Chapter 9

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 withthe realization that things here would not be the same as they were in my old pack that kept meawake. Even if I was just a breeder, I would still be treated as the King's mate... or at the very least, Iwould one day be the mother to the heir.

No more would I be an omega. No more would I be beaten or abused It was empowering. But it was that rush of adrenaline that made it hard to sleep. Each time I fell intomy light slumber, I would wake up only minutes later. Then the excitement would hit me again, andI 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 trymore of the food they had here.

The dinner had been a tense affair with only myself and the king. Joselin had made herself scarcewhen the food arrived and had taken my guard with her, leaving us with a smug comment abouthow time alone would be good for us. But it was the spell she cast over the door, locking me in theoffice 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 presencewas not welcome without saying a single word. I had seen for myself that he killed without warning,and figured if he wanted to kill me, he would. I was terrified of it and of him, but if this were to bemy life now, I had to not let that hang over me.

Since he was the one who chose me, I dug into my food with enthusiasm, not bothering myself withhis brooding.

It was the best decision I ever made. I had never had such tender meat or such buttery freshly bakedbread.

Once I was done and had 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 vanishedas soon as I returned it.

I had a feeling there was more going on than I was aware of. There had to be for him to havechosen me of all people. I wasn't so naive to think he had chosen me because he actually wantedme. The only thing I could do was enjoy it while it lasted.

The silk of the pillow case felt amazing against my skin as I rolled onto my side, and I snuggled myface in closer, knowing that it would help to keep me cool during the warm summer nights. I ran myhand over the sheet as I pulled it up to my face, stopping when I came into contact with a warmbody.

My eyes shot open in surprise. I had known I was to share the room with him. He had said as muchwhen he declared it as “our’ room. But I had stayed up late, exploring and enjoying my newfoundfreedom and home. When I had gotten back to the room and he wasn't there, I had assumed hewould be sleeping elsewhere.

I hadn't expected to find him in bed in the middle of the night.

In the big picture, sleeping next to him was nothing compared to the other expectations he had forme as his chosen mate. The moonlight streaming in through the sheer curtains shone just brightenough to allow me to see the outlines of his features. Even so, I couldn't help but notice that hewas an entirely different person.

He was completely relaxed and at peace. The tightness to his eyebrows and jaw was gone, and in hisplace was no longer a king with the weight of the world on his shoulders. He was just a man.

A man that probably still hated me, but a man nonetheless.

For a moment, I wished that he would open his eyes, and I could talk to this version of him beforehe woke back as the king with his anger and frustration.

I knew 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 mynew duties, the reality of the situation had me feeling panicked.

The once comfortable blanket felt scratchy as I slowly rolled, trying not to disturb or wake the mannext to me. My breathing seemed louder than before, and as I moved I had never been more awareof my joints popping than I was at that moment. It was like my body had turned against me,wanting to wake him up with how loud I was being.

I had freed only one leg when he started to move, and I froze with wide eyes as I waited for him tospeak.

Instead, a shiver ran through my body as he tossed his large, muscular arm over me, pulling meback into the bed and against his chest. I couldn't remember how to move, let alone breathe as hemoved in his sleep to form his body against the back of mine.

His warm body wrapped around me was like being wrapped in a blanket made just for me.Everything about him holding me felt right, and that was what made it so wrong.

My body began to relax without my mind following, and I let out the breath I had been holdingwhen his nose touched the back of my neck, nuzzling it lightly before going still again.Goosebumps rose along my skin, confusing me more as I couldn't figure out if it was from pleasureor fear. My body was saying one thing while my mind was saying another.

It was sensory overload, and I opened my mouth to speak. I needed to tell him to release me, and tolet me sleep elsewhere to stop the confusing thoughts, but he beat me to it.

His deep voice was thick with sleep. It was low and rough as he spoke, sending a shiver down myspine. "Mine."

I was aware that he was still asleep as his breathing hadn't changed, and he hadn't moved beyondpulling me in closer, something he wouldn't do if he were conscious.

Yet, his soft declaration silenced my mind, and my eyes closed as I was lulled to sleep by his deepbreathing.