My Laughable Fate

31. Conversation over

LUKE POV

NEXT DAY

Having breakfast with Leia, wasn't the way way I expected Natalia and I to spend our first morning together. Don't get me wrong, I want Natalia and Leia to spend time together, to get along. I also miss my twin, but I just met my Gatita and I want to be selfish and have her all to myself for at least a week before I have to share her.

At least it was interesting to see how they interacted. My twin and I can be intimidating. Natalia being wary of Leia, isn’t all that surprising. Especially after learning, she only accepted a chosen because she wasn’t really given a choice. She hasn't had a voice... probably over.

Outwardly, I was sitting calmly, chewing on my bacon. Inside... I have been analyzing her words from last night. At first was upset with her for taking a chosen, and furious with him for setting his sights on my mate. After she explain everything, my rage was redirected on the correct parties, their fathers and the Alpha who allowed the pairing.

While she didn’t go into detail last night, she admitted he had controlled her life up until now. “Whatever control he has over her must be severed.” Soran insisted. The ties with her father, the commitment to Alpha Paul... they all needed to be taken care of before she could truly be mine.

“They’re here.” Leia announced, before taking one last sip of her coffee. “Eeek.” Natalia yelped, her eyes going wide. The hand I had on her lower back, went around her waist and pulled her onto my lap. Her warmth and softness made my chest tingle, something I'd never felt. The bond is way more than just blissful happiness. “We do this together.” I reminded her.

My Gatita has an unhealthy fear of her father. “That asshole did more than control our mate.” Soran insisted. We knew he had ignored and disregarded her, but there was more. “If I find out he put hands on her, I’m confiscating the offending hand or hands.” Seems like a valid punishment to me.

I don't know everything I should about Natalia yet, but there is no reason to mistreat any pack member. Let alone your own pup. I don’t recall a time our parents ever steered us one way or the other when it came to our professional or personal lives. As long as we had some kind of plan, they only meddled when we were blatantly screwing up.

Had she ever had an opportunity to screw up? To make a bad choice, or any choice? Those thoughts had my temperature spiking, so I put them away for when I have her asshole father in front of me. Focusing on her big blue eyes, I helped her gather the courage it was going to take to stand up to her former keeper.

A shaky breath left her parted lips. “I know.” She nodded even though she was scared. I could feel her fear and apprehension. It was heavy, but it wasn’t as big as her excitement. Knowing that excitement was for me, slowed my ever-growing anger towards her “family” and her “pack”.

I watched her for a moment, until I was sure she was leading with the excitement and not the fear. Then I stood, setting her on her feet. I would carry her for the rest of our lives but this, this she needed to do while standing by my side. Side by side for the rest of our lives.

When Leia opened the door, Herc was there waiting. If he wasn’t my sister’s second in command, I’d find it odd that he’s always around. Even when he’s off duty, he seems to be right by her side. He caught me eyeing him, and instead of backing off he tipped his head at me. The f**k?

After I deal with my mates shitty father, I’ll get on that. “They’re expecting us in the Alpha’s office.” Leia said bitterly before walking out. That was something else. She and the Alpha… there something there. Her, the Alpha and Herc. My twin is hiding something from me, and it involves them, that much I’m sure of.

The walk to the office was quick and void of conversation. Natalia spent the entire walk mumbling a speech she was practicing with her cute little angry face. “Our mate needs this more than we do.” Soran mused and he was right. Her dark eyebrows knit together, and her lips pouted to accentuate her intent. She had words that needed to be heard, I'd make sure they'd listen.

When we reached the pack house, she tensed, her frown falling from her face. The aura from multiple Alpha’s was making its way down the hall, meeting us as we walked to the office, and it was full of intent too. The hand that held her around the waist gave her a squeeze. Those big blue eyes darting up at me.

Following behind Leia and Herc, who were acting as our guards, I led her to the open door. I waited for her to hesitate, slow her steps or dead stop and run away. She was scared, I could feel it. Still, Natalia kept up with each of my steps. Right by my side. With every step she became every more stunning in my eyes, something I didn't think possible.

As soon as their idiotically smug faces came into view, a small whimper left her lips. “Finally.” The dark-haired wolf said in annoyance. “Calm down Beta Richard.” His Alpha instructed, before taking a few steps forward, intending to intimidate me. How could he know this was the least threatening situation I’ve been in this week.

“I’m Natalia’s Alpha. Alpha Mortimer.” He boasted, as if that meant I should hand my mate over without a fight. “We don’t need you here for this. We just need Beta Natalia and him.” The older wolf I sent on a nice trip yesterday said with a dismissive hand wave as he took a seat in the Alpha’s chair.

He had been addressing my twin, who had entered before us and stood directly in front of the two wolves at his side. He must want an extended vacation this time. Perhaps they all need a holiday. “The pot calling the kettle black.” Leia chuckled, unaffected by his disrespect. That means she’s used to it.

I couldn’t hold back the sneer I shot in his direction. “Stay retired old wolf.” I warned, giving him an opportunity to retort. He swallowed, opening his mouth, but I really didn’t want to hear his bullshit. “My twin, Master Sargeant Leia, is here for your safety. Not mine.” I spoke before he could.

“What the hell is going on here?” The indignation on the Alpha’s face was comical. He had obviously thought his mere presence would be enough to make me back down. The wolf, Alpha or not, is delusional. At best. His Beta, her father, was trying to stare her down but she was safely nestled into my side. Much to his chagrin.

Soran wasn’t even slightly threatened by either of them. Annoyed and seeking revenge for suspected acts against his mate, yes, but not at all threatened. The wolves we've faced, the situation we've been in. These wolves have no idea what I'd do to them if we faced one another in battle.

