His mate's secrets

Chapter 14 - Growing interest

Familiar scents filled the air, accompanied by the rolling bubble of multiple brews that sat in large tin pans on the expensive hob. Though Flic initially hadn’t been comfortable using the immaculate kitchen in their apartment, she knew she wasn’t the tidiest person, Damon had insisted. Just like he had insisted that she moved all her stuff over to the packhouse as soon as they returned from the human town. She had only grumbled a little, but she quickly piped down when the Alpha had followed her into the bakery and up to her room to help.

Flic had sent a mindlink her dad ahead of time, so he didn’t freak out, but there was still a concern in his eye as he helped her to pack up the bits she needed. There were six large boxes full of ingredients, equipment and books, and, though that still wasn’t all of it, it was enough for now. She had been concerned that Damon would ask some of the warriors to move her stuff, but instead he piled everything into the back of his car, keeping the contents hidden. It was a relief. She may have been pleasantly surprised by his reaction, but she wasn’t ready to tell anyone else. She wasn't sure she ever wanted others to know about her spiritual wolf heritage. Thinking about any of the warriors, especially Julien, questioning the boxes and piecing together her secrets was enough to make her stomach roll.

It had been easier than she expected to move all her stuff to the packhouse, and once it was all unboxed in her room, Flic relaxed more into the space. The large room was almost half full now and soothed her with the familiar smells of home. She didn’t get long to bask in the feeling before the Alpha asked her to demonstrate her work, which quickly turned into her completing the hospital order.

As she worked, Flic cast glances towards Damon, but his gaze was constantly on her hands, watching her every move. He didn’t even wince as the mess she made grew exponentially, dirtying the beautiful space. She knew she was like that when she cooked, but it only worsened when she was creating her potions. They weren’t really potions but the thought of her huddled over a cauldron was far more entertaining than casually stirring a pan of something that was no more than boosted cough syrup. Maybe one day she would wear a hat and cackle, just to really make Alpha Neil suspicious of her. She smirked at the thought, but quickly discarded it before Damon could see.

The Alpha didn’t seem bothered by her work or her mess. He asked questions and helped her to grind some of the tougher spices in the pestle and mortar, and soon became pleasant company. It wasn’t long before she was actively explaining each ingredient, what she was doing with it and what it was adding to the mixtures. If Damon had had a notepad and pen, Flic wouldn’t have been surprised if he actually recorded every word she had said. She had his full attention, and for once it came with no pressures or excitement, just a steady curiosity that was sweet.

Each of the brews were bottled when they cooled, and the prepared ingredients were bagged and labelled. Some were for her to keep on standby, but the rest were placed in a box and sealed, ready for the hospital.

“Alpha Neil usually comes and collects everything from the bakery.” She explained to Damon, preparing to take it to her father, ready to be picked up. Instead, the Alpha took the box from her before his eyes glazed over with a mindlink. Flic’s heart stuttered, and not for a good reason. “What did you do?” Her eyes were wide.

“Sorted it.” He shrugged. “Now go sit down and I’ll tidy up.” The Alpha peered around the war zone of the kitchen and started rolling up his sleeves, a flash of determination in his eyes. Then he peered around at her, uncertainty riddled on his face. “Unless anything here is dangerous?”

“Not unless you’re allergic to any of the ingredients you saw.” She smothered a giggle behind her hand. It was strange to see the Alpha face something he didn’t have knowledge of. It was clear he wanted to learn but while a lot of it was still unknown his hesitance was endearing to see.

Flic didn’t argue as she grabbed a snack and a drink from the fridge before plopping herself on the couch. There was more to creating the brews than just mixing the components and it drained her energy to use her abilities. Doing something as small as that didn’t weigh on her, but she liked to keep her energy up in case she was needed. The sight of the Alpha looked very familiar, and she watched his meticulous and precise movements to clean every surface of the kitchen. It was just like he had done the night she made him dinner and she felt the same wonder swell in her chest at the sight.

“You know, if you ever get bored of this Alpha malarkey, the bakery could always use a cleaner.” She grinned.

“I’d need a premium rate to clean up the messes you make every day.” Damon flashed a smirk over his shoulder, just in time to see the indignant pout on her face.

