HIS LOVE WAS CRUEL

"Hey, Wolfie?" Fluffy asked after a while, "If Big Brother Beta doesn't report on Kev, what should we do?"

Wolfgang shrugged, "Why are you asking me? You're the son in this life, I'm merely the outsider."

"Let's leave Big Brother Beta behind." Fluffy suggested, "Whoever fails to prove his loyalty would not be worthy. He must be left behind."

What? Why?

"You're cruel." Wolfgang noted.

"Thank you." Fluffy smiled, "But I can't take all the credit. It was Fate that dealt him a cruel hand. I am only letting nature take its course."

"If we brought him back along with us, we'd have to watch him struggle in vain to absolve himself of his guilty conscience." His smiling mask never flickered any real emotion as he spoke, "He might even kill himself."

"Hm." Wolfgang adverted his eyes to his side of the window.

"Do you think I'm cruel too, La Sweetheart?"

I caught sight of Fluffy's smiling mask in the rearview mirror and shook my head, "No. You're just doing what you'd want him to do for you."

I would never leave anyone behind no matter what. Did that make me crueler?

My heart felt sore and I didn't feel like talking anymore. I looked out the window too.

For a little while, the car was quiet, but Fluffy soon got Wolfgang debating on whether Dad would agree to leaving Harvey behind or have him executed.

This led to the question as to if any of us died, would our dead body be ressurected through the time portals? Fluffy said yes. The body would be transformed to it's natural state in that timeline. Just like how our clothes and hair changed the moment our timelines merged. Wolfgang said no. Those who were traveling in the portal were somewhat protected. Just like how we retained our memories and skills from both timelines. Also Wolfgang was sure his wolf's flame was still the one from our Original Timeline - the new one that was pledged to me. There were some changes that remained permanent within our minds and wolves.

"Perhaps Harvey would ressurect, but take home a dying memory." Fluffy postulated with a wry shrug, "The Undo Point was genius. It's almost like a simulation game now."

"Don't take it so lightly." Wolfgang warned, "This game might cost you your life."

"Don't worry, Wolfie. I'm like a roach that can't die." Fluffy promised.

"Well, at least you're self aware." Wolfgang reluctantly allowed.

My dad wasn't going to kill anyone! Or leave anyone behind either! Couldn't they see the reason why we were stuck here was because Dad genuinely was doing his best for Kev? Fine, Wolfgang was the "outsider", but as the son, why couldn't the clever Fluffy understand Dad's heart even after being his son all this life?

Was he too clever to accept a simple truth? Or was I too dumb to see through a complicated lie?

As we drove into Gate City, the two of them started commenting on the difference in the city from what they remembered in our Original Timeline. This began a game of spot the difference. It turned out that Gate City sported big and small differences from our Original Timeline all over the place, but what struck me was how easy their rapport was. Had they always been so close? Also, how was it that they seemed so well acquainted with Gate City?

"That bar we used to frequent is gone too." Fluffy informed Wolfgang.

"Which one?" Wolfgang asked.

"The quiet one behind the alley, with the drink you liked." Fluffy tried to recall, "12, was it?"

"Proper 12." Wolfgang nodded, "I was surprised you had something like that here in the Green Packlands."

"The Raul's place was still opened last night." Fluffy continued.

Wolfgang nodded, "Do you miss the others?"

Who? So far I was just listening in casually. They were talking about stuff that was outside my puppy world, stuff that I only vaguely knew existed somewhere out there.

"It's strange... Although it's only been a day, it feels like a lifetime ago." Fluffy admitted.

"At least they're still on the fight listings." Wolfgang muttered.

"Oh? Did you check it?" Fluffy beamed, "So the honourable Sir Wolfgang was worried enough to procure the fight listings?"

"Of course not!" Wolfgang immediately denied it, "I only happened to chance upon it on the internet."

"Like every single fight dog in the Special Team just happened to be listed when you turned on your screen?" Fluffy asked.

Wolfgang adverted his eyes, "Something like that."

Fluffy laughed.

But why was it that under his easy laughter and casual conversation, there was a deep and dark feeling I couldn't quite reach?

