Chapter 11-"Once a bet is on, it's on."

There he was, leaning against the large mahogany door which could fit three people at once. His arms were folded which accentuated his biceps. He raised his perfectly arched eyebrows, having a slight amused look on his face as if waiting for me to notice him and have a shock of my life.

I did.

I probably looked like a child who got caught stuffing my mouth with chocolate.

"W-when did you come in?" I asked, subtly placing the file back onto the heap of papers, silently praying he wouldn't notice I was invading his privacy.

"Shouldn't I be asking you that, Cupcake?" He gave a peculiar look.

I know this isn't the time to fangirl but hey, Flash Winston is looking like a damn model right where he was casually leaning. This isn't fair. I want to look like a model too despite working out as much as him.

"Well," I got up slowly and walked round the table. Him eyeing my every move.

"I guess I mistook this place for the library. Ha ha ha..." I gestured towards the gigantic bookshelf on my right and laughed dryly.

Yea right, mistaking an office for library. Way to go, Cleo.

"Oh, is it?" Flash pushed himself off the door frame and stalked towards me like a predator eyeing his prey.

His eyes never once leaving mine. I could've sworn I saw a glint of concern in his dark brown eyes before it was gone and replaced with emotionless ones, not allowing me to see through his mind.

Again, why would he be concerned about me? Probably my hallucination.

"Did the silver killed the last brain cell you have? Let me call up my connections to see if I can get you a brain donor." He was now a feet away from me, leaning against the bookshelf like he was at the door and smirking at me.

"Is there a day when you aren't a jerk?" I spat, totally forgetting my main intention of coming here.

Be nice, Cleo. You need to thank him for saving you. The angel part of my brain tried to convince.

But he's being a total dick now. The devil side of me protested.

"Not when there's a day when you exist, Cupcake." He winked and only took three strides for him to reach the office chair.

Stupid guys and their ridiculously long legs. Why can't I be blessed with them too?

"I believe that's not the reason you came into my office." He sat down and basically we're the same height now.

God, why am I 5'3?

"I actually came here to..." I subtly looked around, not wanting to admit I came here to thank him after I basically spat insults at him.

"...try the chair. Yeah the chair. You know, that chair is as comfy as sitting on cotton candy clouds." I rambled on.

"Oh really?" He doesn't seemed too convinced.

We broke eye contact and he shifted his gaze to the pile of papers before him. He visibly straightened his back, his joking demeanour turned into a serious one. I follow his line of sight and it unfortunately led me to the opened report file of Lex Davis.

Please don't ask. Please don't a-

"What is this?" He questioned. His tone matching his appearance.

"What is this?" I feigned ignorance and stood beside him where I could see the contents of the file clearly.

"Why did you go through my stuff? This is important document." He asked in an authoritative tone. I could tell he's trying his best to keep himself calm.

Well, you're in deep shit now Cleo.

"This case concerns me too. I have the right to-"

"Have I ever told you, I absolutely hate people touching my stuff? Especially something so important." He is now standing to his full height, his hostile eyes glaring down at me.

A normal wolf would've already cowered in fear and bowed down to its Alpha submissively. However, stubborn is my middle name and I don't take shit from anyone. Not even the Alpha.

"So what if it's important to you? It's important to me too! I have the right to know everything about this case because I'm part of it too! I just flipped through a few pages of the report file and you came in. Heck, I didn't even read the whole file! So stop your bipolar attitude with me and cause I don't take shit from you!" I ended up shouting at the end.

I don't care if I was being a brat right now. What's the big deal with flipping through a few pages of a document? What's so big enough for him to suddenly lash out at me?

"That's invasion of privacy! You didn't ask for permission before looking through them. What if it contains top secret information? What if I have to kill you just because you stumbled on something you shouldn't have known? I wouldn't hesitate to end your life." He lowered his voice in a threatening manner. His face was now inches away from me.

If I weren't so pissed off like now, I would've been dazed by his face with how his jaw ticked so sexily. But I couldn't care less now.

