His mate's secrets

Chapter 7 - Fake date

With only five minutes, Flic only had enough time to pull herself together before there was a light tapping against the bakery door. She hadn’t moved from her spot in the kitchen and took an extra few precious seconds to take a deep breath and don a well practised smile. Then, she walked out to greet the Alpha, smoothing over her apron as she went. Through the glass doors, she took Damon in with a ragged breath. A black shirt framed his impressive chest, tightening around his biceps where the material was rolled to his elbows. It was tucked into grey suit trousers that made Flic salivate with the anticipation of him turning around. He looked far too dressed up for a simple chat, but nothing ever seemed simple with the Alpha.

Crimson eyes met grey as the lock clicked open on the door, and she felt him drink her in through the glass. The way his focus sharpened gave her heart a nervous flutter, warning her not to let in the danger outside, but she couldn’t deny the feeling twisting to excitement as the door opened. She stood before him, and allowed him to look over her. In just an old top and faded jeans, with an apron wrapped around her, she felt shabby before him, but the way he observed her was heated and she sat into her stance,pushing out her hip.

“Anything I can get for you?” She teased, her tongue playing over her teeth.

The corner of his lip curled, but he didn’t bite. “That’s what you wear to a date?”

“This is a date?” She lifted an eyebrow and folded her arms.

“Of course. Come on let’s go.”

“Hang on, I need to change first.” Flic rolled her eyes and turned to head upstairs, the perfect outfit popping into her mind, when his presence stepped close behind her.

She froze, a prickle playing across the back of her neck. The Alpha’s finger hooked under the ties of her apron, before following it to the knot in the middle of her back, his touch grazing over her. A light tug released the ties and Damon’s hands guided them to her sides. Her breath hitched as a ghost of his touch skimmed over her hips before the Alpha retreated.

“Just take that off and you’ll be fine.” He shrugged, but a smug smile adorned his lips.

Flic slipped the apron over her head, cursing her reaction, but looked down at herself critically. Smudges of icing decorated her top and a patch of flour dusted her thigh. She sighed and pursed her lips as Damon turned to leave.

“Wait.” A part of her was surprised when he hesitated and turned around, but she didn’t waste his attention.

Flic pulled her hair band free and unweaved her fiery hair from the confines of its braid. Her fingers worked through each twist and her own sly smile pulled at her lips as Damon eyes locked to her. She leaned her head back, lengthening her neck and shook out her now loose hair, the tight curls bouncing past her shoulders. She gave a satisfied hum once she was done and beamed at the Alpha.

A playful gleam crossed Damon’s expression and he stepped forward, ready to play her game. He twirled one of her locks around his finger, smoothing down its length. A smirk was on his lips but as his dipped his head, he stopped.

The Alpha sniffed and abruptly pulled back, his features hardening in that snap moment. Flic knew exactly what he had just sensed, or more accurately who he had sensed on her skin, but she kept her expression neutral. She didn't know if Damon already knew about her and Julien but she didn’t feel like it was any of his business. Their agreement only enforced any outside relationships to be kept hidden. If he wanted to change that he would have to discuss it with her. She wanted him to and hoped this would prompt him to bring it up, but Damon closed up instead.

“Let’s go.” He grunted, walking away without waiting for her. Flic sighed, but followed.

Their date turned out to be a walk around the pack township. She didn’t mind too much, after a long day being cooped up inside, the fresh air was nice, and the Alpha kept to her leisurely pace. The pair were in silence after they left the bakery and headed into the heart of the pack. Though Flic knew the reason for his sudden mood change towards her, it didn’t feel awkward between them and she found herself enjoying his quiet company. She slipped her hands into her pockets and hummed, feeling the tensions of the day begin to ebb away. It wasn’t as good as a hot bubble bath, but it was peaceful.

They made it an entire lap around the pack without a word spoken, only their soft footfalls accompanying them. The sun had now set, leaving them to stroll under the lamplight and Flic watched their shadow brush together on the path, hiding the inch between them that was never breached. It felt like an invisible boundary she couldn’t cross and it was a permanent feature as they walked. She didn’t expect him to hold her hand and frolic around with her, though she’d pay good money to see that, but it seemed like he was purposely keeping his distance.

There appeared to be more wolves out now, dawdling along their path and Flic wondered if news of their outing had gotten around. After the response she got earlier, she wouldn’t put it pass the gossip mongers of the pack to spread the word. Wherever they walked, she could feel eyes on her, like a steady pressure scrutinising her every step. She pulled her shoulders back and kept her head high, resisting the urge to glare at those who stared for too long. She refused to let their looks bother her. Flic peered up at Damon. He looked unbothered and she wondered if he faced this attention all the time.

With a sigh, she slipped her hand around his arm and broke the unspoken boundary between them. They were on a fake date after all, they should probably look closer than acquaintances.

“I thought we were going to ease into all this.” She spoke through a smile.

