A Ribbon Strand: Raised Hackura

Presents Pt. 1

Eric is 28 years old

            Eric couldn’t sleep. I was restless. I’d left the fairy king yet another unreturned message. The Fae were gathering forces in Ireland. A force of fairy’s who didn’t believe in the Holloran rule. They wanted Haley for themselves. I growled and got out of bed and began to pace. I had to stop this group of fairies. I knew there were moles in King Aiden’s trusted circle. I just didn’t know who it was. Someone wanted Haley...MY Haley. I heard a knock on my door. I said, “Come in.” I wasn’t surprised when Jackson and Caleb entered. Harold and Darrin followed closely behind them. Harold said, “We need to get him laid.” I growled, “No, what WE NEED to do is get ahold of the DAMN king of the fairies. WE NEED to save my mate.” Jackson said, “Your mate is not defenseless Eric. Bjourn brags about how good of a fighter she is all the time. She tells you all about her powers. Harold might have a point…. you need to get laid.” I said, “I don’t want to f**k someone!” I wasn’t lying. I had only slept with a few women and a few men in all this time. I was just tired of meaningly stress relief s*x. I was tired of women throwing themselves at me. I just wanted…. something I couldn’t have until she turned eighteen. Darrin said, “Claudia Harden throws herself at you all the time.” I rolled my eyes. I said, “I’m not sleeping with the woman we suspect is Claudzilla. Plus her shrill voice sounds like nails on a chalkboard. She’s the LAST woman on earth I’d ever sleep with.” Darrin said, “Why don’t we introduce her to Tucker and find out if she’s Claudzilla?” I said, “Because tucker just took over as Alpha. The LAST thing he needs is to be rejected right now. We will either find a reason for them to meet later, or fate will step in. Either way. I wouldn’t have s*x with that woman if she paid me.”

            Jackson said, “She does have creepy Eric radar. She literally just shows up when we go out.” Caleb said, “In happier news, Marcus and Bjourn will be here in the morning.” I sighed. Lucas and Dylan were coming too. Tucker was going to be here, but something came up. I rubbed my head. I said, “I just need to know she’s safe.” Jackson said, “Haley has four Hackura guards. Her brothers are always around her.” Caleb said, “I have the report from our warriors about her last mission.” I growled and punched the wall, “I SHOULD’VE BEEN THERE!” Jackson said, “You were meeting with Alpha Max.” I said, “A meeting he didn’t bother to show up for.” Darrin said, “But his Gamma came. Marshall thinks if he meets with him privately, we will have our confirmation to walk into the summit with.” I sighed, “Why the f**k do we need Alpha Prater to do this? Everyone’s heard the rumors. Alpha Max has lost it. He’s treating his Luna how those f*****g fairies wanted to treat Haley.” I began to pace, “I won’t stand for it! Even if I didn’t know what would’ve happened to Haley…. I would not stand for this. Being someone’s mate doesn’t make them your property. He can’t do this and get away with it!” Jackson said, “Let’s just get some sleep.” They all left except Caleb. I said, “Go to your mate, Caleb.” He came over and hugged me, “It’s only three more years. You’ve waited this long. You can do this.” I said, “I miss her, Caleb. I can practically hear her voice in her letters. She gives me good advice...she will do well here with me. I need her.” 

            Caleb said, “She’s a fairy Eric. If there’s a way for her to meet you…. she’ll do it.” I said, “She doesn’t know who I am to her.” Caleb said, “A teenage girl who takes the time to continue writing you notes is something. You’ve seen the teenagers around here…. all of them are glued to their phones twenty-four seven. She writes to you. Her excitement in your correspondence can’t be hidden. She feels something for you.” I said, “She’s easily my best friend who’s a girl, and I’ve never met her.” Caleb said, “She called you her best guy friend in her last letter Eric.” I smiled. She had said that. Marcus and Bjourn had stopped by on their way to their next mission three months ago. They’d given me her latest letter. We’d written countless letters to each other at this point. Caleb left quickly, closing the door behind him. I sat on my bed and opened my nightstand. I took out Haley’s letters. I read the one I’d been given a few months ago.

