But she wanted to know the reason why their monthly compensation was cancelled for this month. It was, after all, their right to receive this money, so why was Alpha Caden cutting them off now?
After her father died fighting for the pack, it was the least Alpha Caden could offer to show respect for the fallen warrior who had died defending them. Other families were also benefiting from the monthly pension.
It was a measly amount, but still enough to cover their meals.
But the man lacked honour, so this was not beneath his character.
Camelia's gaze fell on the still-warm bread sitting on the table, but she just didn't have the appetite for it. She barely finished the drink in her glass before standing up.
"I'm going to freshen up, Mom," she informed her mother as she proceeded to leave the kitchen.
Mrs. Bishop glanced at her daughter before nodding, her gaze momentarily falling on the bread.
Camelia wasted no time stripping off her night garment the moment she re-entered her bedroom. Her bath that morning took longer than usual as she let her thoughts flow along with the water cascading down her tender skin.
Hugging herself tightly, her palm grazed her back, touching the bump at its center. The brand still remained prominent, a reminder that she hadn't been hallucinating last night.
It was a strange feeling. There was no pain, yet she felt as though her back was raw.
She dried herself quickly before stepping out of the bathroom bare naked. She was in her personal space, so she did not care. Plugging in her hair dryer, she sat before her mirror to dry her hair.
But just before she could finish, the power suddenly went out throughout the house.
"Shit," she cussed.
Camelia raised her head to glance around before striding over to her open window.
Using the curtains to cover herself, she peeked through at the house across from theirs—the lightbulbs at the front lawn still shone brightly.
"Guess we're the only ones," she sighed.
She went on to get dressed and left her hair loose since it was still damp.
When she came downstairs this time, she was met with an empty living room. Mrs. Bishop had just left the house some seconds ago, so Camelia wrote a note for her and left it on the kitchen table before heading out.
The morning air was cool, carrying a faint trace of petrichor from the rain that had fallen earlier that morning.
She had not yet decided on her destination that morning, but her purpose was clear, she would simply wander around looking for any available job she could get.
Within a few minutes, she found herself in front of a flower shop. There was a notice board by the door.
They were apparently looking for an extra worker. Camelia's face brimmed with a smile as she pushed the door open, the bell above jingling and drawing the store owner's attention.
The middle-aged woman's face lit up at the sound of the bell, but her smile quickly fell when her eyes met Camelia's. Her face turned to a frown, cheeks tightening, making her wrinkles more defined.
"Good morning, ma'am," Camelia greeted politely with a bright smile, her voice cheerful.
"I saw the sign outside and wanted to know if the job is still available?" she inquired, gesturing toward the door.
The shop owner scoffed.
"Even if it were still available, why would I allow a cursed trash like you to work for me?" she said, disgust dripping from her voice.
Camelia's face immediately fell. She had partly expected this, but not such harsh words. She was at a loss for words. She couldn't insult an elderly woman—she was raised better.
"I'm sorry, ma'am. I'll leave," Camelia said, turning to go.
As she left, she heard the woman spit.
"Now I have to cleanse my shop from this abomination," the shop owner said in both anger and irritation.
It was the same with the next job she found, and the next, and the next.
Camelia landed with a thud on the hard ground after being thrown out of the establishment she had just entered by the owner.
"Hsss," she hissed from the fall.
"If I see you around here again, I'll break your fucking jaw," the man spat at her with rage. "You've killed the healer, and now you plan on damning my store!"
Camelia pulled herself back to her feet, staring at the angry man's retreating back, surprise etched on her face.
What was he talking about? When did the healer die?
She dusted her clothes clean as the questions crossed her mind. She decided to get back home and ask her mother about it.
Since getting a job was proving impossible, there was no use wandering the streets, receiving unnecessary insults from strangers.
After properly adjusting her dress, she started heading back home. Her thoughts drifted to that strange vampire again. She wondered if she would ever get the chance to see him.
She wanted to apologize for touching his personal belongings and vexing him and also thank him, but with her current predicaments, she doubted she would have the time to return to that mansion.
There was also a bit of fear lingering in her heart. Did she really want to face him again?
She was quickly snapped out of her thoughts when a car honked several times beside her. She immediately stopped as the red vehicle came to a slow halt.
The window of the back seat rolled down, revealing the Luna looking sophisticated in a black shade, exuding all her grace and poise.
Camelia's eyes widened in tension, but mostly in surprise.
"G-Good day, Luna," Camelia greeted, slightly bowing her head in respect, even though she had little to no regard for the vile woman.
Her heart quickened when a condescending smile, disguised as kind smile, graced the Luna's face.
Why was the Luna stopping her? Did she have more punishment in store?