Chapter 6

Camellia's POV Esmond's grip on my hand tightened abruptly. His face darkened considerably. Sensing the pain in my wrist, I frowned. Lionel's gaze lingered for a second on Esmond's hand, then indifferently shifted away. Aunt Mira from the Ironclaw Pack leaned forward, her smirk poison-coated. "Sweetheart," she purred, "Back then, if it weren't for Esmond insisting on choosing you as his mate, given the Shadowfang's status in Los Angeles, could they have allied with our Ironclaw Pack? It was a great honor for you." "As Esmond's mate, bearing offspring is your duty. If you keep putting it off, your position will be in jeopardy," Mira said, lightly tapping the armrest of her chair with her finger. Her eyes were filled with arrogance. Luna Chelsea frowned and looked at Mira with displeasure. "Shut up." Mira pursed her lips but fell silent. Luna Chelsea then turned to Esmond, her eyes full of questioning. "Explain. Now." Esmond's ears turned beet red. "I-I wanted to wait until becoming Alpha! To give Cam the perfect—" His voice grew quieter as he noticed the mocking looks on everyone's faces. Everyone knew he was basically the pack's glorified errand boy. Luna pinched her nose. "You can multitask, boy." Esmond nodded, and Chelsea didn't pursue the issue further. When attention shifted, Esmond dragged me through the gymnasium doors into the empty courtyard. Jasmine's perfume hung heavy in the air, completely wasted on this dumpster fire. "What's your problem?" He shoved me against the brick wall. "Gonna air our dirty laundry at homecoming too?" "Newsflash - I want out." My voice stayed steady despite my racing pulse. You're thinking it too simply!" His laugh came out harsh. "Try leaving, and I'll call your dad. See how the Shadowfangs like dealing with the consequences." It was a threat. He was using my father and the Shadowfang Pack to force me to compromise. My nails bit into my palms. "How dare you? You slept with Hazel!" Esmond's fist, hanging at his side, clenched unconsciously. A flash of guilt crossed his eyes, but it quickly turned into impatience. "I said I'll fire her!" "Esmond, you're disgusting me!" His pupils suddenly contracted, and he grabbed my chin, forcing me to look at him. "Cam, I understand you're angry, but I don't want to hear such words again." "Impossible!" "Then I'll have to make you shut up my way." He held my chin and kissed me fiercely. Just as his lips were about to touch mine, a light cough suddenly sounded from behind. "Bad timing?" Esmond's POV The voice hit me like a bucket of ice water, smothering my rage. My grip tightened on Camellia's chin for a solid three seconds before I turned to face Lionel. My wolf instantly cowered under his overwhelming aura, forcing me to drop my hold on Camellia. She scrambled away from me like I carried the plague. My eyes darted to Lionel, but his gaze stayed locked on Camellia. That pissed me off. Since when did he get to look at my mate like that? But arguing with him wasn't an option — not after he'd morphed into this untouchable Alpha powerhouse. I forced a smirk under his mocking stare. "Just some playful banter between mates." Lionel didn't even bother responding. He just walked off like we were beneath him. The second he disappeared, I whirled on Camellia. "Stay the hell away from Lionel!" However, she snorted. "Why not tell him that yourself?" My jaw clenched. Her words reignited the anger in my heart, but I couldn't retort. We both knew why. Last time I'd badmouthed Lionel, he torpedoed my biggest project with Dalton Group. It cost me millions and tanked my standing in the pack. Alpha Drogo still hadn't let me live it down. Camellia stormed off without another word. I watched her back, my heart filled with reluctance and anger. I followed Camellia and caught up with her in quick strides at the doorstep of our home. Camellia frowned at me, "What's the matter?" "We need to talk." "Unless it's about breaking the bond, save it. I won't bring it up for now." After a moment of thought, I nodded and said, "Cam, I'm glad you're giving us another chance," I lied smoothly. Camellia wrenched her arm free. "Let go. I need sleep." She vanished upstairs before I could blink. The bedroom lock clicked as I reached the door. I was also dissatisfied with Camellia's behavior. Why couldn't she understand me? How could I let a rogue become the Luna of the Ironclaw? It was absurd that she even wanted to reject me over this. The shower started running next door. The sound was like an invisible hand, teasing me. My wolf growled louder as steam seeped under the doorframe. I was halfway to breaking down the door when my phone buzzed. Hazel's text glowed, "Honey, you're gonna be a daddy." I didn't believe it at all. We weren't mates. How could we have a child so easily? I grabbed my phone and stared intently at the words. But Hazel quickly sent me photos from the hospital. Looking at the examination report in the photo, I was filled with doubts. Bullshit. We'd used protection every time. Either she was lying or... she had gone to a doctor from another pack and used some improper means to get pregnant. Either way, it crossed my line. I dialed with shaking hands. "Where are you?" "Not even a congratulations?" Hazel's voice dripped fake sweetness. I laughed coldly, "Are you sure you're pregnant and it's mine?" "Esmond, you're my only man. Don't you know whether it's yours or not?" Her tone was accusatory, with a hint of grievance, but I just felt annoyed. "Then get rid of it." I couldn't have this child. A child born from a non-mate relationship would affect my mate's fertility, and how would I inherit the Alpha position then? Besides Camellia, I didn't need any other woman to bear my child. "No, this is our child. I want to have it." I frowned tightly. If I had known she was so unreasonably persistent, I wouldn't have touched her in the first place. "Last chance," I hissed. "Where. Are. You."