Camilla's POV

I sat on the floor, hugging my knees as the air grew heavier around me. My tears had dried into my skin, but my chest still throbbed. All through the night, I had waited for Damon. I stood outside the Elders’ quarters, whispering his name, hoping he’d look back, just once. He didn’t. He left me standing there like I meant nothing. 

I threw a pillow at the wall, but the ache inside me didn’t budge. It wasn’t the wound on my body that hurt the most. It was the silence. The absence. The fact that the one I loved shut me out. My wolf hadn't spoken since I got injured. I wanted her voice, her strength, her comfort, anything but she had fallen quiet, and so had the goddess.

Tomorrow was the official rite. Damon had to present a Luna. It was meant to be me. Before my body failed me. Before I became something he could toss aside.

“Please,” I whispered into the stillness, quiet room, with a trembling voice. “Please talk to me…”

But my wolf didn’t answer.

I stayed there for a while, still curled on the floor, as the weight of everything crashed over me. What had I done to deserve this? Was love truly that easy to erase? Could he really forget every moment we shared, the battles, the laughter, the promise of forever?

Then came a knock on my door.

I lifted my head and replied with a low voice. “You can come in.”

The door creaked open, and one of Damon’s guards stepped in with an unreadable face. 

“The Alpha has summoned you to his office.” He said nothing else and walked out.

I blinked slowly, my heartbeat loud in my ears. Damon had summoned me? The Damon I knew never sent for me like a stranger. He always came to me himself, always touched my hand before he spoke, always gave me a small smile, even on his worst days.

Maybe this was a good sign.

With trembling hands, I rose to my feet and left my room with slow steps as I passed through the halls like a ghost.

As I got close to his office, harsh and comical voices drifted into the air.

“She really thought she’d be Luna.”

“She got what she deserved.”

“Maybe he’ll finally banish her.”

I paused my movement and stared at them. They weren’t even whispering. They wanted me to hear but I forced myself forward. I wouldn’t let them see me cry. I wouldn’t let them see that their words cut deep.

Damon’s door stood tall before me as I reached his office. I grabbed the knob softly and his cold voice replied in an instant. 

“What are you waiting for outside? Come inside.”

I opened the door.

And my heart stopped.

A woman sat beside him with her head resting gently on his shoulder. His hand played slowly through her hair, and she smiled like she belonged there.

The door shut behind me, and I took a shaky step forward. My eyes clung to them as a puzzled look appeared on my face. 

“What is this?” I breathed, though I could make a guess.

“You’re disturbing the Luna.” Damon looked up at me swiftly and said. 

The woman raised her head.

And my world shattered all over again.

Noelle.

My best friend.

The one I trained beside. The one who swore she'd stand with me forever. She sat in my place, wore the smile I used to wear, touched the man I still loved. My breath hitched, my knees wobbled, but I didn’t fall.

“Sit,” Damon said with a sharp tone.

I sat because I needed answers. I needed to believe there was still something to hold onto.

“How’s your wound?” He asked. “I heard you refused treatment.”

“That’s not what matters,” I said with a raised voice. “What is Noelle doing over there with you?”

Noelle looked at me without flinching. She didn’t speak. She didn’t have to.

Damon shrugged. “You can’t shift anymore. You may not be able to for years. I need to present a strong Luna to the Elders. You know I'm not a patient wolf.”

My chest squeezed at his words and I moved close to him, speaking with a softened gaze. “We can still fix this. You and I...we can sort this out. I'm not...my wolf is not gone. I swear....”

He leaned back and picked up his glass. “You still carry my mark. If you accept the rejection, you’ll stop feeling pain when you think of our past.”

Tears blurred my vision suddenly, “You’re just… letting go?”

“I’m doing what I have to do. For the pack. For myself.” He didn’t even look at me when he said it.

“I want to speak to the Elders,” I whispered gently, wiping tears off my chin while Noelle watched in amusement. 

“Speak to them for what?” Noelle finally said with a cold tone.

“You’ve already agreed on this?” I asked, my voice barely a whisper now.

Damon sighed like he was tired. “The Elders will remove me if I don’t present a Luna tonight. And we still owe the neighboring packs a loan. So, I made a choice.”

