Chapter 23

Twenty-Three: Natalie

Natalie's P.O.V.

Their low talking could be heard as I rounded the corner, and I felt my stomach tie into a knot as

Killian and Princess Charlotte stood waiting for me. I was late, and it was not welcomed based on

Killian's look of disappointment.

My nerves about meeting his sister somehow managed to surpass my anxiety about meeting the

king himself. While I was terrified of him for his well-known history of murder and aggression, the

stories of her made her all the more fearsome. When her brother took the throne, she took to

mercenary work.

The stories of her slaying dragons, sirens, and banshees were known across the world. She was a

warrior.

"Here she is now,” Killian said, but the way his eyes narrowed told me that I would be hearing about

my late arrival later. “Natalie, this is my sister, Charlotte.”

The young woman turned to face me, and my jaw dropped at the stunning princess. Her hair was a

light. brown that fell into perfectly styled ringlets. The bright green of her eyes made what portraits I

had seen. of her mother seem dull.

"Please, call me Charlie.” She said as she extended her arm toward me. I moved forward, expecting a

dainty shake suitable for a member of the royal family. Instead, I was met with a slightly calloused

palm and a firm shake as if we were conducting a business transaction. “I'm really happy Killian

found you! He needs someone to knock some sense into him every now and then.”

Oh, I wanted to knock some sense into him alright. But I would start with the long overdue fight we

needed to have.

“It's lovely to meet you, Your Highness,” I said, curtseying to the princess with respect. When I

looked up, she was staring at me with her eyebrows together in confusion, and her eyes locked on

my neck.

She hummed in response before looking to her brother with a raised eyebrow, but he shook his

head and gestured toward the table

“Ladies,” He said as he pulled out his sister's seat before moving toward mine. I grabbed the back of

my chair and dragged it away from the table before taking a seat, making sure to tuck it back in

before he could get a single finger on it. He had never pulled my chair out for me before. Why put

on a show for his sister?

The look of amusement Charlie sent me made me blush, but I held my head high as the servants

came forward and placed the first course in front of us. It was not lost on me that the guards had

been stationed outside the room for our privacy, and Charlie waited until the servants left before

speaking.

“So Natalie, I hear you have been impressing the pack with your training. From what I've gathered

you are a quick study.” Charlie said as she took a large and improper bite of her roll. “I would love to

train with you. while I'm here.”

I reached for my glass of water and took a sip as I swallowed my bite before responding, placing my

hands back in my lap. “Thank you, your highness. I have heard the stories of your adventures and

would also love to know more about them.”

Killian continued to stare at me as if I were a side attraction at a circus, but I refused to look his way.

He wanted me to act as if I were his mate, but he did not want me to actually fill the position.

“I have plenty to share. From what I understand, my team and I will have new stories before we

leave here. Rumor has it that there has been an attack, and we have come to join the guard.” Her

declaration of wanting to fight against the vampires made me feel relieved, but Killian's head

snapped over with anger.

Charlle raised her palm in his direction and cut him off before he could protest. “No need to argue

with me, brother. We are more than capable of fighting off a few measly bloodsuckers”

Killian opened his *to speak but stopped short as his eyes turned black. I knew someone was

contacting him through their pack link, and I rolled my eyes as I returned back to my food. That was

one good thing about not shifting. I wouldn't need to worry about people interrupting me

constantly.

“I see some things never change,” Charlie muttered, and I could see her annoyance as Killian placed

his fork back down. “I haven't seen you in months, and you can't even spend a dinner with me to

reunite without working.”

“Charlie, you know that I missed you, but this is my job. You of all people should understand. Now, if

you'll excuse me. I will be right back. Something urgent has come up, but it should only take a

minute.” He said as he rose to his feet. I did the same out of respect for his title, but Charlie leaned

back against her chair as she glared up at him. Killian moved toward the door, stopping behind me

for a quick moment, but I didn't bother to turn around as he whispered, “Be good.”

His quiet warning was easily heard by his sister, and I watched as her interest peaked even further.

As soon as the door *behind Killian, I took my seat, aware of the scrutinizing gaze of the princess.

“He said he found you weeks ago. Yet, you bare no mark.” She observed, falling silent as the

servants entered the room again with the next course. She gestured with her finger for them to

place Killian's food down before swiping one of the fingerling potatoes from his plate as the staff

made their way toward the door.

“That is correct, your highness,” I said as I began to cut into my steak. If Killian wanted me to be

good, then I would do my best to abide by his rules

"Please, just call me Charlie. We're family now.” She insisted as she took a sip of her wine.

“That doesn't seem appropriate given my position,” I said, placing another bite of my dinner in my

*and chewing slowly. No matter how many meals I had in the castle, the quality of the food

managed to astonish me each time.

“You are my brother's mate, the next queen. Your position is soon to be above mine.” She said as

she dipped her roll in the juice from her steak. “You have no idea how good this is after living off of

jerky and berries for the past month.”

“I think there has been a miscommunication,” I said as I set my fork down and looked up at the

princess, who was thoroughly enjoying her food.

“Elaborate.” She demanded, but amusement and interest sparkled in her eyes. “Tell me what it is

that I'm missing here.”

I took a deep breath through my nose, pressing my lips together as I debated revealing the truth.

But who was I to withhold information from the Princess? She demanded that I explain, and Killian

wanted me to “ be good". Refusing a member of the royal family didn’t seem to be following his

orders.

“I am not to be the queen, nor am I your brother's mate. I was chosen by your brother and brought

here. against my will. He has made it clear that he wants nothing to do with me, and if his witch's

vision is correct, I will be dead soon, and he will go on to live another day to choose another to

breed with. I would love to get to know you and hear the stories of your adventures, but it will be as

your underling, not as your brother's mate. So, I believe I am correct when I refer to you by your

title, Princess Charlotte.” I stated as I looked down at my plate of food, suddenly no longer feeling

hungry.

I had thought about it a hundred times, but hearing it out loud when my thoughts weren't being

controlled by my heat-induced deliria made the reality of it sink in. For the past few days, I had been

going back and forth between denial, false acceptance, and anger. But now that I had said the

words, it felt so final. I felt my heart breaking in my chest, and I slouched back in my seat.

Killian pushed the door open at the moment, slowing in his stride as he approached the table to see

my defeat and his sister's anger. “What happened here?”

I didn't bother to stand for him this time. My energy was gone. “I would like to retire for the night. It

was lovely meeting you, Your Highness.”

“Likewise,” Charlie said as she stood with me, nodding her head in respect. I was taken aback by her

gesture but felt my heart warm that maybe she wasn't like her brother. “We will catch up tomorrow

and get to know each other.”

I nodded in agreement, knowing it was more of a demand than an invitation. Killian didn't bother

trying to stop me as I left the room.

Tobias was waiting outside, and I bit back my smile as I heard Charlie start to yell before the door

was fully closed. It seemed I may have an ally here after all.

"What the *is wrong with you, Killian?!"