A Ribbon Strand: Raised Hackura

Never Letting Go Pt. 1

Eric is 30 years old

            Eric was running with his brothers and Beta to Alpha Chase’s territory. The fairies were doubling their efforts to get to Haley. The Hackura was on guard more now than they ever had been, but the Fae had learned. They were sticking to the shadows. I didn’t like it. One bit. We shifted once we reached the main house for Alpha Chase. Clothes were waiting. I looked back. We’d brought Nick and Jim with us. They took on some Beta responsibilities, we wanted them around the meetings. We walked in and found we were the last to arrive. Dylan smirked, “Tardy to the party Alpha Fun Sucker? This is a first. I had all my courage worked up to tell you my news when I walked through the door…. but alas, now it’s all vanished. I’ll have to muster it up again.” I growled, “What are you talking about?” Dylan said, “Lucas! We need Alpha Chase’s pack doctor here stat! Something is wrong with Alpha Fun Suckers hearing.” I growled, “THE ONLY things you have to tell me are about your partial fairies. Did they say something about Haley?” Dylan sighed, “I guess I’ll just have to reward you for being late. It’s a bad precedent to set, but I recognize that look on your face. You’re contemplating murder.” I was. I was beyond pissed off already. 

            We keep having Alpha’s pop up being spelled. I’d called a witch to ask if that’s what was wrong with my mother, but today she told me that my mother was not spelled. Which wasn’t much better. It meant she was just a b***h. We had no leads on who was doing this. Every coven we checked out in the area was clean. Not one of them wanted a war with us and offered to help us search for those responsible. We vetted them thoroughly before letting them help us. One coven had just sent us word that they’d visited Alpha Raven’s son. He’d been spelled. They were able to reverse it in time. I was so sick of this happening to my allies. They were working on protective spells…. but now I had to question every out of character action of my allies and pack. It was a giant headache. Alpha Kyle said, “Beta Dylan, what do you have?” Dylan sighed, “It’s not for you Alpha Kyle. Just for Alpha Fun Sucker.” I growled, “What did you hear about my mate now?” Dylan said, “It’s not much Eric….” My eyes narrowed. He only called me by my name when he had bad news. Everyone stiffened. I linked Lucas, “What is it?” Lucas said, “He wouldn’t tell me.” That didn’t make me feel any better.

            Dylan said, “The earth fairies are working to trick a partial.” I frowned, “That’s it?” Dylan sighed, “My partials seem to think their plan is in motion…. right now. That they’ve tricked the partial. They don’t know who it is, but…. logically…. they want your mate.” I growled and stepped outside. I called Haley’s fairy phone. She didn’t answer. Panic gripped me. I called Bjourn. He picked up, “Eric.” I said, “Where is Haley? We just got word a plan to trick a partial fairy is in motion.” Bjourn was silent, “She’s safe.” I said, “Do you KNOW that…. beyond a shadow of doubt Bjourn.” Bjourn said, “Yes. I just texted her guard. She’s with Heath Scott and Blade.” I bristled. Heath had kissed her. He was a good fighter, but he’d just been rejected by his human string. If he took advantage of Haley….it wouldn’t matter how good of a fighter, he was. Bjourn said, “Heath and Blade won’t let her get hurt.” I said, “I’m perfectly aware of how Heath Scott feels about my mate.” Bjourn laughed, “Who told you?” I said, “I have sources.” Logan. Logan was my source. Bjourn said, “It was one kiss.” I said, “I know that too. Do you know he was just rejected by his mate? He’s not in a good place.” Dylan whistles, “Oh boy howdy! Did my show just kick off with a bang or what?” Bjourn said, “He’s too smart to take advantage of my little sister. I can kill him quite easily.” I said, “Just keep an eye on her.” Bjourn said, “We always do.”

