My Laughable Fate

14. Is she high?

LEIA POV

I'd chop off one of my big toes if it would erase the foul display of emotions I spewed last night. I CRIED! In front of Herc… on Herc. Screw it, both toes. “Our mate wants us to patiently wait for him to reject us, how should we have reacted?” Sian sneered. Like I need her to be in a mood right now.

“I’m not stupid, Sian. I know that having my heart cleaved in two is supposed to hurt. I also feel it. I also know that meeting my mate and seeing a look of disgust instead of lust is not a good thing.” I might be too good at hiding my emotions if my wolf doesn’t feel my agitation and I hate to admit it, but… sadness.

“A Sargeant Master can’t go around crying on their warriors’ shoulders.” He must think I’m pathetic. “Herc isn’t just our second in command Leia. He’s a friend and someone we can trust and confide in. Our shadow isn’t here, and you’re not taking his calls.” She said disapprovingly.

It hadn’t been that long since I spoke to Luke. Then again, he might see radio silence for more than twenty-four hours like a red flag. “I’ll call him during lunch.” The last thing I needed was him showing up and killing the Alpha of Dark Mist before I had the chance to myself.

Right now, I have to get my head in the game. Commander Jordan had approved my game plan and there was no better time than the present to get started. Herc and Julious started early this morning. Holding individual assessments for each of the warriors and patrol guards. They had to meet the new requirements and expectations to keep their posts.

Meanwhile, the Alpha, Beta and Gamma have been assigned with the task of reassessing their current security protocols and pack policy and procedures. That should keep them busy for the next millennia. Leaving me free to assess the high-ranking shewolfs. “There is something you didn’t consider.” Sian whispered.

The happy thoughts of a frustrated Alpha Paul as he tried to make sense of the dribble they currently have in place slowly dissipated as I walked into the gym and Sian’s words began to make sense. In front of me stood the Beta female, Kendra, a gorgeous shewolf who almost made me question my sexuality. Think Rhi Rhi with darker skin and paler eyes.

She wasn’t the reason my joy melted away. Neither were the Gamma’s younger sisters, who were not only as snooty as him, but looked like him too. From the mousy brown hair to the cold green eyes. Nope, neither of those basic bitches affected me. It was the curvy shewolf in the back, the one that looked nervous and like she didn’t belong, that caused me a second pause.

Natalia. “The shewolf who our mate wants to mark and mate instead of us.” Sian growled. “It will be interesting to see how she holds up in my world. Since she’s so much better than me in all other respects. Or so I’m told.” I felt the bitterness begin to rise up my throat. Then she peeked from behind Kendra and gave me a small bow.

What was she playing at? “She took our mate from us. I don’t care what she’s up to. I hate her and so do you.” Sian grumbled. No use in arguing with that, so I shifted my focus to the rest of the shewolfs and tried to ignore Sian’s rage against our soon-to-be ex-mate’s chosen. Mouthful.

Kendra walked over and gave me a bright smile. “Sargeant Master Leia. I’ve been warned by my mate to run the other way if I find myself opposing you in a fight.” She sized me up playfully. I had known from the first time I met her that I liked her. “No fish.” Sian gagged. “Not like that nerd. Besides, she has a mate.” I deadpanned.

Just because I find her attractive doesn’t mean I’m switching teams. Not yet at least. “Beta Kendra. You look different without your bunny slippers.” I looked down at her trainers and gave her a thumbs up. Our meeting happened by chance in the hallway of the pack house the other night. I tend to work when I’m… frustrated.

Something else I learned that irritates me is the fact that she and Ryce still live in the pack house. When they should have their own home after being Beta’s for over a year. Then I wouldn’t have caught her in her slippers, sneaking out to meet Ryce with a cheeky look on her face. Can a couple get a place to bang in privacy?

“Don’t get it twisted, Sarg. I can drop-kick anyone in here, except maybe you, with or without my rabbits.” With a smug look on her face, she looked around, as if seizing everyone up. I did the same and I had to agree with her. The Gamma snobs were tall and thin with little to no muscle. I doubt they ever trained in their lives.

The other six were young shewolfs I hadn’t met or ever seen. I looked down at the list of names on my checklist and found the names of the six shewolfs and their ranks. We had some high-ranking members' cousins and nieces in our midst. The youngest in the room was fourteen. They were all beginners and that wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. Blank slates.

“That means you’re going to be my star student." It was my turn to grin at her. Instead of getting prissy, she narrowed her eyes at me and smirked. “That also means I get special treatment and privileges.” She said triumphantly. I could only laugh because she would soon learn that being my “teachers’ pet” wasn’t a privilege.

Kendra had a confused look on her face as she went to line up with the others. “Good afternoon, ladies. Today is the first day of basic training and we will start with individual assessments. Once I know where you all stand, we will start training. By the end, I hope that one or more of you, if interested, will apply for some of the positions that will soon be available within the patrol and security details.” Because there will be many.

That news seemed to startle a few of them. Probably because some of the male wolves in their families had high positions within the warriors and patrol guards. The question was, did they deserve them? “What do you mean open…” I raised my hand and shushed Macie or Darcy… I really don’t care which one she is. Those might not even be their names.

“Hold your questions.” I stared deep into her green eyes, so she knew I was serious. Her turned up nose tilted down and her shoulders slumped. “Five laps, then meet back here.” I said without explanation, because if I needed to explain that... we have bigger problems than the disease of entitlement that's running rampart here.

I turned away from them and began walking toward the door. When I didn’t hear scuffling behind me, as I'd become used to, I turned and shot them a glare that had them moving with a purpose. “Dang Sarg.” Kendra frowned at me, but I could see a small smile creeping on her face. Smart ass.

