My Mate's Touch

Chapter 5 - Felix

I walked into the dining hall with Xander and an occupied mind. As much as I tried to pay attention to Xander rambling, I just couldn't bring myself to stop thinking about that boy from yesterday by the river.

As we went through the buffet line reserved for the higher-ups of the pack, I absentmindedly placed a parfait on my plate along with some fresh bacon and eggs.

"Felix, you good?" Xander asked, cocking an eyebrow.

"Yes, why?"

"You never get parfaits. Aren't you lactose intolerant?"

I looked down at my plate and hesitated. I didn't like when others noticed me slip up. Even if it was something small, I had a reputation to uphold.  "No, I'm not lactose intolerant. I'm just... trying something different."

Xander's face deadpanned at my response. "You never try anything different."

I sighed and pinched the bridge of my nose. "What do you want from me?"

We took our trays of food and sat alone at a table, eating in silence for a few minutes before I broke it and asked Xander how the new boy was. I still didn't even know his name, and I wasn't sure why I felt the need to, but just had to know more about him. Xander just shrugged, said the boy seemed dumb and kept eating his breakfast. Asshole.

After sitting and talking for a while, Xander and I decided to leave and finish our chat outside. We threw away our trash but ultimately stayed inside, both of us leaning against a pillar in the dining hall, talking.

It was nice talking and listening to Xander. Even though he purposely exuded a negative energy to deter people, he was genuinely a good friend and an even better head Beta and warrior. Once you got close to him, really close, he could talk for hours on end. He was usually talking about the hell of a day he'd had or complaining about his one of his many one night stands, but it was nice to have someone you knew would be there for you no matter what. As much as he spoke, he always truly listened to you when it was your turn. Xander had been my best friend since before our high positions in the pack, so I am very fortunate to be sharing this honor with him. He would never admit it, but I'm sure he feels the same way, too.

As we chatted away, Aspen and the boy came over to us. He looked better from when he was injured yesterday and was less tense. I was glad and I wasn't sure why.

"Good morning, Alpha Felix," Aspen started. "This is Luca, the rogue we found in No Man's Land near our borders yesterday."

I couldn't help but take him all in. He was beautiful, to say the least. He was an average height with a thin, toned frame. His deep brown eyes matched perfectly with his thick hair. His lips were also a soft, natural pink; I had to look into his eyes to make sure I didn't stare at them for too long.

"Hello, it's nice to meet you," This was the first time he spoke to me. His voice was soft but had some depth to it. It was something I could get used to. I had no idea why I was having these thoughts about him when I didn't even know him, but they were starting to become so mushy that even I was annoyed. I had to get out of my head and respond to him.

"Hello, Luca. Did you sleep well?" I mustered.

"Y-yes, sir." That's cute. I don't know if anyone has ever called me that. Luca seems so shy, it makes me want to dive deeper and open him up. I wish I could quiet my brain.

Before I could muster another intrusive thought, Aspen asked what more she could do with Luca.
I looked at Luca while formulating my response, smiling when he seemed to blush a little. I didn't know I had a thing for shyness.

"Take him throughout the town," I decided. "Do whatever you want, just make sure he has a place to stay by sundown."

"Yes, alpha," Aspen nodded.

She and Luca then turned to leave, and I watched them as they made their way to the dining hall doors. Luca looked back for a moment, and I was able to turn my head away just in time. What the hell was wrong with me? Before I could mentally answer that question, I felt a burning gaze on me with a cocked eyebrow.

"I thought you didn't take in rogue wolves," Xander said.

"I don't," I answered honestly. "Just... something about him is different, I can tell."

"Like what? He's still a rogue. How is he any different from the other wolves that stroll too close to our borders? I don't even know why you had him brought here."

Xander always asked practical questions that I didn't know how to answer. I sighed, trying to think of how to respond. "I don't know, Xander. But I know that you know he's not like the other rogues. He seems gentler, almost like he's lost."

Xander took in my words before he spoke again. "Honestly, you sound kinda sappy right now," he deadpanned. "Look, I don't know how this rogue guy managed to rock your world in less than a day but honestly, I'm kind of impressed. On the other hand, aren't you trying to wait for your mate or something?"

It's true, I needed to find my mate soon. A head alpha could lead a pack alone, but only for so long. They always needed a strong luna to keep their aggressive nature grounded and stable. "I am, you know that. I don't understand why I feel the way I do."

"I don't know, Felix," Xander said, patting my back and then throwing his hand over my shoulder. "Maybe you shouldn't wait. It's more fun if you live now."

Xander occasionally tried to encourage me to live a playboy lifestyle like him. I didn't feel pressured and he knew I would decline everytime. I just didn't understand his constant need to get laid all of the time. For not wanting to find his mate, he sure did touch a lot of people. If he tried to build better connections, maybe he could feel whole from something other than casual sex. But the last thing he wanted to do was settle down. "You already know I'm not a virgin, Xander. You also know I'm not going to have sex every five minutes with random people that I don't know."

"Ok, I respect that. But you need to loosen up a bit. I know you need a mate sooner or later to help you lead the pack, but at the end of the day, mates weigh you down. Besides, sex relieves stress and it's nice after a long training session. Speaking of which, I have to train the warriors soon so I'm gonna have to go. It's always worth it when you get good head afterwards. You're really missing out, Felix."

I rolled my eyes and couldn't help but smile. "Yeah, whatever. Enjoy your training and your dick appointment, you fuckboy."

I couldn't relax like Xander. I had to do what was expected of me and keep the Shadowclaw pack in order. And for some reason, I also had to get closer to Luca.

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Felix's POV ft. Xander giving godly advice on how to be a fuckboy. Did you enjoy Felix's perspective? Let me know what you thought! Don't forget to vote and comment ♡ - D