.50. Jealousy, mistakes, regrets.

"Zane?" Camilla turned around, facing her mate. The young Alpha's body shook in anger, his jaw clenching, and his breathing becoming deep. The male was trying to calm himself down, that didn't seem like happening anytime soon. Either way, Camilla couldn't understand why Zane was so angry- if he were around for long enough, he would realize that the Vampire's words didn't mean what they sounded like.

"Yeah, remember me? Zane Snow, the asshole of an Alpha who happens to be your mate? The same man you escaped as soon as he mentioned the possibility of starting a fucking family with you, and for what? For what, Camilla? To roam around the fucking forest and meet up with a bloodsucker? They are our enemies, and you act very much fond of him. Are you enjoying the company, huh? Or is it the opposite? Did you come here on a date? Should I be fucking worried that my goddamn mate will run away to fuck a Vampire?" With each word, Zane's voice grew louder. Nothing but venom and pure hatred laced through the young Alpha's words- it wasn't just a fit of jealousy anymore. Camilla couldn't calm him down even if she wanted to.

The young woman couldn't decide what might her next step be; the Vampire would casually sit back and watch over their argument. Didn't Zane understand how much worse he was making the whole situation? Bullshiting about Vampires being their enemies yet showing one of them how weak of a leader he was.

"Zane, I will tell you this once, and God forgive me for I am about to slap a bitch. All you do is keep pulling facts out of your ass- you demand respect and trust but won't try to earn any. I will never trust and respect someone who doesn't match that energy- acting as if I was a piece of shit under their Royal fucking feet. You whine about the Vampire I met literally a few hours ago and decided to talk to until I was ready to go back home. Enemies, yes? Sure, show him how good of a leader you are, how you wouldn't trust your own mate while she's sitting a couple of feet apart from that man. Fine by me, I'm so sick of your distrust and childish behavior. If you can't get over the obsessive jealousy, we have nothing to talk about. Now, either you send me back to the cells, either you fuck out of my way and forget about my existence. I can't live like this, nor I want to. I had enough of you. Excuse me, Alpha." Camilla tried to pass Zane and head back to his house. The young woman was determined to pack up her bags and leave his abusive household once and for all. Mates wouldn't distrust each other without a real reason, and Zane didn't have any.

Zane didn't give Camilla a chance to react when his palm collided with her cheek. His eyes changed color to black; the male's breathing became ragged.
Camilla placed a palm over her cheek, staring at the young Alpha wide-eyed. She had no idea how to react- scream, curse, or cry? The only thought that ran through her mind was the fact that Zane hit her again. Last time she forgave the male- he had no idea that they were mates, but now, Zane stepped over any known limit.

"You know what? I don't need those fucking clothes or anything I left at that house of unfortunate events. I will not let you rule over me; I am not an animal for you to tame. We're done. No more chances, no more talking, or begging- you've lost the only chance you were given. I had fucking enough. Dare as much as come closer to me, and I will burn your fucking pack to ashes- no mercy, fucker." Camilla spat at the male, turning her back to him and stomping towards the border.

Zane extended his hand, attempting to grab the back of her shirt but quickly pulled it back. The male registered what he had done- it was too late to beg for her forgiveness once again. Zane was her mate, but aside from that, he was an Alpha, the wolf responsible for the safety of so many. He couldn't risk letting Camilla get all of her anger over the pack he loved so much. Perhaps the Moon Goddess was wrong when she paired them; maybe she made the biggest mistake. Zane had an awful temper; pissing him off was easier than anything else- he couldn't change within a few days. Camilla was the most talented person when it came to pissing him off- it took her seconds to get on his nerves. But then again, every other mate was like that- a weakness and a blessing at the same time.

"Camilla," Zane called after her. The male stood his ground, keeping the wolf under control- running after her would be stupid, especially after what he did. "If you step your foot over that border, I won't run after you anymore. And you can't come back. This decision will be final; think of it," the male let out a heavy breath, silently hoping that his words would have any effect on her.

"Great, because if you didn't notice- that's exactly what I was hoping for," Camilla flipped the male off and left the territory, disappearing from Zane's view.

If the young male thought back at how things used to be- a month ago, he would run after her. Even a week ago, he would.
He couldn't understand what hurt more; was it her leaving or reaction? Slowly, making his way back home, the young Alpha wondered if building a family with him really sounded like such a curse. Perhaps it was too early; indeed, they just started getting along, but there were things Camilla didn't take into consideration. Usually, Alphas would plan and start a family within a week after meeting their mate, no matter what the woman thinks or feels. For higher ranked men, the opinion of their mates never mattered. Zane tried his best to make Camilla feel like she belongs, to make her notice how passionately Zane kept looking at her. The male could choose any woman from his pack to give him an heir, but he didn't want any besides Camilla. He would have a family with her, or he would die alone.

