His mate's secrets

Chapter 6 - Announcement

As always, the morning dragged by and Flic took her time to finish setting up the bakery for the day whilst watching the warrior's train. She had no aversion to watching half-naked, extremely fit men running around outside her window and was certain she had the best view in the whole of the Red Valley pack. Her eyes kept being drawn to the Alpha. His confident stride across the field was enough to command the large group and she didn’t doubt that same authority carried in his voice. He never cast a glance in her direction, his unwavering focus on the training session, but she wondered if he could feel her gaze.

The bakery was usually quiet at that time, with only the occasional wolf coming in for breakfast, but it always picked up at lunchtime. Today, was the same. Come twelve o’clock, families started appearing in the field, now the training was over. While the pubs ran around and enjoyed themselves, their parents came in for much needed caffeine and soon they came back for sandwiches and treats. At that point there was a steady stream of patrons and Flic was in her element. She talked to every wolf who came in, offering generous smiles and laughing along as the recent pack gossip was shared. She enjoyed working around people like that, especially when she got to see their faces get a sugar glow when they dug into one of her carefully made treats.

It was at the height of the rush that Flic felt a pressure in her mind, and she frowned. She cast her gaze over the room, seeing every wolf of mature age had stopped and their eyes were fogged over with a mindlink, and so she allowed the connection.

On behalf of Alpha Damon, I am delighted to announce...

Flics mouth dropped open and the voice continued, sharing the amazing news of their Alpha’s partner who is to officially become his Luna. It was the announcement, like the announcement, solidifying the agreement she had submitted only hours ago. She hadn’t expected it to be revealed so soon and had to grab the counter to keep herself steady as she forced herself to keep the connection open. She had to know what story the pack were being told, so she could play along, but a churning of unease started in her gut. No one had warned her about the announcement and a part of her thought they had hurried it to steal her the chance to back out. Not that she would’ve but as the voice continued, it felt like it was setting her feet into thick cement, weighing her down with her choice.

On behalf of the pack, congratulations Alpha Damon and Felicity. We are all greatly looking forward to celebrating with you both.

The mindlink abruptly cut off and Flic snapped back to her full consciousness. She furiously blinked back her focus and felt a rush of heat fill her cheeks as, one by one, every wolf in the store turned to stare at her. Their faces were a mix of surprise and happiness, but she didn’t get any relief from the absence of any malice. Her hand shook against the counter and the other rubbed the back of her neck, feeling a cold dampness starting to form there under the curious gazes. They had been told her and Damon had been seeing each other for a year and decided to now commit with a mate bond and moving Felicity into the Luna role. It was the briefest explanation they could’ve given and left a lot unanswered. Flic could see the questions balanced on their faces and knew it would only take one brave wolf to open the flood gates.

Her throat was dry and thick, stealing her chance to get the first word and she dropped her gaze as the closest wolves began to congratulate her. She smiled graciously, her blush deepening with every kind word she didn’t deserve, making her the perfect picture of a young, embarrassed wolf in love. It wasn’t an act, but her cheeks weren’t burning with shyness, they were hot with anger. She was completely unprepared for that to happen and was almost frightened to say anything at all in case it was wrong. The illusion of the agreement required it to be unquestionable, but she didn’t have the slightest idea how to act as a Luna or speak as Damon’s partner. She barely knew anything about the man. As the good wishes continued, her face began to feel unbearably hot and she took a long drink of water, allowing it to soothe through her.

“I guess the secrets out.” Flic gave a half-hearted giggle.

She realised this attention wouldn’t be going away soon and very quickly began to miss the quiet morning hours.

-

-

-

-

Flic sagged against the door and rocked her head back against it. She had just flipped the ‘closed’ sign and felt the blessed relief of peace for the first time since the announcement. It was safe to say it had been an exhausting day and she released a long sigh of built-up tension.

Most of the Red Valley wolves had been kind, accepting the news with a smile, but others wanted to question it. They grilled her for details, but she parried each attempt. Thankfully, there was a warrior or two dotted into the mix of customers who managed to help her steer the conversation away. She was grateful to them, even if they had some comments of their own. A few of them had laughed that the news explained a lot but Flic wasn’t sure if they meant Damon’s behaviour or her own, and decided not to question it.

The worst was a blond bombshell that Flic didn’t recognise when she walked through the door. The woman looked dressed up for a simple visit to the bakery but when she only ordered a pastry and a coffee to go, without mentioning the Alpha, Flic eased. There was an expectation of familiarity in her eyes that Flic often received from customers and she offered her a friendly smile. It wasn’t until the woman peered over her shoulder after accepting her order and began talking did Flic realise who it was. Beth. This was the wolf who had been placed next to her in the hall yesterday. The only one who could have suspicions about the agreement.

