A Ribbon Strand: Raised Hackura

Becoming the Alpha Pt.1

Eric 18 Years Old

            Eric looked outside at his pack he was about to take over. Jackson said, “Are you ready brother?” I looked around then did a double take. Hope filled in my chest. I turned back to Jackson, “Bjourn, Marcus, and Drake are here. Did they bring….?” Jackson said, “No, I’m sorry Eric. They didn’t bring her.” I sighed, “I was hoping she’d be here today. It’s a big day for me.” Jackson said, “I don't think she knows about you Eric. Or at least about you and her. She might know her brothers have a werewolf friend.” I snorted, “We know she probably doesn’t know anything about me. Every time we talk to them about Haley, they do this whole let's pretend we all don’t know what’s going on here shit.” Jackson said, “You’ll meet her one day Eric. At least you know at least ten of those girls out there are disappointed you aren’t their mate. Especially Rachel.” I sighed, “I told Rachel I knew who my mate was, and it wasn’t her.” Jackson said, “your mate was right. We did sneak over the border for you to lose your virginity.” I sighed, “If only my mate had known that territory would be taken over by us one day. That the girl would be part of the pack that will be your pack in a year. I still was honest with Rachel. I have been this whole time.” Jackson said, “You guys have been hooking up for a while now.” I said, “I’m not going to sleep my way through packs. It’s clearly not working out for me with Rachel.” Jackson said, “You don’t seem to have any interest in hooking up with Buck again.” I shrugged, “I was simply curious, and Buck was more than willing to satisfy that curiosity. It was a satisfying encounter.” 

            I heard Dylan’s voice behind me, “Well, well, well, don’t tell me infamous playboy and heartbreaker soon to be Alpha Eric Conners has only slept with two whole people. One female and one male. The people will shudder to hear that. Seriously? How do you have people whispering about your s****l prowess when you’ve f****d two, count them one two people?” I growled. Lucas said, “Dylan, we came back here to congratulate him. It’s impressive he’s taking over the pack at eighteen.” Dylan said, “Yes, yes, congratulations and all. Back to this bombshell of information that you aren’t actually a playboy. Did you hear Lucas? He’s just been hooking up with the girl he lost his virginity to.” I said, “Where is your little mate to occupy you and keep you out of my hair?” Dylan puffed up, “She’s outside.” I heard a giggle, “Dillie bear!” My eyebrows raised. Dylan picked up his four-year-old mate. He said, “Hello little lacy. Did you get away from your mom?” She pouted, “I turned around and you were gone! I had to find my Dillie bear.” I said, “Yeah Dylan. She had to find her Dillie bear.” Dylan frowned at me. He smiled at Lacy, “Well, we will just go outside, and I will talk to Eric about these developments later.” I said, “Oh I think we should Dillie bear.” Dylan rolled his eyes and said, “Hear that Lacy? The youngest Alpha around calls me by your nickname. Look at how important you are. Even Eric Conners follows your lead.” She giggled again as Dylan carried her out of the room.

            Lucas walked over to me, “Congratulation’s man.” I smiled, “Thanks.” Lucas said, “You’ve worked really hard. You deserve this.” I nodded. Lucas continued, “I get it. Knowing about your mate, but not being able to know her is hard.” I sighed, “I just want to meet her and make sure she’s protected.” Jackson said, “If she’s who we think she is, and it’s practically confirmed…. she’s very well protected.” I sighed, “I know you’re probably right…. I just feel unsettled never having met her.” Lucas said, “I get it. I don’t even have a lead. I can’t get a single fairy to call me back. I have left countless messages with the number we have. Dylan’s even got a partial fairy friend.” I said, “He has many.” Lucas said, “Exactly, and all I have to show for it is a list of Marcious’ daughters’ names. There are three partial fairies. Dylan thinks one is Tucker’s second chance mate.” Tucker entered the room smiling. He was one year younger than me. Tucker said, “Let’s just consider the fairy my real mate. The she wolf is just a means to an end.” I smiled. We’d talked to Tucker about the note a few years ago. Our dad had already told his dad, but I wasn’t sure how he felt about it until that day we spoke.

