The Rejected Werewolf Princess by Didiadeyemi

RYKER'S POV It was a wonder how Camilla could keep a secret of this magnitude. It had only been a few days and yet I badly needed someone to talk to about it but I couldn't. I had promised to keep her secret until we could find proof that put her fears to rest. I still didn't completely understand it but with Camilla, I barely understood. I had learned over the years to just go with it and hope that it made sense by the twe cout on the other side.

"You called for me." Christine announced as she walked into my office. I gestured for her to lock the door and her brows furrowed in confusion but she did as I asked. "Is everything alright with Camilla? Does she need something?" "It isn't about Camilla," although it was but I couldn't tell her that. "I need you to do a deep dive on Peggy and Marie. Find out whatever you can without them knowing. Send spies back to their village and get as much information on them as possible." Her brows rose. "Is there a certain reason for this or is this an order that I cannot question." In the months where Camilla was gone, I had grown closer to Christine than I would have imagined and in that moment, I wanted to damn everything to hell and tell her what was going on but I noticed something under my door it was a shadow, as if someone had situated themselves outside. It was barely noticeable and if I wasn't on edge, I probably would not have noticed. I held my hand to my lips and quietly walked over to the door.

Once I was there, I pulled it open quickly and I noticed Marie walking past my office. She turned toand gave me: warm smile as if she hadn't just been snooping. I could feel Christine behindas she cover to investigate. "Hello, Ryker," Marie curtsied slightly, her smile never dropping.

"Were you just passing by?" I asked and she nodded.

"Il wanted to go out for sfresh air, the palace tends to be a bit overwhelming sometimes,” she chuckled softly. "I wouldn't want to keep you, I should be going." "Perhaps I should get a guard to go with you, so you don't get lost.” She shook her head almost too quickly. "I will be fine. I wouldn't want to bother anyone or have them babysittingwhen there are more important things that they could do with their time." "It would be an honor for any of the guards to watch over the Queen's own visitors," Christine cut in and Marie went silent when she realized we were not going to drop this. She nodded simply but I could tell that she wasn't pleased. "A guard will meet you at the front gate and they will make sure to watch over you safely." "Thank you, Ryker, and you too, Christine," with one final curtsy, she turned on her heels and walked away. I watched her walk away and it wasn't until her figure had completely retreated that Christine finally spoke. “I take it that it has something to do with that" I didn't bother denying, I just nodded. “Does Camilla know about this? She might not be pleased knowing that we are looking into the people that she considers family." She spat the last word like it was a curse and I could tell that this entire situation was taking a toll on Christine. She deserved to know and it wasn't my place to tell her but I was going to do my best to convince Camilla to do so herself. The first rule of a family was "no lies' and it was about tthat she started living by that.

"It was her idea actually," I said in response to her earlier question and her eyes widened considerably. "You have to be discreet about this. I don't want anyone figuring out what is happening. Also," I dropped my voice to a whisper. "be careful about what you say and where you say it. I may have caught her now but who knows how many times we haven't?" A dark look crossed her features and she nodded. "I will get that information as quickly as possible. The spies will be out within the hour" She walked away and before I could stop myself, I called out to her. She stopped and looked atover the shoulder! but I couldn't bring myself to say the words. Camilla was still my mate and I owed her my loyalty. Instead, I cleared my throat.

"Thank you," I said instead and she gavea sad smile as if she knew there was something else.

"You don't have to thank me, we are family." I watched her walk away and once she was gone, I went in search of Camilla. I knew she was going to be in her office but that was not the place I wanted to have the conversation. She looked shocked to seebut I grabbed her arm and pulled her out of her chair. She made a yelp of surprise but otherwise didn't try to fightand allowedpull her down the halls.

I could feel the maids looking at us with varying looks of amusement and curiosity but I couldn't care less about any of them as I led her up the stairs. Once we were at the door of the room, I pulled her inside and locked it behind us. Still, I didn't want to risk someone hearing us so I dragged her into the bathroom.

"Can you take one second to talk toinstead of pullingaround like a rag doll?" she asked once I let go of her arm. "I would have agreed to talk to you there" "I didn't want to risk anyone overhearing and I am sorry if I hurt you by pulling you around," she wavedoff and I hesitated before saying my next words. "You need to tell Christine." I didnt need to elaborate, she knew exactly what I was talking about and she was very quick to shake her head. I reached out for her but she took a step back holding her hand out to stop me. I knew I was going to get this kind of reaction but that didn't mean I was prepared for it.

"Camilla-" "No," she cutoff. "I already put this entire thing at risk by telling you, I cannot tell her too. I don't want to, Ryker and please do not makelook like the bad guy by refusing to say something." "She is your family and all of this is hurting her badly. She misses you and she cannot be with you because she thinks you don't remember her. You know how she is, she doesn't know how to start over. She is trying but she is hurting, Camilla and that isn't fair on her” "This entire situation isn't fair," she exclaimed and she must have realized how loud she was because she expelled a heavy breath of air. “I want to tell her, I swear, I do but I can't. Do I just go up to her and say that I remember her and I have been pretending?"