  Hello my Letter Exchange friend Eric,

I can’t believe I haven’t had a chance to get this letter to you before now! I went on another mission. It was my longest one. It wasn’t long like any of my brother's mission lengths, but BA and I were out for two whole weeks! Can you believe it? We killed…. a bunch of bad people. We were super stealthy about it though. That’s supposed to be a secret, but you’re my best guy friend so this doesn’t count as telling. You’ll keep my secret. I know you will. You’ve kept all my other ones. 

In other news, my cousin Emmaline has another boyfriend. He’s a fire fairy. She hangs out with them a lot, the fire Fae’s that is. My dad won’t let me meet other fairies yet. Aiden wants me to practice with the other partials. He thinks they would do better if I was there. I don’t really understand why he thinks that, but Aiden’s usually right. Daddy refuses though. I feel bad. I want to help them if I can.

Arion has gotten SO much better at fighting. He lights his swords on fire when he fights. I wish I could do that. You have to be a fire fairy though. I made both of them promise if we ever go into battle together one of them will light my swords on fire. I’m REALLY good with a samurai sword. I like having two of them. One for each hand. It’s better that way. You can kill more people. Bjourn says that’s not true, but logically…. I’m right. It’s totally true. 

Why do you guys only have Male lead warriors? I’d be a kickass female lead warrior. All my friends would. Astrid would be the leader of our armies if she was older than Aaron. He’d take over once her and Bjourn was crowned king and they got married. She’d be the queen then. You should let the she wolves try out or have Female lead warriors too. It’s only fair since you have Male lead warriors. Bjourn says everything’s not always fair, but it should be. Especially when it can be. I bet there are SUPER awesome female fighters in your pack. 

That’s so cool how your wolf can sense your mate is nearby! I don’t know how I’ll react. I know that I could find my mate at any time. Fairies can sense their mates their whole lives. Fairies light call to their mate and a voice in their head says mine. Hackura feel a type of pull. I don’t know which one I’ll be like. Maybe both? I could have double the pull, like you. You have your half’s pull and Thor’s. I don’t know…. I’ve been thinking a lot about that lately. 

You probably don’t want to hear about that. I can’t believe you’ve never told me there is a lake AND a mountain in your territory! If only you had the ocean ;) Your territory would be perfect. Logan sent me a picture of you the other day. I didn’t want you to not know I had one. You’re very handsome. I knew you would be. I’m blushing. I’m going to stop writing.

Your friend,

Haley

I smiled and put the note back. Thor linked, “We will meet her soon.” I sighed, “I know you’re right.” Thor said, “I miss her too Eric. I’ve waited hundreds of years to have a fated mate. She’s already worth all the disappointments with my other humans accepting we needed to take a chosen Luna. We can keep her safe now and after we meet her, she’ll be safe always.” I linked back, “We will keep her safe.” 

            I closed my eyes and managed to get some sleep. I rolled out of bed at five forty-five in the morning. My brother and I met for a run at six every day. I slipped the necklace Haley had gotten me for my birthday off my neck. I didn’t want to lose it. It was a black chain with a copper hammer. Thor’s hammer to be exact. Haley had been beyond excited in the letter where I’d told her my wolf’s name. Thor was still preening about it. Thor linked me, “I’ll never not be happy with how happy she was. The whole letter was practically capitalized. Somehow, she conveys her excitement easily. I put the necklace in my pocket. I ran downstairs. I took my shorts off placing them neatly on the ground. I shifted. Once my brothers came outside and shifted, we all took off. We did our usual run. When we got back, I grabbed my shorts and quickly put them on. I put my necklace in the pocket of the shorts. We walked inside. Jackson threw me a shirt, and I went to my office. Caleb was smiling. So was Marshall. I said, “Did you guys get laid this morning? What’s with the smiling?” Caleb said, “I get laid every morning.” Marshall sighed. He hadn’t met his mate yet either. Marshall said, “There’s something in your spot on the table Eric. You’ll smile too.” I walked over to my side of the table. I couldn’t stop my grin. Sitting in front of my seat was a pink letter that smelled of vanilla and honey.

