The Alpha and His Hunted Kitsune Princess

Exploring Pt.3

I sighed, “Yeah, this is all crazy. I can’t believe I have an obsessed stalker.” I grasped and slipped into the creek when memories of me and mom leaving places hit me. Then I saw an old classmate's face, covered in blood.

Pen shouted, “Piper!” My brother picked me up out of the creek. I groaned, “My new phone is toast.” Pen replied, “Phones are replaceable and that one is probably water proof. It’s not even the point. What’s wrong?”

I whispered, “Did my stalker kill people? I think…” I trailed off. Pen sighed, “Yes, he did.” I cried, “Why? I remember her face. I know she’s my classmate. I remember mom and I leaving places. I just don’t understand.”

Pen replied, “Crazy people do crazy things. It’s not really something you or I can understand as a rational person.” I cried, “She died because of me.” Pen made that noise of anger, “She did not. That girl died because of a madman that has nothing to do with you. You did absolutely nothing wrong. Do you hear me?”

I nodded then said, “I remembered things. Like I thought I would. I remember leaving places with mom. I saw places we lived and I saw that girl. My memories would come back like I thought they should’ve been this whole time to make me see a dead girl covered in blood. God, it looked like an animal mauled her. A small one though.”

Pen sighed, “Yeah, that sounds right.” Of course it was, I remembered it. I asked, “Does the crazy guy have pets he starves or something?” Pen replied, “Or something.” I groaned, “Not remembering stuff is the worst.”

Pen conceded, “It does sound pretty terrible.” I admitted, “I hate not remembering people. I see the disappointment in their eyes. They want me to remember so badly and I just want to scream because I do too.”

I paused then admitted, “Actually, you guys are the ones who don’t look at me like that. It’s weird since we are siblings but I’m going to take it.” Pen sighed, “There’s a reason we don’t look at you like that.” It definitely wasn’t that they were more empathetic.

Was Preston right? Had I just met them? Because that would make everything make more sense and no sense at the same time. I groaned, “I just want everything to make sense again.” Pen replied, “It will. You’ll remember things, you’ve already started.”

I teased, “You might be my good luck charm because this adventure with you sparked the first time I saw things in my memory. This is more how I imagined it instead of the weird brain burst where I know something but not how I know it.”

Pen admitted, “That does sound like it sucks.” I snorted, “Yeah, I gave a speech at mom’s wedding that I had all planned out. Then threw in this line about how I hoped Nathan could hold a plank for a minute.”

Pen replied, “He definitely can.” I snorted, “Yeah, I know but I just know for some reason that’s important to my mom.” Pen stared at me then started laughing. I asked, “What?” Pen admitted, “I could guess why that’s important to her.”

I grumbled, “That’s not fair. Why?” Pen winked, “Sexy time stuff, Piper. Sexy time.” I gasped, “No! Take that back right now. I did not refer to my mom’s s*x life AT HER WEDDING.” Pen snickered, “I think you did.”

I groaned, “No, I cannot think about that. Tell me about you, and I’m sorry I don’t remember.” Pen replied, “You don’t need to be sorry at all. About me, hmmm well have you ever felt like you don’t fit?”

I admitted, “I think so, but I can’t say with certainty.” Pen replied, “My entire life I’ve tried to fit into a mold that was never mine.” I asked, “What? Why?” Pen shrugged, “I can explain it more once you have memories but I’ve been trying to be what everyone needs me to be my whole life, but it was never me.”

I frowned, “Hey, you can be whoever you want to be. There’s nothing that says you need to have it figured out. We are in our early twenties for god’s sake. Are you in college?” Pen answered, “Not in the way you are, no.” I urged, “Then go travel and see the world, Pen. Because everything will be here when you get back.”

Pen said, “Maybe once everything settles, I’ll do just that.” I encouraged him, “You really should. If your whole life has been spent for everyone else, then do something for yourself. You get to be whoever you want to be. It’s your time to shine. You’re an adult.” My opinion of Pernell could not pick a side. Now, I thought he sucked.

Pen laughed, “I was supposed to be doing stuff with Grandpa today, but this is way better.” I asked, “Grandpa Ralph?” Pen snorted, “No, Grandpa Paulson.” I replied, “Oh good, another person I haven’t met.”

Pen said, “He’s in some hot water right now. I’ll doubt you’ll meet him. Dad will probably be pissed he was having me with him today.” Ok, so maybe it was Grandpa Paulson that was trying to mold Pen into something. Honestly, I liked that better. I had a Grandpa and I did not require another one. It would be better if Paulson sucked instead of Pernell.

I said, “Well, I have Grandpa Ralph and he’s the best. Paulson can suck an egg.” Pen laughed, “Suck an egg?” I rubbed my head feeling that brain burst moment. I said, “I’m certain Remi would back me up.” Because she always did.

Pen said, "Everything's better with you, Piper.” I replied, “Clearly, I’m an amazing big sister. You might consider talking to my therapist though.” Pen asked, “Why?” I answered, “Because you’ve been living a lie and people kept trying to get you to be someone you are not. Holy s**t, that doesn’t mean like you’re into men and people want you to like women right? Because I have muscle memory and I’ll punch someone right in the face.”

Pen laughed, “Pascale likes boys, but no one cares about that. I like women.” I sighed in relief, “Ok, because I’ll throw down. No one is going to tell my siblings who they can and cannot love.” I paused then added, “Or who they can be. You can be your own person, Pen. I’ll make sure of it.” Because I’d meet this Grandpa Paulson and give him a piece of my mind. Pen whispered, “I think I can finally figure out just who I am.”

