The Alpha and His Hunted Kitsune Princess

Crushes Pt.1

Piper is Eighteen

Piper was excited. Mom squeezed my shoulder, “This will be a good day.” We were heading back for Karl and Remi’s mating ceremony. It turned out they were fated mates, which shocked no one. Especially after the whole Berbalang incident. Mom and I had been moving around a lot lately. I wanted to finish out my senior year in their pack, but I had a stalker.

Saro made her noise of anger, “That Ninko thinks he can outsmart me! It’s insulting, Piper.” Well, he couldn’t. The guy also couldn’t get on pack grounds no matter where mom and I stayed. He’d leave me notes with people so we’d leave.

I still got to play volleyball since that was under a different name. So, I was still doing club ball with Remi. I was just getting popped in by one of their partial Fairies in the pack. Which is how we were getting to the mating ceremony.

Sora chuckled, “It’s just like Ro to get married before the end of her senior year.” That was Remi’s wolf, and it was like them. Karl was a year older than us and Remi had zero patience. It wasn’t uncommon for wolves to get married the second they turned eighteen either.

Mom admitted, “I’m excited to see everyone.” I admitted, “Me too. Is Grandpa Ralph’s family all coming in?” They grew up with Remi. Mom’s heart rate changed and increased. I raised an eyebrow. Mom said, “Grandpa Ralph said some of them couldn't make it. His daughter and son in law will be there, but his grandsons can’t make it.”

I gasped, “You like one of them!” Mom swatted my arm, “They are all mated, Piper.” I chuckled, “Who is it? Who’s the hottie that has captured your attention?” Mom groaned, “You can’t keep holding the version of me on morphine against me.”

I snorted, “You told Brax I was having s*x with him after prom!” Mom teased “Really you should’ve told him.” I nudged her, “I told you first.” Even before I had told Remi. Mom laughed, “Well, my threat worked. Are you hanging out with Brax after Remi and Karl go off?”

I answered, “Yeah, I’m staying with him after the ceremony.” Mom nodded, “I guess I’ll just be in the pack house by my lonesome.” I teased, “Grandpa Ralph has a single son now.” His mate had passed away.

Mom rolled her eyes, “I’m not going for his son.” I chuckled, “Because you think the grandson is hot.” Mom sighed, “Ugh. Fine. He has a grandson that is the literal hottest man I’ve ever seen in my entire life. Ralph is aware I feel that way, but he’s always aware nothing will ever happen because that grandson has a mate. I’m not the kind of woman who would try to step in that or think that I could come between soul mates.”

I assured her, “I know you’re not, mom. I was just teasing. Come on, tell me which it is though.” Mom rolled her eyes, “Maybe another time.” I asked, “Does he have pups too?” Mom nodded, “He does. He’s mated, Piper. I’m not messing with a soul mate connection, I just think everything I’ve heard about him is amazing and he’s hot.”

I nodded, “I get it.” I really did. Mom asked, “Oh do you?” Sora chuckled, “Now, you’ve done it.” I answered, “Yes, you’d never step between mates.” Mom gasped, “You have a crush! Who is it? Tell me everything. Does he live here?”

I sighed, “I don’t have a crush.” Except I did. Sora contentedly sighed, “He’s so dreamy.” Mom pointed at my face, “You are blushing, you have a crush! Who?” I groaned, “Mom.” Mom snorted, “Oh no, we talked about my crush.”

I shot back, “With no names!” Mom questioned, “Is he mated?” I answered, “No, he’s not.” Mom grinned, “Then it’s different. He’s an option. Does he live around here?” Mom’s face fell, “Or is it one of the packs we’ve moved to this year?” We’d moved three times already this school year.

I answered, “No, he’s not around here or in past packs where we've lived. I’ve never even met him.” Mom chuckled, “Well, aren’t we a pair? I’ve never met Ralph’s grandson either.” I grinned at her, “I am my mother’s daughter after all.” Mom replied, “Damn straight. Tell me more about this young man.”

Sora made her happy noise. I told mom, “He’s hot but it’s never going to happen.” Sora huffed, “Spoil sport.” I added, “Besides, I’m hanging out with Brax this weekend.” Mom replied, “You and Brax have respect for each other. That doesn’t mean either of you can’t have crushes. Both of you have mates out there.”

I snorted, “A crush is not a mate.” Sora said, “I don’t know, I believe he could be worthy of me. Few are, you know?” Great. I was giving my Kitsune ideas of grandeur. Sora gasped, “I am a Crown Princess!” That no one knew about. Sora huffed, “Details.”

Mom agreed, “No but they are such fun to talk about.” I quietly said, “Preston Conners.” Mom groaned, “Not the mumbling. I didn’t hear that.” Sora chuckled in my head. I repeated, “Preston Conners.” Mom cooed, “Ohhhh I love your taste! Which one is he? They all look the same.”

