The Alpha and His Hunted Kitsune Princess

Attacked Pt. 2

Julian cleared his throat, “As I was saying, there’s a new rule.” William linked, “It’s going to involve him coming with us.” I knew that. Julian pointed at William and me, “The three of us go places together.”

I admitted, “Pulling people into trees and exploding them is cool. William could just take them in and leave them though.” Julian growled, “People who shoot at you get to explode and I’m not sorry about that at all.”

Cassie offered, “I’d shoot them with my sunlight.” Then winked at me. EJ linked, “I’m proud of you. You could easily reveal your big defensive power and did not.” I knew Julian was coming and I had other abilities at my disposal.

I spun Calvin onto my back easily and ran out of the hospital piggy backing him. Calvin growled, “She deserved it.” I laughed, “You’ll get no pushback from me. I used to think Bradford was just a d**k, but with a mom like that I don’t know how he could be anything but.”

Calvin muttered, “I heard people say she’s just like Cassandra.” I asked, “Do you remember her at all?” Calvin huffed, “Casper does.” Of course the wolf half would remember more than Calvin. He was only two when she died.

Calvin growled, “Plenty of people talk about how awful Cassandra was to mom though.” I was young, but I knew it was bad. Given how mom always pushed things about her down, it was worse than we knew.

I said, “Patricia doesn’t bother mom.” Calvin asked, “Why should we care? She’s disrespectful about mom and enough people f*****g do that!” I gently said, “I know it’s hard hearing what happened to mom.”

Calvin snarled and shifted. I linked dad, “Are you and mom busy?” Dad replied, “Your mom just passed out.” I popped with Calvin to my mom’s island. I called, “Dad!” Dad ran outside. Casper growled.

Dad asked, “Casper?” Then Thor took over, “Pup, shift back. I’ll talk to you and Eric can talk to Calvin.” Calvin shifted back into his human form. Dad asked, “Cal?” Calvin sniffled, “P and William got shot at and had blood all over them. Patricia was horrible and I can’t have people disrespecting mom right now!”

Dad yanked him into a hug and held him tightly. I linked Cole and Parker, “Pop to dad.” They did and I nodded to my dad. I linked Cole, Parker, and Calvin, “You know where to find me if you need me.” Then I popped back to William and Preston.

They were waiting with whiskey. EJ walked in and sat down. I reasoned, “The pack should know Alpha bloods hearing what happened to mom means tread carefully. Patricia pushed Calvin and she knew it. Or she should.”

Bernard growled in my head. EJ said, “Which I have dealt with. I knew why Calvin was upset. Mike took several steps away from her, and I wasn’t going to stop Calvin if he ripped her apart for the disrespect.”

I snorted, “Are you feeling a bit like Alexander since he’s dark?” EJ snorted, “Alexander is holding onto all our bonds and plotting to kill the person we didn’t.” I checked the bond and realized that was right. Alexander felt if this many of us were about to let someone die, it should’ve happened.

Bernard chuckled, “Oden is an enforcer.” I knew that. I called, “Brady and Tim, I know you are spying. Brady huffed, “Well, we don’t understand why Calvin got so upset.” EJ replied, “You will in two years.”

Tim shrugged, “We can take care of what’s bothering him if we know.” I replied, “You really can’t. All of us have to find our own way of dealing with it. It’s too fresh for Calvin, Cole, and Parker.”

Brady said, “Calvin was the one upset.” I laughed, “Calvin was the one talking. Do you often have to worry about the one that’s talking?” Tim answered, “When it’s an Alpha / Hackura blood, yes.” I conceded, “True. Cole faded back and Parker was going the opposite way. All three of them were ready to attack.”

Brady sighed, “Maybe that means that woman needs to go. She basically offered her son up as a steed for auction. Mom won’t like that when she finds out.” EJ said, “Elise is dealing with a punishment for that. I’ve let all the packs know that Patricia is not arranging a marriage for Bradford.”

I rubbed my face, “We should go see him.” Julian warned, “We should wait because Patricia will leave then we can see him. If I see her, she might die if she says something stupid.” I squeezed his shoulder, “You weren’t with us.” Julian shouted, “I should have been!”

I argued, “We all have our lives, Julian. You were busy and this shouldn't have been a big deal.” EJ urged, “Let’s head to the gym.” I popped there and found Uncle Histeck, Uncle Logan, and Uncle Ubbe waiting for us.

Uncle Ubbe grabbed me and we got in the ring. We danced around each other throwing punches. It burned that I hadn’t stopped Bradford from getting hurt. I let my guard down, and a Warrior of this pack got hurt. William could’ve been hurt.

