CHAPTER THREE

It’s when Robert is leaving, I beg him, “This whole situation seems strange. Don’t leave me here. I want to go home.”

“This is your new home, Danielle,” Robert’s voice is harsh. “You are not a child anymore. Try to get to know Cameron and life will be easier for you.”

“But-” Tears are in my eyes.

“Good God, Danielle!” Robert bursts out, displeased. “You’re acting as if I’ve thrown you to the dogs! The Moores have a whole mansion! They are rich beyond belief! They are respected in the pack! What more do you want? If I had known you were this spoilt, I would never have considered you!”

His outburst makes me freeze.

He gives me a sharp look, “This is your life and if you were smart about it, you would make do with this rather than acting like an infant. And till you come to terms with your new living situation, you are not to contact your old pack.”

I watch him leave, my heart in my throat.

My father’s aloof behavior and the Alpha’s cruel dismissive tone has me frightened out of my mind. I look back at the mansion, my hands shaking.

Why is this happening to me?

*

"Danielle," Vivian says when I finally enter the drawing room again. "Why don’t you rest for a while? I’m sure the journey was hard on you. I’ve asked one of the staff to prepare a separate room for you since Cameron is a little upset."

Speaking of Cameron, he is nowhere in sight, and neither is his father, Michael.

A maid leads me to a bedroom which screams wealth and privilege. Any other time, I would have been beyond excited to call such a room my own, but I feel none of the happiness inside of me. There’s only dread and apprehension.

A knock on the door, around an hour later has me sitting up. Without waiting for a response from me, a woman walks in, “You must be Danielle.”

She’s an attractive red head with blue eyes and a confident gait. She’s taller than me and more voluptuous.

“Who are you?"

She looks me down top to bottom before smiling.

It looks like a predator sizing up her prey.

"My name is Ness," she says, dismissively. "I’m something of a house manager here.”

"Oh," I don’t know what else to say.

"I used to be Cameron's mate’s personal assistant before she died,” Ness continues, walking around the room and inspecting every corner.

For a moment, I don’t say anything and then I ask, hesitantly, “What was she like?"

Ness is looking out the window now and I see her form stiffen before she says carefully, “Maria was beautiful. Cameron was quite besotted by her. You’re quite the opposite of her, looks wise.”

I flinch.

Ness plucks the covers with her fingers. "They used to make love in this bed. When Cameron was feeling a little rowdy."

Her words are like a slap. "What?"

She looks at me and smiles, showing her teeth, "Cameron has quite the appetite and kinks. He likes to make his claim open. His parents were always mortified."

She laughs. "Sometimes they wouldn't come up for air for days."

I cannot believe what I'm hearing. I don't want to think about my future mate having sex with someone else! Right here where I'm laying!

"Why are you telling me this?" I ask, feeling uncomfortable and wanting her to leave,

"You're not interested in your future husband's needs?" She takes a step towards me.

"I’d rather hear it from him than you."

Ness laughs, a tinkling sound, "You know, I know him better than anyone, perhaps even Maria.”

I stare at her, not knowing how to respond.

She seems delighted at the look on my face, "Oh, sweetie...you have no idea what you're getting yourself into."

"W-What do you mean?"

She grabs my wrist viciously and tugs me closer. "I spent three years watching him fawn all over her instead of me. There's no way in hell I'm spending another day watching him do the same with you.”

Shock hits me like a ton of bricks as I realize what she is saying.

“He will be my lover,” Ness sneers at me. “You’re never going to get him close enough to your bed. I’m going to make sure of it.”

She heads out of the room and slams the door behind her.

I'm left reeling from her words, and I realize I'm shaking.

I sink into the bed and curl up, pulling the covers over my head.

I feel like I’ve been thrown in an ocean where I keep getting pulled under. I don’t know how to fight against Ness who seems determined to take Cameron from me, the mate who isn’t even mine yet.

I miss my home and family

There’s a knock on the door a few hours later and when I open it, I see Cameron standing there.

Hope is a warm bloom inside of me, “Cameron. Would you like to come in?”

He stares at me and then shakes his head. He looks uncomfortable, “Look, I just came to say a few things.”

“You can come in and –”

“I’d prefer standing here,” is his abrupt response which squashes the ember of hope within me.

He looks frustrated, “Look, you’ll be well cared for here. You’ll have money and wealth and whatever else you need. But don’t hold out hope when it comes to me.”

My heart is sinking as I look at him, “But I came here for you-”

“I’ve said what I’ve said,” he says, harshly. “I have nothing against you. So just stay away from me and don’t come chasing after me.”

My eyes fill will tears, and I see a trace of remorse in his expression.

“Look, I’m sorry. I didn’t want things to turn out this way.”

“But-”

“I’m sure you’re a good person but you’ve just been dealt a bad hand in life. I’m sorry about that. I really am.”

His words are confusing and when he leaves, I close the door, staring at the plush carpet beneath my feet.

‘Dealt a bad card in this life?’

Why did his statement sound so ominous?