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.

excitedly eyed the water. The only good thing to come of accidentally puncturing the pocket of mucus that trolls had under their chin, like a croaking frog,

the only woman here, I usually let them go

even though they argued otherwise, but now it was my turn to enjoy the cool water instead of having to sit in damp clothing as the sweat

the stream sent a shiver along my spine as I bent my knees and sank down. My hands fisted into the sand,

I began the struggle of pulling the wet long-sleeve top from my body. I should have learned my lesson by now and switched to leather. The men had offered to make me some so I could sew it into a functional top, something easier to clean, but the idea of wearing

the end of the day. Somehow, it managed to be more pungent after a day of working

that happened, I had no idea. While I appreciated my family of misfits and monster hunters, I didn't

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

my lips as the uneven stones beneath me bruised my tailbone, and I kicked the fabric

punishment of sitting tangled up in

up. A beast of a man was bent over the bank of the river almost 20 yards downstream, rinsing what looked like blood from his hands.

shirtless, muscular men

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 the breeze

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

Him. My mate.

entertained but not as excited as I felt. My hands were still behind me, holding my back off the rocks, and my knees were bent as I held my

and over my chest as I realized my position. His eyes roamed over me greedily, stopping

way I saw it, the less fabric to clean and dry, the better. But now I was second-guessing everything. Nudity wasn't uncommon for Lycans

took in another deep breath, my muscles tensing. I may not interact with their kind

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 wanted to know that my mate liked what he saw... even if I was propped

Classy.

black hair, clearing the strands

something that simple look so

meeting my mate, but I couldn't do that covered in slime. I dove back into the

regain my composure. So far, I had

the prospect of