A Ribbon Strand: Raised Hackura

I Felt Everything Pt. 1

        Eric watched Haley carefully. I could tell she was thinking something over. It was just so nice to be in person watching her. She was so expressive. It just didn’t translate from the phone. I asked what she was thinking about. She surprised me when she said it was our letters. How obvious it was to her that we were mates. I looked down and couldn’t stop my smile. After twelve years she was still wearing the necklace, I got her for her fifth birthday. She smiled and told me she never takes it off. She touched my necklace she’d given me. I smiled and told her I never took mine off either. Her feelings turned to concern and anger in our bond when she asked about when I was almost charmed. God. I hadn’t thought about that in a while. She was right though. We never talked about it. I explained how it felt to me and what happened. It wasn't a concern. Claudia...and the Harden’s in general dropped off the map. I could tell Haley was worried. She didn’t need to be. She asked me if it was Claudzilla. The other her must have mentioned it to her. I told her Claudzilla’s real name was Claudia Harden. Haley didn’t like her. I tried to reassure her we would never fight about Claudia. She wasn’t even worth the dirt under Haley’s shoes.

            Haley sighed and told me that no me that wasn’t charmed out like her. She felt guilty. That was what I felt in the bond. Guilt that another her had to deal with all the s**t we heard about and then Claudia charming that Eric. I smiled and pointed out that they were doing just fine. They were popping out kids left and right. They’d gotten past their Claudia issues. I asked if she knew the kids' names. She’d noticed the same necklace I had. We liked all the names. I’d always wanted to name a son Alexander. I’d be lying if when I saw EJ, Eric Junior, on that necklace I really liked that name too. I had a little girl. I hoped she looked just like her mother. I smiled when Haley said she wanted to have TJ, Titus Junior for her dad. That was so like her. Her dad would cry. He’d just love it. With as many kids as she wanted, I was positive we could have a son named TJ. I cursed myself for having her stay on birth control for this concupiscence. We both wanted pups. She would be eighteen soon enough though. I pulled her close to me and we watched the sun rise from our bed. She told me she liked it here. I couldn’t stop my smile. I knew she would. It was right off the ocean. It wouldn’t be something we couldn’t do. Pop in for the evening and then pop home. Since traveling by plane was a thing of my past, little get a ways were very possible now.

            Haley was excited about bringing her friends and their mates here. God…. all four of them here? Jim, Lucas, Chase, and I were not ready for the trouble these four were going to get into together. She gave me a full on pouty face with wide eyes. I was f****d. I couldn't say no to her. I told her we could go to any of our properties. Any that she wanted. I’d purchased several over the years that were near an ocean specifically with her in mind. I wasn't surprised she didn’t know how we’d known about Chase and Lexi. So I told her about finding the room they’d been in at the summit. I told her we knew from then on when they were near. She gaped at me. She figured out that time I was meeting with Lucas with my brothers and we both just randomly took our shirts off…. we’d known they were there. I smiled. We’d done it a few times. A couple we’d actually looked around. It was maddening not to be able to find them. We had superior senses but whatever concealment they used was good. She told me it was really hard for them not being able to come to us.

            I cupped her face. I did know. I’d known since I was thirteen, she was mine. She was worth the wait, but I’d longed to meet her well before we even started talking on the phone. Knowing she was near and that I couldn’t get to her was torture. I desperately wanted to see her. Sometimes it drove my wolf and I almost mad that we knew exactly where she was, but we couldn't get to her. I told her I’d really wanted her at my Alpha Ceremony. She smiled saying she’d have come. I knew she would’ve. It was still a fond memory for me because that was the night, I got her first letter. She hadn’t been there, but in a way…. I got a picture of her and a letter. Her words…. gave me strength. Jackson linked me, “You do know you told the girls to have the Luna ceremony ready for tonight…. Is that still a thing?” I linked back, “We will pop back soon.” Jackson snorted, “How was it?” I smirked, “Five days of f*****g of eating Jackson. Some sleep sprinkled in.” Jackson laughed. I told Haley we needed to get back for her Luna ceremony. She teased me about her dress. I smiled knowing she would just add her flair or change the dress all together. I wouldn’t be surprised if it wasn’t pink. My mother would…. die. It would be a little funny though.

