The beast and the blessed novel by Ashley Breanne novel Chapter 42

Forty-Two: Natalie

Natalie's P.O.V.

Tobias grunted as I turned to him and let out a deep breath. My eyes felt dry, and my smile fell as soon as Killian was gone. It finally made sense why I felt so connected to him... why I felt like something was missing when he wasn't around. But what I was feeling now was more than just my mate being away from me. I felt a crushing pain in my chest from the news of my parents dying.

They hadn't birthed me, but they were still my parents. I loved them, and now I had lost them. I couldn't even find it in me to be angry at Killian for showing my mother mercy. He had done right by her and sent her to be with my father in the afterlife.

She was dying anyway. He just put her out of her misery.

I met Tobias's eye, and he tilted his head toward the hallway. It was time for me to act like the queen and to be there for the man who had risked his life to protect mine. It wasn't time to grieve, and the more I thought about the events of today, the angrier I was becoming. I wanted revenge. I wanted blood.

It took a moment for me to collect myself, but I lifted my chin and made my way out of the room.

I nodded in greeting to each person I passed on my way to the infirmary, and they dipped into a bow or curtsey in return as I walked by. I could hear the shouting of multiple men over the sound of screaming, and I slowed.

Maybe now wasn't a good time...

But it was too late. As soon as I reached the doorway, I was spotted and several heads turned my way.

Heath was lying on the bed, being restrained by several men. The chains around his wrists and ankles hung free, no longer attached to the floor as he thrashed to get away from his pack mates. His face, neck, and chest were a dark burgundy as he screamed and roared in anger for freedom.

Blood bubbled between his lips and spilled over his chin.

My hand twitched at my side as I resisted covering my mouth in horror.

There was a darkness in the room that made the air feel thick and suffocating. It reminded me of the previous queen's room. The scent of death was hovering like a plague, ready to strike and take its victim.

I wanted to help. I moved forward only to stop as the screaming cut off. Heath’s head snapped up so that he was looking in my direction. Our eyes met, and a shiver ran down my spine.

"So the queen has come to grace me with her presence." He hissed, his voice sounding layered and higher pitched than what I had been expecting. Whenever Killian had spoken with his beast, it was deep and rumbled as if he was in a constant state of growling. But Heath's voice sounded light, airy, and melodic.

It sounded evil.

I swallowed hard, the lump in my dry throat barely moving as I did so.

"You were very brave today, Heath. I wanted to come to see how you were and extend my gratitude. Is there anything I can get you?" It was difficult not to fidget as his glossy eyes held mine. They swirled, the whites turning black as he let out a dark laugh.