My Laughable Fate

27. Dos lobos, una loba

LEIA POV

I’ve never felt so blindsided. Not that long ago, I was strung up and squeezed like a stress ball, and that didn’t leave me as stunned as much as now. I mean… “He changed his mind.” Sian muttered softly. My wolf is usually more helpful than this, but not since he backpedaled.

“Listen Sian. I get that you're conflicted." He's our mate, it would be so easy to forget. "But he made his choice." The second he saw me he could have set everything right. But he did the opposite. “I know. He was awful to us but… he's acting differently towards us.” There was hope in her tone.

It’s hard to ignore the pull, the want. She’d made it easier by not pining or crying over him all this time. But her emotions earlier… they hit me in the gut harder than his words. We can usually talk ourselves back in sync but nothing I said worked. I’d barely been able to compose myself enough to get the hell out of there.

“Different? How so?” The fact that he doesn’t want to reject us doesn’t make him different. “He doesn’t look at us like he used to. You know.” She was right. There is less irritation and more… something else. “That’s not enough, Sian. You have until this meeting is over to realize that.” I blocked my wolf and looked at the screen on the wall.

“Elite Warrior Jones Hill has accepted responsibility for the lapse in surveillance on the Northeast side. He was distracted by a suspicious scent and noise a few yards away. He did not follow protocol, did not call for back up, instead he left his post to investigate.” Uncle Jerry was livid, despite how composed he appeared.

We had the pleasure of listening to my uncle recount the events from the other night on today's video call. He was leading the surveillance team himself with Luke at his side. He placed each wolf in their spots and ultimately the buck stopped with him. “He’s incompetent.” My mom spat and everyone nodded in agreement.

Jones is indeed incompetent. Ever since my brother knocked him out of the running for the Sergeant Master position, he’s been useless. I can hardly believe he was considered for such a high position to begin with. I never liked him. Always though having a last name for a first name was suspect.

For the short period of time he was in my unit, he hated taking orders from me. As soon as I was given my new position, under Commander Jordan, I made sure he was left behind. Personally, I would have advised him to look into another career. The wolf is too sensitive for the werearmy.

Uncle Jerry thought differently. He gave the wolf the benefit of the doubt. Maybe being around me or Luke was messing with his program, so he gave him a fresh start. Surveillance wasn’t the position he was going after, but it was better than where I would have sent him.

How did that ungrateful wolf thank my Uncle? By nearly killing his daughter-in-law and grandpup. I have no idea how my uncle didn’t strangle the incompetent wolf on the spot. Now that we had identified the dupe, we had to spend another twenty minutes on him instead of the purpose of the mission. Had Jones botched it?

With everyone focusing on the dupe, my mind wandered back to Paul. It was bugging me that we'd left things open-ended. I knew what needed to be done. Our emotions were getting the better of us. We needed to regroup and get on the same page before I saw Paul again.

What keeps bugging me is why. Why had he changed his mind? My pride was screaming “IT DOESN’T MATTER!” while a softer, less-known side of me was curious. I didn't find that strange though. What I did find strange is that my wolf wasn't curious why, not at all.

“I’ll be attending his disciplinary hearing tomorrow.” My mom assured everyone on the call. The wolf was screwed. “It’s going to be hard to punish him for nearly getting someone killed when he had no clue what was going on, beyond his task.” High Elder Reginald stated and was awarded a few growls of disagreement.

The wolves that were surrounding the camp were there to do one thing; surveillance. They were to watch the camp. We had drones placed covertly, so all they had to do was sit in one spot and watch a tablet. If they saw something, they had to alert Roman and wait for his instructions.

Their job was to watch for movement and report. Easy job, right? “As a warrior, in general, he must have known he was in his position for the safety and success of the mission. Whether he suspected someone would directly be harmed or not, his botching the mission could result in more deaths.” I blurted out in irritation.

Each wolf was placed close enough to shift and back them up if Roman felt it necessary. Had the dupe seen the witch and the other dead man walking and reported it, Meave never would have been exposed the way she had been. That's why I just let my emotions get the better of me. This has to stop.

Everyone’s eyes were now on me. Probably because I didn’t introduce my opinion correctly. “I mean. With all due respect.” I looked at their tiny faces on the screen and spoke when they didn’t shut me down. “His actions could have gotten him or any of the wolves that were out there with him killed. That’s a fact he knew.” Period.

