The Alpha and His Hunted Kitsune Princess

Done Running Pt. 1

Piper is Nineteen

Piper skipped into the house. Saro said, “Something is wrong.” The air was still. I spotted mom’s phone on the floor as if it had been dropped. I screamed, “MOM!” That Ninko better NOT have hurt my mother!

I ran around into the living room and found mom crying and clearly in shock. I whispered, “Mom, what happened? I will kill that Ninko if he upset you like this.” Saro agreed, “I will bathe in his blood for this!” Mom whispered, “Kyle called.”

Ice filled my veins. I whispered, “Remi.” Mom shook his head, “No, sweetie. Remi is ok. It’s your Grandpa Ralph’s grandson.” I asked, “Which one? What happened?” Mom took my hands, “Nathan was attacked.” I gasped, “McDermont?! Is he ok?”

Mom cringed, “His mate was killed and his daughter was kidnapped.” I gasped, “WHAT?! We have to go to them.” Mom said, “Grandpa Ralph was popped to Tennessee to help and find Jane. Nathan’s Beta’s daughter, Madeline was taken too.”

Saro angrily said, “How dare they upset Grandpa Nathan this way!” I ground out, “Who? Was it…?” Had I done this? Had the Ninko gone after Nathan because he wanted me? Was he targeting Grandpa Ralph’s family because of me?

Mom took my hands, “No, sweetie. It wasn’t about you. The Ring took Jane, but they will get her back.” I asked, “They as in the Resistance? Because…” Mom cut me off, “Alpha Theo Conners discovered Jane was his when they came to help end the attack and search for her.”

I gasped, “The Ring took a Conners mate?!” Saro said, “That’s what they deserve.” I sighed, “So, they can’t pop to Jane or we’d have gotten news about a bunch of dead people.” Saro grumbled, “These horrid people have upset Bernard. I hate them.” I snorted, “Saro.” Saro asked, “What? You thought the same about Preston. I’m upset for his wolf.” Yeah, our crush on the man was going strong. Maybe I stalked his socials to keep up with him, like a sane person.

Saro agreed, “A totally sane person who can admit he’s HOT! Now if only someone could get him to do those posts Alpha Alexander does.” I snorted, “I might die of hotness.” I watched the video clip with Preston in it a million times.” Saro agreed, “He needs to be featured more.” Yeah, I was probably all the analytics for that clip. I was also probably the only person not looking at Alexander.

I shook myself asking, “Is Grandpa Ralph ok? What can we do?” Mom admitted, “I don’t know. Let’s make some meals and we will have Joe pop us back. The pack is feeling the effects of their Alpha family being in distress.”

I drove us to the store semi on autopilot. We walked in and grabbed a bunch of ingredients then went home. We were making pasta meals and lasagna. I quickly called the local place and ordered a bunch of pizza to be delivered to the pack.

I called Remi. She answered, “Hey, girl.” It lacked her usually cheery tone. I told her, “Pizza is incoming for the pack. I’m so sorry Remi. The Conners will find Jane and Madeline.” Remi choked out, “I’ve met both, you know?” I did know that.

I told her, “They are going to be fine. You told me Jane is strong. She’s an Alpha pup.” Remi admitted, “They’ve found her blood at multiple sites. I overheard Ralph telling Grandpa Kyle that Theo Conners is losing it.”

I reasoned, “Hey, you know if they can’t find her who will.” Remi admitted, “I don’t know why they haven’t. I overheard more of Grandpa Kyle and Ralph’s conversation. Ralph said the Alpha’s believe the sniper that’s always around got hurt and that’s how this happened. What if she is recovering so long that Jane dies too?” I snorted, “That sniper is a Supernatural. Unless the organization keeps this from her, she’ll go. She loves Alpha Alexander.”

Remi whispered, “I heard he leaves messages for her.” I said, “Wait, where’s Ashley Griffen? You always keep your ear to the ground about her.” Remi snorted, “She’s MIA.” I gasped, “What?! OH MY GOD REMI! It’s her!” Remi agreed, “It totally is.”