Beth dropped her voice to a whisper, asking her about the whole ordeal in the hall. Flic understood her reason for asking and agreed it had been very weird and was happy to play along with conversation until Beth mentioned her being chosen. Immediately, she guarded her words but kept the smile on her face. Flic explained that she too was escorted from the hall with everyone else but once they took her blindfold off, she was alone and sent on her way. Given the secrecy about everyone involved, Flic assumed that was the way the other women had been handled and by the disappointed frown on Beth’s face, she had nailed it. The woman left soon after that, but there was something in her gaze that left Flic wary.

With a long groan, Flic rolled out her shoulders. They felt tighter than usual after carrying the weight of the day and she was looking forward to hiding away that evening and going to bed. With a huff, she forced herself to get moving but as she took a step, a loud clatter came from the kitchen.

“Hello?” She called out. Only a quiet echo of her voice responded.

She was certain everyone had left, and her dad never came into the bakery once she had closed up. Flic took another tentative step forward, eyes glued to the archway that led to the kitchen, searching for any sign of life. The light was off, though she knew it should still be on. It was possible the bulb had blown, but Flic’s racing heart told her otherwise.

She kept her breathing shallow, ears pricked for a further noise but nothing came. A chill creeped down her spine, eliciting a shiver that crawled across her skin as she made it to the counter. Her eyes watered with the burn of not blinking and she fumbled blindly for a weapon, refusing to take her eyes off the kitchen. Her hand landed on a rolling pin. It didn’t look threatening but she was certain she could wield it to do some damage. Her mind drifted to a certain face, to the man who had been hunting her for many years, and she felt her stomach turn. She tried to brush the thoughts away, convincing herself she was safe, but each click of her shoes closer chipped away at that confidence.

She was in the archway now. Flic cast her eyes over the small kitchen, searching it for any differences. Every odd shape glared at her, taunting her of a presence that wasn’t there. She had almost calmed down when suddenly a figure loomed out of the darkness. With a cry that sounded fiercer in her head than the squeak she made, Flic lashed out, swinging the rolling pin with ever ounce of strength she could muster. It came to an abrupt stop when a hand snaked around her wrist but, before she could panic, and familiar voice spoke.

“f**k, Flic. It’s just me.” There was a rumble of amusement in its tone that quickly moulded her fear to anger. “Were you expecting someone else?”

“Julien! You arsehole!” She yanked her hand from his grip and punched his arm. Given he was the Red Valley Beta, with an arm like steel, she was sure it hurt her more than him, but it didn’t stop her from doing it again. He held his hands up in surrender, grunting his apologises through chuckles, and there on his finger was the band she given to him. Flic gave him a glare and jabbed a finger into his solid chest. “If you use that against me again, I’m taking it off you.”

With a sheepish smile, Julien slipped the ring from his finger and put it in his pocket. All at once, his presence flooded the room, swirling his familiar scent around her. If he hadn’t been wearing it, she would have known immediately who was hiding in her kitchen, but the ring was imbued with an ability to conceal the wearer; their presence, scent and connections. It was similar to the one she wore but hers had been adjusted for her own needs. Flic had given it to him after they had become friends to facilitate their work and then to keep their meet ups private. She knew how gossip travelled in the pack and didn’t like her business to be known.

Other than her dad, Julien was her closest friend, and she couldn’t help but relax in his company. A warm smile pulled at his lips, as he looked down at her with a brightness in his eyes that made her suspicious.

“What?”

“Nothing.” His grin grew but quickly became softer as his hands found her waist. “I promise not to do it again.” Flic scoffed, it wasn’t the first time he had sneaked up on her and it wouldn’t be the last. Julien’s voice dropped low, a playful gleam teasing across his smile. “But, let me make it up to you.”

Her arms naturally threaded around his neck, and she looked up at him through her eyelashes. “How are you going to do that?” She purred.

There was nothing unattractive about the Beta and Flic had thoroughly searched every part of his delicious body. He had softer looks than her usual type, with unruly brown hair and brilliant blue eyes, but the rest of him was anything but soft, especially now with the heat bleeding into his gaze. Large hands travelled her curves as he backed her up against one of the worktops, touching each place that he knew would get her fired up. After years of fooling around, Julien was well versed in the art of Flic, and knew how to play her body to coax out all the right noises.

