A Ribbon Strand: Raised Hackura

Never Letting Go Pt. 2

        Alpha Chase said, “And me. Matt is Beta. Always will be.” Ted screeched, “YOU’RE THE BETA?!! OH NO!” Matt teared up, “It’s fine Ted. Chase already said it was fine. He’s the Alpha, babe.” Ted still looked worried. Matt nodded in my direction. Heath stepped towards me, “I’d like to…” I growled at him. He raised an eyebrow. Dylan said, “If I were you, I’d stop speaking. I told you…. he gets like this…. normally my good buddy Jackson or my man Beta Caleb can calm him down…. I don’t see that happening. So keep your puckering lips right there Heath my boy.” I said, “SOMEONE POP ME TO A DAMN DOCTOR OR I WILL LOSE MY s**t!” Dylan said, “You WILL lose your s**t? Your s**t is all over this territory in multiple body parts strewn all over. Your s**t is so past lost Alpha Fun Sucker.” Aiden said, “Arion, take the others.” Arion said, “Why? They can get there on their own. I want to go with our sister.” Aiden said, “Brother….” Arion said, “Bleeding f*****g heart siblings will be the death of me. Fine! Everyone! Take each other's hands that want to go to my sisters’ wolf’s place.” Dylan started singing Kumbaya. I rolled my eyes as Aiden popped Haley and I to my pack hospital.

        I couldn’t move. I looked around seeing a flurry of activity. Aiden was smirking, “Popping is an experience for a non Fae the first time.” Experience was a word. He said, “I can take my sister if you need to sit down.” That got me. I snarled at him. He grinned wider. I yelled, “ETHAN!” Ethan came running with a bed. I said, “She’s taken a dagger to the thigh…. I don’t think the rest of the blood is hers. She is your future Luna, and you will treat her with the utmost respect.” Ethan jerked back, “It’s true then? The rumor about the fairy Hackura Princess being our Luna?” I nodded. He looked at Aiden. He started ordering people around. He said, “We’ll have to cut her out of these clothes and get her into…” He went to touch her and take her from me. I couldn’t stop my snarl. Ethan backed up, surprised. Everything stopped. Aiden laughed and snapped his fingers. Haley was now in a hospital gown and clean of blood. Aiden said, “Whatever I can do to keep my sister wolf calm…. that is a big thing here in this realm, yes? Keep Calm and Carry On?” Ethan’s mate, and one of our nurses, Rose nodded, “Yes, it is. Alpha, I need you to hand her to me. We will only have mated males around her. We need to treat her leg. Alpha Jackson linked she’d taken on iron. We need to get an IV into her. Let us help the Luna.” Thor was growling. He didn’t like the idea of putting her down any more than I did. Someone might take her away until her birthday.

            Aiden studied me, “If anyone takes her from you Eric, I’ll bring her back. To lose you now would be cruel and cause her deep sorrow. I’ll not stand by that decision. You’ve met…. the cat….as they say….is out of the bag. Her Hackura family would never be cruel to her. I’d be tempted to set them on fire, and Arion would run off halfcocked and give it a good try.” I closed my eyes. She needed treatment. I couldn’t give it to her, and she couldn’t heal herself yet. I walked over to the bed they’d rolled out. I placed her gently onto it. It felt wrong now that she wasn’t in my arms. As if a piece of me was missing. They rolled her into the room for my family. They had her hooked up to an IV immediately. Ethan was administering medication for the iron. Rose was cleaning the knife wound on her thigh. She was stitching muscles and the skin back together. I knew people had filed into the room. I just couldn’t look at them. I sat by her side holding her hand. I whispered, “I’m here Angel. It’s ok.” I heard a snort that was likely Arion. Followed by a punch. I still didn’t say anything. I just looked at her beautiful face. I tucked her hair behind her ear. Ethan cleared his throat. I looked at him. He said, “He iron levels…. if she’d been a full fairy…. she’d be dust.” My roar shook the room. Jackson said, “Eric….” I glared at him then clenched my jaw “Go on, Ethan.” Ethan said, “She’s probably going to be unconscious for a week. That amount of iron. I’ve been researching fairies with all the rumors about our potential Luna. I wanted to be ready to treat her should she need it.” 