            Lucas asked, “You aren’t upset?” Tucker looked at me, “You didn’t tell him about our conversation? I said, “I feel like that is your decision Tucker. Only a select group knows about your mate, and rejection is a big thing. I think it’s your story to tell.” Tucker nodded, “I guess that’s one of the reasons you’ll be an official Alpha soon.” He turned to Lucas, “I believe in the mate bond. My parents, grandparents, even the Beta’s family in my pack are insanely in love and happy. Anyone who would reject what the goddess has planned for them loses all my respect. The moon goddess picks the perfect person out there for you. Humans spend so much time looking for the right person for them. We all know our mate is out there. Plus, I already know I get a second chance. I don’t have to worry that I’d lost my chance for a fated mate. I don’t have to worry about finding a chosen mate out of the girls who either lost their mate or got tired of waiting. I’d always worry I was taking someone’s second chance or someone’s mate. This way I know the first girl doesn’t deserve me or my pack. If she doesn’t recognize what she’s given up, then…. I hope she gets everything she deserves.” We all heard a whistle. I sighed. Dylan had returned. He said, “Call him Iceman Tucker! He might be the first wolf to not be in pain when he gets rejected. Does your wolf feel the same way?” Tucker said, “Chet looks forward to our second chance mate too. He told me he thinks it’s still going to hurt us when we are rejected. My brother is going to be there for me though. I’ll get through it and be onto finding Maribella, Sharon, or Emmaline.” 

            Dylan said, “Names you have because of who again? Gosh, that’s such a great person to get those details…. If only we could thank the marvelous, talented, phenomenal man who got this information for the collective group. He’s just a one in million kind of guy. How could anyone repay this generosity you ask? Well, I heard said man likes comic books, and needs a new Nintendo 3ds.” I rolled my eyes. No one said anything. Dylan said, “Uhh guys…. does no one remember that guy is me? I got you all that information for your potential mate names.” I said, “We remember.” Dylan pulled out popcorn from his jacket and ate it. Dylan said, “I know so much more than all of you. I have details galore. Did everyone here know some fairies are quite hot under the collar that Eric’s fairy princess doesn’t live with them? Everyone thinks Aiden should bring her home because she’s part of the special family.” My eyes narrowed, “What special family?” Dylan shrugged, “Don’t know. My partial fairies aren’t quite clear on those details. Seems their full blooded relatives are tight lipped about it. King’s orders until the Princess is eighteen.” I said, “How the HELL do you know all this?” Dylan said, “Consider me your partial fairy expert gentlemen. For example, Emmaline is whimsical. She and Eric’s princess are THE most talented and powerful of ALL the partial fairies. Rumor among the partial fairies is King Aiden himself believes if Haley trains with the rest of them…. they’ll be as talented. Emmaline and Haley show the most talent out of the partials and pick up on powers the fastest.” 

            I said, “I knew that one. That they were the most talented, not why.” Dylan said, “Yes, well my PF’s give me all the deets. I’ve got the skinny on all things PF.” I said, “Know that I regret asking you this already...why isn’t Haley training with the other partial fairies?” Dylan said, “So glad you asked, and SO SO glad I get to be the one to tell you this. Her other family put the kibosh on that. Emmaline is the closest in age to Haley so the two of them being training together made sense to Eric’s Princesses’ Hackura family. Seems Prince Arion was a little loose lipped about it at the last training session. Seems the younger brother was a bit sauced. Throwing back too many special fairy brews. Having himself one too many, and Dylan was one hundred percent here for it. I’m paying one of PF’s to try to get him snockered again for more information. All it took was a shiny little pocket watch. I bought myself one too. Now I look at it and say Lucas! We are late! Late for a very important date! No time to say hello or goodbye! We are late! Late! Late! I call it my fool proof method for keeping the wannabe Luna’s away from my Alpha. Feel free to implement this and spread it amongst your Beta’s. My patent is pending.” 

