My Laughable Fate

5. All bets are off

LUKE JR POV

What a "s**t Sunday", as my twin would say. We had suspected that this Onyx person had a witch or two working with them, but what was orchestrated last night would have required a coven. Three large groups of humans, who we assume were hunters, disappeared out of sight after we had been tracking them for two hours.

Each group had about thirty humans and it’s obvious now, they were a distraction. They focused their attentions on Golden Moon and Sol, with only minimal activity near Blue Moon. Then Onyx and another mystery person transported themselves into the Blue Moon pack house. All thirteen wolves that were killed were either warriors or patrol guards since the pack members were in the bunkers.

That didn’t make their deaths any less significant, but as warriors we are prepared to sacrifice our lives to protect our packs. “How did they get Beta Valerie? Is Beta Porter, okay?” My sister-in-law, Luna Heidi, asked frantically. Commander Jerry had just explained how we had been hoodwinked and where in the pack the attack had taken place.

While Commander Jerry, Jordan, the west region Elders, and I were in a large office in the Were Army, everyone else had called in. Alphas and their Luna’s as well as the High Elders. “The female Beta refused to leave her mates side to take refuge in the bunker. Beta Porter is in the hospital, he is expected to make it. Which is good because he has a three-month-old pup that needs him.” High Elder Joseph explained.

“All of the warriors that died also had families and or pups who needed them to come home.” My mother said angrily. She was the first wolf to speak in favor of a peaceful solution to the situation with Onyx. Now I wasn’t so sure her words were going to be any less harmful than any of our claws. “Using our brains is how we win, but it’s obvious we dropped the ball.” She looked around the room.

No one disagreed, they merely looked as pissed off as she was. “It’s time we put pressure on them. Force them to make a move on our terms.” My dad spoke, his arm wrapped around my mother’s shoulder. She was almost trembling with anger. “We agree. We’ve heard that Elder Becky is working with Ariel and her Coven, Aures, to form an alliance.” High Elder Marcus asked.

My mother nodded and took a deep breath. “Yes. There are a few things we need to finalize, but by tomorrow we will be allied with the Aures Coven. They are already working on finding out what coven is helping Onyx.” She asserted. “I will be overseeing everything going forward.” Commander Jerry spoke, startling me.

While I hadn’t been calling all the shots, I’d been monitoring all aspects of the mission to locate Onyx. From the research being done on all the parties involved to the dozens of scouting parties and drones that were out there actively searching for hunter pods. “Did I miss something?” I didn’t want to outright ask if I had done something wrong or was lacking. Why else would Commander Jerry take over?

“You did.” He stated in his usual emotionless tone. How was he related to Robbie? “It’s been decided that you will visit each region and meet the leaders of their armies and high ranking members. There is one region's amry that is currently under the guidance of the elders, the Midwest. Each region needs a Commander to start with a core team under him, and at least three sergeants. One for each division they will need to grow, special forces, ground/scout and strategics.” The basics.

At least those were the basics for us. We took a lot of our cues from Uncle Jerry and great uncle Rob since they were in the military. Though we made a lot of adjustments and changes. “ If they already have those roles filled, make assessments. It’s crucial everyone is qualified to fulfil their roles. They need proper hunting and counting teams. Take twenty warriors with you and leave five of them behind to oversee things when you’re done.” He explained and I nodded.

“Then you come back and lead the West’s scouting team on the manhunt.” The evil glint in my uncles’ eyes was calling for blood. “I don’t like bloodshed.” My mother spoke and Luna Heidi nodded her head while my brother Alex hugged her tightly. Even through the screen, I could see how upset they both were. It could have been them after all. f**k that, it will never be them.

“Sometimes it can’t be helped.” Alpha Fabian spoke and his father, Elder Felix, nodded. “I’ve come to accept that. That’s why I’ve decided to agree with my fellow Elders and High Elders. I’ve been the hold out, even Uncle Rob has agreed that we are being left no other option.” She chuckled humorlessly and shook her head.

