The Rejected Werewolf Princess

CAMILLA'S POV

Ryker stilled behind me at her words and I knew the dinner was over. It took less than a minute to call it off and there were sighs of relief all around the table. Peggy stood to the corner while I tried my best to ensure that the girls were taken care of and every few seconds, I would see her shiver and pull her hands closer to her chest.

Once I was guaranteed that Riley was going to put an eye on my girls, I pulled Peggy to the closest private room which happened to be the private living room. Ryker and the others came with me and we made sure the door was bolted shut before we even started speaking.

“Tell me everything,” I said as soon as I was sure that we were alone. “How did you remember? What happened?”

“I don't know,” she admitted. “I have my memories of everything that has happened in the past few months but it is hazy, almost as if I am watching through someone else’s eyes. Before this, the last thing I can remember is being forced to plan for Marie's funeral-" her voice choked on that last word. “I was distraught. I had no idea what I was doing. Marie is my life, my daughter was my everything and she died and the bastards responsible were going to go free”

It was clearly taking an emotional toll on her and I wanted to comfort her and tuck her into a bubble where she didn’t have to talk about any of it but the unfortunate trust was that I needed her to speak, I needed to know everything so we could handle it the right way. I opened my mouth a few times but no words would come out. I glanced over at Ryker for help and he didn’t hesitate before taking the seat next to me.

“Peggy, I can only imagine how terrifying this must be for you,” he began in a calm and comforting voice. “We are going to need you to calm down and tell us exactly how you remembered all this. Can you do that?”

She nodded before taking a deep exhale. “Marie had been on edge all through today, she claimed she was sick but I knew that was a lie. She kept snapping at me and I had no idea what the hell was going on so I stayed to give her some emotional support. I left to get some food to eat, and she tried to stop me, In hindsight, I can see why. If you are not reading this novel on Jobni ;b’.com, some sentences are incomplete. It was as if the moment I was out of her reach, it all slammed back into me at once. I was so confused at first because it felt like I had two different lives trying to take root in my head. I couldn't tell which one was real or not.”

“How did you end up knowing which was real?” Christine asked from her spot behind us and all eyes went on her. “How did you realize that it wasn't just a figment of your imagination?”

“Because I remembered how my heart broke the moment I saw my child lying on that hospital bed. I remember how it felt like my world had come to an end,” she gave a sad smile. “There are certain emotions that you cannot fake, certain emotions that cannot be replicated and this- this, is one of them.”

She looked away and wiped the tears that had leaked from the corners of her eyes. I knew exactly how she felt because for a brief second on that cliff, I had lost my child. I reached out for her and squeezed her hand tightly and she gave me a small smile. She was still visibly shaken up but she looked a lot better and a bit calmer.

“What do we do now?” she asked. “Do I go back and pretend like I don’t know what is happening? Do you want me to get information on her? I could try.”

“No,” I cut her off. “There is no need to do that. It will only make matters worse in the end. We know she is dead, we know she isn't who she says she is and there is no use accommodating her to make the rest of us uncomfortable. I have a plan, but I need your help.”

Once we had finished discussing the nature of the plan, Peggy and I made our way to the room. Marie was still inside she was seated cross legged on the bed. When she saw us walk in, she stilled slightly and sat up straight. Whoever she was, she had a very good poker face, she acted like she knew nothing was going on as she crossed her arms over her chest.

“Is this an intervention?” she asked with an amused drawl. “I said I didn't feel well, is this the part where you want me to say that it was a lie? I don't need you to come check on me. I am not sick, I will be fine in the next twenty-four hours.”

“That isn’t why we are here,” I said simply and her brows furrowed in confusion. “I took the seat in front of her all the while she watched me with careful suspicion. “Do you remember that incident in the woods?”

She frowned. “I don’t want to talk about that, Camilla. I think it is time that you dropped it. There is no reason for you to keep pushing even after-"

“You died,” I cut her off. “Although, you already knew that because you aren't Marie.”

She stared at me for a second before snorting. “I don’t know what the hell you are on but I think I am done playing the game,” she turned away from me but I could see the slight fear in her eyes.

“l don't want to hurt you but I will if you don’t tell me what the hell you want and why you are here”

“I think it is time for you to leave,” she announced turning to me. “I think it is absolutely ridiculous that you would accuse me of something like that knowing that-"

She didn’t even finish her statement, she pushed past me and made a run for it. Peggy screamed in fear but I knew she was going to get caught, the others were outside waiting. We had planned for this, for the moment she would rut so I was not surprised when she was suddenly pushed to the ground. She let out an ear splitting scream as she fought against the hold of the guards.

Her screams echoed across the walls of the room and I saw the exact moment that Peggy shattered. I rushed to her before she hit the ground and she wrapped her arms around my shoulders. Ryker was by the door silently asking with his eyes if everything was okay but I couldn't answer because I didn’t know. The truth was that I couldn't begin to imagine the pain that she was in.

“It sounds just like her,” Peggy managed out. “I know that isn't my daughter but it sounds like her. It looks like her. Can't I just keep her? We can leave and we will never come back. I could keep her”

“Peggy,” I coaxed trying to keep my voice as soft as possible. “That person will never be your child. We don’t even know why the person is parading in your child's body. They probably mean more harm than good.”

“But I would have Marie back.”

“You will never have Marie back,” it was a hard pill to swallow but it was true. “Marie is gone and she wouldn't want you to hold onto this stranger in the guise of holding onto her. I know it hurts-"

She pushed me off and I saw burning anger in her eyes. “You don’t know what this feels like. You can pretend to know but you never will. Your children are tucked in bed with their nannies and maids watching over them. Your children have never seen a day of sorrow in their lives so do not tell me you know what it feels that my child is dead.”

“It might not seem that way but I do know,” I said and she opened her mouth to refute but I held up a hand to stop her. “My oldest daughter was kidnapped and almost burned alive in a house, it is the same place that I lost my mother. Once again, she was kidnapped by vampires and she could have drowned. I know what it is like to have my child in danger, Peggy, I know what it feels like to see the life leave your child's eyes. Both of my children have almos died in my arms.”

“How did-" she trailed off. “You have your memories back.

I gave her a small smile before nodding. “I do, but that is not important right now, what matters is that you stay here and rest. What happened today was awfully traumatizing and it will take a toll on even the best of people. I will have guards outside your door to keep an eye on you and keep you updated.”

“Thank you,” she whispered but her eyes said so more. I squeezed her hand in silent solidarity before slowly making my way out of the room.

Once I was finally away, I let my shoulders sag and I leaned against the wall for support. Ryker was instantly by my side, his hand on my lower back and his eyes roaming my body for any signs of an injury. I wanted to tell him that I was fine, that I was okay, but my lips couldn't move. It was almost as if my tongue was stuck to the roof of my mouth. “Camilla,” he pushed my hair out of my face and turned me to face him. “Do you need me to call you the physician? Do you need to sit down? I could carry you to-"

“No,” I cut him off but his worried expression did not ease. “I just need a second. Those are memories I did not see myself having to relive for a while. It just- everything is too much. I just need a second.”

Understanding filled his features and instead of asking any more questions, he just pulled me close and wrapped hi: arms around me. His scent filled my nostrils and I felt all the tension begin to leave my body as he ran his hands down my spine.

“You can sit this one out if you want,” he whispered. “I can talk to Marie- or whoever- alone. You don't have to be there with me.”

“I owe it to Peggy to be there,” I cleared my throat and pulled away from him. “I am fine, I can do this.”

“Camilla-"

I cut him off. “Lead the way to the dungeons, Ryker. We have an imposter to interrogate