The Beast And The Blessed

Nineteen: Joselin

Joselin's P.O.V.

The food I had gathered for us was long forgotten in the kitchen. My plans for the evening were gone as well. The air in my tower swirled angrily with the threat of a storm caused by me. It had been a very long time since my emotions ruled my magic.

It made me feel inept, and the lack of control was worrisome. I hadn't lost control since I was a teenager.

The pain in my chest was unwelcome, and a few stray tears slid down my cheeks.

My body's betrayal and willingness to show emotion were infuriating, but I knew my true anger was directed at the man downstairs. I was sure he hated being there. With so many people around and trying to talk to him, I knew he would be uncomfortable. Even that knowledge didn't satisfy the petty part of my mind that wanted him to be miserable for hurting me.

If he wanted to go to a mating mixer and look for a wolf to mark, contradicting all the sweet words he shared with me last night, he could.

I was a big girl. I could find a way to get over him. Nothing had worked so far, but that didn't make it impossible.

I could warn Natalie about the unknown threat and have it be her problem. She would be taking over my job soon anyway, so there was no point in letting her get her feet wet. She might as well jump right in.

With her handling that, I would be free to escape and find myself outside this castle.

My gut twisted at the idea of leaving Tobias, though. No matter how upset and angry I was, I would hate it if I left without getting answers. I had loved him for too long just to turn away and never look back. There were so many questions for him, but the most important was why I wasn't enough.

Rona's words played on a loop in my head, reminding me that a man like Tobias wouldn't want a woman who looked like me. My teeth ground together, and my hands were in tight fists as I stopped pacing.

There was only one way I could get an honest answer to ease or confirm my concerns.

It was something I swore I would never do. I had learned to embrace who I was long ago, and while I knew this experiment would be damaging to my mental well-being if it confirmed my suspicions, I didn't see myself having another choice.

fear hanging over me. I just had to hope that what I was about to do wouldn't bite me in the ass. I needed to go into this with no expectations to

I could do this.

bookcase so it would stay out of sight. With a quick

novice-level volume, and I knew what I wanted would

before I felt my skin tingling. The usual vibrations of the runes and knots on my skin could still be felt. But when I looked down, I could only see the

never been able to hold color before, and while most people enjoyed being tan,

look in the mirror and see this version of me, the fake one. A stranger

for his money. His jaw was bound to drop when

same dress on, knowing it was not as formal as these events expected, but I didn't have the patience to choose a new

was a dash to get back downstairs. I wanted to get there before Tobias left or chose someone. He had been attending these for years but had

he had a reason to show up tonight. I thought he had chosen me. If not as his mate, then maybe to date me. The fact that he was here told me that his priority was to

watched me, knowing with the glamour, they would smell me as a wolf instead of a witch. But there was still no way to hide my power. My

caught when he didn't look away. I took it as a bad sign that he was already interested in the normal-looking version

for me. My body buzzed with excitement with every step, and while I knew this moment could completely shatter me, it also almost felt like one

trailed over him, my voice coming out softer than usual and sounding strange to my ears. Only it wasn't mine. It was hers. Whoever this woman was that I was

eyes narrowed, and I could see the question in his glare, wondering why I

from the tray in their hand and taking a small sip of the sickly sweet beverage.

free hand on his chest, gasping when he clamped his tightly around my wrist. His grasp was firm, but he didn't shove me away. If anything, he held my hand against

washed through me when he leaned down, giving me his ear.

growled in response. If he hadn't held me so close, I would have considered the sound

be long before this room was full of naked men and women. Many wolves and Lycans enjoyed fucking in front of others, claiming their partner for all to see. Mating mixers were notorious for

his neck. I could feel the goosebumps against

in this form made my stomach hurt, but I also didn't want to stop. He couldn't know it was me behind the enchantment, yet he openly displayed his