The beast and the blessed novel by Ashley Breanne novel Chapter 39

Thirty-Nine: Killian

Killian’s P.O.V.

Her heartbeat was slow, slower than I had expected as I approached the car with my suit jacket over my arm. The bloody handprints left by her mother as she begged for death were sure to stain, but I would burn the fabric later.

I had learned long ago not to let anyone get a hold of my personal belongings. That was like giving a kid a piece of candy. Witches ate that shit up like they were addicted. If you ever wanted to get on their good side, a guaranteed way was to give them something that belonged to one of their enemies. The curses and spells they could cast from that were endless.

Natalie was staring blankly ahead at the headrest of the front passenger seat. The driver was in the car, ready to go, but her guards were standing outside of the vehicle.

"King Killian, we didn't get a chance to talk.’ The alpha called out as he jogged behind me.

"Not now,” I said, dismissing the young alpha as I kept my gaze locked on the SUV where my mourning queen was sitting.

"But what about the vampires? What do I do?" He called out, sounding lost and overwhelmed.

I stopped, scoffing at how weak he was. He was not prepared to lead, and that was my fault for killing his disrespectful father. But he needed to step up. "Lead your people!' I snapped, spinning around to face him. "Review border patrols, care for the injured, train harder, and step up!"

His eyes were glossy and bloodshot. He stopped walking when I reached the back of the car and popped open the back hatch, placing my suit jacket inside so Natalie wouldn't have to see it when I got in to sit next to her. Her body was stiff and unmoving as I glanced at the back of her head before pulling down the hatch to shut it.

'We are not prepared for vampires." The young alpha whispered.

I pinched the bridge of my nose as I let out a breath of frustration. "Then you know what your goal is. Do your research and become prepared."

No one spoke as my men returned to the vehicles. Those in their skins waited until I was seated next to my mate before climbing into the other cars. The rest shifted their weight in their Lycan form with excitement to run again.

I wanted to be out there with them, stretching my legs and getting away from the offensively loud cage of metal around me. But I needed to be here.

A single tear fell down Natalie's cheek as I watched her from the corner of my eye. Her hands were clasped together on her lap, but the tremble was still visible.

As the car began to move forward, she didn't bother to look out the window at her previous home.