Since coming into the werewolf world, she has seen wars, battles, and bloodshed. She wasn’t a fighter but attacked when provoked and even killed to protect her pack. It was hard for her to admit that we had no choice but to shed more blood at that point. Just not ours. “All bets are off. We only take prisoners if there is no danger. If attacked, no one is to put their lives in danger by hesitating.” We all knew what she meant.

All the High Elders nodded, sealing Onyx’s fate. Sealing the fate of all the hunters and witches that chose the wrong team. “Wait. Did Unc just say we are going to each region to do what Leia is doing with each pack but with their armies?” Soran, my wolf asked. “Yes. You must be happy. We’re going out on the field. No more stuffy office for you.” I didn’t focus too much on the fact that it was probably a test.

Commander Jerry oversees the strategic division of the army. Commander Jordan handles the special forces team and they both share the scouting division. There is a high possibility that one of them will soon become a general. While that’s not my dream, I’m very close to doing exactly what I want. Using what I know to plan missions and having the authority to join in on the fun.

That kind of luxury is only given to the Commanders now. Things can change, new positions are created all the time. For now, that’s my goal. I’m a wolf who likes to use all his muscles, including his brain. “Good. I have been feeling a bit twitchy lately.” That’s what I liked about my wolf, he was easy-going and logical. Sometimes a little too easy going, but no one is perfect.

“Leia just finished up in the South. I’ll start there since they’ve already had a taste of the Sensmeier charm.” I grinned at my mother, because most of our charm came from her, but my dad got the stigma attached to his last name. This was going to be fun. My mother scoffed and her anger diminished slightly. “You get that specific charm from me, your Ruiz side.” She said proudly and my father nodded in agreement. Obviously, he didn’t want credit for any of her charms and wished he could remove the stigma.

“You won’t believe how many calls I received last month with compliments on my Leia’s… charm.” She didn’t grin but there was a glint in her eyes. “If they knew they were your pups, they wouldn’t call complaining.” High Elder Regionald muttered. As if we were using fake names or doing something deceptively wrong.

If anyone bothered to ask for our last names, we would give them. Most Alpha’s dismissed us as warriors and didn’t bother. “That’s why we don’t tell them. Leia and Luke have Alpha blood, but they are not Alpha’s of any packs. While they are due the respect that their army ranks grant them, everyone needs to learn to respect the warriors that are leading our armies, regardless of rank.” She explained.

Building a council to oversee packs was hard enough on Alpha’s. That’s what led to the war. Having armies within the packs, that had former high-ranking members, warriors and an array of different wolf ranks earning army ranks messed with the werewolf hierarchy. We still needed to find a balance. “Besides, it was obvious those calls had more to do with a shewolf busting their balls than anything.” My mother muttered.

I had expected Leia to be met with the usual Alpha macho bullshit that a lot of the less progressive packs are known for. She might have complained when we spoke but she never gave specific details, or mentioned any inappropriate behavior. Still, I had my suspicions that some of them might have crossed the line. If I wasn’t positive that she could hold her own, or that she would castrate me, I would have stuck my nose in.

“It doesn’t matter, that’s something else they will have to learn. How to deal with shewolfs in power.” My mother shrugged and eyed the High Elders, specifically High Elder Marcus. Was she gunning for his spot? “It’s settled then. Luke Jr will form his team and leave as soon as possible. Elder Becky will oversee things with the Aures Coven. Finding out what Coven is working with them is a priority.” Elder Marcus said, ending the meeting and avoiding my mom's gaze.

My twin, who was on the line, had been silent the entire time. It was in her character to sit back and listen, take everything in. I knew she was safe since she made it to Dark Mist, but I needed to see her or at least talk to her, just the two of us. My phone rang just as everyone was leaving the meeting room and her nickname popped up on the screen Jefa (boss). “You good jefa (boss)?” I answered and began walking to my office. Twin time.