            Haley popped us home. I felt Haley’s embarrassment and concern when he called her slugger. I looked over at Harold and linked him, “Is Nikki still here?” Harold said, “Nope. She healed completely two days ago. Mom sent her home. I don’t think she’ll be coming back for quite some time. I’m thinking of throwing your mate a party. Tabitha is ready to crown her queen of the universe. That’s a direct quote by the way.” I snorted. Jackson and Haley were teasing each other about my mom not liking what she did. Not even my mom liked Nikki. She tried. She really did, but Nikki was just….so annoying. My mom was probably far more likely to thaw towards Haley after this. There is not a single person in this pack who probably wasn’t now secretly worshipping my mate. When Nikki stayed with us eight summers in a row….no one was happy. No one. She was demanding. She was narcissistic. She made everyone around her miserable, and she wasn’t happy unless we were all bickering and mad. She was the definition of a s**t stirrer and chaos. I couldn’t stop my laugh when Haley said we men drive women crazy. She probably wasn't wrong. We didn’t try to though. 

            Marcus came in looking VERY happy. Gunner was not far behind him. I linked Jackson, “Bjourn’s not here?” Jackson said, “Oh no. He’s here. He’s in the gym.” I nodded, “Naturally. What was I thinking?” Jackson shrugged, “I really don’t know Eric. I really just don’t know.” Haley popped to both of them. She teased Gunner about the nickname the other her called him. Even I could tell he enjoyed that nickname. He also seemed a little sad. Everyone must have filled him in on what happened to the other her. She asked why he was here. He told her that neither her brothers couldn’t come nor her dad. I linked Jackson, “What happened? I told you to make sure Titus could come.” He sighed, “We can get into that in the war room. Originally…. they were all coming. Zadar was going to stay behind so they could.” I did not like the sound of that. Tabitha walked into the room. Haley, of course, did not find it strange that no one else could come to her ceremony. She didn’t know I’d tried to make sure they could. 

            Tabitha winked at me and linked, “So…. how was your trip?” I smiled, “It was great. Thanks Tabitha.” She snorted, “I’ll just bet it was.” Out loud she told Haley that they needed to start getting her ready.” I linked Harold, “Prepare for Tabitha to be REALLY happy.” Harold sent me a questioning look. Haley simply told Tabitha to relax today because she could get them already in ten minutes. Tabitha blinked several times then ran and grabbed Harold. He linked me, “I was going to….” I laughed, “I’ll handle it. You’ve handled things for me while I’ve been gone.” Harold sighed, “I was just going to be there when we caught you up on everything. I wanted to be there for you. I’d need you to be there for me if the roles were reversed.” I linked him back, “Don’t even worry about that. Spend time with your mate, little brother. Though I am disliking the sound of this news more and more.” Harold linked back, “Thanks Eric.” Gunner drew Haley’s attention back to him thanking her for her concupiscence. They’d apparently had many orgies. Jackson snorted and linked me, “Marcus and Bjourn barely got out of here. Their mates came here because of what they felt…. they almost f****d on the lawn.” I shrugged, “What can you do?” Gunner asked her how many she would have. He was hoping for four. I’d go with hoping Aiden was right. I leaned towards him being right anyway. Darrin linked me, “You only want three? Couldn’t keep up, could you old man?” I growled, “I kept up just fine thank you, Darrin.” He snorted.

            Bexley popped in and thought he was commiserating with me. She asked Haley if she broke her record for how many toys she went through. I smirked. I could feel Haley’s pride, smugness combined with mischievousness. Marcus shot me a look with a raised eyebrow. Gunner was looking between Haley and me.” Haley announced I’d broken the record not her. Jackson linked, “No f*****g way.” I smirked and winked at him. Bexley needed Haley to explain I’d lasted the whole time. The shriek Bexley let loose sent the pack link on fire. Liam linked me, “Was that my mate? Never mind, it was. What happened? She was just supposed to be popping to see Haley.” I linked back, “She just found out I lasted through Haley’s entire concupiscence. She is now beyond thrilled for her own…. with you.” Liam snorted, “Oh…. I’ve already started buying energy drinks. She just keeps saying she’ll need so many toys. I’ve assured her…. that’s not the case.” I agreed with him, “Haley said the same. She even tried to go get out and a certain point.” Liam growled, “Not happened. I can please my mate.” I didn’t reply. He felt the same way I did.

