CHAPTER 4: GLITCH

VICTORIA

A week passed after I learned that Lucas was my mate. He suddenly disappeared that day, and I didn’t tell my dad either because I knew he would try to talk me out of it.

“Maybe he realized that this isn’t right, and maybe, that was just a random glitch,” I mumbled to myself.

“What glitch?” Ruis suddenly entered my office, making me jolt in surprise.

His forehead crumpled in confusion after seeing my reaction.

He approached me, “What’s wrong?” There was an authority in his voice, but that didn’t really affect me. 

I shook my head and lied without blinking, “It’s nothing.”

“If it’s nothing, then why are your eyes like that?” 

My eyes widened. I picked up my phone and checked my eyes on my phone’s camera. It was glowing the whole time, and I didn’t even notice!

He’s our mate!

I almost flinched again after my wolf’s outburst but pushed myself to remain collected, or Ruis would ask more questions. My eyes returned to normal after I forcefully shut my wolf in my consciousness. It’s the first time my wolf rebelled against me, at least not at this alarming rate. 

I waited and anticipated even if I didn’t want to. I observed whether the bond just had a delayed reaction on me. Nothing came, but frustration, and it should have been a relieving thought. If only my wolf wasn’t reminding me every damn second that we’re mated!

“I heard what happened.” He said with a tone he only uses when he worries about me. 

I froze on my spot. Lyle was very reluctant when I begged her not to tell what she knew to anyone, including her boyfriend. Did she slip and accidentally mention it to Ruis?

But no. She would have given me a heads-up if she did. 

“Which is?” I feigned ignorance. Don’t be suspicious, and you’ll be fine, Tori.

He heaved a sigh and sat at the chair in front of my table, “Your award-winning birthday speech. Look, I’m not fond of that tradition either. If you’re really bothered by it, I’ll persuade the alpha. Besides, none of those people were your mate, right? There was no need to rush a wedding.”

I never thought that choking on your own saliva was possible until today. 

“Are you really okay? You’re acting strange.” 

No shit, Sherlock.

I coughed a couple of more times before I managed to recover. “I’m fine. You don’t need to talk to Dad. He already knew my opinion on that matter, and he still pushed for the celebration. I don’t think a conversation with you would change anything. I’m just tired from all the work that got piled up. That’s all.”

They say fake it till you make it. I say, lie till they believe you. 

He shrugged, “If you say so, but if you’re stressed out, you can come with us.”

“Where- never mind, I think I already know where.” He’s only smiling like that when he’s talking about a party. Ruis owns a bar, which is exclusive for werewolves on certain days. I told him it wouldn’t sell, but boy, I was wrong. Our kind has stronger alcohol tolerance than humans, which means more sales for him, but I never thought many of us were so into parties. There were no pack restrictions either. You can enter as long as you’re a werewolf and not a rogue. It was the “hottest place” for mate finding and matchmaking, as per Ruis.

According to him, ten pairs had already found their mates in his club, and many more as couples merely six months since he opened the business. 

Mom wasn’t fond of it initially but got excited with the matchmaking concept. At the same time, our dad was contented as long as no fight broke out and the business was profitable, being a businessman himself.

“And?” He followed up with expectant eyes.

“I’m not getting drunk in your bar, Ruis.”

His shoulders dropped, and he glared at me, “Can you be a little supportive of your brother?” 

“Of what? Do you know your image in other packs and what they call you?”

“Drop dead future alpha of Misty Ridge pack?” 

I scoffed at his confidence, “You got half of it correctly. They call you the drunkard future alpha of Misty Ridge pack.”

“Who cares about what they say? Why? Can’t alphas have fun? And I bet those people who complain are those who failed to have a match in my events. Plus, thanks to me, we now have a place where we can all mingle. No divisions of packs, just pure fun.” 

I reciprocated the glare, “Would you leave me alone if I still refuse?”

“No.”

--

The loud music is ringing in my ears, making me regret going here even more. My wolf is pissed off at me and caved in. I don’t really mind. At least no one would bother me about that man. 

“Hey, I think you should tell Ruis about it.” It was the first thing Lyle told me when she saw me sitting by the corner. She sat beside me and placed her drink on the table. I shouldn’t have spoken too soon. 

I nervously looked around, and fortunately, my brother was too busy entertaining his guests to hear his mate’s rambling.

“We talked about this. No one will know except you.” I insisted, talking in a low voice. We were surrounded by werewolves. Who knows who was trying to eavesdrop?

She took a shot and looked me dead in the eyes, “You know I’m good at hiding secrets, but not to Ruis. If you forget, we’re bonded and deeply bonded to the point that we can hear each other’s thoughts from time to time. I can’t hide it for long, Tori.”

I grimaced, “I won’t tell you any secret from now on but that’s not the point. You can just forget about it. You don’t think about it; no secret spilled. Problem solved.”

“As if that’s the easiest thing to do. It’s the most bizarre thing I’ve ever heard in a good while, Tori. It’s just odd.”

Not even an hour after and Lyle was already drunk. She pulled me towards the dance floor, dancing her heart out while I wondered how if she didn’t get the memo that our kind is supposed to have strong alcohol tolerance. At this point, she’ll get drunk with the smell of liquor if she was a human.

“Don’t just stand there. Dance with me.” She pulled me closer to the middle and forced me to dance, only to be laughed at after. 

“You’re so good at fighting. How come you don’t have any rhythm in dancing?”

I shrugged, “You’re the one who dragged me here. At least you sobered up seeing me dance.”

She suddenly looked at me with confusion before gesturing that my eyes had changed again.

Damn it, don’t tell me?

I caught Lucas’ scent before I could even ask. 

“Tori, wait!” 

I didn’t look back and tried leaving before he arrived, but we ended up meeting right at the entrance. Would you look at that? A woman is clinging to him like a leech. She looked at me from head to toe while I fought the urge to kick her in the face. 

I glanced at him. His eyes widened as if he was caught in the act.

My wolf was furious, and it was translating to my annoyance. Whether I like it or not, my wolf is connected to me, and I had to be annoyed over something I had no business with!

“Excuse me, we’re trying to get in. You’re in our way.” She couldn’t take my presence any longer and spoke. 

“Of course. Enjoy.” I pulled the sweetest smile I could fake but couldn’t take it any longer and rolled my eyes. I left without looking back and went straight to my car, driving as fast and legally as possible without a particular destination.