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.

our people." The familiar voice of one of my guards only reinforced my suspicion that the bear was speaking the truth. Xander was bleeding far more than the man before me, and I knew without a doubt that his

down the princess 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. Nor did he accept

one of my head 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

Lindsey, who were always pushing for more power. I had been stupid to ever let Lindsey into my bed, and I still needed to deal

Xander was a spoilt man with a short 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 he could

own mistakes and learn for herself. I knew she wouldn't listen to me if I told her that she could not see him anymore. That would have only pushed her closer to him. Instead, I let him court her, keeping a

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

the poisonous man, but losing her in the

if I had killed her chosen mate, it would

still would have

better than

when the bear pressed further into my claw so he could reach her hand and keep her at his side. My gaze narrowed

that I still had the upper hand and could end him before he could blink. He didn't want Charlie to go near the man who he claimed just attacked

looked at me suddenly as

but stopping when I turned to him, placing my back

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

the trees made Xander's eyes widen, but

son, shifting back

on him. He is just a young and ignorant boy!" Braxton begged, knowing

to take offense to his father's statement of being a stupid boy even though

of the 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 her at the