A Ribbon Strand: Raised Hackura

Not Our Reality Pt. 2

        Dylan’s eyes went wide, “I’m going to NEED someone to turn soon to be Alpha Sophia into a snake.” We all gaped at him. He said, “WHAT? Just for a minute. That is an AMAZING nickname. Beta Matt don’t think because I’m excited about the fact that other reality me’s are JUST as amazing as I am means I’m not still mad at you. You Judas. Until further notice…. you are dead to me. It is decreed.” The other Eric asked, “Have Oscar and Jenna met yet?” Aiden frowned, “Why? Who’s Jenna?” Beta Matt frowned, “Who’s Oscar?” Aiden said, “My cousin.” The other Eric smiled, “Jenna’s mate is Oscar. In our reality anyway…. I’m guessing Shana and Jessica aren’t in this reality?” I asked, “Who are they?” He answered, “Harold and Darrin’s mates.” Amber and Tabitha growled loudly. I linked Darrin and Harold, “You should probably do something…. about that.” They both groaned. Her Eric smirked, “I guess that’s a no here. Watch our mom. She’s…. causing shitloads of problems for us in our reality.” I snorted, “She’s been causing problems for seventeen years. She and Haley had a challenge. Haley won. Easily.” Her Eric snorted, “We might have to do that. I’m not sure if I can forgive my mom anyway. Might as well add fighting my mate.” I snorted, “You and me both.” 

            The girls popped down to us. My Haley was confused. His was in a state about getting to Reagan. Beta Matt and Alpha Chase stiffened. His Haley asked if Cameron was with Reagan. I looked at Beta Matt’s face. I was not getting a good feeling. Alpha Chase looked pained as he said Cameron was ten minutes behind her. The other me demanded we be popped to Reagan immediately. I grabbed my Haley knowing she had a tendency to just pop away. My brothers grabbed onto me. Alpha Chase and Beta Matt lunged to grab Darrin’s shoulder. Emmaline gathered her group and Haley popped us away. The first thing I saw was Reagan was fighting, but she was impaired. That much was clear. Alpha Chase snarled as my Haley declared Reagan had been drugged. She called the wind and flung people away from Reagan. We shifted and began to fight. What the HELL was going on here? Jackson linked me, “This is a doctor’s office? What the hell is happening?” I linked, “No f*****g idea.” Cameron burst into the room and immediately went to his mate, protecting her. The second Reagan saw him she relaxed. Her eyes closed and she passed out cold. Cameron let loose an impressive roar. 

            My Haley popped beside her. I could feel her anger and annoyance with herself. She healed her quickly. We’d already taken everyone else out. The other Haley took most of their air. I looked around. I linked Jackson, “Did she turn people into trees?” Jackson linked back, “Harold said she did.” I gaped, “SHE CAN DO THAT?!” We shifted back. My Haley was swaying on her feet. Her fairy brothers instantly got her food. I cursed. She probably hadn’t eaten today. I needed to do better at making sure she ate. Marcus nudged me, “You wondered about the trees, right?” I nodded. He said, “Apparently that’s one of the triplets she’s carrying powers.” Oh good. Powers from the womb. Her Eric mouthed, “You have NO IDEA. She can use the babies’ powers wherever she’s pregnant.” He contemplated then added, “The shield is handy.” THE SHIELD?! That was a rare fairy power not even Aiden possessed. Jackson linked, “We are so fucked.” I linked back, “It does look that way, yes.” Arion was asking Goddess Azoney why she trusted him so much. Who the f**k was that? My Haley told me that was the fairy goddess’s name. Should’ve guessed that. Dylan of course found paper and took notes. We didn’t have that information.