Oddly, the wolf I should be facing, as if in battle, wasn't even here. Her "chosen" was nowhere to be found, which I found strange, but former Alpha Daniel was here to represent his progeny. Since it was he who paired him with MY MATE, I suppose he was responsible for our current situation. Maybe Alpha Paul wasn’t as guilty in all this as I first thought. Time will tell.

Right now, I had to deal with the three wolves who had a false sense of determination. They didn’t plan on leaving this office empty-handed. It would be my pleasure to help my mate upset their plans. A little payback for all the s**t they’ve pulled on my mate. Just a taste, while they wait for the feast I’m going to prepare for them.

I can’t maim or kill them without a decent amount of provocation on their part. So… before Alpha Morty could open his maw again, I pulled Natalia from where she was hiding by my side and placed her in front of me. “My mate has something to say. You will remain silent while she speaks.” Simple directions, right?

Not if the bemused looks on their faces were an indication. Natalia gasped, but a gentle squeeze of my hands on her hips reminded her of the conversation we had before we’d even gone to breakfast at Leia’s. I’d made it plain to her. If she really wanted me, her mate, and not the douche canoe her father chose for her, she had to tell him so.

My Kitten started to wither under her father’s menacing glare. I almost doubted her before the sweet sound of her voice resounded in the room. “I’m not mating Paul.” Those four words were taken as literal shots fired. Both wolves looked like they’d been slapped, mouths hanging open.

It was as if those four words released something deep within my mate because her inward stance slowly blossomed outward until her shoulders were square, chin high. From the corner of my eye, I caught Leia beaming with pride for her new sister. s**t… I nearly teared up at the thought of bringing my Kitten home, to my family.

A blustering sound came from Beta Richard, but a snarling growl reminded him of my earlier, very simple and clear, directions. He might look at me sideways, as if I’m going to regret crossing him, but that doesn’t change the fact that he’s nice and quiet, giving my Gatita the respect she deserves.

A soft chuckle had everyone’s attention back on Natalia. It was strange, but it was as if I could feel the whispery laughter trailing up my spine. Very distracting. “Hmph.” She pretended to cough and slid her hands up her sides until they met mine and held. Comfort, that's what we provided for one another.

“I met my mate, Luke, and I’ve accepted him.” She spoke with no doubt or hesitation. She had a little shakiness in her voice, but I’d chalk that up to emotion and years of conditioned fear. The Beta opened his mouth, but she shook her head, nearly making his eyes pop out.

Her slender hand went up, signaling she wasn’t done. “Claim her now.” Soran’s voice sounded guttural, nothing like his usual calm and collected self. Our mate was standing against her Alpha and father for us, for herself. It brought out something raw and primitive from deep inside.

She shivered, sensing my need for her, a nervous laugh leaving her lips. “He’s a warrior!” The Beta raged in disgust, spittle flying from his mouth. “I don’t care who his father is, he’s still just a warrior.” He doubled down. He knew who I was and still didn’t want me for his daughter.

Natalia stepped forward, almost leaving my arms. “I don’t care who his father is!” She snapped, the anger radiating from her was deafening. A few panted breaths left her lips before she spoke again. “I’ve made my decision, and I’m not changing my mind. EVER.” Her eyes widened a little crazily and that’s when I pulled her back into my arms.

Everything unfolded quickly after that. “You ungrateful brat!” The Beta roared, and the Alpha assisted by releasing his aura. Is that how they react when they don’t get their way? A low growl rumbled from my chest, my patience had run out. She began to shiver and, without being told, Leia came from behind, taking her from my arms.

She clung to the back of my shirt, not wanting to let go. I turned my head slightly, keeping my eyes on the wolf who thought he could terrorize my mate. “Two seconds Kitten. Be a good girl.” I felt her hands drop, and I was finally able to stalk forward. I hated stepping away from her, but it couldn't be helped.

Two steps. That's all I would take for me to step into his space and knock him out of his orbit. I felt Herc position himself in front of Natalia and Leia, in case one of these assholes tried to make a go at them. That was all they had to do for this to turn into a m******e and I didn't need but was grateful for the help.

The longer I stared at their entitled, spoiled and pathetic faces, the more my anger grew. “He yelled at our mate. Rip his throat out, take his words from him.” Soran’s orders came with the usual fog that clouds all rationality. As their faces grew worried, I knew I’d gone dark. They're f****d now.

“Natalia is Mine. You don’t agree, have her “chosen” challenge me. Conversation over.” Those were more words any of my enemies had been gifted. Like Santa, I didn't wait for any thanks. I had a mate who had earned a very special gift and I couldn't give it to her here.

Leia began to pull Natalia out of the office, and she stopped digging her heels in when I turned and joined them. The four of us walked out of the pack house, but I didn't feel settled yet. I stopped in my tracks, halting everyone. "There's something else." I spoke, confusing Natalia.

She began to shake her head, but I smiled at her. "Not you Kitten." Then I turned back to my twin who was now arms akimbo, tapping her foot. "Tell me." I insisted. Herc gulped audibly, and it fortified my belief that he was involved. "Fine!" Leia snapped, throwing her hands up.

Leia laughed humorlessly. "Luke... things are so, so complicated." she began, her eyes watering. Herc stepped closer to her, but didn't touch her. He felt my eyes on him, but didn't move away. "Tell me." I urged. She had never hesitated to answer such a simple question.

With a foot stomp, the floodgates came open. "Fine!" Hands went to hips. "Alpha Paul is my mate. He let his daddy convince him to take a chosen mate. Then you came and took his mate from him. The end!" She barked and stormed away, Herc following after her. The hell did she just say?