My Laughable Fate

29. Un-engagement party

LEIA POV

I can't believe I'm this surprised his change of heart was so short-lived. It irritates me that I had a tiny sliver of hope he would walk the walk. Don’t get me wrong, I was already dead set on declining his un-rejection that was on hold. The bond can make me feel all kinds of goodies, but it can’t erase the feeling in my gut. My instincts.

Even Sian hadn't been convinced. His words ignited a spark of hope, but at the end of the day, actions speak louder than words. Right now, Paul’s words and actions were loud and clear. Goddess… I would laugh if my brother wasn’t trying to fuse himself with my soon-to-be ex-mate’s now ex-fiancée. s**t Sunday.

There were about twenty elephants in the room. I had so many emotions going through me, I almost felt numb. Alpha Daniel was still outside, too stunned to even attempt to enter the office. Herc looked too damn amused for my liking. Paul… he looked like a fish out of water. He was struggling to remember how to breathe.

This is the same wolf that not even twenty-four hours ago told me he didn’t want to go through with the rejection. His reaction to Luke claiming Natalia as his mate is telling. I’m not sure which one of us was his number one right now, but we were both options to him. That’s all.

I inhaled softly, checking for any hidden outbursts trying to creep through. Luke pulled his face from where it was buried in Natalia’s hair. His eyes landed on me, but his arms never let go of his mate. “We’ll talk tomorrow.” I assured him, extending my hand, I squeezed his bicep.

He wasn’t convinced, I could tell by the two little creases between his eyes. I hated that he was worried about me while he had his mate in his arms. Luke should be happy. “Estoy bien.” I assured him, again. Luckily, tt was hard for him to argue with his mate in his arms.

After he gave me a curt nod, I knew what was coming. It made me wonder what Alpha Paul was going to do when my bro walked out of here with his chosen. “I can’t believe he said that!” Sian growled. “I can.” That’s why I hadn’t taken his words at face value.

It would have been different if, before telling me he changed his mind, he’d brought Natalia in and said “This is my mate, Leia. It was nice knowing you, but you’re no longer needed. Respectfully, kick rocks” but here was a reason he hadn’t.

To date, no one aside from Herc knows he’s my mate. He might say he wants to accept me, but the reality is he doesn’t have the balls to deal with the fallout. Not by himself anyway. “He wasn’t willing to act unless he was assured things would work out for him.” The short version of what I’d already told her.

My twin turned to Herc, then to Paul. He felt the tension between us and was trying to analyze the situation. My bro was already irritated that another wolf had tried to claim his mate, on the day he found her no less. He knew there was more, and it bugged him that he wasn’t in the know. The only thing keeping him at bay was the shewolf in his embrace.

Paul swallowed hard under Luke’s intimidating gaze. If he couldn’t speak before, he probably lost his hearing and his sense of smell. Wonder if Luke still knew how to sign. Just then, Luke raised his hand and I thought I’d accidentally linked him my thoughts.

Herc and I were both on pins and needles as we watched my brother point his finger at Paul. “You and I will have words after I speak with MY MATE.” Luke’s voice sounded cold as ice and held promise. He held his gaze for a while after her spoke, it was kind of awkward. Paul might have needed Natalia, but not enough to risk his life.

Luke perked up, bringing his attention back to Natalia. They had just met, and she was already doing what a good mate does when their other half is in distress. Her hands were under his shirt, caressing his back. In one swoop, he picked her up and stomped out to who knows where. Maybe Natalia's room?

So, that’s how it’s supposed to be when you first meet your mate. “Maybe he wants to thank you for bringing his mate here for him.” Herc spoke, killing my pity party planning. That might have been the last straw because Paul turned a new shade of red, one I didn’t know existed.

“GET OUT!” Paul ROARED, making the room shake. The Alpha version of a pissing contest. Alpha Daniel had left, right after Luke. He didn’t get to witness Herc, and I defied his son’s Alpha command. “We should go.” Sian whimpered dejectedly. Even though he hadn’t really directed his command at us.

Then again, it’s not like he didn’t know a command like that would clear a room. No matter who he was directing the command to, as long as they aren't of Alpha blood. “We don’t take orders from him.” I reminded her. I’d told him as much, but he didn’t understand that it wasn’t just my preference. Maybe it was time I told him who I was.

I was about to give one of my signature witty remarks when Herc’s deep sexy laugh sent tingles up my spine. Stopping me. “I’ve been very respectful up to now, Alpha Paul.” He spoke as he took two big steps forward. It was hard not to compare them from this angle. They were both big, very big, but one was slightly bigger and that was Herc.

Paul was younger and less experienced, but he didn’t back down. He seemed more irritated than stunned. His hands were flat on his desk as he leaned over it, ready to pounce. “I don’t know you did it, but I’m the Alpha of this pack. DO NOT defy my commands.” He warned, his wolf coming out momentarily.

Any other wolf would be concerned for their life. Herc, he set his hands over the desk and leaned closer to him. I had a perfect view of their rippling muscles, and it was hard not to swoon. Then I remembered that one of these wolves had just called another shewolf his chosen and the other walked away from me last night.