I reasoned, “Well, she has wolf blood so she should be fine soon.” Remi said, “She was in a devastating car accident and for some reason was in the human hospital, not the pack, now no one knows where she is.”

I rubbed my face, “Ok, that’s all very confusing but how are people not jumping on this?” Remi snorted, “I’m telling you we should run things.” I asked, “Do we have an investigation going?” Remi admitted, “There has to be a pattern with these facilities but I’m not seeing them.”

I questioned, “What about the genius in Red Run?” Remi sighed, “Former Drake McAlister has guessed the ones they found, but the fights moved on.” I rubbed my temples, “Isn’t one of his kids like super smart?” Sora answered, “You know she is.” I did but this situation was throwing me.

Remi answered, “Melanie, yeah. Apparently no is telling her because she’s and I quote ‘living her dream dancing.’ It’s all some type of bullshit. They feel bad they didn’t believe her and she took off and now they walk on eggshells.”

I groaned, “We have got to get on this whole ruling the world thing so dumb things like this don’t happen.” Remi sighed, “I’m really worried. Everyone says Jane won’t make it.” Sora scoffed, “Yes, she will.” I asked, “How do you know that?” Sora answered, “I don’t know, I just do.”

I told Remi, “Well have no fear, my Kitsune believes she’s going to and I’m tempted to say it’s a power of mine.” Remi sounded hopeful, “You do get to know more of your powers in times of crisis.” I snorted, “Or when you drop an earring and it falls into a crack and I shrink down to get it for you.”

Remi cackled, “Karl gave me those earrings and I needed them back.” I teased, “You had Joe come get me and said I was your only hope.” Remi reasoned, “You were.” Sora laughed, “We were a good option.” I replied, “A big magnet could’ve gotten it back for you.”

Remi snorted, “As if. Plus, we got dinner and that needed to happen. This situation is too much for me, Pipes. Evil gonna get it psycho Ninko stalker who is sticking to the shadows and keeping you moving is pissing me the f**k off. Now, attacks from the Ring cause Nathan to lose his mate and his daughter is missing. Plus, his Beta’s daughter. It’s insulting, that’s what it is.”

I replied, “The Ring should probably be pissing their pants. Do they know Jane is Theo’s?” Remi snorted, “You and your mom need to get BACK on the grid because it’s so weird you don’t know that literally everyone knows.”

I admitted, “Then they are far too prideful. The smart play is to give Jane back at minimum. They’ve never wanted the allies on their ass.” I gasped, “I know what we need to do!” Remi clapped, "Oh thank god! A task and a plan. What are we doing?” I answered, “We need ears to the ground. We’ve always suspected groups high up in the Ring. We need to know if someone has died since Jane was taken. Then we need to watch for afterwards.”

Remi said, “You think someone f****d up.” I snorted, “Not think. Sure, they didn’t know Jane was Theo’s, but they do now. Plus, the Ring as a whole seems like a bunch of irritant children who pass the buck and blame. Nothing is ever anyone’s fault until some peon takes it. Someone definitely got blamed for taking Jane when she’s Theo’s. The Ring’s play after that would’ve been to kill her, but they didn’t. Someone f****d up twice.”

Remi gasped, “What?” I reasoned, “The Ring’s always been out to get the Conners. They have one of their mates. That was an accident, which someone got in trouble for. This is going to blow up in their faces, Rem. Jane will be found and then more people will die. We just need ears to the ground.”

Remi said, “Yes, that means we can update our mystery board. Karl keeps calling it a murder board.” I laughed, “I both can and cannot believe that you have it set up in your house still.” Remi replied, “How could I stare and update it if it wasn’t up? That board is the only thing distracting me right now.”

