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.

Camilla

I sent a message to the Alpha Kenneth-CEO of the property company where Santiago worked—a distant relative on my mother’s side. Years ago, I begged him to give Santiago a job. I did it behind Dad’s back, and Santiago’s too. I was such a fool, hoping he’d turn out to be the perfect mate for me.

[Can I meet you this afternoon? I need a favor.]

It didn’t take long for my phone to buzz. Kenneth replied within seconds. We agreed to meet at a café near his office.

In two days, Santiago, Jennifer, and Gabrielle would leave for Shanghai. They said it was for Gabrielle’s training. I played along, acting busy with their preparations and telling them I needed to go to the supermarket to buy socks and gloves for Gabrielle.

“Pick me up a razor, too. Mine’s busted,” Santiago said, not even looking up as he stuffed clothes into the suitcase I’d packed for him.

I nodded silently. In the living room, I spotted Gabrielle glancing around like she’d lost something.

“Mom, did you see my gloves? I left them on the sideboard yesterday, right?” she asked, pointing to the cabinet where we kept some family photos.

“I threw them out. They were torn. I’ll get you a new pair.”

“Oh, finally, Mom gets what I need,” she said with a shrug.

I didn’t answer. No point arguing with her over something so small. I’d told her a hundred times to keep her gloves in her room.

The drive to the café took about 45 minutes. When I arrived, Alpha Kenneth was already waiting. He waved at me, then pointed to the seat beside him.

“Let’s get straight to it. I know you’re busy,” I said as I sat down.

“Yeah, that’s life. Tell me—what can I do for you?”

“I want you to fire Santiago.”

He went quiet for a second, then picked up his latte. “Do I need to know the reason? I mean, I’ll have to give him one, right?”

“You can come up with a hundred reasons. He’s heading to Shanghai anyway. And I know he hasn’t even gotten his salary this month. Not a single property sold.”

There was a flicker of hesitation in his eyes, but then he nodded. “Okay. I’ll have HR send the notice. Anything else?”

“Sell my house. I don’t care about the price—just make it fast.”

He smirked. “You’re lucky you’re Serena’s daughter. Anyone else, I’d probably refuse a crazy request like that.”

Two major steps taken—each one a slap to Santiago’s pride, and he wouldn’t even see it coming. All that was left was to freeze his accounts and cancel his credit cards.

It was easy. I’d set everything up when I was still the pack’s consulate. The savings account, the credit cards—I gave it all to him. And now I was taking it all back.

The day of their departure came. I double-checked Santiago and Gabrielle’s luggage to make sure nothing was left behind.

At the airport, Jennifer hugged me tight. “Pray for us, Camilla. I hope the trip goes smoothly.” Her smile was sweet, like always—fake sweet.

“Of course,” I said flatly.

Santiago patted my shoulder. “I’ll bring you something from Shanghai.”

Gabriella chimed in, “Mom’s the best at managing the house. You really are, Mom. You should just stay home while Aunt Jen takes me on this trip.”

I forced a small smile, swallowing the bitter taste in my mouth. We said goodbye at the departure gate. The three of them walked off laughing like they didn’t have a care in the world. I stood there, watching them go, knowing this was the last time I’d see them so carefree.

On the way home, my phone vibrated. A message from Alpha Kenneth:

[It’s done. HR sent the termination letter today by email.]

I stared at the screen, exhaling a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. Back at the house, I looked at the only family photo left on the sideboard. I wasn’t in it.

Once, that would’ve stung. Now? I felt relief. No trace of me in a family that never really valued me.

I blocked Santiago and Jennifer’s numbers. No more late-night calls demanding things from me. No more fake concern in their texts.

I called a travel agent and booked a ticket to Washington. Time for a fresh start. Antoine called me soon after.

“Camilla, did you get your ticket? I’ll pick you up at Dulles, okay?”

“Yeah, thanks, Antoine,” I said, my voice lighter than it had been in years.

That night, I started packing. I didn’t need much—just the essentials, just what was mine. I booked a hotel room with a spa. My first night in my new life, I’d treat myself. A soft bed, a real massage—comforts I hadn’t let myself have in so long.

I scrolled through a map of Washington on my phone. So many new places to see. So many new opportunities waiting. No more shadows of Santiago or Jennifer, or anyone who thought I wasn’t enough.

Soon I’d head to the LUPA office. Just thinking about walking through that door made me smile.

When I was done packing, I stood in the middle of the house. Empty. But for the first time, I felt full. Full of strength I thought I’d lost.

That night, my wolf, Vivian, whispered in my mind.

[You made the right choice, Camilla. The day will come when Santiago comes looking for you. That’s when you’ll break the bond.]

“Yeah. But first, we’ll visit Hoh Forest and seek guidance from the ancestors.”

The next afternoon, a call came from an unknown number. I answered—and heard Santiago’s angry voice.

“You canceled my credit card? Are you mad because we didn’t invite you?”

“Figure it out yourself. I’m not arguing over the phone. Goodbye.”

A smile spread across my face. Pulling my suitcase behind me and holding tight to Brave’s leash, I stepped out of the house that had felt like pure hell. This time, I swore, I’d choose my own happiness—no matter what.