Filed to story: The Rejected Werewolf Princess (Camilla & Tyson) by Didi Adeyemi >>
I opened my mouth to speak but he clasped a hand over my l*ps keeping me quiet. That was when I heard what he heard- footsteps and shuffling. A horrid burnt smell infiltrated my nostrils and I immediately knew that we were in danger.
“How fast can you run?” he asked and I shrugged,
“I’m pretty decent.”
“Good, I need you to run back to the house and tell the guards that there are rogues.”
“But-,”
“Now!”
The urgency in his voice stopped every argument I had in me and I took off in the opposite direction. I heard the ripping of clothes and a loud growl but I didn’t turn back to inspect, I didn’t stop until I got to the front of the house.
The guards were confused and shocked to see me and honestly, I didn’t blame them. I was in sweaty training clothes and I just came in looking like I had run a marathon.
“There are rogues,” I said, “In the forest; Ryker is there and he asked me to get you.” They shared a look and one of them gently grabbed onto my upper arm, “What’s going on?”
“I have to get you to safety Luna.”
“What are you talking about? He needs you more.”
“The Alpha gave clear orders that should there ever be a threat then you should be taken to safety.”
I tried to argue but he firmly guided me into the house. Eve saw me and the guard relayed the situation to her and she took off without another word. I was guided up to my room and that was when the guard finally stopped pulling me around like a rag doll.
“I will keep watch out here,” he said, “Rogue attacks can take a while so I suggest you get changed or something. Eve will be up as soon as she is done rounding up the other omegas.”
I wanted to complain or fight or do something but I knew that I would be more of a hindrance downstairs so I forced my feet to carry me into the room. I locked the door behind me and did as the guard asked. I took a bath and I changed into a comfortable pair of leggings and a shirt then I started to worry.
I paced back and forth to calm my nerves. Eve came in to check on me but I barely even glanced at her as she placed my breakfast tray by my bed. She left when she realized I wasn’t going to start eating anytime soon.
I don’t know how long I stood pacing but the door to my room opened and Ryker came through. He had a few splatters of blood on his skin but he looked otherwise fine. I couldn’t help myself when I threw my arms around his neck.
I realized what I had done and tried to pull back but he wrapped his arms around my lower back and held me tight against his b*dy. He nuzzled his nose into my hair and I felt him take a long inhale.
“Are you hurt?” I asked as he finally let me pull back and he shook his head, “I’m sorry I couldn’t be of any help; if I knew how to train then maybe.”
“Maybe nothing,” he cut me off, “You could be the best warrior in the entire fucking world and I would still ask you to be sent to safety.”
“What?”
“You are my mate and my responsibility Camilla. There is no way in hell I was going to let you stay out there while rogues were attacking.”
“But-,”
“I don’t want to argue about this. I haven’t had breakfast yet, have you?” I shook my head, “Why don’t I get cleaned up and we can eat. Does that sound nice?”
“Yes.”
He smiled at my answer and left me standing there in the room. I just stood there staring at the door he had gone through and thinking about how nice it felt to have someone worry about your safety over theirs.
For the rest of the day I didn’t see Ryker. After eating breakfast with me, he disappeared and Eve told me that he probably went to the pack house. I was so used to his presence around the house that it felt very weird and quiet to not have him around.
I spent my day with Eve and she educated me on life in the pack. She wasn’t born in the pack. In fact, she was a rogue up until she was five when she accidentally stumbled into the pack and the former Luna took pity on her and made her an omega.
Her story brought a lot of questions about what happened to Ryker’s parents. In Tyson’s pack, I heard a lot of stories and rumors about what people think happened but I’m starting to realize that not every rumor should be taken seriously.
Some people said that Ryker killed his parents so he could become Alpha. Some people said that they died in a horrible accident that made Ryker cruel and heartless. Another group of people said his family ran away because they couldn’t bear to watch him act as cruel as he did to his pack members. Judging by how I’ve seen the pack members, none of those stories sound true.
I wanted to ask Eve but I realized that some stories are meant to be heard from the source and I filed my curiosity away for another day.
I helped her out with dinner even though she refused at first. It was fun to have something to do around the house rather than just sitting on my butt all day. And as weird as it sounds, I actually enjoyed cooking. Even when I was at Tyson’s pack, I loved doing it. I just hated the circumstances under which I was forced to do it.
We made shepherd’s pie and I paired it a meringue topped with strawberries. I was setting the table when the main door opened and I saw Ryker walk in. The corner of my l*ps tugged up but my smile fell when I saw who was following close behind.
The plate in my hand sl*pped and fell to the floor with a loud crash prompting Eve to rush out of the kitchen. She took in the scene in front of her and her eyes flickered to mine in barely concealed panic.
“Alpha,” she bowed to Ryker then turned to the person next to him, “Lauren; it is a pleasure to see you again.”
She was impeccably dressed in skin tight pants and a sleeveless corset like top with a jacket thrown over it. Her hair was in a slick ponytail and her l*ps were painted the color of a freshly plucked strawberry.
She had on leather boots to complete the edgy look and her arms were crossed over her chest. She caught my eye and the corner of her l*ps tilted up slightly.
“I’m sorry about your leg, fake sincerity bled through her words. I’ve been around enough people to know when someone isn’t being genuine and judging by the twinkling in her eyes, she isn’t.
“It’s fine.” I was grateful that my voice came out strong and not as shaky as I felt on the inside.
“Did you cook?” she asked as she made her way over to the dining table, “I haven’t eaten all day. Is it okay if I sit?”
I knew it would be rude if I said no especially since she hasn’t eaten so I just nodded. She thanked me and took a seat on the immediate right of Ryker which would be in the middle of both of us. Eve shot me a sympathetic look as she set the dish on the table.
I didn’t want to sit next to her so I took my plate to Ryker’s other side. This would be the first time we are sitting next to each other and I saw the shock that crossed his features as I sat next to him but it was quickly replaced by pride and something else.
Ryker seemed oblivious to the brewing tension between Lauren and I. She would occasionally look up and smirk at me almost as if she was trying to tell me that I failed to get rid of her. The tension between us could be cut with a knife and it was very uncomfortable. I wanted nothing more than to get up and hide in my room and I would have done so if it wouldn’t raise questions with Ryker.
“I’m sorry for ambushing you like this,” he began and I saw Lauren’s eyes widen at his apology.