            Arion said, “Then you should’ve known as a partial fairy of the Royal line…. you’re thinking was wrong. She’ll wake up much sooner than a week.” Aiden nodded, “Arion’s and I’s presence will aid her recovery. Not to mention she’s a very talented healer herself.” Both couldn’t keep the smug look of their faces. Ethan said, “I don’t know how she fought with that amount of iron.” I looked over at Haley’s Hackura family. I nodded, “Them. Specifically King Titus.” I knew about Hackura bonds. King Titus looked at me then laughed, “I see you have spent your time learning about my daughter. You are right. I took as much of her pain as I could so she could stand and fight as she was trained to do.” Logan charged into the room. He ran to Haley. He kissed her forehead then turned, “Who did this?” I said, “They are dead.” Lucas asked in a strained voice, “How did they trick Emmaline?” Aiden sighed, “She’s been looking for news about you. She’s actually around you not infrequently.” Lucas growled, “I’ve never felt her near.” Prince Arion said, “Imagine that. If only she was a super powerful fairy…. who could prevent you from knowing she was near...oh wait...she can. If Haley had time…. she’d have done it as well. It’s basically the charm they use most often so they can see you a lot.” Dylan said, “Excuse me sir, but you are new here…. I’m the funny guy. It’s my title, and I WILL fight you for it, Prince Spark Hands.” Arion snorted. Aiden said, “The earth fairies forged a note in your handwriting that your meeting was in Alpha Allister’s territory.” His hands clenched. I asked, “How did Haley know that?” Aiden said, “The earth fairies called her from Emmaline’s phone. They wanted her to hear Emmaline scream as they kidnapped her. No one knows Haley. It’s not normal for us to pop into danger with no regard for ourselves.” 

            Arion rolled his eyes, “Leave it to one of you two.” Lucas growled, “So if they hadn’t called Haley….my mate would’ve kidnapped….is THAT what you are saying?” Aiden said, “Emmaline is powerful in her own right.” Evasive. Lucas growled, “Dylan said her father isn’t training her in combat without her powers. If she’d been hit with iron….” Prince Arion said, “If people would do what I say…. Iron couldn’t hurt Emmaline.” Aiden said, “Brother.” Prince Arion said, “NO! Don’t you brother me! If Marcious would just LISTEN!” Aiden said, “It could hurt Emmaline if you are wrong.” Prince Aiden rolled his eyes, “I’m not wrong. She can turn iron to water. If she’d been TRAINED, NONE of this would’ve happened!” Lucas growled, “IF YOU WOULD LET HER COME TO ME THIS WOULDN’T HAVE HAPPENED!” 

        Aiden said, “I am not keeping her from you.” Lucas got in his face, “Your people are keeping her from me. You know your sister talks to Eric. HE ASKED her why Emmaline hadn’t come to me. It’s because her father made her promise! SHE IS MINE!” Arion sighed, “Wolves.” Dylan filled the silence, “Are awesome? We know. It’s a blessing, and a curse. All the other supernatural’s want to be us. Even their goddess and god’s. How do I know that you ask? So glad you were curious. Obviously, with all the hood members that just invaded Alpha Hood Hoarders pack, we have a fairy coming to ours, and Alpha Fun Sucker has FINALLY pinned down my BPFF and she’s joining this pack. Jim boy Kruthers…. has a Hackura Duchess as his mate. I’d point him out to you, but...alas…. he ran off with his Hackura mate. They were already practically naked. I saw his butt…. I’ve been scandalized. My eyes…. Alpha Fun Sucker….MY EYES! They have been compromised by your pack member. I DEMAND restitution.”

