31- “Old friendships.”.Camilla Castello.By the time I left the library, I was pretty much flustered even though I tried to hide it. However, the blood rushing through my cheeks and the clenched fist by my side pretty much said a lot about that which I tried to keep hidden. Thankfully, there were no people in the hall, which saved me the embarrassment of them being curious as to why I’d be looking that way.Bringing the back of my hand to my cheeks, I tried to pat it in other to get rid of the red tint there no doubt, all the while trying to put as much distance away from the library as humanely, or in this case, as wolf-ly as possible. However, just as I’d taken a turn, about to fully leave the lane leading to the secluded library, I came to a stop when I spotted a familiar face approaching.He had his gaze set on his phone, but upon hearing the halt of footsteps, he looked up, and our gazes clashed. I’d already realized it was him, even without seeing his face. The mop of brown hai
31- “He is...”.Camilla Castello.My brows drew in, wondering what he’s suddenly into being honest about. “What is it?” I inquired, my lips slanted into a small frown.Caleb sighed, seemingly hesitating for a few seconds while his fingers still lined the rim of the coffee cup in a circular motion, then it stopped, and he met my gaze again. “You know we were friends before all of this, right?” He started, earning a nod from me. I didn’t say a thing, I just allowed him to carry on. He continued, his stern gaze meeting mine. “I know you, Camilla. Or I would like to believe I do. And as so, I doubt you showing up here after seven years of being absent is a coincidence as well.” He was doubting me, it’s so obvious from his tone.I smiled softly, before letting out a small scoff under my breath, my gaze flicking to my half drunken coffee. Bringing it to my lips again, I took another sip, before meeting his gaze. “That’s way too obvious, is it not?” I offered him another smile. “It cannot be
34- “Planning Ahead.” Camilla Castello. I spent the rest of the day alone, watching the guests from afar and drawing my inferences on each of them—specifically, the ladies or should I say, Lunas and partners of the Vampire leaders. You know, sometimes stuff you read on paper is different from how people truly are in real life, so, I wanted a kind of overlook before we all meet together—so I can know how to approach certain people, what to do, what to avoid, and how to handle them. Once I deemed myself of enough knowledge of them all from an onlooker’s point of view, I made my way back to my room, where the slideshow of information on them given to me by Ria awaits me. The three are still not back from their meeting, or wherever they decided to venture afterwards but I did not mind. The alone times gives me space to gather my thoughts and do my own thing free of them. My dinner was delivered to my room—upon Cassain’s instruction according to the person that brought it. I am not fool
35- “Threat or Not.”Adrian Moretti.“You have met her?” Caleb inquired, surprise lacing his tone as he followed me with his questioning gaze, his eyes dilated slightly, “Like one on one, just the two of you together?” He elaborated, wanting to get the full concept of what transpired properly.I hummed, nodding my head as I fixed my necktie in place to perfection, before picking up the suit jacket to shrug it on. “In the library, yes,” I confirmed what I had already told him. “I ran into her there and we talked.” I would like to say we did more than talking, but that was truly all we did—even if there were some indirect implications in our conversation that has me feeling the same way I felt around her again earlier.Fuck. I tried to shoo those thoughts away, reminding myself that there’s more to what our relationship was then just physical intimacy. Though the sizzling tension between us earlier was hard to miss, and I find myself wondering whether she felt the same thing I felt. Did
34- “Mates and Partners.”Adrian Moretti.“This is just a meeting, a formality of some sorts so all you two need to do is hold up conversation for a short while, before you leave if you want to,” Caleb focused his attention on me when he said this, “and I know you want to, so please hold it in for just thirty minutes at least.”I sighed, looking away as I shook my head before meeting his gaze again, “Remind me again why I am doing this?” I inquired, running a hand over my growing beard as I grumbled the words out, because like he said, I want nothing to do there.Caleb gave me a deadpanned look, “Because you are the Alpha King now, and you need to be on good terms with the Alphas underneath you,” He responded, as if it is the most logical thing ever, “Besides, these three Alphas are the most powerful under you so you will need them sooner or later. With the way things are now, they are a little bit wary of you considering how things ended with…” He trailed off, his head tilted to the
Adrian Moretti.Why do I have to get them to soften up to me? There is no need for that. All they need to do is follow me and be the good subordinates they are, nothing more.You might think it is wrong for the king to have these thoughts, but you will understand when we meet the said people. I have a reason for having that belief, a valid reason I would like to believe but you will get it later on.The drive to the restaurant where the reservation as made took a little over twenty minutes away from the resort. We could have just had the meeting there considering everyone is there, but there are too many eyes there, so we are seeking privacy in a place where there will be more security—a place where there are many humans, so we would blend in just like any other humans having business meetings at night.Upon arriving at the restaurant, Caleb remained in the car with the driver leaving Roseline and I to make our way in. When we stepped out and I rounded the car, she slipped her hand ar
