The Beast And The Blessed

Thirty-One: Natalie

Natalie’s P.O.V.

My chest was burning as I made my way around the ballroom. The need to hide away was getting stronger with each passing moment that Kil*ian remained absent. Every time I walked past a woman who would send me a side-eye, I had to wonder if she had been sleeping with my mate too.

How many women here hated me not because I was human, but because they had hoped they would be the one selected as the king’s chosen?

Charlie kept catching my eye as she interacted with her companions. Her group was loud and boisterous, having a grand time and enjoying the free drinks and food that were both spread out and being carried around by servers.

I steered clear of them, not wanting to bring them down with my sour mood. Instead, I kept my eyes peeled for K*lian.

I wanted to turn and ask Tobias how long I needed to be present before I could turn in for the night. Instead, I bit my tongue and pushed back what little pride I had left as I watched happy couples dancing and enjoying the ball while I stood alone to the side, feeling the weight of the tiny tiara on my head.

When the crowd began to thin as the night went on, I looked to Tobias, hoping he would catch my silent request, and he did. With a curt nod of confirmation, I turned on my heels and made my way from the ballroom and back to my room.

of foreboding, the same one that had settled deep into my gut before I

I turned to him, and he took his place against the wall across

not alone, is he?” Something about the question triggered my body to react, and it felt like my organs were being pulled from my chest. The shaking of his head crushed me, and I put my face into my hands as I took several deep breaths to calm myself. It was one thing not to be alone in his office, but to have

exposed and used as my anger began to bubble up and over my pain. Tobias looked confused and opened his *as if he finally wanted to say

the bedroom. My eyes landed on Kil*ian sitting with Joselin next to him on the arm of the couch. She had one hand rubbing his shoulder as he stared into the distance. They both froze when I walked in, and as innocent as their position

that we shared, and

speak, but I cut

out, Joselin,” I ordered, not caring that I had no real

just…” She started as she stood, I saw her in the reflection of the mirror, and I narrowed my eyes at

my relationship. I wanted her away from the man who claimed I was his and who would be mine. All my thoughts of Joselin being innocent were lost to me the second I saw her hand on

I

Do you have any idea how humiliating tonight was for me?” I felt the water lining my eyes as I met his. “The party is over. All of the guests are gone! You left me there alone, all night, to be judged and publically humiliated by your pack as the *human who, according to them, is just warming your bed for the time being. Then I come back to find that you brought ‘her’ to our room. It’s the only place that I have in this *castle, and you brought ‘her’ here! You couldn’t even

as I thrust my finger in Joselin’s direction. I was well aware that she could ki* me in the