Strange Emotions

Camille's POV

I was sitting at the edge of the red bed sheet on the bed. I was mortified, to say the least.

Slave? The hell! Did I look like one to him?

I had had the gut feeling from the onset that this was a bad decision, but I had gone ahead and signed the damn contract. Now what?

I get to be called a slave? That was worse than living the life of an omega!

The door to the queen-sized room opened slightly, with Skyla peering in, half-smiling.

She walked in quietly, only breaking the silence when she tried to clear her throat. “Hey.”

“Hey.”

“Alpha Vikron didn't mean what he said in the woods. I think he has a good re…” I wasn't ready for Skyla's diplomatic sessions, not tonight.

“I don't want to hear it, Skyla,” I snapped.

“I know you're hurt, but he didn't mean to hurt you.”

Spfff, I scoffed. “Yeah, sure. He didn't want to. He told me he couldn't call me his mate! Like I cared!” I sighed, trying to suppress the anger I was feeling, but it wasn't working.

“I think you're taking it too seriously, you know.”

I snapped back, “No, I'm not. He already has his perfect match, so he has no reason to call me mate.”

Skyla gave me a long shot. She chuckled and said, “I don't want to believe you're jealous, Camille.”

This time, I could feel my hands trembling from anger. I stood up from the bed. “Then don't believe it. I have never been jealous about any man! Never.” I put one hand on my hip.

Skyla smiled and shook her head in puzzlement.

“There's nobody in Vikron's life,” she said, standing behind me, giving me enough space to cool off. She could easily read me.

“I saw them. After the meeting with the pack leaders and warriors, I saw them outside. He stood so close to her, like he wanted to feed on her.”

Skyla, who had been putting on a face, couldn't help it anymore and continued laughing uncontrollably. I wanted to physically throw her out of the room.

I squared my shoulders and looked her in the eye.

“I'm sorry… it just sounded so hilarious,” she said, struggling to control her breathing.

“Why did he want me to sign the marriage contract with him?” I asked.

Skyla stopped laughing. All traces of jokes and laughter were gone. “I don't know, Camille. But Alpha Vikron isn't someone to make rash decisions or put himself out. If he wanted you to sign it, then I think it's something important.”

“He didn't want to acknowledge that in front of Sigewuf. The same man he has been presumably waiting for a long time.”

“Camille, let him handle things his own way. Alpha Vikron isn't trying to use you or make you less than what you're not. You have to trust him.”

I rolled my eyes, feeling ashamed at my level of anger over not being called a mate. What was even wrong with me? This place and this MAN were making me act foolishly.

“Get some rest. You'll need lots of it tomorrow,” Skyla said, giving my shoulder a gentle squeeze before putting on a cunning smile.

“Have a mental funeral, Skyla. Forget I said anything at all,” I glared at her.

She placed her hand on her lips, pretending it had a zipper, and she was pulling it close. “Sealed.”

“No. Have a mental funeral.”

She still had that smile on when she shut the door.

I threw the pillow over my face as I sank backwards into the bed. I think my period was close. It just had to be the classic explanation for the venting of anger and rush of emotions I felt tonight.

“Help me,” I muttered to no one in particular, as the cold night air swept over my skin.

I had no idea when I drifted off to sleep, but it felt like I had only closed my eyes for a second when the sound from outside made me stir from my sleep.

Turning to the clock sitting beside my bed, it was 9:36 a.m. Shit! I rushed out of bed, had a quick change, and hurried to Skyla's room, but she had probably left for training.

I made my way down the stairs when the noise I heard from my room began again, but this time, the voices were clearer. They sounded familiar.

Pulling the door to the mansion open, the voice was even more distinct. I could recognize it even if I had gone blind. It was father.

All five heads turned toward my direction as I stepped out. As our eyes locked, I could feel the intensity of father's gaze. But for some reason, I couldn't understand. Instead of sinking into a corner, I worked my walk forward, head held high. I stopped beside Alpha Vikron, watching the others recoil in shock. They had not seen this version of me coming.

“You finally got what you always wanted, right?” The voice wasn't father's. I knew who it was. I didn't need to turn around to figure that out, even though he was not standing with father and Devon.

A slow smile crept onto my face as I turned around. “Hello, Conrad. I'm glad to see you,” I said, stretching my hand for a shake.

“How dare you, Camille Loeka!” Father yelled, rushing toward me, his face red with steam.

I closed my eyes, expecting the worst, but nothing came.

Opening my eyes gently, it was Vikron's back I could see. He was standing in front of me. Then I saw it. He had stopped father with one firm grip.

“Nobody touches her,” Vikron commanded, using his alpha’s tone I had heard only once. “Unless, of course, you're prepared for a funeral.”

“You have no right to tell me what to do with my daughter or not,” father was saying.

“You equally have no right to tell me what you should or would do to my mate!” Vikron sneered, causing gasps to escape the lips of mother and some of the pack members outside.

I could feel the goose bumps on my skin.

“What?” Conrad's voice reflected the disbelief on his face.

“She's now my mate,” Vikron declared, pulling me to stand beside him.

It felt like time was suspended.