The Beast And The Blessed

Chapter 124

Nineteen: Joselin

Joselin’s P.O.V.

The food I had gathered for us was long forgotten in the kitchen. My plans for the evening were gone as well. The air in my tower swirled angrily with the threat of a storm caused by me. It had been a very long time since my emotions ruled my magic.

It made me feel inept, and the lack of control was worrisome. I hadn’t lost control since I was a teenager.

The pain in my chest was unwelcome, and a few stray tears slid down my cheeks.

My body’s betrayal and willingness to show emotion were infuriating, but I knew my true anger was directed at the man downstairs. I was sure he hated being there. With so many people around and trying to talk to him, I knew he would be uncomfortable. Even that knowledge didn’t satisfy the petty part of my mind that wanted him to be miserable for hurting me.

If he wanted to go to a mating mixer and look for a wolf to mark, contradicting all the sweet words he shared with me last night, he could.

I was a big girl. I could find a way to get over him. Nothing had worked so far, but that didn’t make it impossible.

I could warn Natalie about the unknown threat and have it be her problem. She would be taking over my job soon anyway, so there was no point in letting her get her feet wet. She might as well jump right in.

With her handling that, I would be free to escape and find myself outside this castle.

My gut twisted at the idea of leaving Tobias, though. No matter how upset and angry I was, I would hate it if I left without getting answers. I had loved him for too long just to turn away and never look back. There were so many questions for him, but the most important was why I wasn’t enough.

Rona’s words played on a loop in my head, reminding me that a man like Tobias wouldn’t want a woman who looked like me. My teeth ground together, and my hands were in tight fists as I stopped pacing.

There was only one way I could get an honest answer to ease or confirm my concerns.

while I knew this experiment would be damaging to my mental well-being if it confirmed my suspicions, I didn’t see myself having

to hope that what I was about to do wouldn’t bite me in the ass. I needed to go into this with

I could do this.

book with this particular enchantment had been shoved up on the highest shelf of my bookcase so it would stay out of sight. With

a novice-level volume, and I knew what I wanted would be easy

usual vibrations of the runes and knots on my skin could still

to hold color before, and while most people enjoyed being

see this version of me, the fake one. A stranger stared back at me with smooth, flawless skin, long brown

Tobias a run for his money. His jaw was bound to drop when he saw me in this form. I just prayed to the Goddess

same dress on, knowing it was not as formal as these events expected, but I didn’t have the patience to choose a new outfit. No one beyond the staff had

get back downstairs. I wanted to get there before Tobias left or chose someone.

presence was only surprising because I didn’t think he had a reason to show up tonight. I thought he had chosen me. If not as his mate, then maybe to date me. The fact that he was here

watched me, knowing with the glamour, they would smell me

eyes landed on me over the crowd, and my breathing caught when he didn’t look away.

before striding toward him, enjoying how the crowd parted for me. My body buzzed with excitement with every step, and while I knew this moment could completely shatter me,

and sounding strange to my ears. Only it wasn’t mine. It was hers. Whoever this woman was that I was pretending to be sounded

I could see the question in his glare, wondering

by, grabbing a glass from the tray in their hand and taking

around my wrist. His grasp was firm, but he didn’t shove me away. If

betrayal washed through me when he leaned down, giving me his ear. The closeness caused my breasts to brush

My teeth nipped his earlobe, and he growled in response. If he hadn’t

each other, and it wouldn’t be long before this room was full of naked men and

trailing up his neck. I could feel the goosebumps against his skin at my touch, and he was growing

he was turned on and enjoyed what I did to him in this form made my stomach hurt, but I also didn’t want to stop. He