The Rejected Werewolf Princess by Didiadeyemi

Chapter 71

CAMILLA’S P.O.V

By the time we had uncovered all there was to know about Frederick’s mother, I couldn’t help but feel bad for him. We were yet to find out where she lived when she was with him but it was clear that they lived alone and he never had the chance to relate with any family. I wondered if he even went to school but there was no way to find out if he did. My heart ached for the little boy he once was and I wished we had met on better terms.

“What are you thinking about?” Ryker asked a few hours later after we were done tucking the kids in and I shrugged. “Is this about Frederick?” I stayed quiet but he already knew the answer. “The spies are searching for him using the things they found in the tunnels. He couldn’t have gone far.”

“You know as well as I do that anything left in those tunnels was inconsequential to him. He had half an hour’s head start and he knows those tunnels. If he wanted those things then he would have taken them,” I eyed the new journal sitting atop my pillow. “I’m not worried about them finding him, he won’t show himself until he is ready. I’m more worried about what we don’t know. Doesn’t a part of you feel like this is wrong?”

He stopped everything he was doing so that he could turn to me. “I’m not sure if I am following correctly. Are you talking about everything he is doing or everything we are doing?”

“Both,” I answered honestly. “He just wants recognition and I can’t exactly fault him for that. I feel like he would make a great ally and we need to focus on trying to get him to consider that.”

Ryker stared at me as if I had grown three heads. His mouth was wide and he had to remind himself to close it after a split second. He walked around the bed until he was standing next to me and made me sit on the bed. He stood between my legs and softly stroked my hair. He slowly cupped my cheek and made me look up at him.

“I love you,” he began slowly, “but you cannot tell me that you believe that he will become your ally when you represent every single thing he wants but cannot have.”

“He could have killed me but he didn’t.”

“Look, I know you don’t agree with me but-”

“There are no buts, you are about to enter a war, Camilla. It might not be the kind of war you are expecting but when the people find out that there is another potential heir, loyalties will be tested. You cannot think like this right now. You need to look out for yourself and the best interests of this palace.”

didn’t agree with him but I knew that there was no use arguing so I simply nodded. Ryker narrowed his eyes as if he knew I just agreed for the sake of peace. He took a step back and instead of waiting for him to say anything, I picked up the journal and pretended to read. There was too much on my mind for me to actually enjoy the words on the page but I was willing to pretend if

a little awkward on my end. Ryker didn’t bring up the conversation but I couldn’t help but think about it. Despite knowing that his hideout had been compromised, I subconsciously waited for a page to appear at the palace doors but nothing came. I was both relieved and worried. It had served as some sort of countdown and now that it was gone, it felt like something

the fire. I felt like I couldn’t rely on it and it scared me. If it were left to me, I would have avoided the training for longer but everyone was worried about

on me.

fail me. The instructor- a middle aged man by the name of Lois kept telling me that I would get to a point of mastery where I would be able to create water from moisture or air but I couldn’t believe that. I didn’t believe I would be able to learn it in time

matter.

my mind that it was going to be the last meeting I had with them concerning this matter. They were more

only ones who could tell us

soon as we got into the room and I didn’t waste

They were all silent but I saw a flicker of recognition go through all of them. “What I don’t understand is why you knew she was fucking my father and did

the death glare that Ryker shot him,

growled running his hand through his hair. He was more frustrated than

in the palace that she considered a friend or family who might be willing to share information about her

your mother. It was the Queen

I was expecting because I sat up immediately. “Are you saying that my mother knew about

the Queen can answer

like I was in a daze. If my mother knew about Frederick then why did she not do anything? Why didn’t she bring him into the palace or ensure that he would never be a problem? Why didn’t she tell me?

make yourself sick if you think about this. Your mother had her ways of doing things and we might never understand them but

or who to trust anymore,” I whispered and he sighed. “I need some