7. CAMILA

Chapter seven

CAMILA

My phone buzzes for the fifth time and I snort, knowing that it's Ethan's impatient ass. After Violet and Sofie went through my entire wardrobe to find something suitable for tonight, I was left to my own devices so that they could run home and grab what they needed. I've been holed up in my room ever since, squirreling away and trying to avoid the inevitable conversation with my father. Violet already warned me that rumors are swirling as to why I wasn't part of Teo's announcement.

I move to stand in front of my mirror, smiling at the dress that used to be my mother's. When she passed away, it became my task to clean out her closet and box up her personal effects. Instead of throwing them out, most of them are stashed away in the back of my closet, including her simple wardrobe that I've fallen in love with over the years .

The sparkly gown with thin straps flares out slightly before my hips and ends just past my knees, hiding the thick band around my belly. I'm not ashamed of my size but it's one of many reasons I know Teo chose Penelope. I do look like an Omega—I'm a little taller than they usually are—but I'm not one. And just for one night, I want to look that way. I smooth down my dress before frowning. There's no way to hide my full cheeks or round eyes.

Just embrace it, Camila.

So, I do. By rushing over to my purse and pulling out that damned list. I search for ‘kiss a stranger' and draw a line through it. A sense of accomplishment spreads through me, a silly smile taking over my face. I make a mental note to cross off at least two more things tonight, to live a little, and to truly let myself have some fun for once. Teo made his choice. It's time I start making mine.

Tonight might be the beginning of something new if Kolsen and Amiri's Omega accepts me. My brows crease as I realize I've forgotten one crucial thing. Do they even want me? Not every established pack takes on another mate, regardless of the attraction. After all, I'm a pastor's daughter and they are the embodiment of sin in every sense of what my father preaches.

Sin that I'm undoubtedly attracted to.

Heat bleeds through me as their faces take over my thoughts, a frustrated groan slipping through my lips. That is highly inconvenient.

My phone buzzes again and I pick it up, laughing at Ethan's impatience.

What are you doing in there?

Is dad holding you hostage?

Do I need to send in Zana?

I can send in Jace. He's with us.

MILA!

Camila?

The last one feels like a plea so I quickly text him back that I'm on my way. Temple is ten minutes away so we'll only be a few minutes late if Dad doesn't spend too long yelling at me. We haven't spoken since the picnic behind the church. Gathering up my courage, I stuff my phone and the list back into my purse before descending the stairs.

And of course, at the bottom, Dad is standing there like a gatekeeper. His arms are folded tightly across his chest, a deep frown etched onto his lips. "I have heard a lot of things today, Camila. A lot of them. None of which sound like the daughter that lives in my household. Would you like to explain what's going on?"

I sigh as I stay on the second to last step so I don't have to look up to him. Dad thinks he's doing what's right but he should see that ship sailed when Ethan went no contact. "You'll have to be more specific. I've been a lot of places today." I don't want to fight with my father but nearly every conversation with him turns into him telling me what I need to do and me saying that I'm not going to do it.

"Teo's engagement. I thought you two were dating. At what point did Penelope come into the picture? Or are you their pack Beta? Is this-" Dad starts off on a tangent, more excited than I've seen him in months. However, his enthusiasm makes my stomach churn.

"You're happy that I would accept to be their pack Beta? Why would you want that for me?" It dawns on me now that my father's distaste for Ethan and his pack is more than just that there are three but that Reid isn't a pack Beta. He's part of the relationship. The fact that my father would want a life where I'm just on the sidelines pains me. "Dad?"

"You're a Beta, Camila. It's how the world works. You either settle for another Beta or become a pack Beta to lovingly serve your family. Did you really think Teo was going to choose just you? No Alpha would take on a Beta when they can have an Omega, Camila. I'm sure you know that." My father's demeanor softens, his arms dropping to his side as he tilts his head.

His words don't soften the blow, though. They feel like spears. I never knew he felt this way about me and my designation. It answers a lot of questions and now I'm seeing all of his commands and rules in an entirely different light. One of his most popular phrases is to ‘Be good for the Alpha who chooses you'. It was never about romance or finding the one and everything to do with submission and keeping my head down.

I won't be doing that.

"I'm glad we've figured that out but I'm not going to be anyone's pack Beta. I'm sure some Betas thrive in that condition but it won't be me. Anything else? I have an engagement to celebrate." Snark never works with my father, case in point that he growls up at me.

"Your disrespect and snarky attitude is unbecoming. I'll have another conversation with Teo and his father. However, I also heard about a certain incident at the fair. Two of them actually. Is this you acting out? Your mother has been gone too long for this to be related to that but I do see you wearing more of her clothes. Camila, talk to me." He reaches out a hand for me to take but that is also something I won't be doing.

I haven't had a heart-to-heart with my father since before my mother died. Those conversations were always with her—about the boys I liked, or my first period, or trying to figure out where I fit in. As meek as she was, she advocated for me and Ethan. Multiple times. When we lost her, the dynamic of the house changed. Ethan soon found escape, leaving me here to work my ass off so I could move out and leave my father's unreasonable rules behind.

