My Laughable Fate

3. Mate?

LEIA POV

I let my face relax into its usual resting b***h face and stared at the older wolf. Since the others were looking at him, I assumed he was their superior. He couldn’t be the Alpha because Paul Stone was twenty-four, this wolf had to be at least forty. We might not age as fast as humans, but we look older, we don't stay twenty forever. Anyway, I'm more concerned about why this old wolf has the balls to look at me with anything less than respect.

Tilting my head, I waited for him to speak. If he thought I was going to kiss his ass and fall all over myself to find out who he was, I kind of feel bad for him. Not really. “You must be Master Sargeant Leia.” The blond wolf spoke as he looked me up and down. Gross, old guy eye f*****g. “I’m the former Alpha, Daniel, welcome to Dark Mist.” He puffed out his chest and stood taller. An Alpha… who had to remind me just how much bigger he is than me. Yay.

I’m not short but he, like my father, is a grown male Alpha. My dad is more so than him, but I digress. Most male wolves have about a foot or more on an average shewolf. That made me prickly, so I decided to knock him down a few inches where it counts. His manhood. “Former Alpha? My visit does not warrant the presence of the acting Alpha of Dark Mist?” I took a few steps forward, Herc flanked my right and Julious went to my left.

Julius was the opposite of Herc. Where Herc had dark shoulder-length hair and could never get rid of his five-o-clock shadow, Jules had sandy blond hair and was clean cut. Herc was slightly shorter but was bulkier and more rugged looking. They were like day and night. Even their eyes, Herc had dark forest green eyes and Jules had baby blue.

Since Jules is almost as good as Herc, I keep him close. Both on either side of me are like an angel and the devil. Yet, if I asked either of them, they would both agree that I should throat punch this asshole for sneering at me the way he is. “Alpha Paul, my son, is out of town visiting his mate.” He explained even though it pained him to do so. Alphas don’t like to answer to anyone.

“I gathered he was your son when you said you were the former Alpha." I didn't like how he was trying to rub his rank in my face so I gave him a hard stare that made him bristle. "The newly appointed Alpha of Dark Mist knew of our arrival before he was even made Alpha. Yet he chose to visit his mate instead of being here to attend to his Alpha duties?” I got back to the real issue at hand, even if I was a d**k about it.

While several Alpha's did ignorant things that pissed me off, none of them had managed to piss me off quite as much the wolf in front of me and his absent progeny. To completely dismiss my visit by not being here is like a slap in the face. One I will not tolerate, not from a new or old Alpha. “Sargeant.” The old Alpha growled and Herc and Jules snarled at him. “Master Sargent.” Herc hissed.

Don’t ask me why my n*****s tightened, again, at the threat in his gruff voice. I know it’s not healthy and I should probably talk to a therapist, but caveman style does it for me. “Hmph.” Alpha Daniel cleared his throat and took a step back. I managed to get myself together before I reminded everyone of the obvious with the scent of my arousal. Shewolfs are blessed with having everyone know when their turned on. Awesome, right?

“The timing is unfortunate, but my son’s mate is in the process of moving to our pack and required his assistance.” The former Alpha replied with a hint of snideness. “They don’t have moving companies where she’s from?” I asked drily with my mom’s signature arched eyebrow. That one took a while to master, but seeing his nose flare in indignation is well worth the hours spent under that very eyebrow.

Maybe my expectations of how an Alpha should comport himself when having a visiting wolf from the council is too high. “Not all the Alpha’s in the South were a-holes. Though none of them could hide the annoyance of being proven wrong. By you.” Sian snorted with laughter. “I guess I am judging all of them by the ten or so Alpha’s that got a wild hair up their ass and decided to try me.” Like this asshole.

He opened his mouth to speak but I smiled, and it startled him. Another one of Elder Becky's mind games. “It was nice to meet you, former Alpha Daniel. Please have someone lead my men to their living quarters and me to a secure landline.” I was no longer smiling, and my eyes stared deep into his. “Humph…” He bristled and sighed deeply.

