WHATEVER WILL BE WILL BE (BECAUSE I BELIEVE IN YOU)

{Mate! ~❤️}

It was purely by instinct, but the moment I saw Bell fuming like that, Boo immediately ran forward and I found myself throwing my arms around Bell.

"Don't be scared, I'm here." I couldn't see anything through the black haze, but I could feel the warmth seeping from the fabric of Bell's suit and I could smell the salted caramel... Which had to be my new wolfbane. I hugged on tightly.

It took a moment before he responded. I felt his large calloused hands grab me by my arms and put me at arms length.

"Why would I be afraid?" My Luna growled. But the black plume had eased up and I got my vision back. Now I could see his haughty cold glare.

Hm, did I mistake his anger for fear? He certainly looked furious enough.

"Son." Dad's deep voice was a clear reminder that we were not alone, "Let's talk in my office."

I couldn't quite read my Dad's expression either. Why was his wolf suddenly so tense? Since when did Dad own such a dangerous aura?

And just as suddenly, Bell let go of me, "It's fine. I'm busy now."

He lifted a ribbon of blue hair up to his lips. I could see the black rectangular doorway open up the void behind him.

Just as he stepped back, I stepped forward. I didn't want him to leave.

"Wait!" I grabbed at his coat sleeve. Bell paused at mid turn. And without a thought - although now that I thought about it, I blamed it completely on the bad influence of Future Me (the annoying one), I tiptoed and just brushed his jaw with my lips.

Bell froze again. From the corner of my eye, I saw Dad storming over, Beta Lucas was saying something while pulling him back by the arm.

Wth was up with them? Omo.

Dad released his Alpha Dominance and Beta Lucas dropped back. Gah! I flared in alarm and took half a step forward to keep Bell behind me. My heart was slamming in my chest, but I fought to stay calm, "Dad? What...wait... Let's talk..."

I mean, it was Dad's idea in the first place to go to his office and talk. Now that was the Dad I could deal with. This one who is growling... Not so much. I needed my Dad to go back to normal. I'd even accept Dapper Dad right now.

Bell bombed Alpha Dominance from behind me. I could feel the pressure suddenly fall from behind me. The fumes had also increased but instead of a large plume, it gathered like swirls of black mist around our feet.

By now, all the warriors and wolves were down on their knees. It was stifling even for me.

I didn't really have any time to think. My first priority was to keep my Luna safe. I blame this on wolf instincts, because if I had taken the time to think, Bell was really the dangerous one here, black curse and all.

But I panicked and just as Dad approached, I gave Bell a hard shove into the void. The look on his face just before the cursed portal swallowed him up! I can't decide if it were surprise or fury. I really should stop acting on instinct like this.

"Sam…" Dad's voice was still growly, but the Alpha Dominance had ceased, "Where were you?"

"Hoo boy." Beta Lucas said, "Sam..." And then he noticed the train of wolves following me, "What's the use of having an entire parade when none of you answer your mindlinks?"

"Apologies, Alpha Kingsley, Beta Lucas." Harvey immediately bowed, and everyone else followed suit, "We were delayed on our way to breakfast."

Normally, because Harvey was my good beta, the elders would have just let it go, but for some reason it didn't work today.

"Sam, what happened?" Dad asked.

"I uh..." I looked around, I went to the future and then I went to the future's future, and then I came back. I picked up the pudgy fur ball nearest to me, "I found the packhouse kitchen cat."

And then pointed to the grey Persian, "And it's friend too."

Dad sighed. He had his thinking frown on, "Where were you?"

"Hoo boy.." Beta Lucas said.

I thought hard, and then decided to go with, "What do you mean, Dad?"

I mean, I just left our timeline... But its not like I could explain it in front of the front row seat of busybodies (the others would still be eating breakfast).

"We aren't that late for breakfast." I tried to diffuse the situation, "Like we're only…"

I looked back at Harvey, "10 minutes behind schedule Alpha."