            Arion and Aiden popped in eyes wide. They made Haley state that I’d lasted the entire time. I crossed my arms. Jackson said, “I don’t think they meant that how it sounded.” I linked back, “I think they thought someone besides Haley said that I lasted the whole time…. meaning me. They either thought she let me think that while I slept or that I lied. Either way…. It’s f*****g rude.” Jackson linked back, “They are having a week. Give them a break.” I raised an eyebrow, “Why is that?” Jackson sighed, “You’ll hear shortly.” Arion said the first day of a concupiscence was usually over twenty-four hours. I smirked and told him that hers was twenty-seven. He stared at me, studying me for several moments. Jackson linked, “Great…. we will have male fairies here trying to copy our workouts or some s**t. While the females try to convince our warriors to be their partners.” I snorted, “They will convince them. The ones without mates anyway.” Jackson asked, “Would you have done it?” I thought about it, “No. Fairies always want something in return. Even if I didn’t know about Haley…. I’d have passed.” Arion said people both loved and hated me in Faerie.

            I felt Haley’s confusion. She was so sweet. She just didn’t see what everyone saw. Many men were jealous of me. They would be solely because she was a princess…. she was King Titus’ only daughter. That alone would make people hate me for being her mate. That she was beautiful, powerful, and kindhearted only made people hate me more. Aiden had to explain it to her, but I could feel her disbelief. She didn’t think that was a reason for people to dislike me. Arion winked at me as Aiden asked if she remembered the man, he’d kicked out of their mother’s room. Something flashed in both their eyes at the mention of their mother I couldn’t quite place. Almost like sorrow combined with anger. That made sense. She clearly knew more about Fabian than they did. Haley shrugged saying she remembered the man. I saw the look on Aiden’s face. That fairy wanted my mate now. I couldn’t stop my growl. Jackson said, “He can’t have her. She’s yours. Others will want her, you know that.” I growled. Haley was for lack of a better word grossed out by the fact a guy who’d f****d her mom wanted to f**k her. I’d imagine that was a lot of Faerie. Her mother was known to be beautiful. OH f**k IT ALL! I linked Jackson, “It’s true. She is more beautiful than her mother…. but did that fucker HAVE to tell all of Faerie how goddamn beautiful my mate is.” Jackson said, “Apparently, he did. Fairies are just weird…. any guy in this realm would know you get caught with the mother…. the daughter is not going to be after you.” He had a point.

            Arion laughed saying they were related. Haley was still grossed out by the whole thing. Gunner was trying not to laugh at Haley’s facial expression. It was all over her face. She didn’t want to see that fairy. She looked like she might be sick. Marcus lips were in a thin line as he tried to hold back his laugh. Pity hit me. The other Eric might not see this in his Haley. The other Haley could hide her emotions and be a blank slate. I hope she eventually lost that. This was hilarious. Her facial expressions were so much a part of mine…. I couldn’t imagine her standing her with no expression to give away how she felt about something. I could feel her, but….it wasn’t the same. My anger at what would’ve been done to her was never going to go away. Especially knowing there were other realities out there that it happened in. It was such bullshit. How could anyone allow her to suffer? She just didn’t deserve it. No one did. I went to Haley snarling thinking about what happened to her and the amount of male fairies that now wanted to f**k her. They didn’t know her heart. They didn’t know her. I kissed her hard, pouring all my love and possessiveness into our kiss. Arion told me to knock it off.

