My Laughable Fate

13. Spark of hope

LUKE JR POV

NEXT DAY

It took a couple of days to get everything ready for my trip to the south and since traveling outside the Were Army territory to socialize isn't allowed right now for obvious reasons, I decided to make a pit stop along the way. It had been a while since I visited Golden Moon, and I wanted to see everyone before spending months on the other side of the country.

While we, finally finalized the alliance with the witches, we did not use them as cabs to teleport us back and forth. That was reserved for emergencies or special circumstances. I took the tunnel trolley like I normally would. “After Gamma Robbie snarled at you for asking if his mate could pick you up.” Soran reminded me.

I still don't understand what the big deal is. “He was the one who told you that his mate wasn’t a taxi, and neither are the other witches.” My wolf further reminded me. “Who takes taxis or cabs anymore? I don’t even Uber.” Where would I even Uber to? “That’s because you have me.” Soran deadpanned.

That was a creature comfort I took for granted. There was no way I could run all the way to the South and to each other region thereafter and keep on schedule. “I just thought since she was already there…” I really didn’t see what the big deal was. “Drop it. He might be a Gamma, but I think the Cruz family has some ancient warrior DNA or some shit.” Soran grumbled.

The snarl that formed on my lips was unavoidable. As an Alpha, having a lower-ranking wolf hold his own in a fight with you is not acceptable. It doesn’t matter if I’m third in line or firstborn, I should be much stronger. Then I remember that he’s not only blood of my blood but a wolf from my pack. The dolt isn’t opposing me, ’s one of mine. No use taking out the measuring stick.

That’s what I was thinking as Robbie side-eyed me from where he sat in between Win and Maeve. I wasn’t directly in front of him but was on the other side of the table next to Heidi. It was breakfast time, and while everyone was enjoying breakfast, especially the beastly dolt, I didn’t have an appetite.

I’ve been feeling off the past few days, and yesterday was the worst. “We both know what’s wrong. We should call her.” It's as if he suddenly forgot what I've been doing for the past twenty-four hours. “I have, several times. I’m tempted to risk angering the beast himself and hitch a quick ride to Dark Mist just to check in on her.” Leia can be difficult at times, but it wasn’t like her to ghost me.

As if sensing what I was thinking, Robbie squinted his eyes at me while spooning another heaping pile of mashed potatoes in his maw. He had one arm securely around Maeve while he urged her to eat by piling on more food on her plate. “Dat's enooehgh (That’s enough)!” She protested, and Robbie growled lowly at her.

It wasn’t strange to see a male wolf take care of his mate, but both Alex and Robbie were taking it to extremes. “You need to eat your vegetables.” Alex cajoled Heidi, who scrunched up her nose at him. “I am NOT a baby. Just because I have a baby in my belly doesn’t mean you get to treat me like a child.” She sniffed and raised her nose at him from where she sat on his lap.

It was hard to take her seriously when she looked so comfortable perched on his thigh with her hand on her baby bump. She still had five months to go but had already started showing. Alex put down the forked broccoli and stroked her belly.” I averted my gaze because it seemed like a very intimate moment. Not the first of last any of us will ever witness.

“You are MY baby. All three of you are my babies.” He gestured at Matthew, who was in his highchair fisting mashed potatoes into his mouth. “Matty! Use your fork. Even your beastly uncle manages to do that, and we can't have him showing you up.” Heidi grinned mischievously at Robbie, who shrugged and continued to take turns force-feeding Maeve and himself.

Even though my nephew did not understand his mother's words, he knew mischief when he saw it. The little devil grinned at his uncle and chuckled. "You're a good patsy kid." Robbie praised Matthew and shot a wink at Heidi. Her eyes narrowed, and her lips pursed, but she didn't deny she'd used my poor nephew to get out of eating her greens.

“Nice try, Luna. Eat your broccoli, or I’ll withhold the surprise I have for you later.” My brother whispered teasingly in Heidi’s ear, but we all heard his inappropriate ass. “Al…” Robbie pointed at Alex and forced the mouth full of half-chewed food down his throat. Meave looked worried he might choke and went for the glass of water.

The meathead waved away the glass. Maeve tried to hand him and frowned at Alex. Win was giggling into Dev’s chest and ignoring the small food fight the kids were having. Hellions. Mel and Roman were having a blast playing referee. Note the sarcasm. "We're all wolves here but in this sacred place." The dolt gestured at the table full of food with a pleading look on his face. "Don't soil it." He said in all seriousness.

