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
39- “For Camilla.”Adrian Moretti.“Adrian,” Roseline called out softly, her tone low as she followed me into my suite, making sure to close the door behind her. When I did not stop, she called out again, her tone a bit more stern this time around. “Adrian.” She repeated, her voice raising slightly so as to gain my attention.My hand that I had reached out to loosen the tie around my neck, suddenly feeling suffocated stopped as I closed my eyes shut, releasing a sharp breath. I halted in my tracks, though still not turning around to look at her. It was obvious from my action that she is the reason why I stopped, so I am listening to whatever she is saying, even if I do not want to knowing what she will say.She was silent for a few seconds, before she called out again, this time drawling it out. “Adrian,” Her tone was so many layers of soft, probably softer than anyone would ever expect her to be. I heard her footsteps as she closed the distance between us, standing just a few inches
40- “A new friend.” Camilla Castello.The next day, I woke up even before my alarm clock rang, as I was determined to not make the same mistake I made yesterday. Today, the men and women have different activities—for while they carried on with their meeting on board patrol and everything, the ladies, we are having our brunch together to get to know each other and figure out a way to help them as well.As one of the hosts of course, I could not be late to such an event. We are supposed to be in charge of planning it as well, but since they only know about me yesterday, they planned it themselves but I will be part of the hosts.After Cassain and I came back from our dinner last night, I had the chance to speak to Ria about it, and her words played in my mind like a broken cassette, reminding me of just how much I have to overcome here.“All the she-wolves seems to have a thing against you so my best guess is, they will try to find a way to undermine you tomorrow, might even start the
41- “Aurora.” Camilla Castello.The minute her eyes met mine, she attempted to look away but I held her chin firm, forcing her to hold my gaze. It took a few seconds, but she eventually held my gaze, though her gaze was still flickering, the fear in her evident. Once certain and satisfied with her stance, I dropped my hands away from her and stepped back, giving her a onceover.She hadn’t hunched again or avoided my gaze, but I could tell she was seconds away from doing that, so I spoke up.“Just like that…” My voice was soft as I gestured to her shoulders and raised chin. “…always keep your shoulders up just like that. Stop making yourself seem small.” Then I gestured to her soft gaze, my hard ones holding them. “And when you speak to someone, hold their gaze, do not look away. Stop making yourself inferior to anyone.”I could see her fiddle with he
42- “Nip it at the bud.”Camilla Castello.For the few hours that followed leading up to the brunch passed by in a blur. When I met Aurora, there was only a little bit over two hours, and had it been I went on ahead to what was planned, we would have rounded it up in thirty minutes and be all set.However, does me tearing the paper on that clipboard mean anything to you? If it had not, let me remind you, and confirm any thought you have, I meant it when I said I am tearing the shit down…literally.I scraped off the entire hall to begin with—deciding it is too congested, closed off, and just not anything that will go right with what I have in mind. It is a good thing I know how to manage time and plan these kind of events. Over the past seven years, given Cassain does not have a partner and barely is involved physically in events and stuff unless necessary, Ria handled the planning for anything that will arise.There is one thing that remained consistent, the annual Blood Dinner. Sound
43- “Dress up.”Camilla Castello.One of my favorite things to do, and one of the ways Luna and I bond quite a lot is through dress up. No matter who I was in the past, there was one thing I always held on to regardless and if I say so myself, I exceled in it. That is dressing up to the tee and leaving a lasting impression. My fashion sense is that good.Luckily for me, my daughter inherited that great sense of fashion for even for a six-year-old, the little girl knows her colors and her outfits—she is always so well coordinated and believe me when I say, she picks up her own outfits mostly these days. But, I enjoyed those days when I picked out everything for her, and I revere in it. So, whenever I get the chance to dress her up, or anyone else, I am always up on my toes—all my worries of the world flying out the roof and not making an appearance again for that moment.Can you now guess how excited I am for this? To dress up Aurora and bring out the beauty I know she has behind those
44- “Battle of Lunas.”Camilla Castello.I was the first to step out into the lawn where I had decided to hold the brunch instead, because having it outside just fits better than having it inside as they originally planned. There is just something about the light ambiance of being outside and being under the sky—the sun is not up, it is, but it is not scorching or anything. Rather, the air was warm, just the right temperature and the sun was high enough to illuminate everywhere with its light but not bright enough to disturb anyone.There is a greenhouse in the lawn with enough space inside to host the brunch. It was covered with lass walls, allowing anyone outside to see everything going on without any obstruction, and the sunlight filters in through the panels, giving it a warm glow and an air of nature to surround it as a whole. Considering it is already filled with flowers at the extremes and specific sides, we had vines hung up to give it a natural look.For tables, they were of
45- “The Brunch.”Camilla Castello.“Let us settle down then.” I said, as I pulled my seat as the head of the table on one end, and settled down on it. Turning around to Aurora who was hiding behind me, I gestured to the seat to my left which I had designated to her. “Aurora? Your seat.”She looked up, her eyes dilated slightly in surprise by the sitting arrangement. I had handled this so she did not know where I placed her as well, I had it handled after we left and from what I am seeing, they did it just as I asked them to. I made a mental note to thank the workers for their hard work.At the mention of her name, it seems they all realized her presence then and believe me when I say I could hear some visibly gasp at her sudden change. Intertwining my fingers in front of me with my arms resting on the table, my gaze watching the shocked looks masking their features. My lips slowly slanted into a smirk as Aurora took cautious steps towards the designated seat, pulling it back, she set