I disagreed, “No, they have subtle differences.” I googled the picture I’d seen recently and showed my mom. Mom grabbed it and sighed, “He’s with his brothers. Which one is Preston?” I pointed, “That one in the middle is Preston. Those are his brothers William and Julian. They were opening a new children’s hospital together.”

Mom hummed, “He’s philanthropic and quite close with his family. I approve of this crush. He’s adorable, honey.” Sora corrected, “He is sexy.” Mom asked, “How do you know which one he is?” I looked him up on socials and when I saw the picture I just knew which one was him. How? I don’t know but I did.

I admitted, “I checked out all his social media.” Mom laughed, “They look the same.” I disagreed, “No, Julian has this crinkle by his eye. My theory is because he’s more Fae like.” Mom shrugged, “Sure.” I continued, “William just stands differently and Preston has dimples when he smiles.”

Sora agreed, “Perfect dimples that make me want to present.” I snorted, “You don’t often get involved when I have sex.” Sora agreed, “No, but you and Brax do a good job together. He’s far more satisfactory than your other fling.” Yeah, well it was a fling. Brax had been a steady thing.

Hell, he would still be a steady thing if we didn’t have to move. Sora grumbled, “Stupid Ninko that is RUINING our s*x life!” Mom said, “Well, I think he is cute. I approve of this crush.” I laughed, “Mom, I will never meet him.”

Mom shrugged, “Never say never. He’s unmated and just a bit older than you. Not so much my human sensibilities would twitch and I’d have to stuff them down.” I laughed, “You mean like his parents.”

Mom admitted, “It’s more the Vampires that are centuries old with women in their twenties that get me. It’s like hello?! He’s older than the lightbulb and the telephone!” I threw my head back and laughed.

Mom sighed, “I know but like come on, I have a point.” I shrugged, “It doesn’t bother me.” Mom made a face, “I know. It doesn’t bother Supernaturals, but no, Preston’s parents age gap doesn’t bother me. It might have been eyebrow raising to me if I didn’t know about Vampires running around.”

I snorted, “So, you hope I am not mated to one then.” It wasn’t a question. Sora snorted, “I will not be having someone suck my blood, thank you very much.” Mom laughed, “Shifters are not often mated with Vampires from what I’ve observed.”

Mom waved, “As long as you're with someone who treats you well and you’re fated I wouldn’t say much. I’d just be stuffing down that impulse to shout he’s older than the car and wheel.” I laughed, “Some are younger.”

Mom replied, “This is where my logic will make you laugh. Because I don’t want you with a young Vampire either. I want control and strength if it has to happen. Really, there would be no winning for that poor guy. He’s either too young or too old. There is no happy medium.”

I laughed, “I don’t think I’d be fated to a Vampire. Sora is adamantly opposed.” Mom sounded relieved, “Well, that’s her opinion.” I teased, “Which you are happy about.” Mom agreed, “Ok, I am. It would give me a complex, but for you I’d deal.” I hugged her, “I love you mom.”

Joe popped in and I squealed in delight. Joe laughed, “Remi has been linking me every thirty seconds if I’m free. I decided to get free so I could bring you for your pre-mating ceremony sleepover with your ride or die. You might wonder why I know all those details.”

I admitted, “I do not.” Sora agreed, “Not even kind of.” Joe snorted, “Well, I’ve heard lots more details. It’s been a time for me. So, here I am to collect you since Karl simply smiles at his mate or laughs about her antics of driving me insane.”

Mom laughed, “I think you’d be used to it since she does this anytime we plan visits.” Joe replied, “You’d think that but Remi has said she can’t be predictable or boring since then I might stop popping you all around. I would not, for the record. This time she upped her insanity. There were notes, texts, links, and people who came to speak to me.”

I covered my mouth saying, “She’s just excited.” Joe replied, “The pack is excited. Remi is another stratosphere.” Then he groaned, “She’s linking me again. Let’s go.” Joe popped us back and directly in front of Remi.

Remi screamed in delight and hugged me, lifting me off the ground. Sora said, “I did miss her. Remi said, “I am getting married!” Then she turned to Joe, “I don’t care what anyone says about you, you’re the best!” Then high fived him.

Joe questioned, “What do people say about me?” Remi winked, grabbed my hand, then walked off with me. Joe shouted, “Remi!” Remi called over her shoulder, “I gotta keep you on your toes, Joe! Telling you would be no fun.” Joe grumbled but popped back to wherever he came from. Remi’s mom had mine and they were talking.

I asked, “What do people say about Joe?” Remi answered, “Everyone loves him. I just have to keep this whole deal of him finding me interesting so that he brings me my bestie when I desire.”

