The Alpha and His Childhood Sweetheart

The Past Pt. 1

EJ is Sixteen-year-old

            EJ was nervous. Finally Alexander, Cassie and I were sitting down with our mom to discuss her past. Alexander and I had overheard things. Cassie came back from her month in Faerie concerned about what we were going to hear. Alexander had been in a mood since Melanie was a no show at our birthday again this year. Jason said she got in a fight. I asked Elise who it was with. She’d beaten up Charline...again. No doubt because Charline said something about Alexander. Charline just refused to admit that after two years of being ignored by my brother she meant nothing to him. He only spoke to her when he had to. She seemed to think they had some great love affair after the dance. I knew that Melanie still carried her toy wolf around. I asked Elise about it. I hadn’t seen her since I sought her out that one time. I shrugged and popped into Alexander’s room. He looked up at me clearly startled. I raised an eyebrow. He was reading a Thoroughbred Series book. I raised an eyebrow and asked, “New series brother?” He was reading a book called Melanie’s Treasure judging by the wear and tear on the book….he’d read it more than once. Alexander was flustered. He quickly conjured the book somewhere else. He stood, “Can you...just not say anything EJ?” 

            Oh that would be hard. Because I knew exactly why he was reading it. Melanie LOVED that damn book series. I sighed, “If that’s what you want little brother.” Alexander nodded, “Yes...it really is.” I rolled my eyes, “Fine. Let’s get going.” Alexander nodded. He grabbed my arm, “Thank you EJ.” I nodded. I’d told him I’d give him space. Other than occasionally moodiness about Melanie and not having met her yet…..he’d been fine. I just wished he’d tell me. We popped downstairs. My mom was there wringing her hands. My dad took her hand with his and kissed them softly. He pulled her into his lap. Cassie was already waiting for us. My mom stood and started pacing. I said, “Mom….” She popped back to dad. She smiled shakily, “Sorry….I’m just so f*****g nervous.” Alexander leaned forward and squeezed her hand, “We feel that, but you don’t need to be nervous mom. We love you.” She smiled, “Oh I know that.” My dad squeezed her leg, “Whenever you’re ready Angel.” My mom closed her eyes. She took a deep breath.

            She said, “I know you guys have heard rumors. I’m sorry for that. I should’ve….” Alexander said, “Mom, you are telling us now that you feel you yourself and the three of us are ready to hear it. You don’t need to apologize for that.” My mom smiled at him. She sighed, “f**k this is hard….ok, I wasn’t always the Hackura kick ass collect names.” I bit my lip. My mom was not good with this realm’s sayings. She was just so unique. She kept talking while we all smirked at each other, “using my fairy powers mom you all know. My life in Faerie….the sky and earth fairies didn’t like partial fairies. Actually, until I met your dad….I had no idea there were other partial fairies.” All our jaws dropped. My mom sighed, “Oh boy...if your jaws drop now...I…..fuck.” My dad squeezed her leg, “They will not think less of you, Angel. They will see you how I do. As the strong woman you are today.” I frowned. Alexander linked me, “What the f**k?!” I linked back, “I don’t know.” Mom sighed, “You’ve heard of Fabian.” Alexander nodded. Cassie shuddered. No one had a kind word to say about him. My mom cringed, “He’s your great uncle.” Cassie stood, “NO! No! He’s sick! He’s twisted!” I wasn’t as surprised. Alexander and I had done some digging. We knew Fabian was Alania’s brother. Our family had buried it pretty deep, but we’d found it. 

            My dad’s eyes narrowed on Alexander and me. My mom took my sister's hands, “Cass, it’s ok. Our family does not define us. Fabian does not define who we are as a family or me.” Cassie was shaking. I put my arms around her. She jumped up. She was crying.  I went to her again and she pushed me back. Cassie cried, “You don’t understand….you don’t understand what that means!” I frowned. Alexander said, “Cass?” Cassie looked at our mom, “You….he hurt you.” My mom stood and gave Cassie a hug. When she calmed back down we all sat down. My mom continued, “I was a part of the rings we work to shut down.” Alexander gripped the couch. I looked at my dad. Not mom. Not light itself. My mom kept talking, “It was hidden from everyone outside of Faerie. Not even everyone inside Faerie knew what was happening to me. Fabian was into experiments. He inadvertently blocked my connection to your uncles and grandpa Titus by concealing my sorrow from other fairies. It started out as just beatings.” My wolf was raging. She did not just say just beatings. Brutus linked me, “The rings will rue the day we take over this pack. I will TEAR THEM TO PIECES!” Brutus loved my mom as much as I did. I said, “Oh yes we will.” All our brothers would join us. 

