The Beast And The Blessed

Fifty: Killian

Killian’s P.O.V.

The man grunted loudly as I gripped him by the neck, slamming his back against the truck of the large pine tree. Before tonight, I had nothing against his kind. The bear shifters kept to themselves in the forest. They didn't bother building cities or living in them. They preferred to be in the wild. They had cabins and huts. Some even lived in caves. 1

I wanted to scoff at that, but it was their choice.

Bears were known to be more instinctual and animalistic. They were also naturally more violent.

But tonight, I was ready to declare war against them if he caused any more delay in me getting back to my mate.

"Put him down!" Charlie screeched as she burst through the tree line, baring her teeth at me.

My head tilted to the side in my Lycan form as I watched her rush toward me. She stood at his side but made no move to forcefully remove my claw from the man. She knew if she did, I would just rip his throat out and be done with it.

But what pissed me off, even more, was that he didn't fight back. I was itching for a fight. For every second I was kept from my mate, I was getting more on edge.

"He attacked one of my men, Charlotte. You know the rules." The snarl behind my words made her eyes widen in fear, terrified for the fate of the man who carried her scent. Their intimacy was the only thing holding me back from ending his life.

"It was self-defense." His statement was void of emotion, but I could see the anger burning in his eyes. He wasn't submitting, but his animal was also not at the surface. He had an incredible amount of control. It would take a strong shifter to contain their beast when their life was being threatened. ’ He attacked me first as I was minding my own, turning in for the night."

I narrowed my eyes as I scanned his face, but there was no sign of deceit. Blood was thick in the air, and I smelled it as soon as I reached the edge of the city. My hand loosened from around his neck as I held his stare.

voice of one of my guards only reinforced my suspicion that the bear was

and get all the benefits that come with the title. Only he seemed to be oblivious to the fact that she could not stand him.

warriors. But he fucking earned it. He was allowed to demand respect from those below him because they were below him. He had worked hard to become their commander, and even I

were always pushing for more power. I had been stupid to ever let

temper and a cocky attitude. He had gone on a few dates with Charlie, trying to hide what a despicable weasel he truly was, so

her that she could not see

smart, as smart as I had hoped, and she saw right through him, calling it off before anything could

sister from the poisonous man, but losing her in the process. Even if

lucky she came home every now and then as it currently stands, but if I had killed her chosen mate, it

still would have

deserved better than him, and I would

further into my claw so he could reach her hand and keep her at his side. My gaze narrowed as their

still had the upper hand and could end him before he

arm drop. Charlie looked at me suddenly

hands off her!" Xander yelled, stepping forward but stopping when I turned to

an order from the Princess?" My eyes burned, and I heard the overlapping

but I refused to turn and look

by his son, shifting

Your Majesty! Have mercy on him. He is just a young

stood up straighter, seeming to take offense to his father's statement of being a stupid

last time someone begged for me to show mercy, brought my mind back to my mate, and I grew angrier that I was not with