Arielle POV

Arielle's POV

When Mirabelle called, I was changing Jacques's diaper, my mother in law was right next to me. I was helping her pack for her trip, Luna Reina and Alpha Enrique travel a lot and since Camilla was the only thing keeping them here for a month or two in between their travels, they have no reason to stay with her gone. Luna Reina is certain Adrian will always treat her daughter like the princess she is and I can't agree more with that fact, I have witnessed first hand how he stares at her when she's oblivious to him seeing her watch him. Camilla always said she wanted a love like mine and Ryan's or like her parents but she shouldn't crave it, the love she and Adrian share is ten times worth wanting compared to ours.

Every relationship has its problems, no matter how perfect it might seem to everyone around you. When Ryan and I first started seeing each other it was a whirlwind romance, he swept me off my feet so easily and into my pants so effortlessly. We were rushing everything, we forgot we had lives beside each other during the first few weeks of our relationship but then reality hit, I was fighting girls every week and he was doing more apologising than improving.

I loved him but he needed to learn to be a man if he truly wanted me, and that took some time to sink in on his part but when he did, everything fell into place. I did—do beat up a woman or two once in a while for trying to disrupt the peace of my marriage because some people don't know when to quit but like I said, every relationship is breakup bait, but that's not easy for Camilla to understand. The first serious relationship she's had is with her mate and she so desperately wants it to work that she's working on it without him, she thinks she is the problem and that's far from the truth. She is perfect just as she is and the way Adrian gazes at her says it all, he can't believe he bagged such a wonderful girl, hell, he has told me he can't believe he gets to spend his life with an incredible girl like Camilla. He said he doesn't know what he did to deserve her but he will strive to be worth the love she gives and I believe him, they're everything together and empty apart.

I hate to admit it but Adrian and Camilla complete each other, they're two halves of cut from the same cloth in different shades and texture but somehow, they fit so well together. They accept each other with the mistakes of the other, this is what love is made of and it's the purest thing one will ever experience.

When I got off the phone with Mirabelle earlier, Luna Reina told me what was going on, apparently Queen Sheryl Hearst filled her in on everything before it came to pass and Adrian was warned and advised in the right direction. According to her, he seemed distraught but a baby is a blessing nonetheless and I can testify to that, my son is everything and more. I never thought I would love anyone more than I love Ryan but then Jacques Liam came along and I was proved overly wrong about it. Everytime I think I can't love him more, I do.

Mirabelle called about four hours ago, and my in-laws' flight was scheduled for an hour ago. I left Liam with his dad and drove his grandparents to the airport with Ashanti, who also desperately needed cheering up and honestly, I feel she's more qualified to give Camilla advice in this situation rather than me. Ashanti's mate had a baby with someone before they got together and his baby mama was—is a pain in the ass but Ashanti makes it work, she loves her step son despite how bitchy his mom is or how bratty the boy acts. Ashanti will be more helpful in this matter than I would have been, I spent half the ride back from the airport contemplating what I would say to her but nothing of significance came to me.

Mirabelle texted me the location of the restaurant they'd be at an hour ago. We've been sitting at the table for about ten minutes. When I sat down, I could sense her sadness. Camilla's eyes were puffy and the ultraviolet rays were overshadowed by darkness. I've always loved the sparkle in her eyes, but today they're so dull. So far, she has faked a few smiles but even the effort has been trivial, except for when Ashanti made a sad joke.

In the past few minutes, we've talked about my son and Tamina's daughter, nothing else. The waiter is standing on my left, taking everyone's orders. Camilla hasn't ordered yet, the waiter isn't in the least bothered by her delay, he is staring at her in a bewildered manner, obviously contemplating what Adrian's Luna is doing in Midnight Saints. Even with her hair up in a messy bun, Camilla looks just as pretty as she'd look with makeup on.

“Camilla, choose anything off the menu, I didn't bring you this far for nothing.” Mirabelle murmurs in annoyance.

Camilla sighs, finally setting the menu down. She looks up to Mirabelle, with the same sorry smile.“Okay, fine. You order for me.”

Mirabelle snorts, leaning back in her seat. “You have to decide what you want, how many times have I told you to stop letting other people make choices for you.”

“But—” she pauses, turning to the waiter with a weary smile. “ Can I get a milkshake, large fries, and your best dipping sauces? Any milkshake is fine but not chocolate, thank you.”

The waiter notes every single word down and nods, his lips stretching into a grin. “Anything else?”

