My Laughable Fate

19. Wish granted

LEIA POV

TWO DAYS LATER

Dark Mist has to be the only pack where you can be accused of being unprofessional and still be asked, via messenger, to look over the high-ranking members' homework. The imaginary balls on these wolves have to be massive. Alpha Paul's master plan to have his daddy complain about me didn't work.

I can't say that's what happened for sure, but it’s telling how this emergency meeting happened the morning following the bonfire. After days of Alpha Daniel avoiding me like the plague. All this time, he's had plenty to complain about, regarding my “lack of respect”, but never voiced it to any of my superiors.

Everyone knows I'm not one to kiss ass, especially not his old ass. Everyone also knows I don't waste my time or go out of my way to disrespect anyone. Despite what some might think, I'm a very polite shewolf. It's not my fault that he walks into most of my disrespect willingly. I assumed that’s why he hadn’t ratted me out.

Suddenly, I go to a bonfire, which I was invited to by the Delta, and I’m scrutinized for what? For being kissed on the cheek by my subordinate, who is still in the doghouse by the way. To this day, no official complaint has been submitted, so I can only assume that was my offense.

“If we were male, this wouldn’t even be a conversation.” Sian snapped. “That’s why I have my rules.” I growled at her. Lest she forget just how open she was to the idea of swapping our laughable mate for Herc. A good trade in my eyes. The problem is that she teeters from lust, to longing and then shame.

That wouldn't be a problem if it didn't result in me feeling all girly. Yuck. “Do you think he wants to get rid of us?” Sian asked, currently in longing mode. That thought had crossed my mind. “It’s possible that he saw us… somehow.” I was off my game. “No, he was gone.” Sian assured me.

I guess after his presence had slapped us in the face, there was no ignoring his absence after. “How did he creep up on us?” I was still baffled by that. No one had ever creeped up on me! “We were… very distracted.” She chuckled, now in lust. An image of Herc's huge form standing tall, staring intensely at me, flashed in my head.

Shaking the thought out I growled internally. “Never. Ever! Have we been that distracted. Or wet.” I argued with a grumble. Then again, we never had so much on our emotional plate. A plate I like to keep on diet mode. Those two aggravatingly sexy wolves were messing with my head.

“I think the Gamma saw us.” Sian whispered conspiratorily. As if someone was listening in on our convo. “Probably. Alpha Daniel knew that complaining about my charms wouldn’t get me out of his hair. Maybe he thought he would embarrass me out of his pack.” The delusional snob. He could have at least waited for me to do something worth shaming me for.

These wolves didn’t do anything logical, but it’s the only thing that made sense. Aside from that one instance, I can’t think of anything else I did recently to ruffle their tutus. Still, as stupid as they seem, something tells me they had an ulterior motive for that meeting.

If I had done something inappropriate, or disrespectful, he could have easily called Commander Jordan and submitted a formal complaint. But that would have been too easy. More to the point, he wouldn’t have put on a good show for everyone. “All he did was look like an ass and get called one.” She pointed out.

“No. He also managed to put my reputation in question and forced everyone to take a side. Whether they said anything or not, people took sides.” Anyone who was smart took notes, I know I did. They are starting to realize that there is no bending and morphing the rules to their liking. That meeting was a way to test the waters and see who felt the same way they did.

What they witnessed and confirmed was just how united we are. That also means my secret won’t remain a secret for much longer.

“Boss lady.” Herc’s dejected voice rang in my head, again. It was hard to ignore him when I could imagine his big pouty face. It was an irritatingly cute image.

He was used to sticking to me like glue and being banned from my cabin and my personal space has him sulking like a big sad puppy. I wasn’t trying to be petty or give him the silent treatment, but I had nothing else to say to him. After the meeting, I made it known that his actions gave the stupid Alpha the fuel he needed. Even if he only lit a little spark, it ignited something.

Just as I was about to bark out a response, my brain went fuzzy. “He’s here… why the hell is he here?” KNOCK. KNOCK. I shot out of the recliner and did my best to steady my breathing and slow my heart rate, so it didn’t sound like I was running a marathon. “Answer the door.” Sian hissed.

I wasn’t ready to face him and that irritated me, and strengthened my resolve not to hide from him. Taking a deep breath, I took my first step toward certain doom. I heard him take a deep breath as I stood on the other side of the door, holding the knob. As soon as I opened the door, he stifled a low growl.