Damon cast a glance to their intertwined arms but didn’t break stride as he answered. “you think I knew about the announcement? You’re lucky they waited until you signed the agreement.” He chuckled and she felt the vibration tease along her arm.

“You’re the Alpha, can’t you just bite their heads off?” She huffed.

A bark of laughter made her jerk, but when she looked up at Damon, a smile was on his face. He drew them to a stop and slipped his arm from hers before wrapping it around her waist and pulling her into his side. Flic flushed, feeling the hard muscles of his body tight against her. A small smile cracked on her lips as a tingle skittered through her. She couldn’t believe how giddy something so simple had made her feel, and when she peered up and saw the Alpha’s crimson gaze on her, she melted. Damon sweeped a loose curl away from her face and followed the line of her cheek down to her chin. Her lips parted, a sweet breath escaping between them. She felt like a young pup again and was completely at his mercy.

“I think you’re underestimating the role of the council.” He murmured, but Flic didn’t even remember what she had asked him.

She leaned into his warmth, pressing her body tight against his and took a deep breath of his scent. It had a musky note that drew her in and her eyelids fluttered as it wrapped around her. The hand on her waist tightened and she saw his eyes flash as she leaned closer. She was hooked on him, but the feeling stuttered as Damon’s eyes flickered behind her. He did it again and Flic frowned and turned to follow his gaze.

Behind her was a group of wolves who had stopped to take in the couple, their faces cooing at the pair from a safe distance. Her stomach turned and she tried to pull out of his hold but he didn’t release her, keeping her in place against him as he sent the group a small wave. It seemed to placate their curiosity and they soon moved on. The moment they were out of sight, Damon let her go and carried on walking. Flic narrowed her eyes at him, her lips pursing like she had sucked a lemon.

“That was a bit overkill, don’t you think?” She grumbled, struggling to keep up with his longer strides. It seemed he was bored with their stroll now.

“No.” He grunted. “We need to be seen as a couple, Felicity. That’s the agreement, and I expect you to stick to it.”

There was a note to his tone that suggested he was aiming for more than her commitment to their fake dates. Julien’s warning echoed in her mind but Flic pushed it away. She knew what she was getting into when she sighed up for this and knew exactly what she had agreed to.

“Given the surprise announcement today, I think I’ve followed the agreement to the letter.” She jutted out her chin but Damon just scoffed. “Something to say, Alpha?” Her eyes narrowed on him and she stopped walking, forcing him to halt. It would be a disaster for others to see them arguing on their first outing as an official couple and she watched, with a sour taste in her mouth, as he searched around them before focusing on her.

Damon eyed her carefully. The same look donned his face that Julien had worn earlier, as he held his tongue, deciding on the right words to say. It made Flic’s glare grow, her lips pinching together as her body wound tighter with frustration.

“No.” He grunted again, but she had had enough.

“Fine.” She seethed. “Well, I have a busy day tomorrow so I’m going to head home.”

“You’re needed tomorrow.” The Alpha cut her off before she could leave. “You are to move into the packhouse.”

“Says who?” Her teeth grinded together.

“It’s in the agreement.” He shrugged like it didn’t bother him either way. “You’re not neglecting your commitments already, are you?”

“No.” Flic’s fists clench at her sides. She could almost imagine giving into the urge to punch him but held herself back. Their situation was fragile enough as it was. She thought over her plan for the next day, it was the same as any other, busy with the bakery but she supposed she could ask her dad to help. “Fine.” She grumbled. It was going to happen sooner or later anyway. “But, after the lunch rush and send some warriors to help me move my shit.”

“Fine.” Damon gave her a curt nod, but it hardly felt like they were on the same page. They were both glaring at the other, locked in a tense stand off that didn’t ease at their agreement.

Flic was the first to break and turned away from the Alpha. “Look, I’m pretty tired.. I’m going to go home.”

“Remember our deal, Felicity.” Damon rumbled behind her. “No more casual encounters, you can’t be flirting with the warriors.”

“Yeah, yeah.” She waved over her shoulder. “Anything outside of us needs to be kept secret."

A hand snapped out suddenly and grabbed hold of her wrist, sending a jolt of electricity through her arm and Flic gasped. A blush crept up her neck, colouring her whole face pink but, when she looked over her shoulder at the Alpha, Damon looked as shocked as she felt. As if on its own, his thumb trailed over her forearm, pressing into her pulse point which quickened under his touch. His eyes darkened and she swallowed as the muscles in his arm began to shake like he was straining to keep hold of her, or maybe to let her go.

Very slowly, the Alpha released her and she pulled her wrist tight to her body, cradling it close as it continued to tingle. Damon’s gaze dropped to the movement but he soon jerked back and stepped away from her. Once again, his features hardened and Flic felt like a wall erected between them. The invisible boundary was back but she knew this one would stay in place. A part of her was glad it was there.

“Goodnight, Felicity.” Damon gave her a nod before turning on his heel and walking away.

“Goodnight.” She mumbled after him, feeling his absence grow, like a pit in her stomach, with every step.