        Prince Arion said, “The mouthy blonde is mated to someone in the pack?” The Hackura yelled, “HEY!” Dylan said, “THAT’S what you took from my whole speech? Lucas…. I need my partial fairies back. This prince doesn’t think I’m funny.” Prince Arion said, “Oh...I do think you’re funny.” Dylan smiled, “I take it all back Lucas…. I have royalty BFBFF. It stands for Best Full Blooded Fairy Friends.” King Titus said, “As fun as this is….do not disrespect my niece in my presence ever again.” Dylan whispered, “Did anyone else shiver….in a bad way?” I rolled my eyes. Arion shrugged but didn’t say anything else. Aiden said, “Arion lashes out when he’s worried.” Arion said, “I HAVE to lash out…. you and she ARE IMPOSSIBLE!” Dylan said, “She’s a BADASS though! I mean….no wonder she’s Alpha Fun Suckers Mate. POWER COUPLE ALERT! They need a couple name. Let’s combine them…. Halic…..Erley…. I’ll work on it...those are no good. Haley was slicing and dicing through fairies. Then she DOVE off a cliff to save Sophia…. who has also gotten much better at fighting. If the fairies hadn’t cheated, which is HIGHLY ironic giving how you all LOVE things to be fair…. Sophia wouldn’t have fallen off the cliff.” Aiden and Arion said, “WHAT?!” Aiden said, “I’m Sorry. Haley dove off a cliff without her powers? How the HELL did they not fall to the bottom?!” Sophia answered, “She grabbed my arm then dug the dagger she had into the cliff to hold us there. She told me to climb up her to the top.” 

        Arion said, “Come again? She DOVE off a cliff after you…. THEN told YOU to climb up her body BACK to safety. Is that what you are saying?” Sophia said, “Yes, I tried to grab her with my good arm.” Someone must’ve popped her arm back in place. It was in a sling. It would be healed by tomorrow. Sophia continued, “She slipped out of my reach. My brother was going to hold me by my feet so I could grab her. I wouldn’t have let her fall, but Alpha Eric…. reached over and pulled her to him.” Arion said, “CLIMB UP HER AIDEN! CLIMB UP HER!” Aiden said, “It’s who she is.” Arion glared at him. Aiden shrugged in response. Prince Arion finally asked him, “HOW CAN YOU BE SO CALM ABOUT THIS?! AND YOU!” He rounded on the Hackura, “THE GLOWING EYED RIDICULOUSLY OVERPROTECTIVE GROUP…. WHERE ARE YOU ALL AT?” Aiden sighed, “Brother…. you’re panicking.” Arion screamed, “I AM! JOIN ME, WON’T YOU?! She has NO regard for her own life. PURE OF HEART IS GOING TO BE PURE IN DEATH IF SHE DOESN’T CUT IT THE f**k OUT!” I growled. Arion turned, “Ahh…. HERE is where I should’ve turned first. Her wolf. He will agree with me.” Aiden spoke, “I am not happy about this either brother. Her glowing eyed family as you put it….is not either.” Arion said, “She can’t do this. She didn’t even CALL on us! I’m assuming since the glowing eyed part of her family are clear of blood…. she didn’t have her phone...now did she? She popped to our cousin with NOTHING but swords!” 

            Gunner snorted, “For the record, she did not have her damn phone. Does she ever have it when I need to track her in a panic? No. No, she does not.” Marcus said, “Our sister is deadly with a weapon and without.” Aiden said, “You know why she didn’t call on us, brother.” Arion said, “NOOOOO…. I know why a NORMAL fairy wouldn’t have called on us…. but her? She is NOT a normal fairy. She’s so far from a normal fairy you can’t even see it in the REARVIEW MIRROR!” Aiden went to his brother and spoke in Fealish and granted him calm. Aiden said, “We will return.” He popped out with Arion. My allies looked worriedly between the Hackura and me. I laid my card on the table for them, “I can’t give her up. Not now. I was willing to wait….” The Queen stepped forward and squeezed Titus’ hand. She smiled at me, “Of course not Eric. It is a pleasure to meet you. It would make Haley very unhappy to be parted from you now.” All of them looked like they’d eaten something sour. King Titus stepped forward and extended his hand to me. He said, “It is good to finally meet you. I know we have spoken by the phone. All my sons speak highly of you. I could not part with my princess for anything less than an amazing man.” I shook his hand. He leveled me with a glare, “You will treat her as the princess she is and continue to be that man. Or we will have a problem.” I nodded, “You have my word.” 

