My Laughable Fate

18. Why are we here?

LUKE JR POV

NEXT DAY

The high everyone had been on for the past few days was extinguished way too early this morning. I hadn’t seen Robbie’s chest so puffed out in my life. I feared his ribs were going to pop out and hurt Maeve. Who he held, in my opinion, way too close for her to be able to breathe properly.

I was busy packing, since today was the day, I left for the Rougarou Pack in Louisiana. But I was interrupted when Alex linked me that there was an emergency meeting with the Elder Council. Apparently, there was a very serious complaint or complaints made last night by an Alpha in the East.

It doesn’t make sense that they would drop everything for one Alpha. No, there must be more. “Morning. Have a seat. The video call will start soon.” Alex slapped my back and went back to serving a plate for his Luna. I'd just walked into the meeting room where the call was taking place.

Robbie and Maeve were already seated at the table, a mountain of food in front of a baffled Maeve. That guy is ridiculous. “The more you eat, the bigger and stronger our pup will be.” He said and I’m sure he believed that. The perturbed look on Maeve’s face made Heidi laugh.

Everyone was already here; I was the only one missing. The Beta’s, my sister and Dev, minus the kiddos. The Gamma’s, who are still at a food standoff. The only ones missing were the Delta’s, Mel and Roman, who were left to oversee things for the time being. You never leave a pack unattended, even for an hour.

I took a cup of coffee and sat down, not wanting to hold things up. The first faces that popped up on the big screen were those of the Elders. All of them serious, not giving anything away. Except for my father, who looked ready for battle, and my mother, who was obviously already annoyed. One by one, other faces popped up.

To the right of the screen, I saw Leia and her second in command pop up. Herc. A wolf I’d only met in passing but have never had a conversation with. “That should change. He’s our twins' most trusted warrior.” Soran insisted. I grunted in agreement and took another sip of my coffee.

Seconds later, High Elder Marcus cleared his throat and began the meeting. “Good morning, everyone. I apologize for calling you all on such short notice.” He began with a sympathetic smile. “When this issue was brought to our attention, the Elders and I agreed we needed to handle it as quickly as possible so that we can move past it.” His tone was now serious.

All the Elders nodded. I looked at my mother who had her eyes narrowed. It looked like she was searching for someone. At this point, all the Alpha’s were on-screen, along with some of the Luna’s. “Yes. FORMER Alpha Daniel. Can you please tell everyone your concerns?” My tiny mother asked in a sickly-sweet voice.

The former Alpha bristled, before he narrowed his eyes at her. If he wasn’t careful, he’d lose those eyes. Though it didn’t look like he was scrutinizing her... no… it was as if he recognized something in her or about her. Shaking his head, to clear whatever thought was in it, he then finally spoke. “My concerns?” He mocked, with a sneer.

My father growled and the Alpha’s smug expression faltered. “Get to the point before I make a trip to Dark Mist.” My father said through gritted teeth. There were snarls and growls heard, not only in the meeting room but over the speakers. We had family and friends everywhere.

I turned to see Alex, who was grinding his teeth. Robbie was whispering in Maeve’s ear, ready to break his “my mate isn’t a taxi” commandment. “I want in.” I linked him, and he turned to give me a curt nod. I’m a Sensmeier first, Golden Moon Wolf second and a Werearmy Senior Master Sergeant last. In that order, no deviation.

The old fair-haired wolf looked around at the others on the screen, expecting someone to stand up for him. If they were smart, they’d remain quiet. He rolled his eyes when the expected happened. No one backed him up. “That’s my concern! There is a level of respect that an Alpha is due and there are wolves out there now that are defying our nature.” This again.

That’s why my mother looked annoyed, and why my father looked ready to claw someone’s heart out. We had a war because of this. Not with the East, but that could change if they wanted. High Elder Marcus sighed, clearly thinking the same thing I was. “Alpha Daniel. Your pack avoided any altercations with the council and agreed to our terms.” My father spoke facts.

The Alpha gritted his teeth and nodded his head reluctantly. “We could have gone to war with you and the packs in the East. Forcing you to see that order is needed, like we did here. Is that what you all want?” He finished. Everyone, including my mother, looked stunned by his words. The Alpha’s mouth hung open.

That was our father, uncle, former Alpha and now Elder. He might not be a High Elder but in our eyes he didn't need to be. We were behind him one hundred percent. Robbie, Alex, and I were especially keen on what was going on, ready to pounce if our family was disrespected. Again.

Win, Heidi, and Maeve were just as invested but remained quiet. What everyone didn’t realize is that they were the ones they should fear most. Golden Moon’s Alpha, Beta and Gamma could best any wolf on this screen. But their mates… two of them specifically… they could more than best them. From where they sit here now.

As if sensing the older Alpha needed a lifeline, Alpha Ivan from the South spoke up. “Is an Alpha being threatened for commanding respect? If so, I’m inclined to agree with Alpha Daniel” He snarled, giving me a preview of the bullshit he tried to put my sister through, and what he thinks I will deal with.

