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.

who chose me, I dug into my food with

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

bread.

sat back in my chair with my hands over my stomach, I looked back up, expecting to see the familiar glare of the sexy man. Instead, I found a slight smile. One that vanished as soon as I

had a feeling there was more going on than I was aware of. There had to be for him to have chosen me of all people. I wasn’t so naïve to think he had chosen me because he actually wanted me. The only

the pillow case felt amazing against my skin as I rolled onto my side, and I snuggled my face in closer, knowing that it would help to keep me cool during the warm summer nights.

room. But I had stayed up late, exploring and enjoying my newfound freedom and home. When I had gotten back to the

find him in bed in the middle of

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 me to see

at peace. The tightness to his eyebrows and jaw was gone, and in his place was

still hated

open his eyes, and I could talk to this version of him before he

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

slowly rolled, trying not to disturb or wake the man next to me. 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 me, wanting to wake him