The Beast And The Blessed

Fifty-Seven: Killian

Killian’s P.O.V.

It was one thing to sleep with someone for fun. Some people like hiding in the trees, or going behind a building. Some even like having sex in front of others. It was natural to enjoy sex and instinct to want to claim one’s mate. Humans were normally more conservative and ashamed, but our beasts didn't care about modesty or privacy.

I had thought that whatever this was with Charlie and the bear shifter was a passing fling. I had hoped that she would find someone who would love and cherish her. Someone who would care enough to at least rent a room or stay in one of our guest rooms. I had hoped that person would respect her enough to put aside their pride to give her a roof over her head and a warm place to sleep.

She didn’t need to be sleeping in the forest right now. Not when there were vampire sightings right outside and now in the city.

My glare scanned over her neck, and I saw her smile fall when I failed to respond. She bore no mark, which meant there was still time to make her see reason. She could reject him and find someone else to mark her, a man who would put her and her safety first.

"It is an honor to meet you, Your Majesty," Damien said with a bow. I let out a deep exhale through my nose as I noticed he did not bow as deeply for me as he did for my mate. He waited for me to acknowledge him so he could rise, but I remained silent.

Charlie cleared her throat loudly, and I turned to her. Her bright green eyes somehow managed to make my mother's look dull, an impossible task if I had not seen both pairs of eyes for myself in my lifetime. The anger in them was growing with every passing second, but I kept my emotions masked. "Let's sit, shall we?"

The bear stood, his eyes finding Natalie instantly, and I watched curiously as he waited for her to place her hand on the back of her chair before he moved. His hands stayed at his side as Charlie looped her arm through the crook of his elbow and pulled him to the empty seats on the other side of the table.

I stood, watching as he pulled out Charlie’s chair next to mine before taking his own seat. Joselin and Natalie joined them, leaving me standing on my own at the head of the table.

her. She was so beautiful but so disappointed. Her mouth was curved downward, and her eyes had lost their shine as she expressed

make her happy, but more so, I

my sister had already proven that he is unworthy of her, but the way he kept eyeing my mate was

is the duty of a mate to protect and honor their partner." My words carried across the table, but my gaze was on the stranger sitting at my table. His black eyes glanced from me to Charlie before he settled back on me. I could see his arm tensing, informing

you.

the duty of any man to protect and honor their woman, mate or not." His words made Charlie tense, and she looked down at her

course in front of each of us. I glanced down at the bowl

way Natalie wrinkled her nose that she

a bite.' Damien, we are happy to have you here. I have heard wonderful things

a little kid pouting that she wasn't

I would ever submit to, and she knew

taking a bite of the soup. The corner of his lips curled up as he placed the

but he remained silent. "From where I am standing, we have

Charlie scolded loudly, and I turned my glare on her. “That is my

the castle and several in the inns around town. Yet, you both stupidly chose to expose yourself and risk your life... 'he' is choosing to risk your life than put out a few

to say is that you've been home for a bit now, and it would have been nice to meet or at least know about Damien a bit sooner," Natalie said softly, but Joselin snorted

like you fucking his sister." Joselin laughed as she