The Beast And The Blessed

Seven: Natalie

Natalie’s P.O.V.

Several hours had passed before I had mustered up the courage to help myself to a shower. I was glad that I had my get-a-way bag with me when I was taken from my pack. Clean clothes and a warm shower did wonders for me and my injured arm, and I was ready to test the limits of my new captivity and learn my place.

If I wasn’t allowed to leave ‘our’ bedroom, then I would find out very quickly. I paused at the door briefly, wondering what would happen if he came back and I wasn’t there. What kind of punishments did human breeders get? Were there other human breeders here?

I shook my head, glancing back to the room, admiring the glow of the mid-afternoon sun on the gold detailing that decorated the bedposts. It made me wonder what other beautiful designs were waiting for me to discover in the rest of the castle.

The bronze handle was cold beneath my touch, like a warning that I should just back away and stay where I had been left. Instead, I pulled the door open, jumping at the sight of the large back blocking my exit. The man was easily two heads taller than me and could pass for a giant had I not known he was a Lycan when he wasn’t in his skin.

He moved to the side, turning to face me as he cleared the way for me to exit. He bent at the waist, taking me by surprise as he bowed in his crisp back suit. I didn’t know what to do or how to handle it. But as he straightened back up to his full height and returned his gaze down the hallway, I assumed I was free to roam.

“Hello,” I said softly as I tried to assess the man before me. “Am I allowed to leave the room?”

He glanced down at me with his eyebrows pulled together as if he were confused before looking away again with a quick nod of his head in confirmation. I stared at him for a moment longer, waiting for him to change his mind or report me to the king. When he didn’t move, I turned and made my way down the hallway, very aware of the giant man shadowing me.

in which direction to go, up or down. I glanced over the railing toward the foyer before

young woman gasped, and I turned in time to see her curtsy with her head down. “May I help you find

a caddy of cleaning supplies in her left hand. It was the way she addressed me, similar to the man hovering a few feet away who had bowed, that

Your Highness.

was not a fated mate. Could a breeder really be placed

sure where I am going.” My voice trailed off

by now, which meant that she could also hear my heart hammering in my

out and spending time with the man that I was to mate

telling me that while I truly didn’t know or trust him, I should go to

If they thought I was to be their queen,

woman curtsied again before continuing

one eyebrow before gesturing with his hand for me to head down the hallway. It seemed

was illuminated by a bright glass mural of all colors. I gaped at the intricate details of the story it displayed of the goddess blessing the wolves and them transforming into the Lycan

my way

door, flinching when it was ripped open quickly by the pale witch that

She said as she brushed past me and rubbed her hand on Tobias’s chest suggestively. He remained void of expressions, but the slight twitch to his jaw told me that he was