The beast and the blessed novel by Ashley Breanne novel Chapter 37

Thirty-Seven: Natalie

Natalie's P.O.V.

I was grateful that Killian let us take the cars. I didn't want to be carried again, whether it was like a sack of flour or cradled to his chest. It made me feel weak, and I didn't want to return to my family and be seen as anything other than a queen.

My eyes were locked on the passing trees and ruins as we drove through them. It was fascinating to watch the men who chose to run in their Lycan form, sprinting alongside the vehicles as they jumped and dodged debris.

The world had changed a lot over the last century. I remember seeing pictures in my school books of tall and shiny cities packed full of humans, practically crawling on top of each other just to move around. But after The Great War, their cities fell, and they had to rebuild. Most of their technology made it through, but the other species refused to let humans gain that much power and control over the world again.

Now the humans kept their towns small, trying to hide them in any natural structures they could find. Some even went underground and built their cities in the Earth.

But the evidence of the destruction was fascinating to see first-hand. It was a reminder that things would always be changing. It was not wise to be comfortable in life as we know it.

Going back to my family, was terrifying and exciting. I wanted to prove to them that I was more than just the human who failed to shift. I was going to be their Queen, someone they could be proud of.

I had given up hope of our relationship mending when I chose to run away.

I had left them behind when I was taken by the king.

While the little voice in the back of my mind was quietly whispering that I didn't need them, it was largely overshadowed by the insecurities screaming that I wanted to see my dad smile at me again like he had when I would learn something new. I wanted my mom to pull me into a hug and tell me everything was alright like she did when I had a bad dream.

Only now, the monsters she had been chasing away from those nightmares ... I was living with them, making love to one of them, and would be ruling over them.

Killian's warm hand settled on mine over my thigh as we approached the border, and I felt myself still, not realizing I had begun to shake with anxiety. I looked over at the large beast crammed in the back of the SUV with me.

I knew he hated it. He wanted to run free with the rest of his warriors. Instead, he sat with me, silently holding my hand and being a supportive mate.

It wasn't just my parents that I was anxious to see. I was also nervous to see Jake. Did Killian know that we had been together? If he found out, would he kill him?

A part of me wanted him to be punished for cheating on me and treating me like shit at the end. But I knew being stuck with my sister would be punishment enough.

My eyes widened as we drove through the pack land. My old pack mates lined the road in their fur, their heads bowing in respect.

At least Jake had learned from his father's mistake.

All of the familiar faces made my chest tighten as the memories of their bullying, abuse, and torment washed through my mind. I looked over my shoulder, watching through the window as the pack sank back into the woods once we had moved past them.

I knew they would be in a hurry to beat the vehicle back to the pack house. But when we pulled up, I was stunned as the pack silently gathered back in their skins with their eyes cast down.

Whether it was Killian's last visit here that put the fear of the Goddess into them, or Jake straightening them out once he took control, I had never seen them so organized and respectful. The warriors that had come with us surrounded the vehicles, and I remained seated as Killian's hand stayed in mine.

"What are they doing?" I asked as quietly as I could, hoping no one outside of our car could hear me.

'Ensuring the area is secure," Killian muttered, his eyes scanning his surroundings.

"They didn't do this the last time you were here," I wondered aloud, figuring it was because of the added threat of the vampires.