A Ribbon Strand: Raised Hackura

Becoming the Alpha Pt. 3

        I quickly opened it. Inside were two pictures of the most beautiful little girl with auburn hair. She was in a pink dress and smiling brightly. I knew exactly who she was. This was my mate. This was Haley. A piercing sense of protectiveness gripped me. I said, “She’s a beautiful little girl.” Logan said, “Yeah…. she’s the sweetest. She’s a daddy’s little girl. She gets away with anything and everything. She loves pranks. Her and I pull them on our brothers all the time. Once you stop focusing on her in the picture you will see Harper and his boyfriend with pink hair. Haley turned their hair pink for her party. It was just Harper at first, but then Gunner made fun of him, so she turned his hair pink too. That’s Haley for you. I have this for you too.” He held out a dictionary of Latin and a dictionary of Fealish. I said, “How did you get the Fealish one?” Logan smiled, “We’ve all been learning Fealish. Bjourn bartered with a fairy for a copy of one when we found out Queen Alania was pregnant with Haley. It would benefit you to learn these. Haley is fluent in English, Latin, and Fealish.” I glanced up, “At five? She can fluently speak three languages?” Logan nodded. I reiterated, “At five years old?” Logan said, “Apparently she shares that fairy talent for languages with her oldest fairy brother. She recently learned that and has started learning other languages. These are the three she will speak most often though. I thought you’d like to get a jump on learning them.” 

            I smiled, “That was very kind of you Logan.” He said, “I get your side now. I think my older brothers forgot what it was like when they first met their mates. My mate is not a Hackura, so it would’ve taken me a while to find her with fairies. I put myself in your shoes.” I said, “So unlike your brothers you’re going to outright state your sister is my mate.” Logan said, “Adults are silly. You know she’s your mate.” Thor and I were bursting with happiness. I said, “I do. It’s never been officially confirmed.” Logan said, “Like I said…. adults are weird. I’ll try to get you pictures of her every couple of years. I had Haley conjure me a special treehouse only she and I can get in. She’ll like that area over there.” He pointed over to the east. He said, “She’ll definitely make a treehouse there. Be sure to remember to be specific with her. She can make her treehouses so no one can see them, but she can include people in them so they can see them whenever she makes them. My little sister loves her loopholes. One day, when she finds out about you…. What you are to her…. I’m sure she’ll find one.” I said, “I got the impression I wouldn't’ meet her until she was eighteen.” Logan said, “I think that’s the plan. My little sister is a mischievous and curious little fairy. She’ll eventually stumble onto something about this. Just be ready. Could be you won't meet her until she’s eighteen, but she might find a way for something else. We will just see. Knowing her…. I’d bet on the latter. I have to go.” He opened a portal and stepped back into his realm. 

            Without turning I said, “Hello Caleb.” Caleb said, “Your sense of smell is crazy good. I was downwind.” I smirked. He said, “So that was Prince Logan? I said, “Yes it was.” I looked at the pictures he’d given me. Caleb came up beside me, “She’s going to be very pretty. We’ll have to beat people off her with a stick.” I snorted, “She will be mine. They’d be stupid to try anything with her. If they did…. I’d more than beat them with a stick.” Caleb said, “He confirmed what we knew. She’s really is yours.” I smiled, “I know.” Caleb said, “Dylan’s rumor is Emmaline is the one who has the power to sense mates. She must have told him about his.” I said, “She must have. I think she’s Lucas’ mate.” Caleb said, “Why?” I shrugged, “Just a feeling. Lucas would match someone who was a bit more emotional. Tucker would match better with what we know of the oldest of the partials. Maribella.” Caleb said, “Solid logic as any.” I said, “It’s also wishful thinking. Haley is closest with Emmaline. Lucas’ pack is closer to us than Tucker.” Caleb said, “They’d just pop to each other.” I said, “I am aware. It would be easier to have warriors get to Lucas than Tucker.” Caleb said, “That’s true too. On the plus side, Logan did say he’d get you pictures. That’s something.” I smiled, “It is. Her other brothers seem to think I’ll be getting a thank you card from her soon. Caleb said, “That’s actually why I tracked you down. Marshall and I were printing everything off for tomorrow. A letter just appeared on your desk. A very pink and sparkly letter.” I smiled. I handed Caleb the pictures of Haley, and the language dictionaries. 