“I agree with everything Sargeant Master Leia said.” Elder Marcus said, surprising me a little. I was right but I spoke out of turn. “Both times.” He further shocked me by agreeing with EVERYTHING I said. “He will be punished accordingly.” He assured everyone, but his eyes were locked with Uncle Jerry's.

Luke’s screen looked like a picture; he was that stiff. A very ominous picture of a handsome wolf, barely holding onto his sanity. Probably because Commander Jerry took all the heat, even though it was Luke’s plan. “The wolf is lucky my cousin-in-law came out unscathed. It’s a miracle they didn’t find the tracker.” Luke finally spoke, the words coming out in a low growl.

That’s the good news I’d been waiting to hear. Last time I spoke with Luke, they weren’t sure. The entire camp disappeared minutes after Maeve managed to transport them out of there. Since she’s the one who made the tracker, she’s the only one that could confirm it was still working. Since my twin confirmed it is, where are the hunters now?

“The enemy moved their camp to the East.” My mother said, bringing my attention to her. “Luke and his team will be arriving in a couple of days. Your team will be on standby.” Commander Jordan instructed. "They don't usually stick around for more than a few days at the most. We need to strike now." Was I missing something?

The whole reason Maeve had to be the one to go on the mission was because they could leave at any moment, and we couldn't wait for Ariel. Why are we waiting now? What if they find the tracker? "They aren't going anywhere. I'll fill you in when I arrive." My twin affirmed. I gave him a curt nod in agreement even though it was going to be torture to wait.

This meeting was a good distraction from what was waiting for me outside those office doors. Unfortunately, the meeting ended with the promise of a side mission with my twin to look forward to. That managed to bring a smile to my face as I walked back to my cabin.

It's been harder than I'd like to admit being apart from my twin. Not constantly being looked at as one set in a pair is nice, but something's missing. Like a limb. Fortunately, I’ve been busy and there is a lot of time for simpering around here. Not in my unit.

A shiver ran down my spine when his scent hit me. I couldn’t see him, but I knew he would be there when I rounded the corner. Waiting for me on my porch. Sitting on the small swing, taking up the whole damn thing. “Sarg.” He said with a grin.

Cold sweat ran down my temples, as an uneasy feeling settled in my belly. I plastered a smile on my face, but he easily saw through it. Quickly, he got to his feet and met me on the steps as I walked up. “What’s wrong Angel?” The term of endearment, the softness in his tone… it made my heart lurch.

For once, it felt a little wrong and I knew it had to do with Paul’s change of heart. I felt guilty. “Herc. I can’t do this right now.” I stepped back, physically demonstrating the space I needed. He frowned, hurt flashing in his eyes. “Don’t push him away!” Sian blurted out, surprising me.

“Sian!” She knew as well as I did that, we needed to get rid of these feelings. This bond was messing with my head. Only then… “Are you serious?” His dark and angry tone startled me. He's never spoken to me in such a cold tone. His eyes were dark, his mouth a straight line.

“He changed his mind, and you actually accepted him?” It was my turn to be shocked. How the hell did he know? “How…” I barely got the words out when he interrupted me. “How could you accept him?” He shook his head at me in disappointment.

“I didn’t accept him!” I finally got my mouth and brain to work together. That's right! You’re a team bitches! He raised a brow at me, confused. My anger had stifled his. “Then why?” He asked in frustration. “Why can’t you do this?” He gestured between us. There’s that nasty feeling in the pit of my stomach again.

“I didn’t exactly deny him either.” I hadn’t said anything but that doesn’t make it any better. Now his anger was radiating off him. His big muscles ticked, and his thick eyebrows almost connected. “Hmm.” He hummed a growl. Sian whined at the sound, guilt consuming her.

After what Paul had done, I should have denied him instantly and even demanded a rejection. But I hadn’t. “Herc.” I nearly choked when I said his name. It was one thing to be overwhelmed by the bond, that I somewhat understood. What I feel for Herc, gets more complicated by the day.

Before I could get another word out, he raised his hand, silencing me. Then he walked away, un-complicating things for the moment. “No.” Sian whimpered, and I sat on the steps. “You know what we need to do.” I reminded her, because I’m not down with this dos lobos, una loba (two wolves, one shewolf) situation. I feel horrible.