The dining rooms' alittle too big for the small family that eats in there every night. The dining table extends from the entrance to the far side of the room with a wide view of the horizon.

We sit at the center of the table, leaving the rest of the table unaccompanied. Prince Aaron's parents sits in front of us while Princess Sherrie sits between the prince and I.

Aaron finishes explaining to his parents our plan to leave for Kaaesa tomorrow morning. However instead of telling them anything werewolf or Lake Tristan related, he tells them that we are going to Kaaesa to pick a gift up for his sister.

Queen Alicia however did not agree with the plan. "But you just returned home! And Kaaesa is so far away that you might not make it back for Sherrie's party. Im sure her gift can be found in town if you look."

Bursting through the doors behind us came five servers. Each holding a tray with small dome plate covers. They place them in front of us and at the same time they uncover the food with a flourish.

The smell of steak hit me like a wooden club. My mouth water and I had to compose myself from devouring the food like a rabid dog who hadn't had a good meal in days.

"I mean I wouldn't mind you missing my party Aaron, as long as the gift is something amazing." Princess Sherrie remarks as she takes a bite from her steak that was cut to small pieces. "Like a dog," she sings.

"Don't worry mama, we'll be back in time for the party." Promises Aaron, ignoring Sherrie's hint.

"Yes honey, he'll be fine." States King Marc as he cuts into the steak, with a knife. "Its not any different from when you left your home."

The queen glares at him. "That was different. I was twenty-one, he's only nineteen!"

I feel awkard being here in the middle of all this. Its like I'm witnessing something personal and I didn't like it. I want to excuse myself, but I didn't want to seem rude. And the steak tastes too good to past up. Silently I ate the food in front of me. Eyes on the plate.

Don't speak unless spoken to.

"Really mama I'll be fine and we'll be back before you know it." Aaron says with soothe.

Queen Alicia sighs in defeat. Seeming to figure out that theres no changing his mind. "Alright then. Just be safe. Both of you."

"So Miss Rieka," speaks the king, turning his dark gaze towards me.

I freeze like I got caught for doing something wrong even though I know Im not doing anything wrong. Did I have my elbows on the table?

"Yes your highness?" I ask after I finish chewing slowly.

He squints at me, kind of suspiously. "Where are you from?"

"From the forests, your highness."

"Do you have dogs?"

I frown, confuse. "No?" I reply even though it sounds like a question.

He nods and went back to his dish. He eats a couple of bites before saying, "Have you heard of the wolf attacks Rieka? Perhaps even seen them where you'd live?"

He looks me in the eye, waiting for my answer. It was like he was staring straight through me. I break the gaze first. Feeling anxious. My stomach churns, the steak suddenly doesn't look so good.

What if he knows Im a werewolf? Will he have me kill if he finds out?

Aaron shuffles in his seat; seeming to sense the tension in the room. "Papa, lets not discuss this in front of Sherrie. Its a very violent topic for a child in the room."

Sherre looks up at her brother. "You make it sound like Im scared of topics like that."

He looks down at her with an amuse smile. "I suppose you don't remember me telling you a story about the Boogie Man? How afraid you were when I told you he takes away naughty children."

She pales, "I-I wasn't scared!"

He takes a bite of his meal before replying, "Then why you did you wake me up in the middle of the night and ask if you could sleep next to me?"

"I was worried the Boogie Man will take you away." She retorts.

We all laugh and the tension flows away like a river. Queen Alicia asks me simple questions such as if I like the library and if I'd visit the shops in castle town.

Princess Sherrie and Aaron teased each other like any siblings would and it made me wish I had one. Then again I don't think Grandmama would've been able to handle two reckless children.

That night after Queen Alicia went to put Princess Sherie to bed, Aaron asked King Marc and I for a meeting.

We stood in the hallway. The king looms over us like a tree. His large frame basically made me feel smaller than I am. He looks between us and says, "She's a werewolf isn't she?"

My eyes widen in shock. "How'd you know?"

"I can smell wolf and forest all over you. I asked if you had dogs and you said no."

"How-"

"I was curse to be a beast for all eternity once." He interupts, never faking his gaze off of me, "However after the spell was broken I still have incredible senses such as smell."

I take a step back away slowly. Clenching my fists to stop them from shaking. "Are you going to kill me?"

He shakes his head causing a wave of relief to wash over me. "No. Unless you're the ones who's been killing our livestock."

"No, your highness," I shake my head vigorously, "I've been in the forest all this time. I'd never went anywhere near people." I explain quickly.

"Theres more of them too, papa," starts Aaron in a grave and serious tone. "And they're planning to take over all kingdoms across the lands and make humans their slaves."

King Marc nods his head. Taking in every word before saying. "And Kaaesa? Why must you head there?"

"We learned theres a magical lake there that can break any curse. I believe that I can take some samples and maybe even replicate its magical properties. It will the turn the werewolves into humans."

"None of our weapons will harm them?" The king cups his chin with his fingers, listening carefully.

"No sir. Steel will basically be a paper cut. However, silver is deadly to them."

"Alright then atleast we know their weakness. I'll have the blacksmiths get started on silver weapons as soon as possible. Just incase your experiment fails."

He claps Aaron behind the back, jostling him forward. "Though I doubt thats unlikely. I will makesure your mama and sister doesn't hear of this."

Aaron nods. I can see the muscle in his jaws clench. "Thank you." Was all he said.

The king looks towards my direction and I can tell he doesn't fully trust me. I don't blame him. I don't even trust myself.

He nods and then departs. Leaving Aaron and I in the lonely hallway.

"Follow me to your room," Aaron says and he starts walking away in the opposite direction to where the king had went and he doesn't look back to see if Im following. I don't say anything because I know he must have alot on his mind.

Not only is he trying to protect his kingdom, but he's also trying to prove to his papa that he can do things right.

"Heres your room," he announces. Snapping me out of my thoughts. We stood in front of a white door.

He opens it for me and gestures for me to go inside.

"No way," I breathe as I step into the room. It smell as rich as it looked. Shiny woodboards gleam in the moonlight that seeps through the large window at the end of the room with pull back gold color curtains.

The ceiling was a baby blue color cover with square shapes of gold. The bed had simple white covers. There was a chandelier in the center of the room. Dazzling. A large painting of an angel with clouds in the background.

I circle the room, "This is too much!" I exclaim, "This is basically fit for a princess or much likely a queen!"

"They already have their own rooms so that won't be necessary," he says with a small smile. "This is a guest room and you are our guest."

I turn to him and smile, "Thank you," I said gratefully.

He nods, "Your welcome. Now get some sleep. We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow. "