The beast and the blessed novel by Ashley Breanne novel Chapter 129

Twenty-Three: Joselin

Joselin's P.O.V.

My arms wrapped around him, pulling Tobias against me. I could feel his body shaking, but the tear that hit my shoulder made me hold him in impossibly tighter.

After the horrors this man experienced, I was in awe that he still grew to be such a good man. No one should ever have to experience what he did.

"I'm so sorry, Tobias,’ I whispered, feeling his arms wrap around me. He was fighting back his emotions and held his head up, leaning it against the side of mine. His breathing was low and deep as he tried to calm himself, but he was clearly in pain. "You did the right thing. He deserved to die."

The idea of the woman carrying half of his soul being killed before him was heartbreaking, and I knew he had been silently suffering for years. Not many people lasted long after their mate died. They went crazy, but most just killed themselves to end their agony.

For him to be standing here with me only spoke to his strength. He wasn't the same as he was before, but he survived.

"I should have done it sooner."

I almost wished he did, either that or for him to have told me. At that point in my life, I already had blood on my hands, and killing his father would have brought me great joy. If it meant saving Tobias from his father's torment and Ana from death, I would have skinned that old bastard and let him bleed out in the garden.

I wouldn't have had Tobias for myself, but as long as he had been happy, I would have been fine.

"You did what you could. You were just a kid." I whispered, pressing my lips against his shoulder.

We stood there for what felt like hours, holding each other as he grieved the loss of his childhood, father, and soulmate.

I wasn't even happy that I didn't need to worry about him finding his true mate and leaving me eventually.

I was mourning with him.

There was no joy to be had when the man I loved more than anything in the world was hurting. So I just held him, wanting to take away some of his pain and sorrow.

He pulled back, placing his hands on either side of my face as he looked into my eyes. He was searching for something, and whatever it was, he seemed to have found it. "I wanted to be ready for you, Josie. I'm sorry I took so long."

"You can take as long as you need. I'm in this with you." It was the same thing he had said to me the other night. We were in this together.

He gently pulled my head forward, kissing my temple, and my eyes closed." I don't need too much longer. Once I finish fixing this house, I will sell it and leave it all behind."

I wanted to tell him that it was okay to take his time and not rush this. Grieving was natural, and I wanted him to be sure about us before we moved forward. But I kept my mouth shut because the picture he was painting for me, the one where we had a future together, was a dream come true. It was something that I had wanted for so long.

"Is there anything I can do to help?" As soon as the words left my lips, I mentally kicked myself, not because I didn't want to help but because I wouldn't be here to do so.

"You have already done more than you could possibly know, sweetheart." He looked around the room, and I felt my stomach turn when I saw how bothered he was to be here. "I brought you here because you deserve to know everything before we move forward. I also wanted you to see what I have been spending my time on each day. I wanted you to know that I am working toward this, toward us."

"Thank you for sharing this with me," I whispered, resting my cheek against his chest. It had to of been hard to tell me about his past. But now that I knew, it helped me to understand him so much better.

I jumped as the distant sound of an explosion echoed through the house. Tobias covered my head with his arm, holding me tightly to him.

Whatever caused the noise had been close enough to cause panic but far enough away not to have done any damage. The pack could be heard outside, shifting and running to their positions for battle.

My mind was whirling, trying to remember my practice from earlier that day.

Light.

I needed to get us through the light and to the castle. Tobias would need to guard the queen, and I needed to protect them against a magic attack.

It took me longer than I would have liked, but the world faded around us. I held Tobias tightly as we teleported through the light and to the castle courtyard.