Remi paused, then said, “Everyone’s really upset. Jane is so young, Pipes. She’s younger than we are.” Sora insisted, “Jane will be fine.” I relayed that, “Sora is reiterating that Jane will be fine.” Remi sighed, “From Sora’s lips to someone’s ears because I stopped believing in Selene long ago.”

That was hard to fault Remi for. Without me, Remi would’ve been kept in some weird cube having her skin fed off her and missing her life. Selene should’ve never allowed a Supernatural like that near one of her children.

I told her, “Well, you and I have the shitty god and goddess.” Saro huffed, “Shiylo..” I cut her off, “Could give our dad clues about us and hasn’t. Shiylo gave us the best mom and for that I won’t curse him, but he let dad be imprisoned and stay that way. He let dad be taken away and given back. He lets that STUPID NINKO come after us!”

Remi huffed, “Yeah, I have things to say to that damn god of yours. Like honestly, the AUDACITY of Selene and Shiylo TO RUIN OUR SENIOR YEAR! Do you know what someone said to me today?” I answered, “Something dumb that got them punched in the face.”

Remi shouted, “Yes! They said I was nineteen now and had to let it go since we graduated. Uhhhh hello? This is my axe and I will grind it until the day I day. WE MISSED OUR SENIOR YEAR! Then the fucker as the AUDACITY to keep hiding. One day, I will have his name and he RUE THE DAY!”

I heard Karl snorted, “Are we talking about the stupid Ninko who has no idea that he’s going to regret messing up your senior year with Piper with every fiber of his being? The one who if he wasn’t such a shitty person, I’d almost feel sorry for him.”

Sora snorted, “I do not feel sorry for him at all.” Nor did I and neither did Karl. Remi gasped, “Don’t you dare waste a SINGLE second feeling sorry for that wretched SNAKE! He took MY bestie from me. There were plans, Karl! I wrote them down.”

Karl cooed, “I know you did.” Remi said, “We will do our senior year bucket list one day. I will make sure that rat bastard’s eyes are pried open so that he cannot blink and has to WATCH our escapades. I know Fairies and Joe and company are on board. Charms will be done.”

Karl chuckled, “I am aware.” I asked, “You’ve involved Joe in your extensive plans now?” Remi replied, “I have. I will involve more people as time goes on and my list does not get completed. Businesses charge interest, well so does my petty.”

I busted up laughing with Sora. Sora admitted, “I miss Ro.” I really missed them too. Karl said, “One second, babe.” He answered, “Hey. WHAT? Ok. Well, see if you can find out what happened. Sure.” Sora said, “I hate hearing half of people’s conversations. It is the worst.” I agreed.

Remi demanded, “Tell me all right now." Karl said, “Ashley Griffen was just spotted back in near Nashville going into King’s Diner.” I gasped, “You got a source in Nashville Karl?!” Remi said, “All thanks to moi! I needed to try their hot chicken. I saw a commercial and I had to have it. I pestered Joe and Karl incessantly until they went to get it. Joe is already looking forward to me getting pregnant.”

I teased, “You have got to give Joe a break. You’re lucky he’s mated to your cousin.” Sora chuckled, “He’d still help Ro.” I knew that. Remi snorted, “Anywho, while waiting for my hot chicken they chatted up some peeps who are neighbors. My hair and boldness blew them away.”

I asked, “Uhh what?” Remi snorted, “Right? Karl showed some pictures and this mated woman grabbed his phone and flicked through it. That’s who his source is. She likes me and says I have a spark she misses seeing. What does that mean? I haven’t gotten that answer, but I’m the case. I have so many cases.” I snickered quietly.

Kyle came in, “The allies got a call, Karl we need you back in meetings. The Resistance said they have Jane and Madeline’s location.” I heard thunder out of the house. Remi exploded, “ASHLEY IS TOTALLY THE SNIPER! My god, we are so smart.”

I snorted, “If only someone would believe us.” Remi groaned, “Ugh! Don’t get me started on the ‘we need proof’ ‘that’s not proof, but it has merit’ conversations. They bore me into oblivion. Everyone here agrees we are right. This could not be more of a flashing neon sign.”

