The Beast And The Blessed

Sixty-Five: Joselin

Joselin's P.O.V.

Aurora stayed for a while before doing her part and exiting, replenished, and stronger than before. She smiled widely as she spoke into a phone, laughing loudly and assuring Natalie that she would be home soon as she left the Sanctum.

Of course, it was all for show. I doubted Natalie was even on the phone. As soon as Aurora was outside, she teleported back to the castle in case Cora was watching her location, and we all sat in wait.

The longer it took for Cora to show up, the more nervous I became. I couldn't afford to have taken so many resources away from those who needed protection in the castle and be wrong. This had to be what she was searching for, a place of unbridled power.

If Cora could harness the power of the Sanctum, she would be unstoppable.

’Joselin,' Tobias said through our mate link, and I felt my back stiffen at the sound of my full first name. No, Josie, no, sweetheart. It wasn't a good sign. 'Don't take any unnecessary risks. I need to know that you will put yourself first when she shows up. I need to know that you will make it out of here in one piece. I know how strong you are, but just humor me, okay?'

His arms around my waist tightened, and his thumbs rubbed circles into my stomach. I glanced down. Could he know? Is this his way of telling me before I had the chance to test and find out for myself?

I looked up, not wanting to spend more time considering it until after this fight. I had told myself that same thing hundreds of times, yet it still kept coming to the front of my mind.

'This is my job. I'm responsible for the council, and I am responsible for handling magical entities who pose a threat to the crown. I can't promise to come out unscathed, but I can promise to do my best, so we can go home together.'

He wasn't satisfied with my answer. He didn’t like it at all.

'I would let the world burn down around us and everyone in it before I lose my family.' His firm tone left no room for argument, but I was distracted by his word choice.

There it was again, that subtle hint. Family. As in more than one person. He wasn't just concerned about his mate. He was worried about losing a member of his family.

It could be that he was referring to Killian and Natalie, but the feeling in my gut told me that was not the case.

'I can't do this right now, Tobias.' I felt water line my eyes, not just from the emotion pouring from him and the fear of what I was risking for the crown, but from anger. I was in a pure rage that Cora had put me in this situation. It wasn't like I could just walk away and let one of my rogue council members continue to commit genocide.

I was in charge of her and should have figured out she was up to no good sooner.

scanning my face before he leaned down and pressed a punishing kiss to my lips. It was

as he pushed me back to rest his forehead against

trail of liquid as I masked my emotions, letting the anger fuel me. I wanted the rage and bloodlust to win over the

this bitch and hang

for more information had been frequent over the past few hours since Aurora had left, and Tobias shook his head. It was time to set aside our relationship and act

has been

was either still sleeping or hiding in her home. Either way, it was a good sign. If she were looking for the Sanctum,

echoed through my head as I crouched back into hiding. I knew he would have also informed the other guards and the Sanctum fell silent. Even the bugs and

crystal stopped. She's

me as my anger fueled my emotions. I could feel Cora's excitement as she drew near, moving through the cave entrance that led

the brightly glowing area. She looked younger than before, the thick grey streak in her hair had almost vanished, and I narrowed my eyes, no longer doubting if she had taken

just won the battle

hitting the wall across the cavern had Cora tensing. Her back was to me as her hands lifted,

showing themselves before needed would only put them at risk. As terrifying as they could be in their Lycan form, the magic of multiple powerful witches being housed

back inside

her, masking her surprise and hopefully forgetting about the noise she

this, Cora?" Aurora asked, and I pulled the needle from my pocket. "He has

of the Goddess? The males of our kind abused their powers. They were stronger than us women and used it to their advantage. Why do you think the first council was all men? They thought they could rule

her head, stepping forward toward Aurora. "I have heard and read stories about them that would make you wish you didn't live among them either. I'm doing my job! I'm not going to let them abuse their powers again. We can reproduce our kind with anyone. We don't need them. My family has protected female

the urge to roll my eyes. Cora was

is it your decision to make. How many Cora? How many innocents have you killed?" Aurora asked, and as

are not innocent!"

The needle left my hand, the air pushing it faster than any creature could possibly throw without magic driving it forward. As soon as it left my fingers, I teleported through the vast, white emptiness and appeared behind her. She raised her hand, knocking

her person, and I gasped as a jolt of electricity and agony ripped up my arm as the object in my hand began to melt. I released it quickly, shoving my energy toward her and sending her flying

moving person. It made me angry that she had been right. Her

I stalked forward as she pushed herself back to her feet. "Tsk, tsk. I wasted years eliminating those cockroaches the hard way when I could have been taking their power. Now, I know better. I have the power of four witches in me, Joselin! Do you really think you can take me on now? You don't stand a

to admit it or dismissed the strength of my power, I held the power of four in me too. The difference is

when I was only