The Beast And The Blessed

Seventy-Five: Natalie

Natalie's P.O.V.

"I'm very curious about you," The strong female voice said from behind me, and I tried not to flinch as I continued to eat my breakfast in the private dining room.

I had learned my lesson the last time I ate alone in the main dining room and didn't want to put myself under that scrutiny after what happened last night. I also wasn't ready to be back in that room quite yet. The nightmares I had without Killian by my side only a few hours ago were horrendous.

He was my heart and soul. Without him there, I was tossing and turning all night. It was amazing that I was ever able to sleep before him.

The short and curly-haired redhead flicked her finger a few millimeters by her thigh, and the chair beside me slid away from the table as she sat down. I had sat in Killian's chair as he was out for work. It felt wrong to leave the head of the table empty for someone to swoop in and claim...like Rona.

I didn't know her yet, but it seemed like something she would do.

A servant quickly brought her a glass of water before going to the kitchen to gather Rona a plate of food.

than before as I was left with the snake. "It is healthy to be

a smile stretched over her face. Yet her stare was calculated, and she scanned me over like she was

anger at her disrespect, but I pushed it down and did my

were crowned the queen and marked. After that, news of you being a white wolf started to spread... that's something that hasn't been around for a long time, but I have yet to see it for myself to validate that rumor." Rona eyed me from the seat to my left, where I would typically sit when Killian was here. I hated that she was in my chair, getting her smell on it. "But now I've experienced for myself that you have

on the council and that you're here

I heard that Rona had been looking for Killian earlier in the day, not realizing that he had left. After the way she had looked at and treated us when she first got here, I

her nails into, and she wanted the

will tell you that I feel you growing stronger, so I know I

what you would like to. But we do not have time to dwell on gossip when our people are dying." I held Rona's gaze even though I could feel my cheeks warm with anger. Everyone knew I could shift into a wolf, but only a few

useful

Rona about this instead of me, but

the events of last night would have known it was a

Most curses stay active and constantly work to fulfill their purpose. With a piggyback curse, they hold on and don't activate until the caster needs to use it. It is primarily to take control of the host, but I've seen it used in other ways too. The only downside is the longer it stays

entered, preventing me from saying anything more. Dark circles were under her eyes, and her nose was slightly pink as if she had been crying. Yet she held herself with confidence and purpose as she joined