Camilla's POV
I’d been waiting for what felt like hours, but Cassius never showed up in my room to ask me anything. Kate and I had been there since I returned, and each time she tried to start a conversation, I cut my words short because so much was running through my mind.
"You seem bothered, my lady. What’s wrong?" Kate asked, her face creased with concern.
I studied her expression for a few seconds, trying to decide if she could even help me untangle the mess in my head.
"I don’t know if you can keep a secret," I whispered. She leaned in. She seemed like the talkative type who’d once been humiliated into holding her tongue.
"Of course I can. I don’t have a death wish," Kate said. "What’s on your mind?"
"Were you in this pack when the Lycan King met his two mates?"
"Ariana and Olivia?" She asked.
"I don’t know their names. But rumor has it he’s had two mates in the past, and they both mysteriously died."
"It’s a complicated story. Why does it bother you?" Kate asked, her tone suggesting she didn’t want to say more.
I sighed. I would have spoken easily if it were Damon asking me now, but not the Damon who rejected me and sold me out without blinking. I meant the Damon who used to wrap me in his arms and listen to my rants after a long day. That was the version of him I craved in this moment.
"You asked about mates last night, and now you’re asking about the Alpha’s mate," Kate said, nodding slowly before falling silent.
She wasn’t a child. She understood already, and she knew how overwhelming it could be to learn you were the Lycan King’s mate.
"How long did it take him to mark them?" I asked. Kate’s eyes widened before she spoke.
"It… it’s actually a sacred topic, and my knowledge is limited. But if you want me to help you, my lady, then answer me plainly...Is the Lycan King your mate?"
"Yes," I said without flinching. If I turned down her help, who else could I go to?
I only spoke to three people in the pack—sometimes Cassius, mostly her, and occasionally Beta Jace. How could I keep carrying this heavy burden in my heart when the person beside me might be able to help?
"I don’t know what to do. I’ve heard so much about that man and seen a little for myself. And… he scares me," I admitted.
"It’s okay to be frightened, my lady," she said, settling across from me. "Especially after what happened with your former mate. Did he ask if you want him to mark you? Or has he already?"
"I’m not interested in being mates with anyone. I was sold to him by my own lover and…" I couldn’t finish. My eyes stung with tears.
This should never have happened. I shouldn’t even be thinking about accepting, rejecting, or running from an Alpha werewolf, not when the goddess had made everything right back then by pairing me with Damon.
"If you don’t want a mate, why not tell him?" Kate asked. I could swear it was the most naive thing she’d ever said.
"You know the Lycan King better than I do. What will he think if I say I’m not interested? I’m not even in his league. My wolf is weakened by silver, and he knows it. He didn’t treat it. He likes me this way: weak and obedient to him. I…" My voice broke, and she hugged me again.
"Anytime you feel anxious, come to me. Kick me, hit me if you must. I don’t care. Just don’t let yourself be crushed by this. We’re in this together, and I know plenty of ways to protect you. But you have to keep telling me so I can help," she said. Her words soothed me, and I let out a deep breath.
The clock ticked. Through my blurred vision, I saw it was 8 a.m.
"I need to go clean up his room. I’ll be right back," I said, lowering my head. "Thank you, ma’am."
The words, the hug, the calm presence - Kate reassured me that my life could be better, that I didn’t have to be afraid. It reminded me of my late mother, who would rub my head and promise me my future would be bright.
I put on my work dress and hurried to his room. Everything I needed was always there, so I went empty-handed.
I pushed the door open and found him inside. For a moment, I wondered if he had any real duties in the pack. I always seemed to find him here in the mornings. Or maybe I was just overthinking.
"Good morning," I said, bowing my head. He didn’t reply. Neither did I. I moved to his desk and saw how scattered his diaries were.
I knelt down, gathering the books to put them back on the shelves. I was almost finished when my eyes caught the bold title on one of the larger books.
Two names were engraved at the bottom: Ariana and Olivia. My heart skipped. This was exactly what I needed: to read their story, to understand Cassius a little better.
I glanced at him. He wasn’t looking my way.
Carefully, I placed the book at the end of the shelf where I’d remember it. Could there be a time when I’d be in his room and he wouldn’t?
I wouldn’t even tell Kate about this. She might report me for trying to read the Alpha’s journal. But was that really my fault?
I fetched the broom and mop, cleaned every corner, rearranged the wallpapers, and moved to make his bed.
Again.
He looked up and stared at me.
"I want to lay the bed, please," I said, rolling my eyes in my head when he didn’t stop staring. "Pleaseee?"
"Have you taken your medicine this morning, little Camilla?" He asked, calm but suspicious. I frowned. I hadn’t told him I was sick. No one had given me medicine.
"I’m not sick."
"Oh, I think you are," he said, standing. I stepped back, but he followed until my back hit the wall. "If you weren’t sick, the first thing you’d ask me is why I didn’t come to your room last night, after promising to. And even if you couldn’t say it, why wouldn’t you think to answer me before asking something?"
His scent filled my lungs. My clothes shifted under his closeness, the fabric loosening.
I wanted to escape, but the scent overwhelmed me, making me believe he was right, making guilt crawl in. It was stronger than ever, probably because I’d finally accepted Damon’s rejection.
"I’m sorry," I murmured.
"I forgave you before you even apologized, little Camilla. And that’s because I’m going to put you through a test," he said. I looked up into his eyes, and he seemed to like that.
His hands rested on my waist, his nose brushing mine as he whispered, "Have I shown you around the pack?"
"No," I breathed.
"I haven’t shown you the Elders, or that we have weekly meetings?"
"No," I breathed again, our skin contact sending tingles through me.
"We have one this afternoon. I’ll tell you what to wear, and what I’ll wear."
How was that my business? Wear what you want.
"And you’re not leaving after making the bed. You’ll check my outfit, dress me, and…" His gaze dropped to my chest, then back to my eyes. He sighed.
"You’ll start from scratch: take me to the restroom, bathe me, pick a suit from the wardrobe, dress me, comb my hair. Then you’ll get dressed, and we’ll go to the meeting together," he said. "Why does it feel like you’re hesitating? Are you?"
"No," I whispered, my voice tinged with fear.
"I knew you couldn’t," he said, stepping back. I felt the relief of space between us. "How did I tell you to start?"
"I think I should make the bed first."
"You can do that while tending to my skin," he said more calmly. "For now, I feel groggy. Take me to the restroom."
It was sickening to hear a man so big act so childishly to someone as small as me. But like the little ant I felt I was, I had no choice but to obey.