I snorted, “I don’t think you do.” Remi grinned, “But I do.” I pointed out, “You're the Gamma’s daughter.” Remi replied, “Beckett will take over soon though.” I reasoned, “Then you’re the Gamma’s sister and Male Lead Warrior’s mate.”

Remi waved dismissively, “I make Joe’s life more exciting. He loves me platonically, deep down in his toes.” I threw my head back and laughed while Remi led us to a car. I asked, “Where are we going?” Remi answered. “My final fitting. I can’t wait for you to see the dress in person. We are looking at your dress too!”

Remi whispered, “Karl will swallow his tongue and Brax will as well. He’s looking forward to seeing you, but I made sure he was busy so he couldn't try and swoop you away. He’s hard for sexy times. I politely gave him a window so I could have my own sexy times pre-mating ceremony.”

I laughed, “Remi! He was dating someone until last week.” Remi nodded, “I know but apparently there was no spark. He’s missing his Piper lovin’. Who could blame him? You’re missing your own Brax lovin.”

Sora agreed, “That’s true. As I said, your last fling was disappointing.” It had been a Warlock and well it was disappointing.” Sora shouted, “Exactly! He didn’t even use his fingers long enough to make us come before we had sex.” I’d helped myself afterwards.

Sora huffed, “We never had to do that with Brax.” That was true. Remi nudged me, “So, are there any cute boys we are eying in your new school?” I snorted, “No. Mom’s thinking we are going to move again.”

Remi grumbled, “That f*****g dickhead stalker is going to come up against me someday. He will RUE the day that you had to move before our EPIC senior years RUE!” The Warrior in the front seat sighed.

I asked, “Are you ok?” Remi waved, “Maybe they’ve all heard about how that stupid nincompoop will GET IT for RUINING our EPIC senior year. Karl is ready and willing to help me give that man the business. I’m even saving up for Hackura torture help. That’s how serious this is.”

I laughed, “Remi, that’s way too expensive.” Remi waved, “Nothing is too expensive to make that asshole RUE the day he decided to stalk you. Let alone stalking you before Senior year. Honestly, he’s lucky you’re still playing club with me under a different name. Or I’d save for hiring TWO Hackura torturers for his ass.”

The Warrior snorted, “We are here.” Remi said, “He knows I’m serious.” The Warrior muttered, “The entire pack knows you’re serious.” Remi grinned, “Good. Everyone is on board, Piper.” I laughed and followed her into the shop.

We’d facetimed for her appointments so I did know what the dress looked like. I sat down. Remi came out in her mermaid styled wedding dress. The top looked like a rainbow covered in diamonds. The flare out at her knees had white then fanned out into all the colors of the rainbow. It was perfectly Remi. Hers was dyed multiple colors to match.

I told her, “You look beautiful.” Remi grinned, “It fits perfectly! She twirled in it looking so happy that I couldn't help but smile. Remi urged, “Ok, your turn. Let’s get your sexy ass in your dress!” One woman chuckled, “You’re not like our other brides. Some try to make their bridesmaids dull or straight up ugly.”

Remi snorted, “Not me. I have hot friends and my bestie will be looking straight fire.” I went into the dressing room where the woman showed me where my dress was. It was a rainbow colored one shoulder dress. I quickly put the form-fitted dress on.

The sleeve off one side was amazing. Sora said, “We are so hot. We should send Preston a message on his socials wearing this sexy dress.” I touched where you could see a portion of my skin above my dress.

I came out admitting, “This is stunning. I’ve never seen a dress like this.” Remi grinned, “So, I had Grandpa Ralph use his connections for my vision for your dress.” I asked, “Huh?” Remi chuckled, “Princess Luna Haley Conners designed these dresses.” I gasped, “Stop it. This is a Princess Luna Haley Conners dress?!”

Remi squealed, “Yes! Grandpa Ralph’s son in law and his grandsons are in an alliance with them. I begged and pleaded on bended knee because no one had the bridesmaid dress of my visions.” I snorted, “I saw someone try on this dress.”

Remi grinned, “Yes, that was after my begging and pleading. Nathan McDermott said that Haley was tickled pink to conjure it. The dress is absolutely perfect and just my vision and beyond. I could not have imagined a better dress. I merely had Grandpa Ralph text all his relatives what I was thinking. This is what she came up with. The woman is revolutionary.”

I agreed, “This is the most amazing dress I’ve ever put on and it goes with your rainbow theme.” Remi squealed, “I knew you loved it. I was going to have her conjure my wedding dress too. I had a whole plan, but then I found this one here. The universe practically demanded I take it.” I agreed, “Your dress is perfectly you.”