            Harold said, “His face is going to split in two again.” Darrin said, “I think you may be right this time.” Caleb said, “Fairies…. she found a way to get you two letters this time Eric.” I carefully opened the letter. And took it out. I had to read the first line four times. Thor was humming with excitement. Jackson said, “What? Now I am actually worried your face is going to split in two.” I smiled, “She called me her Eric.” Darrin said, “Jesus Christ Eric! You’ve only read the first line! You’ve got to be kidding me.” Marshall said, “Oh shut up. You’d do the same with Amber.” Darrin smiled at the mention of his mate. I continued reading. Haley wanted to talk to me in person. I wanted that too. She said she’d conjured me this letter because she wanted to. Maybe I was going to get more letters like this then. She was drinking? I growled and hit the table. That STUPID boy! He made her feel unwanted. I would kill him. Jackson said, “What? Is she ok?” I growled, “Some BOY didn’t want to kiss her when they played spin the bottle! I will KILL him!” Caleb said, “Read the next line Eric.” I did and that calmed me down. She wanted to know if I would pale at the thought of kissing her. I was getting hard thinking about it. I would kiss her senseless. That boy was an i***t. A dead i***t. How dare he hurt her feelings! I didn’t like the thought of another’s lips on hers, but that was my possessiveness. We hadn’t met yet. I wasn’t a virgin. I couldn’t really cast that stone. It would be hypocritical. She had every right to live her life as I did until we met in person. Mostly, I was mad someone made her feel unwanted.  

            God, I wished she’d just pop to me. I was never too busy for her. I wouldn’t let her go though. I couldn't. I longed for her. At times it felt like an ache. Logan had kept up his promise to me. He’d gotten me pictures of her. She was stunning. When I read that she wanted to see me shift, Thor purred. Darrin said, “Did he just….” Harold said, “Purr…. that was a distinct purr.” I growled at them. Thor took over, “Shut up or I will shut you up.” They quickly stopped talking. They knew Thor meant business. Thor linked me, “I could let her ride me up to the top of the mountain. That would be fun to do with mate.” This was not helping hard on. Just imagining her riding Thor and I to the top of the mountain. f**k…. I shook myself. She had a new power. Jesus. I’d lost track of how many that was now. She asked if I knew about Fairies and if she could help her brother. King Aiden Holloran could handle himself. I quickly read the rest of the letter. I smiled at the end. She said she never took off her necklace. Her brothers had told me that too. I quickly took out my official letterhead and wrote her back. I threw the one I’d been ready to give her brothers in the trash. Harold said, “Oh no…. not the letter we re-did eighteen times! MAN! He’s going mope.” Jackson said, “He can't, he only has thirty minutes before Marcus and Bjourn arrive.” I quickly wrote my response to her. And put it in an envelope. 

            I called the line for the fairy king. I heard the voice I’d come to hate…. his secretary. “King Aiden’s line. How may I help you?” I said, “You could do your job. Tell King Aiden Alpha Eric Conners needs to speak with him it’s urgent.” She chirped her usual response, “I will give him your message, have a blessed day.” She hung up. When I do eventually meet or get a hold of that man...I WILL find out if she’s the world’s WORST secretary or if he’s just ignoring me.” Jackson said, “He could be ignoring you.” I said, “At this point…. I’d imagine he’d be intrigued that I’ve been calling him since I was thirteen years old. I don’t think she gives him my messages. I just don’t know why she doesn’t.” Dylan and Lucas walked in. I frowned, “Dillie bear…. you look much sadder than you usually do.” Lucas sighed, “His parents just told mine they were extending their trip again.” Dylan said, “Yes…. I knew they were going to get obsessed with the white wolf legend, but I hoped all my little hints would keep them around for Travis. Alas…. they took off anyway. School’s starting soon and Travis thinks they’ll come back. You can only lead a horse to water people…. not even Beta Dylan Frost can make them drink said water.” I sighed, “I could call them.” Dylan perked up, “Oh PLEASE do. Tell them the great Alpha Eric Conners thinks that they are wackadoodles. It will make me smile.” 

