Camilla

“Camilla! Why the hell did you put vegan pepperoni on this pizza?” Santiago shouted from the dining room.

I rushed out of the bathroom, heart pounding. By the time I got there, the pizza was already on the floor, half-eaten by Brave, our scruffy terrier. I’d meant that pizza for myself—Santiago hated vegan anything.

“I’m sorry,” I said quickly. “I’ll make another one—”

“You’re always forgetting things. I’ve lost my appetite. I’ll just eat out.”

He called for Gabriella to get ready. I stood frozen, shrinking under his words. It was one stupid mistake. One. But he acted like I made a habit of screwing up.

Gabriella came down the stairs, smirking like she’d been waiting for a moment to pile on.

“Way to go, Mom. You made Dad mad again. You probably forgot my finger tab too.”

“I always put it in your bag, Gabbe,” I said, trying to keep my voice level.

“Well, it wasn’t there this time. Maybe you’ll blame me for losing it. Let’s go, Dad.”

“Her memory’s getting worse,” Santiago muttered, grabbing the car keys from the hook.

I sank into the dining chair, eyes on the ruined pizza Brave was still licking up. I scratched behind his ears, my mind racing.

Is this what my family’s become?

They didn’t see me anymore. Not as a mate. Not as a mother. Just a woman who forgot things.

One mistake. That’s all it took for them to turn it into a character flaw.

I waited until they left, then went to Gabriella’s room. Her finger tab was right there in her bag, just buried under a change of clothes. I exhaled. Let her say I forgot—at least it wasn’t lost.

Back downstairs, I mopped up the mess on the floor and went back to scrubbing the slippery tiles in the bathroom. Years ago, my father never let me do housework—he said it was Omega duty. But when I became Santiago’s mate, that all changed.

Santiago didn’t want to hire help. Said it was a waste of money. So I took over. Cleaning. Cooking. Managing everything. Even though my dad warned me not to strain myself like this.

I gave up everything—my status as an Alpha’s daughter, my role as a pack consulate, and my dream of being loved by mate who actually respected me.

When the house was finally clean, I sat down to eat what little was left of my cold pizza—then I heard the garage door.

Santiago was back, scowling. Apparently, his Mastercard had been declined. Again. No surprise there. He hadn’t closed a single property this month.

But what I didn’t expect was him blaming me for it.

“If you hadn’t messed up dinner, I wouldn’t have had to eat out.”

“Good thing Aunt Jen came,” Gabriella added, skipping past him. “She treated us. She’s way nicer than you, Mom.”

“Gabriella, don’t talk to your mother like that,” I said.

“But Dad said it first. I’m just being honest.”

“Don’t take it to heart,” Santiago said with a sigh. “Jen took care of everything. She just happened to be at the restaurant with some friends.”

Jennifer walked in behind them, arms full of grocery bags, all smiles like she belonged here.

“Santiago said you hadn’t done the monthly grocery run, so we picked up a few things. Sorry we’re late—Gabriella wanted to stop and get a dress for her friend’s birthday party.”

My throat tightened. That was my job. I always did the shopping with my own retirement money, every end of the month.

Now Jennifer was doing it.

Even Gabriella had chosen her over me.

“Yeah, Mom, Aunt Jen helped me pick out a dress. She has amazing taste. I wanna go shopping with her all the time now.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” I asked.

“Because you always say no to trendy stuff. You’re old-fashioned, Mom. I don’t want my friends laughing at me.”

“Gabbe, you could’ve just said…”

“It’s fine, Camilla,” Jennifer cut in smoothly. “I don’t mind. It’s just a dress. It’s not like I spoil her every day.”

I wasn’t hungry anymore.

Their words hit harder than fists. They bruised in places no one could see. And no amount of pretending could cover up the pain.

I had no voice in this house. Not in the home I bought with my severance pay from Allegiant Howl.

My husband and daughter listened more to my half-sister—the trendy, modern, flawless Jennifer—than they did to me.

I let them unpack the groceries without a word and climbed the stairs to my room. From behind the door, I heard them laughing, chatting like I didn’t even exist.

I pulled my journal from the drawer, flipped it open to the letter I’d hidden a month ago.