I take my time weathering my words but realize that that's what continues to get me in trouble. My father thinks I'm following the rules and then always finds out when I don't. Time to pop that bubble. "I am not acting out. I don't need you to talk to anyone because we are adults. Teo and I don't work. What we want isn't even remotely on the same page. As for the incidents? Who I spend my time with is my business and Teo needs to learn what ‘no' means." My father opens his mouth to say something else when I just hold up my hand. "No. If you're going to advocate for Teo again, I don't want to hear it. For the record, most fathers would have said I was pretty or ‘I remember that dress, it was your mother's'. I don't expect you to coddle me with nice words or anything but one or two now and then would be wonderful."

Then I slide past him, knowing that the conversation when I come back home is going to be awful.

"Be back by ten!"

I twist around, putting the last nail in the coffin. "I am not Cinderella. I am a full-grown woman. Unless this curfew is a new rule for living under your roof, I will be home when I get home."

By the time I make it to the car and slide into the backseat beside Reid, all that confidence is out the window. Reid lovingly strings an arm around my shoulder and kisses my temple. "I'm guessing you got a little fiery with your father. What did he threaten you with before you left?"

"Left before he could say anything," I mumble, relieved when I catch Ethan climbing over the middle seats to get to me. He perches himself on my other side, taking my hand in his. Their presence soothes the creeping anxiety, Zana meeting my gaze through the rearview mirror. Jace, my cousin who occasionally tags along to nights out to scout for new model talent, merely nods his head in acknowledgment before refocusing his attention forward.

Jace is my cousin from my mother's side, far removed from the church. He works with some of the top models and movie directors, his business something my father despises. We only met Jace at a small family party and after that, he occasionally pops up at events. I'm not even sure how or why Ethan got invited to Teo's engagement party but I think it has more to do with Violet calling in reinforcements than an actual invitation.

The rest of the ride is silent and it isn't until we step into Temple that I realize I'm woefully unprepared for the sheer chaos running through this building. I've been to Euphoria a few times but this is a completely different level of sexual curiosity. There's so much skin. My lips part as I drink it all in, feeling like I've stepped away from Ansdale and into some kind of sexual palace with every kind of fantasy imaginable.

Strangely, I don't feel uncomfortable, just out of my element.

Violet and Sofie are soon attached to my side, dragging me away from my family. I continue to take everything in, watching as the chaos dims when we take a sharp right that opens into a private room. A large glass wall shows the excitement we just came from, bright lights and screams of ecstasy filtered to a minimum. Scents are thick and sweet, the heady aura of sex and desire bleeding into this private room. There are several people I recognize, others that I'm sure are Teo and Penelope's friends outside the church.

I manage a small smile to the few who give me the time of day, each and every one of them shocked at my presence. I guess Teo hasn't told anyone about my preferences. That gives me a little relief but not much as Violet and Sofie drag me to one of the tables at the back. Full shot glasses litter every table, the constant chatter and chaotic laughter erupting through the room starting to get on my nerves. Desperate to prove a point—that I am a free, single woman—I kind of forgot that the bombardment of sounds and scents is the exact opposite of what I call a good time.

My hands move to my temples as I rub them furiously. Violet just bursts out laughing. "Mila, you did know it was going to be loud, right? It's a club."

"It's basically a sex club," Sofie offers. "Anything with consent goes."

I can see that, especially with the moans filtering in from on my right just outside our room. My body heats with the idea of catching strangers in the act, the slapping of their skin meeting as he probably slides into—

I cough, clearing my head. "How does anyone focus in here?"

"We don't. We drink, party, and maybe find someone to take the edge off. No, don't look at me like that. Mila, I know for a fact what you like. We're besties. This is the best place to do some of that shit. With someone you'll never meet again. Or and hear me out on this one, go find that Omega and woo the shit out of him." Violet wiggles her brows and I'm tempted to do just that but I'm painfully sober.

Of course, Sofie has that covered as she snags a few of the shots. "YOLO or whatever the kids are saying these days."

I scrunch up my nose and shake my head. "Let's not say that." I throw back one of the shots, not surprised to find tequila burning its way down my throat. Teo always liked his alcohol expensive and clear. Two seconds later, there's another six shots on our table, Sofie grinning like a kid in a candy shop as she digs into my purse for the list.

"Now, let's see what we can cross off this list. Shall we? "

This is a terrible idea, even as I knock back a second and third shot.

The warmth from the alcohol starts to spread through my chest, a silly smile spreading across my face. I steel my nerves and march over to the main table, Teo and his friends holding their breath for me to spew some snarky response. But this is their celebration. I'm not here to ruin it. "Congratulations. I'm really happy you found someone, Teo." I grab another shot and knock it back, Violet and Sofie dragging me back into the heart of the club before I do any more damage.

Sofie starts laughing as we start moving together, finding our rhythm, the heavy beat of the music vibrating through our bodies. "You realize your words made you sound like a bitch, right?" I shrug. "Oh, good. Now, let's find something to cross off your list. We've got a lot of options."