The Rejected Werewolf Princess by Didiadeyemi

Chapter 54

I was dreading the morning because I knew that my life had already taken a turn and it is almost impossible for things to go back to the way they were. I should have listened to Christine when she advised me but I was so concerned with trying to keep my life the way it was that I unknowingly set the chain of events for the exact things that I did not want to happen.

Before I was able to put Audrey to bed at night, it took almost twice the usual time it would. She was so excited about her father and kept asking whether or not her father could put her to bed. I had to reluctantly let her know that he wasn’t allowed on the palace grounds after dark as he wasn’t a member of our family and she was so saddened by the words. It hurt me to see her like that and honestly, I didn’t know what to do.

This morning she did the same thing. She asked if her dad could get her dressed for the day and I hated being the one to tell her no, I hated being the one who had to deflate her hope and make her sad. I hated it and I didn’t know what else to do or say about the entire situation without looking like the bad guy.

I managed to calm her down with the prospect of seeing Ryker again after breakfast and that was the only thing that spurred her to actually get out of bed and get dressed. She put on one of her nicest dresses and demanded that I put a little bow in her hair. As we walked through the castle walls, she had a permanent sk ip in her step. She looked more excited than I had seen her in the past few days and I didn’t even think that was possible.

My mother arrived in the dining room shortly after we did and from the look she leveled towards me, I knew she wanted to speak to me. At first, I tried to focus on my food and ignore her but I slowly lost my appetite and I ended up standing slowly to my feet. I saw all eyes fall on me but I ignored them and walked right out of the dining room.

I waited by the door because I knew she would be out soon as well and my thoughts were correct because within five minutes, the door to the dining room opened and mother walked right out. She sighted me leaning against the wall and she walked right over to me and leaned against the wall in silence.

“Before you start berating me, I know I messed up,” I began, “I didn’t expect Audrey to walk in like that and I should have told Ryker about her before.”

“You should-have,” she agreed, “But now Tyson is telling everyone that Audrey is his. There’s no point sitting on the things you could have done better. Our main focus should be the things you have to do now, so what are you going to do?”

“I don’t know,” I admitted even though I hated how foolish it made me sound. “There is no way for me to prove that Audrey belongs to Ryker except timing. But the problem is that I wasn’t with Ryker for more than three months. I don’t even know when I got pregnant, I just know I had Audrey in March and I left him in August.”

“I have an idea but you might not like it,”

“At this point any idea is a good idea.”,

“Announce Audrey as yours and Ryker’s daughter.” I turned to her sharply, “I know you want her out of the spotlight and everything but that is the only way you can discredit Tyson. Anything he says will make him look stu pid and desperate. It will be rumors and nothing else.”

“Doing that would mean that Ryker has claim to her.”

“You’re stuck between two evils Camilla. You can either give Ryker claim to his child or you have to deal with both men around your daughter with equal claim. I don’t know about you but it seems like a very easy choice for me. Besides, Audrey loves him already from what I’ve heard.”

that’s the thing about life, we are stuck between bad choices and the hard ones. It would be so much easier to just stay silent but Audrey would be the one to suffer for it. It would be a constant tug of war between both parties trying to win her affection and I just want her to have a life as close to normal as it

the guards on Audrey, I don’t want any kind

assured me. “I can promise you that Audrey will

except you and Ryker will be able to come within

“Thank you.”

my

word on that.”

a heavy sigh and pushed off my position on the wall. I was going to make my way back into the dining when mother’s voice stopped me and I turned to

it, let him know exactly

He is

her father, he will have access to the palace. Tell him, the last thing we

“Yes mother.”

what I hear, there are just about three of them. We need to swear them all to secrecy and you will be the one to meet with them.”

that someone else do it but before I could, she walked down the hallway

exactly 9: 45. I had asked that I be informed the moment he shows up and coincidentally, Audrey was with me when I was told and she ditched the book we were coloring

to her and reprimanded her for running in the halls but it was half hearted because she looked so excited that I couldn’t even fault her for running. Ryker was waiting for us in the private living room and as soon as I opened the door, Audrey

know his name. I had to fight to keep my expression neutral as Riley’s gaze went from Audrey to me and back instantly. I didn’t want her to see how much

for once I wished I was as blissfully ignorant as she was. I wished I could go back to being a child and not have to worry about anything except for where I would play next or when

they would respond

left while the guard was excused and stepped out of the room. As soon as the door clicked shut, it just felt so final and I knew that there was officially

way of greeting. “I’m only telling you this because as her father, you have a right to know. She will not be put out there but she will be officially recognized as a member of the

four years and the first thing you’re telling us is what

understand,” I turned to look at her and I could see her eyes swimming with frustration. “Keep in mind. that I don’t have

three years of her life away from us. I don’t even know her name.”

it when she’s in the room.” I warned and she at

so she wouldn’t hear what was being said but the last thing I wanted was for my