            The other Haley apologized to Reagan who was awake now. She’d forgotten when she came that a coven placed magic on Reagan so she couldn’t get pregnant. I looked at Jackson, “So…. they could simply place magic on them, but wanted your mates to cause irreparable damage?” Jackson growled, “To weaken us. Plus someone might have mentioned the magic on them. Someone looking to get on our good side. The way they were going to do it….no magic to be uncovered.” Reagan brushed off her concern about not telling us. She was grateful. Hell we were all f*****g grateful for what she’d told us when they’d first visited. Because of her we were here to help Reagan and Cameron. We’d have gotten here. I just didn’t know how hurt Cameron would’ve been by the time we made it. He’d have arrived at this mess alone. Her Eric pointed out she just woke up in random realities with no warning. I bristled. Jackson linked, “You knew that would happen.” I linked back, “I didn’t know she could wake up in some f*****g reality where they r**e and beat her.” Jackson winced, “She won’t let that happen. She’s a fierce fighter.” I said, “She’d appear while she was sleeping.” Jackson’s face went into a grim line. They could beat her to wake her up. They could hurt her. Fury filled me at the thought. 

            We all glanced at the other me when he called Cameron and Alpha. He explained that the Daniels had done what we had. Combined their packs keeping the brothers together. Both seemed quite happy about that. Darrin linked me, “I knew we’d be trendsetters.” The other me even mentioned Peter Kyle and his siblings were thinking of doing the same. Jackson said, “That has to piss their ring collective off. They’d be far stronger for it. Especially our alliance.” I nodded. That was true. Both their eyes started to close. He reached for his Haley as Arion told her how grateful we all were. They disappeared right before our eyes. Jackson linked me, “That was...surreal. It’s so strange you’ll get to do that Eric.” I nodded. Yes, it was. I went over to Haley and grabbed her holding her tight. I couldn’t even express how grateful I was for how she was raised. She left my arms to hug her brother. Arion for his part was surprisingly ok finding out the other him was dead. He was going to do what he could to change his other selves’ path’s, but he was satisfied with his own. He loved Haley. No one could make him harm Haley here. Thank the moon goddess for that. I’d have killed him myself if it were possible.

            Haley asked him if he’d like to meet his mate. Aiden grinned broadly. Arion did as well. It seemed their Haley told them who his mate was, and Emmaline had confirmed it. I nodded to Blade. He was going with them. Arion rolled his eyes at me. I knew he thought he was enough protection for her. I didn’t care. After what we just learned I needed her watched carefully in our reality. They popped away. Aiden said, “He will not hurt her, Eric. You cannot believe that he would. They have bonded. He is selfless with her and me.” I frowned, “I know that. I need her protected. I know she’s safe with Arion. After everything we just learned tell me you don’t want Blade with her at all times.” Aiden sighed, “You are right…. I cannot believe that happened to her….in our home. Under our noses. I know what the other Eric said, but Arion and I couldn't have known the extent to which she was suffering.” Jackson agreed with him, “The other her said you didn’t.” Bjourn sighed then added, “Her Eric also said she downplays what happened to her.” Aiden frowned, “You do not understand.” Bjourn was pissed in a split second, “Oh...I do understand.” Aiden whirled and got in his face, “NO! You don’t. For her to downplay such things…. for her sorrow to not call out to us or even you with your bond…. don’t stand here and tell me if you felt such consistent pain from her in your bond you wouldn’t have come for her.” Bjourn clenched his jaw as did Marcus. 

            Marcus said, “We wouldn’t have. We would have come for her.” Aiden hissed “I know that! Which means it had to have been suppressed. But for Haley herself to downplay what happened…. She believes what she’s saying. She cannot lie. She believes her pain was nothing. To take the pain from the soul searcher….it could’ve driven her mad. Spiraled her into a depression. No other fairy on record has been able to handle that. That she could….is unsettling. It means she has the ability to lock pieces of herself away. To become numb. Someone had to stop her from killing the she wolf that was married to Alpha Chase. I can tell you it wouldn’t have been me. I’d have let her kill the she wolf so her feelings would cause her less pain. I’m guessing….one of you calmed her down if her wolf could not leave the room. The pain…. she had to endure….to even calm herself down once Lexi knew and felt devastated by Alpha Chase’s marriage…” Alpha Chase interrupted, “I am NOT married.” Aiden waved his hands, “The other you. It would’ve been magnified for that Haley. To a degree not even I myself could control. The need to kill…. would’ve been overwhelming. The pain...should’ve brought her to her knees. Begging for people to make it stop. I worry even what that Eric told us…. does not scratch the surface of what that version of my sister suffered to possess the abilities as a fairy to do any of those things. We are not meant to lock away our emotions as she does.”

