chapter six

Felicity’s POVSwallowing back my fear and my racing heart, I calmed myself down and took on a neutral face “What do you want?” I asked, in a cool frosty tone. I refused to show any weakness in front of him, no matter how tempting it was.Thane’s smirk grew more into a grimace, his eyes blazing with anger that made my insides curl but I refused to let him have the upper hand. Not with me.“What do I want?” he said, leaning closer. I took a few steps back“I want answers. What you did back there was messed up, don't you think?” he took another step forward and it seemed to swallow up the distance as he was only inches away.He sneered and it only pushed me further to gloat, my lips spreading into a smile. “The party and the celebration wasn't my idea and I do lead the dancing troupe. It's just a coincidence we met that way,” i said,“And then you decided to play me for a fool.”“I didn't say anything that wasn't the truth.” I said, “I didn't ask you to chase after me. You did it on your own. How does it feel to get a taste of your own medicine?”The small tear in his ego while he was alone couldn't compare to the suffering I'd gone through over the past years.“I shouldn't have expected anything less from a child.” he spat out and if he wanted to get on my nerves he's successfully done so.Rage built in my chest. A child? How dare he?Without thinking I mushed against him, digging my finger into his chest.“This ‘child’ has been responsible for the upkeep of both packs for nearly half a decade,” I spat out, “I've been the one taking on all the responsibilities of the pack, helping my father and yours. I'm the one who kept your mother company. While you were Goddess knows where. I'm the one who helped this pack and led this pack. I may be young, but I've done more to lead our packs. And you? You're just an irresponsible childish bastard who ran tail years ago and decided to come back.”Thane’s face had changed, from the bitter maliciousness there was now something akin to true fury on his face. He was visibly angry and I knew that my words had struck a nerve. I didn’t feel any ounce of sympathy for him. A wave of satisfaction filled me and I let it shine through with a smug smirk.He seemed to want to attack and I was prepared, but surprisingly he didn’t, releasing a breath while glaring at me“I came here for my parents sake,” he said, his voice nearing a growl “I don’t expect you to understand. Despite the life I left behind, I'm more than willing to bear all the responsibilities, but I cannot fathom working with someone like you.” He emphasized the last words with silence, leaving me clenching my jaw.“Likewise” I said frostily. There were other words I wanted to say, ones telling him how he didn’t need to help and how I could handle the pack on my own or simply take another jab at him, but I held my mouth shut. Pulling the files to my body I aimed at the door. Our conversation was over and I refused to stay around him anymore than I already had. I was grabbed by the wrist and turned over before I could reach the door. Irritation climbed inside me at his glare.“Where do you think you're going just yet?” he asked and his voice sent a different type of shiver through me.“Have anything else to say? If not then stop wasting my time,” I spat out.I didn’t expect him to lean in. my heart raced in surprise as he did, bringing me back to that night where we almost kissed.“You called me childish and irresponsible right? Very well then.” His voice made me blinking frantically to reality to meet his icy glare,“Perhaps nobody taught you about consequences over the last few years, but I will. Mark my words Felicity, I'll get you back for what you did to me.”I fought the heat that rose up to my cheeks as waves of attraction and humiliation circled me simultaneously. How could I still be drawn to him?No. I refused to let him get the upper hand. Steeling myself as I glared at him I spoke fearlessly“Bring it on.”Pushing him away, I spun around and left the office before he could respond.….“Bastard. Freaking…” I murmured curses and insults as I walked furiously through the hallway, tugging slightly at my hair to keep myself from showing any outward weakness and pretend I wasn't shaken.Because I couldn't deny that was what I was. Thus stupid mate bond. I wanted to curse out.I had been so fixated on the pack and ruling that any talk of romance slipped by me. I hadn't bothered with the idea of a mate for years.Of all the people that could have been my mate, why him?!I had nothing to worry about in terms of anybody knowing. I planned on ignoring the mate bond as much as possible and from the mutual hatred shown today I knew he would do the same, but it didn't change it.Before I was in shock and used it to my advantage but now I couldn’t stand it. Why else would I feel this attraction to him if not for it? There were so many things wrong with him…Hot sensations crawled in my belly at the reminder of his face up close. The slight whiff of his scent. His playful gaze from back then and he leaned in…I had almost let him kiss me. I almost gave in.“Stop this!” I hissed, pulling myself out of those thoughts.There were so many reasons for me to not think about him, his girlfriend for one. A scowl formed on my face. Even though I'd only seen her on the first day of the ceremony, I knew all I needed thanks to that one meeting and my father’s talks. She was evidently a rogue wolf who wasn’t familiar or willing to be familiar with the pack, she seemed to have no inhibitions with how flushed she was from the wine and held no sense of respect considering how she literally called me and the dancers ‘prostitutes’ loud enough for me to hear.I huffed, a bitter feeling comin to me. Of course he would go for someone similar to him. It was none of my business what he was doing. Instead it only provided me a reason to keep away from him even more. “Felicity?” a familiar voice called me from behind. I turned swiftly in his direction and the tension in my body relaxed.“Hayden,” I greeted with a smile as he moved towards me. Because of our positions we worked well, especially now that Alpha Madden…collapsed.My smile nearly faltered but I fought the sadness and anxiety that came from the reminder.“I suppose you're here to collect the remaining files. Back to work eh?”he asked,“Yeah,” I said, feeling the weight of the files only reminded me of the work I had staved off thanks to the ceremony that grew with every moment. Even though it was an unwanted break, the ceremony had served as a small break at my father’s orders thanks to all the sleepless nights and backaches I suffered in my office because of the growing workload.Dealing with both duties was difficult because of Alpha Massen's absence, But I would take care of it. I would.It was better in my hands than Thane’s. “Where’s Vance,” he asked, looking around in a way that made me chuckle.“I came on my own.” I replied“Funny,” Hayden frowned to my confusion, “usually he follows you like a shadow, never wanting to leave your side. It's almost like he…”“He what?” I asked, confused. Hayden frowned but didn't continue seemed to contemplate something I couldn't understand before shaking his head.A twinge of frustration picked me. What was he going to say about Vance? Was Vance worried about me?“Nevermind. Anyway, you've seen Thane.” he said, and the topic of Vance flew out “Yes.” I said, irritation and anger returning at the reminder of him. “I can handle the work of the packs on my own. Anything Thane wants to do is his problem.” I said flippantly.“You know that’s not possible,” Hayden frowned even deeper, “you can't take it all on by yourself. Not when you're doing more than enough.”I wanted to argue but Hayden's worried look stopped me. He had done his best to manage the workload as the Beta, taking on plenty even though it wasn't enough. He'd seen me with eye bags and passed out more times than I could count.He only had good intentions.I sighed ready to assure him when a voice cut me off.“Hayden's right,” the interrupting voice made me bristle.