I couldn’t speak. I just stared at him as I could not recognize this man anymore. How could someone flip his choice within a few seconds?

“Noelle and I spoke with two Alphas this morning. We reached an agreement. The payment is due by weekend.”

“Fuck the loan!” I screamed at him and hit my fists on the wall, turning to walk out of his office in rage. 

“You’re still in this pack. I’m still Alpha. You’ll obey,” he growled. “Your new owner is already around. Get ready to leave the pack.”

I blinked my eyes as my heart felt a different pain. “You’re selling me?”

“You’re not useful anymore. And Cassian has offered to have you in his pack. He has heard of you and your bravery," Damon said to me, his fingers still running through Noelle's hair. 

My mouth fell open as I staggered back. “Cassian? The Lycan King? The one with blood on his hands?”

“Rumor has it that way, yes, but he made an offer and I have accepted. If you want to know, he's paid a million dollars for you. At least, you're worth something.”

And both of them laughed again. 

I turned to Noelle with a desperate voice. “He can’t do this to me. Say something please..." 

I wanted to rush to meet her but her words stopped me. “I wish it were different too,” she said and sniffled twice. 

I dropped to my knees as I clutched onto Damon’s leg. “Let me stay please. This pack is my home. Please. I have nothing else but this. Please don't do this to me," 

He didn’t say a word nor did he move. And then he raised his voice, “Enough!”

“The Lycan’s men are here. Look behind you,” he said to me suddenly and reality dawned on me. 

I turned slowly, still hoping this was all a nightmare. “They’re taking me away?”

Damon stood, still emotionless. “Leave before they change their minds.”

A strange guard grabbed my arm but I yanked him off. Damon rushed to force me into going with him but I grabbed the guard myself as I stared at his face in agony. The guards took me away and I heard low growls and mimics fading away. 

Wolves watched as I passed over to the border. Some looked away. Some looked pleased. I didn’t understand how I became the villain in their eyes.

At the border, a black Jeep waited. A man leaned against the door. He didn’t need an introduction. Power radiated off him. The guards kicked me forward and held me tightly in case I tried to run. 

The man in all black looked at me, and asked, “Did the Alpha mention my name?”

I shook my head quickly, sniffling hard. 

“My name is Cassian. Lycan King of this region.”

He entered the car. The guards pushed me inside after him. And the ride started. 

The car rolled into the territory slowly, and my heart beat faster with every turn. This place was nothing like Damon’s pack. Everything looked bigger, quieter, more guarded. Even the air smelled cleaner. Tall buildings surrounded the large estate, standing firm like watch towers, and wolves walked around in perfect order. No one shouted. No one laughed. They all moved like trained warriors.

The gates had the name boldly carved into them. Blood Moon Pack. It was the one name I never thought I’d be tied to. The same pack we were warned never to cross. The stories came back to me. The rumors. The killings. My legs began to shake again.

The guards didn’t speak as they opened the car door and helped me out. One stayed behind, while the other two led me through a long stone path. I walked in silence, my feet light, my chest tight. No one looked at me with pity. Just curious eyes and unreadable faces. Some didn’t look at me at all.

The Alpha’s quarters stood farther in, larger than the rest, quiet and firm like the man himself. A different guard opened the door for us and stepped aside. I walked in slowly, my eyes scanning the fine but sharp design of the room. There were no bright colors, no warmth. Everything was dark and neat.

Once I stepped in fully, the door shut behind me. I turned quickly, but the guards were gone. I was now inside the room with the Lycan King only. He hadn’t even touched me yet, but somehow, I already felt owned.

The door slammed shut and my heart skipped a beat. I watched Lycan Cassius drop his box case on his large, king-sized bed. He took off his shoes and turned around to look at me, still staying close to the door. I lowered my gaze, and I felt footsteps coming towards me quickly. 

"What skills do you possess?" His question sounded abrupt, and my gaze remained lowered as I didn't have an answer to this. 

He raised his voice, and I felt his fists knocking at the air. "Take your eyes off the floor and look at me when I am speaking to you."

I quickly raised my gaze, setting it on his chest instead. I couldn't return those brutal stares. They were piercing my eyes. The room felt tense, and for many reasons, I just wanted to go out and breathe a deep sigh of relief. 

