Camille

Alpha Sigewuf laughed dryly, ran a hand through his thick, unruly black hair, the strands slipping between his fingers.

“What the hell is this?" He sneered, "how could the gods even consider a joke like this? I, Alpha Sigewuf of the Darkstar pack, with a wolfless mate?” bitter edge sharpening his voice.

The venom in his words were meant to sting, his fingers stabbing outward in angry accusation.

And they did.

“You!" His anger flashed, "Why are you still standing here?”

Camille opened her eyes, feeling the rush of emotions surge within her chest. But, as she'd learned long ago, she wasn't going to succumb, not even to him.

"Where else would you have me stand?" She asked, defying the unspoken rules between lycans and wolves—the rule to submit. She wasn’t going to cower in fear or bow in submission.

Alpha Sigewuf scoffed aloud, taking a step back to look from alpha Loeka to Camille.

How bold of her. He thought.

He had never met a proud, audacious woman before, more less, a wolfless one.

Camille met his gaze squarely. She was tired of the endless repeat about her wolflessness.

“You know what? I’ve had enough of this unending loop about me being wolfless, and since everyone suddenly wants to blow their trumpets, I might as well take my leave, " she said, her voice steady and fierce.

She squared her shoulders, shoulders that refused to tremble, turned sharply and stormed out, slamming the door shut behind her.

Alpha Loeka and Sigewuf both recoiled, startled, caught off guard by her audacity, her defiance.

Alpha Sigewuf's fist curled, his voice thick with menace. “What just happened?"

Alpha Loeka said nothing—paralyzed momentarily by Camille's reaction. He had never seen her that way.

"Is this what you raised? A brash wolfless woman?”

Alpha Loeka bowed apologetically, his expression strained with regret. “Not so, Alpha Sigewuf. In fact, she has never behaved like this before. I believe the news of the marriage has caused her a panic reaction.”

Sigewuf couldn't believe that wolfless thing had actually walked out on him. A Lycan alpha.

“I apologize for her actions,” Alpha Loeka added quietly.

“If the goddess doesn’t consider your daughter worthy of a wolf, then how did you expect her to produce a worthy heir for mr? Planning to trick me, perhaps?” His voice sharpened with suspicion as he turned on Alpha Loeka.

The accusation made Alpha Loeka’s face blanch with shock. He tilted his head upward, voice strained with disbelief. “I would never do such a thing!”

“She… she can give you a worthy heir. I’m sure she can,” he stammered, desperation creeping into his tone, Rosalind had insisted he made sure the marriage contract went well.

He needed this alliance. He needed royal power and Darkstar had it.

“How do I believe that?” Sigewuf demanded, stepping closer.

"The healer confirmed it. Plus, she’s untouched,” Alpha Loeka lowered his voice, the words almost a whisper. “She’s a virgin.”

A tense silence stretched between them.

“Then fix this!” Sigewuf barked. “The contract has already been signed, there will be penalties if the contract is broken. It’s explicitly stated in the final part of the agreement.”

“I am well aware of that,” Alpha Loeka replied, his face an unreadable mask of composure.

“I’ll be in the grand hall waiting,” Sigewuf hissed, shutting the door with a finality that echoed through the study.

Alpha Loeka's expression was a storm brewing. Dark, intense, furious.

Camille had managed to dent his ego, and that was a victory she would savor, even if only for a moment.

————————————

Camille releasef another punch at the punching bag in the training area, the only outward sign of the fury boiling inside her.

She heard the door open as Alpha Loeka stormed in, Rosalind behind him.

A reprimand or rebuke was probably on the way, about her unruly behavior.

From the rigid set of Loeka's jaw, she knew it would be in her best interest to cease the boxing, kneel, plead, or beg for mercy. To do otherwise would only invite his wrath.

But rebellion burned fiercely within her. She wore the family title of black sheep like a badge of honor; a rebel. With marriage looming as a bleak fate, she refused to submit quietly.

Camille squared her shoulders, kepping her gaze firm, and braced herself for the worst.

"Let's talk, now!” he sneered, standing a few feet from where she was

His eyes red with fury, Rosalind placed an arm on his shoulder. The perfect supportive wife.

"You disrespect me in front of a guest! How dare you defy my orders!” his words were out before my feet could steady itself in a standing position.

His grip on her neck was swift, brutal, lifting me effortlessly off the ground as if she were weightless, pressing her hard against the wall.

Talk about alpha strength

“How dare you?” Alpha Loeka growled, shoving her against the wall, the impact rattling her bones.

Camille groaned inwardly, pushing herself to my feet, a flicker of defiance flaring. Part of her wanted to fight back, but another recognized him as both her alpha and her father. My anger boiled, but she kept my stance.

The next strike sent her staggering into a corner of the training area.

Loeka advanced toward her, towering like a hawk as he struck again. His dark eyes shifted into a piercing red; his wolf was taking control.

"I have my own plans, father!" Camille yelled her voice hoarse as she spat out blood,

“Your life, your existence, everything begins and ends with my decision,” he snarled, pressing his foot down on her head, drawing a line between who called the shots and who followed.

