The Beast And The Blessed

The Bear and The Beauty - One: Charlie

The Bear and The Beauty

Chapter One: Charlie

Charlie’s P.O.V.

I could hearthem laughing from here. There were a hundred yards of thick trees between us, and I could still hear them laughing at me.

The corner of my lips pulled up at the sound. Even if I was the butt of the joke, it felt amazing. Before them, I never had someone willing to treat me as an equal. Let alone to be so bold as to laugh at me to my face.

But as I grabbed a large glob of the thick green slime from my chest, I let a chuckle slip out too. It dripped through my fingers, stringing through them to the ground just as I reached the river's edge.

I deserved this. I knew better.

Yet, I still ended up covered in troll snot because I was careless. There were worse ways to end up after a battle with a rogue troll, but being drenched in their mucus was not my favorite.

Flicking my fingers to the side, the slime smacked loudly against the leaves of the overgrown bush next to me.

He would bring in a nice payday, but getting his remnants from my clothes and memory would take forever.

Oh, if my brother could see me now. He would be furious. Risking my life to chase monsters and sleeping in the forest with five men. Of course, they were in separate bed rolls and tents, but just thinking about him seeing how I lived now... I could picture the vein in Killian’s forehead threatening to burst.

He hated having his heir so far away and out from under his thumb. It was part of the reason why I left. Whenever he vocalized his dislike for my occupation, he always said it wasn’t suitable for 'the heir' to be putting herself in danger. Not once had he said he was worried about 'his sister.'

There was a big difference. One I resented.

As soon as I had the opportunity, I fled home like the hounds of hell were on my heels.

To be fair, they technically were. An angry Lycan was one thing, but the Lycan king? Forget about it.

thick layer of sweat coated every inch of my body, and I excitedly eyed the water. The only good thing to come of accidentally puncturing the pocket of mucus that trolls had

here, I usually

my turn to enjoy the cool water instead of having to sit in

knees and sank down. My hands fisted into the sand, and I rubbed it over my top first. It had been the easiest way for a quick clean, and when the small pebbles washed away through my fingers, I reached down and grabbed

now and switched to leather. The men had offered to make me some so I could sew it into a functional

it managed to be more pungent after a

While I appreciated my family of misfits and monster hunters,

my top before climbing back up the river bank and laying it over the rocks to dry. I knew I would still go to bed with it at least damp and would have to hang it up around camp, but it was better than it crusting with mucus. My pants were next, and as I pulled them

me bruised my

deserved their punishment of sitting tangled up in a wet

of a man was bent over the bank of the river almost 20 yards downstream, rinsing what looked like blood from his hands. His thick forearms were massive, and the veins were prominent as his

made my mouth go dry, and my jaw dropped at his size. Growing up surrounded by Lycans, I was used to shirtless, muscular men walking around. But he put them to shame. I was sure if one wanted to, a

his eyebrows raised as he held my stare and continued to clean himself. I couldn't tell if they were a deep brown or black from the distance, but I wanted to find out. I felt stuck in place for a moment as

into my mind. I could drown in it and would greet the Goddess with open arms and thank her for creating such a perfect man and smell

Him. My mate.

as the man sat back on his heels, watching me. He looked entertained but not as excited as I felt. My hands were still behind me, holding my back off the

redness in my cheeks promptly burned down my neck and over my chest as I realized my position. His eyes roamed over me greedily, stopping to examine the thin see-through bralette

clean and dry, the better. But now I was second-guessing

in another deep breath, my muscles tensing. I may not interact with their kind often, but I recognized them when I crossed one. They had a

A bear shifter.

his gaze away from me, and somehow that made me feel even more exposed than when he was staring. I wanted his eyes on me. I

Classy.

black hair, clearing

that simple look so

out of meeting my mate, but I couldn't do that covered in slime. I dove back into the water, arching my back slightly and straightening my legs. Maybe he would enjoy the sight I

cold water in the hot summer heat was exactly what I needed to regain my composure. So far,

now standing, and giddiness filled me at the prospect of him joining me. Perhaps