            He could leave. This was our home. I could kiss my mate if I wanted to. I told Aiden and Arion that fairy better not show up. I knew what he looked like, as did Blade. I nodded to Blade who smirked. He didn’t need words to know what I wanted him to do. I liked that about him. I knew if he saw that fairy…. that fairy was dead. Aiden thought it was extreme. I didn't care. She was my mate, and I wasn’t about to have some fairy pop in here and try to take her from me. Not after what we learned. I was also not going to have other fairies thinking they pop in and try to seduce my mate in my damn territory. Or any f*****g territory. Jackson pointed out Haley beat a she wolf for touching me. Killing someone for trying to f**k her seemed on par with that logic. He was right. Arion was happy that she’d done it. When she told them she thought about calling them to set Nikki on fire…. I was stunned. She had been that upset? Jackson linked me, “I’m glad she didn’t have her phone…. that might’ve been hard to explain….so Nikki is burned to a crisp…. why you ask? Oh well, Fairies…. Declaring war? No... the king is Eric’s in law…. can’t do that. Sorry about the situation. It is what it is?” I was trying not to laugh. 

            Gunner was surprised she wasn’t going to ask her Hackura brothers. I wasn’t. They were trying to stop her. Aiden and Arion wouldn’t have tried to stop her. In fact, both seemed excited she’d even considered calling them or considered lighting Nikki on fire. I sighed. Fairies. Haley said she knew Arion and Aiden would’ve helped her. Arion looked far too delighted about this. I linked Jackson, “I don’t like it when he smiles this much. It makes me worry.” Jackson shrugged, “Lighting someone on fire is something fire fairies love to do. That she wanted their help, and knew they’d do it…. I’m sure it would’ve been very fun for both of them. You know how fairies are about their fun.” Marcus pointed out she didn’t actually want Nikki to die because it was my cousin. Meh…. if any of my cousins could die without me caring…. It would Nikki. Aiden laughed saying they’d heard all about Nikki. I linked Jackson, “How much trouble is Lucas in?” Jackson said, “Well…. Emmaline REALLY didn’t like the nickname Lucas Bear.” I snorted, “I’m sure Dylan is delighted. He hated that nickname.” Jackson said, “Delighted is a mild word.” 

            I did not envy Lucas for that. I’m sure Dylan was poking the bear so to speak and enjoying every second of it. He probably told Emmaline ALL about Nikki and Lucas. I’d tried to tell him….to stay away. His first time…. he had to get himself off. She couldn’t take it. She still tried to sleep with him. He was just not into it. I couldn’t blame him. I wouldn’t get back into bed with a woman after that. She’d cried all over him after he had to jack off in the shower because she said their love making was so beautiful. Then told people he was her boyfriend. She told everyone they were mates. I’d tried to tell him…. Nikki was…. Nikki. Jackson linked me, “We really need to go over some stuff.” I interrupted. Haley asked if I wanted her to come. I was about to say yes when the look on Marcus, Aiden, and Arion’s face stopped me. I glanced at Gunner who was shaking his head no at me. Jackson linked me, “What they said. Not today. We can tell her about it tomorrow. Tonight is her Luna Ceremony.” I frowned and told Haley that I’d bring her into stuff after her ceremony tonight. We walked away. 

            Once we’d gotten into the war room I asked, “What the f**k, Jackson?” Darrin sighed. My dad said, “Take a seat son.” I whirled, “I don’t want to take a seat. I want to know what the hell everyone is being so cryptic about. What I’ve heard is give Arion and Aiden a break they’ve had themselves a week. Now, we are keeping something from Haley. Us? The family who can’t keep secrets? Was this mom’s idea? If it was…. I’m marching down to wherever Haley went and telling her whatever you tell me.” My dad sighed, “Your mother doesn’t even know about this development. She’s…. been pouting and staying out of pack affairs.” Jackson said, “Haley’s brothers…. Fairy and Hackura want her to have a good ceremony. She’s in the gym training with Bjourn. He’s waiting for her. That’s why he wasn’t up at the house.” I frowned, “Why? What happened? They train with her all the time, but he’s specifically waiting for her down there today? Even when Tabitha was coming to get her ready?” My dad said, “Bjourn knows how fast she can get ready. Tabitha wanted to make sure that’s what she wanted.” I frowned, “Why can’t her Hackura family go? What happened?”