I agreed, “You can, I promise.” It felt significant for some reason. Pen jolted his head to me. I assured him, “We’ll figure it out, but no one will make you be someone you don’t want to be. No more of whatever Grandpa wanted you to do. Ok?” Pen nodded, “Let’s head back.”

Pen left his phone on the ground. I quickly scrolled and found Grandpa Paulson’s number and took a screenshot on my phone then excited out of his contacts. I called, “Pen, you forgot your phone.” Why wasn’t that number in my phone? Probably because he was a d**k. That had to be it.

Pen took his phone and we hiked back to the car. When we got to my place I asked, “Do you want to come shower?” Pen waved, “Nah, I’m meeting someone around the corner.” I frowned, “Text me that you get home safe.” Pen laughed, “Sure thing.” I asked, “So, you have my number?” Pen replied, “Your mom gave it to me.” Ok, that didn’t clarify much for me because I didn’t know when she did that.

I nodded to him then went inside. I took my shower then wrapped myself up in my first date robe. I stared at the number then called it. A man answered, “Hello.” I asked, “Paulson?” He replied, “Yes, who is this?”

I scoffed, “You would not know the sound of your own granddaughter's voice. That fits with the picture I’m putting together of you.” Paulson asked, “Piper?” I heard Pernell ask, “Piper?” I answered, “Yes, Piper. Now, you listen to me and you listen well, Paulson.”

He said, “I prefer grandpa.” I retorted, “I have a grandpa and his name is Ralph. I haven’t seen hide nor hair of you and to be clear I don’t want to. You leave Pen alone. Do you hear me?” Paulson asked, “What?”

I said, “Pen can be whoever he wants to be. You do not get to mold him into whatever you think he should be. My brother will find his path, and you will let him do it. Or so help me god, I’ll use the muscle memory I have to beat you to a pulp and I don’t care that you’re probably old.”

Paulson snorted, “Excuse me?” I continued, “You had Pen thinking he had to be something you even wanted him to keep working on it. He’s a young man in his twenties. Pen needs to find himself and he finally feels like he can. You will let him because I promised he could do it.”

Pernell asked, “You promised your brother he could be what he wanted?" I stared at the phone, “Yes, and you will back me up. Because he’s your son and I’m your daughter. I can’t figure out where my opinion of you goes, but you’d better back me up here or it will fall again.”

Pernell agreed, “Pen can be his own man.” I replied, “I know that’s right. He feels like his whole life he tried to be something he’s not and you people will let him do what he wants. None of my siblings nor I are your clay. We are people and we can make our own damn decisions about what we want. Leave Pen alone.”

Paulson said, “He’s my grandson.” I retorted, “And? Grandpa Ralph has always believed in me.” I winced as this brain bust hit me. Pernell shouted, “Piper, are you alright?” I grumbled, “Stupid brain burst that makes me know what I’m saying is true with no memories! I’m fine. I just know Grandpa Ralph believes in me and you’re a d**k who won’t let Pen be who he is, Paulson.”

I heard a snarl behind me and whirled even though the scent told me it was Preston. I gasped, “Oh my god, are you ok?! You’re covered in blood.” Preston ground out, “It’s not mine.” He took my phone, “Paulson, you were warned you mother fucker.” What?

Preston continued, “You will not like what happens the next time I see you.” Paulson said, “Piper called me.” Preston replied, “Does it sound like I care?” No and it was HOT. Why was it hot? I don’t know, but it definitely was.

Paulson sighed, “I can’t be kept from all my grandchildren.” I made that noise of anger, “You will leave Pen alone! He doesn’t have to do what you want for his life. It’s HIS life!” Preston said, “You will listen to my mate and leave Pen alone or so help me god, I will put you in the ground.”

Murder threats should not have me ready to drown my boyfriend in my lady juices. So, why on earth did it? Mate? What? We were definitely not friends, but I knew that’s not what he meant at all. Why did I know that? UGH! Not having my memories was the actual pits.

Preston growled, “Don’t f**k with me, Paulson. You have made a very, very big error in judgement.” Then Preston hung up my phone. I looked him up and down, “Blood works for you as a look. Why? I don’t know, there is possibly something wrong with me but damn. You look…” I trailed off then said, “Wow.” Preston growled and then attacked my lips. I was going with this. My boyfriend was hot and that’s really all there was to it.

Piper is dreaming of Sora and Melanie is trying. Even from the Ribbon. She's got phone's ready with cases that look like Sora. Remi has plots for the rock that hit Piper in the head. It's going down. Hazel and Nathan McD Are NOT amused that Piper's phone was taken. Remi is trying to keep Piper from giving bad advice to their human teammates so they don't text billionares repeatedly thinking Piper's blue print works out.

Remi is not loving keeping secrets from Piper, but she's trying to follow the doctors orders. Piper will remember on her own, but it's certainly a slow process. We've got some jealous teammates and some teammates who are human who don't understand the mate bond. Sarah is probably not long for this world, what do you think?

After the game, the teammates give even worse advice and Piper is ready to come out swining. No one hurts Remi on her watch and they aren't about to talk about Karl like that. Anastasia and Valentina were ready to kill. They went to the Melanie school of how to deal with things though. So, how many teammates will Remi and Piper be down by the end of the season? That's the question.

Preston is off to bring Melanie and Odette home but he brought Pen first. Pen and Piper are spending time together and having fun exploring together. They are talking about life. Pen can't fully explain a lot. Like how his whole life he thought he was the Crown Prince to the Kitsunes, but really he wasn't. Which is part of why he had no desire to rule. That's been a very welcomed change for him.

Paulson is NOT going to be having a good day. Preston heard part of the conversation and he's LIVID. Join my F B group the ribbon novels for more fun and to discover where you can get more of the ribbon novels in a daily dose :)