Our eyes met, but neither of us said anything. His blue eyes roamed over, around and behind me. Then he tried to discreetly sniff me. “Are you looking for the big bad wolf I was just playing with? I could send you a video if you’re that hard up for it.” Damn snoop. Probably here looking for more ammo.

I swear I heard his teeth crack when he clenched his jaw. “The council may have sided with you, but this is my pack. My pack members see you as a high-ranking wolf. Act like it. ” He said, puffing out his chest. I tilted my head and waited for him to finish. “You are here in a professional capacity, remember that.” He demanded.

Had he really been practicing that speech for two days? If I had been stewing that long, I’d come up with something tastier than that. Goddess knows he wasn’t at any of the training sessions and there's been little to no progress on the Security Protocols. “Do your high-ranking members eat, sleep and f**k? Do you?” I asked.

Sian chortled at the stunned look on his face. The muscle on his left peck twitched, and I almost let myself swoon. What was the point of him wearing a shirt if he was going to leave all the top buttons undone? Just trying to throw his big, tattooed chest in my face. “All wolves eat, sleep and fuck.” He deadpanned with irritation.

I nodded my head with a condescending smile. “Good. That’s right, Alpha.” I gave him a thumbs up, to which he narrowed his eyes. “Guess what?” I said but didn’t wait for a reply. “I am a shewolf. I need to eat, sleep, and f**k all the time. My rank and position in the werearmy don't change that.” I said as a matter of fact.

That big vein on his temple pulsed. Mi mama thought me that that meant I was getting my point across. “Not here.” He shook his head. “You can’t…” I laughed, interrupting him. He did not like that, good. “I’m not allowed to eat or sleep?” I asked, knowing it was the unmentioned he had a problem with. I waited for him to clarify, but he didn't.

Instead, his breathing became ragged as he stepped closer to me. The onyx in his eyes and his exposed canines were a sign his wolf was near the surface. “Can we meet him?” Sian asked. “Nope.” Not opening that door. Mel warned me about how her mate’s wolf wormed her way into her heart. She was lucky that Roman turned things around. I don't feel so lucky.

He was now inches away, our breaths mingled, but I didn't back away. “Don’t play with me.” His gravelly voice made my thighs clench. “I don’t play.” I kept my tone even and strong, even though I could hardly breathe. It felt like his presnse... his closeness was suffocating.

His eyes darted to my lips, and I forced myself not to do the same. He smelled soooooo good! Like the woods, pine trees and soil. Dirt... that's what he was. DIRT! “There are no rules against me doing anything with another willing wolf.” I reminded him and snuffed out the growing lust.

I saw him coming the second his foot pivoted. My hand went up and out, landing between us. I’m not sure what I had expected, maybe a choke hold. It sounded odd, but it made more sense than the embrace we were locked in. His arms were around me with my hand trapped between us and wrapped around his neck.

All I had to do was extend my claws… or simply push him away. There was so much raw emotion in his eyes. Emotions he was not verbally expressing. “Not while your mine.” My mouth opened to argue, but his lips crashed on mine. The sparks were still there, but my shock was more intense. I couldn’t help losing myself for a moment. Just a small, tiny moment.

I allowed myself to enjoy the feel of his soft lips as they caressed mine. His fingers left hot trails where they scratched down my arms until they reached my jean-clad thighs and back over my behind. When he squeezed my cheeks, I gasped and finally got hold of my senses. That’s also when I sensed the other wolf that was approaching.

Herc stalked out of the bush just as I pushed Paul away and stepped back. He stumbled slightly before composing himself. Good to know I’m not the only one affected. Herc's eyes were dark, and the lines of his huge body were rigid. Bet Robbie could pick him up and hit a baseball with him. His focus was solely on Paul.

Like a sentinel, he raised his arm, revealing a white envelope he was carrying. “Gamma Ulysis asked me to give you this.” He said in a monotone voice and handed me a large white envelope. All the while, his eyes still locked on Paul, who suddenly went pale. There was a noticeable change in his demeanor.

I went to open the envelope when Paul made a strange sound in his throat and then tried to reach for the letter. I quickly maneuvered it out of his way and opened it. “No way!” Sian hissed. Everything stopped... and the kiss we shared now tasted bitter as I read the invitation to Alpha Paul and Beta Natalia’s engagement party.

