“Camilla, hurry up and prepare the feast! The pack’s restless, and the moon’s already risen high,” my mother-in-law, Matron Liana, ordered, her tone sharp, with a high pitch voice. I hated her commanding voice as if I was her maid instead of a daughter.
I didn’t bother responding to her. Instead, I turned to Erica with a pointed smile. “Erica, you and Felix grew up in the same pack, didn’t you? I imagine you used to share meals often.”
Erica’s golden eyes sparkled. “Oh, absolutely! Felix and I practically hunted together every night back then.”
“So, after all these years spent with the outside the pack you must be craving the taste of home,” I said sweetly before turning my gaze to Liana. “Matron, shouldn’t you prepare a meal worthy of Erica's return?”
I sank onto the fur-padded couch, casually turning to watch the flickering shadows of the fireplace. I was done with these ungrateful people and it was time to show them their place. I was done being a daughter-in-law without any regards for timeless sacrifices, which they had all forgotten in the blink of an eye because of a stranger.
Felix stormed in a moment later, his amber eyes darkening with frustration. “Camilla, how could you demand Mom cook? You know she hasn’t fully recovered from her last shift!”
Feigning surprise, I turned to Liana. “Oh, Matron, you’re still weak from the last full moon? Is it serious? Why didn’t you tell me?”
Liana bristled, her wolf instincts flaring. “Who said I’m weak? Don’t you dare insult me!”
“Then what’s the problem?” I asked with mock innocence. “Surely you’d be honored to prepare a welcome meal for Mallory, our esteemed guest?”
Her jaw tightened, her pride forcing her to retreat to the kitchen. Hours later, when the feast was ready, Nicole, Felix’s younger sister, smirked and pulled Erica into my seat at the head of the table.
“Erica’s been gone for years. Surely, as Henry’s mate, you don’t mind yielding your seat for her, right?”
Before I could respond, Liana handed me a chipped wooden bowl. “If the edge of the table is too cold for you, Camilla, why not take your meal to the kitchen? You can clean up while you’re there.”
So I wasn’t even allowed a place at the pack’s table.
“No need. I’ll eat elsewhere,” I said coolly, setting the bowl aside.
Felix’s growl rumbled low. “We’re running tomorrow’s hunt together, Camilla. Shouldn’t you stay in and prepare for the journey?”
I met his glowing eyes without flinching. “Why don’t you pack?”
The silence that followed was thick, and I could feel the tension in the air. I left without waiting for a reply.
I dined alone in the nearby human town, treating myself to a feast of roasted venison and fine wine. The humans didn’t know my kind, and I relished the anonymity. I stayed out late, wandering under the moonlit sky, my wolf’s hunger finally satiated.
When I returned to the packhouse, the interior was quiet, shadows draped over every corner. As I climbed the stairs to my chamber, I opened the door to find Erica curled up in my place, her scent mingling with Felix’s.
The sight made my blood boil.
“Get out,” I growled, my voice laced with an alpha’s fury.
Erica woke up startled, her pale wolf form flickering before her human one took over. She whimpered, “Felix and I were only talking! We must’ve fallen asleep.”
Felix sat up, his protective stance only deepening my rage. “Camilla, stop overreacting. Erica stayed to keep me company while you were gone. That’s all.”
“Then why didn’t you call for me, Felix? Why not wait in the common room like decent wolves? Or is sneaking into my bed some new pack tradition I wasn’t told about?”
His golden eyes flashed with irritation. “You’re making something out of nothing.”
I stepped closer, my claws elongating instinctively. “Erica, leave. Now. Or do you expect us all to share the bed like pups huddling for warmth?”
Erica clutched at her cheek where my claws had grazed her. She whimpered again, her voice pitiful. “Felix, she’s scaring me.”
Felix’s gaze softened as he pulled her close, his protectiveness grating against my dominance. “I’ll get you some balm,” he said, completely dismissing me.
Felix avoided my gaze, his focus seemingly on getting Erica a balm. I was angry however, clung to him like a shadow, her smile smug as she whispered in his ear. I stayed back, my wolf prowling just beneath my skin, restless and agitated. My claws itched to strike, my fangs aching for release, but I knew patience was the sharpest weapon.
“Camilla,” Felix called sharply as he approached me, his tone commanding as always “You should mind the tone and language in speaking with Erica, for God sake, you're scaring her. She’s not fully shifted in years and needs someone experienced to guide her.”
I raised an eyebrow, my lips curling into a smirk. “You want me to babysit your best friend? Surely, Felix, you can manage that yourself.”
“She’s my guest,” he replied, his voice tight with frustration. “And it’s your role to welcome her.” Surprise was an understatement when I heard Felix speaking to me in a high pitched voice in the presence of Erica. I was dumfounded with his actions with every passing day.
My laugh was low and humorless. “No, Felix. It’s your role to remember who your mate is.”
This was only the beginning. Erica might have thought she could waltz into my territory and challenge my place, but I would show her the truth. The pack only followed one leader, and under the full moon.
The tension in the room thickened, but I didn’t wait to see how the scene would unfold. Tomorrow would bring a reckoning, and under the next full moon, I would remind them all who truly held the alpha’s place in this pack.