Before she could jibe back, there was a knock at the door, making Flic jump. Her head snapped to it as her whole body became rigid on the couch. She made no move to answer it but fortunately she didn’t have to. Damon wiped his hands clean, him demeanour instantly stiffening as he gathered the box of fresh supplies and headed to the door. The air chilled and she shivered, a new aura swirling around the Alpha that she hadn’t felt before.

Unwilling to move closer but feeling a twist of concern fixing her gaze to the man, Flic perched at the edge of her seat, so she could see the front door. As it swung open, she was unsurprised to see Alpha Neil standing there. His face was the picture of shock as Damon thrust the box into his arms. She couldn’t see his expression but whatever he was saying to his father, was morphing the older man’s features into anger. Alpha Neil’s gaze darted over his son’s shoulders and pierced into her, but Damon was quick to move into its path, protecting her from view.

From his movement and body language, it was clear that he was defending her. She hadn't expected him to and it pulled a heat into her cheeks while she could tell it was aggravating his father. Their hushed tones grew louder, but Flic couldn’t hear what they were saying over the thumping of her heart. Alpha Neil had never demanded her silence on their agreement, but she was certain he wouldn’t take her speaking without his permission kindly. She grimaced when Damon shut the door in his father’s face, a prickle of guilt crawling across her skin.

“Stop it.” Damon threw her a look. “I’m the pack’s Alpha. He should never had kept this agreement and your contribution to Red Valley quiet. None of it is your fault, Felicity.”

She didn’t respond but thankfully the Alpha returned to finishing tidying the kitchen and let her sit quietly on the couch to stew on his words. She chewed her lip. Though it was initially her father and Alpha Neil who discussed the agreement and keeping their roles between the three of them, Flic had also insisted that it remained that way long after she got older and didn’t have to rely on her dad to be a buffer between her and Alpha Neil anymore. She had been the one to finally tell Damon, but it was also partly her fault that he hadn’t been told before.

“Felicity, you don’t have to work with him anymore.” A hand suddenly touched hers and she jerked, snapping her eyes up to the crimson one above her. Damon had finished and took a seat beside her, leaving two tumblers of amber liquid on the coffee table. “I will handle any orders and requests we may need your help with from now on.”

Flic fidgeted. He meant for the words to be reassuring, but it only reminded her that she hadn’t told Damon everything. Her other role in the pack was rarely required, she couldn’t even remember the last time it had been needed, but it was still active and a part of her agreement. Her lips pressed tight together, refusing to share anymore today, and she felt her shoulders pull tight. Her gaze dropped to her clasped hands easily engulfed in one of Damon’s, but she couldn’t bring herself to relax under his touch.

“Why didn’t you tell me before?” His voice was low, but gentle, attempting to coax more truths from her.

“We weren’t on talking terms before, and we’re not exactly friends.” Her chuckled sounded stale, while she fought to unwind, but it felt like her muscles had seized. Flic didn’t have a word for their kind of relationship, but there was a freedom in not defining it. It meant she wasn’t held to such things as transparency and could take her time to build her trust with him rather than feel guilty. One day he could maybe be a friend, but they weren't there yet. “I don’t even know anything about you.”

Damon frowned. “You known me for years, we met when you first joined the pack.”

“No, I’ve known of you.” She stressed. “I don’t actually know anything about you more than what you present to the pack." She took on a grand tone. "The Alpha of Red Valley, stoic and strong, even in the face of losing his...” She trailed off, the words catching in her throat as soon as she realised what she was about to say.

“His Luna?” Damon finished for her, pulling his hand from hers. His warmth left her immediately, and she held back from reaching out to stop his retreat. “It’s been three years; you can mention Lauren to me.” Though his words were open, his tone was wooden, and Flic didn’t take him up on the invite to continue talking about his dead mate. The pair lapsed into silence again, until the Alpha cleared his throat, in an attempt to dispel the awkwardness. “You’re right though. We don’t know enough about each other. Not if we are going to successfully portray being fake partners.” The barest smile danced across his lips, and she felt some of her tension ease.

“We can fix that.” She agreed in a quiet, almost tentative voice.