        I sighed. Dylan simply smiled, “Wanna know what else I know about your little Princess Eric?” I said, “Is that a real question? Yes…. I want to know.” Dylan said, “Take in this glorious moment people. You are witnessing history. The great soon to be Alpha Eric Conners does not know what I know. Just let that statement breathe people.” I said, “I very well could know what you know.” Dylan stomped his foot, “No, I am the partial fairy expert. It is stamped, cemented and written in stone, people.” He went back to being far to gleeful. He said, “Ahhh Eric Conners needs me for information. OH MY GOD! Can I be one of your paid informants! I would be the BEST informant of all time!” I said, “For the Love of god, will you just tell us what you know?” Dylan sighed, “Why must you ruin this for me? Aren’t you going to tell me if I can be your MVI?” I sighed, “I have no clue what that stands for Dylan.” Dylan said, “Most Valuable Informant. Duh.” I said, “Tell me what you know, and I’ll tell you if I will pay you to be my informant.” Dylan threw his popcorn, “YOU WOULD ACTUALLY PAY ME? LUCAS! The sun is shining, the birds are singing. NOTHING can touch me today. I’m walking on sunshine and don’t feel good HEY alright now I’m gonna be an MVI WHOO!” 

            I growled, “TELL me what you know.” Dylan said, “Yeesh. Here.” He pulled out a package of tic tacs and threw them to me. I caught them without looking at them. I said, “Dylan…. My breath is fine. Tell me about my mate.” Dylan said, “You did not read the package. Those are not ordinary tic tacs.” I rolled my eyes and read the label. Chill Pills for Alpha Eric Conners. I rolled my eyes. Dylan said, “You know you want to laugh…. come one… a slight smirk on those cheeks is all I’m asking for.” I glared at him. Dylan said, “You’ve got to lighten up. Fairies are fun Alpha Fun Killer. You want your fairy princess to like you, right?” I growled, “I’m her mate!” Jackson said, “Dylan, for my future self sanity, could you please...just tell us what you know about Haley.” Dylan sighed, “Well, Eric’s Princess is not a fan of her mother, the former fairy queen. She didn’t even have her at her birthday party or invite her. Prince Arion consoled his mother for hours. Then our boozed up fairy Prince complained at the fairy practice about how annoying his mother was about it. Apparently, he had to be her shoulder to cry on and missed the beginning of the VERY pink party. Little fairy princess LOVES the color pink. She even hooked her fairy prince brother up with a Hackura female. Seems Arion is working out more just to keep up with this Hackura girl. They are dating for now. The girl hasn’t met her mate yet and is down for the fairy prince's joystick of fun. Prince Arion is deeply appreciative for his little sister’s hook up. My partials said his usual lacklusterness towards the little princess wasn’t even there that day.” 

            I didn’t actually know the part about Haley not liking her fairy mother, Alania. The rest of Dylan’s information, I did know. It was rumored Princess Haley was the apple of her older brother, King Aiden’s eye. Meanwhile Prince Arion was a fairy about how he felt about his little sister. The Fae claimed they loved just differently. They were selfish shits who only loved themselves. Prince Arion was no exception to that. For some reason the King…. was different. It was rumored he felt more like his father did. The Fire fairies were more in tune with their feelings. Still selfish but they truly believed in love. It’s said that’s why the queen was so distraught about her King, Fenilton’s, death. Because she had never known a love like they had. It was said he loved her so completely she was completely bereft by the loss of him in her life. A rarity for many fairies. Many simply moved on when they lost their mate. Outside of her encounter with King Titus….it was rumored the queen now has a deal with one male fairy for her concupiscence but still mourns the death of her mate. It was odd. The entire royal family was odd. Only Prince Arion acted like an actual fairy. 

