Should he book it? He really should, shouldn't he? He should grab some stuff, and make a run for it, just like he did back then.
That's what was going on through Felix's mind, as he circled around the town, taking a roundabout way home.
Yeah, he wanted to book it.
However.
He had already used a lot of his savings, wandering around for two months, and then renting a house. There was still enough left to run away once more, but now that Felix experienced life outside the pack, he knew he had to be careful with his spending.
Moreover, he was pregnant. He was still good for now, but soon enough, his baby bump would start showing, growing larger and larger. He would grow more tired, his back would hurt, and his limbs might swell… He was already feeling sluggish, so how could he possibly hope to stay on the run if it got any worse?
And how could he even run away from Kade? Kade was powerful, and had a lot of resources. If he wanted to hunt Felix down, he'd have a much easier job doing so than Jared… In fact, Felix wasn't even sure if he'd be able to leave Silverfall without Kade noticing. Kade could put some guards around the town, watching every possible exit…
If he was alone, then maybe Felix would at least consider it. He certainly wouldn't be welcomed warmly in the Bloodmoon Pack, whether he introduced himself as a rogue, or with his real identity, as someone who ran away from his mate, from his pack. But when had ever Felix been treated nicely and friendly? That wouldn't bother him at all! As long as his mate wouldn't mistreat him…
But once again, Felix was pregnant.
Right, that was the biggest problem here. Felix was already pregnant - with someone else.
…How would Kade react when he found out his fated mate carried someone else's baby?
Cold shivers ran down Felix's spine at the mere thought. He didn't know Kade, so he couldn't know for sure… But it was commonly known that those who dishonored or insulted the Bloodmoon Pack always met a bloody end, without any exceptions.
So, if Kade were to consider it a personal offense - even though Felix's pregnancy happened before they met, and he didn't even want to sleep with Kade at all! - Felix couldn't possibly hope for a nice treatment…
If it was someone else. Someone from a more peaceful pack. Then perhaps Felix could negotiate. Break their bond, but only after the pup is born, so that it wouldn't be affected by the pain Felix would experience as a result of the rejection. Yes, that would be the best solution.
However, proposing such a deal to Kade Blackstone, the future leader of the Bloodmoon Pack? No, it was just too risky!
"Agrh!" Felix crouched down in the middle of the pavement, tousling his hair, his head aching from it all.
Why did Moon Goddess torture him so? Because he always scoffed at the fated mate bond? Well excuse him, how could he not?! After watching how miserable his mother was… And then he himself got bonded to the worst person possible.
So, naturally, he had lost all faith and had no hopes for his current bond either.
Felix took a few deep breaths, trying to calm down. His wolf was circling around, whining and howling, but for quite a different reason than Felix.
'Calm down, will you?' he muttered inwardly, as he pretended to fix his shoelaces to explain his sudden crouch. 'I'm not running away, alright?'
Well, at least for now.
His wolf finally quietened down, although it was still shaking its head, not entirely convinced - words were just words, but the wolf and Felix were one, they could feel each other's emotions perfectly. So, no matter what Felix said, he couldn't deceive it.
Yes, he wanted to flee, more than anything. He was not going to do it, though, so they were temporarily at peace.
Felix slowly got up, fixed his hood, and returned home.
The mermaid. The mermaid was his hope. If Kade was really looking for the mermaid, then perhaps once he found her, he'd leave Silverfall. He must have been a busy man, after all, so he probably couldn't afford to hang around Felix for too long!
…Hopefully, he wouldn't end up dragging Felix to the Bloodmoon Pact with him when it was time for him to go.
***
"The mermaid?" Eden lifted his brow. "Ah, so you met Kade Blackstone?"
They were sitting in the staff room the next day, just the two of them, having lunch, and Felix took this opportunity to try to get some information.
"Well… Yeah, I did have a… brief encounter with him," Felix admitted unwillingly, twisting his face in displeasure. "Did he talk to you about it as well? The mermaid, I mean."
"Yeah, he asked when he stopped by yesterday. So… How was it? What did he want?" Eden didn't even try to hide his interest.
Felix, however, only waved his hand dismissively. "Nothing much, it was just a misunderstanding!"
Yes, a misunderstanding. That's what Felix wanted to think, and he hoped Kade would reach such a conclusion as well.
"Anyway, about that mermaid. Do you know anything?" he quickly switched back to their original topic, before Eden could ask any unwanted questions.
"Ah, well, not really. I've heard the rumors that there is one living in Silverfall… But that's about all I know."
Damn.
Felix couldn't help but sigh, his shoulders dropping in disappointment.
Well, at least he knew now that Kade was indeed looking for the mermaid, and it wasn't something said only to confuse Felix or pique his interest.
"The witch probably knows, though."
"…The witch?" Felix lifted his head, surprised by Eden's words.
There was a witch in Silverfall?
"Yeah, we have all sorts of folks here!" Eden laughed, as if guessing Felix's thoughts. "I buy herbal potions from, uh, her, to help with my heat. They're bitter as hell, but they work wonders!"
Oh? Now that seemed like someone worth getting acquainted with! For now, Felix was pregnant, so he didn't have his heats, but once he gave birth…
"Where can I find her then?" Felix leaned forward, his eyes sparkling with anticipation. Dealing with Kade and with his heats, two in one, what a good stroke of luck!
However, his enthusiasm was soon extinguished, as Eden said, "That's the problem. Er, she, is quite elusive. I can show you where her house is, but you can rarely find… her there."
"Then how do you buy the potions?"
"Well, I'm one of her regular customers, so she usually just appears in front of me when I need it… When I first tried to find, ugh, her, it took me almost a year to succeed! But I can mention you the next time I have an opportunity!"
"…Alright, please do," Felix sighed.
It seemed that getting rid of Kade wouldn't be as easy as he thought… Not that he thought it would be easy in the first place.