“Is that steam coming out of his nose?” Sian jeered. “No, just some gray hairs. The old Alpha needs a trim.” I joked back and she wheezed with laughter. “Shane, show the men to the cabins we’ve provided for them on the north side.” He spoke to Shane, but his eyes never left mine. I nodded my head, giving my men the go ahead.

Jules gave me a glance, to which I c****d my head in the direction the other men were walking, signaling him to go. Leaving the Alpha, his ten warriors, Herc and me. There was no use ordering Herc to leave because he would just sprint a few feet away and creep. “He’s protective.” Sian mused. “I’m his Sergeant and he’s my second in command. We have this weird… bond or something.” Or something.

The old Alpha’s eyes glazed over, and the other warriors began to walk towards the west where a large pack house stood. “Our security office is on the first floor of our pack house. There is a secure line and an office you can use.” He said curtly and gestured for us to follow him. “We would also like some lunch. We’ve been on the road for hours.” Herc reminded him and me.

Alpha Daniel was not happy with Herc’s tone and smacked his lips together but kept his mouth shut. I couldn’t believe I was so busy being an ass that I forgot to take care of my warriors and their basic needs. “Yes. My men need to eat and, since we won’t get started here until the current Alpha arrives, they will take advantage and rest.” I smirked as if waiting for that jerk pleased me.

The longer we wait to get started, the longer we will be here. “I will assign an Omega to you and your men. She will make sure they have lunch and will also show them around and assist them with any other requests they may have.” He turned slightly and looked at me as if asking “Is that good enough for you?”. I simply blinked at him.

He huffed the rest of the way to the pack house. We walked in and he led us down a long hallway that appeared to have different offices and storage rooms. When we reached the security office, he stopped in front of the door. “I’ve linked our Delta, Oscar, he’s going to assist you from here.” The Alpha rushed out, thinking I was going to let him get away that easily.

“Of course, Alpha, but there is one more thing.” I felt bad for the guy, he was already turned away from me, walking briskly to the door. I mean, he was almost home free. At my spoken words, his body stiffened, and his shoulders tightened. He remained frozen in place, but if he thought I was going to have a conversation with his ass, he was out of his mind. So, I waited for him to turn and turn he did.

I don’t know how my mother keeps a serious face when she plays her little mind tricks, but I nearly lost my composure just now. Herc looked like he was constipated and was about to blow. Still, he didn’t make a sound, just stood next to me like a statue that needed to poop badly. If he made me laugh, I’d kill him.

Alpha Daniel was a fair man with fair features. Because of that, he looked like a red chili pepper. A chili pepper with a face… creepy and funny at the same time. His eyes were slightly wider, completing the cartoon chili face look. “What is it, Master Sargent Leia?” His tone was bored but it took him a lot of effort to suppress his anger, which made his voice sound thick.

“The Alpha of Dark Mist has forty-eight hours to return and complete his commitment with the council. It was agreed that they would send a team, my team, and that your Alpha would participate in the process of evaluating the pack's warrior training, security measures and protocols.” I informed him. Being Alpha isn’t just about the title, it comes with responsibilities. That's what I was taught anyway.

“That’s what he signed up for when he accepted the new security system and the upgraded sensors.” That truth took out some of his bluster. “He should also keep in mind that the East might have an army, but it’s very small. I can assure you that your council will go to each pack looking for the best. That means they will take your best.” A spark of panic shot through his eyes before he composed himself.

Without another word, the alpha turned and walked away. “Forty-eight hours, Alpha Daniel.” I reminded him before turning to the door that suddenly opened. A stalky red-headed wolf opened it and the scent that followed him both stunned and scared me. “Mate?” Sian said with confusion. Why was she confused? “What do you mean, mate? Is he our mate or not?” I asked and she remained quiet. What did she mean, mate?