I knocked on Camilla's door, but there was no answer. I called her name repeatedly, knowing exactly how to get under her skin. Finally, the lock clicked, and she opened the door, glaring at me. "What... do... you... want?!"
I brushed off her irritation and rushed inside, closing the door behind me. "I need your help!"
She tilted her head, confusion etched on her face. Just as she opened her mouth to respond, I cut her off. "I have a date with Adi tonight, and I have no idea how to impress her! What should I bring? Flowers? Chocolates? What's her favorite color? Maybe I should get flowers in that color!" I rambled, pacing around her room like a nervous wreck.
Camilla burst out laughing and flopped onto her couch. "This is serious, Camilla! Stop laughing!" I snapped, irritation bubbling up.
She finally managed to catch her breath. "Okay, okay. You really like her, huh?"
"Of course I do!" I said, feeling a mix of embarrassment and determination. "So, what do I do?"
"Well," she began, a mischievous smile spreading across her face, "how about you just ask her? You know, talk to her like a normal person?"
"Very funny," I shot back, but her idea planted a seed of hope. Maybe keeping it simple was the way to go. "But I still need something special!"
She held up her hand, a teasing grin on her face. "I'm sorry, bro. I just never seen you like this. You look so nervous. What happened to Mr. Casanova who sneaks different girls in every night? Damn, Clark, you're falling hard, aren't you?"
I stopped pacing and met her gaze, realizing how obvious my anxiety must be. Defeated, I plopped down on the couch next to her, burying my face in my hands. I nodded slowly.
Camilla put her hand on my shoulder, a mix of sympathy and amusement in her expression. "As much as I hate your guts, bro, I'm starting to believe you actually love her."
With that, she slapped her thighs, stood up, and stretched her arms dramatically. "I shall be your fairy godmother! Now rise, my Cinderella! Let's get you to the ball!" She said, bowing theatrically before gliding out of the room, her hands waving like she was floating on air.
I couldn't help but chuckle despite my nerves. Camilla always had a flair for the dramatic. My family is so weird. I followed Camilla out and into my room, where she grabbed a dark blue shirt and my black pants. "Here's your dress, princess," she teased, handing them to me. Then she leaned in closer and whispered, "Adi likes everything black and blue... just FYI." I couldn't help but wonder if Camilla is adopted—or maybe I was.
I glanced at my watch: 5:45. I rushed to the shower, quickly got ready, and after dressing, I looked at my reflection in the mirror. I can do this, right? Why was I so nervous? This was Adi—Beta Jackson's daughter, my sister's quirky friend...and apparently the woman of my dreams. I closed my eyes, sighed loudly, and stepped out.
As I made my way to the kitchen, I spotted Camilla sipping tea by the exit. When she saw me, she stood up dramatically. "Awww, my baby's all grown up!" she said in a motherly tone.
"You know what, Camilla? I think one of us might be adopted... because you're just too weird to be related to me," I shot back, tapping her on the head.
She laughed and handed me a pack of Oreos. "You're not going to show up to her door empty-handed, are you, dimwit?" she said, tilting her head at me.
I frowned at the Oreos. "Um... what's this for?"
"Adi loves Oreos—maybe more than she loves herself," she replied, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
I took the Oreos and headed out. Her house wasn't far, so I decided to walk. I arrived at her door and checked my watch: 6:26. Thank goddess I was early. I was about to ring the doorbell but decided to wait a few more moments. I counted... 28... 29... 30. Finally, I let out the breath I was holding and rang the doorbell.
After a few moments, the door opened, and her scent enveloped me, nearly overpowering my senses. Camilla was right. Adi stood there in a dark blue cotton dress that hugged her curves perfectly, stopping just above her knees. Her long black hair cascaded down her back, and she wore no makeup—she didn't need to.
Her eyes sparkled when she saw me, and she smiled, glancing at the Oreos in my hands. I suddenly remembered I was holding them and felt a wave of regret wash over me. I frowned, ready to defend my choice of snack, but before I could say anything, she grabbed the Oreos from me, squealing, "Thank you!"
She smiled up at me while hugging the Oreos to her chest, biting her lower lip. "How did you know I love Oreos?" Her large blue eyes looked up at me expectantly.
I gulped. "Camilla told me."
She turned to me and said, "Well, Camilla is always right." I followed her into the dining room, where the table was beautifully set. Adi pulled out a chair for me, and I took it reluctantly. Having a stunning woman take me on a date felt strange—new but still weird. She sat opposite me, smiling, and said, "Thanks for accepting my dinner invitation at my house."
As she scooped food onto her plate, she gestured for me to do the same. "I cooked," she said, her smile brightening the room. I looked down at my plate, feeling shy and suddenly aware of my own blushing cheeks. Why was I blushing? Usually, I was the one making women blush.
"I hope you like it," she said, and I began to eat, fighting the urge to steal glances at her.
"It's delicious... truly," I replied, genuinely impressed as I continued to eat.
I felt her eyes on me, so I finally looked up. "I want to thank you, Clark," she said, her voice trembling slightly. Confusion washed over me. "I want to thank you for talking to your father about keeping the initial plan of making me your beta. I am so grateful that you value my decisions."
Her voice broke, and I could see the fight against tears in her eyes. "You would make a good alpha... and tonight I want to pledge my loyalty to you, Alpha Clark Knight."
She stood, walked over to my side, and bowed deeply. "It would be an honor to serve by your side, to protect you and our pack. I, Addison Golson, give you my word, my honor, and my life... Alpha Clark Knight."
I rose from my seat and embraced her as tears streamed down her cheeks. I couldn't believe someone like her existed. She was perfect—maybe even beyond perfection. I felt her press herself into our embrace, and I held her tightly, as if my life depended on it.
When I pulled away, I cupped her face in my hands and said, "I, Clark Knight, Alpha of Blood Moon Pack, accept you, Addison Golson, as my Beta. I give you my trust, my honor, and my life." Then, in a moment of pure emotion, I lost all control and kissed her.
