Chapter 5-Second chance mate

Camilla’s POV

It was evening, and I had just been informed that Alpha Leo and his family had arrived in our territory, and Father had gone to escort them. As much as I am against this union, I know it is necessary for the safety of the pack, my child, and myself.

I stood in front of the mirror, checking myself one more time. I wore an off-shoulder dress that reached my knees, and I had my hair pulled up to show off my long neck.

I hoped the night would bring more grace and joy from the goddess. I had heard rumors about the Snow Wolves Alpha, none of which were negative.

The door swung open, and I knew without a doubt it was Marcel. He was the only one who barged into my room without bothering to knock, not that it mattered. He dashed in, a toy clutched tightly in his little hands.

"Mummy, look!" he exclaimed, his eyes shining with excitement.

I turned towards him, a smile spreading across my face. "What is it, sweetheart?" I asked, bending down to his level.

With a mischievous grin, Marcel opened his mouth wide, revealing a gap where one of his teeth used to be. I couldn't help but gasp in surprise. "Oh, baby, your tooth has fallen out!" I exclaimed, both amazed and touched by this.

Marcel giggled gleefully. "Yes, mummy! And I put it under my pillow for the tooth fairy to come get it just like grandpa told me to," he explained proudly.

I chuckled softly, feeling a wave of nostalgia wash over me. "That's wonderful, sweetheart," I said, gently ruffling his hair.

As I lifted him up into my arms, Marcel looked up at me with big, pleading eyes. "Mama, are you going out again?" he asked, his voice tinged with disappointment.

I shook my head, smiling fondly at his eagerness. "No, baby, we're having guests downstairs and I wouldn’t be going anywhere," I replied, trying to sound firm yet gentle.

Marcel's face fell momentarily, but then he brightened up again.

"Can I join you?" he asked eagerly.

I couldn't help but laugh at his persistence. "It's close to your bedtime, sweetheart, and besides, you have to wake up early to help grandpa in the office," I reminded him gently. I knew of his habit of tending to my father in his office. My father had mentioned times without number that the pack would certainly go to Marcel when he passed on, as he had already started showing alpha characteristics. So, he took it upon himself to train him for his forthcoming duties.

"But I don't want to sleep, please!" Marcel pleaded, his bottom lip jutting out in a pout. I didn’t want to bring him along just yet as I didn’t know how our guest would react.

Before I could respond, the door creaked open once more, and our maid stepped into the room, looking slightly flustered.

"Sorry for interrupting, but the alpha has arrived with the guest," she announced, her voice apologetic.

I nodded in understanding, giving her a reassuring smile. "Thank you, Maria," I said gratefully.

I knew Marcel would throw a fit, so I agreed to bring him along to dinner. With Marcel still in my arms, I made my way out of the room and descended the stairs towards the dining area. As we approached, the sound of voices grew louder, and Marcel began to wriggle excitedly in my arms.

Sensing his eagerness, I gently lowered him to the ground, and he took off running towards the dining room, his footsteps echoing on the polished marble floors.

I followed closely behind, a smile playing on my lips as I watched Marcel dart around the corner and into the room. Just as I entered, I heard his excited voice ring out.

Papa! Guess what? I lost my tooth!" he exclaimed, his eyes alight with excitement.

I couldn't help but smile at the sight of him, his face flushed with joy as he proudly announced his news to my father, who was seated at the head of the table.

As Marcel chartered away animatedly, I took a moment to survey the room and take stock of our guests. I could see that they were already seated and waiting for dinner.

Sitting opposite my father was an older man who I assumed was my father's friend, and close to him was an older woman who I assumed was his mate. And then my eyes fell on Leo; he turned to meet my gaze, and I could feel my eyes flash.

The whole room gasped. I stood there shocked. We had just experienced a shock, which meant that Leo was my mate.

“How,” I heard Leo whisper as he stood up from his seat and walked to me. I looked up at his imposing height. He had blonde hair which stopped at his shoulders and blue eyes which seemed to shine brighter as he approached me. His chest was packed with muscles which showed off his effort in the gym, and he was handsome.

Whatever the trick the moon goddess is playing, I don’t understand. It turns out she had matched me with Leo as my mate. Though Enzo wasn’t my fated mate, we had built up a matebond. As soon as Leo reached me, he reached out and held my hand in his, sparks flew as he touched me, something I had missed for so many years.

“The goddess sure has her ways. It’s an honor to meet you,” he said. His voice was the deepest and manliest voice I have ever heard.

“It’s an honor to meet you too,” I replied as we went along and took our seats. My father and Leo’s father congratulated me and Leo on our bond. Except his mother, she sat still as she drank wine from her cup, refusing to meet my eyes and not saying a word.

The men carried on with conversations on pack politics, and I could see Leo’s eyes slip to me every once in a while. I wiggled in my seat from his gaze. I was confused and scared. I wasn’t healed from my past relationships, and now the goddess decided to throw another mate my way.

“Alpha Leo, welcome to the family,” my father said to Leo, and I could see him grin.

“Thank you, Alpha Matt. Your approval means everything to me. I would do everything to make your daughter happy,” he said. I could see my father's eyes glow with happiness.

“Papa, can I go to the toilet?” Marcel said to my father.

“Oh child, go get Maria to help you,” I answered him as he ran off to get her.

“And you get a broken one, huh?” Leo's mother, whose name I have come to know as Evelyn, said. I was broken by her words. Her words hit me hard, but how dare she. I knew she had no right to decide what went wrong in my former relationship. Before I could give her a piece of my mind, mother-in-law or not.

“What did you say to me?” I asked her, and I could feel the men freeze with tension. I wanted her to say it loudly before I could react.

“My son would not go for a discarded woman, a broken one with a kid at that,” she snapped at me. I didn’t have an opportunity to reply when her mate said.

“Evelyn, enough!!” Leo’s father scolded her as he looked at her with an angry gaze. Meanwhile, Leo seemed so shocked by his mother's outbursts.

“Don’t tell me what to do, Clinton,” she snapped back at her mate.

“Mother, the goddess has decided. You can’t have a say in this matter,” Leo replied.

“The goddess decided your former mate, and you dumped her. You can surely leave this one. I’m sure the goddess would give you another one,” she replied.

I just didn’t have the strength for this as I picked myself up from the seat and ran out of the dining.

“Camilla, wait,” Leo called out, but I wasn’t intending on stopping. His mother had just opened up my old wounds again.