The Rejected Werewolf Princess by Didiadeyemi

Chapter 22

A dark look crossed his face and I saw the raw sadness that grew beneath his irises. I almost felt bad for bringing it up in the first place but I knew that it was necessary for me to leave.

“What do you know about it?” he asked finally.

“I know that you and Lauren were having a child.” I thought of how to explain what I knew without putting Eve in trouble, “I know it was a recent loss because of how Lauren reacted to it.”

“What do you mean how she reacted?” Gone was his sadness, now he was looking at me with narrowed eyes. “Is that way you want to leave?“

“She was just upset when she saw me in the nursery. That’s understandable because it was her kid.”

“What did she do?”

“Nothing.” I answered too quickly and I saw that he didn’t believe me. “Does it even matter? I don’t want to be the one who comes between your healing process.

He opened his mouth to speak but just then, the door opened and Lauren walked in with a very large tray of food. She started to place it on the small metal table next to Ryker’s bed but he stopped her, took it from her hands and put it on his lap.

Lauren looked between us almost as if she wanted to be privy to the conversation we were having.

“I’m glad you’re okay.” Lauren said as she crossed past me and took the only available seat. “This is why I want to be on the field, I could be of use there.”

“You are enough use where you are.”

Hit voice held no tone for discussion and I saw that it annoyed her because of how she clenched her jaw but she nodded and swallowed down whatever retort she was going to give.

An awkward silence fell over the place and I wondered if I should leave them alone. I slowly took a step back hoping that no one would notice my movements until I was out of the room but I didn’t judge how perceptive Ryker was because the moment my foot shuffled a little, Ryker’s head snapped up to mine.

I froze like a deer in headlights and his eyes narrowed towards me. Lauren seemed oblivious to the entire thing or she was just doing a good job at ignoring whatever was going on around her.

when she heard her name from Ryker, “I think you’re done for the day.”

faltered slightly, “I don’t

There is an array of guards here who can take her back home when

by me, she shot me the meanest glare that she had ever conjured

her disappear through the doors and Ryker gestured to the open seat for me to take. I was hesitant, but when he threatened

plate, “This is too much for me to finish.” I opened my mouth to argue

toast and bit into it softly. He obviously wasn’t happy with my choice judging by

the tray and he told me to set it on the table next to him

was looking at the transparent sleeves of my night gown. More specifically, at my upper arm where a nasty red bruise was forming, probably from where Lauren grabbed me earlier. His nostrils flared the longer he looked at it and I tried to tug my arm

and I shrugged. “I’m not

the lie rolled easily off my tongue, “I was a

shaped bruise formed on your arm.” The way he said it made me feel stupid for even saying it in the first place, “I want

“I already told you the

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

far as I know, there were no visitors,” he began, “If

can’t possibly punish them all.”

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

could simply tell him what happened or I could keep to my story and everyone

I began, “If you

in no position to make demands.” He said simply, “But, if you tell me then I’ll explain the story behind the

my curiosity was greater and against my better judgment, I ended up agreeing to the deal.

to him and crossed my arms over my chest to hide the bruise from his line of sight.

eyes, I knew I had to

she accidentally grab you?” he didn’t believe me but he was humoring me to see what lie I could

truly being clumsy,” I lied, “And I almost fell from the top of the stairs so she grabbed me. I

get punished for something that was my mistake. If I had not gone to the nursery, then she would have never

a long beat of silence he nodded, “I will still have a talk with her so

a breath of relief, “Your turn.”

forlorn, almost like it hurt too much to think about it. I waited patiently as he gathered his