            I said, “Do you have any news for me? Partial Fairy news. I pay you and all…. you even made yourself a medal that says Most Valuable Informant of Alpha Fun Sucker. I’m told you hosted a ceremony too.” Lucas linked me, “Thank you Eric…. for cheering him up.” Dylan said, “Do I ever have fairy news! Ok former queenie meanie is apparently getting desperate to see her daughter. Your double princess mate couldn't be bothered to care about queenie meanie. The going theory is her water duchess cousin who is the soul searcher told her something about mommy peace love and harmony. It’s rumored to be something that your dearest princess didn’t like. She’s cut off mommy dearest. Even going so far as to refuse to speak to her fairy mother. Both brothers are over their mother’s complaining about it. Even Prince Arion. He’s told their mother to let things lie. The partials don’t think she’s going to. They think she’s going to try to force her way into your mate's life. Queenie meanie got drunk and claimed the Hackura stole her little girl. A lady’s maid, because they still have those in Faerie, had to come bring her back inside. The former peace, love, and harmony queen was distraught.” I growled, “Force her way how?” Dylan shrugged, “Unclear. They think she plans to pop in on a mission or something. Queenie Meanie has sight. They think she’s going to use it to show up where she knows Haley will be sometime.” Marcus said, “Absolutely not.” I looked up and saw they’d come quietly as they always do. Dylan jumped five feet in the air. He said, “Ok, that’s it! I’m getting you a bell!” Both men laughed. Marcus held out his hand for my letter back to Haley.

            I handed it to him and asked, “Who is this boy that made Haley feel unwanted and not pretty?” Marcus tensed. Dylan started crunching on popcorn. Bjourn said, “Excuse me?” I said, “I got a drunk fairy letter.” Bjourn said, “Tipsy. Haley can’t get drunk.” I said, “Whatever she was sad over some spin the bottle game. The bottle landed on her and some stupid fucker, who I WILL kill, paled and ended the game.” Marcus gritted his teeth, “Did she cry?” I said, “I didn’t get that information.” Marcus called someone. He said, “Gunner.” Gunner answered, “Hey Marcus. Are you guys back?” Bjourn said, “No, we are with Eric. WHAT is this about some boy hurting my sister’s feelings?” Gunner sighed, “How do you even know that?” Bjourn said, “Eric got a letter.” Gunner sighed, “You let a tipsy fairy out of your sight for a few moments, and they write letters. I can stop tipsy texting…. but letters. What the f**k can you do about letters?” Bjourn said, “So it’s true?!” Gunner said, “It’s all good now. Trent…. hurt her feelings.” Trent the Hackura…. now I had a name. I could work with a name. Bjourn said, “I’ll kick his ass.” Gunner said, “As if he got back to our realm unscathed. There was a line and everything. Harper kicked his ass when he came through the portal. That was also after the collective group here did as well. Calista seemed to think Benjamin was going to get in on that too.” Marcus said, “Why did Haley say to you when you went to find her? She would have popped away from the group.” Gunner said, “Guys...” Bjourn said, “Gunner, tell us what she said.” Gunner sighed, “She said she was ugly, and no one liked her.” I growled. 

            I linked Jackson, “Trent is dead.” Jackson said, “Of course he is.” Dylan said, “Me thinks Trent will die Beta Dylan does. Alpha Fun Sucker kill him dead, yes he will.” Marcus said, “Thanks Gunner.” Bjourn said, “Have Trent in the gym after court.” Gunner said, “I’ll do that.” Marcus said, “Anymore fun news?” I said, “We got word the fairies in Ireland want Haley for themselves. They have help from someone in Aiden’s sphere of trust. I don’t know what type of help that is. Be it information or actual physical help.” Both their eyes blazed. Bjourn said, “I see. We will pass that along.” I nodded to them. Dylan said, “Before you go. I have a quick question for you.” Bjourn said, “What?” Dylan said, “How are you not like one hundred yet? You guys said time passes differently in your realm.” Bjourn said, “Our years are longer than yours, so we age the same.” Dylan said, “Sure...longer years. Silly Dylan. Duh. Obviously, you have longer years, so we don’t see you as a young strapping lad and the next day you’re an old decrepit man. I thought you all must have some fountain of youth in your realm. My imagination was SO MUCH better than the actual answer.” They laughed while opening a portal and left.

