Chapter 3
1062 Words
The thought followed Camille for the rest of the day.
Leave.
Such a simple word.
Such a terrifying possibility.
For three years, Mooncrest Pack had been her home.
The Alpha mansion had become her home.
Damien had been her home.
Or at least, he used to be.
Now she wasn't sure what remained.
The afternoon passed slowly.
Camille buried herself in work, reviewing pack reports, approving budgets, and organizing supplies for the upcoming winter season.
Tasks Damien rarely noticed.
Responsibilities no one appreciated.
The invisible duties of a Luna.
As she signed another document, a knock sounded.
"Come in."
Her assistant entered.
"Luna, the pack elders have arrived."
Camille straightened.
"The monthly council meeting?"
"Yes."
She glanced at the clock.
Almost four.
Damien was supposed to attend.
Supposed to.
The word felt laughable these days.
A few minutes later Camille entered the council chamber.
The room was large and circular.
Several elderly wolves sat around a polished oak table.
The moment she entered, everyone stood respectfully.
"Good afternoon, Luna."
"Good afternoon."
She took her seat.
One chair remained empty.
Damien's.
Elder Marcus frowned.
"Has Alpha Damien been delayed?"
Camille already knew the answer.
Before she could speak, another elder sighed.
"He's with Selena's boy."
The room fell silent.
Several uncomfortable glances followed.
Camille pretended not to notice.
Elder Margaret looked irritated.
"The Alpha has responsibilities."
No one answered.
Because everyone knew she was right.
The elderly woman folded her arms.
"That child has parents."
A dangerous statement.
Several wolves shifted nervously.
Camille quickly intervened.
"Let's begin."
Thankfully the conversation moved on.
Still, she noticed the elders exchanging looks throughout the meeting.
Concerned looks.
Disapproving looks.
The kind that suggested rumors were no longer staying inside the mansion.
The entire pack was beginning to notice.
By the time the meeting ended, Camille felt exhausted.
She gathered her papers.
As she prepared to leave, Elder Margaret spoke quietly.
"Luna."
Camille paused.
"Yes?"
The old woman hesitated.
Then she lowered her voice.
"How are you really?"
The question nearly broke her.
Because nobody had asked that in months.
Not genuinely.
Not without expecting something in return.
Camille smiled.
A fragile smile.
"I'm fine."
The elder's eyes softened.
"You don't have to lie to me."
A painful silence followed.
Finally Camille looked away.
"I should go."
The older woman didn't stop her.
Didn't push.
But her expression remained troubled.
As Camille left the chamber, she couldn't shake the feeling that everyone saw the cracks she worked so hard to hide.
Everyone except Damien.
* * *
Evening arrived.
The mansion buzzed with excitement.
Servants rushed through hallways carrying decorations.
Fresh flowers arrived from the gardens.
Tables were prepared.
Candles arranged.
Music rehearsed.
Camille frowned.
Something was happening.
She stopped a passing maid.
"What's going on?"
The girl blinked.
"You don't know?"
Know what?
"No."
The maid looked surprised.
"Lady Selena's birthday celebration."
Camille froze.
Birthday celebration?
The girl immediately realized her mistake.
Her face turned pale.
"Oh."
The silence that followed was painful.
Because they both understood.
Nobody had informed the Luna.
The maid quickly lowered her head.
"I thought Alpha Damien had told you."
Of course he hadn't.
Camille forced a smile.
"It's alright."
The girl hurried away.
Leaving Camille standing alone in the corridor.
Several moments passed.
Then she laughed.
A small laugh.
A broken laugh.
A celebration inside her own house.
And nobody bothered to tell her.
The humiliation settled heavily inside her chest.
Still, she straightened her shoulders.
She was Luna.
She would act like one.
No matter how much it hurt.
* * *
The ballroom glittered beneath crystal chandeliers.
Guests filled the room.
Pack members.
Warriors.
Business allies.
Elders.
Everyone seemed happy.
Everyone seemed excited.
Camille entered quietly.
Conversations immediately slowed.
Not because she was important.
Because people were surprised.
As if they weren't expecting her.
The realization stung.
Then she saw them.
Damien.
Selena.
Standing together in the center of the room.
The image stopped her cold.
Selena wore a silver gown.
Beautiful.
Elegant.
Almost Luna-like.
Damien stood beside her.
Hand resting lightly against her back.
Protective.
Familiar.
Comfortable.
The sight made Camille's stomach twist.
A warrior approached.
"Luna."
She smiled politely.
"Good evening."
But her attention remained fixed on the pair across the room.
They looked perfect together.
That was the problem.
Far too perfect.
As if everyone had already accepted a reality Camille hadn't agreed to.
A waiter offered champagne.
She declined.
Her appetite had disappeared hours ago.
Suddenly applause erupted.
Camille looked up.
Damien had stepped onto the stage.
The room quieted.
Every eye focused on him.
His deep voice echoed through the ballroom.
"Thank you all for coming tonight."
More applause followed.
Damien glanced toward Selena.
His expression softened.
A rare look.
The kind he used to reserve for Camille.
"I'd like to say a few words."
Selena smiled shyly.
The guests watched expectantly.
Damien continued.
"The last few years haven't been easy."
Selena lowered her gaze.
"But despite her loss..."
He looked directly at her.
"...Selena has shown remarkable strength."
The room nodded approvingly.
Camille felt her throat tighten.
"She's become an important part of this family."
Applause erupted.
Louder this time.
Camille stood completely still.
Family.
The word echoed inside her head.
Important part of this family.
What was Camille then?
A decoration?
A title?
A mistake?
Damien raised his glass.
"To Selena."
"To Selena!"
The crowd repeated enthusiastically.
Camille looked around.
Everyone was smiling.
Everyone was celebrating.
No one noticed the Luna quietly breaking apart.
No one except one person.
Across the ballroom, Beta Noah met her gaze.
Concern filled his eyes.
He had seen.
He understood.
Unfortunately, understanding didn't make the pain disappear.
Then came the moment that shattered what little composure she had left.
A guest laughed.
"She already looks like our Luna."
Several others nodded.
Nobody corrected them.
Nobody.
Not Damien.
Not Selena.
Not anyone.
Camille's heart stopped.
For one endless second, the room seemed silent.
Then the conversations resumed.
As if nothing had happened.
As if they hadn't just erased her existence.
Camille slowly set her untouched glass onto a nearby table.
Her hands trembled.
Her breathing became uneven.
She needed air.
Now.
Without a word, she turned and walked toward the exit.
No one stopped her.
No one called her name.
And perhaps the most painful part of all—
Damien never even noticed she was gone.
- Writer
