Chapter 5

Camille's POV

In the restaurant, Travis stared at me, his blue-gray eyes full of concern.

"Are you really sure about this, Camille?"

I nodded, my fingertips tracing the edge of the violin case.

"After my mom died, this was the only thing that got me through the hardest days. Every time I play, I remember her teaching us. I was such a fool—I let it collect dust for five years all for an alpha who wasn't worth it."

I let out a self-deprecating laugh.

"Besides, Rowan's health is back on track. He's the future leader of the Aurora Shadows and he's found a new mommy. He hasn't needed me for a long time."

"What about Lucian?" Travis asked. "With his ego, how's he going to react to you going back on stage?"

At the mention of that name, my gaze turned cold.

"My life belongs to me now. I don't need anyone's permission, especially not his."

Travis watched me for a moment, his worry deepening.

"Have you thought this through? That arrogant prick has always seen you as his property. He never liked you being around me."

"Nobody cares what he thinks."

When I first got with Lucian, I cut off all contact with Travis just because Lucian said he didn't like the guy.

Guilt washed over me at the thought. I leaned forward and took his hand.

"Listen, Travis, I owe you an apology. I was so stupid back then."

Travis shook his head and squeezed my hand back. His palm was warm and dry, giving me a strange sense of peace. "No, you don't owe me anything. It's my fault for not keeping the promise I made to your mother. I let you suffer in that pack for way too long."

I was about to say something to comfort him when a familiar voice piped up.

"Oh, Camille, what a coincidence. Am I interrupting your date?"

I turned around to see Lara standing behind me, arms crossed, wearing that fake smile I hated.

Meeting her twice in one day felt like a curse from the Moon Goddess.

"Lucian finally makes it home, and you—the woman who claims to love him—leave him in an empty house so you can come out on a date with another male? That's not a great look, is it?"

She sounded so innocent, playing the holy angel while making me out to be the heartless villain.

I set my fork down and caught the glint of triumph in her eyes.

"Why is Lucian rarely home? Because you occupy every second of his time with your pathetic excuses. Lucian isn't here, Lara. You can stop playing dumb."

Lara instantly looked panicked and reached out to grab my arm.

"Oh Camille, you've got it all wrong, I didn't mean it like that..."

I pulled my hand back, rolling my eyes.

"Save it. Lucian's not watching. Quit the act—it just makes you look cheap."

"Ah!"

The second I pulled away, Lara let out a sharp shriek. She threw herself backward with dramatic force, as if she'd been shoved by a massive wave.

Before I could even react, a tall figure charged forward with a violent aura, catching her before she hit the ground.

"Lara! Are you okay?"

It was Lucian.

Lara looked up, her face pale and her eyes brimming with tears, looking completely victimized.

"I'm fine... don't be mad. I'm sure Camille didn't mean it. She's just in a bad mood after what happened today. Please don't blame her, okay?"

Lucian's golden wolf eyes flared with pure rage.

He finally looked at me, his voice bone-chilling.

"Apologize to Lara. Right now."

I laughed. This scene had played out a thousand times over the last five years.

The old me would have panicked, explaining myself and begging for his forgiveness.

I knew that if I didn't bow down, Lucian would ghost me for weeks—he wouldn't come home, he'd block me on the mind-link, he'd even take Rowan away for days without warning just to punish me.

He'd do it until I obeyed.

Thinking of that, I let my own aura flare out to push back against him.

"Why should I?"

Lucian froze, as if I'd just told a ridiculous joke.

"What did you say?"

I stood up and looked him right in those threatening eyes.

"When I cared about you, every word you said was like a command I had to follow. But now? I don't care about you."

I took a step closer.

"So, who the hell do you think you are?"

Lucian's breath hitched.

I wasn't the Camille who lived in his shadow anymore.

His chest heaved as his gaze darted between me and Travis, his eyes bleeding into a crazed scarlet.

"Mommy, how could you turn into this?"

I flinched. Rowan peeked out from behind Lucian, looking at me with pure judgment before turning a worried face toward Lara.

"You owe Lara an apology."