            King Titus turned, “Boys...take your mother home.” They grumbled. Titus held up his hands, “Go see your sister, then go home. I will speak her mate.” They all sighed. One by one they went over to Haley then walked through a portal. Bjourn stayed back. His mom smiled at him then walked through closing it. Bjourn sat down. I stood and faced my allies, “Thank you all…. for coming and making sure my Luna was taken care of. Go home. I’ll have Caleb keep you in the loop.” They all nodded. Dylan glared, “You just can’t let ANYONE have fun, can you?!” Lucas dragged him from the room as he complained I was keeping him from the action. King Titus said, “First of all, Call me Titus.” I said, “If you call me Eric.” Titus nodded. He cut to the chase, “I have no intention of keeping you two apart.” I relaxed. So did Jackson and Caleb. I wasn't surprised they’d stayed back. Titus looked at Haley then sighed, “You’ll want to spend time with her, I assume.” I said, “I will not be apart from her from this moment on.” Titus sighed, “You are at an advantage that you know each other so well, but you two will have your problems. You’ll want to get married right away, and she’s not going to understand.” I said, “I am aware.” Titus studied me. He leaned back smiling, “You think you can get her to marry you before you’ve been together for ten years.” I snorted, “I’ll convince her well before we’ve been together a decade.” Titus smiled, “You know as I do…. she’s stubborn.” I smiled, “I’m very good at getting my way.”

        Titus laughed, “You’re going to meet your match in her Eric Conners.” I said, “Oh...I don’t intend to fight fair as she will. I’m not asking her to marry me tomorrow. I know she’ll need time to adjust. She’s never been away from all of you, and I don’t intend to keep her from you. I know time words differently in your realm. I have no problem with her visiting as much as she wants. I’d prefer it if she went with me, but if it can’t be me at least someone from my pack. I want her guard here. Once it gets out, she’s with me…. They will think about coming for her.” Titus nodded, “I agree. I thought you might fight me there.” I shook my head, “Anything for her.” Titus said, “When she wakes up, you both will come to our realm the following night. We have a banquet/ceremony of sorts for my children finding their mates. As Bjourn’s children will.” I nodded, “I don’t have a problem with that. Jackson can handle things here.” Titus laughed, “One day…. you may understand Eric, but it’s hard to part with her.” I sighed, “As I said…. I have no intention of keeping you apart. I’m fully aware and prepared for more of you to show up quite frequently now that she’s here.” Bjourn smiled, “You do know us well, Eric.” Titus said, “Her fairy brother was not wrong. She leads with her heart.” I said, “I am aware.” Titus smiled, “It kills me sometimes. I wouldn’t change her for the world though. She won’t understand what she did, but I do. She sealed your alliance with Alpha Allister though…. more importantly she sealed it with the soon to be Alpha Sophia. She saved her life.” I nodded, “Most likely…. yes…. There are sharp rocks at the bottom of that cliff.”

            The fairies popped back in and we all waited for Haley to open her eyes. After a day and a half of Haley being unconscious, I was irate and irrational. Ethan told us she’d wake soon. Her wound on her leg had disappeared and there wasn’t even a scar. I growled at Aiden for the millionth time asking why she was attacked. He was exasperated at explaining the fairies didn’t intend to attack her. I knew that…. I just didn’t care. He explained the entire situation to me again. Jackson linked, “That answer hasn’t changed Eric.” I said, “I don’t care…. I want to strangle both of them.” Nick spoke saying if they had let Emmaline meet Lucas…. this wouldn’t have happened. It had been a sticking point between us all we’d been circling while Haley remained unconscious. They glared at the Hackura and said they were being hypocrites. Nick wasn’t a Hackura, and no wolf ever kept their mate from someone in this pack. If they did there was a damn good reason, and it involved abuse. Titus finally spoke. He admitted they knew Haley and I had been talking. I wasn’t too surprised. Actually, no one in the room looked surprised. Titus said he was waiting for Haley to say something. Arion and Aiden called him out on the fact that they all had known she wasn’t going to tell them. She was respecting their choices. Before they tried to kill Arion, I injected that she forgave them because of him. Arion explained what he’d done. I winced. Haley didn’t tell me he gave her a journal of Fabian’s. She just said he showed her the truth. I should’ve pressed her on what that meant. Her voice floated to my ears. 

