Just Watch Me!

Kade came by a few hours later, uninvited. Smelling of sandalwood, with a hint of basil… and blood. Primarily blood. In fact, the stench of blood on him was so heavy that it almost completely covered every other scent. 

It wasn't difficult to figure out what happened.

Felix played it cool, stepping out onto the porch - he knew Kade wouldn't leave him be without having at least a 'little chat' first, so Felix went outside to avoid the Alpha trying to barge in - but the scent sent cold shivers down his spine. He had already expected it, but still…

Of course, he didn't feel bad for the rogue. That Alpha was asking for it, and whatever happened to him, wasn't undeserved. Even if he was ripped to shreds. It wasn't unheard of for an Alpha to beat someone up to death for daring to even try to touch their mate, marked or not. Especially for those from the packs like the Bloodmoon.

And the rogue threatened Felix that he would 'fuck him to death', no? So there was no reason for Felix to feel sad for him, rather, he should be happy that the threat was gone…

Except that Kade was an even bigger threat. If the Alpha ever found out about his pregnancy…

There was a high chance Felix would end up the same way. Torn apart, until Kade was drenched in his blood to the point that it stuck to him heavily even after washing up.

And that threat now stood in front of Felix's house, with a wide smile on his face, but a dangerous glint in his eyes.

"So, my cute little mate," Kade's voice was low, so low it almost turned into a growl. "How come you haven't informed me of such a foul incident?"

Felix shrugged his shoulders, leaning against the railing, as he tried to appear as casual and unmoved as he could. "I didn't think it was necessary. I can take care of myself just fine… And I'm not your mate."

"Hm. You are stronger than I initially thought, yes… And while I am impressed, no matter how strong you are, you are still an Omega. You were lucky this time, but… Going against an Alpha, they can use their pheromones to your disadvantage. To weaken you, if not make you submit completely…"

Felix's fingers tightened, digging into his arms. Yes, of course he knew it. It was hard resisting an Alpha's pheromones. Not impossible, if he were in good condition, but hard nonetheless.

His wolf whined, pacing around, agreeing with Kade wholeheartedly, and wanting nothing more but to seek the Alpha's protection. Such a strong mate, who defended Felix when in danger, how dare Felix dislike? The wolf shook its head at its human counterpart, but Felix remained unresponsive. Rather, he just looked impassively at Kade, and said, "That's my problem."

Kade's brows twitched, his eyes growing a shade darker, but he didn't lose his calm, not entirely. "Well, I suppose I'm partially at fault here. I should have picked more dutiful guards to watch over my mate. I apologize for this oversight."

'Right, the guards.' Felix bit on his lip. He didn't feel sorry for the rogue, regardless of what happened to him, but as for the poor guard… Yes, he had neglected his duties, not fulfilling the mission assigned to him by the heir to the pack, and therefore deserved some punishment… 

But Felix still sympathized with the Beta. He was likely a trusted subordinate of Kade, not some low-ranking member of the pack. And for a man like that, to be assigned to watch some random rogue Omega in a tiny backwater town… It did seem almost like an insult, especially if Kade hadn't told them Felix was his fated mate.

And the guard even apologized to him, once he realized Felix had been in danger because of his negligence!

"What… will happen to that guard now?" he asked hesitantly.

"Who, Rainen? I've sent him back to the pack, and he will be demoted to the lowest ranking warrior for now," Kade explained. "Both he and his parents had always been fiercely loyal, and contributed greatly to the pack, so I decided to give him another chance… Unless you would prefer a harsher punishment? As my mate, and the person harmed by his failure to fulfill his duties, you have the right to decide. Whatever fate you want him to suffer, I will comply."

"No need, no need! We have already discussed the issue privately, and as far as I'm concerned, there is no need to punish him at all!" Felix quickly reassured, sighing with relief. He was glad to know that Kade at least treated his own people without any unnecessary cruelty…

Too bad Felix couldn't hope for the same treatment, considering his circumstances.

"Well, that's good then," Kade nodded his head, seemingly also pleased. "Now, let's get you marked."

"…What?" Felix froze, staring at Kade unblinkingly for a good moment. It wasn't the first time the Alpha brought it up, yes, but it seemed to come out of nowhere… They were just talking about the guard, and now, the marking again? Besides… "You said you won't bring it up for now."

"Hmm, so I did, but wasn't that last year?" Kade only curved his lips in a shameless smile.

As if he didn't remember that 'last year' was just over a week ago!

"And besides," he added, his tone growing more serious, "Haven't you realized it now, after that incident? You need a mark, if you want to remain here for a bit longer, living alone."

Felix scoffed. No, what he needed was not a mark, but to improve his health! And a pocket knife, perhaps also a pepper spray… To put it simply, focus on his self-defense!

"Maybe you treat marks as nothing, but I'm conservative in this aspect. I will only let my future mate, with whom I will bond for life, to ever mark me," he stated coldly.

Only for Kade to shake his head with a sigh, as he exclaimed, "But I am your future mate! I don't mind you acting hard to get, it's quite fun actually, I enjoy your attitude… But not when your safety is concerned. So stop being so stubborn. You can still remain here for a while after I mark you, if that's what you want… But you're going to end up with me anyway. We're fated mates, after all! You can't fight the inevitable forever…"

…Inevitable?

Felix's eyes twitched, his insides all twisting into tight knots. He had heard those words before. From Jared… and from Tyler. His… former crush.

Kade was saying something more, but Felix could no longer comprehend. His mind had turned blank, and all he could hear was some incomprehensible gibberish.

"…Can't fight the inevitable?" he muttered finally, causing Kade to pause mid-sentence. "Hah! Can't I? Really?" Felix scoffed, staring down at the Alpha from the porch with a disdainful smile on his face. "Just watch me!"

Having said that, he turned around on his heal, and reached for the door, wanting to escape the situation and shut the door in Kade's face, when…

"Felix Embermane from the Moonhill Pack."