The Rejected Werewolf Princess by Didiadeyemi

CAMILLA'S POV

I was anxious. I had woken up that way and since the moment I got out of bed, it had been bubbling under my skin. My entire body felt alive and poised for the moment something were to happen. I didn’t know what I was waiting for or what that something could be but it was like my subconscious knew and was forcing me to prepare for it.

I knew I wasn’t the only one because I passed Christine in the halls and she was so lost in thought that she didn't even stop to acknowledge me. Something felt completely off and I knew it was only a matter of time until I figured out what it was. I made sure to keep a close eye on Marie and Peggy but the truth was that neither of them had left their rooms since last night.

“Camilla,” Ryker's voice snapped me out of my thoughts and I looked up at him. “Aren’t you going to answer?”

We were on the dining table and I had been absentmindedly pushing my food around my plate. I gave him a confused look and he gestured over to Riley who I could see was staring at me expectantly and waiting for a response.

“Could you repeat the question?” I asked and I saw her smile falter a little with worry. “I had zoned out for a hot second.”

“I was wondering if Ryker told you about my offer. We haven't been able to spend time like a family and I don’t want things to be awkward between us. I was hoping we could just take a day off and just have fun. It is alright if you don” want to.”

A refusal was at the tip of my tongue but looking at her, I couldnt bring myself to say those words. It reminded me of kicking a bruised puppy. I turned to Ryker with a raised brow because one thing I didn't miss in her statement was the fact that Ryker knew about this and didn’t prepare me for the question.

His lips didn’t move but I heard his voice clear in my head. “l wanted to refuse her too but you know how hard it is tc say no to Riley. She thought we were avoiding her because of what happened between Damien and Riley.”

“That isn't true.”

“Do you want to try explaining that to her? I cannot tell her what is happening and unless I have a good reason as to why we don’t want to spend time with her, it feels like we are. It's just a few hours of one day, we can spare the time for family. Besides, the girls dont have school today, it would be fun.”

“Okay,” I said and he sighed I relief but I stopped him. “What about Juan and Christine? In what world do you think that Juan would agree to this? He doesn’t want to see Damien after what happened.”

you just focus on

link and turning to Riley. She had been watching us with fear and apprehension in her eyes. “Today seems like a fine day to go out. We wouldn't want to veer too far fron the palace so I was thinking

after breakfast and she just stared at me with blank eyes. I explained everything tha happened in detail hoping that it would make the news easier to swallow but her

“Say something”

want to see either of them. He tends to hold grudges.” “Ryker said he would handle it. Look, I know this isn’t the best thing in the world and it is probably the last thing yot wanted to hear- me too- but we have to do this for her. You don’t have

feet. “She might not be my family but she is yours and she is Ryker’s

“I have to go get the girls ready. We

lot of time seeing as their excitement on spending time with everyone was enough to keep them seated long enough so I could dress them. Audrey insisted on wearing a massive princess dress and I didn’t even have the heart to refuse her. There was very little I could say

terrace. I was surprised to see Ryker and Juan already there. Christine was already seated behind them and it was clear that she was anxious. Juan had a frown on his face and his hands were crossed over his chest. His frown cracked a little when Audrey went skipping over to him to show him

between talking to my daughter. “I want to preface this by saying I do not want tc be

I sighed. “I know.”

might just go well. I don't want him looking at or speaking to her” “Juan,” I began

the physician's office.” “I thought

this as a favor and the moment he pisses me off, I'm

nothing I could do about it. We sat Damien as far away from Christine as possible but it was still a small table and all one had to do

to assure her that it would be fine but she wasn’t even seated next to me. I glanced over at Ryker. “This will be a

wasn't sure if he

few minutes,

“I just- I know you had to see the physician and

her response was curt and to the point. It was clear she didn’t want to

happened to you? The maids come up with the most absurd pieces of gossip and I just wanted tc ask you