A Ribbon Strand: Raised Hackura

Knowing Pt. 3

        My dad said, “That’s a big change son.” I said, “I won’t lose my brothers. I don’t care what everyone else does. We will do things for our family. Everyone else can piss off.” My dad snorted, “If that’s what you want son.” I nodded. I wouldn’t lose Jackson, Harold, or Darrin. Darrin could annoy the crap out of me some days, but he was my brother. I said, “I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if we got word too late that someone was attacking one of them and I didn’t reach them fast enough….” I shook myself. That wouldn’t happen. I said, “When they take their packs…. they will not leave.” My dad said, “Well if you’re set on that we might need to add additions to the main house then.” I nodded. We could renovate and expand the house. I’d seen our finances. We could afford it. I said, “I think we should open restaurants and clubs here too. Diversify.” My dad said, “Sometimes Eric…. I forget you are only thirteen. Sit down with Caleb and come up with a proposal. Porter and I will review it.” I nodded. He said, “Try to be easier on your mom.” I said, “On anything that’s not my mate…. I wouldn’t care. I won’t have her doing anything to jeopardize my relationship with my mate. Haley is mine and mom can get over that. If she can’t be nice…. I’ll make her leave when I’m Alpha.” My dad swallowed and looked away. He sighed, “I understand. I would do the same. Let’s hope it doesn't come to that.” I said, “Like you said…. she’s got plenty of time to come to grips with it. Plus, she’s the one who has drilled how to treat our mates from the time we could walk.” 

        My dad smiled, “You were always such an independent child. You’ve always known what you wanted and gone after it.” I said, “I know. Mom tells me that all the time.” My dad laughed, “Run up to the house and get some lunch Eric.” I passed Porter on the way. He nodded to me. I ran into the kitchen. Mrs. Blanch had a hand on her hip. She pointed to a chair, “Young man, it’s well past time for you to eat.” I sat in my seat and she brought my food over after getting it out of the oven. She sat down, “I hear your mate left notes…. from a different reality.” I smiled, “She’s like the superheroes we read about in comics.” Mrs. Blanch said, “I suppose. She sounds like quite the girl. Then again, she’d have to be. You are special. I knew I hadn’t met anyone right for you just yet. I was hoping one of my girls would be with Jackson but…. I still have Harold and Darrin to hold onto.” I smiled, “They’d get the best mother-in-law.” Mrs. Blanch blushed, “Oh you sweet talker you.” I snorted, “If I’m right about my mate….my mate’s mother is crazy.” Mrs. Blanch said, “Who do you think it is?” I said, “Princess Haley Holloran.” Mrs. Blanch said, “Land’s sakes alive! Do you really think that?” I nodded. Mrs. Blanch said, “Well, her popping around here will scare the bejesus out of me no matter who she is. The peace, love and harmony queen as a mother-in-law.” I nodded, “Haley’s not with her though…. maybe the mom who raises her won’t be as crazy.” Queen Veronica was deadly…. but definitely not crazy. She was fiercely protective of her people and her family. I could get on board with that.

        Mrs. Blanch said, “Oh...I know that look young man. Where do you think the fairy Princess is?” I looked around. Mrs. Blanch lowered her voice, “I won’t tell you mother.” I nodded, “I think she’s in the Hackura realm. I met Bjourn. He said we were going to be friends.” Mrs. Blanch’s chair scraped on the ground as she jumped up. She sat back down and whispered, “Prince Bjourn? You call him Bjourn?” I shrugged, “He told me to.” She gaped, “Well...then you think your mate is a part fairy Hackura.” I said, “I think she’s King Titus’ daughter.” Mrs. Blanch’s eyes were round as saucers. She said, “Do you really?” I nodded. She said, “Well…. I never…. A Hackura princess. Coming to live here. I’ll have to keep an ear out...if anyone mentions foods, she likes...I’ll have to be all over that.” I said, “You believe me too?” Mrs. Blanch said, “Too?” I said, “Dad didn’t bat an eye when I said it.” Mrs. Blanch said, “You are not often wrong Eric. You have been wrong...but not when you make intuitive leaps. You are spot on. You don’t think how most wolves do. We tend to be linear. You are not that way Eric. You are unique and creative. You don’t always think by yourself either. You’re always working with your brothers and Caleb on plans or your friends. Even though Little Lucas and Dylan are younger…. you appreciate their input. That’s rare. Don’t lose that. Ever. You are going to change things in the wolf world. It’s high time they did. I just know the werewolf world isn’t ready for my Eric.” 

        I sighed, “Why aren’t you, my mom?” Mrs. Blanch said, “Don’t say that. Your mother loves you.” I said, “But not Haley.” Mrs. Blanch said, “Fairies aren’t exactly well liked around the supernatural world. They aren’t hated by more than a few groups, but who isn’t? We all have our enemies. It’s the sky and earth’s Fae’s attitudes that put people off them. The Princess has both of those groups in her blood.” I hissed, “And they mistreated her. She took herself from them because they didn’t treat her right!” Mrs. Blanch said, “That she did all this says she’s not like normal fairies. A different fairy comes to an alternate reality…. they’d stir up mischief. She gave helpful information...for you. She loves you a great deal. I read her letter. Your mother showed it to me.” I said, “Did you tell her that?” I said, “I did. I told her this spoke volumes of her love for you. She might curse a lot, but that doesn’t mean anything. Fairies are always very prim and proper when they speak. I’d imagine it’s your mate's way of rebelling in some way. If they were mean….it was bad enough she took herself…. I’d imagine appeasing their proper way of speaking doesn’t appeals to her.” I snorted, “That’s my mother’s problem? She cusses?” Mrs. Blanch said, “It was one of them.” I said, “Shouldn’t it just matter that she loves me?” Mrs. Blanch said, “What matters is that you are happy with her, and she’s happy with you. Your happiness is important to us Eric. If your wolf changed his name for you mate…. you love her and so does your wolf.” I smiled, “I don’t know what I call him when I shift. She said his name is Duke, but he changes it.” 

