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!"

Camilla's POV

The tick of the clock jolted me awake as I stifled a gasp. I hoped I wasn't running late already. I sighed when I saw that it was just 7:09 a.m. I let out a deep breath, and my eyes caught the view of Kate mopping the floor and wiping sweat off her forehead with her palms.

"You're up? Oh wow," Kate said happily and dropped the mop to the floor as she tried to reach me, but I stopped her midway.

"You've woken up so early to work. I'm going to do the same thing. I hope your night was great," I said with a wink, and she nodded and smiled.

I quickly searched the wardrobe for my work attire. Cassius had sent Jace last night to deliver the clothes to me. I would need to wear them each time I was going to work in his room.

I rushed out of the room after wearing it. I walked quickly to reach his room, as the clothes were revealing. I had to cover my chest with my palms as I hurried off.

The door was slightly open, and I let out a final breath before stepping in. The guards knew my face already and didn't stop me. And then, I saw him sitting on his king-sized bed, watching me as though he was counting one to ten while expecting me to arrive.

And the memories of last night flushed back to mind when I saw those green eyes again. That broad smirk. That heavy scent in that little dark room. I sighed.

"Good morning, Alpha," I lowered my head and said as I started to arrange the room. He didn't give any response. He just sat there, watching me labor in front of him. I mopped the floor. I dusted the chairs and rearranged them. I arranged the books on the shelves, and it was now time to set his bed, but he was still watching me without saying a word.

"I-I need to set the bed now," I whispered, stepping back when I didn't hear a word from him. His green eyes didn't stop staring at me, and it felt eerie for a second.

All of a sudden, he snapped back to life. He slowly rose to his feet and moved away from the bed. He stood at a close range to me, and I knew it was time to set the bed. I would have to wait for his nod of approval before leaving for today's activities in my room.

Before my hands could grab the sheets, he reached for me and flipped me so that my face was staring at him. Fear gripped my heart as I stifled a gasp. His gaze was piercing, and he seemed to be controlling so much rage in him.

When I didn't say a word still, he sent me crashing onto the wall, and he soon reached me, standing right in front of me and choking me to the wall.

"Is this how you are just going to pretend like nothing happened last night?" He said with his deep, baritone voice. I stared at his face now. Even though it scared me, I was wowed by his nice features. Perfect haircut. Perfect beard. And a deep, manly, baritone voice, fitting for a killer.

"W-What...?" I mumbled. What was he talking about?

"Are you asking me?!" He hit his palms on the wall, and my heart skipped a beat. I gasped and lowered my gaze.

"Raise your head!!" He screamed, and my ears almost went deaf as I raised my head again, shaking terribly.

"You were supposed to enter the kitchen last night, but you came to that little dark room, and who did you see? Why did you run away?" His screams were not as loud as the earlier ones now. He touched my chin and raised it slightly while shaking his head in deep thought.

He sniffed the air between us and shut his eyes, groaning deeply like his wolf was about to pop out.

"Mate," he growled, his green pair of eyes falling onto mine again. I was in a state of panic. I hadn't recovered from the shock of how Damon could reject me and choose my sister in my presence without feeling bad about it. Fuck traditions. Fuck the Elders. He would have his way if he wanted to.

His palms caressed my face and reached my neck finally. Each touch of his palm on my skin caused a tingling sensation. My wolf was finally jogging back to life. The scent grew heavier when he let out a deep breath. I could feel this sudden closeness with him, this strange familiarity... and there were no words to utter.

"For how long have you known this?" He asked, and I whimpered. Emotions were intercepting one another, and tears pooled in my eyes. I didn't know if they were tears of fear or tears of joy for having a second chance mate. Or tears of regret for even coming to this life, first to be rejected and sold by my only male friend and lover figure, and second to be mated to a known killer. His two mates died mysteriously, as rumor had it.

Was it my fate to always end up with bad men?