"But I did not." I stood my ground.

"You could have." He asserted.

"But I did not." I repeated.

"Listen, I don't care if we're mates or not. That doesn't give you special treatment to talk back to me like that. I am your Alpha and you will respect me." He stressed on the last 'you' and made his point as clear as day.

"Excuse me? I'm not sure if someone shitted into your last bowl of Lucky Charms and you ate them 'cause you're blind as fuck but if you could clearly see the situation right here, YOU'RE the one who suddenly go all bipolar on me. YOU'RE the one who started glaring down at me just because I flipped through a few pages of a document. So tell me Alpha, who's the one who first disrespected the other?" I folded my arms as we had a staring contest.

Instead, he laughed humourlessly and looked at me incredulously as if I had grown another head.

"Jesus, Cleo. Are you seriously asking me this right now? YOU'RE the one who first invaded my privacy. YOU'RE the one who came into MY office acting like you belong there. Do you? Not at all. You are nothing to me." We were still having a staring contest.

"I wished we weren't mates."

I was still looking at his dark brown eyes
when he said that. His emotionless orbs never once twitched when he said that last sentence.

He is right. This is the truth.

Regardless, a sharp pang of pain filled my chest, spreading it all over my body making me numb to the touch. I break eye contact with him, not wanting him to notice what I'm feeling. I felt so numb I do not dare to walk in case I stumble. Then, I did the only thing possible for me to escape without him noticing my pain.

I laughed.

I bursted into giggles, then full blown laughter where I laughed until my stomach hurts from all the fake laughing. A few drops of traitorous tears cascade down my cheeks. I wasn't sure it was due to the fake laughter or the result of my heart threatening to tear.

When I felt my body wasn't numb and was positive I could walk out normally, I used my thumb to wipe out the tears in my eyes in a badass way in shows. I glared back at him with all my might, masking those raw emotions I felt. His face was still filled with anger but his eyes softened a little, despite it still being emotionless.

"I wished we weren't mates too. Didn't we established this long ago? Don't worry. Once I'm done with the bet, you can have your freedom. So will I. Til then, I hope you could refrain yourself from snapping my neck in the process. Now, if you please excuse me, I would like to be anywhere but near your presence." I said in a calm tone and curled my lips into a sickly sweet smile.