"I can see that mark on your neck. It's an honorary badge given to warriors, but it amuses me that you can't answer a simple question," he said, a smirk playing on his lips which faded the moment I stared at him. 

"Keep the gaze intact," he commanded and leaned in closer. "I will have my men take that badge off your neck. You belong to me now. Not as a warrior, but as my property." 

His hands grabbed my neck, and he gently pushed me to the wall, sniffing the air around us. "I will advise you to learn your place in this pack before I teach it."

His voice became so low and threatening. "I don't care what badge you might have received in your pack. All that matters is... you're here. You don't breathe until I tell you to."

And then he dropped his hands from my neck. That tingling sensation I felt rippling across my skin vanished. That must have been a result of the pressure he held my neck with. 

"I don't understand why Jace has not yet arrived. He will show you where to stay, and he will give you some instructions to follow. If being alive is one of your plans, I suggest you follow his rules without complaint," he said and turned towards the door, while my breath remained shaky. I had started staring at the floor again now. 

And then, out of the corner of my eye, I saw the reflection of green eyes on the door as curiosity raised my head. It was actually a reflection of his green eyes. He stood quietly while his eyes reflected illumination, and suddenly, he snapped back to life. 

"What took you so long?" He asked in a low tone as the door kicked open. A middle-aged young man with nice features walked in, bowing his head. He had a muscular build as well, but not up to half of Cassius’s. 

Cassius must have sent a mind message to him, I said to myself and snapped back to reality when I heard my name. 

"Safely guide the little Camilla to the last room here," Cassius said, his eyes complimenting his words while his Beta stood there, a little confused about the order. 

"I have contacted the Omega District, and they are eager to welcome her. There is plenty of work to do and..." His Beta spoke firmly, but Cassius cut his words short. 

"Are you telling me what to do? Are you adjusting my command?" Cassius growled. "Show her the room and return to your duty." 

The Beta lowered his head and stretched out a hand to me. "Please come with me, little Camilla." 

I quietly stepped behind him, and my mind felt freed the moment I left the Alpha's room. It felt like I had just gotten out of captivity. 

I heard the low chatter of the wolves outside. I saw different sets of girls walking up and down in this Alpha's dormitory, some discussing schooling, some discussing mating issues, and I was almost losing myself to these imaginations. 

We finally reached the doorstep of my new room. I thought about this again. The Beta was actually right. Was I not supposed to work in the Omega District? He told me he didn't care whatever I might have been in my old pack. All that mattered to him was my presence here and the fact that I would obey every last one of his orders. 

The Beta pushed the door open and stepped inside, letting the switch come on. Fear gripped my heart for one second. How could I be given this large and beautiful room? It felt awesome so awesome that I was close to declining this great gift. 

"This is the room. Guards will be here for you very soon. The mistress will attend to you as well. Please ensure you stay inside here and don't cause any commotion to the pack," the Beta said and slightly lowered his head. 

It was brave of me to reply with a bright smile, but I guessed it was worth the risk. He replied with a bigger smile and stretched out an arm. "My name is Jace. How about you?" 

"C-Camilla," I said, smiling. 

"Yeah, I've once heard that name," Jace said and quickly switched the topic. "I have to go now. Take care of yourself, Camilla." 

I waved at him as he walked out of my room with calculated steps. And then that fear returned to my mind. The Beta slammed the door shut and probably locked it from the outside. I stood in the center of the room as I took in the features: white marble tiled floors, the walls painted with silky brown, and several diagrams hung on the wall. The bed was properly set, and my mind suddenly came up with a thought. 

"His previous mates could have made use of this room. There are female materials in here," I said to myself as I walked toward the wardrobe. I wanted to feel scared. I wanted to feel unsafe. I wanted to feel anxious. But I sucked it all up. 

He didn't throw me off to the Omega section. He didn't claim he'd beat me up if I didn't give a response. Maybe his previous mates had too much anger in their tone. Maybe they didn't. Maybe I was just new to this and felt he was an innocent master who just wanted everyone to be under his control or maybe not. 

The weather began to change, and it was getting cold now. It had been many hours, and no one had arrived yet. Just as I was thinking about that, I heard a soft knock on the door. I rushed to get it open and saw a young maiden. She lowered her head, and two guards did the same. 