            I hung up. I needed to talk to her. I needed to hear her voice to settle. I turned back and went into the meeting. I was irritable. This was pointless. We had nothing. Not a single one of us. We took a break. Alpha Kyle came up and stood beside me outside. He said, “I won’t pretend to know what you are going through. Once I smelled Marissa at the border, she was mine. I do know as an Alpha when you feel your mate is in danger…. you can’t settle. Call her again.” I nodded to him. Jackson followed me into the house. Caleb followed with our computer. I said, “What are you doing?” he said, “If we had her location, you’d feel better.” I said, “She’s in the shroud, and we can’t track her phone. We’ve tried.” Caleb shrugged, “I’ll try again.” I called Haley. She picked up immediately this time. I couldn’t hide my relief. Alpha Kyle had been right. I needed to hear her sweet voice. Everything in me settled. She asked what I was doing. Honestly, nothing. I didn’t know why we were still here. She sounded concerned so I explained we were trying to solve the Alpha spelling issues. Her silence told me a lot. She’d been working on it too. I could practically hear the gears in her brain shifting. She was trying to decide whether or not to tell me what she had. 

            Jackson said, “She knows something.” I said, “She likes to have things put together completely before she shares them.” I couldn’t stop my smile when she told me her theory. I didn’t see where she got it though. Satan’s Coven wasn’t around here, or active in the area; however, I knew this was a big deal for her. She was very meticulous, and her theories were well thought out. Haley surprised us all when she said she thought they were like a franchise. Jackson said, “If that’s what they are doing that’s brilliant. The other covens are just as bad, but they aren’t on anyone’s radar to watch because they appear to be a normal coven.” I frowned. He was right. Haley said she thought they were like normal coven’s, but they took assignments. I knew they weren’t the ones that we’d vetted. We’d had them watched. If they’d taken an assignment…. we’d have known. Haley told me to check my email. I didn’t even know she had my email address. I put her on hold. Jackson said, “That would’ve been faster than the letters.” I shrugged, “I like the letters. I could smell her on the paper, and she took the time to write them.” Caleb said, “Uhhh…. Eric…. this is not just some theory. Her and her friends have amassed evidence…. it’s circumstantial but…. uhhh'' He pointed at the screen. I gaped. This was at least a year of work. I must have taken Haley off hold. Because we all read the part where Haley and her friends killed a warlock on his way to spell Darrin. We all growled. 

            Haley said Hi to Jackson. I smiled. She’d talked to all my brothers and their mates. If I ever had to run a patrol or do some work. I’d leave the phone with them with instructions to link if she called. I didn’t want to miss out on hearing her voice. They’d all grown to love her. This last year. Haley wanted to meet them, but there was no way in hell she wasn’t meeting me first. I told her it was only fair, and she’d agreed. I cleared my throat saying this was a lot of information. It was…. this was far better than what we had. How the HELL were they getting this stuff? Where did the idea even come from? I linked Caleb, “Is how they got this theory in there?” Caleb said, “I’m skimming, but it seems your mate got the idea. They were brainstorming covens who would do this. Emmaline took a list of bad covens from her oldest brother. They narrowed it down to three and watched them. They are good. Our Luna is quite the strategist. She thinks outside of the box, and so do the other three in the group.” I couldn’t deny that I was proud of her for this. Haley was worried because someone was trying to cut off the allies of Tennessee. Not just any allies. Mine. We had one of the larger alliances. Losing Alpha Theo wouldn’t have been great, but he might not have left our alliance alone. Not everyone would’ve agreed with Lucas’ actions. I would’ve and everyone knew that I would never stand against Lucas. What were they trying to prevent by breaking us apart?

            Jackson linked, “We need to meet with the group. We need to expand on their work.” I linked back, “I know.” Haley figured it out saying she knew I had to go. The disappointment in her voice killed me. I walked away telling her I wished she was here by my side. Honestly, if I didn’t know her like I did…. I might not have known how great she was at planning. It might have taken me a minute to realize her way of thinking wasn’t like most people’s. She’d read so many battle strategies, and she spent many hours with Sir Arthur. She’d talk about how she always asked him about history then researched what they’d talked about. She always had a unique take on things. It was very impressive, and I wasn't often impressed by others' strategies and plans. Haley told me she wished she was by my side. Soon…. after over a decade of waiting…. we were almost to her eighteenth birthday. She told me that she was going to make Bjourn bring her at midnight. I was going to be waiting. The house was going to be cleared. I’d planned a romantic birthday dinner for her. I’d even planned a firework show in her honor. She loved fireworks. Marcus took her to see a fourth of July firework show in this realm a few years ago. She’d loved it. Once she was here…. I’d never let her go. I’d expended all my patience waiting. 

