His mate's secrets

Chapter 11 - Spiritual wolves

“You’re needed.”

Those words flashed through Flic with such force she froze. It had been a while since they were last spoken but she always had the same response. A seriousness blanketed over her, stealing her smile and snapping her attention to a high level as she turned to her father and waited for more information. In the bakery, dressed in her usual old clothes, to anyone else, her serious expression would’ve looked odd, but her father gave a nod before continuing.

“Alpha Neil has need of you. A pup in critical care is going downhill and hasn’t been responding to medical attention.”

“Where?” She asked, already slipping the apron from her head.

“The pack hospital, Alpha Neil will wait for you at the backdoor.”

With that, Flic nodded and walked from the room. She left her dad behind to deal with the bakery, though it was already close to the end of the day so there wasn’t much left to do. He always covered her work when she was called to help, after all it was something only she could do. When Alpha Neil asked for their other abilities, both Flic and her dad helped but he wasn’t a spiritual wolf like her. It was an ability she had received from her mother and with her lineage she was a strong one at that.

Tearing up the stairs, Flic rummaged in her room for her ready made pack of equipment she would need and then got ready to go. She swapped her outfit for dark jeans and a black top, knowing night would soon be falling. It was in her agreement with Alpha Neil to keep her secondary and tertiary roles in the pack quiet. Not many wolves could do what she could do and if word got out, it would leave a trail for people to follow. People she didn't want to find her.

“Don’t forget to adjust your ring.” Her father’s voice called from the kitchen and Flic cursed.

She hesitated at the backdoor and encircled the ring that donned her finger. It was one of three she had created when she first went on the run at fifteen; her dad wore another and the third was for her aunt who hadn’t made it. Years later she gave that ring to Julien. Each ring had a default setting to hide the presence of the wearer, including their scent, presence and connections. However, each ring also had the potential to be manipulated to change its efficacy. Only Flic could do it but she only changed it on these occasions. Usually, hers and her dad's was set at a level that would make them seem normal to other wolves but, at times like this, she put it back to the default to mask her presence.

As she left and made her way through back allies, she chastised herself for almost slipping up. It was unlike her, but it had been so long since Alpha Neil had asked for her abilities that she had made a mistake. Flic had become lax in her duties, and it wasn’t good. Right then and there, as she weaved unseen to the pack hospital, Flic decided to getting herself back up to her usual standard. She was certain it wouldn’t take too long, the memories of her training too ingrained in every muscle to fully slip away, but she had to figure out a way to juggle it with the long hours at the bakery and the new development with Damon being in her life.

When Flic got to the pack hospital, as her father said, Alpha Neil was waiting at the back door. The pair exchanged no words as he led her inside and through the staff corridors before coming to a secluded room of the building. Flic didn’t know if the man had an understanding with the doctors there, but everywhere she walked was silent, even though she could sense many wolves in the building. They were all steering clear of her path and for that she was grateful.

With a hardened expression and an air of authority, Flic swept into the room and to her patient’s side. It was a young boy who appeared to be asleep. A wet cloth was balanced on his forehead, but, though he was shivering, sweat was seeping through his pyjamas. He looked in a bad way and she wasted no time in reading the doctor’s notes next to his bed. They suspected it to be a fever however he hadn’t responded to any of the medicine given to him and his health was getting progressively worse. It wasn’t anything she hadn’t seen before and likely wasn’t serious, but she understood the worry and was happy to help. Even without her agreement to use her abilities to help Red Valley, seeing a young pup from her home suffering was never okay.

Flic removed the cloth and pressed her palm to his forehead, brushing aside the flicks of hair plastered there. He groaned under the heat of her hand and her chest clenched at the sound. With a determined focus, she rolled up her sleeves and began searching through her bag for the right components. She only carried the most common ones with her, but the young pup didn’t need anything more serious. With a quick glance to Alpha Neil, who was watching her closely with only a hint of suspicion, Flic got started.