Remi clapped, “I can’t believe how perfect you look in your dress. Brax will EAT his tongue! Are we sending pictures to anyone else? Are we making people salivate?” I snorted, “I’ll just focus on Brax this weekend.”

Remi waved, “You two are friends who have chemistry. You’re not mates and everyone’s cool. We should make someone jealous with the picture. Men need to salivate over the hotness that is Piper.”

I rolled my eyes. Sora purred, “Send it to Preston Conners.” I retorted, “We are not DM’ing Preston Conners a picture of us.” Sora huffed, “Spoil sport.” Remi gasped, “THERE IS SOMEONE! Tell me everything." I laughed and went to change.

Remi dragged me outside to a brunch place. We sat down and Remi ordered, “Bottomless mimosa’s sat!” They set the pitcher down and left. Remi demanded, “Tell me everything." I sighed, “Remi, it’s nothing.”

Remi snickered, “Tell your face that. Tell me all about the nothing.” I shrugged, “It’s never happening.” Remi questioned, “Why? Is he being a d**k? I’ll punch him in his if that’s the case.” I snorted, “I’ve never met him nor will I.”

Remi waved, “Details. I’m sure you can meet him. We are together now and I make the impossible happen. Princess Luna Haley designed your bridesmaid dress and probably would’ve done my wedding dress if I hadn’t found it. I am the magic maker with connections. We’ve got this.”

I admitted, “It’s one of her sons.” Remi gasped, “Reaching for the star! I love this so much. Please don’t say Alpha Alexander. I don’t think he would find me funny at all.” I snorted, “He probably would, he has Fae blood.”

Remi grinned, “I heard what you didn’t say, and that was that it’s not him. Which is good because no one can get a bead on who holds his interest, men or women. He’s a monk at this point.” I snorted, “Remi, he’s waiting for his mate.” Remi replied, “Well, letting us know if that will be a devilishly hot man we salivate over or a hot female would be nice. The masses have questions.” I threw my head back and laughed.

Sora admitted, “I missed her and Ro. Ro is being just as funny.” I sipped my drink. Remi asked, “Do I have to name all the single Conners men or are you going to tell me? NO! Let me guess. Is your crush in a triplet group or twin?”

I answered, “Triplet.” Remi hummed, “Preston.” I blushed. Remi gasped, “God damn I’m so good. This is why you are my ride or die. We get other. I’m the best. I dig it. Let’s send him a picture of you.” I snorted, “Um no. I’m not even following him on socials.”

Piper snorted, “Because you have burner accounts since your stalker RUINED our senior year. I have a plan.” I grinned, “You usually do.” Piper grinned, “We’ll just send Steven back with pictures.”

I said, “I don’t think they hang out that much.” Remi waved, “Details. I will DEMAND that the man shows everyone. Preston Conners will see it and salivate over the hotness that is you.” I laughed, “I love your optimism.”

Remi waved, “Please, he could do no better. Plus, I eavesdropped on Grandpa Ralph, some crazy Witch hook up ex of his has the bar in hell, hon.” Sora made her noise of anger. I asked, “What?”

Remi whispered, “You didn’t hear it from me but the Resistance faked the death of a Witch that tried to get his twins killed.” I gasped, “Julian and William?” Sora said, “We will RIP HER FACE OFF!” I replied, “She might be dead.” Sora snorted, “The Hackura are probably torturing her.” Or the Resistance was.

Remi sighed, “We were totally meant to be members of the Resistance. I don’t understand why this organization doesn’t understand this.” I laughed, “Remi.” Remi asked, “What? We would kick ass in black. Anyway, Ralph told Grandpa Kyle that Nathan told him…” I interrupted, “Nathan Conners?”

Remi waved, “No, McDermont, his grandson.” I nodded and Remi continued, “I guess the Resistance faked her death as a drunk driving accident and dropped the woman off where Alpha Alexander was.”

Sora said, “Someone really is in love with that Alpha.” Yeah, no joke. I questioned, “The Resistance dropped off a woman that was with Preston and had plans to kill William and Julian to Alexander?” Remi grinned, “I love that you don’t use their titles. You are crushing so hard.” I blushed.

Remi snickered, “But right? Men, man. Some woman in the Resistance is clearly gone over on Alpha Alexander. Honestly, that’s part of why I was hoping you weren’t going to say his name as your crush. Who needs the Resistance on their ass? Not us. That’s who.”

I snorted, “We aren’t bad people.” Remi shrugged, “Love is love and someone has it bad for that Alpha. He is mouthwatering so there’s that.” I asked, “Why wouldn’t they meet him then?” Remi whispered, “I think that’s why he’s so serious despite his Alpha blood. He wants to meet the Resistance chick in love with him, but she’s like the literal one person who won’t meet the man.”