Crowned And Cursed.

Take My Breath Away

Nathan’s POV

The moment I pressed my lips against hers, I knew I was lost. Everything around me faded, and it was just the two of us, tangled in that kiss by the lake. Her lips were soft, hesitant at first, but as she relaxed into the kiss, I felt her begin to melt into me.

Bella.

Her name echoed in my mind, over and over, like a melody I couldn’t escape. The softness of her lips against mine, the way her breath hitched when I pulled her closer

My wolf stirred inside, a low growl of approval rumbling through me.

“ Finally,” my wolf said, his voice gruff yet tinged with satisfaction. “She’s ours. Claim her. Why don’t you tell her?” My wolf’s voice growled in my head, irritated. “ She’s ours, