The Rejected Werewolf Princess by Didiadeyemi

RYKER'S POV

I couldn't tell Camilla the truth. She seemed so happy and peaceful knowing that Reina was dead. I didn’t have the heart to tell her that there was more to the story than that. Instead, I put a smile on my face and lied through my f*****g teeth. It was a wonder that she didn’t even notice, she could usually tell when I was bull shitting her but maybe she just wanted to believe so badly that I was telling the truth.

The ride back to the palace was tranquil but my mind was a raging inferno. There was so much that could go wrong and I wasn't sure if I had the heart to tell her. Reina was dead-yes, there was no denying that but whatever she had dabbled in, whatever she had put her hands into- it wasn’t gone, not by a long shot.

I could still feel the icy feeling of the darkness around me. I had never felt as alone as I had in that moment. It took me back to the worst moments of my life- a child, unable to defend my own mother and my sister. It took me back tc the icy feeling of despair, fear and helplessness. It was no wonder Reina was the way she was if she had to deal with that every second of the day. It felt like nails scratching down my back, and I had heard a voice.

That was the kind of voice I was never going to forget until the day I died. It was eerie and otherworldly. I had felt it reverberate in every fiber of my being. It was Reina’s voice but it was not at the same time. It was something different, something stronger. All it had said was one sentence but that one sentence was going to haunt me for the rest of my life.

“You think this is over?” it had asked and then I heard a dark cackle. I couldnt describe what happened next even if tried but I had a sinking feeling. I didn’t want to tell Camilla yet because I didn’t want her to worry. I had everything under control.

“Ryker,” she called out and I stilled atop my horse. I turned to her and she was watching me with concern in her eyes “You zoned out there for a second, are you alright?”

I nodded immediately. “Of course, I am just ready to get home. I think we have had enough of witches for a very long time.” She smiled. “Honestly, I agree, but we have something else waiting for us- Audrey.”

“Audrey's powers aren't bothering anyone right now and I think we can take a much deserved break and not think about anything until it becomes an actual problem, hm?”

“Isn't the entire purpose to prevent it before it becomes a problem?”

“Camilla, you worry too much.”

“You don’t worry enough,” she shot back. “I am concerned. I know I shouldn't take stock to whatever Reina said but she made some very big accusations and what if a part of her is right.”

I turned to her and gave her a bland look. Her cheeks heated crimson in response. “Do you want to take the word of the woman who has tried to kill ypou multiple times over the word of the goddess who saved you every single time? She sighed. “You're right, I'm just worried. This is Audrey we are talking about. She is our daughter.”

will be fine,” I finished. “For now, let

front of the palace when we arrived. I had never seen Juan as panicked as he was ir

but he either didn’t notice or didn’t care. “I couldn't get her out. How dic I not know that she was in

dead. The dolls unraveled.

me to start with mine and Christine's room and I would not have been able to stop myself i she had asked. I would have killed my family and I would have been unable to stop

how truly worried he was. I reached out and placed a hand on his shoulder. “You

I

with the knowledge that you would never willingly hurt her and you would rather die thar let anything happen to her. She needs you

into the palace. Damien was talking to Camilla but his eyes were on me. As soon as he saw that I was done with Juan, he made his

what your life is like all the time- witches

nodding. “Most

sounds like a lot. I'm sure we didn’t do you any favors by coming here. But at least I got to make up with Juan, he isn’t

feeling the slightest bit amused. “I'm glad that

as your best friend of many years, I know when something is wrong. Did something happen out there?” Sᴇaʀ*ᴄh the (F)indNƟvᴇl.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and

the fact that we battled a witch?” there was no reason for me to

his eyes. “You know what I mean. Are you alright? You look different- you

see my family and

at the front of the palace doors for me and I wasted

after a minute of silence and she let

was right- you look off. If something is bothering you then you can

tracks then turned her to face me. I rested my forehead against hers and for a few seconds, it was just us. There were no witches, no people to save, it was