A Ribbon Strand: Raised Hackura

Presents Pt. 2

     I ignored him. I yelled, “A FAIRY BJOURN!” Dylan sighed, “What are you guys doing with your last few hours on earth? Oh I know! Let’s go skydiving!” Bjourn said, “She’s guarded when she’s here and with him.” Dylan said, “I might not have mentioned that they spend time in fire fairy territory for a reason, future king of the assassins. His head can only take so much before it explodes, and there are innocent bystanders in this car…. I don’t need Alpha Fun Sucker’s brain matter on my new suit. Lacy helped me pick it out. She was VERY excited about it...I can’t ruin this suit.” I said, “SHE’S BEEN IN FAERIE! ALONE?!” Dylan said, “Now, Now, they aren’t together anymore. He is doing something for Aiden.” I yelled, “AIDEN INTRODUCED THEM?! AIDEN?! The guy I TOLD you has a traitor in his mists!” Bjourn said, “They were never alone. Haley knew Blade was with them in Faerie. Aiden let two of us in every time they were there. Mostly Gunner and Astrid…. but Haley and Exsis were never alone.” I said, “You have GOT to be kidding me!” Dylan said, “Are you stuck on repeat Alpha Fun Sucker? I don’t think our buddy old pal Bjourn has jokes. That’s what I’m here for…. let’s keep in mind…. they stopped dating…. she’s perfectly fine….and single ....” I growled, “A FAIRY!” Dylan sighed, “I was afraid of this…. he really is so mad he’s stuck on repeat. This happens sometimes. Give him an hour. He’ll unlock. All will be well.” Bjourn said, “Exsis didn’t try to hurt her. Apparently, no one here wants to date her because of us. We might have said if they made our sister cry, we would turn their bones to dust.” I growled, “BRAVEST PROTECTORS OF THE RACE MY ASS! THE REALMS ARE SCREWED WITH YOUR NEW CROP OF MOTHERFUCKING COWARDS!” I hung up the phone and threw it, breaking the window.

            Dylan said, “I’m not one to say I told you so, but I TOLD YOU SO LUCAS! It wasn’t the moment! Never question me on the right moment to drop knowledge bombs.” Jackson said, “Let’s go for a run Eric.” I ripped the car door off. Dylan said, “I’ll get out my wiping memory stick and use it on any humans who are around!” I growled, “There ARE no humans around.” Dylan snorted, “And it’s a good thing too…. or you’d be hauled off to supernatural jail.” I ran to the forest and shifted. I ran as far as I could. When I shifted back Jackson, Lucas, and Caleb eventually caught me. Lucas said, “I know how you feel.” I looked at him in disbelief. He said, “I do. Marcious’ partial fairy daughters all date fire fairies. With what we know…. I worry about my mate.” I said, “They aren’t safe there. This whole giving Haley a normal childhood is about her being safe. She running off with fairies her brother introduced her to….” Caleb said, “At least it wasn’t a wolf.” I growled, “I would know she’d be safe with a wolf because I would put the FEAR of god into him.” I shifted and ran back. Surprisingly Dylan was waiting with clothes. Darrin said, “We’ve got all our suite keys.” I said, “Did you get the room below ours.” Darrin said, “Am I an amateur? I’ve traveled with you before.” Caleb said, “And I rented the room out several months ago.” Darrin said, “And that.” 

            Dylan said, “Mostly that. Betas got their Alpha’s backs.” I followed Darrin to our room. I poured two glasses of whiskey and drank them both. A portal opened. I turned and saw Logan. I sighed, “What Logan?” Logan said, “I get it.” I said, “I don’t think you do.” Logan said, “Say that later.” I frowned, “Why?” Logan said, “I pointed my sister in a direction that will lead to discoveries. She’s sad right now. She misses you; she just doesn’t know that. She’s always loved talking to you in your letters. I felt her complete and utter devastation when Bjourn told her he’d introduce you two when she turned eighteen. She didn’t even see me standing there when she left. I’m tired of seeing her missing something when I know what it is. You. See you around Eric.” He opened a portal and left. I said, “When did the Hackura become this damn cryptic?” Jackson said, “They’ve always been cryptic about her.” I closed my eyes. We walked downstairs. Several approached us for meetings about alliances. We got word that Alpha Max wasn’t coming. Shocking. I saw Beta Angler’s face crumble when he heard the news. He’d been hoping to see his daughter and newborn grandson. I’m sure he hoped her treatment was all lies. Someone bumped into me and handed me a note. She ran away before I could see her face. I discreetly read the note. 