I agreed, “Karl gets a call that Ashley’s been seen around Nashville and the Resistance gets a lock on Jane. That’s very suspicious.” I shouted, “MOM! They got a lead on Jane and Madeline.” Mom ran in, “Oh, thank god. Are they ok?” I answered, “The Resistance told them.”

I jolted at my own statement, “Wait. The Resistance didn’t just go in, they told the allies. Something is so fishy with this. They never do that.” Remi announced, “I’m off to relay that information because you're right. That’s super weird and suspicious. I bet the Resistance peeps are off doing super dangerous things to distract the Ring so the allies can get Jane.”

agreed, “That rings true.” Remi huffed, “I swear we should rule the world.” Mom laughed but it wasn’t her normal one. Remi announced, “I'll be back in a bit.” Then hung up. I asked, “Mom?” Mom flinched.

I hugged her asking, “What’s wrong?” Sora warned, “We will kill whoever has upset her this much.” Mom whispered, “My heart is broken.” My mom was dating?! Sora said, “We must kill the person, right now. Get a name and I will RIP HIM TO PIECES!”

Sora and my voice combined, “Who did this?” Mom glanced up, “I feel horrible for Nathan.” Oh. Sora huffed, “I suppose I’ll let go of my murderous plans.” I replied, “Keep them in mind since mom’s been dating here and there.” I was eighteen now so she felt she could date a little, which I loved. Mom wasn’t dating seriously, but it was more than she had my entire life.

Mom cupped my face, “To lose your mate is heartbreaking, and his daughter is kidnapped. They keep finding places with her blood. I just cannot imagine something like this happening to you. I would be out of my mind then his mate is dead. It’s horrible.” Mom was sobbing her heart out.

I told her, “They are going to find Jane.” Mom said, “He must be distraught. If the Ring got you, I’d be on the floor.” I cupped her face, “They have no idea who I am and they are definitely not after me.”

Mom flinched, “They got your dad.” I pointed out, “Dad’s family let him go. You were the one who filed the missing person’s report.” Mom sighed, “They just said he ghosted me.” I pointed out, “You tried though. With me, you’d go through any door. You’d come after me with all you had.”

Mom wiped her tears, “Damn straight." I added, “Just like Nathan is doing.” Mom looked at my face as if she was studying me then promised, “I will knock down any door, I will go through the pits of hell itself to protect you, Piper.” I replied, “I know.”

My phone rang and I answered, “Remi.” Remi snorted, “Well, there’s a location that’s been given. People are moving in so Jane is practically saved. Apparently our and I QUOTE conclusions are not proof.” Mom snorted, “Who on earth said those words to you, Remi?” Remi gasped, “Right? Karl is now tasked with getting me a meeting with Ashley. I’ll just ask her.”

I replied, “You do realize she will not answer.” Remi replied, “I’ll read the subtext, get her to be my friend, make her see you and I are obvious Resistance material, then we’ll know. I don't think that we will tell anyone because they have been ignoring our GENIUS and clearing connecting the dots minds for YEARS!”

Mom disagreed, “Let’s not run around with those people. It’s dangerous.” Remi snorted, “They could totally take you and Piper off the map for that RAT BASTARD NINKO! NO! They would help me get my revenge. IT WILL BE GLORIOUS! Karl is working on it. Only Hazel can know once our dreams of being on the team in black goes well.”

Mom snorted, “Remi.” Remi reasoned, “You’re the only rational one about this, Hazel. You agree that Ashley is involved. The signs are all clear. PLUS, and I maintain this is an EPIC point I came up with, Jane is apparently fighting in the undergrounds. Ashley Griffen is not in the Undergrounds we go to, but Grandpa Kyle thinks there are secretive ones. She’s TOTALLY in the real one.”

