CHAPTER FIVE

Felicity's POV

   Three days ago, the peace I'd regained with effort faded with a few words.

    “Thane Madden is returning to the pack.” Vance said. I'd tried to not give a reaction yet when I faced him he was looking at me like he had expected me to explode.

   “What does that have to do with me?” I asked nonchalantly but Vance's raised brow told me he wasn't buying it.

    Thane Massen. I hated him with a passion and it all began the day he left.

   I was young then, and now I knew that his anger was valid but nothing couldn't excuse his actions or the way he'd sneered directly at me.

   “Disgusting.”

   I remembered crying that day at being insulted.

    He was an immature and irresponsible manchild, running away from his problems. Were only the initial rejection and insult I would have let it go, but it was much more.

   I had to face the scrutiny of both packs, whispers coming my way from adults and children alike. Every time they spoke to me it was always in relation to that incident.

   Felicity Addams, the one who got rejected.

   Even when it wasn't my fault I had to pay for his actions. I was bullied and tainted for his actions by people around me, and even petty older women laughed behind my back.

   “I'm not surprised. Who would want to be betrothed to a child? Especially one that looks like her?”

   “Look at her gait. My brother's her age and even he thinks she's ugly.

     "After my mother's death two years ago, the torment had turned to condolences. Nobody would dare insult a girl who just lost her mother, the Luna , especially one so beloved by the pack.

     On my fourteenth birthday only months after, I had gone to my father and told him that I wanted to be of use to the pack.

   That was the beginning of my rise.

    When puberty hit me a year later, the change was clear. Nobody dared call me ugly. The same girls that made fun of me looked at me with envy. I wasn't eager to make any friends aside from the only one I had that stuck with me; Vance.

    Despite being five years older than me, he'd defended me through school. I had personally chosen him as the next Beta and together we were a great team.

   I thought I'd found peace. Until now.

    He was here for his father, but I scoffed at the thought. I had seen how Luna Massen constantly sent letters frequently but he never replied. When had he suddenly gained the concept of family?

   Had his mother not told him, Alpha Massen would have suffered alone. What was the point of him being here now?

   Dancing was one of my greatest passions and it was a much better alternative than sitting near him where I'd be tempted to stab him. Thus, as we prepared for the performance, my plan was to stay away.

   I didn't intend to lock eyes with him and I definitely hadn't expected to hear the words ‘mate’ in my mind.

   If not for my reflexes honed for years I would have faltered but fortunately I was able to keep my cool until I left. When I caught him following me, stumbling I quickly hid from sight in the nearest building.

    ‘That was close,’ I'd thought once I heard his footsteps receding. I’d waited for several more minutes before I sprinted to my home to change.

   As my panic cooled down, a new plan formed in my mind. One that involved seduction as vindication for the insult he'd given me two years ago.

   On the second night it was executed. I kept cool throughout, swaying seductively as I walked, knowing he was watching. I thought I had it all together until I was in his close proximity.

    He should have been ugly, yet he was even more dashing than before, holding a rugged handsomeness with his broad shoulders and dark hair. His flirtation was smoother than my practiced words, sending my insides tumbling. It was infuriating.

    ‘Just the mate bond,’ I'd managed to excuse before carrying on with the plan, leaving him wanting and confused before leaving abruptly.

   The final step was introducing myself to him on the final day and I'd done so. A day had passed since then and I was still anxious.

   “Liz?” I looked up at the familiar nickname. Vance stood against my office desk, staring at me with worry.

   “Are you okay?” Vance asked .

  “Yeah.” I mustered, just like I did with my father the day before. The moment Thane fully comprehended my actions, his eyes narrowed, awe and shock replaced with something that sent panic through me. I'd felt his stare boring for most of the night.

   My father had noticed my nervousness, asking if something was wrong and if it had to do with Thane. I'd lied both times before making an excuse to retire early.

   I knew I couldn't avoid him forever. Not when we were supposed to be ‘working together.’ But for now I was okay where I was, safe in my home and office

   “What happened?” I pushed away my thoughts to focus on Vance.

  “Beta Hayden said Thane asked for the pack documents. Said that you should bring it so you two can discuss them.” he said, a sympathetic smile on his face.

    My blood instantly ran cold. Thane was no doubt up to something and the last person I ever wanted to see was him.

   I could send a messenger, but I'd never done so before. It would feel like hiding. Like cowardice.

   “Okay then,” I nodded, faking nonchalance. I waited for Vance to leave before I finally clenched my fists in panic.

   I could do this. I wasn't afraid of him.

   Moving to the Red Moon pack wasn't a problem but entering the pack house was. Fear pricked at my nerves when I entered, expecting to be caught off guard by him at any moment. When I reached Alpha Massen’s office without a hitch, I relaxed somewhat.

   Two knocks were met with silence. I waited for a few more seconds before trying out the locks. To my surprise, the door slipped open.

   I kept my eyes on the desk as I rushed in, dropping the necessary files. Hope filled me. Since he wasn't here I could leave without confronting him.

  The door slamming followed by a lock click made said hope die. Whipping backwards, I froze.

   Thane freaking Massen stood there, leaning on the door he'd just locked, leaving me trapped.

   “Hello, Felicity,” he said, grinning maliciously.