 Meet me in the west hall. Five minutes

I showed Jackson. He nodded. I handed the note to Caleb and made my way to the hallway.

             To my shock I found Alpha Prater’s daughter, Harriot. I said, “Harriot…. what’s….” She looked up at me with tears in her eyes. She said, “You have to help her!” I said, “Who?” Harriot said, “Stephanie! I went to visit her...I went when Alpha Max had a meeting outside their territory. She wasn’t in the house. Finally someone told me where she was. The dungeons! I heard a crying baby...he’s the cutest little thing...he can’t be more than two weeks old! They told me he won’t let her see him. He took him away from her right after she had him. He raped her as she cried for their son! Before she was even healed from childbirth!” I cringed. I had heard he raped her. We were trying to confirm he’d taken their child from her. I asked, “Did you see her?” Harriot cried, “No, I failed her. They got word Alpha Max was back and told me to run…. I had to go...I knew you’d be here. Please, Alpha Eric! Stephanie is a great person! Alpha Max used to be the perfect mate. Now, I don’t even want to meet mine. They were so in love. Now he has his Luna in the dungeons…. Beta Female Audrie Angler is like a mom to me…. I’m afraid she’s going to kill herself if she gets one more bit of bad news. She asked Alpha Max if she could come see her grandson. He said no. She asked when she could meet him, and he told her that no female would corrupt his son.” My jaw locked, “I’ll do what I can Harriot. I assume your dad knows about this?” Harriot sighed, “He’s afraid he doesn’t have the forces to beat Alpha Max. My brother is still traveling around to other packs right now. He promised he’d challenge dad for the Alpha title when he comes home if dad won’t pass it off. I don’t know if Stephanie has that long though. Please...do something.”

I said, “I’ll do my best, but you know we need your dad to be on our side. I’ve got enough evidence he should change his mind.” Harriot sighed in relief, “Thank you Alpha Conners. Thank you! I have to get back.” She left. Jackson and Caleb came out. I said, “He knows.” Anger filled me again, “He knows and he’s doing nothing. She’s his Beta’s daughter for god’s sake! I would never let Caleb’s daughter suffer.” Caleb said, “I don’t have one, but I understand the sentiment.” I growled, “His son needs to take over before I kill him.” Jackson said, “We need to get to that meeting Eric.” My anger was at an all time high. As an Alpha I took my responsibility to my pack very seriously. I made a blood oath. Alpha Prater was practically spitting on our oaths and our duty. I was worried about Haley. If she dated one fairy…. the bad ones could trick her into falling for them and kidnapping her. f**k the Hackura teenage boy to f*****g hell! Seriously? They couldn’t just man up? They were SUPPOSED to be fearless. ASSHOLES! I stalked into the meeting ready to go. 

            Everyone was taken aback by the look on my face. Alpha Kyle linked me, “Are you alright Alpha Eric?” I said, “No.” I held my hand out to Caleb and he handed me our file of proof. I slammed into the desk and slid it to Alpha Prater. It was thick. Beta Angler leaned over and paled. Alpha Prater sighed, “Alpha Eric, I’ve told you….” I said, “I have PROOF now! He’s keeping her IN THE DUNGEONS! He rapes her! He took their newborn son from her! He BEATS her! Being someone’s mate doesn’t make her a damn punching bag! She’s still a person! She has rights! You took an oath and by god…. you’d better stand by it.” Alpha Prater was silent as he read through everything I had. Caleb passed out copies to the other Alpha’s in the room. Thor jolted. I linked him, “Thor? What’s wrong?” Thor said, “I don’t know.” I looked around alert. I said, “Is there danger nearby?” Thor said, “I don’t know Eric. Stay Alert. Something just happened. I just don’t know what it was.” Jackson linked me, “Eric?” I linked back, “Thor said something is going on. He just doesn’t know what. Did Tiberius notice anything?” Jackson said, “No, my wolf said nothing changed.” Lucas linked me, “Did Thor just tell you something was up?” I said, “Yes. Did Dominic say something? Jackson said Tiberius didn’t.” Lucas said, “Dominic is edgy suddenly.” I frowned. Great. I linked our head warrior Liam, “Liam...patrol the hall to make sure no one is planning anything.” Liam said, “We just did a sweep. We will come back. Nothing out of the ordinary to report from before.” I frowned. Thor was still edgy, but I pushed that aside. We didn’t know what was going on.