            My mom closed her eyes, “He raped me for the first time when I was six. Never vaginally because I had to be pure for whoever he bartered me off to.” Cassie shot sunlight at a vase. My mom stopped giving us a second. Cassie said, “Keep going mom.” My mom nodded, “There were horrible things done to me. I was deprived of sleep and woken up by being shocked awake. I was beaten regularly for being a partial fairy without powers. I was operated on while I was awake. They poured lemonade down my throat. Cut some organs away with iron knives. I hid what I was from them. What I could do with my powers. I knew if Fabian found out. I’d never be free. I started being systematically raped by men in the ring. Men who wanted Alania but couldn’t have her. I was who they acted out their sick fantasies out on. I took it all. I knew that my dad was coming for me when I was sixteen. I was just hanging on until then. I didn’t make it to my goal. When I was thirteen Fabian and my cousins Masium and Hexxus beat me.” She took a deep breath. I could feel she didn’t want to say whatever she was about to say. She closed her eyes, “Aiden and Arion watched as they beat me.” I linked Alexander, “WHAT THE MOTHERFUCKING f**k?!” Alexander was stunned into silence. My mom continued, “Then Fabian told everyone to leave. They did. He raped me for the last time then I fled. I will continue my story, but I want you to know….neither of your fairy uncles knew I was being abused so badly. They knew I was beaten but that was it. They knew nothing of the experiments or rape. Alania lied to them and said that they’d see me killed and raped in the streets if they stopped it.” 

            Alexander said, “Why?” My mom asked, “Why what sweetie?” Alexander clarified, “Why would you be killed and raped if they stopped it?” My mom sighed, “Because that’s how families rise and fall in Faerie. When a takeover happens the ruling family is killed. Everyone is raped and killed. I would’ve….I would’ve fought back. I didn’t want to die, but from what Aiden and Arion knew...I could not fight back. Anyway….I fled Faerie. When I did I took that bracelet off. Your grandpa Titus and your uncles felt me. Marcus came to me. He was posing as a doctor nearby. He got me out of the hospital. He took me home to the Hackura realm. It killed them how broken I was. They put me back together. They let me take my time opening up. For a while I only spoke to Marcus. They saved me and brought me out of my shell. When I turned seventeen war broke out between the fairies and werewolves. When I was nineteen, they all came to the table. Your fairy’s uncles agreed to my marriage with your dad for peace.” I snarled, “They had no right! No right after what they did to give you away!” My mom smiled and kissed my dad, “No they didn’t, but your dad wanted me. Your dad gets what he wants.” Cassie cried, “Are you guys not fated mates? You’re chosen mates?” My dad said, “Your mom is my fated mate Princess.” My mom smiled, “I was in the area going to school. My fairy brothers tracked me down. They told me what they’d agreed to. We all knew I had no choice if I wanted them to live despite what they said. I knew of your father. If I didn't agree they would’ve died.” 

            My dad took her hand. He continued the story, “She drove here that night. I’d had her brothers followed. Anyway….She ended up here. Because Thor had never met his mate with his past humans….he didn’t understand our mate was near. Caleb came in and told me she was sitting on top of her car near one of our borders overlooking the castle. I went out to meet her, and it was as if I was struck by lightning. After over a decade….my mate was sitting there before me.” My mom kissed him, “Your dad had no intention of letting me go. I was a little confused because I’d always been told I would not get a mate. That if I did he wouldn’t want me. I really didn’t think it would be an option for me. I couldn’t stand to be touched. Your dad changed all that for me. I do a lot better now.” I asked, “What does that mean?” My mom sighed, “I used to be physically ill if men not related to me touched me. That never happened with your dad. It was different from the beginning. Everything between us has been consensual and your father asked me what I wanted, and he listened. That’s what I expect from each of you in any relationships you pursue.” Alexander asked, “How did Uncle Arion die? No one ever says.” 

