The Rejected Werewolf Princess by Didiadeyemi

CAMILLA'S POV

Marie was seated in the cells and if I were being honest, it made me a little uncomfortable to see her that way. I knew it wasn't her, I knew everything I previously knew was a lie but that didn’t mean that it was easy. I had a bond with Marie, I had seen her like a sister and finding out that everything I knew was a perfectly orchestrated plan was not easy to come to terms with.

We stood in front of the cells and my steps faltered. She had her back to us but it was clearly her. I didn't even know how to start, I didn’t know what to call her. I turned to Ryker and he gave me shoulder a comforting squeeze. I had asked to be here, I didn't have to be and that meant that I needed to get my head in the game and keep my emotion in check.

“Why Marie?” was my first question because I honestly wanted to know. “Why did you choose her? Why did you pretend to be her? Why did you stay?”

She just shrugged and didn’t turn to face me but I wasn't willing to let it slide.

“You could have pretended to be her and left. You could have let the entire town live with the knowledge that she was dead. Why did you stay? Why did you make everyone believe you were her? How were you even able to do that?" “If you came here simply to ask questions then unfortunately I think I should tell you that you are undoubtedly wasting your time,” she looked over her shoulder at me. Her eyes were dull and lifeless and I couldn't help but wonder if they had always been like that and I hadn't noticed or if it was a new development. “I don’t particularly feel like being interrogated right now.”

“I don't want to interrogate you either. I just need answers.”

The corner of her lips tipped up into a smile. “If it is answers that you want then you will have to find them elsewher because I guarantee that you will not get them from me. Did you really think you would just walk in here and I would start singing like a bird?”

“Honestly, no,” I admitted and her brows furrowed in confusion. I took a slow step forward until I was standing in front of the cell but not quite touching it. “But you will soon, do you want to know why?”

“I presume you will tell me either way.”

“This cell is specially designed to hold witches. It slowly bleeds out every trace of magic until all that is left is nothing. The bars are silver so you cannot touch them. Even if you are not a werewolf, you are in the body of one. By this time tomorrow, you will be almost human. I am sure you will have more answers for us then.”

The sound was filled with sick amusement and something about it felt eerie and I

down, and when she did, she had a dark look in her eye. “I look forward to

but I wasn't going to stay to find out what. As soon as we left the cells, Ryker turned to the guards. “I need twenty-four-hour surveillance

to move of my own accord and the moment we returned to the main floor of the palace, I let out

not creepy at all,” Ryker's voice was dripping with sarcasm and I couldnt help but burst into laughter. He was smiling beside me and I let out a heavy exhale

have been asking myself the same question every day for years,” I told him leaning my head against his shoulder. Once the laughter had died down, I was forced to face the reality of the situation. “It feels weird, you know? Seeing her there like that, it

could,” he shot back and

back. You didn't

that on your own,” I lifted my eyes to him suddenly feeling overwhelmed by his

head. “What she needs right now is space. This would be too much on even the strongest person

to her, I knew I wouldn't be wanted at the moment. Instead of leaving the door open for any potential questions, I intertwined my fingers with Ryker and pulled him in the direction of

majority of the day locked in my office with my face buried into mountains of paperwork. I didn’t even realize how much time had gone by until there

wasn’t the only one who needed space,” he mused and my cheeks heated. He placed the food in front of me and pulled me into his lap. I couldn't even protest. “How do you feel? I didn’t know how much time was deemed appropriate but I figured you would

my voice didn't crack due to emotions. “Thank you.

put them both in bed. I told Audrey that you weren't feeling too good and you just wanted to take a break. She didn’t understand and she asked

girl. She was the one thing that

and he shook his head making me

to rise but he kept his hand firmly around my waist and pulled me back into a sitting position. “I already did, she said she wanted to be alone. I left some dinner for

“You put guards