.49. - What the fuck you mean with a Goddamn date?!

"Zane, listen, no disrespect towards you as an Alpha, but a lot of disrespect towards you as a person. I mean, how shallow can you be? Let's be real- we barely started talking and perhaps smiling a little at each other, and now this? Are you kidding me? A week, perhaps two ago, I wanted to leave and never look back, yet now you would talk about a family? Have you lost the last active brain cells you had, or is it just your pride talking there? I don't get it- which is it?" Camilla placed the plate on her bed and got off it. She kept pacing around the room, grabbing on her hair and mumbling something under her breath.

The young woman couldn't understand what had gotten into Zane. Alright, the male changed, which was good, but he wouldn't expect her to act like every other new mate, right? Other women would see Camilla's position as an honor- to build a family with an Alpha, but not her. She had gone through so many challenges to finally have a day without arguments, and now, this.

Zane mimicked her actions and stood up, avoiding trying to approach his mate. "Listen, I didn't mean it like something we should do today or in a week. Perhaps a month or two would be a decent time to wait, after the mating rituals, of course. I don't want to make you feel like rushing, but I want to build a family with you. Can't you imagine tiny paws running around the house?"

"Zane, you are mental! Completely, utterly insane! If we didn't argue, the mating rituals would happen in about a week, and then I would have a month or two? Have you forgotten about my age? I'm too damn young to become a mother, come on, think!" Camilla kept trying to understand Zane even though the male didn't make any sense.

"Liste, it wouldn't be that bad- some she-wolves get pregnant around sixteen, and none of them has died. Don't overreact; let's just talk through this. Please, Camilla." His words threw more heat to the insane flame that burned inside her. The young woman couldn't stand standing next to him or even in the same room for any longer.

She approached the door and grabbed the handle, hesitating after a low growl of warning sounded from behind. The young woman glanced over her shoulder and announced that she would need some time to think. Camilla wanted to stay alone, without anybody trying to force their opinion or beliefs on her. Of course, Alphas usually had children pretty early; most impregnated their mates within a couple of days after meeting them. Yet, that was not the fate Camilla was ready to face anytime soon.

Camilla slowly walked to the gardens, thinking about everything that might happen to her in the nearest future. At one point, she wanted to talk to Luna- that woman once stood in a pretty similar situation as Camilla did now perhaps, she would have a piece of advice. But then again- there was a possibility that the older Alpha couple expected grandchildren now.
Camilla sat on the nearest bench and let herself drown in her thoughts and concerns.

*What if he became so nice only because he wants a child?*
*What if his parents or the council keeps insisting on the appearance of his heir since Zane found his mate?*
*What if Zane didn't change and all he did was just a cover to make Camilla suffer?*

"Do I really love him as much to build a family without knowing a little more about him?" Camilla questioned herself a little louder.
She knew that Zane could join her any minute now, so instead of sitting- she decided to go for a walk. The young woman would aimlessly walk around the forest and enjoy her time alone. She could always get lost, but Zane might try to find her, and even if he didn't- it was still fine.
Camilla hoped that she could get a little part of his mind to read, to understand the male better. Right now, hers and Zane's relationship was built like somewhat kind strangers, living under the same roof.

The young woman sighed and left the gardens, slowly walking towards the forest. Camilla had no reason to fear rogues or bloodsuckers- she was strong enough to deal with any attacker at this point. Silently she hoped that someone could try to attack her- that way, she could let out all of her negative emotions in a battle. The training wasn't the same as an actual blood bath, especially with the least skilled trainees. Camilla might try to fight Zane, for fair chances, but she didn't want to be near him- another problem.
As soon as she entered the forest, she suddenly felt free- at home. Roaming around the beautiful part of the territory was like food for her soul until Camilla noticed a silhouette of someone she didn't recognize standing afar, watching her.

At first, she thought nothing of it, but later, Camilla noticed how the silhouette kept moving in the same direction as she did and kept the exact distance between them. It wasn't just suspicious anymore- at this point, Camilla started feeling creeped out. The young woman stopped on the spot and turned around to face whoever stood there. She waved a hand, and so did the silhouette. Camilla took a deep breath and shivered in disgust.

"Leech, what's up?" She stepped closer, smirking as the Vampire didn't step backward, nor move. It still stood in the same position, waving the pale hand at her.
"You know that you can't come in, right? No one will permit you to get here or send an invitation to step over that border. In case if you decide to try your luck- first, you have to get over my dead body." Even though she wasn't the pack's Luna yet- Camilla felt too overprotective over the wolves that lived among them. No matter what- men, women, children, and elderly were in danger if one of those creatures ever visited them.

"Extraordinary," the Vampire stepped aside, standing under the nearest shadow and throwing off the enormous hood. "I am not here for a visit or feeding- I am here for you. The rumor broke out that there is a true blood warrior, and I couldn't miss the chance to see one with my own eyes. I've been around for a couple of hundred years, yet this is the first time I have the honor to face one in person. You, my dear, are a nearly extinct miracle of nature, don't forget that," Vampire smiled, showing off his hangs.

