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.

so beautiful but so disappointed. Her

but more so, I wanted to

had already proven that he is unworthy of her, but the way he kept

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 me

dare you. Take a

is 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

the first course in front of each of us. I glanced down

it, and I was positive by the way Natalie wrinkled her nose that she didn’t either. Seeing her unhappy with her meal made my mood darken

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

I felt like a little kid pouting that she wasn't on my side. But Natalie held my glare head

and she knew it. That woman

dipped his head toward Natalie before taking a bite of the soup. The corner of his

already knew, but he remained silent. "From where I am standing, we have had several sightings of vampires on the border of town and now in town, and yet you are having the princess sleep in the elements,

loudly, and I turned my glare on her. “That is my choice!

agreed. "It's on both of you. We have plenty of empty rooms in 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 coins to stay in the

now, and it would have been nice to meet or at least know about Damien a bit sooner," Natalie said softly, but

think what he is trying to say is that he doesn't like you fucking his sister." Joselin laughed as she stared Damien