The Lycantrophic Unit for Paranormal Affairs is seeking your expertise, Camilla Evelyn Navarro, to join our specialized division.

At the bottom was a name I hadn’t seen in years.

Antoine Reed.

A friend. And the recruiter for the position.

I pulled my phone from my shorts pocket, hands trembling as I dialed the number listed below.

“Hello…Antoine. This is Camilla.”

Camilla

“Camilla, how have you been?”

“I’m doing well. I just got an invitation to join a special unit at LUPA. Can I talk to you about it in person?”

We talked about the recruitment offer for about half an hour. After that, the conversation drifted to life in general. I didn’t tell Antoine my real reason for wanting to join, though he clearly found it strange.

Five minutes later, a new email notification popped up on my tablet—the application form. I was about to open it when I heard laughter echoing from the stairs.

“There’s no point in asking her to join. She’s uptight, always says she’s allergic to alcohol. She just doesn’t know how to enjoy life—not like you, Jen.”

Santiago’s voice bounced off the stairwell. I hadn’t fully closed the bedroom door. I saw Jennifer’s shadow near the door disappear as soon as he called her down.

Curiosity tugged at me, and I went downstairs. There they were, drinking wine together. Judging by the empty bourbon bottle on the table, Santiago was already drunk.

“Camilla’s always been an introvert,” he said.

“You’ll need extra patience with her. Push her too much and she’ll just get jealous of me being with you. After all, she’s the mate I chose.” Jennifer chuckled

“It should’ve been you, Jen. Not Camilla. Why did you turn me down? Was I never good enough for you?”

“Yeah... regrets are real. But we can’t turn back time, can we?”

They stared at each other for a few seconds. And then—it happened. Santiago kissed Jennifer. Neither of them knew I was watching from the stairs.

Without making a sound, I turned around and headed back to the bedroom. I wanted to believe I was seeing things. But no—it happened. Santiago regretted choosing me.

He came upstairs not long after, barely able to walk. Jennifer helped him up—she was still sober enough to support his weight.

“Santiago’s just drunk. He’s been upset, that’s why he drank so much,” she said casually. “Don’t take what he or Gabbe said earlier too seriously. I don’t want you getting jealous of me, Cam.”

I didn’t respond. How could she say that when she’d just kissed him behind my back?

I knew Santiago and Jennifer had a long history. They’d been together back in the academy. Jennifer had always been brilliant in sports, especially archery. Thanks to her influence, Gabriella took up archery and became a promising junior athlete.

And me? I became a housewife—a retired diplomat for the Allegiant Howls pack. I gave up my career to build a family with Santiago, who at the time was the Lead Warrior of our pack.

Jennifer and I were nothing alike. I was always buried in paperwork—handling inter-pack collaborations, delivering data-filled speeches at global Lycan forums. My life was all structure and order.

Jennifer? She was a free spirit. Representing Allegiant Howls in global archery tournaments, raking in dollars with every victory.

When Jennifer turned Santiago down to chase her career, he came to me. I was the one who listened to his heartbreak over drinks at the bar—though I didn’t drink, being allergic to alcohol. I stayed sober and heard him pour out everything Jennifer had left behind.

Jennifer went away for a year to focus on the world championship. I was on leave at the time. Santiago and I grew closer. We built a relationship, even though he wasn’t my true mate.

Still, I chose him. I said yes to his proposal six months later, even though it meant going against my father—Alpha of the Allegiant Howls pack. Dad forced me to choose: give up my title as his heir or forget about mating with Santiago. I gave it all up for love.

And now I realize...

I chose wrong.

**

“Camilla, could you go pick up some Cuban cigars and the roast beef bread from Montclair?” Santiago asked a few hours before the gathering. “Valerio’s a fan of cigars, and Gabriella loves that chocolate tart. Besides, you could use some fresh air, right?”

I nodded, though I knew what he was really saying: Get out of the house. I don’t want you embarrassing me in front of my friends.

The cigars and the tart came from opposite ends of town. It would take a while, especially on a busy weekend afternoon.

An hour later, after dealing with long lines and nightmare parking, I returned with two paper bags in hand. Dusk had settled in. The house looked dim from the outside. I quietly opened the front door, not wanting anyone to notice me.

