33. The blood warrior.

Camilla, once again, pushed Zane away from her. It hurt the young woman to hear her wolves whines and cries for her mate. But she couldn't let herself fall into the male's trap that easily. She couldn't know if Zane's intentions were in her best interests or were his doings because he had found out about her wolf. Eden, unlike Camilla, didn't care what for their mate had changed. Her wolf side wanted to gain their mate's approval and love, even if it's only because she was strong enough to stand by his side.

"I'm sorry, I know I shouldn't..." Zane tried to talk, but Camilla cut him off without glancing at the man, who kept trying to kiss her. Way too many times, Camilla had caught herself on the idea that there must be only one thing Zane wanted. Well, perhaps two things, but both were connected by one thing in common. She couldn't stop thinking that he wished to either have sex, either a pup or two- which would be more powerful if the destined mate bares them.

"No, listen. I'm tired of constant fights, disagreements, misunderstandings, and you trying to push your lips on mine. I need time and space by myself. Anyone in my situation would start overthinking too many things, especially if one's behavior changed as drastically as yours. Just give me time, please." Camilla averted her gaze, scared to look into his eyes.

It wasn't that she didn't enjoy kissing Zane. Now, the feeling was completely opposite of the time when he stole her first kiss. Whenever the young Alpha was around, she couldn't think- the butterflies in her stomach starting a whole atomic war. Whatever she did, wherever she went, Camilla ended up getting lost in thoughts about Zane. Even now, when he stood just a few feet away from her, biting his lip, thinking that she wasn't watching him. A wave of pleasurable shivers ran down her spine, her thoughts rushing. Zane knew what he was doing to her; he knew exactly how her body would react to his slow movements and teasing.

*"Can you get your mind out of the gutter, Eden? We're serious here!"* Camilla growled at her wolf, feeling how Eden was trying to force the most intimate thoughts on Camilla.

*"I'm trying, but look at that man! Damn it; the Greek Gods build him, let me tell you that. Look at the way how he's biting his lip, doesn't that make you want that you were the one- biting it? Don't you want to run your palms down from his chest to his abs? Please, do tell me how you don't want to push your fingernails into his back as that man shows us who the hell owns us? Tell me how you don't want his most intimate touches, tell me how you don't fantasize about the limits we could test together. The neck kisses, his hands all over our body, canines sinking deep into our flesh, leaving his mark. Tell me all of that, Camilla, go on, I can wait!"* Eden mocked her human side, grinning like a maniac. She knew what she was doing, and Zane's reaction proved her words to succeed. She watched how Zane approached them like a predator, his eyes completely black- ready to lunge onto his prey.

When Camilla understood what Eden was doing, it was too late. Zane pushed her against the nearest wall, caging the young woman in. He placed his hands on her waist, slowly sliding them down to her things. Camilla shivered under his touch; her heart raced faster than ever, breathing becoming more shallow. She couldn't utter a word, afraid to let any monas leave her lips. Zane grabbed onto her thighs and picked her up, wrapping her legs around his hips.

"Do you see what you are doing to me, Camilla? You're driving me crazy; it doesn't matter about whom you just thought, I could feel your arousal from miles, woman. You're making me lose my damn mind; I can't concentrate or think about anything but you, damn it!" Zane growled out, leaning to her neck and taking in her scent. His breathing became heavier; Camilla could feel the tips of his canines against her skin.

"Zane, d-don't," Camilla breathed out. It was challenging to find her voice when the male was so close, holding her captured in such an intimate position.

The young woman feared getting marked by him now, mostly since she wasn't ready to accept Zane. Not yet.
If he tried to mark her, she would have to go through a lot of pain and suffering, most likely- she would have to endure the torturing pain of forced heat as well. For marking to happen successfully, both mates had to want each other, not only psychically, but mentally and emotionally. Both had to accept each other and mark each other after one has given their consent. Whatever happened in a forced manner always leads to great pain, if not death.

"I'm not going to mark you; I'm not that reckless, nor stupid. I have to calm down, and your scent helps, holding you close helps. My wolf keeps fighting its way to the surface; I don't think that either of you is ready to meet each other. Don't be scared; I'm not going to hurt you, I promised, remember?" Zane's breath tickled her sensitive skin, sending yet another wave of shivers all over her body.

If he doesn't stop his doings, Eden might try to take over the control, and they would end up doing something Camilla couldn't accept. She wouldn't find the strength within herself to forgive her wolf or mate if something over her limits would happen. And it would if Eden could get things going her way. She was ready to mate, ready to accept Zane, and unlike Camilla, she forgot what happened in the past- way too fast.

*"Eden, stop, you're going out of your ways, this isn't you!"* Camilla growled at her wolf again, trying to get some sense into her animalistic side.

*"I'm trying, but mate's wolf is so demanding, Zane won't let him out, he won't let him force mating on us. I think it's easier if we give in; I'm ready to accept mate and bare pups as soon as possible. It's the thing every she-wolf has to go through, and so will we, no matter sooner or later, we just will. Camilla, both of us have to accept that since we're fated to an Alpha, we will stand under more significant pressure than any other female. They want us to accept them, the human side is trying to respect you, but it seems too hard, as his wolf says. I know that he has been a shithead in the past, but for how long will we defy him? How sure are you that we will stand for long enough to see how he breaks, doing his best to gain our approval of mate?"* Eden sounded tense, worried, and definitely horny. The young woman knew how hard it is for wolves to stay away from their mates after the first time they meet. Even ones, who had been rejected, kept trying to keep close and look after their soulmates. That was how things went, and no one could change that, no matter what.

