My Laughable Fate

24. He knows

LEIA POV

“This meeting is awkward.” I sang internally and Sian cringed. How do I know she cringed? Aside from the weird noise she made, I felt it. Not sure how but I did. “Don’t do that.” She grumbled. “Besides, what’s so awkward about having the wolf who made our kitty cry with his husky voice and a flick of his finger standing proudly at our side.” She was being an ass.

“Nothing. Nothing at all. Just the wolf who doesn’t want us as a mate is sitting in front of us shooting death glares at the kitty slayer in question. Which means he not only knows that my kitty cried last night, he knows who made it cry!” He must have felt… IT. Shoot, I still feel it a little.

After I came, and boy did I c*m, Herc carried me home like a damn princess. I couldn’t bring myself to tell him to cut the s**t out. It felt so good to be in his arms, to feel safe and taken care of. I’ve never needed anyone to protect or guard me, but I must admit, it feels amazing.

Any other wolf would have stripped me naked and nailed me to the tree. As much as it shocks me to admit this, I wouldn't have stopped him. Where before my position as his Sargeant Master would have stopped me, the title is forgotten when he's pressed up against me. Even my "mate" is becoming a shadow of an issue.

I know Sian is finding comfort in him. She was mewling and whining in my head the entire time we were in his arms. She might be talking a lot of s**t right now, but I can hear the stifled whimpers our mate’s presence brings out of her. That's why I completely understand why she’s deflecting.

Since this situation, aside from being awkward, is quite comical. I’m going to use it in my own deflection. That’s how I’m able to ignore his scent, his overpowering and very enticing scent. “They both smell so good.” Sian groaned. I squeezed my thighs together and turned to see Herc’s normally stony face with a hint of a smile peeking out from his eyes. Had he seen me?

I sniffed the air, checking for the scent of my arousal. Nothing. The big jerk’s probably still peacocking after last night. Yeah, that’s it. Turning my attention back to Paul, who was hyper-aware of the nearness between my second and I. Herc was standing just behind my chair. On guard as always.

Every time Herc shifts, the left side of his body sways closer to me. The few times his arm accidently brushed the back of my chair, Paul bared his teeth. The bond is getting to both of us. Waiting until he’s ready, or the full moon makes no sense. All this drama is unnecessary.

No one can guess how much a wolf will suffer during a rejection. There are far too many variables. Most of the time, the initiator feels the most pain, but not always. There are times the initiator has a good reason to reject their fated. Strength of bond and wolf ranking are huge factors, but the mate bond isn’t a science anyone I know has perfected.

Fact is, if you choose to reject your mate, you take a risk and take whatever pain comes your way. To me, it sounds like Alpha Paul is scared of a little pain. Not me. “Anything else?” I asked dryly. He’s been going on and on about the new Security Protocols he sent me. I saw them, they’re appropriate.

It was mean of me to snub the little pride he had mustered, but that video call was still fresh in my mind. Paul sat up straight, clearing his throat. “No.” He shook his head, hiding his dejection, and his father sighed dramatically. I have no idea what that wolf brings to the table, but he insists on being present at every meeting.

Since I no longer had to be there, I got up quickly and made it to the door. My shadow follows. “Warrior Herc, a minute.” Paul said, with stern authority. I began to turn, but Herc’s big warm hand landed on my shoulder, stopping me. I remember that hand somewhere else.

A stifled growl that was covered by a cough brought me back to earth. Herc raised his eyebrows and widened his eyes comically, making me choke back a laugh. Paul didn’t scare him. I decided to let Herc handle Paul and continued my way out the door. Just before it closed, I heard “You can go, father” and I sped up because, for all the awkward looks Alpha Paul was giving me, the older Alpha was looking at me squirrely. Not with his normal hate and annoyance. He’s up to something.

HERC POV

When an Alpha calls you into his office, you best be on his good side. In this case, I know I’m not. Because apparently he doesn't want me near the mate he doesn't want. “It’s Elite Warrior Herc. Every Warrior that serves under a Sargeant Master is an ELITE Warrior.” I enunciated the hardest earned part of my title.

His left eye ticked, then he motioned for the chair, instructing me to sit. “I prefer to stand, Alpha.” I gave him a small bow but remained at my spot by the door, parted my legs and crossed my arms. It’s my “I’m listening” stance. In other words, get to the f*****g point.

You could crack a walnut with Alpha Paul’s jaw. “Respect the Alpha, but challenge if necessary.” Soran hissed. He wasn’t opposed to challenging him for Leia. That’s if she wanted us, and he changed his mind about rejecting her all of a sudden. “What is your relationship with your Sargeant Master?” He asked bluntly.

I thought Leia had covered this before, but I have no problem doing it again. “As it pertains to you?” I asked but didn’t wait for an answer, even though he opened his mouth to give one. “She is a VERY good friend. Any other inquiries into her or my personal life should be made directly to the council.” f*****g Alpha was acting as if he had changed his mind. Too late asshole.

If he was anyone else, I would have throat punched him. He rejects perfection in shewolf form and doesn’t have the decency to step back, to reject her and let her live her life. d**k. I nearly busted out laughing as he turned bright red. A nice juicy vein on his forehead was pulsating.

BANG. He was on his feet leaning over his desk, his chair broken next to the wall behind him. I was already in my fighting stance. The second he moved, I prepared myself for battle. Alpha’s are fast. “I don’t need to inquire anything!” He spat, literally. Seriously, I almost got hit.

He was shaking with anger, more veins pulsating. I remained ready, ready for anything. “That shewolf.” He pointed at the door; the direction Leia had gone. “She’s mine! The Moon Goddess paired her with me! Stay the f**k away from her.” He kept his voice low but growled every word.

So he wants her now? f**k That! I smiled and relaxed out of my fighting stance. That brought him further irritation as planned. “Alpha Pual.” I said respectfully. “It’s my understanding that you decided to reject your fated and take a chosen.” I shouldn’t have to remind him, but here we are.

His hands slammed on the desk. Oh, scary. “Disrespectful wolf!” He barked at me. The f**k I am. I took two huge steps in his direction, smile long gone. The asshole flinched before he caught himself and puffed out his chest. “I’ve been nothing but respectful, Alpha Paul, even though you haven’t shown me the same courtesy.” I left the theatrics out and kept it simple.

Putting on a show, screaming at him to reject her and get the f**k out of my way was tempting, but this is already a tense situation. If I kill him, I might be held accountable. He took stock of me, a smug smile forming on his face. “You’re not good enough for her. You with an Al..” His eyes widened, but he covered it with a laugh.

Bingo! "He knows. That's why he's changed his mind. It doesn't matter, he can't have her!" Soran growled anxiously. I kept my emotions in check, pushed my wolf to the back of my consciousness. The Alpha studied my face, but I didn’t let on that I knew why he was suddenly so vocal about Leia being his mate.

He continued to laugh animatedly, horrible actor. “You done?” I asked because I was done. That cut his laughter short. When he didn’t say anything, only glared at me, I gave him a curt bow and turned to leave. All logic said, leave now, don’t engage. But… I felt him glaring at the back of my head, so I turned just as I opened the door. The smug smile was replaced with a sneer, but his eyes held uncertainty.

“You know.” I gave him a meaningful look. Nothing at all like the “bug on my windshield” look he was giving me. “If you had read her file, like the other Alphas did before we visited their packs. She'd never known what an opportunist you are, and she might have accepted you.” I shook my head and watched his face morph into disbelief. Now I can leave. “Alpha.” One last bow before I closed the door that muffled his roar.