The beast and the blessed novel by Ashley Breanne

Forty-One: Killian

Killian's P.O.V.

I could feel the others staring at us as I froze beneath my little mate's touch. Her warm body pressed against my beastly form was the last thing I had expected. She didn't seem scared or disgusted by me. The relief coming from her allowed me to relax, and I gently let my arms wrap around her. I loved it.

"What happened?" Joselin asked from my left. I turned to glare at her for disrupting the moment, only to find that she hadn't been speaking to me at all. She was walking around Tobias as he stood guard for my mate, examining him like he was a museum exhibit.

"Whoever the vampires are working with, they are strong. They baited us with a projection. When Heath ran through the casting, he suffered from internal injuries. The healers are working on him now." I said over Natalie's head as she held herself to my torso. Joselin nodded in response to my explanation but didn't look my way.

"Did you get hurt?" Natalie asked softly as her hands began to calmly explore my back. They weren't shaking, but she moved slowly as if she were unsure if she could or should explore me in this form. If she was curious, then I would give her what she wanted when we were alone together. She could touch and explore my beast until she was positively unbothered by my appearance.

Every line and path her small fingers drew along my back sent sparks across my skin, and I bit back to urge to purr at her in contentment. Her fingers were hot to the touch, and I felt goosebumps rising along my body.

"No, my mate. I am uninjured.” I said, tilting my head to the side as I watched with curiosity as she pull back and looked me over, seeming to be content when she had not felt nor seen any fresh cuts along my skin.

"Can you shift back?" She asked as she peaked up at me from beneath her long eyelashes.

"Do you not like me in this form?" I asked before changing the subject rapidly, not wanting to hear her say no. I knew she already didn't like me when I was working. The king that was all business was of no interest to her. I could make adjustments, to that and give her more of my attention during the day, but I could not cast aside the gift the Goddess had directly blessed my people with. "I need to go back out to the road with a larger team to ensure we did not miss anything. Joselin will be coming with us to see to the magic that had been used.”

Natalie blushed as she looked away before pressing up on the balls of her feet. I do, I just wanted to kiss you and tell you that I am glad you are safe.”

My back instinctively hunched until my face was within her reach, and my eyes widened with surprise as she kissed my rough and furry cheek. While I could not kiss her back, I was in awe that she had done so without hesitation. It seemed her previous fears had left her, and a warmth formed in my chest at her acceptance.

"The longer we wait, the harder it will be to find anything," Joselin said from only a few feet away, having moved to stand closer to us. Natalie jumped, disrupted from her thoughts, and took a step back. I reluctantly released her and turned to Joselin.

"My men are standing ready at the gate,” I said, my muscles relaxing as Natalie placed her hand in mine. She looked determined as I looked down at her and resisted the urge to purr in happiness. Now was not the time. I had a man in the infirmary injured and a mate in mourning. "Joselin and I will be back soon.”

Natalie looked up at me with a pout, and I could see that she knew I would not let her out of the castle until we had more information. "Fine, then I will go check on Heath.”

I nodded once, and her face lit up in happiness. It was a great idea. The men adored her and loved that she trained with them. They were excited to interact with and get to know their queen. Having her there could help to boost morale and encourage Heath to heal.

Tobias met my eye over her shoulder, and I knew that he would be extra cautious and vigilant with her. When I told her that she was precious to our people, I meant it. I cared for her a great deal, and I knew one day I could love her with everything I had. One day.

But to our people, she was a symbol of our future. She would lead as Pack Mother at my side and would carry and raise the heirs that would one day lead our pack. The queen was always more important that the king. A king who did not think that was not a leader. He was a ruler.

Even with my reluctance to give in to our bond, I knew from the first time I saw her that she was my forever. I would not be able to live without her, let alone lead our people.

"Yes," I cleared my throat, feeling uncomfortable. I was not used to relationships and did not know the proper way I should say goodbye to my fur. Had I been in my human form, I would have given her a kiss and then made my way out of the door. Her eyes lit up, and she pushed herself up on her toes again, placing one palm on my chest while the other remained firmly in my hand

My beast purred when her breasts pressed against my bicep as I leaned down. She giggled, kissing my cheek once more before pulling back. I could see the pain in her eyes from the loss of her parents, but she was putting on a good show for the others with her forced smiles.

"I'll see you soon.” She whispered, her hold on my hand tightening before she pulled it away and held her hand at a fist at her side. It was the primary trigger that alerted me to the fact that she was hurting far more than she was letting on.

She needed me right now. She needed to be held and to mourn. They may not have been her birth parents, but they had raised her.

But I had a job to do and people to protect. I would come back to her as soon as possible, and she would be free to cry on my shoulder in the privacy of our bedroom. Until then, I could only nod to her as I turned and made my way toward the door.

I resisted the urge to turn around and get one last glimpse at her. It would do no good and would only slow us down. We needed to get back on the road. We needed to comb the area and inspect the magic used. I had no reason to believe that the vampires or witches would return to the same place. But I was not so ignorant as to return myself without an army prepared for battle.

Joselin joined my side, placing her hand on my arm before transporting us to the eager and angry group of men and women standing guard at our gate. Lycans and wolves of all sizes roared as I ran past them, leading them back into the open land and the potential threats that awaited us there.