The Beast And The Blessed

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.

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

my head to the side as I watched with curiosity as she pull back and looked

She asked as she peaked up at me from beneath her

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

do, I just wanted to kiss you and tell you that

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

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

and resisted the urge to purr in happiness. Now was not the time. I had

that she knew I would not let her out of

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

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

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