Holly and I gorged ourselves on ice cream, candy, and anything else that was fattening in the kitchen. By some miracle no staff members were present so that gave us free rein. For a little while I felt like I a kid in a candy store. There was no concern with feeding my body what I needed to maintain my health and no worry about judgement.

The only person who stumbled upon us was the Queen. And I was mortified. Adeline paused when she saw us in the kitchen, seeming a little startled though I couldn't tell if it was because she wasn't expecting anyone or because we had such a massive pile of wrappers in front of us. Holly and I held our breath for a moment, but then- spoon in mouth- Holly dipped into a small curtsy. I immediately followed, not knowing what else to do. Adeline just gave us a nod, suppressing a smile as best she could. a moment later she left with a small tube of ice cream in her hand.

"I can't believe the queen sneaks ice cream," Holly whispered to me, "Keiko it was like she was meant to be your mother in law."

Thought the statement was meant to be kind and funny it made a knot twist in my stomach. Mother in law. I felt like I hardly knew Ajax at all since the bomb was dropped on me and now this. it was like I was already married to him in everyone else's eyes. I knew there would be some bizarre reasoning behind it, but right now the idea made me feel a little shaky.

"Come on, let's go back and finish that terrible movie," Holly said, ignorant to my heavy silence.

I was more than willing to go back to pretending. But it couldn't last forever and I knew that.

The next morning Adeline came to find me and suggested we go for a walk together. Though the mother-in-law comment was not her fault I was still hesitant. I had just received the blow of a life time and I was worried she was going to drop another on me. I wasn't sure I would be able to stand it. However, I agreed because it was better than keeping myself cooped up in my room all day. I knew how powerful my mind could be if I let it run rampant. If left to my own devices it would only be a matter of time before I was pulling at my hair and screaming profanities. I would do anything to keep myself sane.

"I heard that you got quite a shock from the news," Adeline said softly as we began strolling. Though it was getting colder she still looked like a goddess in her pencil skirt and smart blazer. The flats on her feet were sensible enough to conquer the gravel path but still so stylish.

I pulled my light jacket tighter around my body, feeling self-conscious already. "A shock is certainly one way to put it." My eyes darted to follow the rustling sound from my left. I unknowingly flinched away when animalistic eyes stared back at me. It made me sick.

"It's understandable that you are frightened, but I am grateful that you finally know. The truth can be worrisome, but trying to keep you here and conceal the truth was very hard as well. And not just on Ajax, but our staff as well." Her eyes followed mine, spotting the wolf sheltered by the foliage. "They're here to protect and serve you, Keiko. And they've been here all along. If they wanted to cause you harm or distress it would've happened long ago."

I said nothing, but continued to walk with her. I think she was trying to be comforting but there was no denying the threat that loomed beneath.

"Werewolves are very proud creatures. When Ajax found you he was terribly worried. He knew that you were a werewolf to some degree, but your wolf was weak and you smelt like a rogue to him. he had no idea how to handle the situation. When he came home he was distraught and didn't understand, thinking that you had rejected your wolf."

"It was hard for me too," I shot back hotly, forgetting who I was speaking to. "Some random man was essentially stalking me after meeting me at my strip club. Do you know how many women die that way? I was completely freaked out. Then he takes me out of my own country and everyone just acted like it was fine. And now I found out that not only is he a freak of nature, so am I!"

"For us it would be normal. Well, aside from the medicating in Moab," Adeline soothed, "We all hoped that you would arrive here and the medication that was given to you would have worn off. We thought the injection and pills would be metabolized the same way. We thought you would have some kind of learning curve but we never imagined that you would know nothing about what you were or what had been done to you. We were all just holding our breath, waiting for you to realize that this was where you were meant to be. That's why we never told you. So, it may be hard now but this is all for the best."

I let out a sigh and ran my hands through my hair. Adeline saw my distress and allowed the conversation to drop for a short while but as we began looping back towards the palace she started up again.

