The Beast And The Blessed

Twenty-Four: Killian

Killian’s P.O.V.

Never in my life had I been terrified of a woman. I bowed to no one and demanded the respect I had earned.

But as my little sister’s face turned red, and I watched as the vein in her neck started to hammer against her skin, I was positive that it was my last day on Earth She had always been a delicate-looking little princess until it was time for battle. Then the bloodshed seemed to fuel her soul, and she thrived in any fight.

She may have been shorter than me, younger than me, and could not shift into the Lycan state, but by the Goddess, she was terrifying when she wanted to be.

“What the hell is wrong with you, Killian?!” She yelled as she placed both palms on the table and leaned toward me. I had yet to take my seat, and after noticing the steak knife touching her pinky, I had no desire to join her at the dinner table.

“Contain yourself, little sister,” I warned as I felt my eyes burn the familiar red of my Lycan in warning of her disrespect.

“Oh, shove it, Killian. Don’t you dare pull rank on me!” She shouted with a growl, and I tried not to flinch as she slammed her fist on the table. Oh, if Natalie or Joselin could see me now. They would be having the time of their lives. “I expected more from you!”

My jaw dropped at her statement, and I stepped forward. More from me? I had all but killed myself for this kingdom! “More? I have given everything for our people! What more could you want from me? For the love of the Goddess, Charlie! You just got home, and you are already jumping down my throat for no

reason!”

but it was the utter disappointment and disgust I saw there that made me pause. “I

put my people first! That selfish *was weak!” I shouted. The growl behind my words made the wine and waters ripple

what happened with our parents?” Her yell was followed by the slamming

is mine!” My voice echoed through the room, layered

away at my words. I watched as she sank down into her chair with her hand over her *before letting out a loud laugh of

back to my seat, subtly taking her steak knife away as I sat down. She was calm now, but I didn’t know how long that would last. I had

hadn’t fought for was the crown itself. She never wanted it and despised being here surrounded by fake people in

that

and grabbed a bite from her large

and indulging in my meal, painfully

Natalie several times that she is my mate. What she chose to infer from that information is on her.” Yet, the longer I spent with her, near her, holding her… the worse I felt about it. She deserved to be happy, and while I was failing to do so in our relationship, I had at least hoped she

of you.” Her *was

It felt as if I had been saying that more often lately,

dad, and Natalie is not mom. You need to let go of their past and start looking toward your future.” My hand tightened around my fist as the memories surfaced, and I swallowed my

family time we had. Meals were the worst because I couldn’t just get up and leave whenever I wanted to. I remembered how excited I was when my nanny would come to get me for my lessons or a nap. I hated being in the same room as my parents. They

chosen as my father’s mate. She had been the strongest of her pack and was selected to produce my father’s heirs. She was a breeder. I had never seen a woman resent a man more in my life than my mother did my father. He gave her everything she could ever want and ever ask for, but it was never enough for her. She always wanted more,