            She teased me saying I’d have to catch her. I smiled. She should be careful being a naughty fairy. I loved the chase, and with her….it would get very primal and s****l…. very fast. When she said she was my naughty fairy my heart tugged. GOD! I wanted to see her. She was mine. I knew it…. she knew it….and I just wanted her damn it! We told each other we loved one another then we hung up. I held the phone to my chest. I closed my eyes, “What Caleb?” Caleb said, “I couldn't trace the call. I’m sorry Eric.” I sighed, “It’s fine.” Caleb said, “You’re so close now. She’s almost eighteen.” I nodded. Five months. Five more months until she was in my arms. I put it out of my brain and walked back in with him. Everyone sat down. Former Alpha Frank nodded to me. He’d found his second chance mate Nadine a few years ago. I knew he had a daughter, but he was deeply protective of her. She was three now, but no one had seen her. Alpha Chase sighed, “We are getting nowhere.” I said, “We just were given a lead.”

            Everyone sat forward. Caleb said, “I emailed all the Beta’s the intel we just got.” Alpha Kyle whistled. Beta McAlister said, “Where the hell did you get this? This is good, and nothing we would’ve checked.” I smiled, “My mate. You’ll notice she worked with Lucas’, Alpha Chase’s, and Jim Kruthers' mates on it.” Lucas and Alpha Chase puffed up. Lucas grabbed the computer from Dylan who was speed reading. Dylan snorted, “Look Alpha grabby hands…. her voice does come through the pages. I was reading that. You’re so rude about your fairy mate.” Lucas ignored him. Dylan turned to me, “You always gotta change our dynamic, don’t you? Lucas never ignores me unless you’re around dropping fairy bombs. Now he’s reading through your data as if it will produce my future Luna. For Shame Alpha Fun Sucker.” Alpha Chase said, “They are smart. Very smart.” Frank Daniels said, “They think outside the box that’s for sure. I’m inclined to agree with my one day future daughter in law and her friends.” Alpha Chase’s brother Cameron smirked. He was reading the data too. He sat back, “It’s impressive. None of us even thought of this. They vetted out two other possibilities and landed on Satan’s Coven. If we work with trusted witch contacts…. we might get a lead on which covens in our area are doing this. It’s…. solid impressive work.”

            Alpha Kyle sighed, “I’ve gotta get us a fairy and hood member, Ben.” Dylan gasped, “Did you just call him Ben?! I can’t be here anymore Lucas…. the energy has changed. You know I hate change.” Lucas said, “You love change.” Dylan said, “Not like this. Alpha Fun Sucker made you ignore me, and you yanked my laptop away…. I think I have burns on my hands Lucas….and now Beta McAlister has been first named. I CAN’T HANDLE THIS TYPE OF MADNESS!” I rolled my eyes then went stiff as a board. Dylan said, “Hold that thought….it just got interesting. What shaking Alpha Fun Sucker?” Jackson said, “Dylan….” Dylan held up his hands, “You’re right...he’s not shaking, he's stiff as all get out. Lucas…. get on that. You’ve ridden the Eric mountain before. My sources say he hasn’t tangoed since you two did it. Clearly, he’s pining for a ride on the Lucas train. You’re just that good. Those poor girls', who throw themselves at him, tears have turned into a river over his rejections. It’s causing mudslides, it’s a problem. Clearly the lack of stiffies in his dickie is breaking him. Don’t worry I’ll wait for you guys to finish…..I have reading to keep me company. I won’t even be mad this time because I don’t have hundreds of thousands of pages of paperwork to do.” Thor said, “Mate…. Eric, Mate is near.” I stood and ran out the door. 