        Alpha Prater pushed my file away. He sighed, “She’s his mate Alpha Eric. We can’t do anything.” I growled loudly, “WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?! SHE’S YOUR BETA’S DAUGHTER! SHE’S PRACTICALLY YOUR OWN DAUGHTER! Would you really allow Harriot to be treated this way? Would you just allow it because oh well she’s, his mate? ALPHA MAX HAS LOST IT!” Alpha Prater’s jaw ticked. I knew. He’d go after his own daughter, but not his Beta’s. I said, “I didn’t think you would if she was Harriot. You selfish son of a b***h! We need you to ask. We NEED you to save her. I’m not even asking you to save her yourself. I’ll go in there and get her myself. I just need your backing to do it as her former Alpha.” Alpha Prater sighed, “Alpha Max is her Alpha now. You should talk to him. Look Eric, I know you don’t understand the mate bond because at twenty-eight you don’t have one. To take her from him…. we’d lose him completely.” My anger was at an all time high. Alpha Chase Daniels growled from the doorway. He’d just entered. I was already moving. I growled and lunged for Alpha Prater. I grabbed him by the throat. Lucas and Jackson were at my side. Lucas said, “You don’t want to kill him, Eric.” Dylan whispered, “I think he does.” Lucas hissed, “Dylan!” Dylan said, “What? He does want to kill him. I’m stating facts. Not even with my trademark hilarity to mark the seriousness of the situation...” I had Alpha Prater by the throat. I slammed him into the wall so hard the drywall cracked and crumbled around him. I said, “I will meet my mate.” Alpha Prater snorted, “I can’t believe you still believe that note! You’re twenty-eight years old! A fairy played a joke on you! Or someone pretending to be a fairy put you off searching for your mate! You wait for her to pop up in your life. Jokes on you! That person who left the note probably killed her and laughs while you wait. I know I do.” 

            I punched him in the face. I said, “My mate IS coming. It’s not a trick. NO ONE killed her! She was saved from the life you’re allowing your Beta’s daughter to live in. Did you not hear me say HE RAPES LUNA STEPHANIE! RAPES HER! HIS GODDAMN MATE! HE TORTURES HER! HE TOOK HER SON FROM HER! He SPITS in the face of the moon goddess. As do you.” Alpha Prater said, “I do not! I treat my mate with respect!” I said, “You disregard your title and your blood as Alpha. Your wolf should be ashamed of you. I swore in blood to protect my pack, and I don’t give A s**t who their mate turns out to be. NO pack member, be that former or current, of mine will EVER be treated as she is. I would NEVER sit idly by and allow that because it’s my DAMN job to protect her. I am DONE with you!” I hit him again, knocking him unconscious. I turned to Beta Angler, “Tell your piece of s**t cowardice f*****g Alpha I WILL meet my mate. When I do, I’ll treat her like a damn queen! I’m sorry about your daughter. Truly, I am. If she had been in my pack or my brothers, she would’ve been home at the first whisper she was being mistreated. I would NEVER allow that to stand mate or not.” I glanced around the room. I said, “ANYONE who wishes to remain allies with my brothers, and I should feel the same way. GOD! I’m sure the moon goddess looks down and is ashamed! We are allowing this happen when we KNOW it’s f*****g happening. Alpha Max has gone insane and needs to be put down. He’s going to hurt someone someday. He’s smart enough not to have it be any member of my pack. If you want MY assistance when that day comes…. You can no longer be Alpha Prater’s ally.” 