I strutted out of Flash's office, my heart shattering into more pieces with every step I take.

~~~

She gave me a once over and shook her head as she took in every detail of her best friend standing in front of her.

"Cleo! What's wrong? You looked like you've been through hell and back." Teegan's ocean blue eyes widened in horror.

"I did." I managed to croak out.

Instead of bombarding me with questions, she hugged me this time without saying anything. I let a few silent tears slipped as I lay slumped in her shoulder, for once I actually felt I got my shit together.

"Come on in. We'll talk." She quickly ushered me in and upstairs to her room.

From the looks of it, no one is at home.

Instead of settling me down on her couch or bed and force me to talk about what new drama has got into my life this time, she pushed me into her en-suite bathroom along with a set of fresh clothes and towel.

"Take this and clean right up. I know I shouldn't be saying this but you look like a wreck right now. Settle your thoughts as well. The hot shower will calm your nerves. Maybe the situation is not as bad as what you think. I'll be right outside. Shout for me if you need anything alright?" She rubbed my shoulder reassuringly and gave me a soft smile to soothe my feelings.

Then she shut the door in my face.

I stared at the unfamiliar disheveled girl in front of me. Her long black hair stuck up in weird places due to the wind messing it up and the red highlights looked as dull as how its owner is feeling.

Her hazel eyes which can previously sparkle a range of colours due to different lightings, now looked dead. Not a sign of liveliness left. They are swollen and puffy from the tears and also the prickly wind which hurt them.

Her once natural pink lips were now pale due to just being recovered from poison. Her cheeks were filled with dried tear stains too. Overall, I could almost assumed she is a ghost.

Well, almost.

Because she is me.

I forced my gaze away from the mirror, ashamed of myself for being a wreck just because of a damn sentence.

The sentence that -I don't know why- broke my heart into a million shards.

I peeled my clothes off, feeling colder than ever. It's peculiar how it is the start of summer now but the wind outside is chilly.

I got into the shower and turned the heater on to its maximum. The water burned through my skin with every drop, awakening my senses from the numbness of the cold and...

that something else.

Once hot water got to my feet, I suddenly hissed in pain. Like someone had just poured salt over my wound.

My eyes automatically travelled down to my feet. They were actually full of cuts and abrasions. The bottom of my feet were probably filled with blisters. I was probably too preoccupied with my thoughts and the burning ache I felt in my chest to bother about other parts of my body.

Shit. Can't this day get any better?

First, I have to wait for the whole afternoon to be discharged. Second, I had to suspect my friend of lying. Third, I got yelled at by my jerk of a mate by the most trivial matter on earth. Fourth, my feet were injured from a two hour walk from the pack house in flip flops.

As mom would say, wearing slippers and trudging through thick branches, logs and trees is a big no no.

I got out of the shower as fast as I can, irritated at the pain the open wounds are causing me. I put on Teegan's loose shirt and short shorts then blow dried my hair. I combed them down and they're back to their usual loose waves.

The door unlocked with a click and I jumped a little when I saw Teegan just two feet away from me at the door.

"Oh my god. You scared me." She really did but my voice ended up monotonous.

"Was waiting for you to get out. How are you feeling right now? Better?" Concerned laced her voice and eyes.

"Yeah." I lied.

I didn't want to make her disappointed or do I want to cause her anymore worries. I came into her house without even giving her a heads up and now, she has done a lot for me by taking me in and lending her shower without any complaints.

"Yep. You do look better now too. Come, let's get your feet treated." I have a feeling she could see right through my lie but she ain't exposing me.

She led me to her couch where the first aid kit is already placed on the table. She probably saw my injuries when she was giving me a once over at her door.

She sat me down at the couch and opened the first aid kit, ready to do surgery on my wounds.

"I can do it. It's fine." I gave her the 'it's fine I don't wanna bother you anymore' smile.

"You. Rest. I. Help." She commanded playfully.

"But-"

"No buts." She interjected with finality in her voice.

Teegan is scary when she's mad and I don't want it happening tonight.

"So, tell me everything. From when it first started." She placed an alcohol swab on one of the deep cuts gently and looked up at me with warm eyes.

I first told her what had happened today; how my only intention was to apologise to Flash, instead finding out Lex could be lying. A tears clouded my vision when I told her how Flash found out I read about it and blew it up on me.

"How did you get here? Where did all those cuts and blisters come from?" She wrapped my feet in bandages.

Seems a little too much for deep cuts if you ask me but I'm not complaining.

"I felt like I couldn't breathe when I was in the house. I practically ran out of there. I didn't feel like getting questioned by my parents so I didn't go home too. Since I didn't drive from the hospital, I walked from the pack house to yours in slippers. I took the short cut through the woods so here I am." I recalled the journey here.