"My name is Kate, and I will be here to help you with anything you want," she said, and my response came out in a low tone. I didn't know how to treat lowly people. I was a high-ranked warrior in my pack, fine, but at the same time, I didn't have time to relate with so many people. I just helped them with tasks and missions and kept my focus on my supposed mate who rejected me and on my friend Noelle, the architect of my deep sadness. 

"Please come in, ma'am," I lowered my head as well and shut the door behind me as she walked inside. She led me toward the bed and told me to lie down while she spread sheets over me because of the cold. 

It felt so different. It felt so dangerously comfortable to be treated in this manner. But my heart cried out to the goddess to take me out of this comfort zone if the dead end would be the fate of Cassius’s two previous mates.

Camilla's POV

The sound of low laughter jolted me awake as my eyes snapped open. Fear gripped my heart, and I clutched the sheets above me. Where was I?

I stared at the walls of the room, the wallpapers hung on each end, and the door made of mahogany, and slowly, my memories came back. Memories of last night swooned to my head, and I stretched out my arm. 

Getting up to turn the lights on, I felt a hand pat me on my back, and I froze up on the bed. I slowly turned to look back, but the person's voice reminded me of who it was before I could confirm for myself. 

"Did you have a bad dream? I'm sorry, I should have woken up long before you did," Kate, the mistress that was assigned to take care of me, said to me. Funnily enough, I didn't even know someone else slept beside me. I must have slept off last night. 

"No, it's nothing. I just wanted... to turn the lights on," I said in a low voice as I yawned. "I didn't even know when I slept off last night." 

She hopped off the bed in an instant and stood in front of me. That amazed me, I wouldn't lie. 

"It was cold. I had to cover you with these sheets while I watched your pretty eyes close up," she said in a warm tone and lowered her head. "Please, what can I do for you this morning? What do you need? Do you want to freshen up?"

This honor began to feel suspicious, and I had to rethink to confirm if it was Cassius who paid money to purchase me or if I was the one who paid to be here. I lowered my head, and my eyes spoke volumes. 

"Alright, I'll wait here till you need a thing," she said as she went to raise the curtains and turn on the lights. Everywhere felt so cool, so calm. I knew I had a good dream, but I didn't remember what it was all about. 

"What are my duties this morning?" I suddenly asked, and Kate glanced back at me and scoffed. She didn't say a word until I repeated the question. Maybe she felt the glance gave an answer to it already. 

"The Alpha has not asked me to assign any duties to you. He strictly warned me to do your will, and that's exactly what I am doing. Please don't stress yourself," Kate said and walked over to where I sat. She pulled up a stool and sat on it, staring into my eyes deeply before saying a word. 

"You still feel cold. I'll go make you a hot drink," she said and quickly got up before I could refuse. I wanted to decline the offer, but I needed it too, and by the look of things, she wouldn't stop moving to go get it done. 

She stood by the doorway and looked back at me. "If you need anything before I arrive, the two guards are right here. Just walk out of your room and talk to them." And then she slammed the door shut after her. 

I felt warm. I felt different. This princess treatment felt strange. This time in Damon's pack, I would have been up and training for hours. I stared at the wall clock, and it was just 8 a.m. 

I rose up and moved around the room, stretching my legs for warmth. Sleeping here and being overly comfortable didn't look good on me. I waited for a few minutes to talk to Kate about it, but she hadn't arrived yet. 

When I sat back in bed and my eyes caught the sight of the big wound just beside my navel, I let out a wince. It still hurt. In my human body. But my wolf? Destroyed beyond easy repair. 

As a reminder of how weak my wolf had become, I swallowed the thoughts of ever volunteering to work for the pack, until I would be told to do so. I knew Kate could help me with ways to strengthen my wolf, but the fear of being exposed consumed me and silenced my thoughts. 

And then I heard a creak at the door. My eyes quickly shifted towards it. It was pushed open, but no one came in, and there were no guards in sight. 

I scoffed a little and anticipated footsteps, but none came in. Was this how Kate wanted to be dramatic this early in the morning? Maybe she wanted me to walk over there, and then she would scare me. 

Well, may she do her best. I stood up in a bid to head towards the door when I noticed a large shadow print on the doorstep.