            Mrs. Blanch laughed, “Well, I’m sure he’ll tell you. Wolves have access to our memories when we get them. He’ll know everything you know. He might just say his name is Duke, but he likes Thor better.” I laughed, “That would be funny.” She said, “We will see here in a few short years.” I nodded, “I wish I could speed up the time to when I meet her.” Mrs. Blanch smiled, “Don’t try to grow up too fast Eric. You’re already thirteen going on thirty.” I smiled, “I just want to meet her.” Mrs. Blanch said, “That girl already has you hook line and sinker. If she looks like the fairy queen…. you’re screwed.” I smiled, “I bet she’s even more beautiful than the fairy queen.” Mrs. Blanch said, “Then you’ll have to beat off the men with a stick.” I growled, “MINE!” She laughed, “Already a possessive mate.” I shrugged, “I just know she’s mine.” Mrs. Blanch laughed, “You should find a way to meet the new fairy king.” I asked, “Why?” Mrs. Blanch said, “I’m sure he’ll want his sister to have a fairy lover. Maybe if he meets you…. he won’t push.” I growled. She said, “Just think about it.” I said, “I doubt he’d take my call. He’s a king. I’m an Alpha’s son.” Mrs. Blanch said, “I bet if you left a message saying you received a visitor…. he just might call you back.” I thought about it. Prince Bjourn came to Dylan because he called him. How did he know where Dylan was? I shook that thought.

        I nodded to Mrs. Blanch then went up to my room. Jackson, Darrin, and Harold were waiting. Darrin asked, “Is it true? Your mate’s a reality jumping fairy?” I smiled, “It is.” Darrin’s jaw dropped, “WOW! HOW COOL IS THAT?!” Harold said, “Really freaking cool! I can’t wait to meet her! Is dad trying to arrange a meeting?” I said, “I think he is, but we don’t know for sure where she is. I suspect she’s King Titus’ daughter.” Harold said, “The Hackura king?” I nodded. Harold whistled. I said, “Another thing...I know each of you will be great Alpha’s.” They all puffed up their chest. I took a knife out of my dresser drawer. I said, “I won’t hold you back, but I want us to stay together. Your packs can just expand this territory.” Jackson said, “Its sounds great, but...how would that work.” I said, “We can plan that out.” I cut my right hand, “I swear to you all in blood. I won’t stand in your way of your futures, but I will find a way for us all to stay together. They each cut their hands quickly. We all shook hands. Harold said, “Things aren’t done this way Eric.” I said, “Things can change. You three are my brothers. We will be the strongest pack in this area…. maybe even the strongest pack this country has seen with us together. We will be feared. They will know the Conners name.” All my brothers nodded. Darrin said, “We’ll be so cool! I didn’t want to leave anyway.” Jackson hugged me, “Me either. This is a cool plan, Eric.” I said, “We will make it happen. All of us. By the time Darrin is old enough for a pack we’ll have all the kinks worked out. The biggest transition will be Jackson’s pack. We will just learn what we need to do.” 

        Harold was about to speak when someone knocked on the door. I barely held my growl back as my mom walked in. She said, “Can I speak to Eric boys?” They all nodded. Jackson gave me a look as he left. I nodded. He wanted me to know if I wanted him to hang back. I did. My mom sighed, “You can’t speak to me that way in front of others Eric. We don’t do that in this family.” I said, “But you can disparage my mate in front of others? Seems hypocritical.” My mom said, “It was a lot of information to get at once.” I said, “Debbie was happy for Lucas.” My mom said, “Debbie and I are not the same. We have a large territory, Eric. It’s larger than theirs.” I said, “So? That means you can’t be excited about my mate. My mate who helped us!” My mom said, “She did. I’m just worried, Eric. Fairies are flighty and that’s not good Luna material.” I said, “The moon goddess picked her for me. You doubt the moon goddess?” My mom turned red, “Of course not…. it’s…. it’s an adjustment.” I said, “Make it mom. I won’t reject my mate.” My mom sighed, “I didn’t ask you to.” I said, “Don’t. Ever. Or we will not recover mom. I love you, and I always will; however, if you ask me to think about rejecting my mate or you are mean to her mom…. I won’t have it.” My mom set her mouth. She said, “We need more time for this to settle.” I said, “It won’t change my statement. That’s how I feel mom. I want her, she’s mine. She’s perfect for me and you get on board or stay on the dock.” My mom frowned, “I love you, Eric.” I said, “I love you too. You’re the one who taught us about mates. I’ll treat her like a queen. My queen.” My mom nodded and left the room.

        Jackson came back in. He said, “Would you really kick mom out?” I said, “Would you kick her out for Molly?” Jackson said, “Yes.” Without hesitation. I said, “She’s openly hostile towards my mate already. When I meet Haley…. I’ll have to watch them. I won’t have her making her uncomfortable here.” Jackson said, “She’s got time to adjust.” I said, “That’s what dad said.” Jackson said, “It could work.” I said, “It could. I hope it does. I hope mom sleeps with this and sees how much my mate helped us.” Jackson said, “I’ll talk to mom. Your mate has to be amazing because you’re pretty great. You’re already planning to keep all of us brothers together. That’s never been done before.” I said, “We will set the path. I know we will be stronger for it brother.” Jackson said, “We’d have to be with four Alpha’s together.” I smiled, “We will bring in a new Era for werewolves. I have lots of plans.” Jackson sat down, “Tell me about them brother.” I smiled and pulled out my journal of ideas to run things by him.