Chapter 170: Chapter 170
Karla shakes her head, and Santiago rises, placing the order on the intercom then coming back to sit near Midnight Saints wonderful Alpha and chief executive trainer, the man that thought I wouldn't make Zeta a few years ago simply because I was pretty, and Alpha's sister. Well, I sure showed him.
The meeting is underway, with Mom leading it while Camilla and I respond accordingly. Once Camilla and I say our part, Santiago and the board members say their own while Adrian sits just about silent as Karla, half of the meeting.
Adrian's eyes seem to have found their safe haven in Camilla, he hasn't taken his eyes off her for a very long time. When forced to participate in the discussion, he simply nodded his head. Ninety percent of the time he has been staring at Camilla, while the other ten percent has been all he has to offer, and still he split it between nodding to whatever Santiago and his people say, and staring at Camilla's boobs.
The table is silent, with everyone watching each other, except Karla, who is silently playing with my phone, the volume tuned to zero. Bored of the silent competition, I clear my throat. “To summarise, the restraining order against the pack and its members has been lifted. Golden Hunters are welcome to Silverline, anytime.” I press, my foot kicking Camilla underneath the table, urging her to be nice.
Karla pauses, looking at Camilla. “No buts mommy?”
I laugh, of course there is always a but, and Karla knows because she's been to many meetings with us, I could do the but, but that's Camilla's territory.
“But...” Camilla trails off, the feigned smile nowhere to be seen as she looks around the table, eyeing Adrian mostly. “Whatever you do, don't shit me. I won't be held responsible for my actions and it won't be a pretty outcome. I'm not asking you to do anything for me yet, keep up with the way you've always done things around here and I'll do things how I do them in my pack.” she asserts, flashing her fake smile for all to see. Most of them tense in their seats, my mom shifts a little too, concern evident as she spares Adrian a glance. Adrian is in the least bit rattled by Camilla, despite the Phoenix Alpha coming out to play right now.
Camilla may be present but it's the Phoenix Alpha talking, you can see it in the way she stares, talks and the manner in which she sits, it's not her, it's the Phoenix Alpha.
Most people fear this Camilla, but Adrian is bothered, is this what happens when you sleep with someone? All they do seems to cease to scare you? Yeah, it must be it. Even Camilla stopped fearing him that much when he began to sleep with her, maybe it's a secret of intimacy.
I shake the thought off, smiling at Adrian, who looks at me. It's my turn to talk, my turn to endeavour to scare the opponent. “You know,” I begin, licking my lips, a smile twitching. “You might be the Golden Hunters, but if and when it comes down to it, we'll be the hunter, and you?” I laugh softly, “You will be the prey.”
The table goes silent, so silent you could hear a pin drop and then, Camilla discreetly winks at me, a smile forming on her lips. Pride, yes the smile is full if it and I'm revelling in it.
“If that's all, then we can call it.” Camilla tells them, looking up from her watch, her gaze resting on a board member. Yes, so much more stable than it would be to stay on Adrian.
Adrian snorts, earning my attention as well as everyone else at the table. “You're calling the shots in my pack, isn't that crossing the line as you described it?” he asks, his gaze settled on Camilla, his posture unmoving from the beginning of the meeting.
“Oh, now he decides to speak?” I sarcastically ask, matching his tone of inquiry.
Camilla looks at Adrian, shrugging one shoulder, “I was just helping you out.” she tells him, “You've seemed a tad bit tongue tied for the past two hours.”
Santiago smiles but quickly hides it once Adrian nudges him swiftly, so swift, I almost miss the action.
“We can call it a day,” mom announces.
Everyone gets up, expressing their regards and their joy in working with us, as if we said they can run our pack with us.
The thought nearly makes me laugh but I keep my game face on, watching the last board member leave, with my mother giving a compliment to Camilla in my earshot.
“This is how you handle your meetings?” I hear Adrian ask.
I roll my eyes, failing to be professional with him. “Hmm, like what?”
“Threatening people,” he deadpans.
“I'm sorry, I think you have it all wrong. We don't threaten, all we do is simply let you know that there's various possibilities, and of course we were nice to you considering you're family to be one of ours.” I retorted. “Unfortunately.” I grumble, but not so low that he can't hear me.
“Camilla, can I call you Camilla?” my mother interrupts I and Adrian's sibling rivalry.
“Yes Luna,” Camilla grins, veering to my mother. “You can call me anything.”
“You are so sweet, let me call my friend. She'd like to see you.” Mom rises from her seat.
“Mother has gone shopping with Racheal.” Santiago informs her.
“Camilla, when will you visit us again?” my mom asks, standing by her seat.
“Umm, I'm afraid not soon. I'm very busy these days, I just returned barely a month ago and it's been hectic.” Camilla lets out.
Mom nods, giving Camilla a smile before looking at Adrian, “And to think someone lost the chance of waking up to this gorgeous you every morning.”
“Mom,” Santiago cringes, jumping to defend Adrian.
“You're such a delight,” Mom looks at Camilla. Camilla blushes, smiling faintly before resuming her resting bitch face.
“It was lovely meeting you, Fire Luna, thank you so much for your hospitality but we have to get going,” Camilla rises.
“What's the rush?” my mom looks at me, “Stay for dinner, please, I insist.”
“We can't,” I tell her.
“Why not?” she shoots back, looking at me like I'm trying to stop Camilla from staying here.
“My daughter....” Camilla begins but mom intercepts, looking down at Karla.
“She will be fine, won't you sweetie pie?” she says to Karla.
Karla giggles, “Not me, my hermana.”
“Oh,” mom gasps. “Err, you have another daughter?”
Camilla nods, stroking Karla's hair. “Yes, she was napping when we left but she must be awake now and if we don't get going right now, she just might bring my pack down and overthrow me.”
“Okay, I understand.” Mom tells her, rounding the table to meet her. “Well, it was lovely meeting you and your daughter. I'd like to meet your other daughter too, I'm sure she's just as pretty as this one.” she lets out, her hand brushing Karla's hair.
“She is,” I rose, my chair screeching. “But her tantrum won't be.” I sigh, reaching for my jacket.
Mom ignores me, giving Karla a tight squeeze before letting her go shortly, only to pet her head again. “You remind me of a beautiful little girl I once knew, but you are so much more adorable, she was a brat.”
“Mom, you want to steal my niece?” I joke, “Come on honey, let's go.” I tell Karla, reaching my hand out. Karla hops off her chair, my phone in her hand, and she gives it to me.
Santiago rises, “I will see you out, but before you go.” he pauses, his fingers lightly tapping on the table. Bad, I think to myself, worst move to exhibit in front of your opponents, which is exactly what we are to them right now. “Alpha Adrian has something to say.” he adds.
Instantly, we all veer our gaze to Adrian, he remains mute, barely conscious if you ask me but I know he's alive, only the good die young and rest for that matter.
Santiago growls, visibly stomping Adrian's foot but Adrian doesn't yelp, he simply looks at Santiago with unrest. “We would be very pleased if you came to Alpha's birthday party, isn't that right ?” he asks, looking at Adrian.
Adrian nods, “Indeed.”
“Really?” I coo, my blank gaze switching between Adrian and Santiago. I find them bold for making that request of Camilla, especially Adrian. After everything he's done to her, he still thinks she should indulge him? He should have the decency to not bother her.
“I see,” Camilla grins. “And why would I be pleasing you?”
“It's just a request. Alpha Camilla,” Adrian presses, the mock in his tone unmistakable.