One by one, I watched as they made their way out the door and to the track. Kendra was heading the pack, like I knew she would. Thing one and thing two were dragging ass in the back, as expected, gripping the whole way. I was searching for one particular shewolf when I caught her scent lurking around the side of the building.

Did she really think I wouldn’t notice her missing? “Not only is she a mate thief.. She’s lazy too!” Sian growled. “Both are carnal sins in my book.” I could feel myself getting heated as I slowly stalked in her direction. “If she’s trying to test me…” I had some really graphic, violent and questioning thoughts I couldn’t voice. Well, I could… No.

Instead, I chose to focus on my frustration as a leader, not as a shewolf. She was openly disobeying my orders. There are only ten shewolfs, and she was the future Luna, their leader. Something I should have considered when I set up this stupid training. “You wanted to kick all the high-ranking members' butts personally. When you go all gung-ho like that, logic goes out the window.” Sian mocked.

Who wouldn’t want to torture a handful of wolves after dealing with Alpha dickhead? “Why are you still here?” I spoke as I neared the corner. She wasn’t really hiding so much as she was leaning on the wall, looking pitiful. She was ringing her hands, and looked close to tears. Not what I expected at all.

Was I baring my teeth without realizing it? I touched my mouth and didn’t feel my teeth. Thank Goddess. “I’m sorry Sargeant Leia, but I’m not capable of doing that.” She pointed at the field as if it was a physics equation or Freddy Krueger. Same difference if you ask me. “Doing what? Running on a dirt path?” I asked and tried my best to hold the snark back. Blame my mami for that struggle.

Sian wanted me to sneer at her, but she already looked shook, and I needed her to give me a reason to go full on catty. “Yes.” She stated simply and nodded her head. I know I had a stunned look on my face because she turned pink and cast her eyes down in embarrassment. “My father never allowed me to train. He said there was no need.” She shrugged her shoulders.

For some reason, Robbie's wise words filled my head and slipped out of my mouth. “Weak excuse.” I stated, and her head shot up in surprise. Her mouth dropped open, but no words came out. If she thought she was going to get out of training with some sob story, she was sadly mistaken. When I’m out on the training field or the battlefield, there are no feels or shits to give on my part.

Tilting my head to the side, I examined her feet and legs. They looked functional. “You have two feet and can walk properly. Therefore, I’m sure you can run.” I stated simply. She looked down at her feet with a frown on her face. Did she not know she could walk or was she really going for broke here? “So run.” I then ordered, with a little frustration.

She stared blankly at me for a few seconds and then nodded her head. “Why is she so strange?” Sian whispered. Before I could respond to my wolf, Natalia stopped in her tracks and turned to face me again. “It might take me a while to finish. My dad and brother always said I’m too fat and that’s why I’m so slow. Please don’t be upset with me.” She said sheepishly before turning around and jogging away.

Is she for real? There is no way that can be true. Who says that to his family members? It's one thing to give someone carrilla (a hard time) like we do, in a teasing and loving way. You know to make sure you don’t turn into a big-headed jerk. Un presumido (Conceited) like my nana says. Because she might be on the curvier side but no more than Angela. Even if she was a big girl… f**k now I’m getting mad on her behalf. She’s good.

By the time they started to come back, it took Natalia another thirty minutes to finish. She wasn’t tired at all because she was skipping the rest of the way. “Is she high?” Sian scoffed. “On life.” I grumbled and walked in her direction. Irritation level rising. “What are you doing?” I asked, as calmly as possible. The dopey look on her face was not helping.

Her smile grew as she finally sped up, neither of which I thought possible. “I liked it, I want to do it more often.” She asserted while nodding her head vigorously. I was still trying to figure out what the f**k she was talking about when she opened her mouth again. “You know… I was scared to come here. I…” She looked around as if she thought she was being watched.

“I’d never met Alpha Paul before he came to get me.” She confessed and as ridiculous as that sounded, I believed her. It was the wide-eyed, lost in the forest look she had. “She’s either excellent at being deceitful or we’re in trouble.” Sian muttered. “My father had told me I was to mate him a few weeks beforehand, but everything happened so fast.” She laughed halfheartedly with a sigh.

“The day I met you… you seemed very scary.” She said the word "scary" with a spooky voice. “Then Kendra explained that you have to be a boss b because otherwise all the as… ahem, a-holes around here wouldn’t respect you or take you seriously.” As she spoke, she nodded as if agreeing with my reasoning. This can’t happen.

“Look, I’m not sure why you’re telling me all this, but this is your training session. You need to take it seriously. Skipping back here like Dorothy while I wait, wasting my time, isn’t what I expected from the future Luna.” I almost winced along with her at my harsh tone. It was a shitty thing to say, especially since I wouldn't say it to any other shewolf.

It was said out of panic though. She was talking to me as if we were friends and that could never happen. Even if I don't think Natalia is acting. She might not know who I am to her “mate” but I can’t forget it. “Oh… sorry.” She began to tear up, and I felt Kendra’s eyes on us from where she stood with the others. Now I’m starting to think I might have been too harsh. “You were fine.” Sian assured me.

Turning my body to leave the awkward situation, I felt her match my moves. Great she planned to follow me! “I think you’re right though. I’m not Luna material… no one seems to care though.” She caught up with me and shrugged, with a weak smile on her face. “I’ll try harder.” Were her whispered words as she hurried to worried Kendra.

“We are so f****d, Sian.” I watched as Kendra did her best to cheer up Natalia. “It’s an act.” She didn’t sound convinced, although it was what we both wanted. It would be epic if she was a horrible shewolf that I could take pleasure in torturing like I was going to with Paul. “I don’t think so.” My gut was telling me that she was a pawn. In other words, she was innocent.