Hark tossed us both bamboo sticks and we were at it again. I understood why Alexander was in the damn gym so often. This felt good. It was just what I needed. Eventually Uncle Ubbe called it, “Good fight, nephew.” Then he opened a portal.

I asked, “What are we doing?” Uncle Ubbe answered, “Playing music.” He grabbed his saxophone and after a second I picked up the drum sticks. I made my way to the bench and began to play along with him.

I felt my muscles relax as the tension leaked out of them. After a few hours Uncle Ubbe stopped playing. I let myself go for a bit before I did too. Uncle Ubbe handed me a drink of whiskey. He didn’t say anything, but he didn’t need to.

I whispered, “I didn’t stop it.” Uncle Ubbe replied, “I’ve been under fire plenty of times in the field.” I shrugged, “I wasn’t focused. Bradford has this crazy situation and I was fixing it.” Uncle Ubbe reasoned, “You are an Alpha and one of your people was upset.”

I growled, “I should’ve stopped it. Bradford shouldn’t be lying in a hospital bed right now.” Uncle Ubbe said, “If you didn’t act as fast as you did he would’ve bled out and died. He is alive because of your quick thinking.”

I winced, “I thought it was William. I didn’t use the bond, I panicked.” Uncle Ubbe said, “When Harper went on his first mission, I thought he was hit too. We were all there watching out for him and Gunner. The whole thing went to s**t and my heart stopped because I thought my baby brother was hurt.”

Uncle Ubbe swirled his glass, “I didn’t give a s**t who I jumped over to get to him. I didn’t consider the bond until I had hands on him knowing he was ok. You acted quickly. You cannot stop your brain’s natural response to things.”

“A lot of people consider Hackura bloods to be soulless monsters who kill indiscriminately if told, but that’s not us. We are empathic and we probably care a whole lot more than a lot of groups out there.”

Bernard agreed, “That’s true. With the bond we follow it and find who is hurting.” I knew that. Uncle Ubbe squeezed my knee, “You are not omnipotent. None of us are. Things are even blurry to Angela. People make last minute decisions. Even when they plan it out, we do our best to get wind of those things but we didn’t know this was coming.”

Uncle Ubbe said, “I’m damn proud of how fast you got everyone out of there. Julian shouldn’t have gone but telling you three that is like telling the wind not to blow.” I threw my head back and laughed, “It never crossed my mind that Julian shouldn’t be there.”

Uncle Ubbe snorted, “I know. It never does with you three. He should’ve waited to be pulled.” I shrugged, “Alexander just comes a lot.” Uncle Ubbe said, “He gives more leeway, but if you’re hurt no he would not hesitate.”

I asked, “Do you know who is super obsessed with him?” Uncle Ubbe sat back, “You mean in the Resistance.” I nodded, “Yes. I can’t figure it out. I watch people around him, but no one stands out. People want our attention.”

Uncle Ubbe agreed, “They do.” I asked, “So, what the hell? Why is someone doing all this for us, for Alexander, but not coming to him? They have to know that he wants them to.” Uncle Ubbe took a sip of drink and I did the same.

Uncle Ubbe admitted, “I think on the surface that person believes as the person who helps, Alexander wants to know them. Whatever is under the surface is the problem.” Bernard snorted, “What?”

I questioned, “What do you mean?” Uncle Ubbe said, “It’s obvious this person is in love with Alexander. They don’t want to hurt him though, they protect him like I would your Aunt Danika.” I blinked, “You think it’s his mate.”

Uncle Ubbe sighed, “I think it’s someone who wants to be, but not in a way we are used to. We are used to title chasers and people being after us for our names. The person who developed Laxenread could’ve sold it to the highest bidder and made billions because our family and the Holloran’s would’ve made sure one of us got it.”

I snorted, “We can’t replicate it.” Uncle Ubbe agreed, “Yet we are kept in constant supply of it.” I asked, “You have it here?” I didn’t know that. Uncle Ubbe answered, “Yes, Bjourn got an anonymous email with coordinates to a warehouse with more Laxenread it in six months after we got the first dose.”

I asked, “Do you think that’s because he’s the King or because the creator of Laxenread knows Uncle Bjourn is close with Alexander?” Uncle Ubbe admitted, “I don’t know. I’m not sure I would put anything out of the realm of this person not to know about Alexander.”

I realized, “None of you think he’s in danger.” Uncle Ubbe agreed, “No, I never did. Your mom put papers together on this person. Nothing Alexander does, even mating with someone else, will not turn this person against them.”

I snorted, “They’d have to care.” Uncle Ubbe said, “I think they’d be devastated, but they’d still protect him. Their goal is for him to be happy.” I hummed “Is it though? They snark at Red Run a lot and Jase is one of Alexander’s best friends.”

