THE LOOK OF LOVE

FINALLY! It was over. The meetings, that awkward fake fortune teller episode with Ron, and everything else. I was so ready to move on. Luckily for us, our doppelgangers that we were filling in for returned from their mission just when our car pulled up the driveway. It would've been perfect timing except that we were pulling up the wrong driveway.

The time traveling was being done from Dad's office, but Beta Lucas was just about to drop Dad and me off at the Alpha House. We all got out of the car and walked over to the Packhouse.

It was kinda freaky to see two dads, two Beta Lucases, two Bens, two Harveys… Unlike the previous times when we met our previous/future selves, we were of different ages. It was extra weird because this time because except for our clothes, we looked really identical.

According to Wolfgang, that was proof that our timeline had stabilized and that between now and Tuesday, nothing terribly disruptive would happen. I felt glad we didn't try to fix Stephan's curse immediately.

I mean, I'm sorry he would have to suffer it till Tuesday morning, but hopefully, we get lucky and resolve the curse for him. Since I'm very, very lucky, I was optimistic.

What could go wrong?

"All done!" This was the other me speaking. Let's call her Sam2, "We sorted out Mimi and Jude like you guys said, and then fixed most of the stray bits along the way."

What "stray bits"?

Wolfgang2 looked extremely regretful, "We must have tempered with the timeline at least 20 times to get here."

Sam2 made a pouty mouth (I was pretty sure I NEVER made such expressions), "I still can't get Bell to accept me as his mate yet, but don't worry, he'll come round."

She was THAT confident.

"We did a quick check in our future, not too far out, just Bell's investiture later this month and it was all good by then."

What was "all good"?

Sam2 patted me on the shoulder, "Good job, me!"

WTH, why can't I understand myself at all?

Dad2 crossed his arms and looked me in the eye, "35, Sam."

Sam2 laughed happily and to Dad's chagrin, told me, "Don't mind him, you know how Dad is."

"Wait, what…" Like I didn't even know what to ask her. No wonder the wolves at the Underground always looked confused after I said anything.

"Just do whatever you are about to do, and we'd be all good." Sam2 decided.

I can't believe I'm saying this, but it turned out that I was even worse than Ben at explaining stuff.

I decided to give up on myself and look to someone else in the group for a better explanation. Apparently, I wasn't the only one. Ben ordered Ben2, "Report."

Ben2 was immediately annoyed by himself, "Don't talk like you're the boss."

And then he shrugged, "Like Sam said, everything worked out… or will work out."

Why were the two most unhelpful speakers talking? I turned to the other wolves in group2. There were Harvey2, Ki2, Wolfgang2 (who was still frowning), Fluffy2 (who looked rather pleased), Dad2 and Beta Lucas2. Any of them would probably have been able to explain everything better.

But before anyone could explain anything more, a wisp of curse fumes materialize right in the middle of the office. We all stepped back to give it room and it filled out into the usual rectangular portal.

We waited a little while more, watching the black fumes roll out from the base of the portal as it heralded the entrance of the Tyger behind it. Bell stepped out furious as usual, but his face when he saw two of all of us.

I felt my mouth spread out into a perfect smile. Mate! ~ ❤

But Sam2 beat me to it, "Bell! You're here!"

Bell looked from Sam2 to me and was inspired by the sight enough to break into Lycan poetry. It was just a few choice cuss words and it didn't rhyme at all, but it was succinctly expressed his feelings.

"Mine." Sam2 told me.

Grrr… I opened my mouth to argue, but then realized she was right, this was HER correct point in time. I crossed my arms to sulk.

Sam2 laughed, "You make your mouth into a kissy face when you're upset."

I did not! And then I remembered Sam2 pouting earlier, "So do you! And I am NOT upset!"

Bell raised his hands, the black fumes trailing off it. He was so much like my Bell. Everything about him, from the dark curls to the golden amber eyes to the pissed off expression and arrogant bearing, "I'm sure I don't want to know. Just tell me why you summoned me, princess."

"I didn't summon you." Sam2 and I answered at the same time.

Bell looked extremely crossed.

So handsome. ~ ❤

This time around, I was going to take much better care of him.