Filed to story: The Rejected Werewolf Princess (Camilla & Tyson) by Didi Adeyemi >>
Ryker frowned. “Take Audrey and go inside.” I opened my mouth to protest but he cut me off. “Just do as I said. I’ll see you when I’m back, I promise.’
I would have stayed there to argue if Audrey didn’t yawn loudly. I picked her up and reluctantly walked towards the palace. She clung to me like a spider and buried her face into my n*eck. I led her to her room and helped her change into her pajamas before tucking her into bed.
“Where is daddy?” she yawned and I k*ssed her forehead.
“He had to work on something. He’ll be here tomorrow morning, okay?” I whispered and I doubted she heard me because her eyes were already drooping. “I love you, baby.”
“I love you too, mummy.”
I pulled her blanket up to her chin and walked out of the room.
I waited in our room for Ryker anxiously. I debated just going into the woods to find him myself but I knew was more likely to get lost. I paced around the room for what felt like hours but in reality was just thirty minutes. When he walked in, he looked exhausted. It wasn’t in his face but in the way he moved. He ran his hands through his hair in frustration and shut the door behind him.
‘Did you find anything?‘ I asked and he shook his head.
“The woods were empty,’ he whispered and I froze in my place. “Well, it was empty of vampires.”
“What do you mean?”
“There was another b*dy,” his words dropped like a bombshell and there was a ringing in my ears. I blinked twice wondering if I heard wrong but by the pensive look on his face, I knew I hadn’t. “The physician has taken in the b*dy to analyze but I figure it is going to be the same.”
“We have to figure out something.”
“We will,” Ryker assured me as he grabbed my palm and squeezed. ‘Just forget about it for tonight. You should rest.”
“What about you?” I knew he had no plans of resting. “Well then, I guess we can get through the material faster if we both read.”
“You don’t have to.”
“You’re always reminding me how I’am queen. Don’t you think it is time I started acting like it?”
I fell asleep sometime during the early hours of the morning and by the time I woke up, I was in my night gown and already lying in bed. Ryker was still hunched over the desk and I knew he hadn’t slept. I slowly made my way out and placed a hand on his shoulder. He jumped slightly but relaxed when he noticed that I was the one standing there.
I placed a k*ss on his cheek. “You need to rest, Ryker. Today is going to be a very busy day and you know it. We have to see the elders and the physician.”
He smiled softly. “I’m fine, baby. If I’m tired, I will rest.”
“I don’t like this.”
He stood to his feet and placed his hands on my waist. He pulled me into him and k*ssed my l*ps softly. He was obviously tired but he was trying to put up a brave face for me. I knew there was nothing I could do save for drugging him and in that moment, I was honestly contemplating it. He didn’t give me the chance to say anything because he just side stepped me and began bringing out clothes for the day. i sighed and just got ready.
Like I predicted, the first thing we had to do was meet with the elders. They were in a more agreeable mood since yesterday and I knew it had more to do with Ryker’s presence than anything. It was obvious that this was out of their league because no one knew what to do. Apparently, the b*dy that had been found belonged to a family in the lower town and they were already searching for their son. News was beginning to spread and I knew it was only a matter of time before we would have to tell them that he was found.
All we could do was double down on the curfew and try and blame his death on the elements. I knew it would be a hard sell considering werewolves rarely got cold but it was the best that we could do at that point. The elders were not too happy about having to break the news to the people but they went to do it either way. Our next stop was the physician and there was nothing new for him to tell us. He died in the same manner as the last person and had only been dead for a few hours before we found him. He offered to cover up the bite marks so the family didn’t see it and I was quick to agree. As we left his office, I turned to Ryker.
“How long has the boy been missing for?” I wanted to fact check something.
“According to the elders- two days.”
“If he only died last night then that means that they are being held before they die. The question is why? What does he gain out of holding them captive for days? Is it a fear tactic?”
“It could be but somehow I doubt it. If it were that then they should have signs of torture but there is nothing. I have a feeling there’s more to this than we realize.”
I knew he was right but it was so frustrating to think about. I couldn’t help but wonder why us? Why were we the ones to be targeted? There were thousands of werewolves and hundreds of packs all over the world so why were we the target?
“You’re the Queen,” Ryker began and I realized I had spoken out loud. “There is no greater show of strength than being able to overthrow the werewolf monarchy. Everything goes through you. If you fall then they all fall with you.”
CAMILLA’S P.O.V
I didn’t realize how much pressure was on me until Ryker said those words. I don’t think he meant for me to worry but I couldn’t help it. I spent the entire morning thinking about his words. Loris had to cut training short because my mind seemed to be everywhere else but present. I almost hit him in the face with a stream of water while I was meant to move it from one stream to another.
The bodies were returned to the families today and I couldn’t bring myself to see them. I watched from a pillar while they sobbed into the bodies of their sons. My heart ached for them and I wanted nothing more than to comfort them but my feet couldn’t move. I couldn’t imagine how I would react if I lost a child.
I felt a hand on my shoulder and I relaxed considerably when I realized it was Ryker. His scent crowded my space and I heaved a small sigh. His arms wrapped around my shoulders and he placed his chin on the center of my head. I could feel his eyes on me instead of the family.
“I feel bad,” I admitted. “It is our job to protect them and we failed.”
“This isn’t your fault. It isn’t even theirs. The fault resides with the vampire who killed them.”