With no room to work around the child, she began drawing the required symbols on the boy’s hand. Only a few were needed for that simple process, and she dances them up either arm before placing her components either side of his body. Crushed elderflower berries, sprigs of lemon verbena, a small bowl of dill juice and cactus roots. Together they made a nice aroma that made Flic hum. Then she hovered her hands over the young pup’s chest and focused.

The power of a spiritual wolf is one of channelling the energy of the world around them. For large scale rituals, specific environments are needed and whole tribes had move across countries to build their home upon powerful land. For a small job, like soothing symptoms and encouraging healing, just having items of medicinal properties around her was fine. Without them, she still would’ve been able to help the pup, but they quickened and soothed the process.

As with all spiritual wolves, Flic’s abilities had manifested at fifteen, but she had been learning the theory behind her suspected powers for as long as she had been able to read. When she left her original pack the only things she took were books to continue her learning and she had been self-taught ever since. It hadn’t taken long to outgrow the information in the books. As her mother expected, her ability was strong, and she found she could learn by making her own practises just fine.

It didn’t take long for the boy to stir, and the moment she saw a flutter in his eyes, she scrambled to tidy the bed around him and wiped the marks from his body. Flic stuffed everything into her bag and turned in time to see him rubbing the sleep from his eyes like he was waking from a long nap.

“You’re the woman from the bakery.” He mumbled, sitting up with a frown.

“I am. The doctors were a little shorthanded today, so I’ve been helping out. How are you feeling?” Flic sat next to him and held a palm to his forehead before ushering a cup of water into his hands.

“Better.” He peered around, a little dazed.

“Good. The doctors said the medicine they gave you was the best and you’d be up in no time.” She stroked her fingers through his hair and smiled with pride at her handy work. Flic saw his eyelids began to droop and she coaxed him to lie down again, knowing he would be exhausted as is body rapidly healed. “How about you get some rest, and then when you’re all better, you come visit the bakery? I’ll make sure to have a special treat ready.”

A beaming grin burst onto his tired little face. “Okay! My dad said you have great buns.”

“Did he now?” Flic smothered a giggle behind her hand. “Well, you can choose whatever treat you like, alright?”

The young boy nodded, and she left him to doze off. Flic collected her bag and quietly slipped from the room, only turning back to check the pup was fast asleep.

At some point, Alpha Neil had left her to her work, but he waited outside the door. Upon seeing him again, Flic’s smile fell, and she hardened her features. She hadn’t forgotten his veiled threat to hurry her agreement to become Damon’s Luna and she couldn’t say she trusted the old man.

“He’ll be as right as rain after a snooze.” She spoke stiffly.

“Thank you.” His words were just as rigid, resistant to appreciate her work. Flic didn’t know why, but many were wary of spiritual wolves, though with the ones she knew, she couldn’t entirely blame them.

“I need to get some more supplies. The hospital order needs completing in the next couple of days, and I’ve run out of a few things.”

“Fine.” He gave a curt nod. “You can go tomorrow.”

Flic nodded and turned to leave, but she hesitated a moment. “Could you also make sure Damon is busy, so he doesn’t notice I'm gone?”

Alpha Neil scoffed. “I’m sure the Alpha will have better things to do than worry about you.” Her lips soured and she threw the man a glare. He sighed. “Here.”

He handed her a folded piece of paper from his pocket. “What’s this?”

“A date schedule.” He snipped. “You both need to stick to it or the council will take matters into their own hands."

Flic rolled her eyes but didn’t bother to argue. She had already agreed to the dates, and she was happy to spend time with Damon, especially if it kept the council off her back. She shoved it in her pocket and walked away, leaving Alpha Neil to explain the miraculous recovery of the pup to the medical professionals.

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After the day she had had, Flic just wanted to sink into a hot bath and soak. The hour was late, and she knew the bakery would be shut by now, but she sent a quick mindlink to her father to let him know how her work had gone. As expected, he was already finished for the night, and she was grateful she could go home and relax. Once again, her dad reminded her to adjust her ring and it was just in time as she arrived at the packhouse. It felt odd to think of it as her home now, but as she climbed the stairs and then shut the door to her new apartment, Flic felt her body sag with relief.

