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.”

“For now, let us focus on

the palace when we arrived. I had never seen Juan as panicked as he was ir that moment. He didn’t even wait for us to get off the horses before he

her out. How dic I not know that she was in my head? How did I not

The dolls unraveled. She must have gotten

down,” he whispered. “I felt the idea drop in my head. She didn’t push on it but I got the idea. She wanted me to start with mine and Christine's room and I would

I reached out and placed a hand on his shoulder. “You are fine. You didn't hurt

do I face

her and you would rather die thar let

his eyes were on me. As soon as he saw that I was

this what your life is like

nodding.

didn’t do you any favors by coming here. But at

feeling the slightest bit amused. “I'm glad

I still consider you my best friend and as your best friend of many years, I know when something is wrong. Did something happen out there?” Sᴇaʀ*ᴄh the

battled a witch?” there was no reason for me to be sarcastic but I didn’t want

what I mean. Are you alright?

just need to see my family and make sure that they

believe me, but he stepped aside for me. Camilla was waiting at the front of the palace doors for me and I wasted

ask,” I said after a minute of silence

look off. If something is bothering you then you can

her in her 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 just us.