.18. She died.

"Are you deaf or just pretending to be? And why are you looking at me that way? I asked what are we doing here, stop pretending that I'm mute for fuck's sake!" Camilla snarled, feeling deeply irritated by Zane's mysterious behavior.

Zane didn't let go of her hand; his eyes roamed all over her face and body. For some reason, Zane couldn't get his eyes off her. Camilla noticed that his eyes started to look blurry, so she just sat back in the seat and huffed. It felt unfair that he took her against her will and talked to his wolf instead of giving any explanations- cocky prick.

*"She's talking to you, moron!"* Zane's wolf growled, urging the human to listen in what the young woman had to say.

*"I know, but what am I supposed to say? That I promised to reject her if she ever turned out to be my mate? That I pointed out how useless and ugly Camilla is? Should I remind all of those times when both of us hurt her? I mean, she's leaving anyway, so why are we even bothering to act like a decent person? I can't just go on and tell her some shit to make her think that we care."* Zane felt as confused as never. His wolf urged him to do the right thing, despite Zane himself being rather reserved towards her. The stupid animal wouldn't allow him to let go of her damn hand.

*"I don't care, you're in this on your own."*

"Sorry, my wolf is acting like a fucking cunt right now, did you said anything?" Zane scratched the back on his neck, showing off how truly nervous he felt.

"Yeah, I asked why we are here," Camilla groaned in irritation. She didn't like repeating herself, especially when someone decided to kidnap her and bring her to where she doesn't belong.

"Oh, right. You were hungry, weren't you? Since I dragged you away from that *boyfriend* of yours and he has your food, I decided to take you out. Nothing as you might think- just a polite thing to do. I know that I'm a jerk, but since you have just a few days left to hang around here, I might, as well, act like a decent shifter. No more asshole Zane until you leave, I promise," Zane lifted his hands in surrender. The way he put extra emphasis on the word "boyfriend" made Camilla feel like he knew. Her intention wasn't to make anyone angry or jealous; she wanted to show everyone that her life is wonderful without them.

Camilla didn't get to think of an answer as her phone started buzzing in her pocket. She felt a mere tug on her mind-link, instantly knowing who might be the caller. The woman grabbed her phone and smiled, seeing how Aiden already made sure that his phone number was one of her contacts. The guard saved his name as "boyfriend" with the weirdest emojis next to it.

"Hello?" Camilla bit onto her lower lip as she placed the phone next to her ear. She could hear how Aiden chuckled on the other side of the line.

"Wasn't the prick supposed to take you home? You know, the place where I already arrived? Are you safe, baby? Should I go wherever you are and take you with me?" Aiden sounded worried, but Camilla would lie if she said that she didn't hear the smirk in his voice. He kept playing the game while she was the only one next to Zane.

"I don't know, the Alpha's son took me to McDonald's so I wouldn't starve, I think," Camilla giggled, ignoring how tight grip Zane held on the steering wheel. He let go of her hand and slid fingers through his hair.

"I was joking, beautiful, look over your shoulder," Aiden laughed, waiting to see if she would do as told. She did, her eyes widened, and a beautiful smile appeared on her lips. Behind Zane's car, Aiden parked his.

"You really thought that I would let him take you home without making sure that you're safe? Sugarplum, the only thing which matters is your safety and happiness, I can't let anyone else do what I am supposed to. Now, be a good girl, thank the kind man and get back in daddy's car." Aiden loved to tease people, especially ones who gave in to his provocations this easily.

*"Daddy? Who the fuck addresses themself as daddy? Kinky bastard."* Zane groaned, his thoughts racing. He couldn't put his mind onto what exactly the guard wanted from Camilla. *"Hell, I have no idea what the fuck I want from her, why should I wonder what he wants? Fuck!"*

"I will!" Camilla nearly jumped in the car seat, her smile growing even wider if that's possible. The spark in her eyes burned brighter, showing off her excitement and happiness. Suddenly Zane noticed so many things he was too blind to notice before. No wonder Blake used to hang around that girl so much- she was like a ray of sunshine, making everything feel brighter and warmer whenever she smiled.

*"Why can't she smile like that at me? Because of me, God damn it. Because of things I do for her, not some asshole of a fucking guard. She's in the car with a damn Alpha-to-be, ready to jump out because that cunt appeared out of fucking nowhere. Wait, woah, slow down, Zane. What the fuck is wrong with you? I must have a fucking fever, yes, that must be the reason. I'm losing it. Fuck being nice, fuck trying to change."* Zane's thoughts raced, he had to fight off his wolf, to avoid him inviting himself into Zane's privacy. He had enough on his neck already, having his wolf whine and talk about unnecessary shit would be too much.

"Um, listen, this whole thing has been nice and all, but I really have to go. Aiden came to pick me up, and I rather spend more time with him. Please understand, he might have to stay here when I leave, we don't have much time left together," Camilla spoke calmly, looking anywhere but at Zane. She was too scared to meet his eyes, knowing how bad his temper was- no one wanted to piss him off, including Camilla. Well, maybe there was one person who did want to do that. Aiden was more than happy to mess with Zane's emotions.

"Just get out of my fucking car, I don't need it to smell like a fucking Omega!" Zane growled, nearly forcing Camilla out himself.
She grabbed on the door, struggling to open it with her shaking hands. Zane sighed and leaned over her, opening the door and muttering a barely audible "sorry."

