Camilla's POV
It didn’t take long to find out where the Beta’s study was. Lycan Cassius had asked me to change my duties for the day, as someone else would be cleaning his room in the meantime.
Even though I didn’t know where the Beta’s study was, he told me to go there and speak with Jace about taking on a new role in the pack. He handed me a note for Jace, and it felt as though his eyes followed me around the pack, watching to see if I would open it.
I rang the doorbell and soon heard footsteps clicking across the floor. Jace appeared in the doorway and opened the door. His lips stretched into a warm smile as he welcomed me inside. He had seemed moody earlier, but my presence appeared to change that.
“Little Camilla, how did you find me?” he asked with delight in his tone, ushering me to the seat across from him.
I let out a soft sigh. “The Lycan gave me the task. You know I was a top warrior in my former pack...it doesn’t take me long to find arenas.”
He let out a small laugh as he flipped through the pages of the large book in front of him. Then he raised his eyes to meet mine. “I haven’t been able to speak to you since the festival ended. Did you even go home yourself?”
“You don’t know what happened?”
He shook his head.
“He took me home himself. You were there when he pulled my hands quickly out of view and got me into his car. He brought me home safely but he didn’t let me enjoy the rest of the festival,” I said, my tone slightly slurred.
“That must sting,” Jace scoffed, looking away. “And… Camilla, what exactly are you here for?”
It suddenly felt like I was bothering him, so I quickly put on a businesslike expression and handed him the note. He read it in one glance and nodded.
“This makes sense. You’ll be assisting me with my duties for one week,” Jace said, rubbing his palms together in satisfaction, though he noticed the reluctance on my face. He didn’t press it, and neither did I.
All I could think about was how I was going to endure this torture of being sentenced to all sorts of humiliating tasks. Who knew if Jace would be worse? But who was I to complain?
Cassius had already made it clear there was no way out. I would have to adapt to this lowly lifestyle. What stung most was that my second-chance mate was the one doing this to me.
“You seem lost in thought. Are you alright?” Jace asked, coming closer, his palms resting on my shoulders.
I knew I couldn’t hide this much longer. If I wasn’t going to say it to Kate, then Jace would have to be my only option. And for Cassius, I couldn’t exactly discuss malaria with the mosquito.
“Do you know anything about Ariana and Olivia?” I asked quickly, hoping it would be a solid starting point.
“They were our previous Lunas. Why?”
“I want to know more about them. Did Cassius place his mark on them?”
“I’m not supposed to tell you this, but because of your irresistible beauty, I will. Yes, Cassius placed his mark on them, but he made them suffer so they would understand the worth of it. Sadly, they couldn’t endure the torture.”
“How?”
“Forget about it, little Camilla. It’s more complicated than it sounds.” He patted my back. “Do you want to start with the simplest task?”
“What are you talking about?” I asked in a hoarse voice. “They didn’t want to continue with the torture, so they chose to die?”
“You could say that. But all we were told was that they died mysteriously. Saying this in public would mean your death, Camilla. It’s best to keep quiet.”
“Yes, I want to keep quiet about it but I can’t. Lycan Cassius is my second-chance mate, and he hasn’t placed his mark on me. It’s starting to feel like I’m the third in line… and I could die mysteriously too.”
For a few seconds, Jace said nothing.
“Don’t think that way, Camilla. I wasn’t the Beta when the deaths happened, so I couldn’t investigate. I couldn’t defend Ariana or Olivia,” Jace said, his voice deeper now as he gently rubbed my back. “But I’m here to defend you and to advise you.”
“What do you think I should do? My wolf cries to be near my mate every time, but when I reach him, he either looks down on me or gives me reasons why I shouldn’t have a mate at all.” My eyes were already glossy.
“I’m sorry...I shouldn’t be saying this to you,” I chuckled softly, trying to end the conversation. A tear rolled down my cheek, and his fingers caught it, wiping it away.
“Don’t cry, Camilla. You’re making me emotional. Let me give you the best advice. Lycan Cassius isn’t a demon but thinking you’ll ever truly be mated to someone like him is like thinking you can drain the sea dry yourself,” Jace said, moving to sit directly in front of me and taking my palms in his.
“But he didn’t reject me. If he had, my wolf wouldn’t feel this pain every time he hurts us.”
Jace lifted my hands and kissed my right palm. Before he could do the same to my left, I pulled away.
“What?!”
“That’s just a gesture, little Camilla. Or maybe not. Ever since you arrived, my eyes have been on you. I like the beauty of your eyes, your features, your demeanor...everything about you. I’ve been waiting for the perfect moment to say this.”
I stared at him, frozen. Was this what he had been thinking all along?
“What? No, no, you can’t mean that,” I said, trying to free my hands. “The Lycan will strangle me if he ever finds out you said this.”
“He dares not. You’re a woman, you should be adored and cared for. You don’t deserve these tears. He’ll make you suffer and revel in it, but I’ll redefine what love means to you. Give me that chance, Camilla.”
“I’m sorry, I can’t do this. I’m trying to figure out what to do about Cassius, and you’re saying this?” I gritted my teeth. He shrugged, stood up, and returned to his seat.
“Never mind my words, little girl. Sit and let’s discuss your first task.”
“I’m not interested, please.” I started toward the door, but he laughed.
“It’s a command from Cassius. You’ll work with me for one week. He wants to test how well you can work with different people.” Jace rose slowly and walked toward me. I was still by the door when he reached me.
“Do you really want to suffer? Stay with Cassius. Do you want to enjoy my love, even if it’s just for this week? Come to me, and I swear I’ll give you everything you want. I’ll keep it secret and make sure Cassius doesn’t hurt you anymore.”
The closeness felt like a trap, his eyes tracing my face as though binding me with his words. I let out a deep breath and scoffed inwardly. This was spiraling into something dangerous. I needed solutions, and not complications.
“I’ll talk to my madam.”
“About my proposal of love to you?” he asked as I pulled the door open.
“I don’t know,” I said quickly.
“Won’t you even give me a hug?” Jace stood in the doorway, watching me walk away. I didn’t look back.
Cassius was a commanding boss, and for some reason, it felt like he had sent his Beta to test if I would fall for another man. I didn’t like Cassius, and I wanted him to reject me. I hated that he preferred to watch me and my wolf suffer rather than let me go.
When I reached my room, I pulled the door open and slammed it shut behind me. Suddenly, a wave of shock rippled through my spine to the surface of my skin. My body stiffened as my wolf started fading fast.
What the hell was happening to her?