Heidi scoffed and rolled her eyes. Mel proceeded to adjust herself in her seat, and we all knew he was in for it. "I'd like you to respect my man's place of work." She sassed, and Maeve stiffened. Roman's eyes went wide. "Slim." He said in warning, but Mel simply patted his cheek. "It's okay, honey, only lies are punishable here." Mel jeered with a glint in her eyes.

Robbie coughed nervously before squaring his shoulders. "I don't know what you're talking about." He said through gritted teeth while glaring daggers at Roman. Mel did not heed any of the warning signs. Not the big vain on the side of Robbie's temple that was beating like a drum or Roman's jabbing finger that she had swatted away several times.

“Stop that." She finally turned to scold Roman, as if he was in the wrong. The Gamma's almost sighed in relief, thinking they had been spared. Rookies. "Don’t act like you and Maeve don’t have quickies in the storage room in between training sessions. You don’t even try to be quiet.” Mel waggled her eyebrows at Maeve. Wish I hadn’t heard that.

Maeve’s big green eyes went wide, and her cheeks flushed pink. “You said dey cooehldn't 'ear oehs (they couldn’t hear us)!” She scowled at Robbie, who looked like he was holding back a grin. “Huh? What?” He looked around like a lost fool before forking a huge piece of meat in his mouth and humming and pointing at his mouth.

Gone was the glaring beast. Mel knew he wouldn't have time to deal with Roman's gossiping ass. He would be too busy fending off a very flustered Maeve. “She wants to know why you didn’t tell her that we could hear you two going at it in the storage room. You can mind link her if you’re worried about spilling any of the food in your mouth.” Heidi continued to add fuel to the fire with her signature mischievous grin. Alex didn't even try to stop her. He simply kept trying to get the forked broccoli in her mouth.

Robbie chewed his food, slowly, and swallowed slowly. When he was done, he pointed his fork at Heidi and then at the broccoli on her plate. “The Alpha’s heir needs to be strong and healthy, Luna.” Then he grinned back at her. At this point, I forced my attention back on my food because this could go on for hours. And it felt like it did.

I zoned out until everyone had finished cleaning their plates and Robbie from his seat, helping Maeve up as well. Gamma Rob isn’t known to give speeches frivolously. That’s why everyone put down their forks and gave him their undivided attention. “Thank you, Golden Moon.” He bowled slightly in thanks and looked down at Maeve adoringly. “I don’t like interrupting mealtime. Everyone knows that.” He looked way too serious, but it still managed to get a few laughs.

“Alright… alright.” He quieted everyone down while simultaneously pulling Maeve even closer to him. “I just wanted to make a quick announcement. Since I was the last hold out, and the rest of you kept passing me up and rubbing it in my face.” He glared at Alex and Dev, who only grinned back at him. “Oh shit.” I whispered, and Robbie grinned and nodded at me.

“That’s right, everyone. My Ember, your Gamma female and resident Wiccan expert, is expecting Golden Moons next Gamma.” He boomed proudly before picking Maeve up and carrying her bridal style. The dining hall erupted in cheers, and congratulations. We all patted his back while Meave tried to negotiate her way out of his arms so the girls could coddle her.

Poor Win just shook her head and smiled as she waited patiently for Robbie to let his mate down. Dev had their youngest, Will, in his arms. Alex held Matthew, who was trying to climb out of his arms and join the twins. Win and Dev’s eldest, who we're now MIA. Same as Mel and Roman, though I HIGHLY doubt they disappeared for the same reasons.

I was in a slight daze as I realized everyone was moving to the next stage of their lives. They were older and were hitting those milestones way before me and my twin. “Alex is only one year older than you.” Soran corrected me with a hint of anticipation. “True.” We’re all very close in age, but that doesn't mean anything. “It’s also true that everyone meets their mate when they are meant to.” Whatever that means.

I don’t typically take much value in proverbs unless my mother is scolding them at me. That little gem was one she used to pacify the restless pack members who thought they were getting too old and should have already found their mates. It came in handy as I used it to extinguish the small spark of hope Soran displayed moments ago. There was nothing wrong with his anticipation, but that's all it could be for now.

"We’re about to go on a mission. Keep your head in the game.” I reminded him. With a grunt, he retreated to the recesses of my mind. Hopefully, to rest and not dwell. Meeting our mate wasn't something we had the luxury of obsessing over. The goddess knows she will consume our existence once we meet her. That is something I'm still mentally preparing myself for.