The Beast And The Blessed

Chapter 181

Five: Charlie

Charlie’s p.o.v.

My lips were damp from licking them, and his warm breath blew across them like a silent siren song, begging me to give it to the source and let him devour me. I expected a smile, maybe even a kiss. Any reaction telling me he was happy about the news would have been welcomed.

Instead, he shook his head, his eyebrows pulling together as he loosened his hold on me.

That wasn't supposed to happen. He should want to hold me close, smile, and maybe even mark me.

My stomach turned to concrete as he pulled his arms away entirely. My dagger dropped to the ground from his loose hold on it, the blade embedding itself into the moist soil.

His body heat leaving me as he stepped back felt like I had just walked outside into a blizzard as all my fears surfaced. I spun around, not wanting to let him run out of my sight this time. He had escaped from me too many times before. We needed to have this conversation, even though I was terrified of what might be said.

My smile fell when I saw the horrified look on his face. The whites of his eyes were bright in contrast to the black irises, and I hated that as he let them roam over my body, I felt inadequate. He looked bothered by what he saw as his gaze returned to my face.

I wasn't what he had expected from the Goddess... that much was clear.

"No."

That single word made me wish the ground would open up and swallow me whole. The heat behind my eyes began building rapidly, and I knew tears would come next if I didn't do something.

"No?" My echo seemed to amuse him as his lip twitched, but I didn't find this funny. "You carry half of my soul, and your response is just no?"

He tilted his head to the side, a heavy focus taking over his expression as the tears I had been fighting back filled my eyes anyway. "I don't have a mate." "You might not have known you had one before, but you do now." My voice cracked, and I couldn't even find it within myself to be embarrassed.

"Bears don't have mates." He repeated, his eyes locked on me with unashamed pity. He didn’t know me, but how could he be so casual about ripping my heart out?

My chest felt heavy, and my spit thickened as I felt the dam about to burst. "Just because you don't feel the mate bond doesn't mean you don't have a mate."

I felt it enough for both of us and if he would let me, I would love him with everything I had, even after my last breath. Was it how I looked? Was he not attracted to me? Was it because I

he stepped back, and my lungs

members all referred to me as Princess Charlotte. He may be my mate, but he was a stranger. A stranger that

that's it? Are you just going to reject our mate bond? Aren't you even going to give me a chance? I don't even know your name!" My hands flew to my chest before gesturing toward him in anger. Talking with my hands was a bad habit I had

only one I had ever

was how he made

mask cracking as the first tear slipped over my lid and down

stumbled. He rushed forward, his hands raising toward me to steady me, but

but stopped when

I was about to lose him forever. The fewer physical interactions we had, the better. I couldn't have him keep touching me when he would reject me. It would make it more difficult for me than it had

as I glared at him. He held his

I schooled my emotions, just as I had been raised

need to embarrass myself any more than I already

his head by coming here today, now I wanted

walked away. He didn't try to stop me, but I did feel him

I crossed the river, he stayed. He stood on the other side, showing no emotion, as I glanced over my shoulder for one last look at him. His

could work up the courage to confront

didn't know we were soulmates before, but now he does. Perhaps giving him time

my hopes up, but he didn't know we were mates before.

about returning earlier than usual to camp for food to refuel since I would 'need my energy,' but I couldn't focus on what they were saying, let alone

stare, my chest caved in, and the tears fell. The men

Roman had told me once about the pain

asked him, "Does

everything I needed to know

a man who deserved happiness. He was the kind of man who loved unconditionally and would

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