The Beast And The Blessed

Eighty-Six: Natalie

Natalie's P.O.V.

The door had barely shut behind me when my temper got the best of me. He had no right! King or not!

I spun around on my heels and pushed it open, almost hitting Killian in the face. His hand gripped the edge of the door, and he looked down at me just as shocked as I was. I quickly forced down the feeling and glared at my mate.

"You owe me an apology!” The guards all shifted, and a maid down the hall slowed with a caddy of cleaning materials in her hands. I didn't need the pack link to know they were concerned for my safety. Killian had killed people for far less than my tone. But he was my mate. But I knew Killian wouldn't physically hurt me.

I forced myself to stay strong and kept my glare on Killian even though I felt like I was crumbling inside.

"I was coming after you." He said as a bewildered look crossed his face, sounding as if the idea that he would be chasing after a woman confused him. The fact that we had an audience didn't seem to bother him. Still, the water lining my eyes was not something I wanted them to see, so I refused to look their way.

"You can be mad about your mother. I am too! But you do not get to take your anger out on me!" My finger shoved into his chest, and he looked down at it. "Forget that I am your mate! Set that little fact aside for right now. Me, as Natalie, do you love me?"

Killian let out a growl, looking up at me with hurt in his eyes and making my next breath that much harder to take in. He nodded but answered as I raised an eyebrow at him, "Yes."

"Do you trust me?" I felt powerful as he answered me without hesitation. He didn't have to answer to anyone if he didn’t want to, and he usually wouldn't. But he answered to me.

his lips twitched as his eyes melted. He was amused, and it only made me more determined.

out on me! We are supposed to be a team!" My finger shoved into

"Yes, my love."

on, amused by the situation, still waiting for my

to fall to my side. He was enjoying this. I could feel it. The wall he had up had dropped, and

how I talk to or treat you. You are right, my mate." He reached

I turned my head to see Thomas and George pressing their lips together to hide their

let my

pulled me right back into his office and slammed

to stay mad at him when he was being so sweet. "The feeling... I haven't felt that before. I didn't like it. I don't want to ever make you feel like you did

crack a joke about the cold king having feelings was on the tip of my tongue, but we needed to address the more important

you dismissed me. Do you think I had something to do with your mother's disappearance?" My arms stayed limp at my side, and I didn't need to push the hurt I felt into our mate bond for him to know

lips over my mark, making me shudder before he pulled away without touching it. I was grateful that he did. Otherwise, I would be a withering mess from his touch, and that was something

see reason in the moment. But, even with that being said, something still needs to be done about Charlie. That is non-negotiable." Killian turned and returned to his desk chair before opening his arms to me. "You and I were not a united front, and I resent that you were fine with her attacking me. I also resent that she turned on me so quickly, ready to draw blood when I had never done

against his desk instead of walking into his waiting arms. "I was not fine with Charlie

handle his sister. She had trained since she was a kid, fought creatures ten times her size, and came out unscathed. It was a remarkable feat to have his bet on me in that fight, but I didn't know if I could trust that it

dropped heavily as I held his gaze. I needed to cool off

done something to your mother, which I didn't, and even if it was just for a moment, you were going to let her attack me!" I was shaking because I was so angry, but I wouldn't shift. My beast was acting dormant with her mate so close to us. I could practically feel his