            Dylan asked, “So….am I your MVI?” I sighed, “I regret this already.” Dylan squealed, “YES!!!!! THAT WAS A YES! SUCK IT PEOPLE! Bow to the werewolf fairy expert! Everyone will have to recognize this new status I have about me now…. Alpha Eric Conners even turns to me as the PF expert. I’m in the know people!” I said, “I knew everything except the part about Alania and Haley hooking her brother up with a Hackura female.” Dylan said, “You knew her favorite color was pink? MANNN!!!! That was new intel.” I said, “I’m friends with Haley’s Hackura brothers. They casually sneak in small details about her not infrequently when I see them.” Dylan said, “Of course they do. Have you met the youngest Prince yet?” I shook my head, “No, not yet.” Dylan said, “I still have hope to meet a creepy ninja before you. Though to be fair…. we ALL met the future king because of me. He came for yours truly. Not you, you, or even you my best friend of all time. It was Moi. He came for Moi. WAIT! That means Alpha Fun Sucker owes me back pay for being his MVI all along! I got him in with the royal Hackura family. I put you on your future in laws radar in a good way! They LOVE information and we gave them information they didn’t have. We can all admit It would be VERY bad if they didn’t like you. You would never meet your precious princess and my future BPFF.” Jackson said, “BPFF?” I said, “Why Jackson? Why did you ask?” Jackson said, “I don’t know…. seemed like the thing to do.” I said, “So glad you asked my favorite Conners brother, it stands for Best Partial Fairy Friend. I can’t make Lucas over there jealous. My future Alpha is my BFF. Alpha Fun Sucker’s mate will be my BPFF. Anyway. Alpha Fun Sucker…. I will be expecting my back pay for being you MVI for the last five years. Dylan’s getting a new gaming system! Lucas! We are going to have so much fun!” Tucker laughed and eventually I did too. 

            Caleb walked into the room, “Eric, you know we will never hear the end of this when Lucas and Dylan take over their pack. I’ll get daily memos from him about how he’s your MVI.” Dylan laughed, “Ohhh I’ll send you memos WELL before I take over as Beta. You’ll need things to read to your Alpha Fun Sucker that brighten up your day.” Caleb groaned, “Eric….” I said, “He has partial fairy friends. As much I hate it…...people tell him things. I’ll take information on Haley anywhere I can get it. Even from Dylan.” Dylan said, “YIPPEE!!!!” Caleb sighed, “Fine. You guys need to get out there so the ceremony can start.” Everyone nodded. Tucker and Lucas left with no problem. Jackson had to drag Dylan out as he talked about being my MVI. I rolled my eyes. Caleb said, “I thought the Hackura Princes might come today for your ceremony, so I brought this with me from the office.” He handed me the present I’d gotten Haley for her birthday. I put the jewelry box in my jacket pocket. I nodded, “Thank Caleb.” He smiled, “I’m your Beta. I’ve got your back. In that vein of thought, your wanna be mate is out there crying her eyes out.” I growled. Caleb said, “Earlier her friends told her she could still be your chosen mate.” I said, “Rachel knew she wasn’t my mate. I’m not taking a goddamn chosen mate, and I made what we were clear to her.” Caleb shrugged, “She clearly hoped you were wrong, and that she was your Luna.” I said, “I’ll talk to her later. Clearly, we wanted different things. I didn’t mean to give her the impression we were in a relationship.” Caleb said, “You didn’t. Even she knows that.” I sighed, “I didn’t want to hurt her. I do like her. I think she’s a great girl. We just weren’t dating.” Caleb said, “I know.” I sighed, “f**k….” Caleb said, “She’ll meet her mate Eric then she’ll be ok.” I sighed, “I thought I was in a situation where no one would get hurt.” Caleb said, “It’s not like you were her first. She was yours.” I said, “I know. Let’s go.”

            We walked outside together. We walked down to the platform everyone was waiting for us. Since we were both becoming the Alpha and Beta together today our dads were waiting on the platform. You couldn’t mistake the pride in either of our dad’s eyes. Caleb and I made it to the platform and my dad’s voice boomed, “Black Mountain Pack would like to welcome our allies for this event. Tonight my Oldest son Eric Conners becomes Alpha Eric Conners. Caleb Kruthers becomes Beta Caleb. My son has passed all the physical tests to take over as Alpha. He has spent all the hours in my office that is required, and he has done the allotted amount of paperwork. He has handled the pack disputes for the last six months while maintaining straight A’s in school. His mother, my wonderful mate, and Luna’s stipulation for him taking on all of this.” Everyone chuckled. My mom was worried I was taking on too much and didn’t want my grades to suffer my senior year. Tonight is a night of celebration! We welcome our new leadership as a pack.” My dad took out our ceremonial knife. It was a nine inch stainless steel blade with an embellished black wolf on the handle. All Alpha’s were black, and this knife was only used for these Alpha ceremonies. 