            I stormed out of the room. I linked Caleb, “I’d started the paperwork already. It’s on our shared drive. It’s got a fourth left to fill out.” Caleb linked back, “Is it for all the packs or just yours.” I said, “All of them.” Caleb said, “I’ll get your brother’s Beta’s to help fill out the rest of the paperwork. Thanks for starting it, Eric.” I didn’t reply. I made it to my room. Caleb linked me, “Everyone here is disbanding with Alpha Prater.” I linked back, “Good. He’s a piece of shit.” Thor linked me, “He’s a coward.” I went over and poured whiskey into the glass. I snorted. I was the most feared Alpha, and I couldn’t save another Luna. I can’t even protect my mate from goddamn fairies who want to take her. I slammed the glass of whiskey. It burned my throat, but I didn’t care. I threw it at the wall, shattering the glass. I thought I heard something from the room below me, but when I listened carefully; I heard nothing. I sighed. I was losing it. I pulled out my Haley necklace. I missed her. I wanted to hear her voice. Hear her sweet laugh. I needed someone to warn her. She needed to stay away from the fairies until Aiden cleaned house. She didn’t know who she could trust, and I didn’t warn her well enough in my letter. DAMN IT!

        Lucas came in, “Eric.” I said, “What?” Lucas put his hand on my back, “You did the right thing.” I said, “If I didn’t know who my mate was…. I’d have wondered if he was right.” Lucas sighed, “He’s not right.” I said, “I know he’s not. I’m worried.” Lucas didn’t have to say anything; he knew why I was worried. His hand went lower on my back rubbing in small circles. He said, “I know. You’re a good man.” I snorted, “I’m not. I’m ruthless and everyone knows that. I just have honor. Where the f**k did Alpha Prater’s go?” Lucas said, “He’s an ass. A scared ass.” I said, “Damn it! I should just go kill Alpha Max and free his Luna, but the council could come against me for that because she’s not formally from my pack. Luna Stephanie is Alpha Max’s damn mate and she’s marked. I don’t understand him. The second I meet her…. she’s, my queen. Hell, she already is. How can he not do the same?” Lucas said, “Hey…. we will meet them. We will never treat them badly. They will be ours.” His hand was moving lower still rubbing in circles. I sighed, “I just want her. I’m tired of filling my time with meaningless sex.” Lucas said, “Neither you nor have had many s****l partners.” I said, “I am aware. I’m just tired of it. I’m going to lose my mind over the next three years.” Lucas got in front of me, “What if you and I…. would that be meaningless?” My gaze snapped to him. Excuse me? He couldn’t mean…. He didn’t have s*x with men like I did sometimes. Surely, I am misunderstanding him. I forced myself to calm down. 

        I said, “What do you mean Lucas?” Lucas unbuttons my shirt, raking his hands down my abs. I gritted my teeth. He said, “I mean would it be meaningless if you and I got together. Would us having s*x be meaningless?” I didn’t want my brain to go where it was. Lucas was attractive. We were both Alpha’s….it would be intense with us together. I said, “You don’t…” Lucas said, “Have s*x with men. No, but it’s different with you Eric. I’m tired of the meaningless too. I long for my fairy just as you do. We’ve shared a woman between us before.” I said, “That’s not the same. “I looked away and Lucas’ hands moved down to my pants. Lucas said, “I was going to ignore this feeling. Then you had to go be a good man and stand up for Luna Stephanie when everyone was just willing to follow Alpha Prater’s lead. It was hot Eric.” I grabbed his hand, “Lucas…. this changes things…. We have been friends your whole life. I don’t want to lose that.” Lucas snorted, “The friendship excuse? Really?” I threw a second glass against the wall, breaking it. I said, “It’s not a f*****g excuse! You’ve never been with a man before. You can’t be upset that I want to make sure you really want this.” Lucas closed the distance between us. He put his hands on my chest. He looked up into my eyes. The lust was unmistakable. He said, “Tell me it would be meaningless then. I’ll drop it.” I couldn’t stop my growl. He knew it wouldn’t be meaningless between us. He kissed my peck. I was seconds away from taking him right here. I pushed away trying to think clearly. I began to walk away. Lucas tackled me to the ground growling. He yelled at me. I pinned him underneath me. I yelled back at him, “It wouldn’t be meaningless, but you know that!” Lucas said, “Good...” He ran his hands up my side to my neck. I slammed my lips on his. 