Wrong move- the creature Camilla kept mentally calling an overgrown bat just literally threw her a challenge. Baring or showing off fangs in front of a wolf shifter was extremely disrespectful. She ran closer to the male and stooped a couple of feet away from him, extending her canines and showing off the terrifying lines of teeth.

"Are you challenging me, blood worm?" The woman's voice became deeper, and for some reason, it excited the male, probably because he would do anything to stand in front of a grown blood warrior, even if it cost him immortality.

"No, not at all, my dear. I am fascinated; never did I dare to think that some of yours are still alive. I see a mark on your neck, that's truly interesting- don't mind my curiosity if that makes you feel uncomfortable, but is your mate a blood warrior as well? The whole idea of meeting one is exciting, but I would probably die if I met another. And I mean literally die, not like now." The Vampire laughed at himself. The blood bags carried a unique scent wherever they went, so if there were reinforcements on his side- Camilla would feel it instantly.

"Sorry to disappoint, but no- he is a mixed-blood Alpha." Camilla leaned against the nearest tree.

All her life, everyone kept repeating the danger she would face if she ever met a Vampire. This weirdo was fascinated by her rather than willing to attack. Perhaps he was there to beg for blood or attack to get some, but nobody would know until anything happens. Besides, Camilla didn't want to think wrong even of a Vampire unless he had proven that he was no good. Both kept casually staring at each other, unbothered by how fast the day went by, and the forest became a little darker. Camilla didn't want to admit that she was fascinated by the leech in front of her- something about his aura was close to nothing she expected. The male was tall, pale; his hair was longer than Camilla's- snow white. The young woman wouldn't go for a Vampire, she didn't like them as much, yet some women did decide to mate Vampires. But then again, if she ever stated that the male wasn't good looking, she would lie- he was beyond handsome.

"I'm Camilla; what's your name, blood sponge?" She grinned, stepping a little closer and sitting down on the ground.
The Vampire did the same- the male took two steps forward and sat on the soil, watching the fascinating woman in front of him.

"Viktor, my lady," the male smiled, taking in a deep breath. "They were right; I can't believe that they actually were right. Did you know that your blood doesn't have a scent when it comes to my species? Like at all, if you would end up in the forest, bleeding, no Vampire would ever find you. I'm sorry for acting like a child, but I can't contain the excitement I feel. Who would have known that I'd run into the last blood warrior after the first time roaming around territory? And don't worry, I am not looking for someone who would let me in; as a gentleman, I prefer admiring the beauty from afar. Some things and creatures are too fragile to touch- a mere action could ruin the fascinating beauty. You, my dear, are out of this world." At one point, the Vampire made Camilla feel uncomfortable- all he did was stare and keep voicing his thoughts, throwing as many compliments at her as he could. Why were the ancient creatures the weirdos? Why couldn't Vampires adjust to times and stop acting as if it was 1812?

"Hey, I think you should stop praising me for something that I did not influence. Mister Viktor, I didn't do anything to be who I am today. I didn't earn my bloodline- this is how I was born; there's no need to keep acting as if I was a hero." For the whole time she spent away from the house, Camilla forgot about her mate.

Even when the Vampire mentioned her mark and questioned if her mate was the same as she- Camilla didn't think about Zane. What if the Alpha grew worried and started acting like a restless, wild animal? Zane could try to demolish the house in anger or send out search parties if the male would feel like Camilla would be in danger. Then again, he didn't try to mind-link her; perhaps, he was trying to give her more time. Camilla's stomach growled, giving out how truly hungry the young woman felt.

The Vampire smirked and pulled a piece of fresh, raw meat out of his bag- one Camilla didn't notice previously. "This was supposed to be my dinner, but since I've kept you away for so long- I can share." He ripped the piece in half and checked which one seemed bloodier; that was the one he left for himself. Carefully, he threw the other part at Camilla and smiled.
"It's a deer, I didn't want to stir up trouble around the territory, so I hunted one down on my way here. Feel free to make a little campfire and cook it, but I'd say it's pretty good raw as well. Not as good as fresh blood from someone's arteries, but again- better than nothing at all.

Camilla watched how the male sunk his teeth into the piece of meat and sucked out as much blood as he could. Even though she was hungry, she couldn't stop feeling bad about taking half of his dinner. The young woman threw her piece back at the male and smiled, nodding her head. "It seems that you have traveled from afar while my home is close- I can go back and have a meal anytime, while you'd have to hunt. It is very kind of you, yet disrespectful of me to accept the share." Camilla finally felt how Zane started banging on the mind-link walls. She kind of wanted to tell him that she was okay, yet the anger in her kept leading the woman to stay quiet. Maybe if Zane got a little scare, he would think of things he says or does.

"So, Viktor, for how long are you visiting? Would you like to meet up tomorrow and have a walk by the border? You on that side, me on this, talking about wolves and Vampires? Sounds fun, huh?" Camilla suggested, seeing the mysterious stranger as an opportunity to gain more knowledge. She might need it one day- Vampires had spoken about starting a war for a while now, and none of the wolf shifters had a real understanding about how things around them worked.

"Sounds like a date," Viktor grinned, his mouth completely covered in blood.

"What the fuck you mean with a Goddamn date?!"