"Are these guards seriously playing with my intelligence?" I whispered to myself. "I was more than a guard in my pack. I know all these tactics."

Just the shadow. No one came in yet. I stepped forward and slumped to the ground as Cassius stepped his large feet into my room. I crawled up to the bed and sat on it as he approached me with rage on his face. 

He shut the door behind him and locked it. My heart skipped many beats. I raised my head but didn't stare at him. I was scared of how piercing his gaze could be. Every good feeling vanished, and panic filled my mind as he sat on the bed with me, not saying a word yet. 

"Hi Camilla, I was the one playing with your intelligence," he said in a low but deep tone. "Can I know the punishment I deserve now?" 

"I-I apologize..." I stammered, lowering my head now. "I didn't know you were the one standing there."

"Of course you didn't," he said with a sarcastic laugh. "Where is the mistress that I assigned to you?"

"She went to get me a drink," I replied in an instant.

He chuckled and cracked his palms. "I see. Confident Camilla. Sending wolves on errands in less than twenty-four hours of arrival." 

"She..." 

"Don't say a word," he said, and his voice was suddenly raised. "Haven't I told you to look at me when I am talking to you?"

I raised my eyes and looked at him. His gaze wasn't as hard as I thought, but I was only tolerating the harsh stares. 

"Did Jace give you the list of instructions on how you'll perform your duty?" Cassius asked, and everything went quiet. List of instructions? I tried to remember, but nothing came to mind. 

I shook my head in disagreement. "No." 

"And you didn't even ask?" 

I kept silent again. I knew it. This comfort wasn't supposed to come without effort. I knew I would be subjected to a lot of work, torture in disguise. 

"I will break his arm after I leave here. But for you, I will tell it to you now. And know that I am not a fan of repeating orders to people of low status," he continued, his voice sounding serious. "Each morning, you will come over to my room and make my bed, sweep the floors of my room, and arrange the books on my shelf. Until I nod my head in approval of the work you've done, you're not free to do whatever you like during the day. Understood?"

I nodded quickly. "Yes, Alpha. Understood." 

He stood up quickly and whooshed towards the door. He unlocked it, and Jace walked in with a smile. But Cassius returned the smile with a deadly smirk on his lips. 

"Why did you not instruct this little girl on what to do? I expected to see her in my room this morning," Cassius spoke warmly to Jace. "Aight, don't say a word. I told her already. By nighttime, come over to my office. I will break your right arm."

Jace lowered his head in submission, and Cassius growled at me. "You know where you should be." 

I got up quickly and got into the dress I took off last night. I didn't have more than that one piece of clothing. I rushed to get down to his office on time, and then I noticed Jace was still here. I felt grateful that I wore the clothes while the doors of the wardrobes were open. He could have stared at my nudity and enjoyed it for free. 

"Hi Camilla," he waved at me with a smile. 

"Hi Jace," I replied in an instant. He felt so warm and friendly. I approached the door, and I saw his arms widely open for a hug. I received it warmly, and he softly chuckled. 

"I will take you to Kate. She's in the kitchen. Her older mistress didn't let her get back to you," he said with another smile. 

"Of course, there's no problem," I said and locked my door as we both walked towards the kitchen. 

"That's it over there. I'll return to my duty post," he said and walked away. I quickly started walking towards the kitchen before several pairs of eyes would fall on me and start piercing me again. 

Midway to the kitchen, there was a little dark passage there. And a quiet small room. I didn't know what it was used for, but something in there drew my attention, and I stepped back to check. 

My wolf, that had felt crumbled many days ago, jumped to life as the air was heavy with deep scents. I sniffed the air strongly and took a deep breath. 

No, I couldn't leave without finding out what this meant to my wolf. Each step I took towards the room made my wolf jubilate and stay stronger. The wound was healing. Something strong, something potent and powerful, was working on my wolf. It was somehow connected to the deep scent, that sense of belonging and connection to someone, a root...

I took one step into the little dark room, and my eyes caught the green pair of eyes staring back at me with a smirk on his lips. I had stepped in already. Fear froze me to the spot, and the door banged shut. 

Before I could think of leaving, my wolf, who hadn't said a word for days, screamed internally. 

"Mate, mate!"