Chapter 105: Chapter 105

“His wife left him, she took off with their oldest child. I remember I was assisting him with assembling the herd shelter when she came by and told him she was going out to buy their three year old ice cream because he would stop crying and she had none left in the house. He looked at their child and shook his head, he knew the child was never easy to persuade so he let her go. He had offered to take the child himself but she wouldn't budge and she said she wouldn't take long.” he says, taking a short pregnant pause.“ I didn't expect her to be late either because she had left their newborn in the house but it's been four if not five years and she's still getting ice cream.”

Belle gasps beside me, and I shake my head. I knew he was holding something that hurt him inside but I didn't anticipate this. “Maybe his wife died?” I suggest, trying to find a justification for his pain.

“No, she ran away. She's raising their child with her lover. She was a good woman, they were the most envied couple here. She was very pretty too, but never uptight, she was humble. But I guess she never did love him, her heart always belonged to another.” the girl next to Mr Huntington sighs.

“What happened to the newborn?” Mirabelle asks, and I'm glad she did. I was about to ask the same thing but pondering over it, they might think I give a shit when I don't, I'm just generally curious.

“She stays with him, a very lovely child. But recently, I haven't beheld her, she must be with the aunt on the mother's side. She has a habit of fighting him to keep the girl. Once she goes to visit, she stays long and he can't do anything about it because he is a peaceful man and they both want what's best for the girl. I think he feels like he failed her at times, you know how it is with single parents with such little kids.” Mr Huntington explains, his gaze never leaving Beta despite his active movements.

I too watch Beta, he hides his pain very well. If I weren't going through the exact pain, I would have missed it. The way he is moving from spot to spot, making sure everyone is okay makes me feel sorry for him. Good people never win, he is a perfect example of it, his wife left their newborn and is having the man she left him for raise his other child. “That sucks,” I snort.

When I realize I said that out loud, my gaze shifts to Belle, she's crying at the sad story she's just heard. I feel sorry for him but I'm not going to cry about it, I've wasted enough tears in my premature life.

“Come on Belle, chin up. Let's get going mama bird.” I say, adding my nickname for her to lighten the emptiness of my tone.

“Have a safe trip, I wish you all the best in life. Thank you for saving my miserable old life.” Mr Huntington murmurs.

I nod, watching him walk away, his satire hasn't gone anywhere despite being locked up for nearly a decade. The girl that was beside him is still standing here, watching both Belle and I. I'm unable to read her mind, she seems souless and hurt too.

“Umm, can I come with you guys?” she asks.

In response, I turn to Mirabelle who simply shrugs. Running my tongue over my lips I too shrug, “I wouldn't advise it.” I told her.

“Please, I would rather be eaten by predators than go back to that place where he didn't fight for me. He ran to save his life after saying he loved me and sacrificed me for his beloved Pack.” she spits bitterly, the loathe for her mate evident, we have that much in common.

“What's your name?” I ask, slanting my head to study her for a minute.

“Emiliath, but I used to be called Emily up until a year ago.”

“Well, Emily.” I sigh, “Love is shit, the mate bond is total crap and life's a bitch. So, why didn't your mate value you, were you weak?”

“No,” she answers immediately, her tone subtle. I like that, I like that she's keeping her temper in check because when I loose mine, it's not pretty sight. “ I was fully trained, I was next in line to be selected as head warrior but when he couldn't pay back his debt, he used me as payment.” she murmurs, her lip curling up in disgust.

“Okay, you can come with us but first-” I murmur, taking a pregnant pause, my gaze surveying her. “I don't want you running to him the second he finds you, you're a very beautiful girl Em, you deserve better.”

Emily gulps, her lips curving into a grin. “I won't go back to him, he will never know the pleasure of having a good woman ever again.”

Her voice sounds hurt, she might be saying this out of hurt but I give her the benefit of the doubt. Everyone had been through a lot, some still unable to discern what was happening, others passed out somewhere on our way to this river and I like that this time, we are on the other side of the river, distant from Takishini soil.

My hand reaches forward, opening for Emily to take it and she does, a bit hesitant but she does, tensing in my touch.

“So what now Camilla?” Belle asks, and honestly I don't have an answer.

My hand guides Emily to beside me, giving me a clear view of Takishini Beta, I doubt he has any interest in being the Alpha of that pack. He is too good a man for that, and if he did run it I presume he would do it with at most grace and stature, ethical to the grave.

Mr Huntington said I could run Takishini, but I don't want that pack. I don't know much about operating a pack the right way but I do know what not to do as an Alpha, everything Alpha Hayden did is a no. I've been around three of the best Alpha's I've ever met, Adrian included because despite his ignorance I can't deny the man–boy knows what it takes to run a pack.

My father and Ryan have equally, if not more so great Alpha's and I was there every step of the way with them. Same with my Mom and Arielle, I watched them be the Luna the people needed and that was more than enough for the pack, maybe I should have my own pack.

I wouldn't be that bad an Alpha, I've watched my brother train and rule Dark Moon so smoothly, I can do it too. It's not that hard, I only now realize my mom trained Arielle in the ways to be a luna of the people and for the people in front of my eyes. Every trial or lesson was done with me beside them, wow.

I turn to Belle with a smile, “Well, I think I found a place to live. I'm getting my own pack.”

Belle's eyes widen, her jaw declining as she tries to utter something that won't quite leave her lips. “All my life, I have been exploited, underrated and rejected because I didn't fit into the social norms of society, but no more. It ends here, I will show everyone just what I'm capable of. The sweet innocent, naive Camilla is dead. She lived long enough, but now, I've resurrected. I hate to admit it but it feels good, I see why Tee loves this version of Camilla the most, it's raw and all I need. I will prove everybody that underestimated me wrong, it's time for some Karma and I'm serving it cold.and.spicy.” I grin, the excitement of karma prevailing making my bones rattle with excitement.

Being a pushover was fun and I never was bothered but I've compensated enough for my guilt, Talitha has reimbursed enough. She might have to keep her sister's identity forever but I will make sure she is herself with everyone including her overbearing mother. But first, I have a pack to claim.