            Without another word I shifted and took off for the main house. Jackson joined me halfway. He linked me, “Where’s the fire?” I said, “In my office. Why are you back already?” Jackson snorted, “You said you were fine. You were lying.” I said, “Now I am fine. Prince Logan showed up. He gave me pictures.” Jackson startled off his stride for a second then recovered. Jackson linked back, “You have pictures of the princess? Your Princess?” I linked back, “Yes, Logan also confirmed she is my mate.” Jackson said, “Well damn. I go MIA for a few hours and miss a whole hell of a lot.” Caleb linked me, “This takes longer to walk back when not shifting.” I linked back, “I really appreciate it. I didn’t want to lose her pictures.” Caleb said, “Oh, I know why you gave them to me Eric. I’m glad you have these.” I shifted at the house and ran to grab some shorts. I barreled into the house with Jackson on my heels. My dad, Darrin, and Harold glanced up startled, but I had no time to explain. This was the first contact I’d had from my realities Haley. I ran into my office and found a smiling Marshall. He pointed to my desk. I picked up the note. It smelled of honey and vanilla. I inhaled deeply, smiling. Caleb was not wrong. The letter was covered in glitter and it somehow sparkled. I opened my very first letter from my mate.

Hi Eric!

I am SO mad at my brothers right now. They’ve had you as a friend this WHOLE time and they didn’t tell me. I’m reading a book series and the main character is a werewolf named Eric. Then they come in with a present saying it’s from their friend who is a werewolf named Eric. They also said you just became an Alpha tonight. Congratulations on that by the way. Bjourn said it was impressive, and Bjourn does not often say things are impressive. So you must be the bestest Alpha around if Bjourn says so.

 Back to being mad at them. HOW could they not tell me about this? It’s my favorite book series! They said your wolf is black and big JUST like the main character in my book. I wish I could see your wolf. I actually conjured myself a black stuffed animal wolf. I call him Eric sometimes Thor. I don’t know why I do that; it just suits him. Fairies love Norse gods. Thor is the bestest one though! Aiden laughed when I said that, but I’m right. He can do things I can do! How cool is that?

I LOVE my necklace. I love hearts and pink! It’s very sparkly. It shines when the light hits it. I am never taking it off! The box smelled like the ocean. That’s my favoritest place in the whole wide world. I love the smell of the ocean. So you win on the present front. I suppose I can forgive you for missing my actual birthday ;) Marcus said if you wanted to write back to me, he’d bring your letter to me. I’m not allowed to leave our realm yet, but we could be exchanging letter friends! Miley says it’s called a pen pal, but that makes no sense. I don’t want to be friends with a pen. I want to be your friend.

Can you tell me if it’s true that you guys aren’t friends with vampires? In my books they don’t get along, and that makes me sad. My Uncle Arthur is a vampire and he’s the best! He’s written books about a detective. His detective is a very good crime solver. I also love my cousin Robert! He’s Uncle Arthur's vampire child. Not like my other cousins which are his and my Aunt Fae’s kids. They are SUPER cool! You’d like them! I think you should give vampires a try. They are nice. I mean I guess this advice is only If you aren’t friends with any. I think there is always good everywhere if you just look for it. 

Anyway, I hope you write back. I have SO MANY questions about werewolves. Marcus said I should wait for your response to see if you want to write back to me. He said you’re going to be very busy. You made changes to your pack and you just took over. Drake said you’d write back though. He made fun of Marcus for saying you’d be too busy. He seemed very certain we’d be letter exchange buddies. Thank you again for the necklace. I’m going to wear it forever and ever that way I’ll always sparkle when the sunlight catches it!

Sincerely

Princes Haley Cambridge

P.S. My brothers stopped reading, so I added more. Does silver really hurt you? Are you super fast? Can you just shift really fast? Like one second you are human the next you’re a giant black wolf? Do you really howl at the moon? Can you shift all the time or just on full moons? Do you have to shift on the full moon? Those are just some of my questions. I hope we can be letter exchange friends! I really do like your name! Please please be my letter exchange friend! I’m fun! I promise! Everyone says so!