            My dad quickly cut his palm. I held my own hand out for him, and he sliced it. I didn’t allow myself to wince when he made the cut. My dad shook my hand and handed the knife to Porter who cut Caleb’s and his own hand as well. My dad spoke to me, “Do you swear by your blood to protect this pack? To lead this pack in any aspect it may need?” I said, “I do.” Porter asked Caleb, “Do you swear to support your Alpha and lead this pack with him as he leads?” Caleb said, “I do.” My dad dropped my hand and quickly took Caleb’s. I said to him, “I swear to listen to your guidance. I swear to lead this pack with you by my side.” Caleb said, “I swear to keep you on the right path. I swear to be by your side no matter what we face.” We nodded to each other. I knelt before my dad and Caleb knelt before his. My dad and Caleb held torches in their hands. My dad said, “A symbolic gesture passing the torch from father to son. I have confidence in my son's leadership. He has earned the right to lead. I know his ideas and direction for this pack. I can say we are on the precipice of change, Black Mountain Pack. As we move forward, I know we will continue to grow in strength. We hope to have more allies coming into an alliance with our pack. I am very excited to see where my son, Alpha Eric Conners, and Beta Caleb take this pack.” My dad handed me the torch and I stood. He kneeled before me and bared his neck in submission. I put my hand on his shoulder. He left the platform to take his seat by my mom.

            I looked over to see Caleb had already done the same. Once he took his place beside me, I made my first new move. Gamma’s had a separate ceremony from the Alpha and Beta. We had my Gamma Marshall’s earlier today. I said, “Gamma Marshall, take your place beside your Alpha and Beta.” Everyone looked startled. They began to look around at each other. My mom beamed with pride when I caught her eye. My Gamma walked up on stage smirking. He took his place on my other side. I said, “As of today this is your leadership Black Mountain Pack. You will respect everyone on this platform. When either man beside me gives you an order, you obey. I am the head of this pack, but often these men will be my right and left hand. We are a large pack. Which is why when my brother Jackson comes of age next year, he will become the Alpha of the recently acquired pack to our west border. He will remain here with us, as will they.” Gasps were heard throughout the pack. I said, “We will be stronger for this. As my other brothers come of age, they will join Jackson as I as your Alpha’s. I will always function as the lead Alpha and be the end of the decision making chain for the pack as a whole. There will be growing pains, and I know this has not been done before. By the time Darrin takes over this transition will be smooth.” 

        I took a quick breath and added, “I am also making a move I encourage my allies to make. I have spoken at length with your new Gamma and Beta about this, as well as my brothers. We all agree. It is time for this change.” I looked to my right Caleb nodded to me. Then I looked to my left and Marshall nodded to me showing our unity. I said, “As of tomorrow we welcome the women of the pack to try out for warrior positions. You will receive the same training as the men before you can be considered a warrior. You will have to pass all the tests our warriors today pass. My Beta, Gamma, and I are aware you train in secret now. Those training will no longer be hidden. You are welcome to train out in the open with the men. Even if you do not make warrior status, we encourage you to pick a training class off of the new schedule Beta Caleb will post tomorrow. Self defense classes will be required for everyone. We require even the omegas to know basic self defense. Once you have completed basic self defense if you wish to stop your training. we will not force you further into classes. I will have no member of this pack be defenseless. Opposition will come, and our warriors will protect you. Our borders are patrolled, but we have schedules. I do not anticipate an attack, but rogues are unpredictable. Your Beta, Gamma and I make this requirement for your safety and our own peace of mine. Over the last few years we have lost ten omegas at the borders before warriors could reach them. I find that unacceptable. I will go to war for each and every one of you. I do not care what your rank is, you are my pack members. I am your Alpha, and I WILL protect you with everything I have. I need your help though. So learning basic self defense is what I ask of you moving forward.”