Camilla POV

The house was eerily silent, save for the distant chirping of birds outside. Where had everyone gone? I wondered as I descended the stairs into the living room.

I looked around—empty. Odd. The house was usually bustling with people, yet today, of all days, it was deserted.

Then it hit me. I had canceled all plans for my birthday, furious with Malakai. But that didn’t mean everyone should abandon me as if my existence had been erased.

Still, feeling a little drained from this morning’s run, I made my way into the kitchen for a glass of water. I grabbed a bottle from the fridge, shutting the door when—

Pop!

I nearly dropped the bottle as a chorus of voices erupted.

“Surprise!”

The kitchen staff stood in the kitchen, cheering and clapping. Their eyes sparkled with joy as they wished me a happy birthday.

Tears pricked at my eyes. I had no family—no parents, no siblings—but these people, the ones who had fed me, comforted me, and treated me like one of their own, had come together for me.

The head of the kitchen staff, Mr. Nolan, stepped forward, his face warm with affection. “You didn’t think we’d forget, did you? You’re like a daughter to us, Camilla.”

A lump formed in my throat. I had spent years hardening my heart, but at this moment, I felt it crack just a little.

A familiar, intoxicating scent of cedarwood filled my senses, and my heart sank. Just as I had begun to relax, thinking Malakai had finally listened and left me alone, he proved me wrong.

Before I could react, he slipped an arm around my waist, pulling me close. The warmth of his body seeped into mine, sending tingles through my skin.

How does he do this to me?

I growled, turning to glare at him, but he didn’t budge. Instead, he leaned in—and kissed me.

In front of everyone.

A stunned silence fell over the room. The kitchen staff exchanged knowing glances, their eyes twinkling with amusement.

“Does this mean you two are fated mates?” Mr. Nolan asked, voicing the question everyone was dying to ask.

“No!” I blurted out, stepping away from Malakai and glaring daggers at him. “He is *not* my mate. We are *not* fated. Why would you even think that?” I scoffed, rolling my eyes, but my breath came out shaky.

The disbelief in their eyes made it clear—no one bought my denial.

Malakai, undeterred, smirked. “Fated or not, it doesn’t change the fact that Camilla is my girlfriend.”

I gaped at him.

What the hell?

The room erupted into laughter and cheers. Congratulations flew in from every direction.

“No, that’s not true!” I tried to protest, but my voice was drowned by the excitement.

Fuming, I stomped off to the living room, flopping onto the couch, face burning with embarrassment.

But Malakai wasn’t done. He followed me, sitting beside me like he belonged there.

“That was bold,” one of the staff commented, amused.

Malakai grinned. “I have my reasons. I want to officially ask for your blessings—all of you—so I can have Camilla.”

I snapped my head toward him. **What?!**

Mr. Nolan chuckled. “That’s up to Camilla. Ask her.”

Malakai turned to me, his expression serious. “I know it’s ultimately between us, but I want everyone to know—I want you as my mate. I want to be by your side forever.”

My heartbeat pounded in my ears.

I squeezed his hand under the table, pleading with my eyes.

Please. Keep it a secret.

Malakai exhaled and turned back to the staff.

“she’s my chosen mate,” he said at last, lifting my hand and bringing it to his lips. He pressed a soft kiss onto my skin. I instinctively tried to pull my hand back, but he held on tightly, not letting me go.

Mr. Nolan looked at me with serious eyes. “Camilla, is this true? Is this really what you want?” he asked, his voice steady.

I opened my mouth to respond, but the words got stuck in my throat. “No, it’s not—” I started to say, but I couldn't finish my sentence. I felt trapped, unable to voice my true feelings.

Just then, I noticed a shadow appear in the doorway that led to the backyard. It was a woman, standing still.

It was Hilda.

A chill ran down my spine, and my stomach twisted in knots. Hilda had always been a presence I dreaded, and now, there she was, watching us with an intense gaze.

She looked at Malakai with eyes filled with longing and pain, but there was also something darker, something that spoke of desire.

My heart sank. Here she was, still wanting what was mine, even in this life. Was she ever going to let go?

When her eyes shifted to me, I felt a wave of cold wash over me. There was pure hatred in her gaze, a fire that burned fiercely.

Suddenly, it hit me with the force of a truck. She had always hated me. From the very beginning, she wanted what I had.

And she had killed me once before.

In that moment, I realized that she would not hesitate to do it again if I allowed her to. My body tensed up, and my fingers curled into fists, determined to fight back. No, I couldn't let that happen this time.

I had to stand my ground.

Taking a deep breath, I forced a smile onto my lips, even though my heart raced in my chest like a wild animal trying to escape. I could not let fear or anger take control. This time, Hilda would not win.

My mind raced. Why did she have to appear right now? Why couldn’t she just stay in the shadows where she belonged? I thought about how she had tormented me, always lurking and waiting for the right moment to strike.

But I also knew that I couldn’t show her my fear. I had to be bold and ready for anything she had planned. I know better now.