37- “Promises.” Adrian Moretti.Alpha Harden chuckled, as if he did not just say something wrong. “I mean…” He grumbled out in his deep voice, his expression filled with amusement. “…I am just relaying the worries of your loyal subjects, Your Highness.” The mocking tone of his is hard to miss. “You were well known for your player ways back in the day, and I am not saying there is anything wrong with having a rendezvous, I mean, who can live with just one woman? Right?” He released another chuckle, somehow the bullshit his mouth is spilling is making sense to his ears.The Alpha beside him, Kieran picked it up from there. “He is right.” He nodded, and though he was not holding up a smile whatsoever, he was not any better than the other man. “It is good to have as many woman as you want, but it is also better to have at least one good one that can hold up the Luna position. And though miss Roseline here has been playing the role, there has been concerns regarding her…origin.”From the
38- “Setting Targets.”Camilla Castello.“That is Alpha Harden of Shadow Hunters and Alpha Kieran of Night Claws.” Cassain said, as both our gazes were fixed on the two men that were just having a meeting with Adrian and Roseline until the two left them alone, and by the looks of it, they were left fuming. “From what I know, Harden is trying to make his daughter the next official Luna Queen,” Cassain added, giving me more information on the two there.I did not ask him, even though I wanted to. He obviously heard my thoughts, and did the honors of telling me about them even without asking, saving me the expense of doing so, which I genuinely appreciated.I know the two by face—so I know who they are. What I did not know though is Alpha Harden’s attempt at trying to make his daughter the Luna Queen, that is news to me. And the knowledge registering in my mind had a couple of ideas floating in it.Cassain turned around, his gaze fixed on me—his expression serious as he carried on. “My g
80- “EPILOGUE.”Camilla Castello.‘Can’t wait to see you walking down the aisle. Happy wedding day, My Queen.’ A smile made its way on my face as I read the message he had attached to the flowers he had delivered to my room while I was getting ready for our big day. And as I plucked the perfectly settled card in between the flowers, a wave of déjà vu hit me as I am reminded of our wedding ten years ago, the wedding that never took place.Now, who would have thought? Five months into Adrian proposing to me and four months into me agreeing to come back to the Kingdom, we are finally tying the knot for real, and I am to be his lawful wife? Who would have thought really?Except that feeling of déjà vu did not linger much, because the setting of our wedding is not like before and a lot has changed since that. Now, a feeling of anticipation and eagerness settled within me, all too giddy about the ceremony up ahead. And, as I stood in front of the full length mirror, giving myself a onceover
79- “Embracing the Good.”Camilla Castello.“Adrian,” I breathed out, pulling myself away from him as I sat up, then turned my head around just in time to see him get up to a sitting position as well, his own expression serious. I brought my lower lip between my teeth, nibbling it before I sighed once again, my expression softening. “I do not think that is a good idea.”The past few days we have spent together have been nothing short of blissful, I admit. And if I am to be greedy one more time, I would wish for what we have ongoing to remain in the human world alone and not go back to where we had left. But, I knew it was all just wishful thinking, I have known for the longest time. I just did not want to acknowledge it, wanting to live in this dream of mine a little longer before I would have to face reality. The reality where Adrian cannot live in the human world for he has greater responsibilities back at the Kingdom, and he cannot stay away for long.I have thought long and hard a
Adrian Moretti’s POV.Her breath was a soft gasp against my ear, the sound sending a shiver down my spine as sparks flew from the contact, all taking root from the mate bone. I held her close, feeling the heat of her skin against mine, her pulse racing beneath my fingertips and the feel of her warm body against mine.. The world had zeroed to this moment, the feel of her body moving with mine, the low hum of her voice barely audible between her ragged breaths. Fuck I love this woman and I miss the feel of her.“Adrian…” she whispered, my name falling from her lips like a plea, and I answered her with a growl, pulling her even closer, if that were possible. I am barely keeping my wolf in check from taking over.I could feel the tension building between us, her body trembling under my touch, my own pulse thundering in my ears. Every muscle in my body was strung tight, and I knew neither of us would last much longer. But hell do I want this with her, more than anything.Her nails raked do