“Where were you?”

A voice behind her made her jump and she spun on the spot, narrowing her eyes as she rounded on the Alpha. “You’ve got to stop doing that.” She grumbled, placing a hand to her heart to cools its speed.

“I went by the bakery, and it was closed.” He ignored her and stalked forward, crimson eyes on her.

“I do leave the bakery on occasion.” She forced a giggle, trying to diffuse the sharpness of his gaze. She felt a prickle of unease as he approached and leaned back into the door as if to get some distance from him. Flic wasn’t used to her movements being questioned and silently cursed Alpha Neil for thinking Damon wouldn't notice. If he picked up on her slipping away for a couple of hours, what would he be like if she disappeared for a day.

“You’re also in different clothes.” He noted, steel gaze critically eyeing her body and not in the way she usually enjoyed.

“There was a spillage earlier.” She shrugged. Damon was directly in front of her now and she held her breath as he placed a hand on the door next to her head and leaned in. She gulped, a thrill shooting through her veins.

“Where were you?” The Alpha's voice was low, each word deliberate, demanding her for the truth.

“Alpha Neil needed to see me.” She whispered, feeling her heart jump about in her chest. She wasn’t sure if it was his proximity or the interrogation, but her eyes were wide and pupils dilated.

Damon frowned at her answer, some of the bite leaving his tone. “Why?”

Flic’s throat went dry as she internally grappled for an answer. She had hoped he wouldn’t ask and simply leave it at that, but she should’ve known better. She shrunk under his calculating gaze and slipped her hand into her pocket. Her fingers grazed the paper residing there and she thanked her luck before lifting it between them. “For this.” Damon’s eyes dropped to the folded paper, and she breathed a sigh of relief as the pressure of his scrutiny lifted. “It’s a date schedule.”

The Alpha took it from her and backed away slightly. Flic took that as her chance to sneak around him and finally move further into the apartment. She dumped her bag in her room and changed into some comfier clothes before heading back into the common area to grab a drink. Damon had moved to the living room, though his eyes were still on the paper in his hands.

“You’re okay with this?”

“The dates? Of course, it was specified in our agreement.” She shrugged, helping herself to a glass of water.

Damon gave her an incredulous stare and she finally took notice that he seemed a little paler than usual. “Have you actually read this?”

Flic’s expression said it all when her words failed, and the Alpha scowled as he handed the paper back to her. She skimmed over the document and wasn’t surprised that they were required to see each other every few days. A list of suggested outings were at the top of the page, each one public and very visible to the pack. None of the requirements seemed difficult or strange and she was about to question the Alpha’s aversion to the schedule when her eyes landed on a date highlighted in red. Her stomach dropped as she read the event scheduled for only a week away.

“The Luna ceremony has already been planned?” Her voice was hoarse like she had just swallowed sandpaper. Flic knew it was in the agreement for her to become the pack’s Luna but actually having a date in front of her, suddenly made it feel more real, like a weight pressing down on her shoulders as all her previous doubts flew back into her mind.

“Yes. It’s a week away.” Damon answered, though he had a vacant stare in his eyes and didn’t look much better than her.

“A week.” She echoed, then her eyes widened. “Will there... Will we... Are we to be... Marked?” She asked, stumbling over the words.

“No.” Damon spoke sharply, then winced.

Flic didn’t mind. She understood his reaction and only felt a wash of relief at his response. She also didn’t want to be marked by him. Not that Damon was bad, Flic just didn’t want a mate at all, not even a pretend one. Marking each other to form an actual mate bond hadn’t been specified in the agreement and she was glad Alpha Neil had allowed them one sliver of freedom amongst this arrangement. It was a liberty she took comfort in and it allowed her to smile at Damon, knowing they could fake this pairing without risking a serious connection.