Eh, only 10 minutes? But I nodded with false bravado, "Yes, see. Just 10 minutes. And I'm not even really late cos the alpha is never late."

Maybe I shouldn't have said the last bit. Dad's frown deepened.

"Oh, Sam!" Mum's admonition was the most welcomed voice. She rushed over from the porch to Dad's side, "What did you do to upset Bell?"

Nothing… except stop him from becoming an evil dictator and taking over the continent. You're welcome!

"Sam…" Dad warned.

"Why do you always assume its me?" I complained.

"Let's return to breakfast first." Mum rubbed Dad's back.

Dad looked around as if realizing the live audience we had. He nodded, "Alright."

Dad put an arm around Mum and headed back to the Packhouse. Beta Lucas and Beta Gerald quickly followed.

Naturally, all our wolves bowed aside to let them pass.

{Hooboy, Sam. You better come too.} Beta Lucas informed me, {Don't worry, your dad will calm down. Just don't provoke him for now.}

He made it sound like I regularly provoked my Dad.

But I just took a deep breath.

"Let's go." I told the wolves with me. I didn't have to turn back to check if they were following me. It felt very natural that they would.

Just as it felt very natural for everyone else to bow as we passed before taking their cue to follow us back into the packhouse dining hall to resume breakfast.

This had never happened before, so I guess everyone just fell back into our hierachy and pack instincts.

Well, almost everyone.

{How fun.} Fluffy commented. I did not have to look back to know he was smiling, {I forget, the Scary Beta of the future mentioned this... How often should we be expecting such occurrences?}

I think we all remembered together, but Fluffy didn't give us the chance to answer, {Oh, that's right. EVERY SINGLE TIME Pretty Alpha takes the pretty kitty for a walk, yes?}

Fluffy was truly enjoying is, {How exciting our future will be!}

{That's enough, Fluff.} Harvey said because Ben wasn't around to tell Fluffy to shut up. And because he was my good beta, he calmly reassured us, {We'll set up the correct safety protocols.}

{Could it be that Big Brother Beta knows how to contain the black curse?} Fluffy wondered in exaggerated innocence.

Harvey didn't answer him.

{A spirit shield, if you have a wolf with such a power.} Wolfgang offered because he wasn't Professor Hotstuff for nothing, {Or a magic circle, if you have the white stones to build it.}

Of course we didn't! This was real life in the plains, not the Colored Mountains! And even if we were in the Colored Mountains, neither of these things were household items!

T.T

I think it might be best if I never time travelled. The me right now was really too responsible to jeopardize my home pack like this.

{I already said I wasn't going to go.} I said.

There was a pause on the mindlink, and then Ki very gently prompted, {Even if there is to be great gain, goddess?}

{Nothing is worth endangering my pack.} I told them firmly, {That's a non negotiable.}

I don't know what Future Me was thinking, but there was NO WAY I was going to risk one of Bell's meltdown ravaging our pack, {Do you want us to be the next Black Forest Pack?}

{The curse blackened a quarter of their land, the fire consumed a third. Bloodshed enough to put out the fire, there would never be enough tears to wash away the stain.} Wolfgang quoted gravely. Although it sounded like the LNC reporting in ancient Lycan, it was actually a quote from the Fire Wolf legend I had read in our Packhouse library. I read that story more than once because it was amazing.

{That's why I'm not going.} I decided. Magic... I had experienced enough of it to know that it's more trouble than it was worth.

{Apologies, Alpha.} Harvey said regretfully, {It seems we have held you back once again.}

Eh? What?

{Do not worry. We will work hard and find a way to secure your non-negotiables so you may freely run.} Harvey promised.

Hard work wasn't going to produce a spirit shield or white stones either!

But I suddenly remembered how Future Ki had calmly seen Future Me to the door... Maybe they did find a way... I mean, my wolves were totally amazing.

{I believe in you.} I told my wolves, {But don't overwork.}

And then Boo added, {Whatever will be will be.}