I was close to ignoring his question. But then I muttered a response. "Just... just last night."

"Why did you refuse to speak up?" He raised my chin and said suddenly, like fighting between anger and pity.

"I... I..." I stammered. Why would I speak up? I literally kicked the door open and ran out of the little dark room. I knew he was the one with those green set of eyes, and I knew my wolf said he was my mate, but I couldn't just wait there. Fear won me at that moment. It sounded strange to the ears, it sounded scary, and it sounded unavoidable.

"Who placed this mark on you?" His voice finally dropped, and he took another whiff of my scent. He shut his eyes and felt the pleasure, but he took on a tight face again, not wanting to admit it.

"My former mate," I quickly said. I just felt the energy to speak up now. "He rejected me..."

"Of course he did. The goddess wouldn't pair you to me if you're still linked," he said and let out one deep sigh.

"This is getting interesting. Another mate in how many months?" He asked himself and laughed hard at that, while my own mind got filled with fear.

"Camilla," he called my name with his deep voice as he placed his hands gently on my chest. I gasped and stared at him. What was he doing?

"Everything inside of me screams to rip out this little revealing dress and ram myself deep into you. Every part of your body is calling onto me to romance it. Your scent," he said, his voice going deep and low at intervals, "is both deadly and alluring. What have you done to my wolf this early morning, huh, Camilla?!"

I was quiet as he screamed at me. I felt so small, judging by his huge figure, and my mind drifted off for seconds. I didn't want a mate at this point in my life. I just wanted to be fine, to be alone, not bothering anyone, not being bothered.

But one thought struck me. I was bought. By him. For a million dollars. I was bought to do his will. To breathe only when he orders me to. I was under his will and control. I wouldn't choose for myself. He could go ahead and claim me already. The mark on my neck could be replaced today, and who knows if my healing would be perfected?

"Get off this dress," he suddenly commanded with a low tone, and I felt scared. I didn't want to lose my dignity just this way. I didn't want to. But I had no choice. A tear rolled down my chin as I reached to get it off, but then a knock came on the door.

"Come in, only if it's urgent," he said, and I paused. We watched as Jace walked in with a smile. He saw me sweating but couldn't ask why since he came to talk to Cassius.

"We got a letter this morning," Jace said and handed an envelope to Cassius. "It's from the North Pack."

My eyes widened in shock. Alpha Damon sent him a message...for what reason? Maybe they had other deals that weren't yet finalized.

"What's it all about? I'm not in the mood to read letters," he said and threw the envelope back at Jace. "Read it for me."

"It's an apology letter. He wrote many lines to apologize for his errors and plead for reconsideration," Jace said, but Cassius was confused. At this point, it felt like it was only my ears working. I paid a lot of attention to his words.

"Apology? He didn't offend me..." Cassius was confused. "What does he want? What does the letter say?"

"He wants to reimburse the payment you made," Jace said, and I stared daggers at him. "He said he can double the payment you made to get Camilla. He said he wants her back in his pack, and he's ready to do anything to get her back."

Cassius's lips widened with a smirk. "I blame you."

"Why?" Jace softly asked.

"How could you waste your time reading such a sick letter? If he's ready to get the girl back, let him get down here with the double payment," Cassius said, and Jace was about to nod his head when Cassius completed his words, "only that his head might fall off his body just at the border."

Then he raised his voice. "I don't collect reimbursement. I don't need anything from him. A done deal is a done deal. If he sends any more letters, let me know. I will send warriors to reduce the number of wolves in his pack."

"Leave now before I break your second arm," Cassius raised his voice at Jace, who quickly left his presence, and he turned over to me.

"You," he pointed his finger at me and stepped closer to meet me, "little Camilla..."

He pulled me into a big hug and patted my back, running his fingers through my hair. "I would rather kill myself than return you to the North Pack. If I let you go, how then will I enjoy a new experiment?"

My heart dropped to my feet at those words.