Mate

Camilla's POV

The sound of low laughter jolted me awake as my eyes snapped open. Fear gripped my heart, and I clutched the sheets above me. Where was I?

I stared at the walls of the room, the wallpapers hung on each end, and the door made of mahogany, and slowly, my memories came back. Memories of last night swooned to my head, and I stretched out my arm. 

Getting up to turn the lights on, I felt a hand pat me on my back, and I froze up on the bed. I slowly turned to look back, but the person's voice reminded me of who it was before I could confirm for myself. 

"Did you have a bad dream? I'm sorry, I should have woken up long before you did," Kate, the mistress that was assigned to take care of me, said to me. Funnily enough, I didn't even know someone else slept beside me. I must have slept off last night. 

"No, it's nothing. I just wanted... to turn the lights on," I said in a low voice as I yawned. "I didn't even know when I slept off last night." 

She hopped off the bed in an instant and stood in front of me. That amazed me, I wouldn't lie. 

"It was cold. I had to cover you with these sheets while I watched your pretty eyes close up," she said in a warm tone and lowered her head. "Please, what can I do for you this morning? What do you need? Do you want to freshen up?"

This honor began to feel suspicious, and I had to rethink to confirm if it was Cassius who paid money to purchase me or if I was the one who paid to be here. I lowered my head, and my eyes spoke volumes. 

"Alright, I'll wait here till you need a thing," she said as she went to raise the curtains and turn on the lights. Everywhere felt so cool, so calm. I knew I had a good dream, but I didn't remember what it was all about. 

"What are my duties this morning?" I suddenly asked, and Kate glanced back at me and scoffed. She didn't say a word until I repeated the question. Maybe she felt the glance gave an answer to it already. 

"The Alpha has not asked me to assign any duties to you. He strictly warned me to do your will, and that's exactly what I am doing. Please don't stress yourself," Kate said and walked over to where I sat. She pulled up a stool and sat on it, staring into my eyes deeply before saying a word. 

"You still feel cold. I'll go make you a hot drink," she said and quickly got up before I could refuse. I wanted to decline the offer, but I needed it too, and by the look of things, she wouldn't stop moving to go get it done. 

She stood by the doorway and looked back at me. "If you need anything before I arrive, the two guards are right here. Just walk out of your room and talk to them." And then she slammed the door shut after her. 

I felt warm. I felt different. This princess treatment felt strange. This time in Damon's pack, I would have been up and training for hours. I stared at the wall clock, and it was just 8 a.m. 

I rose up and moved around the room, stretching my legs for warmth. Sleeping here and being overly comfortable didn't look good on me. I waited for a few minutes to talk to Kate about it, but she hadn't arrived yet. 

When I sat back in bed and my eyes caught the sight of the big wound just beside my navel, I let out a wince. It still hurt. In my human body. But my wolf? Destroyed beyond easy repair. 

As a reminder of how weak my wolf had become, I swallowed the thoughts of ever volunteering to work for the pack, until I would be told to do so. I knew Kate could help me with ways to strengthen my wolf, but the fear of being exposed consumed me and silenced my thoughts. 

And then I heard a creak at the door. My eyes quickly shifted towards it. It was pushed open, but no one came in, and there were no guards in sight. 

I scoffed a little and anticipated footsteps, but none came in. Was this how Kate wanted to be dramatic this early in the morning? Maybe she wanted me to walk over there, and then she would scare me. 

Well, may she do her best. I stood up in a bid to head towards the door when I noticed a large shadow print on the doorstep.

"Are these guards seriously playing with my intelligence?" I whispered to myself. "I was more than a guard in my pack. I know all these tactics."

Just the shadow. No one came in yet. I stepped forward and slumped to the ground as Cassius stepped his large feet into my room. I crawled up to the bed and sat on it as he approached me with rage on his face. 

He shut the door behind him and locked it. My heart skipped many beats. I raised my head but didn't stare at him. I was scared of how piercing his gaze could be. Every good feeling vanished, and panic filled my mind as he sat on the bed with me, not saying a word yet. 

"Hi Camilla, I was the one playing with your intelligence," he said in a low but deep tone. "Can I know the punishment I deserve now?" 

"I-I apologize..." I stammered, lowering my head now. "I didn't know you were the one standing there."

"Of course you didn't," he said with a sarcastic laugh. "Where is the mistress that I assigned to you?"

"She went to get me a drink," I replied in an instant.

He chuckled and cracked his palms. "I see. Confident Camilla. Sending wolves on errands in less than twenty-four hours of arrival." 

"She..." 

"Don't say a word," he said, and his voice was suddenly raised. "Haven't I told you to look at me when I am talking to you?"

I raised my eyes and looked at him. His gaze wasn't as hard as I thought, but I was only tolerating the harsh stares. 

"Did Jace give you the list of instructions on how you'll perform your duty?" Cassius asked, and everything went quiet. List of instructions? I tried to remember, but nothing came to mind. 

I shook my head in disagreement. "No." 

"And you didn't even ask?" 

I kept silent again. I knew it. This comfort wasn't supposed to come without effort. I knew I would be subjected to a lot of work, torture in disguise. 

"I will break his arm after I leave here. But for you, I will tell it to you now. And know that I am not a fan of repeating orders to people of low status," he continued, his voice sounding serious. "Each morning, you will come over to my room and make my bed, sweep the floors of my room, and arrange the books on my shelf. Until I nod my head in approval of the work you've done, you're not free to do whatever you like during the day. Understood?"

I nodded quickly. "Yes, Alpha. Understood." 

He stood up quickly and whooshed towards the door. He unlocked it, and Jace walked in with a smile. But Cassius returned the smile with a deadly smirk on his lips. 

"Why did you not instruct this little girl on what to do? I expected to see her in my room this morning," Cassius spoke warmly to Jace. "Aight, don't say a word. I told her already. By nighttime, come over to my office. I will break your right arm."

Jace lowered his head in submission, and Cassius growled at me. "You know where you should be." 

I got up quickly and got into the dress I took off last night. I didn't have more than that one piece of clothing. I rushed to get down to his office on time, and then I noticed Jace was still here. I felt grateful that I wore the clothes while the doors of the wardrobes were open. He could have stared at my nudity and enjoyed it for free. 

"Hi Camilla," he waved at me with a smile. 

"Hi Jace," I replied in an instant. He felt so warm and friendly. I approached the door, and I saw his arms widely open for a hug. I received it warmly, and he softly chuckled. 

"I will take you to Kate. She's in the kitchen. Her older mistress didn't let her get back to you," he said with another smile. 

"Of course, there's no problem," I said and locked my door as we both walked towards the kitchen. 

"That's it over there. I'll return to my duty post," he said and walked away. I quickly started walking towards the kitchen before several pairs of eyes would fall on me and start piercing me again. 

Midway to the kitchen, there was a little dark passage there. And a quiet small room. I didn't know what it was used for, but something in there drew my attention, and I stepped back to check. 

My wolf, that had felt crumbled many days ago, jumped to life as the air was heavy with deep scents. I sniffed the air strongly and took a deep breath. 

No, I couldn't leave without finding out what this meant to my wolf. Each step I took towards the room made my wolf jubilate and stay stronger. The wound was healing. Something strong, something potent and powerful, was working on my wolf. It was somehow connected to the deep scent, that sense of belonging and connection to someone, a root...

I took one step into the little dark room, and my eyes caught the green pair of eyes staring back at me with a smirk on his lips. I had stepped in already. Fear froze me to the spot, and the door banged shut. 

Before I could think of leaving, my wolf, who hadn't said a word for days, screamed internally. 

"Mate, mate!"