Chapter 41

Forty-One: Killian Killian's P.O.V.

I could feel the others staring at us as I froze beneath my little mate's touch. Her warm bodypressed against my beastly form was the last thing I had expected. She didn't seem scared ordisgusted by me. The relief coming from her allowed me to relax, and I gently let my arms wraparound her. I loved it.

"What happened?" Joselin asked from my left. I turned to glare at her for disrupting the moment,only to find that she hadn't been speaking to me at all. She was walking around Tobias as he stoodguard for my mate, examining him like he was a museum exhibit.

"Whoever the vampires are working with, they are strong. They baited us with a projection. WhenHeath ran through the casting, he suffered from internal injuries. The healers are working on himnow." I said over Natalie's head as she held herself to my torso. Joselin nodded in response to myexplanation but didn't look my way.

"Did you get hurt?" Natalie asked softly as her hands began to calmly explore my back. They weren'tshaking, but she moved slowly as if she were unsure if she could or should explore me in this form.If she was curious, then I would give her what she wanted when we were alone together. She couldtouch and explore my beast until she was positively unbothered by my appearance.

Every line and path her small fingers drew along my back sent sparks across my skin, and I bit backto urge to purr at her in contentment. Her fingers were hot to the touch, and I felt goosebumpsrising along my body.

"No, my mate. I am uninjured.” I said, tilting my head to the side as I watched with curiosity as shepull back and looked me over, seeming to be content when she had not felt nor seen any fresh cutsalong my skin.

"Can you shift back?" She asked as she peaked up at me from beneath her long eyelashes.

"Do you not like me in this form?" I asked before changing the subject rapidly, not wanting to hearher say no. I knew she already didn't like me when I was working. The king that was all business wasof no interest to her. I could make adjustments, to that and give her more of my attention duringthe day, but I could not cast aside the gift the Goddess had directly blessed my people with. "I needto go back out to the road with a larger team to ensure we did not miss anything. Joselin will becoming with us to see to the magic that had been used.”

Natalie blushed as she looked away before pressing up on the balls of her feet. I do, I just wantedto kiss you and tell you that I am glad you are safe.”

My back instinctively hunched until my face was within her reach, and my eyes widened withsurprise as she kissed my rough and furry cheek. While I could not kiss her back, I was in awe thatshe had done so without hesitation. It seemed her previous fears had left her, and a warmth formedin my chest at her acceptance.

"The longer we wait, the harder it will be to find anything," Joselin said from only a few feet away,having moved to stand closer to us. Natalie jumped, disrupted from her thoughts, and took a stepback. I reluctantly released her and turned to Joselin.

"My men are standing ready at the gate,” I said, my muscles relaxing as Natalie placed her hand inmine. She looked determined as I looked down at her and resisted the urge to purr in happiness.Now was not the time. I had a man in the infirmary injured and a mate in mourning. "Joselin and Iwill be back soon.”

Natalie looked up at me with a pout, and I could see that she knew I would not let her out of thecastle until we had more information. "Fine, then I will go check on Heath.”

I nodded once, and her face lit up in happiness. It was a great idea. The men adored her and lovedthat she trained with them. They were excited to interact with and get to know their queen. Havingher there could help to boost morale and encourage Heath to heal.

Tobias met my eye over her shoulder, and I knew that he would be extra cautious and vigilant withher. When I told her that she was precious to our people, I meant it. I cared for her a great deal, andI knew one day I could love her with everything I had. One day.

But to our people, she was a symbol of our future. She would lead as Pack Mother at my side andwould carry and raise the heirs that would one day lead our pack. The queen was always moreimportant that the king. A king who did not think that was not a leader. He was a ruler.

Even with my reluctance to give in to our bond, I knew from the first time I saw her that she was myforever. I would not be able to live without her, let alone lead our people.

"Yes," I cleared my throat, feeling uncomfortable. I was not used to relationships and did not knowthe proper way I should say goodbye to my fur. Had I been in my human form, I would have givenher a kiss and then made my way out of the door. Her eyes lit up, and she pushed herself up on hertoes again, placing one palm on my chest while the other remained firmly in my hand My beast purred when her breasts pressed against my bicep as I leaned down. She giggled, kissingmy cheek once more before pulling back. I could see the pain in her eyes from the loss of herparents, but she was putting on a good show for the others with her forced smiles.

"I'll see you soon.” She whispered, her hold on my hand tightening before she pulled it away andheld her hand at a fist at her side. It was the primary trigger that alerted me to the fact that she washurting far more than she was letting on.

She needed me right now. She needed to be held and to mourn. They may not have been her birthparents, but they had raised her.

But I had a job to do and people to protect. I would come back to her as soon as possible, and shewould be free to cry on my shoulder in the privacy of our bedroom. Until then, I could only nod toher as I turned and made my way toward the door.

I resisted the urge to turn around and get one last glimpse at her. It would do no good and wouldonly slow us down. We needed to get back on the road. We needed to comb the area and inspectthe magic used. I had no reason to believe that the vampires or witches would return to the sameplace. But I was not so ignorant as to return myself without an army prepared for battle.

Joselin joined my side, placing her hand on my arm before transporting us to the eager and angrygroup of men and women standing guard at our gate. Lycans and wolves of all sizes roared as I ranpast them, leading them back into the open land and the potential threats that awaited us there.