*"I understand your point and fear but listen to my words, please. If you try something- I'll be the one to suffer. I know how selfish I sound right now, I really do, and I'm sorry, Eden. But you know what? Do it; it's not like I have much left to live for. I have no family, you were the only thing I could call mine, but now you're giving into way too fast."* Camilla sighed, letting her body relax, giving Eden full control over decisions. If the wolf decides to take over the control, then so it be. It's not like Camilla had much of her fighting spirit left in her anyway; the young woman was ready to give up.

*"What do you mean?"* Eden raised an eyebrow, unsure should she take the control, which was presented on the top of the palm by Camilla. There had to be a catch, Eden knew that her human side was a fighter; if she gave in this easy- Camilla wanted to end everything, herself included.

*"If you do something against my will, it'll leave consequences, not for you, but me. I will be the one who ends up in terrorizing pain; I'll have to go through forced heat and probably die. But if I won't die because of that, I swear to the Moon Goddess that I'll take my damn life."* Camilla repeated herself, trying to get her point across. She wasn't joking; if Eden did anything that brought Camilla closer to her biggest fear, she wouldn't be able to live with herself.

*"You're not serious right now, are you?"* Eden gasped if the wolf could to something like that- she would cover her mouth with palms. Complete terror overtook her whole being, attacking where it hurt the most.

*"Imagine losing everything that you had faith in because you didn't sleep with someone. Imagine living your life as invisible as it gets just to be called out, bullied, and abused later on. Imagine being manipulated by someone to get what they want, no questions if you'd ever want that thing. Imagine being rejected and then taken back as if you were a fucking toy of someone who doesn't give a flying fuck about you. Did you picture the memories? I assume you did, so listen now."* Camilla took a breath, attempting to control her emotions and collect the thoughts. The young woman didn't see any future with Zane, at least for now. All she wanted was peace, a little time for herself, without any men around her. Before the next words left her lips, she gulped, scared from what she was about to say aloud. *"Imagine the side of you betraying everything you felt or believed in to get things her way. Imagine your body being used for one's pleasure while you're trapped, unable to move or fight against while watching everything happen. It's considered a rape, Eden, a fucking rape because I don't want it! Imagine your body shutting down because of the mark you couldn't accept, but a part of you decided that it's what you need. Imagine falling asleep and waking up next to a person you are forced to love because of the bond, no questions asked, or choices given. Imagine living the life, knowing how much you despised the person, yet letting him use you like his toy, bearing his children, and faking happiness wherever you go. You did? Great! Now, tell me, how am I not serious as I say that I'd rather take my life?"* Camilla shut herself out and hid at the back of her own mind, pushing Eden on the surface. She didn't intend to do that first, but the young woman didn't see any other option. Camilla had to find out if Eden would give in to the lust of their bond, or would the wolf stand by her side.

"Camilla?" Zane's husky voice startled Eden; she kept her eyes closed to avoid looking at him. For some reason, the wolf thought that resisting a mate was as easy as it was with candies at midnight. If you don't see them- you don't want them.

"Camilla isn't available right now; she's hiding- shutting me out. Alpha, please don't fake it, don't hurt her. She doesn't deserve to be treated like a prisoner or a doll—Camilla's smart, brilliant, and truly one of a kind woman. You're lucky to have her; many more would kill to find someone as genuine as she is. Your wolf, I know what he wants, I know that you're fighting, and so am I. He's trying to force me into mating, into accepting his mark, and I nearly did, fighting for dominance with my human because of stupid mate instincts. If I give in, if you, or your wolf, does something against her wishes, without her consent- Camilla will kill herself. Don't think that she won't; I know my human better than you do; you have no idea how strong and determined she can be. Omegas carry more power than any other Alpha might think of; trust me on this one. Please, let her be, let her think, and wait till she comes to you. Even if that's just a conversation, let her in and listen. She is the one who will decide how whatever between us happens or not. You need to earn her respect, teach her to love you, and prove to be worthy. Prove that you will stand by her side, protect and love that woman, even if the whole world goes against you two." Eden sighed, shaking her head. She couldn't believe how hard it was to fight primal instincts, but she would do anything for Camilla's happiness. The same as Camilla would do for her wolf.

"What's your name? My wolf's name is Xavier if you're interested. It's okay if you're not, I know that he can be pretty big controlling twat." The young Alpha whispered, sounding genuinely interested. His remark about the wolf did make Eden smile.

"Eden, my name is Eden." She tried to keep her eyes off of Zane, despite the temptation to see him with her own eyes. She wondered how would the young Alpha react to her. Would he approve of her, or would he hate the way she was?

Zane sighed, letting go of her body and stepping aside. "Look at me, please, just once. I'll follow what you said, I'll give her time and space, but please look at me." He begged.

Eden nodded her head slowly and raised her head, looking straight into Zane's eyes. The loud gasp and shocked facial expression made her feel proud; she managed to surprise her mate.

"Holy mother of God, you're..."

"The blood warrior."