I didn't remember much of the scenery or how I got here. My mind was filled with scenes in his office and his words replaying again and again like a mantra.

You are nothing to me. He said

I wished we weren't mates. He said.

"You're saying you walked from the pack house to mine? Jesus, Cleo that is almost a 2 hour walk!" She got up to the couch and hugs me.

"I'm so sorry that happened to you, Cleo-y. One thing though, why haven't you rejected each other as mates if you both feel the same way as each other? It would make both of your lives happier." Teegan raised an eyebrow at me as if she wanted me to admit something she already knew.

"It is because of the bet." I wanted to say but that means breaking the rule between Flash and I.

My hazel eyes meet Tee's expecting ocean blue ones. I always trusted her with my secrets. I'm not afraid of her spilling the bet if I told her but rather the guilt I would feel if I betrayed Flash.

What if he finds out? Shit will hit the fan. He will announce me as Luna and I have to stay with him for the rest of my life. No freedom for me at all. This will be his way of taking revenge.

I couldn't lie to Tee too. She would see right through it and demand the truth.

Either way, I will have to lie to one of them. I'd much prefer lying to my mate who I have no feelings for than my best friend who means the world to me.

"Hello? Earth to Cleo. Are you alright?" She swat her hand in front of my face. Her worried expression came back.

I figured I shouldn't let her worry about me anymore.

"Oops. I kinda zoned out right there." I cleared my throat, getting ready to tell her the whole story.

"It is because of the bet we made."

I spent the next hour telling her about the bet including all the moments we had with each other. I guess it is better to come clean so she wouldn't have any misunderstandings of what I'm going through.

"...and I guess I couldn't back out now." I finished.

"That's... quite of a fucked up situation you got yourself in." She breathed.

I nodded silently. If I would just reject him right away instead of playing with him and making up some stupid bet, maybe I wouldn't be as miserable as I am now.

"But, too late to reject him now though. Once a bet is on, it's on. Show him Cleo Havard is a strong woman who need no man. Dump him as soon as he fall head over heels with you and win the bet. I will always be here for you if you need help." She patted my back, giving me moral strength.

"But," She continued.

Why, of course. This is Teegan Isabelle Morris.

"If, just if. If you realise you have feelings for him, even the tiniest bit. Promise me you will not reject him regardless you win the bet or not. No matter how much you wish to deny your feelings or how stubborn you are. I don't want my best friend to spend her life living in regret. Promise?" She said solemnly and stuck out her pinky finger.

"Promise." I intertwined our pinkies together.

I'm positive I will not fall for Flash Winston.

Only God knows how true that can be.

"By the way, I understand the hurt you feel when your mate said hurtful words to you whether you have feelings for him or not. In my opinion, you two are at fault. He shouldn't lash out at you but instead should tell you off nicer way. You shouldn't talk back to him considering you actually saw something that wasn't meant for you to see. Instead, you can choose to apologise to him and maybe both of you wouldn't be so mad at each other after all." She propped her head up with her heads and leaned back into the couch, still facing me.

Thinking about it, I admit I make rash decisions when I'm pissed. Maybe if I apologised to him, things wouldn't be like that now. I wouldn't feel the hurt due to the mate bond and he probably would even allowed me to join in the investigation.

However, he basically didn't give me a chance to explain before shouting at me.

"I'll think about it tomorrow. May I stay the night here? It is getting late. I don't want to bother you or my parents to drive me home." I asked, feeling my head spin a little and felt chills in my body.

"Of course you can. You're always welcome here, Cleo. Be sure to notify your parents you're staying the night. I don't want the whole pack in an extensive search to find you tomorrow." Tee joked.

Hey mom. I'm staying in Tee's house tonight. Don't worry, I'm fine. I mind linked her.

Okay. Take care, sweetie. Goodnight. My mom's voice flooded my mind.

"Done."

"Your room will be next to mine. Follow me." She got up from the couch and beckoned me to follow.

I got up from the couch. The spinning in my head intensifies as I felt my blood run colder. My vision blurred as I stared at the back of my best friend walking away from me unknowingly.

"Tee..." I tried to call out but it came out as a mere whisper.

I knew she heard it because she turned around.

The next thing I knew, my head hit the floor, spreading the pain all over me as I huddled myself, feeling like I'm in Antarctica wearing only a shirt and short shorts.

My vision went black. The last thing I heard was Teegan's screams and it seemed to fade slowly.

Continuing the list; fifth, I randomly passed out in my best friend's bedroom.

Damn right, can't this day get any better?

~~~

A/N

I know some of you may think Cleo is super childish and immature. Well, that's the point. She's a dynamic character and will change as the story goes :)

So be sure to continue reading!!

Don't forget to vote and share if you enjoy the book or chapter <3

9/10/19