54- “Just a moment.” Adrian Moretti. I pulled back shortly soon after, not wanting the embrace to past the stage that will be acceptable—not that it is in the first place but the last thing I want if to make this even worse than it already is. I have already crossed the limits by allowing her to embrace, because it is a moment of weakness that only the two of us understands the best—of where I understand her the best so I did the only I could do in that moment to lessen my guilt, hoping it will in some way lift some of the pain weighing her down as well. However, it does not mean that I like it, nor did I want it to drag on any longer—not when I am here for a different reason, not when the woman I am here of is just a few doors down and could make an appearance any minute now. I know without a doubt she will misunderstand this situation, and that is the last thing I want. “That is enough, Serayah,” I muttered, as I stepped out of her embrace, putting a reasonable distance between u
55- “I know you, Adrian.”Adrian Moretti.My brows drew in upon hearing Serayah’s knowing words, and every thought I have of denying those words from her got thrown out the window from the look she was giving me—a knowing look filled with so much knowledge that I instantly knew denying it will not work. She will not believe me, not when she already seems to know the answer, denial will not work on her—I know her that much to be aware of such.Instead, I sighed and looked right ahead, as we silently strolled down the flowery path, all alone in the middle of nowhere, where no one could eavesdrop on our conversation. In a way, I was glad she decided to take us out this far for I cannot imagine having this conversation back at the resort where anyone could hear, I cannot risk anyone finding out before Camilla does, even if Serayah already seemed to have grasp that concept.“You know, huh?” I asked instead, my voice low and blank, not knowing how to feel about this. Of course, I am worried
55- “I trust her.” Adrian Moretti. So, physically, she and Camilla certainly do not look alike. Both women are beautiful in their own ways but of course, Camilla is the only one that caught my eye. But, their attitudes is similar to a certain extent, and that was why I avoided her at first because she reminded me of Camilla so much I could not stand it. I eventually caved in for I was willing to accept even if it was that—a woman similar to her, for that moment, it was more than enough for me. Serayah’s voice came again, this time losing that smugness she feigned earlier, her tone low, and low. “But, I guess I do have to thank her, huh?” She asked, her tone soft, nothing like the confident woman she was earlier. She always has this way of switching between emotions, because ultimately, I know she is not the same confident, sassy and careless woman she was before. She is simply feigning it now. “Thank her, why?” I asked, my brows drawn in and my lips slanted into a deep frown. Ser
56- “Her Trap.”Camilla Castello.I had crafted the first part of my plan, but it took me over two days before I finally got the chance to execute it. Two days of having to suffer in the presence of the insufferable Lunas and partners just to keep up Cassain’s good image—two days of the man not yet warming down his anger towards me, which is a first because for as long as I have known Cassain, he has never held grudges against me, till this time. I could not help but wonder what went wrong to have him react this way towards me so much that even Salazar and Ria noticed the cold air surrounding us but they did not say a thing about it—much to my relief.I doubt everyone else noticed though, because in the presence of prying eyes, Cassain was just as sweet and attentive as ever, and I held up the act as well but it only scares me more because I did not like the cold shoulders that follows. I tried to him, but he was not having any of it so I took his olc shoulders as a motivation to set
57- “The Bait.”Camilla Castello.“But why?” I asked calmly, not in the slightest moved by his anger. Nah, I am too calm internally. “It is true, isn’t it?” I am supposed to calm and appease him, right? So I can get him on my side. Sure. But, I do not do ass kissing. We state facts, and find a way around it. “Is that not why you are always angered when someone brings it up? Because deep down you know it is true, or you fear it being true.” I added what I know is a fact.He glared at me, then pushed his chair back and got up. “I am done here.” I am right, he is in denial for if it turns out to be true, his image is on the line and so is everything he has worked so hard to build.“You know I am not your enemy,” I said, as he attempted to walk past me, making him halt in his steps. “I honestly care not for your daughter, so you do not have to worry about me running my mouth l
58- “Regrets?”Camilla Castello.Things went a little out of hand, a bit more than I anticipated. Turns out, all the Alphas were looking for the chance to oust Adrian, especially given how he ascended the throne and all. Which was why, the moment they got the chance given to Alpha Harden by me, they did not hesitate to fest on it and pick on every single thing about Adrian’s governance, his power weakened remarkably because of it, his dark pasts was dug up, secrets that were kept hidden all these years coming to light and things only got worse due to the sudden attack at the packs that required the summit getting called off in a haste and every one basically having rushing to head back to their places to prepare for the attack.By the dawn of the fifth day, everyone had prepared and was pitching their rides back to their places. Ria informed me that we were set to leave as well, and they were all waiting for me outside. So, I left my room with the full intention of heading downstairs,
59- “Mate.”Camilla Castello.Turns out the attacks are bad, but they are more focused on the Werewolf Kingdom, the reason is yet to be known. Only a few clans under the vampire Kingdom suffered the brunt of the attacks, but the werewolf packs surely have it so bad they are still finding ways to manage it.It has been over twenty-four hours since we returned, and I haven’t had a chance to speak to Cassain to clear what is ongoing between us. This cold air, I do not want it any longer, I want to get rid of it but it is hard when he gave me the cold shoulder throughout the drive back home and the moment we arrived, he was swamped with Kingly duties while I have a daughter to tend to. A daughter that makes my heart swell with guilt as she reminds me of the father she is unaware of, whom I had left behind to suffer not just the issue with his pack, but what could be his possible demise as well.I was determined to wait up on Cassain and speak today though, for I do not want to spend anoth
60- “Daddy?”Camilla Castello.I did not think twice, for I believe there is no need for such. The moment it dawned on me what truly is going on, instinctively, my lips parted as I met the gaze of the man standing across me.“I, Camilla Castello, daughter of former Alpha of BloodHound Pack, reject you, Alpha King--”“No, Camilla, please…don’t.” Adrian was quick to cut in before I could finish the sentence. In the flick of an eye, he was standing in front of me, his eyes glossy, and pleading. “Please do not reject me.”I glared at him, unwilling to back down. Instead, I curled my hands by the side and continued. “I reject you, Alpha King Adrian as my chosen mate--”“Please,” His voice came again, thick with emotion. “I…” He sighed, shaking his head. Then, he did something that caught me off guard. In the blink of an eye, the great Alpha King Adrian was on his knees right in front of me, his eyes pleading as he held mine. “…please do not reject me, Camilla. I plead with you.”“Accept it
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