Filed to story: The Rejected Werewolf Princess (Camilla & Tyson) by Didi Adeyemi >>
“The clothes you’re wearing, even the room you’re staying in, they are all mine. You are just an inconvenience to him and he doesn’t know how to handle it.”
“Please stop,” I hated the way her words seemed to pierce through my skin and it took all my willpower not to cry, “I don’t want to do this.”
“We’re not doing anything sweetie; I just want to make sure that you understand.”
“I understand; please stop.”
The last thing I wanted was another case of Tyson and Lisa but I knew that was exactly what I had just walked into. The victorious smirk on her face was a reminder of everything I already knew- there was no way that Ryker would want me of all people. He was just keeping me because he had to.
I looked down at my plate but I had lost all my appetite. I pushed it away from me and rose from the seat. I left it on the table knowing that the maid would pick it up and I started to make my way back upstairs when Lauren stopped me.
“What the hell are you wearing?” I turned to see a furious expression on her face, “I asked you a question.”
“Clothes,” my response was more of a question if I was being honest.
“Not on your b*dy, on your feet,” she walked over to me, “Where the hell did you get those? I spent weeks scouring for those and I had them brought in by a special service.”
“Ryker gave them to me. I was hurt and he got them to help me feel better.”
“Take them off now,” I was stunned and a part of me wanted to refuse. She must have seen it because she stepped into my space and reduced her voice to a menacing whisper, “I won’t ask again.”
Against my better judgment, I took them off and handed it to her. As soon as she had it in her hands, she clutched it to her chest with a small smile.
“You better learn your place you little-,” she trailed off and in an instant her entire demeanor changed.
She conjured up the sweetest smile I had ever seen and looked down at me as if I was this precious gem worth protecting, “I hope you’re okay.”
I was about to ask what she was going on about when I heard footsteps. I turned towards the door only to see Ryker walk into the living room. She must have heard him approaching with her werewolf senses. This is one of the few times I wish I had a wolf so I could have known too.
“I see you’ve officially met Lauren,” he said, “I wanted to be here to do the proper introductions but I got called out to a pack meeting.”
“It is fine,” Lauren waved him off, “We already did that; she was actually just going back to her room.”
I took that for what it was- a dismissal. I made my way towards the stairs and had taken one step when Ryker called out my name. I froze on instant as he made his way towards me.
“Where are your shoes?” he asked.
On instinct, I turned to Lauren and she discreetly shot me a death glare. Ryker already noticed the direction of my stare so he turned to face her as well.
“Where are her shoes?”
I expected her to panic a little but she was the epitome of calm as she brought it out from where she was hiding it behind her back. I was shocked at how easily she was going to admit to what she did when she was just trying to hide it.
“I complimented the sl*ppers and she was saying she didn’t like it and asked if I wanted them. Of course I said and she took them off and gave them to me,” the lie flowed effortlessly from her mouth that I couldn’t help but stare at her in awe.
“Is that true, Camilla?” I wanted to tell him no but the look Lauren shot me promised evil things if I didn’t agree so I nodded, “You should have told me, I thought you loved them; I would have gotten something else.
“It is fine,” I lied, “I just want to go upstairs now.”
“I’ll have new sl*ppers delivered for you before the end of today.” I couldn’t respond because what would have escaped my l*ps would have been a sob so I settled for a nod, “I’m glad you guys are getting along: I have to go back now.”
I nodded again while Lauren gave him an enthusiastic goodbye.
After he left, she turned back to me with those hate filled eyes, “I’m glad you at least have some sort of self preservation,” he l*ps turned into a cruel smile, “Thanks for the sl*ppers.”
I watched her walk away as a lone tear escaped my eyes. Those sl*ppers were the first things I truly owned that were my own They were not bad or faulty and I did not have to steal them or work really hard for them- they were given to me.
It was the first actual gift that I got and I loved it. I should have known that it wouldn’t last. The things I love tend to be taken from me. As she walked out of the room, I felt a piece of myself leave with her.
Lauren has been watching over me for almost a week now and things have just gotten progressively worse. It started with the sl*ppers but now it is like she tries to make my life a living hell.
She would always make passing comments about my weight. One time I overheard her telling one of the maids to reduce my portion because I was getting obese. I didn’t eat at all that day until Ryker came back in the evening and forced me to eat something.
She also made sure to remind me every second of the day that Ryker was hers. I once tried telling her that I didn’t want him but she laughed and said that I was lying because everyone wanted him.
Today when Ryker was leaving, I almost begged him to stay because his absence meant her presence and I didn’t want to hear her continuously tearing me down.
I made up my mind to hide in the room and I hoped- no prayed that she would appreciate my absence and leave me alone but I quickly learned that not every prayer was bound to be answered when she walked into the room later that day.
She looked around the place with barely concealed jealousy and then her eyes landed on me, “I cannot believe that you still haven’t gotten out of bed at this time.”
“I wasn’t asleep. I just don’t have anything to do downstairs.” I tried to defend but she gave me a dismissive hum, “You don’t have to stay here; I’m not getting hurt up here.”
“I’m your glorified babysitter,” she said the last word in a patronizing tone, “it is my job to be wherever you are to make sure that you are always safe. Someone could sneak in through your window to kidnap you.” Then she added under her breath, “I wish they would.”
I knew she was just looking for an excuse to make my life horrible because there was no way that scenario could ever happen. My room was on the third floor and the window overlooked a small field that was always guarded. To get me, the person would have to kill all those guards by which time others would have been alerted.
She walked over to me and lifted my arm with a disdainful look, “If only you knew how to defend yourself then I wouldn’t need to be everywhere you are.”
I closed my eyes and tried not to let her words affect me. I didn’t need a reminder of how weak I was, I already knew it. I had been told every day of my life since I was born and you would think that I would be used to it by now but it hurts the same each time I hear it.
“I would like to train,” I muttered it under my breath but I forgot how sharp werewolf hearing was because she raised a brow at me.
“You,” she began with an amused smirk, “Would like to train; don’t make me laugh darling. You wouldn’t be able to keep up with a newly turned wolf. I mean, look at you.”
I felt my cheeks heat up in embarrassment and I turned my gaze to my hands in my lap. It was stupid of me to even try to utter the words out loud. I should have realized that she would have the same sharp hearing as other werewolves or even stronger considering she’s a warrior. I mentally face palmed myself.
She stayed in my room for a little while longer before she grew bored and left the room; so much for wanting to protect me if someone tried to kidnap me.