I was still a puppy, and my mating bond was barely functional. Perhaps that was a good thing too. It was better that nothing happened till we got back to our Original Timeline and have all our wolves and original bonds restored to us.

I couldn't explain how I knew this and I definitely couldn't explain his overcomplicated "big picture" plot, but I knew one thing - Fluffy's wolf was hurting.

It was like he was restraining his wolf to an unnaturally painful degree.

Can I change my answer? Fluffy was cruel. But he was most cruel to himself.

I'm not sure what conversation they had before picking me up in school, or maybe Wolfgang was really a clever person who could infer everything from the conversation we were having, but I felt quite sure Wolfgang had a good idea of Fluffy's intentions.

Wolfgang was definitely going out of his way to support the younger wolf. I mean, at first I thought he was humoring Fluffy because Fluffy was the Young Alpha in this timeline, but now... I think he was just being there for him.

Wolfgang turned out to be the kind of mentor who could also be a good friend when you needed one.

Now that I thought about it, I had been so focused about my life and fixing Lala up that I hadn't really thought about checking if the others were still alive. I had assumed they were, but a fight dog's life was short and death was just the next fight cage away.

It was definitely a relief to hear they were all still well... Or at least still alive. It was so frustrating that I hadn't shifted yet.

I hadn't even thought about the wolves who came with me. I wasn't the only one struggling to adjust to the new life here.

All three of my betas now belonged to someone else. Was it ironic that it was Fluffy and Wolfgang who had the most freedom to drive me to and from school and keep me company.

Were they "being here" for me too? I mean, I doubt taking me out for ice cream was something that would help our situation resolve any quicker.

To be honest, I think Fluffy must be having it the worst, so I don't know why he was bothering about me.

I wondered how it would feel, to find yourself the Alpha's "favorite son" and Young Alpha of a pack in this timeline. Should we return to our Original Timeline, would Fluffy feel orphaned? It used to be a privilege for a wolf to be personally selected into the Special Team. Not only did it automatically raise your to the rank of a Delta wolf, it included the honor of being stationed in the Alpha House - the house so singularly respected that no wolf would place foot on its lawn.

But he would've known he was once the son and heir, not the rescued ex-fightdog.

Not only did he once have a loving family, he once had a soul mate too. But that was me, so I can't be sure that he was happy about it. It was hard to tell through his smiling mask, and every time I tried to peer under it, all I saw was pain.

I wonder... if I never met Bell, if I never knew about our Original Timeline... How would I have felt about Fluffy? Ah, correction, Lala had never called her brother Fluffy. He ran by Kai in this Timeline.

Lala would have freaked. Kai in this timeline was always somewhat terrifying for her. Not to mention, she still thought they were biological siblings, the silly girl.

Actually, I doubt she could see Kai as anything other than her brother even if she knew he was adopted. Their relationship was doomed from the start.

So even if we stayed in this timeline. We weren't going to be living happily ever after. Fluffy seemed to be planning to spend his adulthood personally escorting Night Leaf through the hell of civil war - without me. He had already made sure Wolfgang would take me away.

Maybe Kai was also unable to see Lala as anything more than his cute puppy sister too.

No matter what the timeline, it seemed my "true fate" was with a wolf hiding a lot of pain under his mask of anger/smiles.

Also, my "true fate" was that I would be too puppy-like and undesirable as a mate.

Although I thought Fluffy wanted us to be together, now I think he must be just messing with me. He had long planned to send me away.

Rebel had not been terribly enthusiastic when we first met. He told me to wait for him at home, but he was lying to me. He never planned to come for me.

It felt like I couldn't win either way. I had assumed I wasn't feminine enough for Bell, but Lala was perfectly feminine and Fluffy wasn't exactly falling happily in love with me either...

Which was a good thing right? I wouldn't have been able to return his feelings if it were anything more than brotherly love. We were going back to the Original Timeline anyway. I was going back to Bell.

The thought of it did nothing to ease the soreness in my heart. Well, thank goddess that I'm such an undesirable soulmate! Now, no one would have to get hurt. (Except me.)

"La, Sweetheart?" Fluffy glanced back, "Why are you crying?"

Eh? What? When did I start to cry?

