The Rejected Werewolf Princess by Didiadeyemi

Chapter 153

CAMILLA’S PO.V

There were a total of fen letters in that envelope and Ryker sat with me as I read each of them. It was like hearing my father speak directly to me. It was like having him directly beside me and I could have sworn that I felt his arms around me, comforting me and offering me unwavering support. I couldn’t go through them without the tears running down my cheeks and by the time I was done, it felt like I had been scrubbed clean from the inside out, like someone had taken sandpaper to my heart and left me out to dry.

Ryker said no words, he just held me as I cried and clutched the letters to my chest. He muttered sweet nothings in my ears while kissing my temple. I must have fallen asleep in his arms because the next thing I knew, I was waking up to the blankets wrapped around me and to Ryker seated by the edge of the bed as he stroked my hair softly. He smiled down at me and I managed to give him an identical one despite the pounding in my head and the soreness around my eyes.

“We have to leave soon,” he whispered and I felt a pang in my heart. “We can always come back another day. It might make for a good yearly vacation spot.”

“I think I’d like that,” I agreed.

He helped me to my feet and we made our way down the stairs to prepare one last breakfast for Audrey. I doubted she still remembered we were leaving today and I feared the tantrum that was already coming. Thankfully, Ryker offered to get her up and break the news to her. I didn’t combat him because I was willing to do anything to avoid it.

I heard the exact moment he told her because her scream was loud enough to shake the walls. Aurora started crying almost immediately after and I cursed. It took us half an hour to calm both of them and by that time, my pounding headache was much worse.

Breakfast was such a tense affair. Audrey refused to speak once, she just sulked into her plate. I wanted to comfort her but I knew there was nothing I could do. I understood where she was coming from and to an extent, I felt the same.

I didn’t realize I would enjoy it here as much as I did. It was a completely different experience, one that I didn’t realize I needed until I had it. There was something about this place, it was in the air and under the ground, it was a safe haven, it was peace and it was love. It had seeped into the air and the walls. It was in the trees and the chairs, it was obvious that this was a place well loved and I knew there was only one person responsible for that.

After breakfast, we packed up what was left of our things and were in the carriage long before noon. Aurora was fast asleep in my arms while Ryker and Briggs loaded our things into the carriage. Audrey was standing next to me and clutching onto the sides of my dress. I smoothed a hand through her hair and she nestled closer into me.

“Are you alright?” I asked and she nodded but I could tell from her eyes that she was anything but. “Do you want a hug?”

“Yes please,” she mumbled and I pulled her close into me.

She sniffled as she buried her face into my skirts. I ran my hands through her hair as I tried not to

Chapter 153

up a persona, she was a child and it was alright for her to cry. I caught Ryker staring at us with a questioning look but I shook my head. She was fine, she just needed to get her emotions out. I would have very much preferred that

asked and I looked down at her. She had her eyes cast down on her plate as

will come back very soon. I’ll make sure we come

be enough for her because she got into the carriage with no hesitation. I felt hands on my waist and I nearly jumped but Ryker’s scent filtered into my nose and I

genuinely worried and confused as if

fine, don’t worry about

to when a throat was cleared behind me. I turned to see Briggs looking at me awkwardly. He was shuffling his feet but wouldn’t look me directly

was an honor to meet you,

he gave me a small smile. “It was an honor to be here. You have done so much for this place. Do

nodded. “This is the only life I

have a family?

gave me a small smile. “I never got married, your- Camilla, and it never appealed to me. There is a town behind this house, just a

they were not completely isolated for the entirety of the year. I couldn’t imagine having to do

good journey, Camilla,” he reached out to shake me but quickly remembered the last incident that took place and sna tched his hand back.

and stood there for far longer than

out the window allowing my thoughts fly. Audrey slept off halfway through the ride leaving just Ryker and I but neither of us knew what to say. My attention was split between what was happening

carriage pulled to a stop before I even realized it and I blinked out of my thoughts to find

front of the palace already. I glanced out of the window only to see the sun already setting. Time had gone by so fast that I hadn’t even

with happiness and her cheeks were flushed. She

I raised my hands in mock surrender.

into her hold and inhaled her familiar scent. I had come to associate it with the scent of home and it felt amazing to just feel her once more. She released me slowly but her eyes caught on someone behind me and she all but shoved me away to pull Audrey in her arms. I watched her spin my daughter and I saw the first smile grace Audrey’s lips since

was with her and I knew I could never have done this without her. Ryker was the last person to step out and he handed our youngest over

your vacation?” Christine asked