The Beast And The Blessed

Eighteen: Natalie

Natalie's p.o.v.

Tobias seemed to find it amusing how much harder I worked in training the next day. My body was running hot, and I was angry that Joselin had tried to invade my thoughts. I didn't want anyone in my head, least of all someone I didn't know I could trust. I just couldn't figure out why she had done it. What was she looking for?

Having her around Killian all the time was driving me crazy too. It was so hard for me to get him to bring his walls down and not be so cold toward me, but then he willingly spent all of his time with her.

It was unreasonable as my physical attraction to him held no emotional ties, but I was jealous.

He spent every day with her but fought me every moment that I tried to spend with him. I had to wonder if they had a past or if something was currently going on between them. It would only make sense that she was trying to forcibly get information out of me if she was jealous too. She would want to know if he and I had done anything.

Her flirting with Tobias was confusing, but maybe that was why he wasn't giving in to her. How many men did she have wrapped around her finger in the castle? Why did the man I was to mate with have to be one of them? Women could be cruel, but I never thought I would have to experience one so brash as to openly throw it in my face that she was sleeping with the man I was to spend the rest of my life with.

The effects of the upcoming full moon were making me stronger than before, not as strong as a wolf, but my bloodline allowed me to be stronger than any human. I was pushing, pulling, and throwing around the weights like a woman on a mission. Each time I felt myself struggle, I thought about Joselin and Killian locked in his office together, with no witnesses, and I would see red.

I didn't like it.

I turned to glare at Tobias as he flinched back when I got up from the machine to stretch between sets. His nose wrinkled, and his eyes squeezed shut as he moved back.

My hard work was showing, and I knew I had been sweating a lot more than normal, but his reaction was almost offensive.

nDo I smell bad, Tobias?" My frustration sank in through my words, and I placed my hands on my hips. His eyes opened showing the familiar glowing red of his Lycan, making me take a step back this time.

The longer I stood, I expected my body to begin to cool, but I only seemed to get hotter. My face was burning, and my hands were shaking as pain stabbed through my abdomen.

cramp from over-exerting myself, but failed. My

I think I need to go to the infirmary." I gasped, looking up to see that he had moved further

I had never seen him look so scared. His glowing eyes were flicking back and forth, and I gasped as he stopped his scan of the area and sprinted

curling myself in a ball with my arms wrapped around my head as

snapping jaws were dripping foam as they snarled and bit

into the room. "You can't be in here like this.

at my arm to help me stand.

get my legs to move fast enough, and I

for a moment of relief before they knotted once more. "Healer," I gasped as I

was louder than before as if there were more than just

forward gasped as the witch I had been picturing punching appeared before US. But I was excited to see Joselin. I had a

so much," Joselin muttered as she reached forward to grab my arm from the maid who released me quickly. I yanked free

I spat, as I glared at her. "You don't get to touch

toward her from her magic, making my head jerk back as she bent down and grabbed my ankle. The

my mind was telling me

lurched as we teleported back to my room, and she stepped back as I kicked my foot at her, just barely

I rolled onto my hands and knees, desperate to make the pain

walls around US as I glared up at her. "You aren't doing anything for me! You're training me so I can give up my life for your precious king, but

back from my words. Her surprise was evident as her jaw dropped and her

He said I was his! He chose me! But I’m not here as his chosen mate. I'm here to be his sacrificial lamb! He chose me to be the one to die, so he could live!" I pushed myself up as I spoke, my voice deepening from the pain until

as I straightened myself to my full height, refusing to let whatever curse was trying to kill me win. Sweat was dripping down my face and neck as the heat

whispered in awe as she watched me resist the pain, backing