BONUS Chapter: The Claiming - David & Camilla

The Claiming

Alpha Female, when mated to an Alpha Male, they have a 95% chance of having a son as a firstborn. Because most Alpha families had sons, Alpha females were becoming scarce.

Thus the Claiming was born - all Alpha Females (up to the third degree) must be officially claimed during the Claiming by the most deserving Alpha or Beta.

It was considered a violation if an Alpha Female was claimed outside of The Claiming. Unless the female was claimed by her fated mate.  

The punishment for both the Alpha female and her chosen mate will be decided by the council.

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CAMILLA’s POV 

I let my gaze wander around the ballroom. My eyes feasted on the elegant decorations gracing the whole area. I smiled despite myself, but I didn’t know if the smile came from my heart or if I was just used to smiling to appease my father, Alpha Thaddeus.

Tonight, I will be claimed by Argon. I should be happy. There could be no better Alpha for me than him. Through the years, he had shown me respect and had never crossed the boundaries I’d set for our relationship. Although I felt nothing for him, at least I knew I could trust him. And I could finally get away from my father.

I was Alpha Thaddeus’ firstborn, a real Alpha Female. However, he would pass the Alpha title to my younger brother, Noah, because in the world we lived in, females were born to breed and not to lead.

So here I was. I have just turned 18 and am about to seal my fate.

But I wasn’t complaining. I would rather have Argon than the other arrogant Alphas around.

Only that a part of me hoped to at least know who my fated mate was. Before I turned 18, I was hoping it would be Argon just to avoid any heartbreak. But unfortunately, it wasn’t him.

After tonight, I would never have a chance to decide if I wanted my fated or not. Maybe it was the reason my father insisted on sending me and Argon to this Claiming as soon as I came of age. He couldn’t risk losing me and the alliance with Argon’s pack if I found my mate.

"Lost in your thoughts again?" Argon whispered in my ear. His breath ran on the skin of my neck, which sent goosebumps all over my body. He was really good-looking, and I would not deny that I was attracted to him. But I knew deep inside that something was missing.

I turned my head and offered him a playful smile. "I’m just soaking it all in. After all, this would be the only Claiming Ball I would attend. Unless, of course, if you abandon me in the arena and I have to go back next year?"

"Never." He took my hand and kissed it, but I didn’t even notice his action because my attention was drawn to a group of males that entered the ballroom.

My gaze was captivated in an instant.

I saw the greenest eyes I’ve ever seen, and once his gaze caught mine, everyone else faded out, including Argon. It felt like it was just him and me. 

A wonderful, intoxicating scent of sandalwood and mint swirled around me, and I felt a bond snap into place. The bond felt welcoming and warm, but I had no idea what that was. But I welcomed it wholeheartedly.

I closed my eyes to relish the scent, unaware that I was moaning softly. I was snapped back from my reverie when Argon squeezed my forearm tightly and pulled me into his chest, holding the back of my head to keep me in place.

A low growl reverberated into the air, and before I could understand what was happening, the man with the greenest eyes launched himself forward, only to be held back by the men he came in with.

Soon enough, my father came and stood beside me.

"Argon, get Camilla out here."She can stay in the room assigned to us until the Claiming." He ordered him in a low voice, just enough for us to hear.

I looked worriedly at the man a few feet away from us before I bobbed my head at my father’s demand. 

"You’re not taking my mate away from me!" The green-eyed man bellowed, and Argon’s hand tightened on my arms.

My eyes widened at the realization that he was my mate. With jaws open, I stared at him in awe before a shy smile slowly crept into my lips.

My father threw me a threatening glare, and in an instant, the smile was wiped off my face. My father has sent me a mindlink. 'Is it true? Deny it now; otherwise, you will never see your mother again.'

"You must have too much braveness in you to come and fake claim my daughter. Who are you?" My father, Alpha Thaddeus, asked in a thunderous voice.

"David. David Montrell. What’s your name?" He answered my father’s question, but his eyes were on mine. His voice sent tingles down my spine like it was caressing mine. And I liked it. I had never felt this with any other man before, not even with Argon.

And he asked for my name, but before I could open my mouth to answer, my father let out a loud, sarcastic laugh that hurt my ears.

"Montrell? Son of Carlos Montrell? Son of the Alpha who couldn’t even defend his own pack?  And what are you doing now? An ordinary wolf? A rogue? No! You must be dreaming! Tell me, Camilla, is he your mate?" My father’s eyes caught mine. His eyes dilated into full obsidian black, sending out a warning, and I felt my cheeks start to burn.

What should I do? I lowered my head in submission and answered in a low voice.

"He’s not." My voice broke.

I just rejected my mate. My own mate. Tears started to well in my eyes as another growl erupted in the air.

I looked up and met his green eyes. A flash of pain registered on them before he tore his gaze off me and walked away.

"Wait!" I tried to run after him, but Argon grabbed my wrist and pulled me back.

I watched with regret as he walked away, but to my surprise, he grabbed the she-wolf nearby holding a tray of wine, serving some of the guests, and pulled her into his arms, making her drop all the wine glasses on the floor.

As the glasses shattered to pieces, I let out a low growl, jealousy burning inside me. My wolf was in a rage, and so was I.

He threw me a quick glance before he crushed his mouth into hers and kissed her.

And my world collapsed. I felt my heart was shattering into pieces, but I couldn’t do anything.

Tears started to trickle down my face when a sudden pain hit me right across my chest. I clutched my heart with my hand and dropped to my knees, shrieking in pain.

And then the pain ended abruptly as he let go of the she-wolf. The physical pain subsided, but not the one in my heart. He kissed someone. It should have been me.

The silence was deafening. There was no more movement, no more noise, just the beat of my broken heart.

"Tell me now, Alpha Thaddeus, that your daughter is not my mate." He said in a calmer voice, breaking the silence as the whispers around us resurfaced.

My eyes still soiled with tears, were fixed on the floor. I didn’t have the courage to rise up from my knees or to at least tilt my head up - to watch him with another female broke me and I didn’t even know him. 

I was snapped out of my thoughts when I heard footsteps approaching until they stopped in front of me. My mate crouched on the floor on my level. A strong finger curled under my chin, tilting my head up to meet his piercing green eyes.

Sparks. Tingles. Warmth. Comfort. Security. Love.

Everything in just one touch.

"I’m sorry. I didn’t want to do that, but he left me with no choice. I needed to prove that you’re mine. I’m sorry if I hurt you." His voice was full of emotions I could never explain, but I sensed sincerity in it, and it was more than enough.

He dropped his hand away from my chin and I missed it instantly, only for him to hold my wrist in his hand. He gently trailed the marks that showed up on my wrist with his fingers.

I smiled as the spark and everything else returned to my body.

"I promise you, that would be the last time I would hurt you. Never again."

My mate. He wanted me.

"What’s your name?" He asked softly, his green eyes fixed on mine, not minding the chaos all around us.

"Camilla. My name is Camilla Furoway."

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I originally wanted to have this as a flashback but went against it because it would be somewhat boring if taken from David or Argon's POV, so I need to revive Camilla for this. ;)

I hope you liked this because I did! I kept it short just enough for the sparks and tingles to linger. Lol! 

Please leave a comment, review, or suggestions.

THANK YOU for reading and for all the GEMS, lovelies! Please keep them coming! :)

xoxo, Cassandra M