My steps slowed as I heard Santiago’s voice coming from the living room.

“Camilla’s gotten too comfortable being a housewife. I think once we’re in Shanghai, I’ll make it official—I’ll claim Jennifer. It’s time I let Camilla go.”

I froze in place.

“You serious, bro?” another voice chimed in. Valerio. His old friend from the academy.

“Jennifer and I have already talked. We’re starting fresh in Shanghai. And Gabriella will finally have a mother she can actually be proud of.”

Laughter followed. Bright and carefree—Jennifer’s.

“Relax. I’m not planning to be an evil stepmom,” she said with a giggle. “As long as Camilla doesn’t come to Shanghai, everything will be just fine. She’s... awkward.”

More laughter. Then the clink of glasses in a toast.

I stood behind the hallway wall like a ghost haunting her own house. Quietly, I turned and slipped into the kitchen. I set the grocery bags on the counter and lowered myself into a chair, silently.

My hands were trembling. I stared at the chocolate tart wrapped neatly with a pink ribbon. I thought it would be a sweet surprise for Gabriella.

Turns out—I was the one in for a surprise.

They’d already made up their minds. I was being phased out, piece by piece. Once Santiago drained me dry, once Gabriella saw Jennifer as her new mother, there’d be no place left for me here.

I sat there for a long time. Not a single tear fell. Only the hollow feeling in my chest, like something was slowly being carved out from the inside. Empty. Cold. Like I wasn’t really here anymore.

Then, a new message from Antoine lit up the screen of my tablet.

[I'll be sending you the full regulation details for the position you asked about. Once you accept the offer, Camilla, I’m counting on you—just like I did back then.]

Camilla

“Mom! Where’s the shirt Aunt Jen bought me yesterday?”

I looked up from the living room window I was cleaning. Gabriella’s voice echoed from upstairs, followed by the sound of frantic footsteps thudding up and down the stairs like a miniature storm.

“I put it in your closet after I ironed it, Gabbe,” I answered, trying to keep my voice calm.

But she didn’t hear me—or didn’t bother listening. She kept running around, yanking drawers open, slamming closet doors, and muttering dramatically until finally, she stormed downstairs again.

“I knew it! You didn’t iron it! It’s not even here!” she shouted, jabbing a finger at me like I was on trial for murder. “You always ruin everything! I wish I didn’t have a mom like you! You’re a disaster! I’m calling Aunt Jen!”

Her words hit harder than I expected. Not because she was yelling—but because of what she said.

Before I could respond, Santiago’s voice chimed in. He came out of our bedroom, still groggy from his nap, face creased in annoyance.

“What the hell is going on out here?”

“Gabriella can’t find the dress from yesterday,” I said quietly, still holding the rag in my hand.

“Oh, for Moon Goddess’s sake...” He shook his head and walked past me toward Gabbe. “Camilla, seriously? How do you screw up something this simple? It’s a shirt. A physical object. It doesn’t just disappear—unless you forgot or never put it away in the first place.”

“But I did iron it—”

“Don’t lie,” he snapped, eyes sharp. “You’re always like this. Acting like you’re in control, when really, you can’t even manage this house properly.”

“I’m not lying.”

Gabriella crossed her arms and stood beside her father, her face set with stubborn resolve. “I don’t want a mom like you,” she repeated coldly. “You’re a curse on this house.”

She stomped back upstairs, leaving me frozen in place. Not out of shock—just disbelief. My own daughter had just cursed me.

“I gave up everything for this family,” I muttered under my breath.

“Don’t start with your melodrama,” Santiago replied flatly. “Gabriella has a birthday party to get to—Penny’s party. And because of your screw-up, she almost couldn’t go. What kind of mom are you?”

“I didn’t misplace the damn dress—”

But the doorbell rang before I could finish. Gabriella rushed to the front door, and like a perfectly timed fairytale, Jennifer showed up—holding the dress.

“Oops! Looks like I accidentally took it home yesterday after helping Santiago clean up,” she said cheerfully, holding up the pastel midi dress. “Sorry, Cam, didn’t mean to cause a panic!”

I stared at her. Every instinct in me flared up. She was playing the hero. Again.

