My Laughable Fate

20. Angel?

HERC POV

FOUR DAYS LATER

No matter what boss lady says, it’s a horrible idea for her to show up tonight. All week, Alpha Daniel’s been extra... extra insufferable. Taking wolves out of training, so they can help with the engagement party preparations. Disrupting meetings, conversations... and life with his nonsense.

All the high-ranking members, aside from the Beta and his mate have steered clear of us since the meeting last week. Which is a good thing because... Leia is... “Our Angel is prickly.” Aries said, and I nearly swallowed some of the mouthwash I had been gargling. Spitting it out, a grin formed on my face. “Angel?” I asked, then straightened my bow tie.

I was definitely going to keep my promise about making Alpha Simp pay. After all his infractions against my Sarg, dressing up like a damn penguin was next on the list. “Tell me she doesn’t look like an Angel.” Aries argued. I couldn’t even if I wanted to. I’ve had the pleasure of watching her sleep and a more angelic face does not exist.

The way she pouts those full pink lips in her sleep, makes you want to nibble on them. When she’s awake, it’s as if she transforms into something completely different. Still gorgeous as all hell but not at all angelic. There is no softness or give in her when she’s in boss lady mode. “Angel. I like it, but she won't.” I chuckled.

Aries considered what our Angel would think about her, very unlike Leia, nickname. “We can’t call her boss lady while wooing her. We need to start taking charge.” He asserted. “True… but she will have our balls for it.” I warned. “It’ll grow on her.” He assured me, but he didn't sound that confident.

Taking one more look at myself in the stupid monkey suit Julius let me borrow, I tried to smile, but I managed to scare myself. “Less gums and fangs.” Aries instructed. “I’m still curious about Julius carrying a three-piece suit around as if he was going to unexpectedly be invited to a gala or some shit.” I was genuinely concerned about his expectations.

That conundrum would have to wait though. I had just enough time to pick up my Angel and crash this lame party. “Still don’t see the point in this shit.” An engagement party is unnecessary if you’re not actually having a wedding. “A mating ceremony is the equivalent of a wedding.” Aries corrected me.

Walking out of the cabin, I went in the direction of Leia’s. “Yes but.” It seems unnecessary. “It's not if you have something to prove,” He pointed out. It was obvious that they were trying to show out and impress. Alpha Paul not only invited Natalia’s father but his Alpha, Mortimer. Don’t get me started on that gem of a name.

Invites also went out to the Elder’s and some of the other Alpha’s from the East. “No invites to the West.” Aries pointed out.

Silver Rock was a decent sized pack, close to competing with some of the biggest packs in the West. They only had about two hundred more pack members than Dark Mist. The difference was that they had more warriors in their ranks.

Dark Mist didn’t know how to retain its strong and much needed members. Most wolves that find mates, male or female, preferred to move to their mates' pack than stay. A good Alpha would see that as an issue and do something to fix it. I guess allying with a pack who might give you warriors is doing something.

By the time I reached Leia’s cabin, she was walking out and closing the door. I… I can't think. I’ve stopped moving, and it feels like my tongue is sticking out of my mouth. “Angel doesn’t cover it. f**k me! She’s a vision.” Aries groaned. He was right. Angel was accurate, but I doubted there were enough words in the English language to describe her.

It wasn’t just the pale pink, skintight gown she was wearing. Or the way it hugged and showcased every perfect curve and dip of the temple she calls her body. It was the way she carried herself. Her head was held high, with her long brown hair cascading down her bare shoulders and back. She was an Angel, no doubt. But she was so much more than any one word could describe.

LEIA POV

I think I broke Herc. “Wave your wand in front of him.” Sian snickered. That’s how she’s been dealing with this messed up situation. I’m now the owner of a sarcastic and passive-aggressive wolf. Luckily for me, she noticed how perfect Herc's pants hugged his... yup it's growing. Ogling was one thing, but he was feasting on my body. It was… hot.

The dress Win sent over is… very feminine. Don’t get me wrong, it’s beautiful and all. Just not what I had in mind. I had a vision of me showing up in a sexy little black dress that I thought was more my style. “More like you playing badass.” Sian sneered. She still wasn't on board with my plan.

My wolf didn't like any plan that didn't end with me mating, marking and then having pups. Preferably with our fated mate... but oddly open to one alternate. My priority was us, me and my wolf. “I am a badass, in pink or puke green.” I corrected her. Actually, this dress is perfect. It’s subtle enough to let my badassery shine on its own.

