The Taming Begins

Camille's POV:

*****

I deliberately averted my gaze from the mirror, unwilling to confront the harsh reality of my appearance after the collision with the wall, all thanks to father.

With quick flick of my wrist, I pulled the scarf over my head, gently tying the knot securely beneath my chin. I reached for my backpack resting on the dresser, carefully selecting only the essentials: my diary, dagger, and hunting knives. The remaining items could remain tucked away in the box that Magaret would eventually bring down for me.

I had yet to catch a glimpse of Mother, since i left the study. A nagging thought crept into my mind: Was she deliberately avoiding me? Surely, she must have received news about the chaos that had unfolded in the study.

Did she even care about my feelings? Deep down, I knew the answer: she did not care.

And yet, a flicker of longing ignited within me, a desire for her to show even the least bit of concern for my well-being.

A few solitary tears began to flow; then, abruptly, those few tears transformed into a deluge, cascading down my cheeks uncontrollably.

I caught a glimpse of my own reflection—one that unnervingly mirrored Mother's—a woman with no voice, a passive participant in her own life, not standing up for her desires. As much as I loathed to admit it, I found myself mimicking Mother's essence, a painful realization that hung heavy in the air around me.

I felt the weight of her weaknesses settle onto my shoulders, an inheritance I never sought. I shared her vulnerabilities, her incapacity to forge a path for the life she deserved while obediently adhering to Father's commands without question.

The clock above me ticked past ten as I descended the staircase closely behind Magaret, who was bustling with my silver box beside her. She had been part of our household as long as I could remember and had also served as my nanny.

The sounds of jubilant cheers filtered in from outside—members of the patrol team were returning from their hunt. If Devon and Conrad had returned, I wanted to avoid them at all costs—especially Conrad.

I quickened my pace towards the black Bentley parked at the far end of the pack's den, hastily shutting the door behind me as I squeezed my eyes shut, willing myself to gather my thoughts.

"Welcome home, Lady Sigewuf." He announced, his deep baritone reverberating through the car's interior, nearly jolting me out of my seat. Instinctively, I snapped my eyes open, preserving my aloof countenance, turned my head sluggishly in the direction of his voice.

The car glided away from the pack's territory, wheels crunching against gravel as we approached the gate.

"I would prefer to be addressed as Camille Loeka until after the mating ceremony," was my snide response, although quiet yet firm.

What audacity! Who did this man think he was to address me so possessively, as though I were a piece of property? Anger flared within me,

His brow furrowed deeply, casting shadows across his striking features. "You should know better when and how to speak to your alpha," he stated, his tone stern and gravelly.

His ego was hurt. The ignoramus was not used to taking no for an answer.

A hot retort bubbled up inside me, but I knew better than to unleash it. There was no time to dapple between words, I had to formulate a plan—any glimmer of hope that might change Father's mind. Or, perhaps, I could sway Alpha Sigewuf to reconsider this marriage thrust upon me.

I stationed my gaze towards the window as the car transitioned smoothly onto the driveway, leaving the white moon fortress behind us. A painful chapter of my life that I was grateful for.

The quiet journey to Slantville felt heavy. Alpha Sigewuf was working using the device on his laps, momentarily looking into space before typing something into it. He was using his pack link to communicate with someone.

---

**60 Minutes Later**

I had no idea what time it had been but despite my best efforts to remain vigilant and absorb every landmark leading to Slantville, sleep had crept in stealthily, catching me off guard.

An enveloping scent of lavender wafted through the air, reminiscent of spring gardens. It was as if he were standing directly over me. My fatigued, puffy eyes fluttered open, then quickly closed again, only to snap wide open once more as I jolted upright, disoriented.

"What are you doing?," I heaved

"Welcome home, Lady Sigewuf," he proclaimed, the pride in his voice evident.

I wanted to scream for him to read the room and get off his egotistical ass but I averted my gaze toward the window, wrestling with the disgust rising within me. It was obvious he was attempting to provoke my ire, and rightfully so, I was furious. Nevertheless, I maintained an unflappable facade.

He stepped back, obligingly creating space for me to exit the car..

As we approached the grand door of the Rhaul mansion, it opened with a flourish—servants lined up, bowing as he strode in, pulling me along by his side like a shadow.

He leaned in closer, his breath warm against my skin. "What do you say I show you to your room, my lady?" he taunted, a playful smirk dancing on his lips.

I feigned indifference, shrugging nonchalantly, but my expression was anything but welcoming. "I would like to see you try," I replied, deftly pulling my hands away from his reach, asserting my independence.