I agreed, “For sure. OH!!! Remi! That’s what she’s doing! That’s why she gave it to the allies! She’s fighting instead of Jane.” Remi snorted, “That’s the tip of the iceberg. Who does everything come back to?” Mom snorted, “Alpha Alexander.” Remi asked, “Whose brother is upset about his mate being missing?” I answered, “Alexander.”

Remi said, “DING, DING, DING! The Resistance could’ve gotten Jane with Ashley using the fight as cover. They aren’t because Alpha Alexander will be happier this way. Does anyone acknowledge my deductions for the brilliance they are? No. Therefore when the Resistance accepts my genius deductions no one else will know.”

Remi lamented, “Honestly, you ask ANY woman who has been head over heels in love and allllll of these makes sense. Except for where she won’t meet him. Like the dude should fall AT HER FEET. I need to meet this girl with you, Pipes. We gotta help get her confidence. People should bow. Bowing is appropriate for this chick.”

I laughed, “Yeah, plus we gotta talk to her about balance. She does too much.” Remi shouted, “Exactly! Like you gotta recognize when your boss is being a d**k or b***h. Unless she’s her boss, then she needs to calm all the way down.”

Mom said, “Based on Ashley’s age, that would be unlikely.” Remi hummed, “See, I don’t know. I could see it. Never discount a pissed off teenage girl. We are never down and out. Often we are in the shadows. I could totally see it.”

Karl shouted, “Jane and Madeline have been found. Both are alive.” Remi sighed, “Oh thank god.” I told her, “You guys enjoy that with the pack. I’m going for a run.” Sora needed to run off this excess energy.

Remi cooed, “Be safe.” I snorted, “I have Sora.” Remi said, “I’m so serious. Today has already been dramatic.” I snorted, "Apparently it wasn’t just today.” Remi grumbled, “Stop being unreachable at times. It’s very annoying.” I laughed, “I’ll do my best.” Remi shouted, “Catch ya later!” Her normal inflection was back when she hung up.

I hugged mom saying, “I’ll be back.” I left our cabin and shifted into Sora. Sora began running all around. We went further than normal and ended up in a clearing. I frowned, “Sora, since when is this here?” Sora said, “I do not know.”

A man appeared, “Interesting fox.” I scoffed, “We are not a fox.” Sora made a noise of anger. I asked, “Why doesn’t he have a scent?” Sora admitted, “I don’t know.” More people showed up and were trying to herd us further away.

I dodged under some brush and made myself smaller so they couldn’t see me. The thing was they didn’t try. They simply disappeared. What? I heard someone make a noise of anger similar to Sora’s.

I whispered, “Sora, he’s here!” Sora replied, “He’s at least twenty miles away. Run!” I ran in my smaller form. Two miles from the house I saw my mom running with a flashlight yelling, “PIPER!” I made myself bigger and shifted back.

I grabbed her, “We have to go.” Mom nodded, “Yes, I had that sense. Let’s pack.” I shook my head, “No, leave it. Joe can conjure it. We have to go. He’s not far!” Mom grabbed my hand and we ran to the car and drove like bats out of hell.

Mom questioned, “What happened?” I frowned, “One of his powers must be to have people who look real then have them herd me or something. He was trying to get us closer to him. I didn’t reveal any of my powers though.”

Mom scoffed, “I don’t care if you have to reveal everything to him! That rat bastard has no business corralling my daughter! How dare he.” I winced, “He’s getting closer.” Sora snorted, “I’m still smarter and so are you. We knew those weren’t real people.”

I winced, “If he can see with those people he created, then he knows what Sora looks like now.” Mom questioned, “Does that mean he would know you’re a Tenko’s daughter?” Sora took over to answer, “Anyone who saw us would know we are the Crown Princess.”

Mom grumbled, “Then how do they not know any of Pernell’s kids aren’t the crown Prince or Princess?!” Sora answered, “He may not have kits.” He definitely did. Mom pressed, “If he does though?”