“Roll it and stick it back in your mouth.” I pointed at his tongue as I hooked his arm with mine. His very big, muscular arm. I took advantage that he still hadn't moved and gave it a squeeze. "Nice." Sian growled. "Very nice." I agreed. That woke him up because he grunted, then led me toward the pack house.

“You look… f**k there really isn’t a word for it.” He grumbled. “Get it together Herc. After I show everyone at this shindig that I’m not one to f**k with, we can get drunk and hold each other’s hair.” I smiled because that sounded nice. That was the extent of our small talk. It seemed we were both mentally preparing ourselves. At least I was... Herc might still be glitching.

Several large and small groups of wolves were walking in the direction of the small hall located opposite the training area. On top of their chattering, we could hear the music that was playing inside, it was getting louder the closer we got. “I got you Angel. All you have to do is show them you’re the f*****g boss.” His hold on my arm tightened.

When I looked up, I noticed he wasn’t even slightly malfunctioning anymore. His green orbs were staring down at me, a determined look on his face. Wait a minute. “Angel?” I asked, but instead of explaining himself he smiled and pulled me into the hall. I was still spinning from his term of endearment when I saw Paul and Natalia holding hands a few yards away from us.

My stomach dropped, then I picked it up and kept walking. They were to the left of the stage, with his daddy and who I assumed was her douchey family. It sucks that, because of my stupid instincts, he was the first wolf my eyes sought out. The way he was staring back at me was the same for him.

I was already annoyed when Alpha Daniel waved us over, as if we had a tray of empanadas he wanted to try. “Show time.” Herc announced with a grin and pulled me towards them. He knew exactly why we were here, so why was my brain drawing a blank? "What was the plan again?" I have no idea why asked Sian.

“We’re not here trying to entice our mate to leave his chosen. We’re also not here to reject him and find a better option.” Sian complained. Like a dog with a bone… Either way, she effectively got me back on track. “That’s right, mi lobita (my shewolf). We might have no choice but to wait for our rejection, but that doesn’t mean we have to be a victim while we do it.” His words “not in my pack” “not while your mine”. Still echoed in my head.

I had expected Alpha Paul to bristle at Herc’s presence at my side. He didn’t understand that he was there because he was my most trusted friend before anything. Wow... that's a revelation I need to explore later. Anyway, all Paul saw was another male wolf near his “mate” and no wolf could stand that.

What I hadn’t expected was the look of amusement on Alpha Daniel’s face as we neared. “Well. It seems I might owe you an apology.” He said, confusing Herc, Paul and me. I was the only one that managed to keep my face schooled. Thanks Elder Becky, mi mami. The other two looked stumped.

“I didn’t know that you and your second in command were an item. That changes…” I cleared my throat, cutting off incorrect assessment. “Former Alpha Daniel. I am accustomed to being introduced to people I don’t know prior to starting a conversation in their presence.” Rude ass.

My Nana Rose would eat him up alive! I turned to the wolves I hadn’t met and tried not to laugh at their stunned faces. Herc had his constipated face, so I pinched him to keep him in check. “I’m Master Sargeant Leia, nice to meet you.” I extended my hand to the older wolf.

I wasn’t familiar with Silver Rock, they were always the last to provide anything requested of them. “I’m Alpha Mortimer and this is my son, the soon-to-be alpha of Silver Rock, Alpha Maximus.” He boomed. I looked around, wondering who the hell he was announcing this too.

Herc’s shoulders were shaking as he stifled his laughter. Next to them was a stockier wolf with dark hair in contrast to the double M’s reddish blond hair. The older one had the same icy blue eyes that always hid from me during training. I didn't need to be told who he was.

Unlike the Alpha, this wolf seemed more cautious of me. Smart wolf. “I’m Beta Richard and this is my son Eric.” He stated simply with no gusto whatsoever. Guess he realized it would be lost on me. “And Natalia’s father. Right?” I asked, wondering if he had forgotten.

His eyes narrowed but he nodded. See you remember! Douche. “Leia has been working with our warriors and the high-ranking shewolfs. Making sure everyone is up to par.” Alpha Paul said, his eyes trained on our arms that were still joined together. The older Alpha’s all shared a look. Seems I’ve been a topic of discussion.

Now that I'd been properly introduced, I could be part of that discussion. “That’s when I’m not canoodling at bonfires.” I chuckled and smiled at Herc who grinned. Now that their jaws were on the floor, it was a perfect time for me to say the words that had been choking me all week.

