CAMILLA'S POV
I angrily pushed open the door, my heart heavy with frustration and sadness. My hands brushed over my shoulders as I sat down on the couch, feeling the weight of everything pressing down on me.
A moment later, my father walked in through the curtains, his face tense and serious. He crossed his arms behind his back and cleared his throat, his eyes watching me closely, as if he could sense something was wrong.
“What’s the matter?” he asked quietly. I just shook my head, not trusting myself to speak, and kept my gaze fixed on the floor as he sat down in the chair across from me.
After a pause, he looked at me again. “So... did the plan work?” he asked, sounding curious but also cautious.
His question lit a spark of urgency inside me. I jumped up from the couch, my heart racing, my lips parting as I rushed to answer.
"I'm not sure how it'll end; I don't know what's going on in that stubborn head of hers, but I think she's having doubts about it," I said, my voice trailing off as I noticed my father staring at me intently, waiting for more.
His ears seemed to perk up, eager to hear what I had to say next.
"And?!" he snapped, clearly running out of patience.
"I don't know, Father. I'm not Astrid, but I told her everything about the curse and how her pregnancy could cure Dane.”
“She got angry, raised her voice, and acted all controlling, but in the end, she seemed really worried. After she thought I left, I stayed behind and watched. She rushed out of the hospital not long after, looking pale with fear and panic," I explained.
He nodded slightly, leaning back in his chair. Though he seemed a little more convinced, I could tell he still wasn't fully satisfied.
"We need to make this work, Camilla. This might be your last chance to get through to her," he said. His words confused me, so I tilted my head and frowned.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"It means we can't mess this up. I'm sorry things have turned out this way, but do you think this is some kind of joke?" he said, his voice growing more serious.
"You've been away from the pack house for days, and Halfdan doesn't seem to care about you at all. Meanwhile, Alpha Dane is out there, hunting for you. I can't afford to lose the pack." He paused, his frustration clear in his voice, leaving his last words to hang in the air.
He coughed softly and reached for a glass of water, drinking quickly while still panting.
After a few moments, his breathing slowed down, and he leaned back into the chair, finally looking more relaxed.
I waited a moment before asking, “What does losing the pack have to do with Astrid, Father?”
He took a deep breath, then replied, “I’ve only been able to suggest giving more power to the guards and high personnel in the pack.
But Halfdan is resisting that idea, still holding his ground.
The fact that he hasn’t made any moves yet shows he’s waiting. He’s being cautious because he’s expecting Astrid to come around.”
“That’s not true! Halfdan loves me!” I interrupted angrily, my voice sharp with frustration. My father shot me a cold, disdainful look, making me quickly lower my gaze.
"Regardless, we can’t leave any loose ends. Astrid has to die. That’s the only way we can be sure your place with Halfdan is secure. And for Dane, this is a critical moment. If she stays after hearing what you told her about the curse, it’ll only make their bond stronger,” he said firmly, his voice filled with conviction.
A sarcastic scoff escaped my lips, cutting him off mid-sentence, but he ignored it, his expression hard as stone.
“She looked pale, like she had seen a ghost when she left the hospital. I think I’ve already planted doubts in her mind,” I said, trying to sound as confident as I could.
“Well, that’s hard to say for sure. What’s important is that we need her to leave the Bluestone pack. If she’s in the Red Moon pack, Dane will always be there to protect her. In the Bluestone, she’s the Alpha, and no harm can come to her there.”
“We need her to run far away from any protection we know. Only then will we have a chance to eliminate her. We’ve delayed this for too long; it’s time to end it,” he explained, his voice steady and determined.
I nodded, finally grasping what he meant. It made sense, but a troubling thought nagged at the back of my mind. What if he was wrong? What if Astrid didn’t believe anything I said? What if there was yet another flaw in our carefully laid plans?
As beads of sweat trickled down my temples, I felt a wave of unease wash over me. My heart raced, making it hard to focus.
Just then, a buzz from my phone across the room pulled my attention away, breaking my spiralling thoughts.
I frowned, the sound interrupting the heavy silence that hung between us.
I stormed across the room, my frown deepening with each step as I glanced at the caller ID on my phone.
The sight of the name made my stomach twist; I wasn’t pleased with this unexpected progress. I picked up the call and pressed the phone tightly to my ear, ready for whatever was coming.
“The rat bit the cheese,” the voice on the other end said with a tone of smug satisfaction.
“Cut the crap and just tell me what you want! I’m busy and have no time for your silly jokes or stupid remarks!” I shouted into the phone, frustration bubbling over.
The atmosphere around me felt heavy and tense, and my irritation only grew.
“Well, Astrid is no longer at the pack house,” he announced, and my frown deepened even more.
“And so what? Do you have something important to say, or are you just beating around the bush?” I asked, my tone sharp and demanding.
I could feel my heart racing as I waited for his response, hoping he had some useful information that could change everything.
“She’s missing. Astrid is gone from the pack, and Dane is searching everywhere for her,” the voice declared, a hint of satisfaction in his tone.
I ended the call, a wave of relief washing over me, and a smile quickly spread across my lips as I turned to face my father.
“I guess you have good news?” he asked, raising an eyebrow, and I nodded eagerly.
“Of course, it’s good news! Astrid finally fell into our trap. She’s missing from the Red Moon pack, and only you and I know where she might go for safety,” I said, my smile growing wider as I felt a sense of victory.
“Good, well then…” my father replied, trailing off as he seemed to absorb the information. I could see a flicker of hope in his eyes, which spurred me on.
Feeling a surge of confidence, I walked toward the door, my heart racing with anticipation. As I approached the entrance, I could see the security personnel waiting outside, their expressions serious and ready for action.
My father followed closely behind me, the air charged with a mix of excitement and tension.
We were finally taking control of the situation, and I couldn’t help but feel a thrill at the thought of what was to come.
“You all need to move! Get out here! Prepare the cars and gather the troops; we have important business to take care of!” I shouted, my voice echoing across the grounds.
Almost immediately, I heard the sounds of men rushing out, their boots pounding against the pavement, and the roar of engines revving as they sprang into action.
I climbed into one of the waiting cars, and my father slipped in beside me, his expression serious but hinting at a sense of eagerness.
“Where to, Luna Camilla?” one of the men asked, his voice steady as he leaned in slightly, ready to follow my orders.
“The cottage at the boundary line of the Bluestone pack,” I announced, my heart swelling with pride.
Inside, I was gloating; this was an important moment, and I could feel the weight of our plans starting to come to fruition.
The engine roared to life, and the vehicle jolted slightly as we pulled away. Ahead of us, several other cars sped out, forming a convoy, while more vehicles fell in behind us.
Finally, we pulled up right in front of the cottage, and a smile spread across my lips as I took in the familiar sight.
The quaint structure looked untouched, yet I knew it was about to become the center of our plans.
“How sure are you that she’s here, Camilla?” my father asked, a hint of scepticism in his tone as he studied me. I could sense his concern, but my grin only widened.
“I’ve never been more certain. Let’s just wait a moment to confirm that she’s arrived,” I replied confidently, feeling the thrill of the moment coursing through me.
Just then, the door to the cottage creaked open, and out walked Astrid, her face streaked with tears.
My heart raced at the sight of her, a mixture of sadness and vulnerability evident in her expression. I couldn’t help but smirk, relishing the sight of her crying so profusely.
“Well, I finally have you right where I want you!” I exclaimed, the words dripping with satisfaction.