The Rejected Werewolf Princess

RYKER'S POV

It was a wonder how Camilla could keep a secret of this magnitude. It had only been a few days and yet I badly needed someone to talk to about it but I couldn't. I had promised to keep her secret until we could find proof that put her fears to rest. I still didn't completely understand it but with Camilla, I barely understood. I had learned over the years to just go with it and hope that it made sense by the time we came out on the other side.

“You called for me.” Christine announced as she walked into my office. I gestured for her to lock the door and her brows furrowed in confusion but she did as I asked. “Is everything alright with Camilla? Does she need something?” “It isn’t about Camilla,” although it was but I couldn't tell her that. “I need you to do a deep dive on Peggy and Marie. Find out whatever you can without them knowing. Send spies back to their village and get as much information on them as possible.”

Her brows rose. “Is there a certain reason for this or is this an order that I cannot question.”

In the months where Camilla was gone, I had grown closer to Christine than I would have imagined and in that moment, I wanted to damn everything to hell and tell her what was going on but I noticed something under my door it was a shadow, as if someone had situated themselves outside. It was barely noticeable and if I wasn’t on edge, I probably would not have noticed. I held my hand to my lips and quietly walked over to the door.

Once I was there, I pulled it open quickly and I noticed Marie walking past my office. She turned to me and gave me: warm smile as if she hadn't just been snooping. I could feel Christine behind me as she came over to investigate. “Hello, Ryker,” Marie curtsied slightly, her smile never dropping.

“Were you just passing by?” I asked and she nodded.

“Il wanted to go out for some fresh air, the palace tends to be a bit overwhelming sometimes,” she chuckled softly. “I wouldn't want to keep you, I should be going.”

“Perhaps I should get a guard to go with you, so you don’t get lost.”

She shook her head almost too quickly. “I will be fine. I wouldn't want to bother anyone or have them babysitting me when there are more important things that they could do with their time.”

“It would be an honor for any of the guards to watch over the Queen's own visitors,” Christine cut in and Marie went silent when she realized we were not going to drop this. She nodded simply but I could tell that she wasn't pleased. “A guard will meet you at the front gate and they will make sure to watch over you safely.”

“Thank you, Ryker, and you too, Christine,” with one final curtsy, she turned on her heels and walked away.

I watched her walk away and it wasn't until her figure had completely retreated that Christine finally spoke. “I take it that it has something to do with that” I didn’t bother denying, I just nodded. “Does Camilla know about this? She might not be pleased knowing that we are looking into the people that she considers family.”

She spat the last word like it was a curse and I could tell that this entire situation was taking a toll on Christine. She deserved to know and it wasn't my place to tell her but I was going to do my best to convince Camilla to do so herself. The first rule of a family was “no lies’ and it was about time that she started living by that.

“It was her idea actually,” I said in response to her earlier question and her eyes widened considerably. “You have to be discreet about this. I don't want anyone figuring out what is happening. Also,” I dropped my voice to a whisper. “be careful about what you say and where you say it. I may have caught her now but who knows how many times we haven't?”

A dark look crossed her features and she nodded. “I will get that information as quickly as possible. The spies will be out within the hour”

She walked away and before I could stop myself, I called out to her. She stopped and looked at me over the shoulder! but I couldn't bring myself to say the words. Camilla was still my mate and I owed her my loyalty. Instead, I cleared my throat.

“Thank you,” I said instead and she gave me a sad smile as if she knew there was something else.

“You don't have to thank me, we are family.”

I watched her walk away and once she was gone, I went in search of Camilla. I knew she was going to be in her office but that was not the place I wanted to have the conversation. She looked shocked to see me but I grabbed her arm and pulled her out of her chair. She made a yelp of surprise but otherwise didn't try to fight me and allowed me pull her down the halls.

I could feel the maids looking at us with varying looks of amusement and curiosity but I couldn't care less about any of them as I led her up the stairs. Once we were at the door of the room, I pulled her inside and locked it behind us. Still, I didn’t want to risk someone hearing us so I dragged her into the bathroom.

“Can you take one second to talk to me instead of pulling me around like a rag doll?” she asked once I let go of her arm. “l would have agreed to talk to you there”

“I didn’t want to risk anyone overhearing and I am sorry if I hurt you by pulling you around,” she waved me off and I hesitated before saying my next words. “You need to tell Christine.”

I didnt need to elaborate, she knew exactly what I was talking about and she was very quick to shake her head. I reached out for her but she took a step back holding her hand out to stop me. I knew I was going to get this kind of reaction but that didn’t mean I was prepared for it.

“Camilla-"

“No,” she cut me off. “I already put this entire thing at risk by telling you, I cannot tell her too. I don’t want to, Ryker and please do not make me look like the bad guy by refusing to say something.”

“She is your family and all of this is hurting her badly. She misses you and she cannot be with you because she thinks you don’t remember her. You know how she is, she doesn’t know how to start over. She is trying but she is hurting, Camilla and that isn't fair on her”

“This entire situation isn't fair,” she exclaimed and she must have realized how loud she was because she expelled a heavy breath of air. “I want to tell her, I swear, I do but I can’t. Do I just go up to her and say that I remember her and I have been pretending?”

“You said it to me.”

“You can't hate me, Ryker and despite that, you have been avoiding me. Christine will never forgive me if I do that” “She will never forgive you if she finds out later. I will not force you to do anything but you know what you have to do. It is not an easy choice but it is the right one and you know it. We need all hands on deck for this and no one car keep a secret like she can.”

She knew I was right, I could tell from her expression, all she needed was a little push. I closed the gap between us and wrapped my arms around her shoulders as I pulled her into my chest. I felt all the tension bleed out of her as she just smoothed herself against me. She felt like bliss and I couldn't help but wonder why I ever thought I could stay away from her.

“l wasn't avoiding you because I was pissed at you,” I whispered. “I was avoiding you because I couldn't believe that didn’t notice. I was avoiding you because I should have known better. Christine might be angry for a while but she will get it and she will forgive you. You just have to tell her”

She was silent for a second before nodding. “Okay, I will tell her” I made to move back but she held me tighter. “Can just have this for a few minutes more, please? I just- I can’t have this in public anymore and I just wanted to-"

“You don’t have to explain yourself to me,” I whispered placing a soft kiss on her forehead. “We can stay here for as long as you want.”

We ended up standing there for what felt like twenty minutes before I heard a faint knock on our door. I gently pulles away from her much to my displeasure so that I could answer it and I found a guard standing there with his eyes cas to the ground.

“Is there a problem?” I asked and he shook his head. “Well, then you better have a good reason for coming to bother me.” “There is someone waiting for you at the doors of the palace, your majesty, I think it best if you come and see for yourself” I glanced back at Camilla who had come out of the bathroom and was watching the scene with apprehension. We followed the guard and all the while I tried to think of all the possible people who could be there but my mind kept drawing up blanks. I heard laughter and squealing before I saw any faces and I knew who it was. My first thought was Camilla and I turned to her.

“Will you be able to-" I began but was cut off by someone clearing their throat in front of me. I looked forward to see my sister with her arms crossed over her chest.

“Since you wouldn't invite me,” Riley began, “I thought it would be best if I invited myself.”