Uncle Ubbe conceded, “That feels personal on a different level.” I questioned, “What if someone was put in a SIM or given false memories of Red Run? What if someone they helped was scared and lied about Red Run to them?”

Uncle Ubbe thought about it while I drank some more whiskey. Uncle Ubbe admitted, “I don’t think someone is tricking these people. I could see the false memories. If they escaped the Ring, I’d bet they could do something like that.”

I snorted, “What if they tried to hijack this person’s mind, but they escaped. Could they think they know Alexander? Like personally?” Uncle Ubbe shrugged, “Anything is possible, but they don’t act like they’ve met him. This person, and I think we know it’s a female, is terrified to meet him.”

Uncle Ubbe paused then said, “I do think you’ve given me a good angle to investigate though.” I questioned, “Did I?” Bernard boasted, “We are good.” Uncle Ubbe answered, “Yes. Maybe there was a mission where someone was rescued and he was around. Or it was at a facility he took people out but somehow missed a captive. This could be driven by him saving her, so she saves him.”

It didn’t feel right, but anything was possible. Uncle Ubbe laughed, “I felt that.” I sighed, “Alexander doesn’t miss things like that. He’d have found a captive.” Uncle Ubbe said, “Everyone makes mistakes, P. Especially in the field. Things get hectic. There were even a few times Alexander had our people go back because he had to get out. Maybe it was one of those.” It just didn’t ring true. I nodded and popped us back to the castle then hugged him.

I whispered, “Thanks, Uncle Ubbe.” Uncle Ubbe ruffled my hair, “I’m always here for you guys.” I knew that. I popped out. Ethan nodded, “I figured I’d see you eventually.” I questioned, “How is he?” Ethan answered, “He’s sedated.”

I snorted, “He deserves that instead of having to talk to his mother.” Ethan smirked, “I agree but it didn’t factor into my decision. He needs rest. His wolf has muscles and things to repair. The force he hit the ground with cracked some rips. A Warlock clearly stomped on him and broke some ribs.”

I winced, “I hate that.” Ethan put a hand on his shoulder, “We used to see a lot of things like this here. The power your mom and brother have astound me. The Fairy healed Bradford’s collapsed lung and eased his pain. That is astounding. My job is a lot easier with your mom and brother around, but we can handle this type of injury.”

I ran my hand through my hair, “He shouldn't have been injured at all. There was no one that knew that route besides us.” Ethan nudged me, “Even the bad guys get lucky sometimes.” I snorted, “Yeah, I guess.” I turned and conjured a chair then noticed Mike on the pull out bed.

I conjured a blanket for him and sat down. I squeezed Bradford’s hand, “You made it and you’re going to be fine. Flora isn’t going to be bothering you anymore. You just get better, man. Ok?” I squeezed his hand.

William popped in next and put a hand on me and I moved so he could sit in the chair. William took his hand teasingly saying, “I’d like to say I’m shocked you’re dramatic Bradford but you’ve always been this way.”

William whispered, “I’m sorry you got hit when you were with us. It’s always about us, but I have no idea how they knew we were there. I’m so damn sorry, Bradford.” Julian popped in but didn’t say anything.

Mike said, “It’s not your fault. Bradford was proud he’d gotten selected to go out with you guys. Some asshole who shot him is to blame. Along with whoever planned it. You boys did nothing wrong and no one thinks otherwise.”

William cringed, “I should’ve called the wind to knock him down.” Mike got up and looked at his son. Mike told us, “You can’t control everything. You got him home to us and he’s still on this earth because of you guys and your powers. Thank you.” I didn’t want his thanks but I hugged him.

We left as a group. We found Calvin, Cole, and Parker at a bonfire with the pack. We walked over to them. I linked Calvin, “Are you ok?” Calvin huffed, “People suck.” I agreed, “People are definitely overrated.”

A Warrior came over, “Alpha Preston, would you like to blow off steam?” I replied, “Thank you for the offer, but I don’t have s*x with people in the pack.” Bernard snorted, “Which people have noticed.”

I had zero desire for my mate to come in here and feel there was a competition where there was not one. I wanted her to be comfortable in our home with seeing past flings. I wasn’t a saint nor did I swear off either gender like Alexander did. My brother wanted his mate and I thought that was great. We all made our choices. Mine was to not stick my d**k in a pack member.

The Warrior sighed, “Yeah, I thought you’d say that but I had to shoot my shot. You know?” Julian was trying to cover his laugh as a cough, but it was not working. I shrugged. She paused, then added, “There are some Yellow River members here.”

Calvin growled, “If Claire came she better run.” The Warrior snorted, “She tried but we chased her off.” Calvin smirked, “Thanks.” I went and got them drinks and watched as they went off and flirted with the women they were interested in.