He chuckled, dryly "as i thought "signaled for a female servant to step forward. "Take her to the guest room," he ordered sharply.

The young woman appeared to be around my age, her hair impeccably tucked beneath a blue headscarf—a clear marker of her role as a servant.

She stopped in front of a rich mahogany door, at the center, an amethyst shone, glinting with a mysterious allure. "You'll be staying here for tonight. But will be relocated to the alpha's bedroom at his command," she stated, her voice respectful yet firm.

I nodded, closing the door firmly behind me as I entered.

I closed my eyes, willing myself to drift off into sleep, but the oppressive weight of anxiety made it impossible. Struggling to gather my thoughts, I finally stood up and pulled open the window, letting the cool night air wash over me. The stars outside twinkled brightly, casting a gentle glow in the darkness, a stark contrast to the turmoil inside me.

I turned off the light, changed into my nightwear. As much as i wanted to bath, i wanted the energy from everything to sink in.

To be reminded why i hated father. To be reminded of how foolish i had been all these years fighting for his attention. I was about to lie down when the door creaked open unexpectedly, sending a jolt of adrenaline surging through my veins.

Quickly, I turned around, my eyes locking onto Alpha Sigewuf standing at the threshold, as if he had been caught off guard in a moment of weakness.

"Excuse me…" I raised an eyebrow at him, as if he had sprouted an additional horn, pausing as i flew my palm over my chest, clutching my gown tightly.

He moved closer, invading my personal space. "Do I need to ask permission to see my lady?" A deep frown etched itself on his face.

I chose to meet his gaze head-on, feigning ignorance as I played along with the game.

"And what business would my alpha have with me?" hating the words as quickly as they left my mouth

He closed the distance further, allowing his scent to envelop me—a heady mix of danger and need. He was undoubtedly taking the bait.

As he leaned in, his lips poised to brush against my forehead, I remained perfectly still, mentally preparing myself to retaliate if he dared to touch me.

A gasp escaped my lips, my body rigid as I processed the shock of his hand suddenly gripping my backside with an intensity that took me by surprise. Instinctively, I did the first thing I could think of, my hands shot out, making sharp contact with his cheeks.

I stumbled back, my heart racing. "The nerve of you…" I barely managed to utter when a punch came from nowhere in a flash, Sigewuf's fist connected with my face, throwing me on the bed,

He positioned himself over me, a predatory glint in his eyes. "Fiesty, huh?" He whispered hoarsely,

"You have the nerve!" He shouted, his fists clenched

He run the rough edges of his nails over my skin, stopping at a spot around my neck and allowing his fingers dig in, a predatory smile unfurled at the corner of his lips. He was enjoying this.

He dug deeper until a gasp escaped my lips, he pulled out before sucking in his nails.

"welcome to the real world, princess," he jeered, his voice dripping with mockery.

"Do not leave this room unless I give you permission," he growled, tugging my head to force my gaze to meet his.

"Understood?" His voice carried an unmistakable edge of disdain.

I remained silent, refusing to give him the satisfaction of a response.

"I'll thoroughly enjoy taming that inflated ego of yours," he spat, striding toward the door and slamming it shut with such force that the room seemed to shudder around me.

What had just begun was merely the prelude. If I stayed here, it would spell my undoing; yet the question lingered—where else could I possibly go?

A voice inside me insisted I couldn't linger here. I shouldn't remain.

I sensed it—the same instinct that had compelled me to run when Father towered over me, barking orders while I lay helplessly on the floor. It was primal. Run.

Adrenaline coursed through my veins, sharpening my senses, and I hastily opened my box, tossing in a soft cashmere sweater and navy blue pants into my backpack.

I wanted to wait for everyone to drift off to sleep first, but the urgency—the raw need for escape—demanded that I leave immediately.

If I got caught, then so be it. If I perished, then that would be my fate.

I threw my backpack over my shoulders, quietly raised the window, and glanced outside. As I scanned the area, I spotted a patrol team rounding a corner, prompting me to step back, biding my time until they passed.

Positioned on the second floor of the building, I felt a fleeting sense of gratitude; at least I didn't have to worry about a broken bone this night.

Carefully, I peered out from the corner of the window; the patrol team was out of sight. Without another moment's hesitation, I bolted toward the woods ahead, heart racing as I landed without being hurt, smiling as I ran inside the woods, this was a secret I kept from the family, my strange strength and body agility even without a wolf. My hunting skills helped as a cover.

There was no turning back now. I ran as swiftly as my legs could propel me, fueled by a surge of adrenaline and a frantic desire for freedom.