"I'm trying to understand how hard this is for you. We all are. But it is so far out of our reach. This is something that is scarcely heard of in our community so we are all struggling to cope. So please, don't take this out of Ajax. He's not the one who wronged you. It's your mother who did. She has done something unspeakable to-"

"Enough," I snapped. I knew that if Holly was nearby she would cringe and lecture me about speaking to the queen in such away. Maybe she would even call her my mother in law again. But I didn't care. I didn't need this sharp tongued woman. I had my own mother. And I was tired of people bashing her.

Adeline's mouth snapped shut. For a moment I thought she was going to bark something at me, but then her eyes darted away, looking into the forest. I wondered if she saw another wolf in the distance. Or maybe they could just sense each other.

"I'm sorry for upsetting you," she began, "I'll leave you alone with your thoughts. I understand that this is a lot and you may need your space. All the guards have been made aware of your presence and your peculiar scent so you are free to roam as much as you'd like, as long as you're back for supper. We don't want you going hungry."

I thanked her bitterly and she departed without much fanfare. And I just spun around and headed back down the way I came. Then I branched off, following the same trail that Adeline and had ridden our horses on. After a few moments I ended up at that beautiful pond. It was still just as lovely as it had been before. And my mind was just as troubled as it had been the first time.

But as I settled myself down in the grass I detected movement on the other side of the pond. Though I knew that I was entirely safe my body tensed and prepared to choose between fight and flight. There was no way I would ever be able to tell my body that I was safe around these violent creatures.

Then vibrant green eyes met mine.

One part of my mind was telling me to run. There was a wolf watching me. I was being stalked by a predator. I was in danger. It didn't matter that I knew that auburn coat as well as I knew his auburn hair. It didn't matter that the wolf moved with a slowness that could only be described as wary. He was dangerous.

But the other part of me knew. I knew that it was Ajax. And I knew that he would never hurt me.

So I stayed sitting, letting the cool air blow through my hair as I watched him draw nearer. The closer he came the slower he moved, like he was approaching a skittish animal. And when he was within reaching distance his body lowered towards the ground. His ear went back and his tail lowered as small whimpers left his mouth. Then, he was on his stomach, slowly shuffling towards me. He was nervous, trying to give me space and time if I felt unsafe and wanted to sprint away.

And I just stayed perfectly still.

"What am I going to do Ajax?" I breathed, pulling my legs close to my chest and wrapping my arms around them.

He just let out a soft whine and inched ever closer.

"I know you didn't plan this," I whispered, seeing the sorrow and hurt in those strong eyes. Though I wanted to fight it I couldn't help but comfort him. I released my legs with one arm and gingerly placed my hand on the top of his head. He immediately let out a soft sigh and sank down into a more comfortable position. "I just don't understand what is happening in my life anymore. I'm supposed to be yours. I'm supposed to be some kind of princess. And I'm supposed to be part animal as well." I bit my lower lip, feeling like I was on the brink of tears. This was all so much. Too much.

"I should be working on my degree right now. I should be stripping and preparing for my future career..." I swallowed hard, "Why didn't you just leave me in Denver?"

Ajax didn't respond. He just let out a sad huff of breath and nuzzled his head against my thigh.

                                                                  ~~~~~Writer Rant~~~~~~

Hey everyone, I updated sooner than I had intended because, after reading some rougher comments, I was super thankful to have a reader come to my defense. So I just wanted to let some things out and make some things clear. I write because I like it and I'm delighted when other people like it as well. That being said I don't expect everyone to like my work. If an incredible writer like Stephen King can decide that he can't please everyone then someone like me who is still learning can't be expected to impress everyone. Yes, I do read all the comments and yes, the rougher ones do hurt because this is my joy, this is what I created. But if my book isn't your cup of tea there is no strength and no prize in reading the rest of my work. 
 

 So today I'm very appreciative to those of you who leave kind comments and understand that this is a work of fiction in one of it's first drafts. I also appreciate all of you who are genuinely trying to make me a better writer. Criticism is a welcome gift because it helps me grow beyond where I am. Those kind, sweet comments and votes are what help me over come the tougher days, writer's block, and the insecurity that comes with sharing a part of yourself.