            Dylan said, “HOLD THE FRONT DOOR! You make a joke and he…. RUNS AWAY? Where has this information been the last twenty plus years of my life?” Jackson linked me, “Eric?” I linked back, “Haley is somewhere….” I was still in human form. I inhaled deeply. Thor linked, “Alpha Allister’s territory! That’s where mate is.” I heard a scream that chilled my blood. I growled and shifted on the fly. Dylan said, “uhh…. was that his fairy princess scream? I AM COMING MY BPFF! None shall harm you! Dylan is here!” Jackson linked me again, “Eric?” I growled, “She’s hurt!” I linked Alpha Allister, “Get Sophia to check that out, please. I’m positive it’s my mate.” Alpha Allister said, “She’s already on the way. She heard it. She has Tyson, Eddie, and Alfred Jr. with her.” Alpha Chase linked me, “We are with you Eric!” All my allies were behind me. We heard someone else scream her name. Lucas snarled. I linked him, “It’s Emmaline. That’s what her voice sounds like.” Lucas howled in anger, “She’s the partial fairy they tricked? HOW THE f**k DID THEY DO THAT?!” I linked back, “I don’t know.” I heard Haley scream at Emmaline to leave. Followed by a pop and an agonizing scream. Thor and I were enraged. Someone was hurting her. I growled letting whoever the f**k was there that I was coming.” Harold linked me, “Since when can you run this fast?” I didn’t even look back. I was running on a mission to my mate. I could smell the blood. I could hear the sounds of fairy powers being used, but I knew Haley wasn’t using hers or they’d all be dead. 

            I heard her scream and curse. It was one of pain. Thor snarled, “I smell her blood, Eric. THEY CUT HER! SHE’S BLEEDING!” They were going to die. I saw red. Caleb linked me, “Eric…. she’s going to be fine. I heard wolves joining her. I cut a look back at Alpha Allister. They were half a mile behind me. Jackson was the closest to me. Jackson linked, “Alpha Allister told me Sophia is there now…. Haley’s taken on fifty fairies. Twenty-five are already dead. She’s been stabbed in thigh, and she had to have been hit with iron.” Even though I knew that. Hearing it confirmed I let loose the most menacing roar. My allies paused. Alpha Chase howled. I would figure out what that was about later. I raced over the hill to see Haley. Everything seemed like it went into slow motion. She was far more gorgeous in person than her pictures and that was quite a feat. She was bleeding from her thigh. She was covered head to toe in blood, but most did not appear to be her own. I watched her cut through two more fairies in fascination. Bjourn was not wrong. She was an impeccable fighter. I linked Alpha Allister, “They are driving them to the cliff!” he howled in warning. My allies had just broken over the ridge well behind me. I was close, but I wasn’t going to make it. Sophia was losing her balance. I was only able to watch in horror as Sophia fell, and Haley dove off after her. NO! Time stopped for me.

            The fairies were startled by Haley’s actions. Of course they wouldn’t understand she was selfless. They couldn’t understand her. They didn’t f*****g know her! She had to make it. I couldn’t lose her. SHE WAS MINE!” My vision tinged with red. I ripped the first fairy I encountered head clean off, but I was done. I didn’t stop until he was completely ripped apart. I heard Haley scream at Sophia to shift back. I could hear them talking, and these fairies were in my way. There were fifteen left. They stupidly didn’t pop out of my war path. I tore them to pieces. They seemed to be frozen in horror and confusion as I tore their bodies to literal shreds. I flung body parts left and right. Sophia climbed up the cliff naked. Tyson shifted back and was running to his sister with clothes. She was leaning back over, “Take my hand!” She shouted at the same time Haley started yelling at the earth. Sophia whispered, “I can’t reach her! Her blade is slipped! Tyson! Help! Quick! Hold my feet!” I shifted back and leaned halfway over the cliff grabbing Haley’s hand. I yanked her back. My mate! MINE! MINE! MINE! I crushed her to me. Inhaling her scent. Trying to calm down. The sound of her heartbeat was the only thing keeping me tethered to sanity. I heard a distorted voice scream, “HALES!” Followed by several hood members arriving. Portals opened. I heard two “Mine’s!” I couldn’t look away. Her green eyes looked up into mine. Pure wonder crossed her face. She was mine, my mate, my Angel. In my arms. After all this time. She was getting pale. She whispered my name then said she was sorry. I frowned. Why was she sorry? Did she think she would leave now? She wasn’t leaving my side. I’d fight her family. We’d met…. she was mine.

            I realized in a split second why she was sorry. Her knees buckled and her eyes rolled into the back of her head. I caught her as she fell. Heath Scott ran forward towards us. I growled at him. Jackson said, “It’s unwise to rush to an Alpha’s mate when she’s injured.” Dylan said, “UNWISE?! UNWISE? JACKSON?! Did you just say unwise?!” Jackson said, “I did. It’s true.” Dylan said, “Alpha’s sure…. we are talking about Alpha Fun Sucker…. He just RIPPED fairies to pieces….by himself! I’m all hopped on adrenaline with nothing to defend or kill because he went full raging monster alpha wolf…. like…. he killed them all in under five minutes after running AT THE SPEED OF LIGHT! I’m personally impressed that the Haley yelling man isn’t dead yet.” Heath frowned, “I’m Heath Scott. I’m a friend of Haley’s.” I growled at him. Dylan snorted, “Friend? Oh boy…. you need to hood speed out of here...we’ve heard ALL about you and your kissy face, Heath Scott.”

