Talk of trust
1257 Words
Chapter 10: Talk of trust
Camilla's POV
THREE DAYS LATER
Malakai and I returned to his suite after he took me to the pack hospital. It was our second visit there.
The doctor had applied some ointment to the whip marks on my back, just like the first time. But Malakai didn’t stop there today. He insisted on a full body check, and completely panicked when he found out I was surviving on just one kidney.
Now he was paying so much attention to me, even though the doctor had assured him I could live a perfectly normal life—as long as I stayed away from smoking and excessive alcohol.
"How old were you when you donated to your sister?" he asked once we were inside. He had insisted we take the elevator instead of the stairs so I wouldn’t be stressed.
"Eighteen," I replied, pausing for a moment. "She was born with renal dysplasia. It's a condition where the kidneys don't form properly in the womb. One kidney was affected at first, but by the time she was seventeen, the second had failed too."
My stepmom, Victoria, immediately suggested I donate once the doctor confirmed I was a match. My dad didn’t even hesitate to agree.
But as long as it was going to end Audrey's pain, I had been more than willing to help.
Malakai gave a tight nod. I could tell he wasn’t pleased; not with me, but maybe with how easily I had been allowed to make that choice.
He glanced at his phone. “They’ve delivered your clothes,” he said, rising just as a soft knock came at the door.
The second set of clothes since I arrived here. My pulse quickened with anticipation.
He returned with four large white shopping bags.
My eyes widened.
I knew he wouldn’t stop at just one or two things, but four bags? That was beyond anything I could have imagined.
"Isn't this too much?" I whispered, my heart racing as I unpacked them. Each piece looked carefully chosen—gowns, pants, tops, even underwear—every item more beautiful and expensive than the last.
"Not if your closet’s still breathing."
He smirked playfully, then added with that disarming seriousness of his, “Though if it ever starts choking, I’ll just build you a new one.”
I laughed. With him, I could never tell where the joke ended and the promise began.
"I wasn’t used to being spoiled like this. A part of me wanted to push back, to say it was too much, unnecessary. But another part—the quiet, weary side of me that had been through so much, starved for care—allowed herself, just this once, to enjoy it.
"Thank you." I meant it.
"Anything to hear you laugh like that again." He said it so softly I almost missed it. The look in his eyes made my chest flutter, my cheeks growing warmer.
Malakai left me alone in the room for a bit, but when he returned, he requested I dress up. He wanted to take me somewhere.
I wore one of the jeans and tops he had picked out. He said it looked perfect on me... and honestly, it did. I had to fight the urge to stop at every glass surface we passed on the way to his car just to admire myself.
We drove out of the pack compound in a sleek black car. The drive was slow and quiet, but not uncomfortable. He said he wanted me to enjoy the city view.
It felt unreal to be outside like this... not trapped, not waiting to be punished or used.
I lost track of time until we arrived at a gated piece of land near the woods. Once we stepped out, he came to stand in front of me, a mischievous smile playing on his lips.
My heart skipped. He looked too good. And standing this close, with his 6'8ft height against my __, I felt like a child next to him.
"I want to show you something," he said, scratching the back of his neck, "but I’m thinking I might need you to close your eyes while I lead you there."
"I have to do that?" I asked, blinking, my voice barely a whisper.
"Are you afraid?"
I hesitated, then gave a small, honest nod. I was. I didn’t know where he was leading me, and that might mean... holding hands.
"Alright, we can go ahead with your eyes wide open then," he said with a soft smile. "But at some point, trust is going to matter between us. Don't get me wrong, I’m not asking you to rush. Like I said earlier... you’re not expected to please anyone, and that includes me."
His eyes met mine with such quiet tenderness that it made butterflies riot in my stomach. For a moment, I was lost in them; in the peace he promised without saying it aloud.
"I understand you’ve been through things... things that shaped you into this version," he went on, his voice pulling me out of the daze and straight into a wave of emotion.
"But just know... every bit of trust you give me, Camilla... I’ll hold it close. And I'll spend every day proving I deserve it."
I blinked quickly, trying to hold back tears, but they escaped anyway, sliding down my cheeks.
"Uh c’mon," he said with a teasing smirk. "Pretty girls don’t cry in public."
A shaky laugh escaped me.
"Shall we?" he asked, gesturing ahead once I wiped my face.
"What if I cover my eyes with my palms? Just enough to not see everything you want to show me at once?" I asked, pausing.
He laughed. It was such a warm, beautiful sound, it melted something inside me.
"We could make do with that."
I covered my face with both hands, spreading my fingers just a little so I could peek through.
Malakai led me deeper into the field, until we reached a spot that made my breath catch, a gasping escaping me.
Slowly, I lowered my hands, eyes widening in awe.
I was staring at the most enchanting garden I could ever imagine. Colors flowed together in the most striking blend of white, orange, pink, and more white.
All lilies.
"Goddess, this is so beautiful," I breathed, hand over my mouth.
"You like it?" Malakai asked. His gaze was on me—not the flowers—as if I were the precious thing here.
"I love it," I corrected. "Can I enter?"
"Of course."
I stepped into the maze of lilies, gently brushing my fingertips along the petals. They felt as soft as clouds.
Malakai trailed behind me, and I could feel his smile.
We walked slowly, the garden stretching far and wide, until we reached the middle.
He sat down on the grass. I joined him, but instead of sitting, I lay on my back, facing the sky.
He looked down at me with a satisfied smile.
"Breathe in," he demanded.
I didn’t ask why. I just closed my eyes and drew in a deep breath.
A sweet, rich, intoxicating scent filled my lungs. I had been catching whiffs of it before, but now, breathing it in fully... it was purely addictive.
When I opened my eyes again, Malakai was staring at me with such raw fascination, it stole every breath I had just taken.
"Do you like what you perceived?"
I blinked, then nodded slowly.
"That’s exactly how you smell," he said quietly.
- Writer
