The beast and the blessed novel by Ashley Breanne novel Chapter 63

Sixty-Three: Natalie

Natalie's P.O.V.

The dining room was swarming with people, even though the sun had just barely started to hit the tree tops. It seemed everyone wanted to see me or talk to me.

It made me really uncomfortable, but it was something I would have to get used to. Every bite I took made me feel judged as I would meet another stranger’s stare.

I felt like a zoo animal.

Killian was settling a few things before we could leave, and I had figured eating here would be better than eating alone in the private dining room.

I was wrong.

Eating in front of everyone was like putting myself in a window display and praying to the Goddess that no one would stop to look.

They all did, and my stomach turned as it fought to keep the food down in my state of high anxiety.

’Your majesty," A deep and familiar voice called out from my side, and I turned to see Damien. Relief filled me, and I quickly swallowed my bite and gestured for him to join me, aware of the eyes and whispers on me and the bear-shifter.

’Damien! I am so glad that you chose to stay here! How are you?" I asked as he took the chair to my left, leaving the seat to my right open for my mate, should he join us.

"It is satisfactory." He said respectfully. But I could see the disgust in how his top lip curled up slightly, and I bit back a laugh.

For a man who had just been sleeping in the forest, a beautiful castle should have been an exciting experience. Instead, he looked like it was an inconvenience, and I knew he wanted to go back to sleeping in nature.

He glanced from me to my food pointedly. It was something I hadn't realized he was doing until Killian had hinted at the difference in treatment from Damien toward my mate and me.

I took a bite, watching as he then dug into his food. "Why do you do that?"

He silently raised an eyebrow at me, his mouth full of food as he waited for me to expand on my question.

"You did it the other night as well. You waited for me to eat before you would touch your food, but you didn't wait for Killian. Why is that?" I placed my fork down on my plate and narrowed my eyes at him when I saw his hand start to move as if he were about to put his down as well.

"You are the queen." He said simply. But I shook my head as he smirked with amusement. "You are not?"

"I am, but he is the sovereign. He is the one you should have been following." I felt someone walk up, and I turned and smiled as Charlie placed a friendly hand on my shoulder in greeting.

"In title, yes. But there is something about you that makes my beast feel compelled to submit. He is our king, but your aura is stronger. For you wolves, I would assume it would be similar to an Alpha's command, only you do it without realizing." Damien explained, and I let my eyes drop to the table as I tried to understand, i

Only, I couldn't. Why would he feel compelled to submit to me and not to Killian?