77- “Making Claims.”Camilla Castello.My smile widened slightly, the correction jogging my memory from the day before, out of fondness, “Simon,” I corrected myself, nodding my head slowly as I tapped in the input, ready to take his order. Meeting his gaze again, I offered him a slight smile. “What will be your order today, Simon?”His expression seemed relieved, as if glad I had gone along with his name rather than the formality from earlier. “the same as yesterday,” he stated, without so much as a glance in the direction of the menu. “Your choices from yesterday proved to be very much welcomed truly.”“My choices?” My brows drew in, “You picked what you wanted. I merely hinted you being British.”“Which is not far off,” He pointed out, his tone knowing and teasing.I chuckled slightly, then nodded in agreement. “Which is not far off.” I agreed, then tapped in his orders same as yesterday, glad I could remember them all. Once I had done so, I looked up to hold his gaze again. “It wil
76- “Blissful Moments.”Camilla Castello.Adrian stayed true to his words about taking Luna to school, but of course, after getting his change of outfit brought by Caleb and showering. Some how, he actually managed to make it on time before Luna wakes up and gets ready. He even took the liberty of making breakfast for all of us, making me just sit on the stool and watch as he went about his work in the kitchen.I could not help but look at him in surprise, as Luna was getting ready while he and I were in the kitchen, with him handling the breakfast as he had promised. “Since when have you been one to know your way around the kitchen?” I asked, drawing my robe closer to my body as I crossed my arms over my torso, staring at him with furrowed brows. “Last I remember, you cannot do anything in the kitchen.” And that is the truth, cooking is not his forte, it has never been. The Adrian I remember cannot go into the kitchen and turn on the gas cooker without burning the kitchen down.This
Camilla Castello’s POVI stirred awake to the sensation of soft, lingering kisses trailing down my neck. For a second, I was a bit confused as to what is going on since I have grown accustomed to waking up alone in my bed, but a familiar scent registered in my mind, and the memories of last night came pouring in, making a small, soft smile take over my featured as I felt nothing other than satisfaction.There were no regrets whatsoever.My body responded instinctively, arching slightly as warmth spread from where his lips touched, the tingles returning reminding me of our newly renounced mate bond. My eyes fluttered open, and I turned my head to find Adrian already hovering above me, his dark eyes filled with a familiar intensity that sent a thrill through me."Morning," he murmured, his voice deep and low, sending shivers along my spine. His eyes, those familiar forest green orbs were now dark and hooded, desire swirling in them new compared to last night. Knots formed within me, hea
74- “Skins In Silk.”Camilla Castello.I do not know why I did it, but there was no ounce of regret in me. One minute, I was staring at him as he rambled on about wanting us to rekindle our relationship and start all over on a fresh slate, and how we wasted ten years of our lives for waste just like that, and I could not help but agree with him. For the first time in a long time, I decided to just let go of every thing and screw it, and the next minute I found myself kissing him. He seemed taken aback for a second, but he quickly recovered, his arms wrapping round me back as he kissed me feverishly, more sensuously.I found myself sitting on his lab, straddling him as we continued our kiss—the sound of heavy breaths filling the air of the room. One of his hands remained on my waist, grasping it tightly while the other slipped to my hair, pulling softly at its root just as mine roamed in his hair.His lips left mine just as I was starting to become breathless, but it trailed downwards,
73- “Winning Her Back.”Adrian Moretti.Three years. It has been three years since Camilla disappeared from the supernatural realm, and the reason is not entirely unknown. At this point, it already well known that Cassain, the Vampire King’s mate has returned, and that their love story has continued from where it stopped. Where she has been since her ‘death’ and why she chose to return then of all times when the relationship between Cassain and Camilla is picking up remains a mystery, but it is already known that it is the reason Camilla went missing.Every one else thinks Cassain has forgotten her, but I know otherwise. He has still been looking for her, and has found her even. He just did not show up, knowing she would not want to see him, and I could not blame her.It is kind of the same with me as well. It has been three years since she and I officially met—and why I say officially is, unlike Cassain, I do not exactly have the patience to know where she is and not visit her. In ev
72- “Perfect Strangers.”Camilla Castello.I brought the first aid kit with so many question running through my head. It got answered to a certain extent when I brought it to him and he gestured for me to sit down while he got on his feet, taking a hold of the kit and placing it on the coffee table beside us.I could only stare at him with drawn in brows and question swirling in my orbs. I watched as he opened the first aid kit, pulling out some essentials and then turned around to look at me, his expression unmoved. “Let me see your wound,” He said.If possible, my frown deepened, “What?” His words caught me slightly off guard, though a part of me did expect this much when he mentioned the first aid kit thing because it does not seem like he is injured whatsoever.“Your shirt,” he stated, his tone calm, but stern at the same time. “Take it off.”Subconsciously, I wrapped my hand around my self, my eyes narrowed at him slightly as if to silently question whether he knows what he is sa