Camilla ran to Aiden's car, noticing how he got out of it already, opening his arms for her. She ran into his chest, barely holding together without breaking down in tears. The young woman couldn't understand why Zane was so damn mean to her, without a real reason. She didn't do anything wrong, especially knowing that holding onto her self-worth wasn't a crime. He might be angry about her hanging out with Aiden, but for that, also, there wasn't a real reason. Zane hated her, didn't he?

"Hey, baby, what's wrong? Did that asshole try to pull any fucking tricks on you? Let me yeet his fucking face in the next damn century, or better different dimension" despite Aiden sounding angry; he still acted in a rather worrying manner. His voice was soft and caring, precisely what Camilla missed.

"It's alright, he didn't do anything, I just want to go back home and fall asleep in your arms." Camilla wasn't sure if she was still faking or was her words describing what she wanted the most. She knew that Aiden would allow her to cuddle and stay around for as long as she wanted.
He threw the last death glare at Zane and helped Camilla in the car. To avoid any more problems, Aiden sat in the driver's seat and started the car. He sped away from the drive-through and turned on the radio. Camilla noticed how Aiden didn't make a turn to her house but didn't dare to question his decisions. He has been nothing but kind, protecting and supporting her- she trusted him more than anyone.

"So, do you really don't have any friends?" Aiden asked, to kill the awkward silence between them.

"I know that I have no friends, but that's okay, I don't need them anyway. I don't need them to pass the time; I rather stay alone. Surely you know that feeling, at least at times. I do my best whenever I'm all alone; those are the moments when I can be me without judgment. Being the socially awkward persona isn't a thing that attracts everyone to you. I rather am myself- alone than a fake person surrounded by many." Camilla smiled, looking out of the car window. She knew that Aiden would understand, no matter what.

"You're right; I'd choose to be a loner over being a fake Aiden any day. It seems impossible to have real emotions and feelings if you hide the beauty in you. Imagine how people fall for one person and later on get to meet the real person, hidden under all those layers. Must be a shit feeling." Aiden laughed, catching Camilla's attention. She watched how his eyes burned brighter, and a smile grew wider, envying the woman who would end up by his side.
"Have you found your mate, Camilla?" Aiden suddenly asked, his cheerful mood replaced by severe.

"No, I haven't," Camilla shook her head. "And I'm not sure if that’ll happen anytime soon. I'm seventeen, still have a year to wait, if my mate won't turn eighteen before I do. Can we avoid the topic of mates; I don't think that it's a thing worth talking about. I'm sure mine will reject me, just as Zane said, he's so damn right. I would too if I would be mated with someone like me." Camilla sighed, avoiding Aiden's eyes. She spoke her mind, but being this near Aiden and saying such things made her feel bad. Not about herself, but the words which left her parted lips.

"Someone like you?" Aiden gripped the steering wheel, his jaw clenched.

"Yeah, someone like me. A weak Omega without the future. I'll probably end up jumping from the pack to pack till I am enough for at least one. I don't know where I stand, I'm not the brightest wolf out there, and there's way too many unmated she-wolves men could choose from." She tried her best to sound sure of herself, of her words, but it was a rather hard thing to do.

"Fucking bullshit, Camilla! You don't see yourself the way I see you. You're fucking everything, if not even more. And you know what? I can bet that you are way more than everything! There is no other place I'd rather be than here, even if we end up driving around the town for the whole night. You can't see what others see. Obviously, the little asshole noticed something in you the same as I did. Otherwise, he wouldn't act so possessively around you. He would let me take you home and fuck you senseless, instead of involving himself in the matter. And trust me- if he wouldn't get in between, I'd most likely do just that thing. Just looking at you arouses me, you're fucking hot, I'd love to eat you up," As the last sentence left his lips, Aiden looked at Camilla and winked her way. She had to hide her face in hair to avoid showing off the bright blush on her cheeks. Aiden was the type of man she had never met before- sure of himself, a little cocky, a tiny bit of an asshole, but absolutely amazing. She knew that sooner or later, she would beg the Moon Goddess to have them paired together.

"It doesn't matter, does it?" Camilla raised an eyebrow. His words matter to her, and probably her only. No one else cared about her the way this guard did after a couple of hours since they met.

"It does. And as much as I'd love to bring you home. And by bringing you home, I don't mean dinner. I mean to fuck you senseless, just because I fucking want to- I won't. You'll meet your mate sooner or later, and I don't want to be the reason for rejection." A mischievous grin grew on his lips, making Camilla think that Aiden actually imagined how and what might happen between both.

"Yeah, same for your mate, if you haven't met her yet." She smiled, once again feeling a little jealous of the lucky woman who might get him.

"I met her a couple of years ago," Aiden sounded like it wasn't a big deal. Camilla's eyes grew wider; she felt the panic attack about to start.

"Oh my God, I'm a fucking whore. Kissing and dry-humping someone's mate. How could I? How fucking stupid am I?" She mumbled, grabbing sides of her head and shaking it violently.

"Chill, princess." Aiden chuckled, he seemed unbothered by the things he just told Camilla. How could he stay so calm and collected after telling her such things?

"I can't! I hurt your mate, and I never intended to do such a thing!"

"You don't understand, she... She died."