“Don’t worry Alpha Daniel. You don’t need to apologize. I’m sure that in the coming days or weeks I will do something that you deem immoral or inappropriate. While you might expect an explanation or apology from me, none will be forthcoming. Not if I’m not breaking any official rules.” I stated those facts casually with a pleasant smile on my face.

His blustering was a sign that I had hit my mark. Bullseye. Wolves here have very delicate sensibilities. “Excuse me?” Alpha Daniel growled, his eyes blaring with anger. “You’re excused. Please don’t waste everyone’s time like that in the future. There are procedures in place for a reason.” That one was a low blow, but I’d been stewing, and it was tasty!

Alpha Paul found his balls and stepped away from Natalia, who looked very uncomfortable and lost. “You are not allowed to speak to my father that way.” His words were deep and low, his attempt at being intimidating. I ignored the sting from his harsh words and took a step forward, letting Herc's arm drop.

Keeping my eyes locked with his, I voiced what had been gnawing at me for days. “Nothing I said was wrong, but if you think differently you can speak with my commanding officer.” It was a sight to see, another broken wolf in one night. I think my mom's record is three, and I believe I can break it one day.

I could feel Sian rolling around anxiously. She didn’t like that I was drawing a clear line in the sand where our mate was concerned. The only reason she wasn’t fighting me was because she knew it had to be done. A rejection was imminent. We were at our mate’s engagement party after all.

He opened his mouth to argue with me, but I laughed airily, and he lost his train of thought. “It’s all in the paperwork sent to you by the council. It’s very similar to your policies and procedures. Oh, that reminds me. You should show Alpha Morty the new Security Protocols that you put in place.” I beamed, and his eyes went wide.

That’s how you hit two birds with one stone. Now, everyone’s attention is on Alpha Paul and not on my sassy ass. “Mortimer.” The Alpha corrected. “I’ll be sure to take a look before we leave tomorrow.” Alpha Morty said, still eyeing me with disdain. “Good. Alpha Paul has been working tirelessly on it. I’m sure you’ll be impressed.” Herc chortled and I elbowed him in the stomach.

I’d be impressed if Alpha Paul had more than the outline he had sent me a few days ago. “Good.” I nodded and smiled at each of them. “Congratulations Alpha Paul and soon to be Luna Natalia.” I held my condescension because it had no place here. I wasn't here to claim him.

I took a step back and wrapped my arm with Herc’s. “Ready Angel?” He asked, and my face grew hot. Did this wolf just make me blush? If I giggle, I'll kick him in the balls. To avoid just that, I smiled and nodded. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Paul's mortified face.

Taking a step, I stopped and turned to face Alpha Daniel. “I respect the position of Alpha. It’s a hard job.” I admitted and he puffed out his chest. “What I don’t like is double standards. I won’t be told by anyone.” I turned to Paul and held his gaze. “Anyone.” Then I turned back to his father. “What I can’t or can do.” Periodt!

On queue Herc gracefully pulled me away from a gaping Alpha. Right onto the dance floor where he proved a large man can be light on his feet. “That dress is a secret weapon.” He said, his hand lightly trailing down my side. Gently grazing his fingers over the fabric. My body went slack, everything that had just transpired melted away.

Herc pulled me close, one big hand on my shoulder, the other on my hip. Turning my face up to meet his gaze, I admired him for a moment. I liked that he hadn't shaved and was tempted to rub my fingers on his scruff. “I’m just now regaining my vocal abilities.” He said with a dramatic sigh. “It’s deceptive, isn’t it?” I chuckled evilly, and he smiled broadly with a nod.

Being evil was fun, but being evil with Herc by my side made me feel invincible. I hadn’t even realized I felt so weak to begin with.

A loud bang sounded in the hall, and everyone turned to the entrance. The door had slammed into the wall and was stuck. Huge veins like cracks ran up the wall around the door.

A retreating form could be seen storming away. “Guess he has some Security Protocols to work on.” I shrugged. Herc chuckled, and the sound vibrated through my loins. “Aren’t we supposed to feel bad?” I asked, wondering why I was feeling… not bad. “We do feel bad, just not as bad as we could be feeling. Herc’s presence… helps.” She admitted.

I've never allowed myself to lean on anyone that wasn't family. “He makes it so easy to open up to him.” I whined. So big and strong. My arms tightened around his neck and my head rested on his chest. I felt like I could finally breathe after purging myself. Because of that, and because no one could tell me what to do, I made myself at home in his arms.