            I frowned “That’s true. Our Haley’s emotions are on her face. She might not say anything at the time, but what she feels is all over her face.” Marcus frowned, “That’s true...but that Haley’s…. she cried when she saw Arion but….” Bjourn said, “Ours would’ve shown intense sorrow. With the other one... the only clue she was upset were her tears. Son of a b***h!” Alpha Chase said, “I want to get Reagan checked out by our pack doctor. We will just get home ourselves. We are in our territory.” I frowned, “She’ll be fine. Haley healed her.” Cameron said, “I want her to get a thorough check up. I don’t doubt your mate…” He trailed off. I understood. If it was Haley...I’d want the same. I nodded, “I understand Cameron.” Aiden laughed, “You’ll need to get out of here and be alone. I’d imagine my little sister gave your mate some juice….” I snorted, “You mean you think Haley sent Reagan into heat?” Aiden smiled, “I don’t think she did. I know she did.” Cameron picked Reagan up and ran from the room. Aiden yelled after them, “You have twenty minutes and counting.” I snorted, “At least they know.” 

            Lucas was comforting Emmaline. He said, “Baby girl….” She wiped her tears, “You don’t understand the pain that Haley would’ve been in taking the burden from me as the soul searcher to not tell. She wouldn’t even have had to do it if they knew we were the promised family. It’s not fair what she suffered.” Aiden sighed, “Let’s go back and see our Haley, Emmaline. It will help ease your sorrow. Our Haley is fine. That will not happen to her.” Emmaline nodded and we popped back to my house. Haley asked if we got lost. Aiden teased her. He quickly turned serious when she said they needed to keep their mother away from Arion. Yes, they did. Haley calmed him down before he left to go meet Megan. Haley threw in that she was a witch. Aiden seemed delighted about that. He said we were stealing his partial fairies. I snorted. I wondered when Oscar would pop in to meet Jenna. That would be something. As soon as Aiden was gone, I had Haley in my arms. I inhaled her scent. I need to settle after everything we’d heard, and Aiden had told us. She asked if I needed to question the Alpha’s of the pack’s they’d gathered. I wanted to growl. I did. Jackson linked me, “We should at least start asking questions.” I closed my eyes. I looked at my watch. One hour. They could have one hour of my time. Haley asked if Reagan was ok. I smiled. She was always thinking of others. I kissed her and told her Reagan was perfectly fine. 

            I walked out with my brothers behind me. The second we were outside Harold said, “These fuckers are dead.” I said, “I know that.” Darrin said, “Can we make it snappy? Amber is IRATE about me being mated to someone else in a different reality. I’m with Alpha Chase…. this is not fair. Other reality me’s are f*****g my s**t up, and I’m not ok with it.” I snorted, “At least Amber wasn’t beaten, r***d and tortured so much she’s nearly a foot shorter than she should be. At least she doesn’t think her pain means nothing. I do not envy that me.” I paused. Jackson put his hand on my shoulder. Marcus said, “I understand how you feel.” I looked over, “I know you do. It kills me that there are other hers out there…. suffering that way…. we don’t even know how long she was a vampire snack. Did she suffer until you came for her on her sixteenth birthday? How many times was nearly drained? How many times did she almost die? King Damon wouldn’t allow her to be r***d. She’s so strong willed though…. how many years did he have her trying to break her down?” Bjourn said, “He will be gone tomorrow. I want him out of here. Arthur is going to take power. I called his vampire child. She’s going to get him out of this area. His fangs will not touch my sister's skin. HE will not touch my sister.” I nodded. I took a deep breath and walked into my dungeons.

            We lost Bjourn and Marcus. I was sure they were going to check the perimeter and maybe hit the gym. I found all of the Alpha’s in separate cells. I growled, “You have been helping spell Alpha’s, and you were going to take my brother's mates.” Green Timber Alpha said, “You cannot believe that.” I smiled. I linked Judy, “Do our warriors have proof yet of what these Alpha’s were doing?” Judy linked back, “Yes, we have all the evidence from all the packs. Very bad Alpha’s.” I spoke out loud, “Really? My warriors have evidence from ALL of your packs.” That shut them up.  Silver Wings Alpha said, “You cannot be surprised. You guys have too much power. The rest of us want a chance. You went against how we do things keeping your packs together. We just wanted you to separate.” Harold growled, “You wanted to mutilate our mates! THEY HAVE DONE NOTHING TO YOU! THEY ARE INNOCENT!” Silver Wings Alpha responded, “They are mated to you. That’s their price.” Jackson snarled, “They will pay no price.” I stepped forward, “Before I let my brothers have at you. What do you know about the ring wanting Princess Haley Cambridge?” All looked at each other. Then shrugged. I snorted, “You claim to know nothing?”

