Filed to story: The Rejected Werewolf Princess (Camilla & Tyson) by Didi Adeyemi >>
“It doesn’t, I just feel bad. Sometimes I wonder if maybe they were meant to be together. They are mates after all and another part of me is happy that I have him. Am I a bad person?”.
“I’m the wrong person to ask. I have only ever loved one woman and she is my mate,” Riley rolled her eyes and punched my shoulder making both of us burst out laughing. “You will figure it out, and honestly, I am glad you’re leaving today because you are stressing Camilla out and what she needs after everything is a long vacation.”
“You might have a point on that one.”
She had her head down and I couldn’t stop myself from walking over to her and pulling her into a hug. Riley was stubborn and I knew she would never ask by herself but it was what she needed. I felt her b*dy go lax as I held her close.
“You’ll figure it out, you are one of the smartest people I know.”
“I don’t feel very smart right now.”
“Should I let you in on a little secret?” I asked and she hummed. “No one ever truly feels smart. You just keep moving and pray that it all works out.”
By the time we were supposed to lead them back towards the carriage, I couldn’t help but feel a pang in my chest. I would never tell Riley or Damien to their faces but I missed them. There was something lonely about the palace life. I loved being with my family but sometimes I wished I had actual friends.
I was talking to Damien when one of the guards walked up to me. He was the one I tasked with sending people into the woods. He hesitated but I assured him that he could speak in front of Damien. I trusted him,
“We patrolled the entire forest but we didn’t see anything out of the ordinary,” he told me. “If there is something specific that we should be looking for then maybe-”
“Thank you for your help, you may go,” I cut him off and he bowed then left. At least I was now certain that the forests were safe. I turned to Damien only to see a foreign expression on his face. “What is it?”
He looked around to make sure no one was listening before dropping his voice to a whisper. “I didn’t know you believed the rumors.”
My brows scrunched in confusion. “What rumors?”
“I thought you had your forests patrolled because of the rumors that had been swirling. I didn’t think they had come this far or I would have spoken about it the moment we arrived.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“People have been talking about a creature in the woods that carries off people. The bodies are never found until a few days later and when they are found, they are ice cold and drained of blood.”
“That sounds like a vampire,” I deadpanned and he rolled his eyes.
“I am aware that it sounds like a vampire but all the vampires are denying having anything to do with it. Anyway, I believe it is nothing but a rumor.”
“Even if it isn’t, the closest vampire coven is a long way from here and they will have to go past at least four different packs before getting here. I think we are safe.”
“What are you guys even talking about?” Camilla yelled interrupting our conversation. “it’s time for them to leave.
I clapped Damien over his shoulder and we walked towards the carriage. He was about to get in when Riley froze staring at something behind us. I turned to see Christine walking towards the carriage. Riley cast a wary glance at me but I calmed her with my eyes. Christine was harmless.
Christine stopped in front of Riley. “I wanted to see you left. I figured it was only good manners for me to say goodbye.” Riley’s mouth dropped open. “You don’t have to say anything. I just wanted to say that.”
Riley just nodded dumbly while Christine turned to Damien and offered him a curt nod. I could see the confusion on his face and he co cked his head as if to ask why he got a nod and Riley got an entire greeting.
Camilla was the one who snapped out of the stupor first. She grasped Riley’s shoulders and gently shoved her in the direction of the carriage doors. “You don’t want to be late.”
Riley and Damien got inside and we watched as the carriage rode off. I waited until they had gone a considerable distance before I turned to Christine. “You did the right thing.”
“I didn’t do it for them, I did it for me.”
CAMILLA’S PO.V
I was so excited to finally have things settle down. It felt like ages since we had any form of peace and I could finally spend long parts of my day with my family. Audrey in particular loved that and she made sure to milk every hour we were able to spend with her. She played her cards well and managed to convince Ryker to take her to do whatever she wanted. I was just happy to see my family safe and happy, it had a very content feeling to it. It felt like I could finally breathe without feeling like someone was looking over my shoulder and waiting for me to fail. It was also an added bonus that I hadn’t seen the elders in over a week. I was relieved and I prayed that the feeling would last.
I made my way towards the training grounds with apprehension in my heart. I had started training again full time thanks to Ryker’s encouragement and it was still weird at first but I was slowly getting back into a comfortable point with my powers. There was still a small part of me that held a little bit of resentment to the powers but I was beginning to get over it. It also helped that Lois was one of the kindest and most patient people I had ever met.
He had been trying to get me to summon water from moisture but it as difficult. My brows were tinged with sweat and my head hurt but I was unable to do it. It felt as though it was just out of my grip. I could almost feel it but I couldn’t get to it. I resisted the urge to scream in frustration and just bit down on my bottom l*p. “Your majesty, forgive me for this but I don’t think you are trying hard enough,” Lois said slowly after I had failed to conjure up anything and I narrowed my eyes at him. “The water is all around you. It is no different from pulling water out of a stream, just pull it and use it.”
“I am aware of what I am supposed to do but I suppose it is harder to pull water out of thin air considering that it is air,” I couldn’t keep the snark out of my voice.
Lois sighed and made his way over to me. “You remind me a lot of our mother. I didn’t train her but I was present for most of her sessions. May I speak freely?” I waved my hands. “I see her stubborn streak in you.”
“I don’t think stubborn would be the first word I would use to describe myself.”