The sun was beginning to set and dim fairy lights began to illuminate the people and tables. After spending some time talking to Alpha Hart about business and Camila; And meeting someone very interesting who introduced herself as Camila's Aunt, Taine was done for the day. but before he left he wanted to say goodnight to Camila. With everyone demanding her attention, her night was far from over.
He saw her in the distance walking away from the main event towards an orchard of sorts. There were stoic oak trees that cast brilliant shadows as the sun sank behind the horizon. He watched her walk to one of the trees and trace her hand over its trunk. She sat down under the tree, her knees to her chest. Taine was content just watching her sit there staring into the distance.
He felt a sharp nail poke his back and he turned to see a short woman looking up at him. She had a calculating gaze and he felt scrutinized by her narrowed green eyes. She was holding a glass of wine in one hand and stuck out her other, for him to shake. From her expression, he knew she had some kind of agenda.
"Hello, Alpha Taine. I am Liberty Daniels. Camila's best friend. I must have been mentioned before."
They shook hands and (more out of shock that she had so bluntly approached him rather than actually remembering) he said, "Yes, your name sounds familiar."
"Since you aren't staying for that long I thought I should just tell you that Camila the most amazing wolf you'll ever meet and I hope you understand how lucky you are. And I know things haven't been exactly smooth for you but you know...you could always just leave her here."
She said this with such conviction and he realised he was jealous. Jealous that she had been loved so abundantly. He also felt pain. Pain that her heart was so full and he took it all away from her. His neutral expression didn't give any of his thoughts away.
A bitter feeling rose in his chest. As strained as things were now, she hadn't given him much of a choice.
"I can see, it seems like she made a difference here." He settled for a diplomatic answer. He could tell his brief way of answering her questions, irritated Liberty.
"You bet she did, don't even get me started-" She had stopped to breathe- finally Taine thought. But this was not the case.
"Oh, Mila." She whispered. Taine turned and looked at Camila in the distance. Even in the fading light, he could see and faintly hear sobs shake through her whole body. Before he process what he was seeing, Liberty had dropped the glass and was running towards her friend. Taine felt useless. He watched as she reached Camila and wrapped her arms around her tightly. Liberty seemed to have the magic touch because it wasn't too long before Camila wiped away her tears and Taine could hear laughter. He saw Liberty hold her face and say something to her forcefully, she nodded and stood up, smoothing out the creases in her dress. Both women kept looking around as if waiting for someone.
Taine felt a small body whizz past him. It was a little boy, three or four running towards the tree, so fast Taine was sure he was going to fall. Camila screamed and kneeled on the grass, her arms open wide. The boy ran into her arms and she nearly fell over with the force. She swung him up and around as she showered him with kisses. A man followed the boy, his father. He kissed Liberty when he reached them and Camila put down the child only for a moment to embrace the man. Liberty met Taine's gaze and gestured for him to come over. He didn't want to but all eyes except Camilas were on him as he walked towards the picturesque scene. She was too busy playing with the young boy.
Realising he had arrived, she stopped running around the grass like a madwoman. Out of breath she introduced him, "Alpha Taine this is my cousin Patrick and Libby my best friend."
Patrick smiled warmly at Taine and extended his hand. " Mila was just telling me you are leaving tomorrow, its such a shame, we were all at school and work today! We would have loved to have you guys over for a meal, we are family after all!" Taine was surprised at the kindness of this man he had never even met.
Camila smiled at her cousin. "Thanks, Pat, but I'm sure we can next time."
The child whispered not so loudly to Camila. "Aunty Mila, is this man your boyfriend?"
She laughed, kissing his cheeks. "No Sammy, you are the only man in my life."
"But did he make you move away?"
There was a heavy silence. " Sammy, I wish I could have stayed but sometimes we need to go have new adventures even if we don't want to."
"Like me going to school?"
"Just like that." She beamed at the little boy.
"Alpha Taine, I'll walk you to your room." She knelt to the ground to let go of the child who was clinging to her neck.
"No, I'm not letting you go Aunty Mila, last time you disappeared. You can't leave me again!" Camila shared a look with Libby that meant she was about to cry for the second time that night.
Blinking back tears she said, "Okay Sammy, how about this, tomorrow if you wake up early I will take you to get some waffles for breakfast." Sammy's face lit up and so did Camila's. "But only if mommy and daddy say it's okay."
He looked at his parents pleadingly.
Liberty took Sammy from her. "It's fine with us but only if you go to bed as soon as we get home without any fussing."
"Okay, I promise!"
"Lib, I'll come hang with you guys after I show Alpha Taine the way."
"We'll put the kettle on." She said smiling. The pair separated from the group and walked towards the packed house, initially in silence.
"You're cousin seems nice."
"He is."
"And so does Liberty."
She looked at him confused. "Libby doesn't do nice, she could skin a bear with her words. She must have really tried with you."
They approached the final flight of stairs when Camila spotted a pair of teenagers sitting on a nearby couch kissing. Camila gasped and sneakily went behind them and yelled. "Damien!" The pair sprung apart and the boy cheekily grinned at Mila while the girl shyly turned her head.
"Cuz! When did you get back!"
"The better question is, why didn't you call me to tell me you found your mate, stupid boy!" She hit him upside the head in annoyance, this only made his smile grow.
"As you can see, I've been preoccupied." He looked at his mate with adoration. She blushed and turned to greet Camila.
"Hi, I'm Rose, I've heard so much about you!"
Damien interjected. "No Ro this isn't my cousin this is my grandma."
Camila feigned anger. "I think you have a death wish Damien, I know where your power ranger figurines are."
Damien looked appalled as Rose began to laugh. "So...Mila, when are you leaving?"
"Tomorrow."
"What! Tomorrow?" Damien looked sad now. "But you only just got here."
Camila said with a sad smile, "Hah! See! I knew you missed me!"
"Wait, so you aren't leaving tomorrow?"
"No, I am...."
Camila said her goodbyes and promised to see them both before she left. From the expression Taine saw on her face, she knew she probably wouldn't. As they walked past Taine was given a glare from Damien.
"I didn't know you had many cousins."
Camila smiled sadly, "Technically its just Pat. Damien's parents adopted him." She didn't offer any further explanation.
They finally reached his door.
Camila was playing with her hair. "I'm sorry."
"For what?"
"For all the family and craziness, I know it must seem like a lot."
"Is it like this every day?"
Camilla grinned showing all her teeth. "Yes." Taine had never wanted to kiss someone so badly.
"Goodnight Alpha."
"Goodnight Mila." He tested out the nickname. He liked it. And from the way she looked at him, he knew she liked it too.