My mother’s beautiful face turned into a scowl as she turned her gaze from my father and back to the monitor. Her eyes were dark, and canines extended. “Watch your tone!” She snarled, hopping off her seat. My father quickly pulled her back and onto his lap, before she could attempt jumping through the screen.

We were all on the edge of our seats. Meave may end up transporting all of us to the south and then to the east. I’m sure, from the look on Robbie’s face, that he wouldn’t accuse us of using her as a taxi if it meant he got to break someone’s larynx. Maybe a tibia would do.

“My mate, Elder Luke Sensmeier, and former Alpha of Golden Moon, has earned all your respect. Am I wrong?” She asked and trailed her eyes around the screen. Checking every single box to avoid any misunderstanding later. Her warm brown eyes were darker, daring someone to refute her.

I almost laughed when I saw Dev also scanning the screen, as if taking note of anyone who might have the urge to lie. Win was nibbling on an empanada, a pen in hand, ready to take down names. We all handle stressful situations differently. My twin and I watched. Analyzed.

The mischievous smile my mother shared with my sisters appeared on her face and she settled back into my father's arms. “That’s right, you can’t. So, stop beating a dead wolf because, although you are the Alpha of your pack, the leader, we are here to ensure our kind flourishes and that there are no abuses of power going on.” She finished with a shoulder shrug.

I took a second to scan the huge screen, again, analyzing their reactions. The Elders were stone-faced, as usual. My twin seemed irritated and bored with the conversation. Some of the Alpha’s in the South and East had angry expressions while the others didn’t seem to care one way or the other. They wouldn’t take a side unless they had to.

“Let’s get to why we’re here.” High Elder Joseph tried to get us back on track with a lopsided smile. “Why are we here? Specifically.” He was now serious, letting the Alpha know he was done. We hadn't even gotten to the heart of the matter and lines were already being drawn in the sand.

Alpha Daniel took a deep breath, gathering himself. I looked at Alex who was already exchanging looks with the others. This wolf was strange to say the least. “When we, The Alpha’s in the East and South, agreed to have a team of experienced warriors come to assist our packs, that’s what we expected.” He took another deep breath.

“We expected an experienced wolf leading the team that's representing the council.” He shot Leia a dirty look and I shot up to my feet and slammed my hands on the desk. “That fucker wants to die.” Soran hissed. He was over the amount of disrespect, and he was usually very patient with the ignorant. So was I.

I could feel everyone’s eyes on me. The right thing to do would be to sit down and pretend that never happened. “f**k that.” Soran growled. “Alpha Daniel. What specific complaints do you have about any of the warriors that were sent to your pack?” I said through gritted teeth. Ignoring the shocked faces of the Elders.

He opened and closed his mouth a few times before clearing his throat. Squinting his eyes at me, he forwent asking me who I was and avoided meeting my foot intimately. “My SPECIFIC complaints are about Master Sergeant Leia and her penchant for being blatantly disrespectful to the pack's high ranking members. As well as her inappropriate behavior as a “ranked wolf.” He sneered.

That had Leia’s back stiffened, and my claws extended, scorching the table. On the screen, Alpha Daniel’s smug expression faltered when he noticed many of the faces on the screens weren't happy about his comment. My father’s face was taking over the entire little square that used to show him and my mom. He was livid.

Adam and Angela were both baring their teeth, like the rest of us. “If I may speak?” Leia drawled. She was f*****g pissed and doing an amazing job of covering it. “Of course.” High Elder Marucs said with a smile. I didn’t miss the eyerolls from the Alpha’s I will be visiting soon.

Leia smiled at High Elder Marucs. “Thank you.” She said politely, then turned to scowl at Alpha Danile. “Respect is earned, not given.” She stated firmly. “If I’ve done anything unbefitting of a Werearmy soldier, please report my infractions to my superior.” She finished and pushed the huge wolf who kept inching his way closer to her, aside. Herc.

That’s when I noticed another wolf with Alpha Daniel. He had been cut off from the screen until now. He was way too focused on my twin. “Master Sergeant Leia is right.” High Elder Marucs said, shocking Alpha Dnaiel and several other wolves who had obviously hoped for a different outcome.

The old Alpha was spluttering but didn’t have a chance to spit a single vowel out. “There are policies and procedures in place for a reason. In truth, I called this meeting and allowed you to voice your grievances because it’s the last time we want to hear them.” High Elder Marcus said with finality.

My mother’s grin was almost creepy. “There are ways of handling things, Alpha Daniel. You might be used to being given your way simply because you’re an Alpha, but I would like you to keep one thing in mind.” He stopped to give the furious Alpha a second to acknowledge him.

When the Alpha finally nodded, which looked like someone was chocking him, the high Elder finally spoke. “The wolves we’ve entrusted to represent the council are the very best warriors from all the packs. Wolves of all ranks. ALL ranks.” He reiterated with a pointed look.

Some of the Alpha’s shot Leia and the rest of us a glance. Some knew who we were, and I was surprised Alpha Daniel and the rest of them hadn’t put two and two together. Either way, he was implying something, and Alpha Daniel wasn’t picking up what he was dropping. Others were.