        I linked Jackson, “Call Logan. Ask him to get her favorite pizza from Chicago here for us to have for dinner.” I linked Tabitha, “I need you to get the girls. Get the hillside set up for a romantic dinner for two.” It wasn’t my original plan, but I was adaptable. Thor linked, “She’s riding me up the mountain.” I replied, “Fine by me.” Tabitha linked me, “THAT’S how you tell me my future sister-in-law is awake? Men are the WORST at details. No matter how much I poke at you Conners boys…. the details…. just aren’t there. Maybe with our little fairy Hackura…. I can make strides. It will be set up for you both Eric. I’m so happy for you.” She was sniffling as Haley talked to her family. King Titus nodded to Bjourn who opened a portal and left. Probably to let her other brothers know she was awake. I linked Tabitha, “Are you crying?” She said, “It’s just…. we’ve all been waiting for this moment, and now you’re doing romantic s**t…. I’m just so happy she’s finally with us.” I smiled and noticed Haley had changed. My d**k strained at my zipper. f**k…. My mouth was watering. I quickly wiped the drool off my mouth. Jackson said, “I saw that.” I shot him a look. Her boobs were begging for my attention and her ass…. wanted to be squeezed. She had an amazing figure. She was toned and curvy like a fairy. She was tall too, but whether that was her fairy or Hackura genes...I didn’t know or care. 

            Titus inclined his head telling her I wanted to meet her. Understatement of the year. Yearned and longed to meet her, would be more accurate. I held my hand out of her and pulled her in for a hug when she took it. She commented that I smelled like the ocean. I smiled. She loved the ocean. I held her breathing in her scent. Forcing my hand not to travel down and grab her ass. A throat cleared behind us. I glared at Arion. He smirked at me. Haley’s first question was about Emmaline. Arion sighed. Aiden told her that Emmaline was fine. Haley was upset that Emmaline and Lucas didn’t meet. I glanced at Jackson, “Is Lucas ok?” Jackson said, “Dylan said he’s depressed. He blames you.” I said, “Of course he does.” Arion told her Miley was here moments before Jim linked me, “Dad said Haley woke up…. I told Miley and she’s…. about to come into the room.” Miley burst in second later with Jim right behind her. They were both marked. I looked at Haley’s neck where my mark would be one day. I could wait until she was eighteen. That was my plan anyway. Thor said, “Why don't you like me, Eric?” I said, “She could want to wait. We need to be prepared for that.” Thor sighed, “Fine.” Haley wriggled against me to get to Miley. I barely held in my groan. She’d inadvertently rubbed her ass on my d**k. Jackson linked me, “You gonna make it?” I said, “Maybe.” Jackson smirked, “Be glad your back is to her dad then.” I rolled my eyes, “He’s not like dads in this realm…. they have orgies…. Bjourn talks about them all the time.” Jackson said, “True. I wonder if I will get to come for this banquet.” I smiled, “We’ll have to see.” 

            Miley introduced her to Jim. Miley told BA met her mate. Aiden joked all four of her friends would be close by. I smirked. That was true. Titus let out a chuckle. He whispered, “You are not ready for them.” Arion finally smiled, “You’re right King Titus…. i think that’s the best news I’ve heard all day. The wolves aren’t ready for all four of them...together.” Haley guessed BA’s mate was Alpha Chase. I couldn’t stand not having her in my arms a moment longer. I whispered in her ear and the smell of her arousal nearly drove me mad. Her dad called his attention to her. Tabitha linked me, “Everything’s set up on the mountain. The girls and I did one HELL of a job if I do say so myself.” I linked back, “Thank you.” I linked Jackson, “Get everyone out of here.” Jackson nodded and they filed out as Haley popped away to her dad. She seemed surprised he was leaving. He told her she was ready for this. She’d been ready to strike out on her own even if she wasn’t here…. they just couldn’t let her, and I didn’t blame them. Hell, I hadn’t wanted her anywhere else if she wasn’t going to be here or there. He told her he expected her at Sunday dinners. He wanted to see her frequently. I would make that happen. They were close and I wouldn’t see that ruined because she was here. Titus left. Haley wrapped her arm around herself. She looked a little lost. I couldn’t stop myself from going to her. Of course her fairy brothers were still here.

            I gave them a look over the top of her head. Arion smiled. They made her promise to call on them if she was in trouble. After Arion yelled again about Sophia which merely bounced off Haley's composer…. he left when she said she loved him. His eyes had melted before he left though. He did truly love her. Aiden teased her and refused to leave until she promised him. My balls were going to explode. Thankfully she agreed and promised quickly. Aiden winked and told her I ripped all those fairies to pieces by myself. I blamed Dylan for that getting dropped as his parting line.