Warm, thick blood trickled down her cheek, the area around her forehead feeling fractured, as if her sanity itself was cracking.

She would never beg for his mercy.

“Don’t let your foolish pride make you suffer! Just obey!” Rosalind’s voice pleaded, filled with desperation.

Camille ignored the woman.

What mother stood by and watched as her only daughter was treated this way?

Alpha Loeka's nostrils flared, and he unleashed a guttural growl that shook through the training area.

“You will obey my commands!” he said using his alpha's tone

Camille held back the sobs threatening to crack through her facàde.

“The academy starts in the fall,” She said, voice trembling but defiant,

“I will inform the council that you no longer have an interest in the admission,” Father shot back, disdain dripping from his words as he finally moved his foot off my head.

My brow rose in disbelief. “Father…!” Camille protested, her heart shattering into countless pieces.

This was nothing short of betrayal.

“You can't do that!”

What did they say about betrayal? It always came from the people you loved the most.

Her entry into the academy had been the only hope for a different life.

Camille wiped away a tear that had slipped over her composure. I stayed silent

There was no use crying—Loeka had made his decision. One that didn't care about her feelings.

"You’ve always wanted to do something great for the pack, right?” he grinned slyly, his expression a concoction of cruelty and mockery.

He was wielding her own words against her. What kind of parents did she even have? Camille wondered.

If cruelty were a person, it would take the form of her parents.

“Cover that cut with something girly. You wouldn’t want anyone thinking poorly of our pack now, would you, darling?”

Her emotions roiled beneath the surface, ready to erupt at any moment.

Loeka walked past her, Rosalind tailing behind, as they exited the training room.

For the second time in her life, she felt that striking emptiness, and this time it felt worse.

Alone, hot tears streamed down her cheeks, defying her attempts to hold them back. She wanted to stop, but she couldn’t.

Her heart felt seared, and whatever trust she had left had just shattered into oblivion.

Sigewuf

Speak of the devil.

The scent of musky-floral mixed in hot chocolate had filled the air as she moved, commanding the space with an energy that electrified him.

She was like a drug; the more he inhaled, the more she drove him crazy.

Sigewuf was glad he'd glanced at the contract Roxan had emailed him that morning before heading out.

He'd achieved his goal today; Camille.

The young wolfless beauty was stubborn, like a wildfire that couldn’t be contained.

He fancied her. And that audacity, it was beautiful, to be tamed, certainly but alluring. It felt like an aphrodisiac. She didn't need to do much.

Her behaviour alone did it. Made him want her, and made him hate her. He couldn't understand the mystery but he liked it.

She wasn't a perfect trophy wife. She couldn't be, not without a wolf. She was beautiful. Strong. Sexy. But that was all.

What would his father, Ultima Rhaul Rawson, make of his ridiculous joke of a mate?

He sighed. That didn't matter much. What mattered was what the powerblocks wanted.

Leonora was going to remain his mistress—She was good at satisfying his needs. But Camille, he was following the orders of the Powerblocks.

They'd asked him to marry her on contract—She would give him an heir, they—the powerblocks- would give Alpha Loeka power and influence.

Marriage was transactional.

Something was given to get another.

But he hadn't expected her to be his mate. Still couldn't believe she was the one.

“The car's ready to leave, Alpha,” Beta Roxan’s voice came through the pack link.

“Tell the others she'll be riding with me; they can join the other cars,” Alpha Sigewuf said flatly. "We'll be out shortly.

That was what he did; Command—and then sat back to watch others scurry to fulfil his desire.

“Understood, Alpha,” Roxan replied before the connection severed.

Another picture caught his eye in the Loeka gallery, he moved and stopped in front of it—A picture of Camille training. Suddenly, he felt that sickening unease churn violently in the pit of his stomach—a feeling that had taken root the night he had been informed about her.

He wiped a sweat from his brow, heart racing, and swallowed hard.

An hour dragged by before Loeka resurfaced, with Camille nowhere in sight.

Sigewuf stood in the family gallery, hands crossed gently behind him.

"I see you have taken care of the situation,” he said without turning to face Loeka.

"Hahaha,” Loeka laughed from his belly.

“Children always need to be reminded of their place. No matter how fast they grow. Isn’t that right, Sigewuf?”

"Of course, it is,” Sigewuf replied, turning to face Loeka, a tight smile on his face.

“Speaking of children, where are your boys? No sign of them around.”

“Ah, Conrad and Devon,” Loeka’s eyes glistened with pride. “They’re on some special pack assignment. They’ll be back soon. You know, Conrad has something special—he got the entrance mail into the Academy. He takes after me.” Loeka said proudly,

"I see," Sigewuf said, pressing his lips together, with a little nodding of his head. "Where is she?"

He noted the small scowl that flickered across Loeka’s face at being cut off mid-musing.

"She'll be down shortly. You know this ladies and how they act" Loeka said,

"hmmm." Sigewuf cocked a brow, "Since we’re done here,” extending his hand, “it was nice doing business with you.”

Loeka took it.

Sigewuf smirked. “To new relationships?”

“To new relationships,” Loeka agreed, shaking his hands

Stepping out, the dense air pinched at his skin, igniting goosebumps.