When Zane reached his house, Kaiden and a couple of warriors stood by his door, anxiously waiting for their leader to return. The Beta noticed his friend's facial expression and commanded men to leave them. First of all, the Alpha returned alone, even though he was supposed to return with his mate by his side. And again- the expression on his face didn't seem to bring any good news.

"Remember what I said about the staff earlier? Forget it; I need them back every day. They can move back in if they want to. Make sure my office is clean as soon as I get out of the shower- I have a lot of work to do. And keep this one detail in mind- no one, absolutely fucking no one can mention Camilla around me. Everyone who does will face the consequences, including you and my parents. Don't test me." Zane growled in a deep voice and headed for the main door. Kaiden watched his friend, wondering if talking would be worth it. It wouldn't- Zane obviously needed some alone time; it doesn't matter what or how had happened. One thing was clear- Camilla was gone, and judging by the Alpha's strange behavior, she wouldn't come back. It was a pity to see Zane in such a conflicted state, yet something kept telling Kaiden that his friend got what he deserved. All he could do was hope that one-day things would go back to how they are supposed to be, and Luna would come back home.

Kaiden entered the house right after Zane, looking at his feet and biting onto his lip. The male headed for the office without taking a glance at Alpha.
*This should be done by the maids, but no, he had to send them off early.* Kaiden thought to himself, cleaning the office, doing his best to make it look spotless.

When the Beta finished, Zane rushed into the office and sat across the enormous desk, eyeing piles of paperwork. Kaiden excused himself to avoid any possible argument and left in silence. While Zane worked on necessary paperwork- his friend mind-linked the whole staff and made them all return. Of course, most of them were confused as to what was happening all of a sudden.
The Beta faced them all and sighed: "Don't ask questions; I have no idea what happened or for how long the things will be as they are now. All I ask is for you guys to get back to your duties and avoid mentioning Luna next to our Alpha. It seems that she left us." As much as Kaiden didn't want to force all blame on Camilla, the male couldn't form an opinion without knowledge about the situation. Zane wouldn't talk, and Camilla was not around anymore. The problem scared Kaiden; he didn't want to see his best friend suffer or turn back to alcohol.

Even though many maids didn't like Camilla, for obvious reasons, all of them appeared to become genuinely worried. Kaiden wasn't sure if it was because the pack lost their Luna or the women worried about Zane.

The Beta excused himself, gathered courage, and headed upstairs to face his best friend. He didn't bother to knock, unsurprisingly catching Zane with a bottle of whiskey in his hands. Kaiden sighed in defeat and sat on the large sofa, eyeing the young Alpha's reaction to his sudden arrival. As funny as it might seem- Zane did not react to his presence.

"I know that I'm not allowed to mention her, but I do need to know at least a few things, Zane. Sooner or later, the pack will start to worry, ask questions, and all of that will fall over my head. You will avoid them, spending your days locked inside the office- untouchable for others. I get it, the whole situation must be pretty complicated, but we have been friends since early childhood. Man, if there is someone you can talk to, that would be me. Stop pushing everyone away; stop drinking down all those things that worry you. Man the fuck up and explain. I will wait." Kaiden sounded severe enough to gain his friend's attention, yet his facial expression didn't give any information. The male didn't want to appear weak or frightened in front of Zane- friends or not, challenging an Alpha is a bad idea.

"I'm not trying to drink down whatever shit worries me, alright. I fought with Camilla, and she left- this time for good. I lost my temper, dude, and that's the bit that pisses me off the most. I slapped my mate again; she can't feel safe next to me. For fuck's sake, I am the one who's supposed ot make sure that she's safe, not the one who has all rights to abuse that woman. I couldn't keep calm; everything in me snapped." Zane put down the bottle and stared out of the window. Deep down, he hoped that Camilla might change her mind and come home- to him. If she wanted, the Alpha would avoid her at any costs, as long as he knew that she was safe under his roof.

"So you found her, at least that's good," Kaiden whispered under his breath. The male felt as conflicted as never- he wanted to punch Zane, nearly as much as he wanted to know what triggered the young Alpha.

"I did. Sitting next to the border, having a friendly fucking chat with a Vampire, and planning their next date. I know that you wanted to find out why I snapped- you know now."

For a while, both men kept quiet. Zane couldn't stop wondering where she would go and if she would be safe and wouldn't lack anything. Kaiden couldn't understand why a Vampire appeared next to their territory- it was nearly impossible for a wolf to meet one in person, let alone plan on future dates. Instead of wasting even more time, seeing that the Alpha has his mind full of worries, Kaiden decided to pull some strings. The male took any alcoholic drink he could find in the office and made the staff hide them as well as they could. From now on, Zane would stop drinking; perhaps, that might help him to stay calmer. Then, Kaiden explained to the young Alpha what had to be done and left the office, heading straight to the only person that might have an answer.

The white witch- Melissa.