The Beast And The Blessed

Twenty-Two: Joselin

Joselin's P.O.V.

Of all the inconceivable requests Aurora could have made, this one was the most irksome.I had more important things to do than trampling through the forest, looking for some creature she wanted to collect, like prized cattle.

'Find him.Convince him to come here"

Her vague instructions then included no more than to tell me I had to do this without using magic and I had to go alone.

I had yet to determine if I would be capturing a human, a troll, or a dragon.

All I knew was that she was wasting my time, trying to get me to prove myself to her before she would accept the offer to be my pledge.It was infuriating...and fun.

I loved a good challenge, and whatever game Aurora was playing, I wanted to win.It was almost a sickness, the need to excel at everything and prove myself as the best.

What frustrated me the most was the time it would take.

The thought that this was a trap to get me away from the castle while the threat closed in on my people, my family, was brief.

Aurora was a descendant of the Moon Goddess, and I had faith in Her.I had to trust that she wouldn't and hadn't turned her back on the Goddess or her daughter.So, I had to weigh my options.

Do I risk another getting a permanent spot on the council by staying to protect my people, or do I inform the others of the threat and have them look out for it while I am gone? It wouldn't be such a hard decision if I knew how long I would be gone.I would go, in a heartbeat, to keep the council trustworthy if it was only a few days.But I had no idea what was in store for me or how long I would be away.I was sulking and lost in thought as I stormed toward the dining hall.

If I was going to make a rational decision, I needed food.Aurora was already sitting at the head table with Henry and Holden.

Holden looked amused and slightly disgusted, sitting next to the mushy couple as Henry kissed Aurora's knuckles before whispering something in her ear that made her cheeks turn the darkest shade of red I had ever seen.

My usual seat to Natalie's left was still open, but her chair remained empty.She had probably taken lunch in Killian's study as they preferred.

Holden sat to my left, and he smiled brightly when he saw me approaching.I felt eyes burning into the side of my head.

The way my body lit up to alert me of his presence told me exactly who it was.His brown eyes bore into mine from where he sat at the long stretch of the table, and butterflies filled my stomach when I saw him glance from me to Holden.He was still jealous, that foolish man.He should know by now that I was his and had been for years.

I glanced back to Holden, trying not to flinch when I saw how his mouth turned down, and he nodded in acceptance.I would have to make time for him as a friend, but this choice was more important to my future than anything.My feet carried me forward, and I watched as the corner of Tobias's mouth twitched as he tried to hide his smile.

fell quiet as I took the seat next to Tobias.His hand landed on my thigh, and he squeezed it once, but I could practically

would result

servant looked equally confused as they brought out my prepared plate and found me sitting among the pack.It was customary for our plates to be put together by the chef and served to us while the rest of the pack

wrinkled my nose at the large amount of green beans he had next

to tell him everything about this

to find something to gossip about as if my choice of seat hadn't already been enough for

the first time in a long while and could only form

at me before leaning in and

he began

of his palm burned against the skin, and I pressed my leg closer

type to enjoy public displays of affection, but I did peg him for the guy who would publically lay his claim on

and saw Holden in a conversation with Aurora, not looking in our direction, I felt my chest tighten when I realized Tobias did it because he was

this man could do to me and made me feel were

you free after lunch? I want to talk

whisper was still heard throughout the room as several people started making suggestive comments or whistling.I would have

loud growl as I stood up, aiming my

the ability to speak

crossed my lips as he began to scream, his lips sealed shut as I cast a short-lasting curse over him.He would be free to speak, eat, and drink again tomorrow.But

killed for you a hundred times over.Show respect, or don't show your face in my

didn't have

They chose to.

dining hall was open to everyone, but no one was forced to attend,

one of the inns or restaurants, or they

mentality made them want to come here and

long before they

gasped as the man began clawing at his face, trying to open his

would go to the healers, but even

me with amusement.I waited

amusing to watch him mime for me to fix him, and I was very disappointed that he didn't.By the time we had finished our meals, Tobias had looked agitated.He gathered our empty plates and

of the castle and to the familiar house on the outskirts of the town.It

me here, only when his father wasn't

would stay in the