Santiago took the dress and handed it to Gabrielle like it was a treasure. “There you go, sweetheart. Thanks to Aunt Jen, you’re good to go.”

Jennifer glanced at me with fake sympathy. “Don’t blame Camilla too much, okay? It’s not always her fault.”

And just like that—she made me look even more pathetic.

Gabriella threw her arms around her. “Thank you, Aunt Jen. You always save me.”

Then they left. Jennifer took her to the party, promising to drop her off afterward.

I stood in the hallway, listening to the sound of their laughter fade.

I still had dishes to do. So I forced myself to move. Dirty plates, greasy pans, dried sauce on the stove. For thirty minutes, the only sound was water running and utensils clattering.

Then I noticed Santiago standing in the kitchen doorway. Arms crossed. Face cold.

“You really don’t see it, do you?” he finally said.

“See what?” I asked without looking at him.

“You’re not even here anymore. Sure, your body’s here. But your spirit? Gone. You just clean, sweep, do laundry—you’re more like an omega than a mate. Not a mother. Not really.”

“That’s because you’ve made me into this,” I shot back. “You treat me like a servant. You let Gabriella talk to me like I’m trash. And you let Jennifer… fill a space that’s not hers to fill.”

“Because she deserves to fill it more than you do!” he snapped—and instantly fell silent.

It felt like someone crushed my heart in their fist.

“You really just said that to me?”

Silence. Then a heavy exhale.

“You’re not the woman I fell in love with, Camilla. Back then, you were strong. Respected. Now… you’re just a shadow of who you used to be.”

I stepped forward, voice trembling but clear. “Do you still love me, Santiago?”

He didn’t answer. My question caught him off guard.

“Do you still love me?” I repeated. “After everything I gave up—my pack, my position, my future—do you still love me?”

His mouth opened. Then closed. No words.

And right on cue, Jennifer came back. “Gabriella fell asleep in the car. I figured I’d just tuck her in so she doesn’t have to wake up again.”

Santiago turned to her like she was a blessing. I saw it. He was glad she showed up.

Jennifer glanced at both of us, a slight smile on her lips. “Am I interrupting something?”

“No,” Santiago said quickly. “Just talking.”

Talking? That wasn’t talking. That was years of pain finally erupting.

I exhaled slowly. Wiped my wet hands on a towel. “I’m going out for a bit.”

No one stopped me. No one called my name.

I stepped outside to the backyard. The night air bit into my skin. I could feel my wolf stir inside me, uneasy.

[Santiago doesn’t deserve to treat you like this, Camilla,] Vivian-my wolf, whispered gently, concern in her voice.

“I’m ending this. It’s almost over, Viv.”

It’s been years since I shifted. It always hurt too much. Too raw. Every time I shifted, I was reminded of who I used to be—and who I am now.

But tonight, with bare feet on the cold grass, I closed my eyes and tilted my head to the sky. I needed to feel something that was mine. Something Santiago couldn’t touch. Something Jennifer couldn’t steal.

In that silence, I remembered Antoine’s message. The offer from LUPA.

I’ll connect you to the admin team for confirmation in two days. Wishing you all the best.

Just as I was about to close my eyes, Santiago walked into the bedroom and laid down beside me. Without missing a beat, he started talking about his upcoming trip to Shanghai.

“Camilla, Gabrielle and I are leaving for Shanghai in three days. I already booked the tickets. I used the money you lent me. Once Gabrielle wins the competition, I’ll pay you back. Just hang in there a little longer, okay? You trust me, don’t you?”

His manipulative words shredded the last bit of peace I was trying to cling to before sleep. I kept my face calm, pretending I didn’t already know about the trip.

“Is Jennifer going with you guys too?” I asked, my voice light.

“Yeah, but she’s paying her own way. She doesn’t want to be a burden to you. Camilla, you’ll always be the backbone of this family. The obedient mate, the supportive mother, the heart of this home. You just stay here, alright?”

“Whatever you say. You already said I’m the obedient one.”

“Good,” he said, like everything was perfectly in place.

Typical Santiago—acting like everything was fine, pretending I was still blissfully unaware of what was really happening.

But in three days, Santiago was going to find out exactly what his so-called useless mate was capable of.