The Blessed And The Beast

Forty-Nine: Joselin

Joselin’s P.O.V.

“Technically, it’s my council.” I joked, not bothering to get up. We were alone, and there was no need to be formal with him. He knew I was trying to lighten the mood. I led the council, but we all worked for him.

“Joselin,” Killian snapped, his sense of humor gone as he stepped forward. He grabbed a chair and pulled it over until he was sitting only a few feet away, his glare on me and his elbows on his knees. I had seen this face many-a-times. It was his disapproving older brother face, which he

normally only used to pressure me or Charlie to spill a secret.

His hands were clasped in front of him, and he leaned forward. He had to have known that I didn’t feel good right now. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be so calm.

“Full name, that’s not good,” I muttered, regretting my workout. The longer I sat on the overstuffed couch, the more tired I became. My body wanted to shut down for the next few days to recover.

His black hair had one bright silver strand amongst the mass, and I made a note to hold that over him in the future.

Killian let out an exhausted sigh of “Josie” just as Natalie squeezed my forearm. He wanted me to go to him with this issue when he was already inundated with work and was now trying to balance a baby-crazy mate with an insane sexual appetite.

Even then, I was still frustrated with him because I had tried to talk to him. He was the first person I had gone to besides Tobias.

“Don’t, Josie, me,” I said softly, mimicking his sigh of my name. “I am fine. As soon as she comes back, I will be dealing with her. If I can’t put her through a trial, I can challenge her to a duel.”

I had been putting off the option for so long because it almost always ended with collateral damage. Magic of the proportion was dangerous. One slip and it could do flying. Innocents miles away would get hit by the blasts. Hell, there were giant craters on the Earth that humans would travel to see, caused by two witches fighting it out.

In addition, if I lost, it would put the kingdom in a terrible position. The council would be down by half, and Killian would have to choose a new Royal Advisor.

“I don’t think it needs to come to that,” Killian said, his eyebrows raised. How he looked at me screamed that he didn’t think I was up for it.

He might have been right, but I would rather go down fighting than wither away.

“Why didn’t you tell me what was going on? This is crucial information.” His body tensed as he sat up, his hands clenching into fists on the armrests. Killian always had a bit of a temper. He had kept his emotions locked away for a long time until Natalie showed up, but he was still finding the balance between his position as the king and his feelings.

I sat forward, my anger overpowering the shitty way I was feeling. “Why

nothing to worry about. I wouldn’t physically hurt Killian, and he wouldn’t hurt me, but that didn’t

keep me apprised of any misconduct within my walls.” His finger jabbed into the wood beneath his

chair sliding back a few inches as he looked down at me. “Don’t you try to intimidate me, Killian

My stubborn side won.

to become taller than Killian so I could look down at him. My chest was heaving, and my hands were in fists at my side. He was doing the

the side slightly to gesture for me to get down, but I planted my feet like a petulant child and held his glare. His nostrils were flaring as he

when you decided to go skinny dipping in the lake when you were twelve and a sprite stole your clothing, and I was there for you during your first shift. If you want to talk

me standing on the couch glaring down at the fuming Lycan king. His body was shaking, and I knew his beast wanted to demand respect. He had to hate that I was looking down at him in my

best move, but my mind was

and joyful laugh rang through the room, causing Killian to relax. His shoulder’s dropped, and he turned to look at her where she had remained seated on

break our eye contact. It wasn’t a submission, but I did take it as

as soon as I let my guard down, he would push my shoulder and knock me over the arm of the couch

to each other,” Natalie said, wiping under her eyes as she

do not!* We both said at the same time. The bite in my

resonating through her voice was that of a queen

she looked at me and gestured for me to sit down. He did the same to

to win.

command, and I instantly regretted being initiated into the pack. If I hadn’t been, their orders wouldn’t have affected me, but that was the

as well, listening to his mate but still having the upper hand since I had fallen onto my

but

to sling his arm over my shoulder and pull me into his side like he used to. “I’m really gross right

hadn’t even shifted yet. You won’t be able to lay a hand on me now.” He grumbled as

chair slid forward, and I lifted my arm threateningly. His hands gripped the armrests as he stopped when his feet were mere inches from mine. ’Don’t test

to see the look of horror