Camilla POV

I forced a smile onto my face and stopped trying to pull my hand away from Malakai. Instead, I entwined my fingers with his, feeling the warmth of his skin against mine. I looked up at him, my heart racing a little. “What I meant was, I didn’t want Malakai announcing it just yet. It’s a bit embarrassing,” I said, my cheeks warming as I looked down, feeling a deep blush spreading across my face.

“Do you love him?” My father’s voice was firm but curious. I paused for a moment, taking a deep breath to steady myself. This was a big question, and I needed to be honest.

“Yes, I do,” I finally replied, feeling a mix of emotions swirling together inside me. Saying those words made my heart flutter, but it also made me nervous to admit it out loud.

An hour later, Malakai walked towards his car. He had just satisfied everyone’s curiosity and had gone through countless questions, especially from Mr. Nolan. It seemed like everyone was eager to know about our relationship. I was asked to see him off, and I felt a mix of excitement and anxiety.

As we walked away from the murmurs and stares, Malakai turned to me, his expression thoughtful. “I don’t understand you,” he said when we were far enough away from everyone else.

“What do you mean?” I asked, genuinely puzzled.

“You’ve rejected me all day,” he explained, frustration evident in his voice. “You’ve blocked every attempt I made to get closer to you. But now you say you love me in front of your father. I’m confused.”

His words struck a chord within me. I took a moment to think about what he said. How could I explain everything that was swirling in my mind and heart?

“Don’t be confused,” I replied, sighing softly. “I obviously didn’t mean what I said earlier. I was just caught off guard.”

Malakai stopped in his tracks and turned to face me, his eyes searching mine for answers. The air between us felt thick with unspoken feelings.

“So, you don’t love me?” he asked, and I could hear a slight tremor in his voice.

"No, I don’t! I’ve told you that many times. Why would you believe what I said in there?"

I felt the shift in the air as the wind picked up behind Malakai, and it was clear to me that I had upset him deeply. I could see the signs of his powers flickering, a tell-tale sign of his emotional state. His expression darkened as he said, “So, it was all a lie then.” The hurt in his voice was apparent, and quite frankly, I didn’t care. At least, that’s what I wanted to pretend.

I turned my gaze away from him, unwilling to say another word. I didn’t want to engage in this conversation any further.

Suddenly, he asked, “Then why didn’t you tell them that we are fated mates?” The moment he said those words, I felt the shift in my own emotions. The topic was sensitive for me, and I could tell by the look on my face that it affected me a lot. Malakai smirked, obviously pleased that he had struck a nerve. “Oh, I see I’ve got you there. You might want to keep our being fated mates a secret, but I don’t. I will make sure I let your brother know as soon as I return to my pack and talk to my people.” The smug smile on his lips made my heart sink, as he seemed to revel in having something over me.

“No, don’t!” I screamed, panic rising in my voice. I sprinted toward him, knowing he was already making his way to his car, convinced he was going to leave me behind.

“No one can know we’re fated mates,” I begged. “Please, keep this a secret.”

Malakai stopped and turned to face me, and I could see the wicked grin spreading across his face. “I don’t want to,” he said, his tone teasing. “Why should I do that?”

As he spoke, I felt a sense of desperation wash over me. “Please,” I pleaded, tugging on his hand with my own, trying to connect with him somehow, "Promise me you’ll keep this a secret."

He looked down at me, amusement dancing in his eyes. In that moment, I could see that he enjoyed the situation. He had the power to control how things would play out, and it made me feel vulnerable.

He looked at me with a mischievous grin and asked, “What will you give me in return?”

I was confused at first and asked, “What do you mean?”

He continued, “Well, I am going to keep a secret that I don’t really want to keep. So, I think I should get something out of this situation. What are you willing to offer me?”

"What can I? Seriously Malakai! Can you not do this right now?" I said rolling my eyes. Even if on the outside, I seem to be cool, deep down, I was nervous. Probably because I knew what he was playing at.

I felt a lump in my throat as I tried to avoid his eyes. It felt like I was walking into a trap, and I didn’t know how to escape it. My heart raced in my chest as I thought about what he might want.

“W-What do you want?” I stammered, already fearing the answer that was waiting for me.

He leaned in a little closer, that smirk still plastered on his face. “What do I want?” he echoed with a playful tone. “I think you already know the answer, don’t you, Camilla? I want you, and nothing else will do."

His words hung in the air, and I could feel my cheeks getting warm. It was a bold statement, and I didn’t know how to respond. My mind raced with thoughts. Could I trust him? Did he really mean what he said, or was he just playing a game?