Wolfgang passed me a clean handkerchief, "She's looking at you."

Fluffy looked remorseful, "It would seem so."

"It's your fault." Wolfgang decided, "Do something! And stay in your lane!"

Fluffy brightened up immediately, "Don't cry, La Sweetheart! Wolfie is buying us ice-cream. The fancy kind that has fresh fruit and whipped cream and gold flakes..."

WTH. Did he think ice-cream could solve my unattractiveness?

"I want waffle cones." I sniffed. I mean, there was no reason to pass up free ice cream.

"Then you will have waffle cones even if Wolfie has to grill them himself!" Fluffy promised.

Don't make stupid promises! You're supposed to be the next Alpha here!

"I...ah..." Wolfgang looked completely subdued, "I'll do my best."

Don't agree to stupid promises! You're supposed to be the grown up here!

But I did feel better. It wasn't really the promise of waffle cones. I couldn't explain it.

"My pretty La is happy again!" Fluffy beamed as he drove past the red light, "La, Sweetheart, you just like being pampered, don't you?"

RED LIGHT! I was so shocked no sound came out of my mouth until we had completely crossed the junction, "The… the light was red Fluffy."

"I really didn't want to say anything, but why do you keep running the lights?" Wolfgang asked. Actually, Wolfgang had said plenty, but I had thought he was just being naggy. I never paid much attention to the traffic myself… could it be that Fluffy was really a bad driver?

"Eh? What do you mean? Where?" Fluffy looked over belatedly.

"The red light! You ran through three lights since picking up the princess!" Wolfgang raised his voice.

Three times?

"Among other things." Wolfgang grumbled and crossed his arms, "Keep your hands on the wheel!"

"So scary, I can't hand my pretty La to a grouch like you." Fluffy complained, "Forget about the favor, Wolfie. It seems like it was a poor decision on my part."

"What?" And then Wolfgang caught on, "You really like abusing your power, don't you?"

Dad's car had the Alpha label on the windshield, its not like any warrior on duty would stop him. And even if the car was caught on camera, it's not like the traffic police would dare send a ticket to the Alpha's office.

"Don't worry, I'm driving Dad's car." Fluffy boasted, "The windows are tinted. No one would know it's me."

They'd all think Dad was the irresponsible driver behind the wheel!

"Drive properly, Fluffy!" I told him sternly. It just didn't seem fair to Dad.

"You too, my pretty La?" Fluffy complained, "Wolfie's a bad influence on you."

"Keep you eyes on the road, you're drifting!" Wolfgang scolded.

Fluffy beamed, "Its so troublesome to drive."

"That's why I told you to pull over and let me do it!" Wolfgang grumbled, "At this rate, never mind your civil war, we'd end up dead before even reaching home."

Was Night Leaf home to Wolfgang now too?

I laughed. I know it was stupid and dangerous, and we were seriously headed into some real trouble in the future, and I was still confused and unsure about how I should be feeling or what to make of my own dad, but their banter made it feel like when we used to run together again. That was what made me the happiest, running with my stooopid wolves. (Not being pampered!)

I wanted to go home and run together with my stoopid wolves - even the ones who were supposed to be clever.

Maybe, I was just running away… back to a time when things were simpler. Maybe that was why I didn't actually want to stop being a puppy. I really hated complicated things.

"I just want to go back to the UNDO POINT now." I sighed.

"I could always just take Kev out for a drive." Fluffy beamed, "An accident would wrap everything in a neat little bow."

"How can you still joke at a time like this?" Wolfgang yelled.

"Sorry, I'm not such an unselfish Alpha." Fluffy smiled, "I don't care about anyone except my pretty La."

Don't lie with that smile. I know you never meant to keep me by your side.

Fluffy stopped the car, "We're here."

"Park the car in an actual lot!" Wolfgang ordered.

"So troublesome." Fluffy grumbled, but moved the car into the nearest empty lot.

"Don't go in head first!" Wolfgang scolded, but this time he was ignored.

"If my pretty La really wants to return the our Original Timeline fast, I have a plan and a condition. But first, let's go choose the most expensive sundae." Fluffy announced, "It's Wolfie's treat!