Chapter 103

One Hundred Three: Natalie Natalie's P.O.V.

Killian seemed highly amused by me as we ate our lunch together. I would find him staring at mewith a small smile or chuckling to himself while I was nibbling on my food.

I was happy my mother was here, and she was safe. But the bigger part of my mind was stuck onwhether my father had returned with her. Did she tell him about me? Did he want to meet me?"You have barely touched your food, my love. Did I not do a good enough job to help you work upan appetite?” His words sent a wave of warmth to my core, and I shifted as I picked up half of mysandwich and took a dramatically large bite out of it. He had absolutely done his job to work up myappetite, but it was still tempting to tease him and tell him no. Maybe then he would ensure I wasthoroughly ravished and christen the study like he suggested. "You're distracted.”

I shook my head as I swallowed, not wanting to talk about it on our date. He was right that I hadbeen distracted, and I didn't want to bring him down when he had taken time out of his busy day tohave a lunch date with me. It had been sweet, and, at least to me, it had been needed. Just time forthe two of us to be together and alone without interruptions. Even if we sat in silence, having himnear me was like having my soul recharged.

"I didn't mean to be distracted by other things. I'll go down and visit my mother after our date.Right now, it is just you and me." I insisted, wiping my fingers on the napkin and reaching for myglass of wine. The bitter yet satisfying liquid was delicious, and Killian immediately refilled my glassonce I placed it back down.

We had it once before, and his remembering that I loved it made me incredibly happy.

"You have every reason to have your mind occupied.” He said before gesturing with his head towardthe door. "Do you want me to come with you to meet him?"

I bit my lip, debating if I wanted an audience to this. "No, that's okay. I know you have a lot of workto do. Do you... Have you ever met him before?"

Killian nodded, his eyes never leaving mine as he rested his hand on my thigh, rubbing it soothingly."Yes. You have nothing to worry about. He is a good leader, one of the few wolves I respect.”

I had other questions. Questions that I needed to ask my father directly.

From what I had seen, Killian's respect was hard to come by, and I was proud that this man hadearned it.

"Go ahead.” Killian moved to grab another grape, popping it into his mouth as he smiled at me withhis heart-stopping grin. "I know you are dying to go see them. You know where to find me, my love.I'm not going anywhere.”

I pressed my lips together as I debated, but I was eager to get this over with, so I could know thetruth. "I changed my mind. I think it would be nice if you were there.”

He nodded, taking one last bite of his food before getting to his feet and holding a handout for me.I appreciated that he didn't give me a hard time or question my decision. He simply supported me,and it meant the world.

"Right now?" I asked, my nerves swirling what little I ate around my stomach. "We haven't evenfinished eating.”

Killian laughed, raising an eyebrow at me in disbelief. "You aren't even eating, and there is no timelike the present. Let's do this now so it won't hang over you anymore.”

I grabbed his hand, allowing him to pull me up. "You're too positive now. What happened to mygrumpy, bossy mate? Where did he go?" "He is still here. Now do what I say."

I narrowed my eyes at him as he pulled me in front of him but jumped when he smacked my ass as Iwalked by.

There was a low murmur of voices in the private sitting room on the first floor, but the doors werestill open to the hallway, letting the sound carry out for anyone to hear.

"You saw something, didn't you? Your aura has changed since the mountains. What did you see, mydear?” My mother's voice was low but easy to pick up with my wolf hearing. She sounded veryconcerned but firm. It was interesting how she voiced her words in a way that sounded like aquestion but was delivered as if she were demanding a response.

As we rounded the corner, both women looked our way. Joselin seemed almost relieved to have usjoin them. I wanted to ask what they were talking about, what Joselin saw that had been botheringher. But the man standing by the fireplace immediately had my interest. He stepped toward us as hestared at me, and I felt myself moving closer to Killian as we entered the room Joselin glanced from us to the man with a raised eyebrow of curiosity, but I had no idea where tostart. Seeing him drop into a bow was the last thing I expected, and an uncomfortable laugh wasforced from my lips.

"Natalie, how are you feeling?" My mother asked, standing from her seat next to Joselin. She rushedtoward me, her long black hair swaying as she approached and pulled me in for a hug.

I was stunned by the unexpected show of affection, and Joselin smirked at me over my mother'sshoulder in a "now you know how I felt’ look. I stuck my tongue out at her, happy to see it made hersmile, but I quickly collected myself when the man moved forward again. My arms wrapped aroundmy mother, and she held me tighter for a minute before letting me go.

"I am fine. I should be asking you that.” I said, holding her elbows as she pulled away and scanningher over. Her injuries seemed to be gone, but maybe she was just really good at hiding them.

"I am as good as new." She said before turning and gesturing toward the couches for us all to sittogether.

The sound of footsteps coming down the hallway made me pause, and I bit back a groan whenRona appeared. "Oh! I'm so sorry! I didn't realize anyone would be in here."

I glanced over my shoulder with a forced smile as she narrowed her eyes at Joselin. "We are havinga private family discussion, but you are free to use the room when we are done.”

The redhead turned to me, dipping her head slightly before turning back to Joselin.

"Not a problem. Joselin and I will just be on our way then.” Rona turned until her body wasperpendicular to the door, raising her eyebrows challengingly at my friend.

"Nonsense," my mother chimed in. “This is a family discussion; she is family, so she will stay. Pleaseclose the door on your way out, dear.”

I pressed my lips together as I could hear Rona grinding her teeth before she turned and stormedout, closing the doors harder than necessary behind her.

"l hope you don't mind,” Aurora said, sending me a small smile over her shoulder. "That girl justrubs me the wrong way."

I shook my head, too distracted by the man still staring at me to respond. In this lighting, his hairwas undoubtedly the same shade as mine.

"Henry, welcome,” Killian said, extending his hand and stunning the Alpha, who promptly shook it. “Idon't believe you have met my mate. Queen Natalie Amery."

The man turned to me, his pale green eyes boring into mine as he smiled widely. Water lined hislids, and he cleared his throat before responding. “No, but your mother has told me a lot about youover the past few days. I really look forward to getting to know you."