The Beast And The Blessed

Forty-Seven: Joselin

Joselin P.O.V.

It was clear that Tobias didn't believe me when I told him I wanted to get some fresh air and walk to the castle for dinner instead of teleporting. It was the pack dinner, and most of the pack ate together at the castle.

Tobias watched me the entire time I was getting ready, and his mouth curved down further when I wobbled in my heels and switched to flats.

Heels were part of my daily attire, and being unable to walk in them was a huge red flag. But I shrugged it off and said that flats would be more comfortable if we were walking that far.

It didn't escape my notice that he held me close to his side instead of holding my hand as we walked through the city. His grip on me was so firm as if to hold me up, but the soft swipe of his thumb over the thin black fabric on my hip was soft and sweet.

My eyes traveled over all the people walking around us with smiles, excited to attend the pack dinner. There were several paces between each family, individual, and couple, and I was grateful for the breathing room.

Even though I was hit with another wave of Rona's curse, exhausting me and making me feel sick, the sight was magical. The pack was happy and joyous as they walked through the streets under the pink glow of the sunset to the castle entryway.

The cool evening air was, in fact, refreshing, and it felt easier to breathe as we moved slowly among the masses. Most people were rushing, but a select few, like Tobias and myself, were enjoying the sunset and strolling down the street.

My eyes felt heavy, and my stomach was so uneasy that even though I wasn't hungry, the butterflies in there made it feel empty.

I entered the castle every day. I lived there since I was eleven. But something about the lighting as the descending sun hit the castle and the excitement around me made it feel brand new. Maybe it was because it was a brand new experience now that I had moved out and was walking through the courtyard with my mate by my side.

Once seated inside, Cyrus came rushing over, joining Tobias and me at the head table. I watched as my mate's lip curled in irritation as he placed a possessive hand on my thigh. His dissatisfaction with the spell caster was evident, and I reached under the table and tapped the top of my mate's hand.

Cyrus should be bumped into mine from the fast movement, but he looked nervous, anxious even. He crouched between myself and Natalie's empty seat. The crowd was loud, but even then, I knew those close to us could hear the lanky man's voice if they wanted to.

"Listen, I know I said I'm on board," He leaned in to whisper by my ear. "But

starting to freak

Natalie would sit in, but they were extravagant enough. He didn't know how badly I needed to get dirt on Rona. Even

released my breath, my head feeling heavy as I tried to

guilty than before. I hoped he would agree to complete his end of this before I had

burning gaze snapped to it as if he were trying to set it on fire. He might have, too, if

to discuss it with him." I knew it was cheap to blame

on his mind, but using him as my scapegoat when I felt like shit was so easy. As my best friend, it was his job. I did

how many petty squabbles he sent my way, knowing that most people were too bothered by my existence or scared of me to follow through

do this, it could hurt her and my chance with her." His voice was so soft that I barely

molars clenched as I opened my eyes

Blanche.

If I died after marking Tobias, I was sure he would die too. Cora was probably already on the chopping block, and who

if she had been the one in the mountains, and I had no idea how many Cora

feet upon hearing Natalie and Killian's introduction. It didn't happen every night, but at

it was loud but not as rowdy as most

man looked good in his suit. It had to have been tailored to his specifications because there was no way a suit that size would be found on any

there was no way he could find

to be with him. Was it fair for me to ask Cyrus to put

My head was light, and it took everything in me not to let it bob around like a balloon. The

spared me a concerned glance as he pushed Natalie's seat in for her, but I refused to acknowledge it. Instead, I greeted them with a dip of my

the pack sat patiently while waiting for the head table to be served. Killian and Natalie took their first bite, and the rest of the pack dug into

but the empty feeling in my stomach made the idea of

not from the aroma of the lemon-pepper chicken. It was the kind that told me if I swallowed the

my hold on the fork and forced my throat to listen, taking down the excess liquid before shoveling a bite of potatoes

dried on my tongue, turning to dust and making me even queasier than before. My tongue smacked against the roof of