Filed to story: The Rejected Werewolf Princess (Camilla & Tyson) by Didi Adeyemi >>
I kept my voice soft as I responded, “I already told you the truth and please let go, you’re hurting me.”
My answer seemed to piss him off more but he finally released my arm and I stood at the far end of his bed. He muttered a few choice words under his breath and I saw him try to calm his breathing before he spoke.
“Whoever hurt you had to be in that house because I get informed when anyone new walks in and as far as I know, there were no visitors,” he began, “If you won’t tell me who it is, I will simply have to punish them all.”
“No: you can’t possibly punish them all.”
“There is very little I cannot do Camilla,” I stared at him hoping he was bluffing but from the anger swirling in his eyes, I knew that was a foolish thought, “Tell me what happened or everyone in that house will suffer for it.”
I debated my options in my head. I could simply tell him what happened or I could keep to my story and everyone will get hurt because of me- including Eve.
“I’ll tell you,” I began, “If you promise to allow me leave.”
“You’re in no position to make demands.” He said simply, “But, if you tell me then I’ll explain the story behind the nursery.”
I opened my mouth to refute and demand to leave but my curiosity was greater and against my better judgment, I ended up agreeing to the deal.
To show that I agreed, I took the seat next to him and crossed my arms over my chest to hide the bruise from his line of sight.
“Lauren grabbed me.” I admitted and when I saw the raw and undikuted rage in his eyes, I knew I had to fix the situation before he hurt her, “But it was an accident.”
“How did she accidentally grab you?” he didn’t believe me but he was humoring me to see what lie I could come up with.
“I was truly being clumsy,” I lied, “And I almost fell from the top of the stairs so she grabbed me. I bruise easily.”
I wondered if he believed me, his face was too unreadable. I prayed he would because the last thing I needed was for Lauren to get punished for something that was my mistake. If I had not gone to the nursery, then she would have never had to grab me and nob*dy would be in this situation.
After a long beat of silence he nodded, “I will still have a talk with her so she is extra careful when grabbing you.”
I let out a breath of relief, “Your turn.”
He looked forlorn, almost like it hurt too much to think about it. I waited patiently as he gathered his thoughts and sighed.
“I’m sure you already know that Lauren and I were together for a while.” it wasn’t a question but I nodded anyway. “It was never a relationship, it was strictly physical. I made sure that she knew I never wanted anything more. The idea of being with someone wasn’t so important to me at the time.”
I wanted to ask whether he still felt that way. I wanted to know whether he was just keeping me around because he wanted something physical or because he had changed his mind. But I knew it would change the trajectory of the conversation and
I truly wanted to hear the rest of the story so I forced myself to stay silent.
“One day she came to me and told me that she was pregnant. My first response was to walk away because I don’t want children. I never have and I don’t think I ever will”
I was shocked by his admission; most Alpha’s want at least a son to carry on their legacy. But here he was, admitting that he never wanted children. I didn’t know how to react to that so I just filed away the information.
“But she wanted it and I knew that I would never leave a child fatherless so I planned to take care of it. I made her swear not to tell anyone until it was absolutely necessary. She tried to get me to bond with her and the child more but I couldn’t. I tried but I couldn’t and I think it got to her because she came to me a while later and told me that she had gotten rid of it.”
I don’t know what I was expecting to hear but that was not it. I peered up at him hoping to see some traces of dishonesty in his expression but he was being completely sincere. He is either telling the truth or he is a very good liar.
Somehow, I cannot see Lauren ending the life of their child. She is so clearly still in love with Ryker. She would have done anything to make sure that child came to life. I honestly don’t believe that she would have done that.
I couldn’t say that to Ryker without proof so I just nodded slowly, “I’m sorry for your loss.”
“The child was better off that way than having a father who didn’t want it.”
I didn’t know how to react to that so I just glanced at the clock on the wall. Ryker’s eyes followed my gaze and when he saw the time he blanched.
“You should be in bed,” he said, “I will call someone to take you home.”
Before I could respond, his eyes glossed over and I knew he was mind linking someone. Not a minute later, the door opened and two guards walked in. I had never seen them before but they bowed to Ryker and I.
“Take my mate home,” he paused before adding in a deathly cool voice, “If anything happens to her, it will be your skin on the line.”
I found it hard to fall asleep; something about the day’s experiences prevented me from being able to sleep well. I didn’t want to admit it but I knew it had something to do with Ryker.
Before I knew it, the sun was rising and I knew it would be impossible to fall asleep again. I knew I wouldn’t be training so I lay in bed for longer than I usually would. Before I got here, I had never gotten a day in and now it’s almost all I do.
I stretched in my room by myself and took an early bath. I had just finished getting dressed when someone knocked on my door.
I recognized the knock as Eve’s so I crossed the length of the room and pulled the door open. I half expected to see her with a tray of breakfast but she was standing with her arms crossed and debating whether or not she should actually walk in but from the look on her face I knew she was worried.
“What’s wrong?” I asked and she opened her mouth but closed it immediately, “Tell me, Eve.”
“Lauren just arrived, and she looks pissed.” She explained, “I just wanted to give you a fair warning before you came down.”
“Thank you.”
She still looked pensive but then she turned on her heels and walked down the stairs. I followed closely behind because I knew hiding in my room would only make her bad mood worse and cause her to project it on Eve.
The first thing I noticed when I got down the stairs was the tapping of her shoes against the floor. I think Eve downplayed her annoyance, she looks genuinely pissed. She saw me and her eyes narrowed but she didn’t speak to me.
Instead she turned to Eve, “Where’s my breakfast?”
Eve shot me a look as if to say ‘can you see this?‘ then she disappeared into the kitchen. I took my usual seat on the opposite side of the dining table and pointedly kept my gaze off her. I didn’t want her to have any reason to blow up on me.
Eve returned a few seconds later and Lauren rolled her eyes and sat up straight expecting Eve to take it to her but Eve walked around the table
The Rejected Werewolf Princess and placed the tray in front of me.