch her for now.” Jackson said, “You could confront her.” Aiden said, “That sounds dreadfully boring. No, I’ll be far more entertained watching her.” I sighed. Fairies. Aiden said, “You can’t tell Haley’s other family about this.” I growled, “Why the HELL not?” Aiden said, “She told me she made a promise. She can’t break it. You don’t want to hurt her, do you?” I growled, “YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME! OF COURSE I DON’T WANT TO HURT HER!” Aiden smiled, “Think outside the box then. She can’t pop and meet you. That leaves options.”

        Prince Arion popped in. Joseph and Jaron ran to their mates. I breathed a sighing relief in awe of my mate again. My pack members were perfectly fine. Grant said, “Daddy! Daddy! A beauty Angel helped mommy wake up to play with me! She’s so tall and her hair is red! We were in this glowing bubble! I think she’s a real angel!” I smiled. Grant continued, “She hit her head when she passed out though. I told mommy we needed to get her a band aid for her owie, but this meanie head said we had to leave before we could.” Prince Arion rolled his eyes, “Yes, the meanie head is the one at fault here.” He turned and saw the four remaining fairies. He saw charred ground. He shot a spark out of his hand at the remaining four. King Aiden said, “Brother?” Prince Arion said, “Those stupid fuckers! They used harmful earth magic.” King Aiden stiffened. I cleared my throat, “Is Haley alright?” Prince Arion said mockingly, “Is Haley alright? NO, YOU NIMROD! She’s not alright. She had to take the magic OUT of them and take it on herself. She’s very much NOT alright. She’s going to be in a coma for GOD knows how long.” I growled, “WHAT?!” Jackson said, “What do you mean for god knows how long?” Prince Arion said, “She’s a partial fairy. We don’t know how things like this affect her. It could be a few days. It could be weeks. If it's a month…” he turned to the fairies and added, “I will kill ALL FOUR OF YOU FUCKERS ON PRINCIPLE!” 

        I was in shock. A come? But...I needed to tell her I loved her too. She couldn’t be in a coma…. I had to tell her how I felt. I wouldn’t hear her voice for god knows how long? That was unacceptable. No, Arion could be wrong. Haley told me in her letters she always surprised them with her abilities. Prince Arion rounded on me, “This is YOUR fault.” I frowned, “Me?” Prince Arion said, “YES YOU! She loves you DUMBASS! She did it FOR YOU!” King Aiden said, “She did it for us too.” Prince Arion said, “I’m not going to be mad at myself or you. That’s hardly fun.” Arion pointed at me, “HIM…. Him I can be pissed off at. You two, my own siblings, and their bleeding hearts. ESPECIALLY hers! Can you get in her healing bubble? I’d have made her stop. The wolves were fine. They would’ve had some pain until their wolves healed them, but is that acceptable to our little sister? NOOOOOO she must heal ALL the pain and take it on her damn self! I swear…. you two…. are going to run me ragged with this s**t. Can she find a selfish piece of Fae blood in that little pinky of hers? I’m not picky, it could be a toenail.” King Aiden said, “I doubt that. Very much. If everyone could be silent…. I need to make a call.” I linked everyone, “Go home. I will handle this. Take our fairy prisoners to the dungeons.” Jackson said, “Not a chance.” Harold said, “Ditto. Tabitha would murder me.” Caleb said, “Not on your life, Eric. One day to be in laws or not…. That’s a negative Alpha. I won’t leave you alone with them.” Darrin linked, “Are you high? I’m not leaving you with these fairies. One shoots sparks out of his hands, and he’s giving you the hairy eyeball.” My heart was aching at the thought of not talking to Haley. Moon Goddess, let them be wrong. Let my Angel be ok sooner than they think.

        Aiden said, “King Titus…” King Titus yelled, “IF ANY OF YOU TOUCHED MY DAUGHTER I WILL…” Aiden said, “She’s fine.” King Titus said, “SHE DOES NOT FEEL FINE! It feels as though she just said goodbye. I swear to GOD if my daughter is not ok…. I will BURN down your realm. YOU WILL WATCH THE ASHES OF YOUR REALM BURN AND THE STREETS WILL RUN WITH BLOOD BEFORE I AM DONE! WHERE IS MY DAUGHTER? BRING HER TO ME NOW!” Aiden said, “There was a situation. She stopped a war between us and another supernatural group.” King Titus said, “OF COURSE SHE DID! You don’t deserve for her to do a DAMN THING FOR YOU! SO OF COURSE SHE SAVED YOUR ASS!”