The Beast And The Blessed

Forty-Nine: Joselin

Joselin's P.O.V.

"Technically, it's my council.” I joked, not bothering to get up. We were alone, and there was no need to be formal with him. He knew I was trying to lighten the mood. I led the council, but we all worked for him.

"Joselin," Killian snapped, his sense of humor gone as he stepped forward. He grabbed a chair and pulled it over until he was sitting only a few feet away, his glare on me and his elbows on his knees. I had seen this face many-a-times. It was his disapproving older brother face, which he

normally only used to pressure me or Charlie to spill a secret.

His hands were clasped in front of him, and he leaned forward. He had to have known that I didn't feel good right now. Otherwise, he wouldn't be so calm.

"Full name, that's not good," I muttered, regretting my workout. The longer I sat on the overstuffed couch, the more tired I became. My body wanted to shut down for the next few days to recover.

His black hair had one bright silver strand amongst the mass, and I made a note to hold that over him in the future.

Killian let out an exhausted sigh of "Josie" just as Natalie squeezed my forearm. He wanted me to go to him with this issue when he was already inundated with work and was now trying to balance a baby-crazy mate with an insane sexual appetite.

Even then, I was still frustrated with him because I had tried to talk to him. He was the first person I had gone to besides Tobias.

"Don't, Josie, me," I said softly, mimicking his sigh of my name. "I am fine. As soon as she comes back, I will be dealing with her. If I can't put her through a trial, I can challenge her to a duel."

I had been putting off the option for so long because it almost always ended with collateral damage. Magic of the proportion was dangerous. One slip and it could do flying. Innocents miles away would get hit by the blasts. Hell, there were giant craters on the Earth that humans would travel to see, caused by two witches fighting it out.

In addition, if I lost, it would put the kingdom in a terrible position. The council would be down by half, and Killian would have to choose a new Royal Advisor.

"I don't think it needs to come to that," Killian said, his eyebrows raised. How he looked at me screamed that he didn't think I was up for it.

He might have been right, but I would rather go down fighting than wither away.

crucial information.” His body tensed as he sat up, his hands clenching into fists on the armrests. Killian always had a bit of a temper. He had kept his emotions locked away for a long time until Natalie showed up, but he

sat forward, my anger overpowering the shitty way I was feeling. "Why

wouldn't physically hurt Killian, and he

advisor and head of the council to keep me apprised of any misconduct within my walls." His finger jabbed into the wood beneath his hand, and I knew he was a minute

a fire burned in his eyes as he stood, the chair sliding back a few inches as he looked down

My stubborn side won.

than Killian so I could look down at him. My chest was

for me to get down, but I planted my feet like a petulant child and

yourself when you decided to go skinny dipping in the lake when you were twelve and a

the fuming Lycan king. His body was shaking, and I knew

was not working

the room, causing Killian to relax. His shoulder's dropped, and he turned to look

through me that he had been the first to break our eye contact. It wasn't a

but I remained tense. With my luck, as soon as I let my guard down, he would

start talking to each other," Natalie said, wiping under her eyes as she collected herself. ’You both act like little

in my voice made me

to sit down, and let’s talk about this.” The power resonating through her voice was that of a queen but would scare any child.

and gestured for me to sit down. He did the same to

to win.

and I instantly regretted being initiated into the pack. If I hadn't been, their orders wouldn’t have affected me, but that was the whole point. They couldn't have a witch as

to his mate but still having the upper hand since I had fallen onto my ass first.

adults!" She ordered, but the

of me didn't want to have a serious conversation. I didn't want to keep fighting with him. I wanted him to sling his arm over my shoulder and pull me into his side

one time! I hadn't even shifted yet. You won't be able to lay a hand on me now." He grumbled as Natalie placed her

and I lifted my arm threateningly. His hands gripped the armrests as he stopped when his

not. Was it worth it to

children." Natalie pressed her lips together as Killian's cheeks turned pink, but I looked