            Green Timbers said, “I don’t give a s**t about the fairy princess.” I titled my head, “How interesting you’d call her that.” Green Timbers said, “That’s what the coven we work with calls her.” I sat down, “Jackson, Harold, Darrin. Do as you wish.” I’d decided to let them handle this since the goal had been their mates and not mine. I linked Caleb, “Do we have warriors at all the packs involved in this?” Caleb linked back, “Yes, none of the Beta’s were involved.” I left the dungeons to go speak to Alpha Young’s son. I walked up the stairs and found him in the pack house. I nodded my head, “Let’s take a walk Samuel.” He nodded and followed me outside. We walked down to the track. I sighed, “Your dad betrayed our pack.” Samuel stiffened, “He’s my sperm donor. He kicked my mother out of his pack along with me, and he’s never had anything to do with me. He’s not my dad.”

        I nodded, “I’m aware. We removed him from power. He’s here in our dungeons.” Samuel smiled, “Can I see him before you kill him?” I considered that, “I have no problem with that. My question is whether or not you want to take over his pack. I didn’t see his mate when I was there. The rumors I have say she ran away from him. I know they didn’t have a pup.” Samuel was silent for several minutes. He frowned, “They would not accept me. My sperm donor made that very clear to me.” I shook my head, “His beta made sure I knew about you. He wanted me to find you to see if you wanted to take over. He did not know that I’d taken you and your mother in.” Surprise flickered on his face before he shut it down. I stepped forward, “You know since Alpha Young did not have a child with his mate this is your birthright, Samuel. You can make a difference. You don’t have to be like him. You also do not have to do this. We can put someone else in place there that I trust. You are my first choice, and I wanted to make sure you knew it was an option for you.” He looked away, “I always thought a warrior would be my rank.” I said, “Samuel…. if that’s the path you choose that’s fine. I want you to know I believe you can do this though. You are smart. You have Alpha blood. Liam often talks about how skilled you are fighting wise. You would be an amazing Alpha.” 

        Samuel was silent for ten minutes. He asked, “Who else was involved?” I said, “To be perfectly honest, I’m not sure yet. I know the Beta and Gamma weren’t. A warrior or two might be, but to hide it from the Beta…. I doubt there will be many.” He nodded, “I’ll do it. I’ll be honest with you if I get there, and I don’t think I can do it though. I love this pack. You have my loyalty for how you’ve treated my mother. I will not let you have a weak ally.” I smiled, “Alpha Samuel…. I know you can do this. Your mother is welcome here should she not want to return.” He smiled, “She’ll want to go home now that he’s gone.” I nodded, “We’ve loved having you both here. You will both be missed. When you get the chance to pack up, take any SUV to your new pack. My warriors will stay until you give them the order to go. Anything you need….do not hesitate to ask us.” I walked away and called Alpha Chase. He picked up, “Alpha Conners.” I didn’t waste time, “I want you to absorb Green Timbers into your pack. Cameron can take them on and take a title as Alpha if you wish. We can meet together as the other versions of us did. Or you can just absorb them into your pack. Our warriors are currently with them, but they are twenty minutes from you as it stands. You’re the most logical choice. We need to make a thorough list to make sure no one slips through.” Alpha Cameron said, “I’ll talk to Cameron. They are a smaller pack.” I agreed with him, “Let me know.” I hung up.

