Courting Ritual

Felix stood in front of the display at the local butcher shop, staring at the price tag so intently as if hoping the numbers would change if he looked long enough. He was desperately craving some wild game, but the price… One pound of venison cost about as much as around eight pounds of chicken! And, while technically he could afford it… That was for now. The future was still uncertain, so he needed to be as frugal as he could.

But the meat… Felix found himself drolling at the mere thought of the feast.

Ugh, why couldn't he crave something more reasonably priced? Like pickles or ice cream, for example!

Of course, he could always go hunt it himself, but he didn't want to shift, not while Kade was still around. If the man saw Felix's wolf form, then his hybrid disguise would be all for naught.

Why was his life so difficult? He only wanted to live in peace, alone!

He let out a heavy sigh, doing quick calculations in his mind. If he bought the meat now, what could he possibly save up on to make up for it, and ensure he wouldn't go over his budget?

All of a sudden, the door opened behind his back, and his shoulders instantly tensed up.

'Oh, Goddess, not again,' he scrunched his face in displeasure. There was no need for him to look back to know who had just entered.

He also didn't need to hear that low, velvety voice. And yet, he did.

"What are you looking at?" Kade walked over, stopping right behind Felix, too close for comfort.

Or maybe not close enough for comfort, according to Felix's wolf.

Ugh.

"What are you doing here?" Felix snapped, not even trying to hide his annoyance.

"Shopping?"

Felix lifted his brows, giving Kade a doubtful glance. "Coincidentally at the same time and place as I?"

"Who said it was a coincidence?" Kade flashed his perfect white teeth in a wide grin.

Oh, so he wasn't even trying to hide that he was there because of Felix?

"Like a burr, really," Felix muttered under his nose. Could he really not get even a single peaceful day, without seeing Kade's annoyingly handsome face? "How did you even find me?"

"What do you mean, how? Obviously, it's fate!" Kade exclaimed, and leaned on Felix, resting his arm on the Omega's head.

Only to lose his balance a bit a second later, as Felix took a wide step to the side. "Sounds like what a stalker would say!"

"Pfft!" Kade burst out loud, his mirthful laughter filling the shop and attracting the attention of the few other customers present - or rather, attracting even MORE attention, because he had already been a target of constant glances from the moment he stepped in. How could he not? Not only was he, ahem, unbelievably handsome, but his whole attire practically screamed 'I'm filthy rich', which was something rarely seen in Silverfall.

"Wow, I'm really hurt," he said, once he calmed down. "To be judged like that by my fated mate…"

He didn't look hurt at all. 

Not like Felix cared. He only sized Kade up, and turned away.

But how could Kade be discouraged so easily? They wouldn't be here if he could. He leaned over Felix - although this time without trying to use him as an armrest - and scanned the display in front of them. "So, what are you buying? Wild game?"

"…Nothing," Felix turned around, toward the exit. Kade's presence reminded him that no amount of frugality was too much, as there was no saying when he might be forced to flee. And cravings were no excuse!

"I can buy it for you if you want!"

Felix scoffed. Yeah, right! If he agreed to it, he would owe Kade! And the last thing he wanted, was to be indebted to that stupid Alpha.

"Or I can hunt it for you myself?"

…And Felix was out of the shop, rushing so much that he ended up slamming the door.

That was even worse! Offering hunted game was a widespread courting ritual among the werewolves! It was popular in Felix's old pack, and while he didn't know how it was in the Bloodmoon Pack, there was no way Kade wasn't aware of the meaning behind it!

"I am serious!" Kade trailed behind Felix, easily matching the Omega's pace with his long legs. "What game would you prefer? Deer? Boar? Maybe bear? Or maybe some cute rabbits, since you're so small?"

"I'm not small." Felix rolled his eyes. At 5 feet 7, he wasn't particularly short, for an Omega. "You're just ridiculously tall."

"Alright, alright, you're not. But what game do you want? Or you'd rather I choose it for you?" Kade pressed.

"I don't want anything!"

"Why though?"

Instead of responding, Felix only quickened his steps.

Truth be told, he was actually flattered. To have the future leader of the Bloodmoon Pack try to court him. Him, a poor rogue and a hybrid! (A fake hybrid, but that was not the point.) Of course he was a little, tiny bit moved.

However.

When after putting effort into winning him over, Kade were to discover Felix was pregnant with someone else…

Cold shivers ran down Felix's spine at the mere thought. It was already bad enough when they were just fated mates, and if there was something more…

No, Kade's courting was something Felix couldn't afford!

Hearing Kade's steps still following behind him, Felix sped up even more, walking so fast, that he was on the verge of breaking into a run.

"How long are you going to follow me?" After half an hour, Felix finally couldn't take it anymore, and snapped.

"I just want to make sure my mate gets home safely!" Kade grasped his chest, wounded. Or rather, pretending to feel wounded. Very obviously so.

"For Goddess' sake, how many times do I have to tell you I am not your mate?!" Felix rubbed his temple, his brows furrowed. All of this trouble was giving him a terrible headache. "And I don't need anyone's protection!"

Really, Kade was such a pain in the ass! But, there was one good thing that came out of it: all this annoyance chased Felix's craving away.