His lips dipped to her neck, kissing and nipping across her flesh, following a path that had her humming with satisfaction. She parted her thighs and eagerly pulled him closer. She could already feel her awful day dissolving into the back of her mind and she urged him on by arching her breasts into his chest. His hand answered her need, slipping beneath her apron and teasing her hardened nub through her top. She hissed as he rolled her n****e between his fingers, her sensitivity to his touch increasing every moment.

Flic opened her eyes, having not realised they were closed, and saw Julien watching her. His eyes were dark and mouth open, like he was entranced by ever sound falling from her lips. A hand grasped the back of her neck and pulled her face to his, wasting no time as he pressed his lips to hers. His tongue coaxed her to part beneath him and Flic moaned as it slipped into her mouth. She melted into the kiss, feeling his need for her in every brush of his lips. It stoked her own desire, and she threaded her hands into his hair, keeping him locked tight against her.

It was only when Julien’s hand dropped to her jeans that Flic felt a stirring of guilt amongst the warmth spreading through her. Damon’s face flashed in her mind, and she felt herself hesitate. Her kiss stuttered but Julien’s hot lips took it in stride, leaving a moist trail across her jawline. She knew her agreement with the Alpha was for a false relationship and had no restrictions on seeing others in private, but the more she thought about it, the more wrong it felt to be doing this. Flic placed a hand on Julien’s chest and gently pushed.

The Beta pulled away immediately, and looked down at her, his eyes searching her face with an air of concern. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, it's just been an exhausting day.” Flic didn’t know how to explain the new feeling bubbling inside her.

“Yeah, I heard the big news.” He chuckled, before sweeping a loose strand of her hair behind her ear and dipping to kiss her once more, but Flic turned her cheek to his lips. “You really want to stop?” She nodded. “Why? Because of Damon?”

Flic looked away, his tone bringing a blush to her cheeks. She knew Julien was aware of the agreement, and knew the relationship was fake, but thinking about it made his touch bother her. She would soon be his Luna, and screwing around with the Beta seemed like such a cliché. She twisted her lips, trying to not squirm under his pointed gaze. She liked their little casual arrangement, but she felt like she needed to run it past Damon first, or at least agree on their boundaries for being with other people.

“I just can’t do this right now.” She landed on, unable to gather her thoughts for more. The Beta sighed and stepped away from her. His warmth quickly left her, but Flic didn’t move with him. She could see a flicker of tension in his jaw and raised her eyebrows. “You’re angry I said no to s*x?”

“No.” He grunted, a flash crossing his eyes. “I’m angry you’re saying no because of him.”

“It doesn’t matter why I’m saying no.” She huffed, unwilling to agree it was because of Damon.

“It does if it’s going to get you hurt.” Julien grumbled. “Your agreement is just that to him, Flic. Nothing more. He’s just using you to keep his Alpha title.”

“And?” She snapped, almost regretting it when he jerked back like she had slapped him. “Did it occur to you that I’m using him too?” The Beta frowned and she could’ve smacked herself, but she continued before he could pick at that little slip. “It doesn’t matter. I agreed to this and just need some time to figure it out.”

“I can’t believe you even agreed to it.” He grunted.

“Well, I did, and it was my choice, so back off.”

“That doesn’t mean I can’t be worried about it.” Julien snapped.

Flic narrowed her eyes at him and seethed. “Why? So you can protect your access to a bit of ass whenever you want it?”

“That’s not it.” A warning growl rolled over the words.

She didn’t back down, squaring up to the Beta wolf who had overstepped. “Then what is it?”

Julien grew tense, his answer on his tongue but his mouth stayed shut. His eyes were locked on her, a million thoughts passing through his gaze, but she couldn’t read a single one. She frowned as the silence continued and then deflated as he forced himself to relax and take a step back. “It doesn’t matter.” He grumbled, his gaze dropping before he turned to leave. “Do what you want, Flic. You know where to find me when you’ve figured it out.”

Flic lifted her hand to catch his arm, her chest clenching as she watched him walk away but a tugging in her mind stole her attention. She didn’t even know what to say to Julien now, even if he did stay, and sighed as she accepted the connection.

I’m coming to collect you, be ready in five. The last voice she wanted to hear at that moment filled her mind before quickly cutting off again.

The fog of the mindlink cleared from her vision in a few seconds but Julien was already gone. Flic dropped her head into her hands, her bad day had gotten so much worse and now she had to entertain the Alpha that landed her in this mess.