Then he called the name, that name that sent shivers up Miranda’s spine.
“Camila dear, come to me now with the gift you have for me.”
Surprise bewildered everyone as Camila stepped out the packhouse then. Renard was right; she had not stepped out of the border at all, even being in possession of the stone. This was so because Camila had used a camouflage, waiting until the time she was called by her master; the one who sent her here.
What was even more shocking was that the little number of silver troops saw the cub pass them by with the big glowing stone in her hand, yet none could come near her, none could stop her from passing to give the stone to Rakur, as they could still feel the impact of her powers freezing them all where they stood.
Even the powerful alpha couple that stood at the forefront of the battle could not stop her.
Miranda saw Camila’s face then, never believing that such a young child could harness evil in her heart, but then when Camila turned, Miranda saw something she didn’t expect to see; Camila was being controlled by a master, an evil master, and there, she read the young cub’s eyes. She was trapped. She might have been taken as evil, but one could not be surprised if she had a master such as Rakur.
But wait! What if… Miranda could still save the situation. What if Camila wasn’t all that she was thought to be?
The sly cub was still headed towards the rogue king with the royalty stone. She hadn’t yet given it to him. Miranda thought fast then, perhaps there was still a chance to change things.
Camila! Camila! Listen to me… I know you’re trapped. I know you’re stuck, but please… you have to fight this… you are not an evil cub! You can still change for the better, Camila. Rakur is the evil one. Look at the way he’s treated you! We never did any of that, Camila. We loved you and we still do. You don’t have to be a slave, with us, you can be free, Camila… you can be free.
Everyone turned in her direction, their faces all wore surprises as they wondered how crazy she was to think that she could change the mind the mind of a sly cub who had heeded the call of its master.
But then, maybe Miranda wasn’t crazy after all, because after she spoke, Camila stopped in her tracks, showing a hint of hesitation to move forward.
We love you, Camila…. We still do… you don’t have to be a slave… with us, you can be free.
Camila wishes for freedom, because ever since her birth, she’s never had that chance with Rakur, she’s never tasted it until she met Miranda. But then, she’s a sly cub, and every sly cub must heed to the call of their master. It’s their nature, their powers were meant only to serve their master, no one else… no matter what!
What are you doing?” Rakur raged. “Why did you stop? Hand me over that stone this instant, Camila…”
At his angry words, Camila then shook her head, brushing off the hesitation, moving forward.
But no… Miranda wasn’t giving up… she’d seen hope right there, and she believe she could still help this cub overcome her fears.
Camila… you are strong… you are not evil! Rakur is the evil one… you can overcome this… remember these words Camila… this storm is no match for a great cub like you.
This storm…. Is no match for a…. great cub like… me?
Those words seemed to change everything, as right then, Camila didn’t go any forward, but turned back, running back towards where she came from, in attempt to return the stone she held to its rightful owners.
Rakur would not hear of this! Never! The fact that a sly cub who was thought to be the loyal of all servants could turn against its master bewildered him, but still, he would not let his surprise distract him from what he ought to do.
He gave an order to the wolves at the forefront to go after Camila, who was still running.
Go after her, and bring her, along with the stone. It must not get to the silver alpha before us!
The wolves he sent were able and fast, but they were no match for the sly cub as she sensed danger coming after her while she ran, and she used her powers to slow them down. Rakur growled in distaste at what was happeneing. He tried sending another batch of wolves, but still the same thing happened.
It was the worst feeling, watching the cub he raised present the stone back to its keepers upon reaching them.
As soon as Camila reached them with the stone, she presented it back to the keepers before Miranda scooped her in her arms, giving her a hug.
Thank you, master.
Miranda couldn’t believe what she’d just done herself. She’d known about the sly cub having only one master it obeyed, but what she’d never heard before was the cub changing masters willingly on its own without permission from the former, not until now at least.
You don’t have to call me master, Camila. I meant everything I said back there. You are free… with us… you don’t have to be a slave or call anyone master.
Thank you, alpha Miranda,” Camila repeated as soon as she put her down. She then turned towards alpha Damian with a bow of her head.
I am sorry for what I did,” she said to him.
Thank you, Camila. The most important thing is that you chose to do the right thing, and now my mate and I will honor our promise by giving you your freedom when this battle is over. You will not have to live in fear for the rest of your life.
Damian then turned to Rakur, “you see, Rakur… even the ones who serve you, who pledge their loyalties to you turn their backs when they realize who you truly are. You are nothing but evil, Rakur.”
Arrrrghhh!!!” Rakur growled in anger. That ingrate… after all he’s done for her… she dares to embarrass him, not just in front of his troops, she dares to humiliate him in front of the enemy. He will ensure that he personally throws her dead body into the flames he’ll set to consume everything that the silver lineage has built for decades, then from their ruined ashes, he’ll create his own empire.
Rakur smirked, “you might have the cub and the stone back, but do not forget that you are still outnumbered, Damian. My men still have a chance to win this battle and we will fight you till the end, regardless of if we have the stone or not. We will still win.”