             I turned to see Jim had Miley in his hands. Alpha Chase had BA in his arms. What was stunning was Matt. He was smelling some girl. I raised an eyebrow. The girl asked, “Can I help you?” Matt said, “No... yes…. you...no... maybe.” She asked, “Why are you smelling me?” He said, “You smell…. I think you were near…. never mind. I’m sorry.” He had just stepped back when a man sped into the clearing.  “Heath! Is Haley….” Heath said, “I told you to stay back Ted!” Ted said, “Well…. yes...I was worried and then I smelled Apple Pie. You know I can’t resist Apple Pie.” Beta Matt growled, “MINE!” He pushed the girl that he’d started to smell again away from him. He ran to Ted. Ted whispered, “It’s...really you….” There were a few gasps of shock. Caleb glanced at me. He linked, “You’re not surprised.” I said, “I’ve hooked up with Matt…. I knew he was gay.” Alpha Chase said, “uhh…. what?” Matt started making out with Ted. Alpha Kyle said, “You know…. that actually makes a lot of sense.” Alpha Chase asked, “Am I the ONLY one who didn’t know he was gay? How the hell didn’t I know that? He’s one of my best friends!” His Gamma, Derrick, tensed. He said, “I didn’t know. Does anyone smell that?” Dylan said, “Shut up! ALL THREE OF THEM?! This is blessed territory. Alpha Alister and soon to be Alpha Sophia…. I humbly request a time to bring our unmated pack members to this hallowed mate finding ground.”  Another girl ran in as soon as he’d finished talking, “Ted didn’t come back...is Haley…” She gasped as she looked at Derrick, “It’s you!” Derrick ran to her, “MINE!” 

            Dylan said, “THIS IS NOT FAIR! MY LUNA IS NOT HERE AND ALPHA CHASE IS HOGGING ALL THE HOOD PEOPLE! Beta Matt…. you’ve got some splainin to do! Never once…. have you EVER hit me on me! I’m offended and cut to my very core. I’m the whole package! Also, I need someone to tell me why Alpha Fun Sucker doesn't look surprised….” Matt broke away from Ted with a smirk on his face. Dylan said, “OH HELL NO! Don't say it Beta Matt…. don’t you say that you're ignored my masculine form and went after Alpha Fun Sucker.” I winked at Dylan who groaned. Heath said, “Sally….” The girl didn’t answer him because she was making out with Derrick. I spoke, “Jackson, get a car. We need to get back to our territory. Haley needs help.” A voice cleared behind me. I turned to see King Titus. I locked my jaw. He said, “We can open a portal home.” I growled and held Haley tighter to me. Jackson tensed. Everyone did. Alpha Kyle sighed, “Let’s not go to war here, gentlemen. Something tells me there’s a beautiful future Luna who just so happens to be a princess who would be VERY upset about that. That’s what we all care about right now. Her health.” Bjourn said, “We can open a portal to your land Eric. She needs treatment.” I heard two pops. I growled ferociously. 

            Prince Arion said, “SHUT UP WOLF! WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED TO HER?!” Dylan said, “Uhh Prince Arion...Alpha Fun Sucker is not in the head space to be told to shut up…. well, he’s never in that head space if we are being honest. At this exact moment he just ripped through a group of fairies all by his lonesome, because he’s a greedy bastard, to get to your sister. He’s been reduced to growls…. just…. get us to his territory. Please?” Lucas growled, “Where is my mate King Aiden?” Aiden said, “In Faerie being treated for being hit with iron. She’s conscious and told us our sister needed our help. She is fine.” Lucas had warring emotions on his face. Alpha Chase said, “Alpha Eric….” I said, “You do not need to come with us, Alpha Chase. I’ll have my Beta send yours a memo when you all come up for air. For anyone here…. just know if you oppose Beta Matt…. you stand against me and my family.”