Blowing up and using that new method, I learned to break a wolf's junk was oh so tempting. But I was the professional shewolf he claimed I wasn't. “I belong to no one, Alpha Paul. Unlike you.” I waved the letter for emphasis. “Herc, why don’t you come in. We have some things to discuss.” I made a point to soften my tone and smile at Herc.

Then I turned and walked into my cabin, leaving Paul on the porch with his stupid gaping mouth. Neither of them said a word to the other, but Herc came in looking anxious. As he slammed the door shut behind him, a deep growl resounded outside, and the cabin shook. Sian whimpered at the sound, I sighed and took a seat at the kitchen table.

When his scent began to dissipate, I motioned for Herc to take a seat as well. I haven't been handling things in my normal Leia fashion and that won't do. “I’m willing to forgive you for what happened at the bonfire, but I need your help.” I had to forgive him, I needed him. Without hesitation, he nodded.

The angry lines were still on his gruff face, his eyes were on the greener side now. His stubble was a bit longer than I liked, but it totally worked on him. “Savage.” Sian whispered. “Anything boss lady.” He said, bringing me back to earth. Not the time to ogle the wolf.

It also wasn’t right to lean on Herc right now, especially when I know he has feelings I can’t return. “Won’t.” Sian corrected. She’d been on cloud nine for two seconds before her fall from grace. Already planning a mating ceremony with Paul along with the names of our pups.

Like cold water, the letter doused her dreams away. Now she was fighting for a different team, quien la entiende? (who understands her?) No matter. The kiss we just shared with our mate will be our one and only and Herc, as scrumptious as he is, he’s off limits. At least for now.

Our focus needs to be on the real reason Alpha Paul keeps putting off our rejection. Why bring his chosen mate back to his pack and not mark and mate with her? From the little I know about her “family”, they are douches, it just seems odd they would send her here alone.

Sian scoffed. “I bet this engagement party is the first of many events leading up to their mating ceremony. Events where he will have to keep impressing Natalia’s family and pack.” She sneered. Even while on an emotional roller coaster, my wolf hit the nail on the head. That’s why I love my wolf! Smart and gorgeous, like her human.

Like most, they probably weren’t convinced Dark Mist had it together. The fact that they gave no shits about Natalia and sent her off like cattle doesn’t mean they trust Paul yet. “You want to get back on my good side?” I asked, finally meeting his eyes. He’d been staring at me since he sat down.

His fingers had been tapping on the desk, but they stopped at my words. “Yes, boss lady. You can’t keep punishing me for a damn peck! I didn't even get any tongue.” He grumbled with a whine. Normally I would have cringed at the sound of a grown wolf whining, but he sounded… adorable. “Stop that.” I barked and his brows furrowed. Can’t exactly say stop being adorable…

Sighing, I closed my eyes and put my hormones in check. When I opened them, I was much less of a hot mess. “You want to be my wolf toy? Wish granted.” I announced dramatically with a wave of my hand. “You don’t have a wand.” Sian chuckled. The term wolf toy had thrown me off. It wasn't very good.

A smile began to form on his handsome face, but I raised my wand… I mean hand. “On my terms.” I clarified, and his face went sour. “I don’t like the idea of you using me to make him jealous.” An oppressive aura filled the room and my eyes went wide. “Calm down.” It wasn't the first time Herc demonstrated his Sigma aura. A rank he refuses to acknowledge.

“This isn’t about making him jealous.” I enjoyed watching him chew on his molars, but this was about more than that. We were WAY past that at this point. “Stripping this situation to it’s barest… it’s simple.” That’s how I had to break things down, otherwise a lot of wolves would be dead.

“I’m a shewolf who’s worked very hard for what she has.” No matter which pack I come from, what my rank is or who I am. None of those facts change that. “I’ve allowed him to look down on me, reject me informally and force me to wait for a formal rejection.” Now both of our auras were filling the room.

“Now he’s ordered me to ignore my needs as a shewolf while in his pack. Never in my life have I ever given anyone that much control over me. I’ve already disappointed myself.” I had to hold my head up, even though I wanted to look down in shame. “It’s okay.” Sian assured me.

I went to shake my head, but Herc’s hand came up and cupped my cheek. The same cheek his traitorously soft lips kissed. “He’ll pay. I’ll do whatever you need me to do, and I’ll make sure of it.” The determined look on his face did so many things for me. So many confusing things.