Chapter 4

**Camilla's POV**

I couldn’t breathe.

Every gasp of air felt like needles pricking my lungs. I didn’t care which direction I ran; I just wanted to get away from him—my mate.

Fingers clasped around my arm, and I was spun around.

“Camilla…” My eyes were closed, and I shook my head. No, I didn’t want him here; I didn’t want to see him.

“Camilla!” he called again. I hissed, opening my eyes and jerking my hand back.

“Leave me the fuck alone!” I tried to say with as much venom as I could muster, but it came out as a weak whisper instead. “Please,” I added, and even though it was summer, I felt cold—empty—and wrapped my arms around my shoulders.

I was silent for a moment until—

“I’m sorry,” Seth said, and I scoffed. I placed my hand on my forehead and paced back and forth while shaking my head.

“Y-you’re sorry?” I laughed without any mirth, my body shaking from what I had just found out. “You have a wife and a child, and you’re telling me that you are sorry? Why didn’t you tell me?” I cried, fisting my hair. It felt like I was going mad, but I couldn’t stop. “You… Y-you even slept with me!” I added, and Seth ran his hand over his face.

“You were in heat, Camilla!”

I laughed and pressed my back against a tree. “You could have told me. You had so many chances, and you could have told me that you were married.” I pressed my hand to my eyes and slid down the tree, the roughness of it not enough to ease the pain in my heart.

“You’re right—I could have told you, but I didn’t. Being with you felt… right. Like nothing I have ever felt before.”

A laugh broke out of me at his words, and I looked up at him. “So, what about your wife? Do you not love her?” Seth’s jaw tightened, and I watched as he swallowed harshly.

“I’m sorry.”

Those words were enough to break me. Here I was, thinking that I had finally found my escape, but as the universe would have it, that would, of course, never be possible for me.

Slowly, I stood up and forced a small smile onto my lips. “Now what? Will you reject me?” I asked, my eyes on the dried leaves and pebbles below us.

Seth stepped closer to me, and I took a shaky breath and looked up at him. “I am not a man who believes in rejections, Camilla, so no, I do not plan on ever rejecting you.”

I took a step back, needing enough space to think and breathe without his scent clouding my thoughts. “But you still chose her over me. You have a family, Seth. What am I supposed to do?” I asked, but even he looked confused.

Before Seth could say anything, the sound of twigs snapping underfoot echoed, and we both turned to see her.

“Tracey…” Seth trailed off, and a relieved smile formed on her lips when she spotted him, but it wavered a little when she noticed me.

“Honey, I have been looking for you.” She breathed heavily and stopped next to my mate. “I was wondering why you suddenly ran off—” she paused and turned to me. I quickly shielded my face with my hair. “—is everything okay?” I knew her question wasn’t directed at me, so I used the opportunity to clean my wet face.

“Uhm… yes. I was just making sure she was okay.”

I slightly turned my head and saw Tracey smiling at Seth lovingly. My heart clenched. She turned to me, and I cleared my throat, avoiding her eyes. “Is everything okay?” she asked with so much concern, and I forced myself not to glare at her. None of this is her fault.

Before I could speak, Seth did. “Yes, love. She’s just a bit shaken up.” Tracey scowled at him and came closer to me.

“She has a mouth, Seth. Let her speak for herself.” I cleared my throat and tried to force a smile onto my lips.

I took a shaky breath. “You don’t have to worry, I—I’m fine,” I said. Tracey looked into my eyes and then shook her head.

“You really do look shaken up.” She said, wrapping her slender fingers around my hand. “You should come back with us to the house and rest.”

Before I could say anything, she was already leading me out of the forest. I looked back to see Seth, who was standing there looking as panicked as I felt.

“You don’t have to worry, I—” “I know what you’re going to say. You’ll say that you are fine, but I am not convinced. As the new Beta’s wife, it is also my duty to help pack members.”

We were already at the front door of the house before another word could leave my mouth. Tracey pushed the door open, and I sucked in a breath. Sitting on the floor was a little boy no more than three years old. The ground was scattered with toys, and the walls were adorned with pictures—pictures of them as a family.

I found it hard to breathe. Tracey pointed to the couch, and I sat because it felt like my legs would give out at any moment.

The little boy walked up to me and placed his hands on my lap. I couldn’t help it as a small smile found its way to my lips. “What’s your name?” I asked him. The boy pouted for a second before saying,

“Jorge.”

My breath caught in my throat, and I turned my head to the side, seeing Seth looking at us. As I watched Tracey walk up to him and place her arm around his waist, and then looked down at the kid who was still staring at me with such innocence, I knew I couldn’t be the one to tear this family apart.