My Laughable Fate

21. Not weak

PAUL POV

I can’t… think… let alone rationalize right now. This was much worse than when I found them at the bonfire. I hadn't seen the kiss Ulysis had described, but I could imagine his crusty lips touching her cheek. He claimed she had been shocked and peeved. Not totally into it, or so I hoped. This time, they walked into the hall together, arm in arm, as if they were mates.

There was no way I could remain in the presence of my father and the visiting Alpha's. Not with them slow dancing… not with the way she was looking at him. It wasn't the shocked or peeved expression this time. It was... adoration?! Whatever it was, it didn't sit well with me. Especially not with the way he was eating it up. Prick.

My anger, combined with that of my wolves, had me contemplating forms of violence I’d never imagined. When I slammed that door open, I had imagined it was him I was plastering on the wall. “She’s our mate. That wolf had his hands all over MY MATE!” Idris growled ferociously.

The short walk from the hall back to the pack house in the cool night air didn't have the effect I needed. I was still boiling on the inside. I’d reached my office and shoved the door open. It closed behind me, but I knew it was only seconds before my father followed. He had left the hall shortly after I did but kept his distance as he followed me.

As soon as I reached the other side of my desk, the door flew open. “What is wrong with you? Why did you storm out like that? Alpha Mortimer…” He was rearing up for a long one, so I interrupted. “I’m losing my patience with that disrespectful shewolf.” It was a distorted version of the truth.

Idris snarled at me, not agreeing whatsoever. “I’m losing my patience with you!” he sneered. I didn’t have time to argue, not when my father didn’t agree with me right away like I had expected. Instead, he had a thoughtful expression. While it was obvious Leia still wasn’t his favorite person, he was reassessing how he was dealing with her.

The apology earlier, even if it was halfhearted, was not expected. Leia may have been dismissive of it, but she hadn’t expected it.

“Master Sargeant Leia is a willful shewolf.” He understated. I raised my brow at him, and he sighed, taking a few steps closer to my desk. I was leaning over it at this point, feeling exhausted.

“There is something I haven’t told you. Something I just recently found out.” He examined me, as if assessing my readiness for his secret. I narrowed my eyes at him and sat down. Extending my hand, I pointed at the chair, ordering him to take a seat. Something he used to do in the past, when he was Alpha.

My meaning of doing this wasn't lost on him as he nodded and gave me a small smile. “Speak and let this be the last time you keep secrets from your Alpha.” I asserted, releasing my Alpha aura. His eyes widened, and his hands gripped the arms of the chair. He went to speak but ended up choking on his spit. “Ahem.” He pretended to cough.

I wasn’t just frustrated with Leia’s disrespect, but with everyone else too. As the current Alpha of Dark Mist, I should know everything. I’ve been so focused on creating alliances and fixing our finances that I’ve allowed my father to continue acting as Alpha. If he had to cough up a lung to get that, so be it.

My father nodded again, wallowing at the shift of power. This should have happened when I became Alpha. “Too weak.” Idris grumbled. “Not weak.” I growled back at him. “Prove it.” He challenged. My eyes bore into my father with a determination that had him speaking and my wolf shutting up.

“One of the Alpha’s from the South reached out to me.” He began vaguely, still keeping secrets from me. While that needed to stop, I didn't have time to tackle that problem. Right now, I need to know what he found out and why it made him change his tactics with Leia.

He chuckled wryly, with a long sigh. “Something we both could have easily found on the file that was sent over by the council, but didn’t feel the need to." He shook his head in disappointment of... himself? Us? It was hard to tell. "Her full name and that she comes from Golden Moon.” With a pointed look, he waited for that to sink in.

“Golden Moon?” Of course, she came from the same pack as Commander Jorden, her protector. Did that mean he wasn't her sugar daddy? Probably watched her grow up. Even though I had been dying to know her past, their past, I hadn't seen the point in finding out too much about her. I didn’t want to know any of it, not until I had to reject her.

With the way my wolf and I are at odds, the less I knew, the better. “Her last name is Sensmeier.” My father shot that last one out quickly and watched intently, as if he expected… “Wait… Sensmeir?” That name sounds familiar, oh no. “s**t. As in Elder’s Luke and Becky Sensmeier?” I asked, even though I already knew.

He nodded slowly, an annoyed expression forming on his face. “I felt it when we had our video call. That tiny “shewolf” is the key that she was molded from. Something leads me to believe we dodged a bullet that her copy was sent here and not the original.” He frowned and shook his head.

I was still processing. Leia, my mate, is not just a warrior from some insignificant pack in the west like I had forced myself to believe. Not only is she from a powerful pack, but she’s related to two Elders who I suspect are gunning for High Elder positions in the future.

“She was perfect before you found all this out. Strong, smart, independent, resourceful, feisty and hot as f**k. All you had to do is get to know her and you would've realized she is everything we need and more. Now, she’s in the arms of that f*****g Viking!” Idris snarled at me.