He got into one of the cars lined up, eyes fixed on the front door of Loeka's mansion.

The door opened and then he saw her, eyes fixed, emotionless as she walked towards the car.

Two guards moved to carry her bags as Roxan directed her towards the one Sigewuf sat in.

He smiled, slowly, deliberately "Welcome home, Lady Sigewuf'"

Camille

Wincing as she pulled the scarf over her head and tying the knot securely beneath her chin, Camille deliberately averted her gaze from the mirror, unwilling to confront the brutal reality of her reflection after the fall— all thanks to Alpha Loeka.

She would need to visit a healer soon because of the wounds.

Exhaling sharply, Camille dropped the small blue box onto the bed. She started with the sturdy dresser.

"Oh, Camille, my dear," Rosalind’s shrill, high-pitched voice broke from behind as she made her way into the room, arms outstretched for a hug.

"Don't you dare touch me!" Camille snapped, the anger in her voice was unmistakable. She continued packing, not bothering to turn and face Rosalind.

Rosalind Loeka stood there, visibly stunned. Her lips tilted, slowly, a small smile dancing on her lips.

As if gathering her courage, she quickened her pace, dropping on the bed, "Oh, goodness, you poor thing! You're hurt, but shouldn’t you know better than to have questioned your father's decisions?”

"Oh please, stop the act mother" Camille fired, "We both know you don't care, so don't try to act like you do"

The cruel smile on Rosalind's face disappeared. "I'm trying to...be nice"

"Enough with your being nice!" Camille yelled,

"That's no way to speak to your mother, young lady!" Rosalind's rebuke sounded weak and feeble.

“Yeah, right. You know what? I have nothing more to say, so leave. I have some packing to finish."

Rosalind didn't move. "There are rules, and all you have to do is follow them. But you always choose to..."

"Rules? What rules, mother? Tell me!" Camille snapped, her eyes burning with hot tears that stung at the corners as she turned to face Rosalind,

“That’s your problem. You’re always moving too fast. . .”

"Am I? Or am I simply trying not to be like the weakling you are!"

Rosalind grimaced, "you damn. . ." she stopped herself before those words spilled out

"Say it!" Camille demanded, brushing off a tear.

Rosalind stood from the bed, arms crossed.

"Where are these rules when it’s about the boys? Do they only exist when it’s about me?” Camille shook Rosalind's shoulder

"Where was this rule when Devon failed the Council’s requirements for the alpha heirs? Yet father bought his way into the academy? And even now, where is this rule to hold Conrad responsible for killing a member of the pack two nights ago? But I'm the one who has to be sold out."

“Where were the rules, mother?" Camille flared, biting her lower lip to hold back the tears threatening to spill over.

"You... you don’t understand. You can’t expect the same things because…” Rosalind stuttered miserably.

"I’m a girl," Camille finished the sentence for her, tears streaming down her face. "That’s what you were going to say, right?"

Rosalind said nothing. Her silence betrayed her.

"And what if I expect the same things as they do? What’s wrong with that, mother?! Why is it so terrible for a daughter to expect the same things as the sons in a home? Tell me!"

Rosalind didn't tell her. She wouldn't tell her—at least not yet. It wasn't time for her to know.

“Camille, this is different,” Rosalind said, turning her back. “You can’t understand it.”

“Then make me understand! Make all of this make sense,” Camille pleaded, gripping Rosalind's arms tightly, hoping, praying this could be her chance to set things right between them.

For as long as Camille could remember, she had never had a good relationship with Rosalind. They were always at odds, considering how she favored the boys over her.

“Oh, I do, my love,” Rosalind replied softly, reaching her hands towards Camille.

“Then fight for me. Let father know I need to go to the academy.” Camille pulled her hands away from Rosalind's face, clutching them tightly, hoping; hoping Rosalind would see it. She could see her.

“It’s not the same, and I don’t know how to make you understand it, Camille,” Rosalind pulled away as if she had suddenly seen a ghost.

A brief moment of silence followed.

Dabbing tears from her face, “Your marriage to Alpha Sigewuf is final. Your father has decided, and it’s in your best interest.”

And there it was—dead hopes. Another precious dream shattered. Camille's hand slipped from Rosalind's, like dead leaves falling from a tree during autumn.

She had hoped Rosalind would fix this. Fix them. But that hope was never going to come true.

Without another word, Camille turned toward the box on the bed, tossed what she had left into it.

The goddess saw all the mothers in the world and gave her this piece of shit for a mother! Camille thought.

Her life must have really been pathetic if there was a past one.

Standing at the door, her back to Rosalind, "You'll regret thi. And when you'll come begging, it'll be my turn."

She left the room without another word to Rosalind, leaving her to grapple with her dead conscience—considering she had any.

No words. No hugs. No goodbyes. No bonds. Just shattered hopes.

************

Two guards appeared immediately as she stepped through the grand doors of the mansion. One took the box from her hands, while the other led her to one of the sleek cars lined up in front of the estate.

Tires screeched as each vehicle sped away from the mansion, leaving behind what had once been her entire dream and now, a painful past.