The Beast And The Blessed

Twenty-Four: Killian

Killian’s P.O.V.

Never in my life had I been terrified of a woman. I bowed to no one and demanded the respect I had earned.

But as my little sister’s face turned red, and I watched as the vein in her neck started to hammer against her skin, I was positive that it was my last day on Earth She had always been a delicate-looking little princess until it was time for battle. Then the bloodshed seemed to fuel her soul, and she thrived in any fight.

She may have been shorter than me, younger than me, and could not shift into the Lycan state, but by the Goddess, she was terrifying when she wanted to be.

“What the hell is wrong with you, Killian?!” She yelled as she placed both palms on the table and leaned toward me. I had yet to take my seat, and after noticing the steak knife touching her pinky, I had no desire to join her at the dinner table.

“Contain yourself, little sister,” I warned as I felt my eyes burn the familiar red of my Lycan in warning of her disrespect.

“Oh, shove it, Killian. Don’t you dare pull rank on me!” She shouted with a growl, and I tried not to flinch as she slammed her fist on the table. Oh, if Natalie or Joselin could see me now. They would be having the time of their lives. “I expected more from you!”

My jaw dropped at her statement, and I stepped forward. More from me? I had all but killed myself for this kingdom! “More? I have given everything for our people! What more could you want from me? For the love of the Goddess, Charlie! You just got home, and you are already jumping down my throat for no

reason!”

the utter disappointment and disgust I saw there that made me pause. “I never thought you

am nothing like dad! I put my people first! That selfish *was weak!” I shouted. The growl behind my words made the wine

much pain she is in? Did you learn nothing from what happened with our parents?” Her yell was followed by the slamming of her palm on the table, and I took a deep breath to keep from screaming at her.

her as my mate! She is mine!” My voice

words. I watched as she sank down into her chair with her hand over

to my seat, subtly taking her steak knife away as I sat down. She was calm now, but I didn’t know how long that would last. I had learned my lesson with her as a kid

the crown itself. She never wanted it and despised being here surrounded by fake people

and mom, that you would

fork and grabbed a bite from her

second more before joining her and indulging in my meal, painfully aware

know about what happened to our parents. She didn’t even know mother was still alive until this afternoon. I have told Natalie several times that she is my mate. What she chose to infer from that information is on her.” Yet, the longer I spent with her, near her, holding her… the worse I felt about

able to repair the damage done between the two of you.” Her *was

had been saying that more often lately, and each time I was

between dad and mom hurt you. They damaged me too. But you are not dad, and Natalie is not mom. You need to let go of their past and start looking toward your future.” My hand tightened around my fist as the memories surfaced, and

excited I was when my nanny would come to get me for my lessons or a nap. I hated being in the same room as my parents. They had no shame in airing out their dirty laundry in

selected to produce my father’s heirs. She was a breeder. I had never seen a woman resent a man more in my life than my mother

and loved her with

her.