“Son. It might be a problem that we didn't get off on the right foot with Elder Luke’s daughter. While his mate shows her claws more often than he does, I believe he is the political animal that can kill our pack. The council was built with his help.” What he said made sense, but I wasn’t ready to deal with those repercussions yet.

Again, the fact that I had given up on my mate kept bouncing around in my head. Pounding around more like it. All for what? To save my pack? I chose Natalia because she’s the daughter of a Beta. I needed a high-ranking… “Wait, did you say his daughter?” My eyes went wide. Every time he speaks, things get worse. “Yes. She’s his youngest daughter.” He grimaced.

He should be worried. We mistreated Elder Luke’s baby girl. “MY baby girl!” Idris snarled, now pacing in my head. “Is that why you apologized to her earlier?” Or at least attempted to before she shut him down. His upper lip curled up in displeasure at the reminder of being embarrassed in front of another Alpha.

“As much as that shewolf displeases me, I’m aware of how our world works. We can’t afford to have such powerful enemies. We need to get on her good side.” My father sighed in defeat for the hundredth time. We had both noticed the reactions of the Alpha’s during the video call. It wasn’t a split room, and we were on the losing end as far as I saw.

“I’ll kill him if he speaks ill of our mate one more time, Paul. I’m tired of you and him!” At this point it felt like he was clawing up my spine, fighting for control. Sweat was doting on my forehead and my father was starting to notice my less than cool demeanor. He wasn’t used to me reacting, since I usually just acted on his orders without question.

I couldn’t hide my frustration any longer, not from my expression anyway. My mate is the daughter of the former Alpha of Golden Moon. He and the former Luna are BOTH current Elders. Her brothers are currently Alpha’s in the west. One of which's mate, Alpha Alex, is a hybrid something and their Gamma female is a witch. These were the last wolves you wanted as enemies.

This was a new level of f****d. “I didn’t want to know anything about her.” I told my wolf, feeling guiltier than before. “It would have made things harder.” I defended my decision, sullenly. “What’s wrong son?” My father rose from his seat, his eyebrows furrowed. “Or easier.” Idris hissed.

Whipping my brow with the back of my arm, I rose as well. “Tell him.” Idris rumbled. “Nothing.” I shook my head and pushed Idris back. I needed time to think. I’m currently hosting an engagement party and my chosen mate, her family, and their pack are waiting for me. And my fated mate is dancing with the stupid Viking!

My fists slammed on the desk before I could stop them, and my canines extended. Breathing like a bull, I strained to stop myself from charging towards the party and ripping her out of his arms. Or ripping his arms off her and him for that matter. I couldn’t do that though, not with the Alpha and high-ranking members of Silver Wolf present. I can’t even tell my father that she’s my mate.

“Not a good idea. He’d be willing to ruin our relationship with Silver Wolf and attempt to back peddle into Golden Moon’s good graces for his benefit.” I knew my father. Of course, I wanted Leia, but I didn’t think my father suddenly kissing her ass would do any good. She and her parents are smarter than to fall for that. It would make things worse.

Not that I have any idea what I’m going to do with the mess I’m in. “Leave it to me. For now, go back and keep Alpha Mortimer company. I’ll be right there.” I wasn’t able to hide the strain in my voice. My eyes bored into his, asserting I meant what I said. I’m the Alpha now, damn it!

His lips smacked and he looked away from me. “It should be you keeping him company. Don’t worry about the shewolf. Ulysis linked me and she and the wolf left the party already.” He waved his hand dismissively. I tensed, a growl escaped my lips. “She left with him?” Through clenched teeth I spit the question out.

My father frowned but nodded. “What else does my Gamma report to you before reporting to his Alpha?” I didn’t growl, but my voice was deep and full of Alpha authority. His mouth opened and closed like a fish for a moment, and I was about to link Ulysis myself when I felt a strange pain in my chest. I frowned and held the place where my heart was.

“Paul?” My father’s worried voice had me looking up and realizing I had been frowning at the splintered cracks on the desk. Confused by the pain. When my father started to approach me, I held my hand up. “Leave.” That time I growled, and he froze for a second before nodding and leaving my office.

I’d deal with him and my Gamma as soon as I figure out what the f**k is wrong with me. “Idris?” I called out, taking a seat. The pain wasn’t bad, but it was shadowed by something… something I couldn’t explain. It was nasty. “What’s wrong with us?” I asked, hoping he wouldn’t ignore me. “Our mate is with another wolf. That’s what we’re feeling.” The sorrow in his voice made the shadow bigger, bigger than the pain.

Tears welled in my eyes, even though I fought them back. I thought I had been doing the right thing, sacrificing my happiness for my pack. I hadn't realized how true Idris' words were. She was perfect, I hadn't needed a chosen. “No.” I shook my head at the thought of that asshole touching my mate. "I can't let him have her." I clutched my chest and snarled as another sharp pain sliced through me. f*****g hell!