Julian asked, “So, are we hooking up tonight or not?” I admitted, “I’m not sure.” Then I saw Merida smirking at me. William linked, “If you invited her, I’ll smack you in the back of the head.” I replied, “No, I did not invite her.”

I spotted a girl I’d hooked up with in Alpha Theo Bartlett’s pack a few times. I told my brothers, “I’ll be going over there.” Julian snorted, “I’m coming.” William agreed, “Me too. Over there is so much better than here.” We popped over to their group.

Nia, the girl I hooked up with, snorted, “I think your former Witch bed buddy is trying to kill me with her eyes.” I sighed, “I haven’t hooked up with her in a long time.” Nia laughed, “I know. Trust me, everyone does. She’s pretty pissed off about it.”

Bernard grumbled, “I could not be bothered to care.” I shrugged, “I’m not sure why. She knew the score and she wanted what I couldn't give her.” Nia hummed, “That’s not a problem I have, P.” I acknowledged, “I know that.”

Nia chuckled, “Not everyone gets it. I think it’s hardest for the Witches and Warlock groups. Like our wolves are with us, and we live on the pack grounds. We are uninhibited here. We are together. They are segregated and act like humans.”

I snorted, “So, what? Merida thinks I’m going to fall in love with her and pick her?” Nia replied, “You said it but I think that’s true.” I groaned, “No.” Nia laughed, “I know that and you know that. Hell, everyone with a brain knows that.”

Dad linked, “Are you good, son?” I answered, “I am fine, dad. Get some sleep.” Dad snorted, “I did. I’m sure your mom will be up soon. She’ll be worried about you guys and your mission once she comes off her concupiscence and is filled in.”

I replied, “I know that.” Dad snorted, “Good. LINK ME IF YOU GET SHOT AT! That’s a f*****g rule, Preston. I’m telling William the same.” I argued, “You were with mom.” Dad replied, “A quick, hey dad got shot at everyone is fine would take you two seconds.” I chuckled, “Alright. Fair enough.” Dad grumbled, “Damn straight.”

I warned Nia, “A barrel of lust is coming my way. Are you in?” Nia purred, “Yes, please.” William and Julian had their hookups as well. Bernard growled, “Incoming.” Merida huffed, “So you guys share people now?”

Julian said, “Gosh, I’m so confused on how I’m talking to the same person either of my twins are.” William snorted, “We even went for diversity. None of the girls we are talking to look even remotely similar.”

I added, “Also, what we do together or not is none of your business.” Julian chuckled, “I think she’s jealous. She wanted all three of us, didn’t you? All that talk of us being too close. Were you negging us trying to get us to f**k you together?”

Bernard snorted, “I love Titan and Leif but I don’t want to share a girl with them. I don’t mind being near them if we are having s*x, but I’m not into it.” My brothers and I weren’t into that either.

Nia laughed, “Oh god. You think brothers would share a girl? ALPHA siblings? Are you ok, Merida?” Merida blushed, “That’s not…” She trailed off then huffed, “I hook up with Preston.” William asked, “Can you say that in the present tense when it’s been…” Merida interrupted him, “I know how long it’s been. I wouldn’t say no to the three of you, but I just want him.”

Calvin growled in warning. I linked him, “I’ve got it.” Cole warned, “Me, Parker, and Calvin are at our max for the day, Merida. Walk away.” Aunt Katie cleared his throat then grabbed Merida by her ponytail.

Nia said, “I love all your relatives. They really are the best.” I agreed, “They are.” I nodded to Cole, Parker, and Calvin. Maverick and Theo showed up and Micah portaled in and kissed Max who hadn’t realized was here with Wesley and Buttercup.

Wesley linked, “I barely kept Buttercup from beating Merida’s ass.” I snorted, “You can let her go off. I don’t care.” Wesley clearly linked Buttercup because she got up and took off running. Wesley chuckled.

Nia asked, “Are you ok, P? I heard about today.” I sighed, “Yeah, it’s certainly been a day.” Guilt tugged at me for being out here when Bradford was laid up in the hospital. William linked, “Bradford is going to be ok.” I just wished Alexander was here to heal him since mom was in her concupiscence.

Alexander threw down the bond that he’d be home as quickly as he could. I sent back just as fast that I wanted him to be safe. Alexander assured me he was safe and sent his love. Nia put her hands on my chest.

Mom’s lust barreled into me causing me to yank Nia against my chest. I heard pops and heard Wesley growl. Buttercup’s time with Merida was definitely ending. Nia got up on her tiptoes and kissed me. I popped her to my bedroom knowing she wasn’t into the orgy scene.