"Dear, dear, look at you walking under this hot sun without an umbrella," the Luna said, eyes softening behind her shades as she stared at Camelia like she held no more value than the ants she crushed beneath her shoes every morning while strolling through her backyard.
A stark contrast to the soft gaze in her eyes.
Camelia was no fool. She could see the Luna's true colors behind the ever so deceiving façade of kindness she was portraying at the moment. The subtle twitch on her temple even as she tried to maintain that fake smile.
"Why don't you hop in? I'd love to give you a ride," the Luna offered.
"I'll have to decline. I appreciate the offer, but it's no worries. My house isn't far off, and the heat is mild today, nothing I can't manage," Camelia politely replied.
She bowed again and resumed walking away, but the Luna's sharp voice stopped her in her tracks.
"Hold it, you brat!"
Her tone had shifted from soft and caring to harsh and commanding.
Camelia shut her eyes in frustration for a split second before returning to stand beside the vehicle, her palms clasped tightly in front of her.
"Is there something else you need, Luna?" she asked, keeping her tone polite.
The Luna glared at her from behind her glasses. Camelia couldn't see her eyes, but she could feel the hatred radiating from the woman.
"News reached me that you've been looking for a job," the Luna said, finally removing her shades. "Thank the moon goddess that I'm in high spirits today, because I have a job offer for you."
A faint frown settled between Camelia's brows.
Was the Luna spying on her now? And she mentioned a job offer though slightly intrigued, Camelia was wary of whatever the woman had in mind.
"What kind of job are you speaking of?" she finally asked after a brief pause.
The Luna smiled sweetly like a vile witch delighted by the success of handing her poisoned apple to a fair maiden.
"Get in the car and I'll tell you all about it."
Camelia hesitated. She couldn't be sure the Luna wasn't trying to lure her somewhere quiet to dispose of her without anyone noticing.
Her eyes swept across the street. There were a few passersby, but even if she were kidnapped and never seen again, none of them would care enough to tell her mother where she was last seen or who she was with.
Still, she couldn't blatantly reject the Luna's offer. She needed this job.
Throwing caution to the wind, she went around the vehicle and slipped inside, sitting beside the Luna.
"I knew you'd make the right choice," the Luna said with a pleased look. "You're a smart girl after all."
The driver started the car, and they drove in silence for a few minutes before Camelia decided to speak.
"Are we heading to the worksite?"
The Luna merely nodded.
"What kind of job will I be doing?"
"Housekeeping," the Luna responded curtly.
"Housekeeping?" Camelia repeated.
Since they weren't heading toward the Alpha's residence, curiosity began gnawing at her.
"Which family will I be housekeeping for?" she asked, her tone cautious yet curious.
The Luna clicked her tongue in annoyance and glared at her.
"What do you take me for, you little whore?" Her eyes flared with rage. "You'll be housekeeping. Period!" she snapped.
Camelia nodded and turned her gaze back to the passing scenery.
But the Luna wasn't finished.
"Don't think for a second I'm doing this to help you," she sneered. "The only reason I'm offering this is because those damned vampires requested an extra pair of hands and I couldn't possibly let my husband hand over one of our own people to those savages."
She huffed, clearly irritated by the thought of her husband being at those creatures' beck and call.
"And I'll do anything to keep you away from my son. Take this as me killing two birds with one stone."
Camelia's eyes widened at the woman's last statement, but she didn't bother looking at her. She didn't even bother to defend herself. Whatever the Luna's crazy assumptions were, was none of her concern. Her thoughts were consumed by the mention of working for vampires.
The car finally stopped in front of a small mansion.
"Get out," the Luna ordered, harshly.
Camelia stepped out immediately, her gaze fixed on the building before her. The compound had no gate at it's entrance.
"Tell them Alpha Caden sent you," the Luna instructed.
Camelia didn't reply. She didn't even glance back as she walked toward the entrance. She couldn't be bothered, not when she was about to step into a lion's den.
No… this was worse than a lion's den.
She steadied her nerves and took a deep breath before stepping into the compound. The surroundings were eerily still, no one in sight.
She approached the door and hesitated for a moment before finally summoning the courage to knock.
Knock once.
Knock twice.
No response.
Camelia looked around again, searching for any sign of life, but the place seemed utterly deserted.
"I thought they had workers," she muttered, rubbing her neck in confusion as her curious eyes darted around.
She faced the door again and tested the handle. To her surprise, it turned easily, the door creaking open.
Since it wasn't locked, that meant people were inside. She'd just have to let herself in.
Camelia stepped inside, her curious eyes sweeping across the lavish interior. But she wasn't here to admire the place. She refocused on finding its residents.
"Hello? Anyone home?"
Silence.
"I was sent by the Alpha to work here," she announced aloud, but yet no one replied or came out.
She sighed, her mind beginning to conjure bizarre explanations for the eerie emptiness.
Then a thought struck her; a dark but absurd thought.
"Are they perhaps slaughtering all the workers in their backyard for lunch?" she muttered aloud, giggling nervously to shake off her unease.
"I'm offended... to be compared with savage animals."
Startled by the sudden voice, Camelia gasped, turning around, her heart almost jumping out from her chest.