            My mom looked down, After….after your father and I got married I went into my concupiscence….we conceived you guys. I was visited by the moon goddess and the fairy goddess. The fairy goddess gave me protections I didn’t understand. I didn’t know about you three. I was just accepting my fairy side at the time. I could see my own glow, but I didn’t use my fairy sense to sense how many lights were inside me. I found out about you guys after your father left for the summit.” Cassie interjected, “Without you? He never goes without you!” My dad said, “I made a bad call. It was the tactical response, but it was….I was wrong. The vampire king at the time had been promised your mother by Fabian.” Alexander, Cassie, and I snarled. My dad snorted, “I felt the same way. He was slated to come to the summit. I didn’t want him near your mother. I thought she would be safer here. I thought her guard was here.  Our people and your grandpas were lied to. Her guard wasn’t here, and they were attacked. Communication was cut off to us.” My mom jumped in, “I fought. I fought hard and got the pack to safety. I was hit multiple times with iron.” I winced. My mom kept going, “I almost made it to safety when Arion said my name. I thought he was here to help me. I turned my back on him…..” She teared up, “And I got hit with iron again.” 

            I was staggered. Uncle Arion betrayed mom? Alexander said, “So you never bonded. He fractured his very soul, and you didn’t fix him. Good for you mom.” My mom winced, “I...we didn’t know we were the promised siblings at the time. I was taken and snacked on by four vampires. I was put through SIMS by Fabian.” Tears escaped my eyes. My mom kept going, “Arion realized I was twice light bound to your dad. He was trying to work with your uncle Aiden to get me back to your dad.” I asked, “So he betrayed you and Uncle Aiden?” Mom nodded, “He did. Alania was whispering to him in his ear.” I asked, “How do you know that?” My mom said, “Fabian still pulls me to the beyond on occasion after a flashback or panic attack where my defenses are lowered. Arion protects me from him now. We’ve talked.” I looked at my dad. He hated Arion. I couldn’t say I blamed him. My dad said, “Your mom saved herself. She killed the vampire king and brought an enclosure down so we could get to her. Fabian shot your Uncle Arion with iron.” My mom pursed her lips, “I had no intention of letting Arion die, even before that moment. No matter what he was...Arion was my brother. I tried to use my healing light, but I was so messed up….I couldn’t do it. I ordered Masium to take him home and save him. They made it to the healing waters on time.” Alexander raised an eyebrow. 

            I hugged Cassie. She was still crying. My mom sighed, “I got back to your dad that day. He was there waiting. He brought me home. After you guys were born…..Arion….he was convinced by Alania and Masium to bring me to Faerie with you three. Your dad got word that Lucas was under attack. He left to go help him. You Uncle Arion could enchant people to sleep. I was also betrayed by some Hackura men who sent all our guards outside. They were attacked and fought their way into us. EJ…” My mom started crying. I popped beside her, “I’m fine mom. I’m right here.” My dad and I rubbed her back. My mom gathered herself, “EJ had to use his shield. All of you used your powers. You boys took Masium down but didn’t kill him. You did kill some of them with your pushing power. Cassie was shooting fairies with her sunlight. I had….I had to fight Arion. EJ….you starting crying from the strain of keeping up your shield you were just a baby. Arion….looked away and I….” My mom buried her head in her hands and cried her heart out. My dad took her in his arms. 