I re-read the letter several times. Jackson said, “Your face is going to split in two if you keep smiling like that big brother.” I said, “She wants to be letter exchange friends.” Caleb walked in, “You mean pen pals?” I snorted, “No she said she doesn’t want to be friends with the pen. She wants to be friends with me.” I felt entirely too proud about that. Jackson said, “You seem very pea cocky about that fact Eric.” I smiled, “I am. She has lots of questions about us. She loves the necklace.” My dad snorted from the corner. He’d entered with my younger brothers. My dad said, “I’m glad she liked your gift since you spent MONTHS agonizing over which one to pick. Caleb, Jackson, how many times did he change his mind about which pink sparkly necklace was perfect for the princess?” Caleb simply shrugged. Jackson said, “At least twenty.” 

            I said, “Yes, well it was worth it. She liked it.” Jackson asked, “Can I read it?” I went and made a copy of the letter and handed him the copy. He snorted, “I can't even read the original?” I said, “It smells like her. Your scent would change that.” Jackson sighed, “If I didn’t know who my mate was, I would mess with you so much right now.” Harold said, “I don’t have my mate right now. You are so whipped Eric! And it’s by a five-year-old!” I growled. My dad said, “Just remember Harold, payback is a bitch.” Harold shrugged. Darrin said, “I think it’s nice. This way they can talk. It has to be driving Eric and Thor crazy.” I said, “It is. This will help. Thor is excited.” Thor said, “I’m beyond excited. We get to talk to mate. That smell…. I know she’s our mate Eric. We need to protect her. She’s so young, and innocent. The fairies want her.” He growled, “They can’t have her.” I answered him, “We won’t let them have her. Neither will her family.” Thor was appeased by my response. My dad said, “She does seem to be a sweet, curious little thing. To already have written a thank you note for a gift she just got. That’s not exactly fairy like.” I snorted, “Be sure to tell mom that.” My mom was doing better, but sometimes she still made biting comments. I was actually the reason mom and dad were traveling for the next two week. I didn’t want to hear her going on about being the Luna until Haley was here. Haley was five and my mom acted like it was some huge imposition when we all knew she loved every second of being the Luna. My dad winced, “I’ll tell your mother.” I sighed, “She’s doing better. I know she’s making an effort.” My dad said, “One step at a time. She just wants you to be happy, son.” I said, “I am happy. Much happier than I was earlier.”

            My dad nodded. No one said anything for several moments. Darrin asked, “What’s in the envelope Caleb?” Caleb smiled, “Pictures of Haley. Prince Logan came and slipped them to Eric before opening a portal to get home.” Everyone jumped up. I said, “If you get smudges or fingerprints on my pictures, I will make you regret it.” They all carefully looked at the photographs. My dad said, “She’s a pretty little thing. You’ll have to watch that son. Many will want her. Especially fairies.” I growled, “She’s mine!” My dad held up his hands, “I know that.” Everyone filtered out of my office. I sat down at my desk. I said, “Caleb, we need a new desk in here. We need more of a table. There will one day be four Alpha’s in here.” Caleb nodded, “It will probably have to be custom.” I said, “We have the money. Order what we need.” He nodded and took out his phone.

         I took out a pen. Marshall said, “You’re writing her back already?” I smiled, “Yes, the Cambridge brother’s come in and out. I want to have one ready to hand to them when we see them next. Sometimes it’s months before one pops back up. I don’t want her to think I don’t want to write to her.” Marshall nodded. Caleb asked, “Did you give them the information on the fairy faction that wants to try to take her?” I nodded, “Yes, they are aware. They are going to let me know if there’s anything we can do to protect her when she starts leaving their realm. I will protect her with everything I have.” They both nodded. I smiled as I started to answer Haley’s questions. I would protect her. At least her brothers had gotten me this avenue to converse with her in a way. I would take it and treasure all her notes. I was very happy about the fact that she had a wolf she called Eric. Thor added, “She said Thor too.” I said, “Yes, Thor too.” I smiled and grabbed my new official card stalk as the Alpha and began to write her my very first note.