Chapter 35

Thirty-Five: Natalle Natalie's P.O.V.

I had woken up alone before. I had woken up with him holding me. But this morning, I woke up to agentle kiss on my lips as he whispered goodbye. My sleepy heart began to race instantly,hammering away in my chest at the sweet moment.

When he wanted to be, the man could be smooth. I would give him that.

I cracked my eyes open and watched him walk out of the room. Only this time, his shoulders lookedlighter as he left to complete his royal duties. It made me happy to see that our conversation overthe past two nights had been beneficial.

There were things that I needed to change and things that he needed to change. But overall, thechanges. were happening, and they were positive.

It made me smile as I considered stopping by his office later to see him. Perhaps I would bring himfood, or maybe I would be the food.

I pictured him laying me down on his desk, falling between my legs, and taking me to new heightsas I moaned out his name. Yes, visiting him at work sounded like a great idea.

The loud banging on my bedroom door was familiar, and I knew I was safe, but the feeling of dreadwashed over me when I realized I still needed to swallow my pride and apologize to Joselin. I stilldidn't like that she had tried to invade my mind, but at least she wasn't sleeping with Killian.

“Come in!" I shouted as I crawled out of bed, instantly missing its warmth. The door opened silently,as the witch walked in. I was cautious as I turned to the side to grab my clothes from my dresser,not quite trusting her enough to turn my back to her by going into the closet.

When I looked up, she was leaning against the door frame that led from the sitting room to thebedroom with her arms crossed, and her hip cocked out.

“You owe me an apology. I know you didn’t like me from the moment you met me, but I don'tappreciate the way you've been treating me.” The sudden and aggressive way she greeted me thismorning was. warranted, but still took me by surprise. I had grown used to people walking oneggshells around me and treating me with respect, at least they did to my face. It was something Ineeded to make sure I did for them as well. They deserved to be treated with respect “You're right,” I said, turning to face her fully. “I am sorry. I assumed the worst, and I had no right todo that. I was jealous of how much time you spend with Killian and how close you two are. Youdidn't deserve me taking out my insecurities on you.”

Her eyebrows raised as I spoke, “I was expecting this to be a lot more difficult. I had plans to makeyour shower water turn to blood and for your food to turn to dust every time it touched yourtongue until you finally apologized.”

I choked on a laugh as I stared at her with bewilderment. “You have an interesting way of interactingwith people.”

She shrugged as she flicked her long white hair over her shoulder. While her back was straight andshe. looked as fierce and terrifying as always, I could see in the way her head tipped forward as shefidgeted with her hair that she was embarrassed. “I've never had a lot of experience with it. Menlove to sleep with me because of my looks and power. They think of me as some trophy, but wedon't talk. When I saw you in that vision, I was excited that...”

"And then I acted like a jealous bitch and ruined it.” I finished for her as she trailed off, noticing asthe lines on her skin seemed to slow and still. They were fascinating.

She followed my gaze down to her arms before letting out a dark laugh that had the hairs on theback of my neck standing at attention.

"You know, people have never liked me. They fear me. She said as she looked up at me with a blankexpression. “When I was born with white eyes to human parents, they lost their minds. They spentyears. keeping me tied up and calling in every exorcist and doctor they could to heal me. It wasn'tuntil I was eleven that I got my abilities.”

My mouth dropped open, surprised that she was telling me her story. “It's ironic, really. They hatedme for being different. They didn't want me to be supernatural but they were willing to push asidetheir hatred for my kind long enough to hire other witches to try and turn me into a human. Theyseemed to agree that they would need to bleed me out during a ritual under the full moon to do it.I remember as they chained me down, carved these runes into my skin, and chanted to the Goddessto rid me of my powers. Really they were trying to absorb my powers for themselves. Those fuckingidiots.”

Joselin shook her head. “They had no idea how powerful I was, even that young. Once they hadtethered my magic to theirs, I was able to drain them of everything they had, killing them in theprocess. Their magic now belongs to me. My parents were horrified when I got myself free. I killedthem too. Killian's father found me while he was on a hunt with his guard and took me in.”

The lack of emotions in her voice was alarming, and I watched her closely.

“I don't tell a lot of people my story.” She said as she stared deadly daggers at me. “I'm telling younow so you understand. I can either be friend or foe.”

I swallowed hard. It would take time to get used to her. But as she was Killian's best friend andadvisor, she wasn't going anywhere anytime soon. Then again, neither was I.

"As long as you don't try to invade my mind again, I would love to be friends,” I said as I grabbedmy workout clothes. I wanted to improve myself, so I would be ready to defend myself and saveKillian when the time came. After last night and this morning, I was more determined than ever.“Good. Agreed.” She said curtly, but the corner of her lips twitched as she bit back a smile.

"You enjoy intimidating people, don't you?” I called out as I narrowed my eyes at her on my way tothe bathroom.

"Yes."

I nodded to myself as I closed the door to get ready for the day.

As I was pulling my shirt on, the silver lines on my sides caught my attention, and I turned my bodyto look. over my shoulder at my back. I had healed more than any human would, leaving only faintlines across my skin. Killian hadn't seemed to mind or notice, even during my heat, but I hated themwith a passion.

I was grateful that Killian had killed my Alpha. He had unknowingly fought my demons before heevent knew I had them.