“Nothing, that will be all, thank you.” I say, offering him a gentle smile. He nods, walking away. Nobody says a word as we await the food, Ashanti is studying Camilla thoroughly.

It's not longer than ten minutes before our food arrives, we all start to eat except for Camilla who keeps jabbing her folk into her food.

“Camilla, talk to me darling.” I say, taking a sip of my wine. Yes, wine, I'm day drinking because I can't do this sober nor can I converse with anyone sober later.

Camilla shakes her head, her hand slipping from the folk and it falls to the ground. It takes merely a second before a waiter runs to pick it up, replacing her entire silverware. I know for a fact this isn't because I'm sitting at this table, it's because she's here, Adrian's luna and they'd rather no one offend her.

“I don't know Ari, he swears it was before he marked me but I don't know what to do about this entire mess, is this where I'm supposed to leave him? I don't want to leave him.” she coaxes, her voice breaking as the last word leaves her mouth.

I know this must be hard on Camilla but this happened before he committed to her in front of the whole world and now, nothing can be done about it. Adrian will take responsibility for his child, and I know that as much as it hurts Camilla will be there for this child. She isn't bitter, she doesn't hold any grudges against those that wrong her, everything will work out. She just needs to get past her healing process which will not last long and then she, Angel and Adrian can work things out.

I open my mouth to say something but Ashanti beats me to it, taking Camilla's and into her own she shakes her head. “And you don't have to leave him, just because Adrian is having a baby with someone else doesn't change his love for you. He loves you, this baby was before you and he got serious and believe me, I realise how you must feel but I also know you. You might feel all this aggression towards them but you'll never be able to hate Adrian or that baby. I'm not saying you should stay if he cheats on you with her again but—” she pauses, wetting her lips as she turns to me.

I nod, fixing my gaze on Camilla, “But, what Ashanti is trying to say is you need to learn how to trust in yourself, learn to fight for what you want you're not a child anymore you've grown up but I need to see that fiery little girl who stood up for herself while crying.”

Camilla giggles and this time, it's genuine, effortlessly true to the bone. “You are a strong baby, you're a Luna in every true sense. Luna's are more potent than an Alpha, we tame the beast's and discipline the bratty children and right now, Angel is that child. You are more than capable of disciplining her, Angel can't get to you unless you let her. I'm not saying you should excuse his bullshit but Adrian is at the age most boy's want fun and he might have gone astray but you helped him find his way back and he has shown us how much he adores you. He swallowed his pride, came and asked Ryan and Father for an apology for everything he did that was hurting you. He called me to find out all your likes and dislikes. Angel might have his baby but she has nothing on you.”

Ashanti nods in agreement, “You're Adrian's strength and without you, he is weakened in spirit and soul. Every luna is the strength of the Alpha and I don't mean physical strength, it's deeper than that.”

Camilla sighs, her hand wrapping around her milkshake. “I think I understand what you mean, but I don't want to look stupid again.”

“We love you and want the best for you and sadly Adrian is what's best for you, it is written in the stars, in the sand, it's ubiquitous, he is yours and you're his.” Ashanti smiles, I agree with her. “I know you're hurting but I am sure he is hurting too, don't abandon him when he needs you the most. Camilla, stand your ground and everything will be fine. I'm sure Angel wants you to feel intimidated because she'll give him his first child but you don't have to feel intimidated, stand your ground you're an amazing girl. So beautiful, sweet and kind, don't be shaken by the little things whatever you do in life give it your all Camilla. Take me for example, you know how much I adore Axel.”

“I understand, thanks Ashanti.”

Does she?

Well, whatever it is, I trust Camilla to make the right decisions in life no matter what or who tries to influence her. The tenderness she has will never cease to exist.

I watch her as she begins to eat, Mirabelle seems awfully satisfied with the conversation we've had despite her lack of participation. Mirabelle speaks against her brother when it comes to his and Camilla's relationship, she doesn't even try to defend him, she is automatically on Camilla's side and I simply love that about her. Mirabelle is a true friend, Camilla has the worst social skills or perhaps she never tries at all but nonetheless, she hasn't been good at making friends. She always isolated herself if not spending time with the girls and I, the only kids I've seen her social with were Tiana and her friends and even then she wasn't consistent with interactions. I assumed it's because Tiana reminds her of Talitha but that doesn't seem like the case.

Otherwise, I love the friendship between her and Belle, it's an admirable connection that will withstand every test, kind of like her relationship with Adrian. I've never met any two people more different that fit so well together.