LOGINCamille's POV
"Camille, don't you want to give Rowan a complete family?"
"Because Lara is running out of time. She can't be Rowan's mother and your mate forever, and that's why you haven't rejected me yet, isn't it? If Lara were perfectly healthy, you would have kicked me out of the pack without a second thought and made her your new luna," I said.
Lucian finally lost his patience. "Camille, can you stop being so unreasonable? These are all just your baseless, malicious a
Camille's POVHer words cut right to the rawest, most buried nerve inside me. My talent absolutely justified today's victory, but the five years I had lost—the five years I was forced away from the stage—would always be a lingering ache in my chest."A win is a win," I countered smoothly, slipping my hands into my coat pockets."Gillian, instead of standing here throwing cheap shots at me, maybe you should head back to the pack and teach Rowan some actual manners."I shifted my gaze to Rowan. His amber eyes were locked onto mine, his lip trembling as if he were on the verge of tears."If he can't learn to genuinely respect and appreciate greatness in others, he'll never have what it takes to be a true Alpha."Having secured exactly what I came for, I had zero desire to stay here. I gave Elise a subtle nod, signaling it was time to leave.But as I took my first step toward the exit, Vivian pushed through the crowd, blocking
Camille's POVIt was honestly pathetic that he was still trying to squirm out of it.Without breaking a sweat, I pulled out a small voice recorder from my pocket and pressed play. Our recorded voices filled the room.His face contorted in a brief flash of panic. "No! You still didn't beat Lara fairly! The bet is void!"Right on cue, the dressing room door swung open again. Elise strode in, flanked by a trailing group of judges and parents."Wow. The Silver Lake pack really knows how to humiliate themselves on a public stage," Elise said, her eyes locked on Brad with pure, unadulterated disgust. "There were plenty of witnesses around when you made that bet, Brad. Don't play dumb."Declan walked in behind her, a dangerous, mocking smirk playing on his lips."As an Alpha, honoring your word is the bare minimum, Brad. Pushing the blame onto a literal pup just to hoard your precious little assets? Honestly, if you're that desperate for cas
Camille's POVThere were only the two of us left in the corridor.The air had gone dead and heavy, so quiet that the muffled sounds of applause and the host's closing remarks from the main stage leaked through the walls.My mother's moon soul stone. I was getting it back today, no matter what.I couldn't be sure if Lara and Lucian actually intended to keep their word.But honestly, even if they tried to back out, it didn't matter. I had a million ways to play them."You... you play the violin?"Lucian's voice was a rough, low growl. Something unreadable stirred in the depths of his eyes.I didn't bother denying it. "Yes."He stared at me, his gaze intense. "Why didn't you ever mention it?""Did you ever ask?" A bitter laugh slipped past my lips. "After I gave birth to Rowan, I told you I wanted to get a job. You were the one who told me Rowan needed me, that I should just stay within the pack borders and be a good
Camille's POVIt had been years since I last performed on stage. Though I never doubted my own skills, Vivian's praise still caught me off guard, leaving me flushed and at a loss for words.The he-wolf sitting next to her snatched the microphone, his voice buzzing with excitement. "I have to highlight the boy's solo. The moment he struck that first note, it felt like the entire piece was reborn around him. The arrangement played to his absolute strengths, completely restructuring the music around his artistic soul."The third judge nodded in agreement. Taking off his glasses, he wiped them slowly before sighing into the mic. "Let's be honest. In the previous performance, the adult's solo took up two-thirds of the piece. The child's part was painfully short, with zero solo time. This performance was the exact opposite. They transitioned seamlessly between solos and duets, and the kid's performance actually ended up being the crown jewel of the whole piece."
Camille's POV"I didn't expect Lara to be that professional.""No wonder Lucian abandoned his Luna for Lara and doesn't even hesitate to dote on her. The way she plays the violin is so graceful."The judges gave her a score of 99.9.That missing 0.1 was for Rowan.Lara held Rowan's hand and bowed, smiling confidently as though the wager was already hers.Afterward, she walked off the stage and went straight to her seat in the audience.Brad applauded her wildly and leaned over to say something.I didn't catch what he said, but judging by his lips, it wasn't hard to guess. He probably meant, "Now no one will pay attention to Camille's performance."I rested Midnight Galaxy on my shoulder and adjusted my chin against the chinrest.It was my turn.I led Finn onto the stage.When the lights came down, the audience was still noisy.Voices, shifting seats, judges whispering to each other... Everyone
Camille's POVI looked at the he-wolf before me, feeling that he was both familiar and strangely distant, and for the ten thousandth time, I felt incredibly relieved that I no longer loved him, that I would not fall under his spell again.I said, "Thank you for your kindness. Now, please step aside. It's my turn to take the stage."I kept my expression perfectly neutral, and he frowned.Holding Finn's hand, I walked right past him.He probably hadn't expected me to refuse so decisively. "Camille, do you really have to be this stubborn?"I paused for a moment."Didn't you want to help me? Then have Lara withdraw from the competition. That'll get you the same result." I turned back to look at him."Why does it have to be me who withdraws? Is it because in your mind, I'm the only one who's supposed to swallow my pride, while Lara gets whatever she wants?"Let's be honest, Lucian. You've never supported me."He stood
Camille's POVIn 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 re
Lucian's POVI didn't want Camille to ruin Lara's mood while she was prepping for her concert.To make it up to her, I canceled all my meetings and took her to almost every high-end music shop in the city.But every time a salesperson brought out a rare, million-dollar violin for her to try, her lo
Camille's POVLara's eyelashes fluttered like a startled rabbit's. She leaned into Lucian, defending herself in a soft whimper."I swear to the Moon Goddess, Camille, I never wanted to take anything from you. Lucian just couldn't stand to see me suffering alone... He's a great alpha with a kind hea
Camille's POVLucian started to say something else, but then—A frantic pounding hit the door, followed by the voice of a pack guard."Alpha Lucian, Lara collapsed! Should we rush her to the werewolf hospital downtown?"Lucian instantly tensed up. He shot me a look of pure disgust."If you're serio