            I popped to my siblings, and we all hugged each other. After several moments my mom said, “God, I’m sorry.” Alexander said, “It’s fine mom. You have nothing to apologize for.” My mom whispered, “I killed him. I killed my brother. I just...I couldn’t let him take us. From your dad, from our lives….i couldn’t let you all live the life I did there.” Cassie cried, “Why did you let me go there mom?” My mom smiled, “It’s a beautiful place. I do better there now, and it’s a part of all of you three. You wanted to go Cassie. Your dad, Uncle Aiden, Grandpa Titus, and I made sure you would be safe. I don’t want you three or any of your siblings to have my ghosts there. Things are different. My problems are my problems. They shouldn’t overshadow your lives.” Cassie shook her head, “I wouldn’t have gone.” My mom took her hands, “I wanted you to go Cassie. You felt you should go. I always want you to follow your instincts. Your Uncle Aiden and Lucinda loved having you there. I know you had fun, Cass.” Cassie shook her head, “I shouldn’t have. Not in a place that brought you such pain.” My mom hugged her, “That’s just not true. Faerie is not the same place it was when I was there, or you wouldn’t have gone. Your Uncle Aiden has changed things. He changed things. He has loved all of you from the moment he met you. He named you dukes and duchesses. My past does not change how much fun you had there. I have my own good memories there now.” 

                Alexander had been quiet. Finally he said, “You did what you had to mom. All of it. You protected us. You need to let it go.” She laughed, “Sometimes I think I have….then I talk about it. I hate that I killed Arion.” I said, “If you hadn’t he’d have been tortured. Dad wouldn’t have let that stand. Maybe you should've let dad do what should’ve been done.” My mom shook her head, “I couldn’t bear that. He is and always will be my brother no matter his faults.” Cassie said, “Mom….he betrayed you.” My mom nodded, “He did. I’ve seen different versions of him though. Versions where the three of us were as close as we were meant to be.” She wiped a tear away, “I knew he had that in him. I know this was a lot to absorb you guys. However you want to process this. Your father and I support you. I ask that you not share it with your younger siblings. I plan to sit all of you down when they are sixteen and explain. I will answer any questions you all have now or later as you think of them. So will your dad.” Cassie asked, “Who’s Claudzilla? I thought she would be in the story. I’ve heard that name.” My mom said, “She’s...a f*****g b***h. She’s the head on your dad’s table.” I snorted. We’d of course asked, but they told us they’d tell us one day. My dad spoke, “Claudia had me charmed. I was an asshole to your mother while charmed about her. I never cheated on your mother. I want you to know that. That never happened. It didn’t even come close. It was unfathomable to be with anyone else then and it is now. Your mom has been everything to me from the moment I saw her. That never changed charmed or not. Your mother had just returned to us from king Damon’s, the vampire king we had to get her back from. The summit was back on, and I needed her with me.” 

                My dad looked as if he was in pain. My mom whispered, “Eric...it wasn't your fault.” My dad shook his head, “I fought with you and my wolf. I was an ass. I yelled at your mom. I lost control to the charm. I’m not proud of what I did. I could’ve lost your mother and you guys. I should've been on your mom's side, but I heard Claudia’s side first….I just believed her without asking your mom. We figured all that out when we got back. Then...later your grandma Cassandra convinced me your mom needed peace during the rest of her pregnancy. We were getting very specific threats against your mother. I ignored my instincts….something I never want you guys to do. I didn’t tell your mom about the threats. I went to a meeting I knew was a trap…. I was placed under a very dark spell with your uncles. Your mom showed up and used your guys’ powers. She saved us. That’s just a very cursory overview of the situation. I’ll answer all your questions about it as well. It is my biggest regret in my life. Hurting your mom...charmed or not….She’s my everything. You guys and your siblings are everything to me.” I nodded. My mom said, “You were charmed. It’s not totally excusable, but you can’t fight the charm without getting angry. You were ready to kill Claudia before we got home from the summit. You were fighting it for me. For us.” My dad kissed her, “You are the most amazing woman.” 

                We all got up and hugged as a family. I was trying to absorb all this information. Cassie whispered “You’ve….you’ve never had a problem with dad, right mom?” My mom shook her head, “Your dad and I have had fights. They are not physical. Your dad would never hurt me. We fight but we talk. I’ve never thought of being with dad as being with any of my rapists. That has never touched our lives there. Your dad has always been respectful. Does that answer your questions Cass?” She nodded. Alexander said, “How did you forgive Uncle Aiden?” My mom said, “Quite easily. He didn’t know a lot of what was happening. Even before I knew Alania was the whispering voice...I forgave your uncle.” I asked, “How?” My mom smiled, “I love all your Uncle’s. There is nothing they can do apart from hurting you kids or Eric that I would not eventually forgive. I have loved your Uncle Aiden my entire life. I always wanted his acceptance. As soon as he knew what was done to me he’d started to come around. He shows his emotions now. He’s changed.” 