        We were tangled up with each other for hours. It was just as intense as I thought it would be between two alphas. It wasn’t even awkward afterwards. We both grabbed our clothes. Leaving our shirts opened and unbuttoned. Lucas said, “I wouldn’t mind doing that again.” I smiled, “Neither would I.” Lucas smirked, “Look at that you. You were worried about our friendship for nothing.” I snorted, “It was not for nothing. You’re one of my best friends. If you didn’t have your obnoxious sidekick, you’d be higher up on the list.” Lucas laughed, “I know you like Dylan. He brings humor to every situation, and he gets us good intel on your mate and the four of my potential mates.” I laughed, “He does. If you EVER tell him, I actually find him funny…. I’ll punch you in the face.” Lucas howled with laughter. He said, “Your secret is safe with me. He’s going to kill us for making him do all this paperwork alone.” I snorted, “I did part of the paperwork for my Beta before we came to the summit.” Lucas sighed, “I should’ve. I knew it was likely to happen.” I said, “Or he could’ve. Dylan he should’ve known this was heading there.” Lucas snorted, “After he did three hundred pages of paperwork? I don’t think so. I’m not remotely suggesting to him he should’ve seen this coming.” Suddenly the other realities Haley’s note entered my mind. I started laughing so hard I was crying. Lucas said, “What?” I said, “The note…. Dylan’s note! Haley apologized to him for the Alpha Prater situation. She knew this would happen between us, and he’d be stuck with the paperwork. Lucas joined me laughing. He said, “I linked Dylan. He said he already figured that out. He said he cursed Alpha Prater in the pack link after I left to follow you for hours. He’s grouchy. He said your other reality mate could’ve given him a hint, so he could’ve started the paperwork.” I laughed. 

        I stood up and I was about to say we should head down when my phone rang. I picked it up. I almost dropped it. Was the fairy king FINALLY calling me back? Did the obnoxious secretary manage to tell him I’d been calling? I answered asking if it was King Aiden. The giggle that came through the phone was obviously not Aiden. It was the most melodic laugh I’d ever heard. This was a fairy number. I stiffened. It was Haley. Thor said, “Mate….it HAS to be mate. Why would she call from a fairy phone?” I linked back, “I’ll ask her.” Lucas asked why I’d stiffened. I could hear it from the phone speaker too. OHHH that sneaky fairy has mics in my room? She was being very naughty. I smiled. I asked why I heard Lucas twice. Lucas linked me, “THE f**k?” I linked back, “It’s Haley. I’m positive.” Lucas linked back, “She’s got mics in here?” I linked back, “Evidently.” Fairies couldn’t lie. I’d be interested to hear her answer. She evaded. I couldn’t stop my smile. Her voice sounded like an Angel. I knew why she’d signed my note that way now. Because she was MY personal Angel. My mate. She said we needed code names. Lucas linked me again, “Why would you need code names? You know who it is…. Wait…. that means…. she could know who you are to her.” I linked back, “Or she was just curious about me.” Lucas said, “She’s a fairy…. she’s seen you…” I linked, “That’s not how it works for them. They have to be in person.” Lucas said, “Her best friend is Emmaline. She could just ask her.” That was true. I told her I’d call her Angel. She was quiet for a minute then said she liked it. I could just imagine her blush. GOD, I wish I could hold her.

        I asked what she would call me. Without hesitation she said Thor. Lucas said, “OH COME ON! That gives away who she is.” I said, “Thor huh?” Haley said, “Yeah…. well that’s your wolf's name.” I said, “And you know that…. how?” Lucas snorted. Haley said, “Your wolf’s name is not a secret, Thor.” Thor linked me, “Find out why she called. Keep her talking or I might shun you!” I linked back, “You just like how your name sounds out of her mouth.” Thor said, “Yes, yes I do.” I said, “My wolf’s name is not a secret. He is widely known as my wolf as an Alpha. About this present you got me.” She laughed again. I couldn’t stop my smile. It was beautiful. I said, “You have a very addicting laugh.” I heard someone say, “Aww….” Then someone else whispered, “Shut up! He’ll hear you.”