The Beast And The Blessed

Nine: Natalie

Natalie’s P.O.V.

It was a difficult thing, sleeping in a strange place. But it was the awe and excitement that came with the realization that things here would not be the same as they were in my old pack that kept me awake. Even if I was just a breeder, I would still be treated as the King’s mate… or at the very least, I would one day be the mother to the heir.

No more would I be an omega. No more would ! be beaten or abused.

It was empowering. But it was that rush of adrenaline that made it hard to sleep. Each time I fell into my light slumber, I would wake up only minutes later. Then the excitement would hit me again, and I would struggle to fall back asleep.

I wanted to go explore to see the rest of not only the castle but the kingdom. I also wanted to try more of the food they had here.

The dinner had been a tense affair with only myself and the king. Joselin had made herself scarce when the food arrived and had taken my guard with her, leaving us with a smug comment about how time alone. would be good for us. But it was the spell she cast over the door, locking me in the office with my mate that forced us into sharing a meal together.

He looked angry, glaring at me and tensing his jaw every few minutes, letting me know my presence was not welcome without saying a single word. I had seen for myself that he *without warning, and figured if he wanted to *me, he would. I was terrified of it and of him, but if this were to be my life now, I had to not let that hang over me.

he was the one who chose me, I dug into my

made. I had never had such tender meat or such buttery

bread.

sat back in my chair with my hands over my stomach, I looked back up, expecting to see the familiar glare of

than I was aware of. There had to be for him to have chosen me of all people. I

knowing that it would help to keep me cool during the warm summer nights. I ran my hand

had said as much when he declared it as ‘our’ room. But I had stayed up late, exploring and enjoying my newfound freedom and home. When I had gotten back to the room

find him in bed in the middle of the

him was nothing compared to the other expectations he had for me as his chosen mate. The moonlight streaming in through the sheer curtains shone just bright enough to allow

and in his place

that probably still hated me, but a

his eyes, and I could talk to this version of

I wouldn’t be able to fall back asleep easily, not knowing a stranger was sleeping next to me. The situation made my throat go dry, and while I was grateful that he hadn’t woken me to fulfill my

breathing seemed louder than before, and as I moved I had never been more aware of my joints popping than I was at that moment. It was like my body had turned against