“This isn’t right Leia!” Sian growled in irritation. I was glad to hear her do something aside from whimpering and moping. “Easy lobita.” I needed her to simmer down. My second in command was about to do something that could potentially get him suspended or worse.

I took a step forward, closer to Paul’s desk. As soon as I did, Herc stepped to the side, standing in front of me. He wasn’t done. “I’ll leave.” Herc said but didn’t move. “But first, why don’t you tell my Sarg why you’re not surprised she could defy your command.” He turned his body, so that Paul could answer, but he only stared blankly at me.

It’s true that he should have at least been curious when I didn’t high tail it out of here at his command, but when he wasn’t, I figured he was too pissed off with Herc to pay me any mind. Which I would have continued thinking if Herc hadn’t brought it up and if Paul hadn’t reacted by looking like he was scheming up a lie.

“He knows and that’s why he changed his mind!” Sian said, putting things together along with me. “You think?” She snarled at my snarky response. I shot a glance at Herc who was already staring at me. “Sorry Sarg. I’ll explain and take my pennants later.” He linked in a rush.

I closed my eyes and tried to get a hold of my anger, sadness, and disappointment. The last thing I wanted was for Luke to feel any of this. I didn’t want to ruin anything for him. When I opened them, from the corner of my eye I could see Herc's apprehensive form. He was worried about me.

No need. There was no way I was going to show any weakness right now. Even if my knees felt like they were going to buckle. I had to hold my head high and square my shoulders like my momma taught me. “When did you find out? Right before you changed your mind?” I asked, no emotion. I couldn’t, or my anger would take over.

Paul shook his head, making Herc growl. “Stay out of it!” Paul shot at Herc, then turned back to me. “It’s not like that, Leia. I learned about it while I was already having doubts.” He explained, a frown forming on his face. He was upset that I was questioning him.

It's funny how Paul was seconds from having a tantrum because things weren’t going his way. While Herc had already planned and executed his demise three times over. He was waiting for my okay or the right situation to come up. “Just say when.” His voice in my head confirmed what I already knew. His dark green eyes were locked on Paul.

My soon-to-be ex-mate was clueless. “I bet being who I am, what I am, added to my pro’s.” I wanted to see if he would admit it. His body relaxed, as if me saying that released oxygen into a suffocating room. “That fact did help me see why you were mated to me.” He admitted with conviction.

There we had it, straight from the wolf’s mouth. It was the perfect time to lay everything on the table, so, of course, former Alpha Daniel would barge in unannounced. He still looked disheveled from the trip my brother sent him on. Something I will forever remember.

What concerned me was the wild look in his eyes. “I’ve called Alpha Mortimer and he and Beta Richard are on their way.” He said triumphantly. “You throwing an un-engagement party or something?” Herc scoffed, not so under his breath. Now both father and son were glaring at Herc.

“Why are they still here?” Alpha Daniel asked, looking from Herc to me in disdain. I guess he was done trying to get on my good side. “We..” Paul began but didn’t have the balls to tell him the "what" he wanted to know. “We’re done.” He finally said, not meeting my eyes.

Yes, we are. Thankfully, we never started. “Let’s go Herc.” I ordered, but kept my eyes on Paul, who had dropped in his chair. I felt Alpha Daniel’s eyes on me and finally graced him with my attention. His glare was screaming go away. It felt good to have things back to normal.

Now that I know my not to secret is out his strange behavior makes sense. If Paul knew who I was, so did he. I couldn’t help the huge smile that formed on my face. His frown deepened and he had to be biting his tongue so hard. If he wasn’t careful, it would be his dinner.

Herc had stopped at the door, waiting for me to walk ahead of him. “Do you wish those wolves dead?” I asked, startling Alpha Daniel and finally forcing Paul to look at me. “What are you talking about?” Alpha Daniel asked with irritation, genuinely confused.

I chuckled, finally stepping in the direction of the door. “If you bring those wolves here.” I pointed at the ground, hopefully they knew that meant Dark Mist. “And they try to take my brothers mate from him.” I couldn’t even think of the words to describe what he would do to them.

I seriously took a moment to think, and Alpha Paul and Daniel were both waiting in suspense while I thought. “He will remove the sticks out of all your asses, then force-feed them to you, placing them back where they were.” Or something to that effect.

With a bright smile, I finally walked out, Herc in toe. His snickering gave me hope that he wasn’t as upset as he had been last night. While my focus had been on the opportunist, I’d been keenly aware of Herc’s attentions. “You haven’t scared him off, yet.” Sian jeered, suddenly in a better mood.

“We.” I corrected her, feeling a little relieved. A warm sensation grew in my chest, slowly replacing the dull pain I’d been nursing. The pain Paul was responsible for. Herc had made this whole situation much more bearable than it should be. I couldn’t imagine going through this alone.

Then I remembered he knew Paul knew I was an Alpha. More importantly, I remember that my twin is with his mate, clueless of what was coming his way. I could only kick one ass at a time, and since dealing with Natalia’s family would also mean dealing with Paul, I’d tackle that first. Herc’s ass can wait.