            Jackson said, “Are you sure you don’t want to sit down?” I growled, “I DON’T WANT TO f*****g SIT DOWN! TELL ME WHAT’S GOING ON!” My dad said, “Alania fled Faerie.” I waited for several seconds, “That’s it? That’s your big news? Why do we care? Haley has no relationship with her to speak of.” I could feel Haley was having fun. She loved fighting. Jackson sighed, “No…. that’s not it.” Caleb and Marshall came in. I narrowed my eyes, “One of you tell me because I’m tired of trying to pull it out of these two.” Caleb rolled his eyes, “Assholes. Always leaving it for me. Alania has teamed up with demons and a coven aligned with a few fairies.” I gaped, “Alania is with the ring? Are you f*****g kidding me?!” Marshall said, “They are not part of the ring, no. Or so they claim to her. I’m not sold.” I looked around, “Someone...explain…. all of it.” Jackson said, “Alania fled Faerie after her sons found the orphanage. She saw how Haley didn’t care about her. She knows she lost her sons. She wants Haley and her sons back. She’s aligned herself with a coven and demons for that goal. There are even some fairies who followed.” I growled, “How did we get this report?” Caleb sighed, “OH come on! You guys didn’t start with that! Why do you do these things to me?” I said, “No they didn’t. Explain.” 

            Marshall winced, “Well, the guards watching Alania’s room noticed she was gone first. They tried to pop to her. Two are still wounded. Their mates used their light to call them back. One did not have a mate…. he died. Apparently, the demon magic makes it volatile.” I frowned, “She’s trying to kill her children?” Jackson said, “Not according to what we have. Haley wouldn’t try to go to her mother, and Aiden and Arion would get hurt; however, it would not kill them. Haley would heal them, and that is quite well known, if it did hurt them.” I asked again, “Where did this come from?” Caleb said, “The fairies that joined her are from Ireland….” I growled, “EXSIS?! We got this intel from EXSIS?! The fairy who wants to f**k my mate?!” Jackson sighed, “Yes, that one. He’s loyal to Aiden though Eric. I think it’s good intel based on the fact the Hackura confirmed Alania is the demon realm. Titus is trying to pin down her location with Zader. The other boys are out using all their contacts to get information.” I growled, “So her plan is to take Haley?” Jackson frowned, “We don’t know exactly.” I threw everything off my desk, “HOW CAN SHE BE THIS STUPID?! She’s trusting demons?! They lie as easily as they draw breath. FOR FUN! They do NOT want Haley to give Alania some happy family! They want her for her power. They want her to breed children! They want to r**e her!” Jackson sighed, “We know.” Caleb said, “Alania…. must see another path. One she thinks she can have.” 

            I snorted, “There is no path that gets Haley to forgive her.” Everyone looked at each other. I growled. Then I felt panic from Haley. I tensed. I linked Liam, “Where is my mate?” Liam said, “Talking to her brothers. They are teasing her. She is an excellent fighter, Alpha. Very impressive.” I smiled, “Liam is impressed by Haley’s fighting skills.” My dad snorted, “I am actually sad we missed that.” I shrugged “They’ll fight each other again. They love getting in the ring and fighting. It’s in their blood.” Darrin said, “Logan’s mate, Katie seems to think the plan would be to put Haley into an illusion. She said they could keep her in one that could confuse her. She could see her life in Faerie…. a fake one that would show a happy loving family.” I frowned, “Planting false memories….in an illusion? That’s their plan?” Darrin nodded, “That’s our theory.” I threw the laptop off my desk. Caleb sighed and opened his phone. I punched the desk, breaking it in half. I hissed, “The demons won’t do that. If they do, they will have a different reason.” Darrin said, “But the witches could align with the fairies instead of the demons.” I shook my head, “Demons pay better. They are better to deal with than fairies. You know you can’t trust a demon. Fairies could go either way. No, a coven leader would align with the demons while lying to Alania…. I don’t even want to think about what memories they will try to plant in her head.”