            Alexander asked, “How bad was it mom? The beatings, the…” He cut off, “The rapes….how bad?” My mom looked down. Alexander started to cry, “It’s why you’re short right? It’s why you’re short, but none of us are. It’s why all the ribbon versions are taller than you. Even just by a little bit. They beat you that badly? They broke your legs didn’t they?” My mom nodded, “Every bone in my body was broken multiple times.” Cassie was sobbing. My mom stood so my dad could take Cassie in his arms. He rocked back and forth with my sister in his arms. Alexander and I hugged our mom. Tears were streaming down both our faces. She said, “Guys...it’s ok. I’m here. We have our beautiful family. This was a long time ago. I still deal with the ghosts of my past, but that’s what it is. The past. It is ugly and brutal, but it brought me here to you guys. I’d do it all again to end up here with my family.” I squeezed her tight, “I love you mom.” She stood on her tiptoes, and I leaned down. She kissed my cheek then Alexander’s. She said, “I love all of you.” I whispered, “You’re the strongest person I know mom.” Alexander said, “Me too mom.” Cassie cried, “Me three.” My mom said, “Are there any other questions you have for us now? Again, you can process this at your pace. I’m here for your questions and so is your dad. Your uncles are too. As are your grandparents.” I said, “I...need to see Elise.” My mom said, “Go EJ. It’s ok.” 

            I shook my head. I asked my siblings, “Where are you guys going?” Alexander shrugged, “To see uncle Bjourn.” His eyes were blazing. It took me a minute to realize mine were too. Cassie said, “I’m...I just want to lay in mom and dad’s bed. Can we do that? Like we did when we were little?” My mom kissed her forehead, “Of course.” They popped away. I changed my mind. Alexander said, “You seemed conflicted.” I said, “I'm going to see Uncle Aiden first.” Alexander considered, “I’m coming with you.” We popped to Uncle Aiden who seemed to be waiting. He pointed to two chairs. There were three out. He said, “Ask whatever you want boys.” I asked, “How? How could you watch that? I would die before I saw Cassie or Angela beaten! You always know everything! You have ever since I was little. How did you not know what was truly happening to mom?” Uncle Aiden looked away, “I wish I had a better answer for you boys. My father dying….it was a moment for Arion and me. We were taught partial fairies didn’t have powers. That they were less than us. I was always so conflicted because I have always loved your mother. She was such a beautiful baby….and child. The first time I found out she’d been beaten….I nearly killed the fairy that did it. Fabian pulled me off him at the last moment. He told me to go see my mother. To my shock, she admonished me. She told me to remember what could happen if we lost power.” 

            Aiden looked away, “Arion….Arion was devastated we had to allow this to happen or watch for enemies everywhere. Despite what you might think of me at this moment….You cannot hate me more than I hate myself for those years.” I asked, “What happened to that fairy?” Aiden smirked, “I Can tell you what I suspect happened to him. He recovered from his wounds I caused. He never went near your mother again. Then….several years later….he was beaten to death. His murderer was not caught, but I believe it was your Uncle Arion.” Alexander asked, “Why do you think that?” Aiden smiled, “I fought my brother. We trained together. I know his style as you know yours. I would be stunned if he didn’t do it.” I frowned, “Mom doesn’t know that.” Aiden shook his head, “Your mother doesn’t know that no. She doesn’t know I beat the first man who beat her. Or that Arion killed him.” I frowned, “Why not?” Aiden sighed, “It’s not enough. We did not do enough.” Alexander said, “I think it would mean a lot to her to know.” I asked, “How did you not know the other things? The rapes…” My voice broke. It killed me that this happened to my mother. Aiden sighed, “I was blind. Maybe I wanted to be but...I swear to you boys...I would not have allowed that. I traveled often. My mom had me going places to settle unrest. I was my father’s son. Arion started to join me when he could not stand to see Haley suffer anymore.” I studied my uncle closely.