The Rejected Werewolf Princess

Chapter 19

For the rest of the day I didn’t see Ryker. After eating breakfast with me, he disappeared and Eve told me that he probably went to the pack house. I was so used to his presence around the house that it felt very weird and quiet to not have him around.

I spent my day with Eve and she educated me on life in the pack. She wasn’t born in the pack. In fact, she was a rogue up until she was five when she accidentally stumbled into the pack and the former Luna took pity on her and made her an omega.

Her story brought a lot of questions about what happened to Ryker’s parents. In Tyson’s pack, I heard a lot of stories and rumors about what people think happened but I’m starting to realize that not every rumor should be taken seriously.

Some people said that Ryker killed his parents so he could become Alpha. Some people said that they died in a horrible accident that made Ryker cruel and heartless. Another group of people said his family ran away because they couldn’t bear to watch him act as cruel as he did to his pack members. Judging by how I’ve seen the pack members, none of those stories sound true.

I wanted to ask Eve but I realized that some stories are meant to be heard from the source and I filed my curiosity away for another day.

I helped her out with dinner even though she refused at first. It was fun to have something to do around the house rather than just sitting on my butt all day. And as weird as it sounds, I actually enjoyed cooking. Even when I was at Tyson’s pack, I loved doing it. I just hated the circumstances under which I was forced to do it.

We made shepherd’s pie and I paired it a meringue topped with strawberries. I was setting the table when the main door opened and I saw Ryker walk in. The corner of my lips tugged up but my smile fell when I saw who was following close behind.

The plate in my hand slipped and fell to the floor with a loud crash prompting Eve to rush out of the kitchen. She took in the scene in front of her and her eyes flickered to mine in barely concealed panic.

“Alpha,” she bowed to Ryker then turned to the person next to him, “Lauren; it is a pleasure to see you again.”

She was impeccably dressed in skin tight pants and a sleeveless corset like top with a jacket thrown over it. Her hair was in a slick ponytail and her lips were painted the color of a freshly plucked strawberry.

She had on leather boots to complete the edgy look and her arms were crossed over her chest. She caught my eye and the corner of her lips tilted up slightly.

“I’m sorry about your leg, fake sincerity bled through her words. I’ve been around enough people to know when someone isn’t being genuine and judging by the twinkling in her eyes, she isn’t.

“It’s fine.” I was grateful that my voice came out strong and not as shaky as I felt on the inside.

“Did you cook?” she asked as she made her way over to the dining table, “I haven’t eaten all day. Is it okay if I sit?”

I knew it would be rude if I said no especially since she hasn’t eaten so I just nodded. She thanked me and took a seat on the immediate right of Ryker which would be in the middle of both of us. Eve shot me a sympathetic look as she set the dish on the table.

I didn’t want to sit next to her so I took my plate to Ryker’s other side. This would be the first time we are sitting next to each other and I saw the shock that crossed his features as I sat next to him but it was quickly replaced by pride and something else.

Ryker seemed oblivious to the brewing tension between Lauren and I. She would occasionally look up and smirk at me almost as if she was trying to tell me that I failed to get rid of her. The tension between us could be cut with a knife and it was very uncomfortable. I wanted nothing more than to get up and hide in my room and I would have done so if it wouldn’t raise questions with Ryker.

“I’m sorry for ambushing you like this,” he began and I saw Lauren’s eyes widen at his apology.

“There’s no need to apologize,” she began but he cut her off.

“I was talking to my mate.”

I saw the hurt fill her features before she quickly clamped down on it. She turned to me with barely hidden disdain and 1 almost laughed. I wondered how long she would be able to hold up her bravado of glee I actually thought she would fast through the night.

Ryker turned to me. The rogue problem is worse than we thought. We found a lair not too far from the pack border and until the issue is dealt with you need to be protected at all time.”

“I’m safe right here, aren’t I?” I asked in a desperate attempt to get him to rethink the decision I know he is about to take.

“The rogues attacked us not far from here. I am not willing to take that chance,” he held my eyes as if searching for something. “Lauren will watch over you until the pack is safe. You are not to leave without

her knowledge and she will report back to me. I will be extremely busy during this time and may not be around as often. I want to ensure your safety.”

He looked like he had more to say but a guard walked in and whispered something in his ear. He excused himself and followed the guard out of the room. He was barely out of the door when Lauren slammed her palm down on the table.Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

“You must be so proud of yourself right now.” She spat

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Oh please, don’t act stupid,” her voice was dripping with barely concealed jealousy, “You have him eating out of the palm of your hand with your fake innocent act.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. There is no act.”

“I can see through you.” She ignored my earlier statement, “And just remember that I’m not fooled by you and neither is he I am here and I am going to make sure that you don’t get away with it.”

“Get away with what?”

“You may have gotten him to take me off your training but you cannot get rid of me easily. I am-” she stopped mid rant and sat up straight.

As soon as she did that, the door opened and Ryker returned. I wondered how she heard him from so far away but I guess. that is why she was made general. She probably has more skills and powers than I could even imagine and she is determined to use all of them against me.

As Ryker took his seat, she shot me a hidden glare warning me to behave and a part of me wondered what would happen if I didn’t. What would happen if I actually told Ryker what she had said? I decided it wasn’t worth it and instead looked away from her and down at my now empty plate.

“My attention was needed outside with the guards,” he explained more to me, “What do you think about the arrangement?”

“I can work with it,” Lauren began but once again, Ryker cut her off.

“I was talking to my mate Lauren,” her cheeks flushed pink, “In fact; I think your presence is no longer needed. I wanted you. here when I told her the news so you could apologize about her leg but you can leave now.”

I actually felt bad for her with the way he dismissed her. Her cheeks flushed crimson but she nodded and quietly rose from the chair. She walked to the door without looking back once but when she was about to shut the door behind her, she shot me a glare as if to say it was my fault that he dismissed her.

In a way, it was my fault but I wasn’t the one who dismissed her and I wonder why she won’t project her hurt and anger at Ryker instead of me. But then again, he is the Alpha and I am no one.

“Camilla,” I turned my attention back to Ryker, “How do you feel about the arrangement?”

“Do I have much of a choice in the matter?” I asked and the corner of his lips lifted.

“No, you don’t actually. I have to know that you are safe or I will not be able to do my work.” He sighed, “And I would feel safer knowing what Lauren was watching you. She might be a little tough but she is the best at what she does.”

“How did she become General?” that question had been plaguing me for a while. “She is young and she’s a woman. It is unusual for a woman to be general. How does she get the men to listen to her?”

“Lauren might be young but she can hold off her own. When she was seventeen, she killed off a group of rogues by herself. The old general saw that and knew she had potential so he started to train her.

When he was killed, we held a contest and she won by a landslide. She beat everyone who stepped in the ring with her in less than ten minutes.”

“That is impressive.” I admitted and he nodded. 

“She is the best option to keep you safe and if she is with you I will not have to worry as much.”

“I could just stay alone.” I offered but from the expression on his face, I knew it wasn’t an option.

I didn’t want to be a bother and I didn’t want to put him in an uncomfortable situation so I sighed and nodded.

“I’m fine with the arrangement.”