 I said, “Dylan, if you could give me information that would tilt them towards introducing me to Haley sooner than me waiting three more years...I would pay you SO much money.” Dylan saluted me. He said, “Beta Dylan is on the case. I will cash in the check you give to me asking for ones and roll around on my bed in my PILE of money.” he sighed and put his hand on his palm, “That’s the dream.” I said, “Whatever floats your boat.” We got to work. All of us agreed we needed to do something about Alpha Max before they left. The weeks passed by. Alpha Prater was dragging his feet on taking Luna Stephanie back. I had notes from multiple people that Alpha Max was unhinged. Alpha Prater could no longer ignore this. The summit rolled around before I knew it. I was already regretting meeting up with Lucas’ group to ride together. Mostly because if he was going to ride with us that meant Dylan was going to ride with us. He would probably sing show tunes the whole damn way there. While the rest of us were going to sync strategies for support for a few things. I was going to push my proposal for Female Lead Warriors per Haley’s suggestion. I had the proposal ready to go.

            Dylan got in the car silently. We actually made it the entire way without one single comment. I turned off the car, “What the f**k is wrong with you?” Dylan squeaked, “Who me?” I said, “Yes, squeaky Dillie bear. You.” Dylan said, “I have no clue what you’re on about Alpha Fun Sucker. Dylan is just fine.” I raised an eyebrow. Lucas said, “Oh, just tell him.” Dylan said, “Lucas exnay utshay upyay.” I said, “I speak pig Latin Dylan. I know you told Lucas to shut up. Tell me what you know.” Dylan said, “Damn it Alpha Fun Sucker! No one likes a know it all.” I said, “Since when? You claim to know all…. all the damn time.” Lucas said, “Dylan has some intel from his partial fairies.” Dylan hit Lucas repeatedly in the arm. He said, “We are still in the car with him! Are you crazy! HELP! Someone help us! Lucas has fallen and hit his head. He probably has a brain bleed or something. We NEED a doctor! Gotta go Alpha Fun Sucker….my Alpha is in need. I MUST save his life.” I said, “Dylan…. I pay you.” Dylan said, “Damn it Lucas! You couldn’t play it cool.” I said, “You being silent for two hours was the clue, Dylan.” Dylan snorted, “You missed my talking and car ride show tunes. Duly noted. Don’t worry I sang them in my head the whole way here. My pack was serenated by yours truly. I’ll tell them of your deep seated jealousy.” I said, “Tell me what you know.” Dylan sighed, “Well...your uhh…. princess….is dating.” I wouldn’t deny it hurt to hear, but we hadn’t met yet. We were both living our lives. My jaw clenched. I said, “She’s a teenager. Of course she’s dating. Tell me it’s not that prick Trent…. or I really will kill him.” Dylan said, “His name is not Trent.” I said, “Dylan, tell me his damn name. Then you better keep another ear out for how he’s treating her. Because if he hurts her, I will TEAR HIM LIMB FROM LIMB!” Dylan winced, “His name is Exsis.”

        The entire car took a deep breath. Jackson looked at me in panic. Caleb said, “Oh...dear...god…” I yelled, “A FAIRY?! SHE’S DATING A FAIRY?! YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!” Dylan said, “I kind of wish I was…. this would be the worst joke of all time. Say what you want about my jokes but…. they are well timed, funny, and are not the type of jokes people would want to kill me over. Punch, sure, on occasion. Kill? No, I draw the line at people actually wanting to kill me. Figuratively is where my bread and butter is.” I dialed Bjourn. Dylan said, “Hey uhhhh what ya doing there Alpha Fun Sucker?” Bjourn said, “Eric.” Dylan said, “NO! Someone hit him on the nose! Bad Alpha Fun Sucker! We need to take a solid beat before we yell at people who appear out of thin air. Especially when those people could kill us all in our sleep because you are about to yell them. I’m too funny and pretty to die so young.”