        My brothers were coming back up. I asked, “Are they dead?” Jackson said, “Not yet. They do not deserve a quick death.” I nodded, “What do we know?” Jackson snorted, “They were working with Scarlett like the warlocks said. We have the names of the covens they worked with. Most in Alpha Hammond’s territory.” I sighed, “We need to look closer at him then.” We walked back inside as Haley was telling Bjourn they needed to go to Faerie. I didn’t want her there right now. Not today. She sighed and called Aiden. She told him she needed him now. She handed him a letter. I frowned. I moved closer to read. It was from the other her. Aiden lost it. I asked what was going on. I quickly scanned the letter. I linked Jackson, “We’ll be going to Faerie. There’s an orphanage…. full of fairy children possibly.” Jackson linked, “Oh good.” I was fairly certain if his son had grown up in an orphanage…. Alania would be in the dungeons. Haley said she needed to go with her brother. I’m sure she did. In her place...I would do the same. I grabbed her hand and told her we could go. Blade Marcus and Bjourn were coming with us. None of us were ready to have her in Faerie. It was one thing to read the journals Fabian had detailing his plans for her. It was another to meet a her that actually suffered what was written in those journals. I glanced at her brothers and knew they felt the same way. They’d actually met her before…. but…. with her Eric here...I’m sure he painted a more detailed picture.

        We popped to Faerie. We were in a great dining hall. Damn even this place was spectacular. Aiden stalked out ignoring Lucinda and Arion. Arion had been smiling but quickly asked Haley what was going on. She took off after him with us flanking her telling Lucinda Aiden would need her. Arion popped beside me. He whispered, “What happened?” I snorted, “Your mother might die tonight.” Arion’s eyes widened. We go there in time to see Aiden throw a naked fairy out. The fairy gaped at Haley. I bared my teeth and he popped away quickly. Great. Just what my day needed. A fairy who now wanted my mate. I heard Alania ask what was going on. Aiden asked about research Fabian wanted to do on the Fae’s fertility. When she said he did…? Aiden’s anger was palpable. He lit her closet on fire. She admitted there was a house, but she wanted to take him. He told her she would not be leaving. He told her if his son was there, he would never forgive her. I heard two gasps. The girl who must be Megan had just caught up to us. Lucinda had paled. She whispered, “No….no not my baby. She couldn’t…. no.” Alania pleaded with Aiden saying he and Arion were not to be involved. 

        Haley called her selfish. Alania turned stunned to see Haley. I whispered to Marcus, “How long has it been?” Marcus said, “She’s refused to see her since she was four. Right before her fifth birthday.” Haley still wanted nothing to do with Alania. Hurt flashed in her mother’s eyes at her rebuke. Aiden told her to stay in her room. He ordered guards on her door. He whispered, “If she twitches, or you THINK she is about to pop, put her in iron chains.” They were surprised but nodded. He turned to his mother, “Write down where this experiment house is.” Alania’s hand shook as she gave Aiden the paper. She tried to reach for him, but the look on his face stopped her. She turned to Arion who turned away from her. She looked at Haley, but Haley was focused on Aiden. Aiden grabbed his siblings' hands. I put a hand on Haley. Marcus, Bjourn and Blade did too. Aiden popped us to a house that seemed to move. Bjourn frowned. I asked, “Is that a charm and spell combined?” Marcus said, “Seems that way.” Aiden cursed saying the children were frozen. That was at least better than them growing up for seventeen years unattended. He put his hands down. He muttered under his breath. Removing the power here. He really was powerful to remove a spell…. I mean he was a fairy the charm would be easy. The spell though…. the Holloran’s were impressive.

          I glanced around. It was stunning. I’d never seen anything so green and alive in my whole life. Bjourn said, “It is a beautiful place.” I whispered “It’s hard to believe such horrors happened here in other realities. There’s a peacefulness to this place. A peacefulness that they took from that Haley.” Marcus said, “She won’t be the only one.” I frowned, “Haley and I will do our best to find more little hers and get them to you guys.” Marcus said, “I’m tempted to burn the place down. That other one must have begged us not to.” Bjourn snorted, “She had to have done exactly that. It’s the only thing that would’ve stopped us.” The instant Aiden’s hands lowered cries filled the air…. I closed my eyes. There were a lot of children inside there. I could see they were about to pop. We grabbed onto Haley just as Megan grabbed for Arion. I gaped in shock at what I saw. The oldest child we could see was maybe three. Most couldn’t be more than one. There were several babies. Marcus whispered, “Jesus Christ…. he did not suffer enough.” Bjourn hissed, “No, he did not.”