Arielle POV
Alpha's Hated Mate
Arielle's POV
I remember when I first met Camilla, she was young, not too young but she still believed in that magical fairytale life, the one she never got to have. Back then, Camilla would countdown to her birthday, crossing the dates off on her calendar, and when the day finally came, she'd wait outside her father's office, waiting to get a second dose of the hugs her mom had given her to wake her up that morning.
That feels like so long ago, she no longer believes in magic or the good in life, she's grown so much in the past few months. I liked having her to mature like my first child but I love the wonderful person she's become in the last two months.
I don't know if she's chosen to ignore it or has truly forgotten today is her birthday. I had to work extra hard to refrain Ryan and Michael from sending that early birthday present so they are the first to wish her because it's their tradition, no one can be above her brothers according to them. They always have to be first at everything done for her or towards her, it's a nice gesture, a sweet one, plus it keeps their egos stroked.
The girls and I had to travel to Silverline early this morning, heading to help Mirabelle with the surprise party we've been planning for Camilla. Tiana showed up a few minutes ago, with Hades, a literal duplicate of Camilla despite the lack of physical similarity. However, Hades left almost immediately after sharing some discreet words with Mirabelle, undoubtedly concerning Camilla.
Camilla is out with her assistant, Kendall I think, they've been gone since morning and according to her other assistant Emily, they won't be back until later tonight. Queen Sheryl called me last night in the hopes of seeking my assistance to persuade Camilla to have dinner with her this week, that was when I let her know today is Camilla's birthday. She was excited, she did offer to host it but seeing as Belle planned this out thoroughly for weeks, analysing where every detail would sit, we humbly declined her offer and she understood.
I set the timer for the last batch of cupcakes, my gaze landing on Tiana with the kids, she's got Karla sitting on the counter, Selena, Tamina's month old in a stroller beside her while she bounces my son on her hip. Both of them sharing the icing of my cupcakes, he started having solid foods but you can tell he has a sweet tooth like his mommy.
I frown at Tiana when she reaches for the icing container once again, “Put that down.” I tell her, instantly getting her to set it back down. “Shouldn't you be eating healthy?” I ask her, the realization of her being pregnant finally registering in my head.
So much has changed in the last few months but this, Tiana having a baby, has to be the biggest shock to me. She's an amazing babysitter, I just never imagined her a mom, at least not in this phase of her life.
“Ari,” she whines. “ Everything I eat is blunt and healthy, basically forced down my throat by Hades. While I'm here, can I at least eat what I want? Please?” she scowls, batting her lashes at me. “Without you ordering me, wait..” she pauses, a dark smirk creeping onto her lips. “I'm at Bear's pack, I can do whatever I want here.” she smirks, fixing a kiss on my son's cheek before she turns around, heading straight for the refrigerator, he maniacal laughter filling the room.
I shake my head, trading my gaze at Mirabelle entering the kitchen, her assistant following hastily behind her.
“Tia Belle,” "Auntie Belle," Karla calls out giddily, her fingers sliding into her mouth to lick them clean of all cupcake icing.
“Hey baby, you good?” she grins, walking past Karla after receiving a nod from her.
“You really have this Beta thing down huh?”
Belle shrugs, her hand settling the checklist on the empty space on the counter. “I try, but they're not intimidated by me. Cami on the other hand breaks everyone with merely a glare.”
I laugh, my mind already picturing Camilla's resting bitch face topped with a warning glare. It's an intimidating look but I can't see past the cuteness of it, it doesn't scare me, I've got a man that not only hands out worse glares but does worse sleeping next to me every night so Camilla's glare, it's cute to me.
“Tiana,” Mirabelle groans. “Seriously? Didn't your boyfriend specifically tell you not to be eating —that.” she says, her hand gesturing to the sushi plate in Tee's hand.
“He is not my boyfriend okay,” she defends, with a mouthful of sushi. Chewing hastily until she swallows, she frowns, “ We are not dating, we simply share a creature with our DNA, one whose life I will most likely not be a part of.”
“What do you mean, isn't this a fifty-fifty situation?” I ask her, glancing at my watch to see how long I have before I check the cupcakes.
“Nope, I didn't want a baby, still unsure if I do so he has legal rights over the baby and my drunk ass signed that fucking contract half sane. It's all good though, I get to be the cool aunty, mommy thing really isn't for me.” she whispers.
“It is,” Mirabelle affirms. “Just look at you, you're a natural.”
Tiana shifts her gaze from Liam on her hip to Belle, then me. I nod in approval, earning one of her devilish smiles, she's got an idea, one that will have Hades running for his money and best of all, he won't see it coming.
I've seen her around him, and that five minutes today was enough for me to gather the positive and negative tension between them. Tee seems to bend to his every whim but the moment he turns his back, she's the same old rebellious Tiana we all know. I think it's like Tamina said, it scares her because aside from Camilla, she's never met anyone that was too much like her, someone with the urge to tame her insatiable habits like her friend strives to.
There's more to their story than they are letting on, I'd like to watch their story unfold but Dark Moon is six hours too far from their residence.
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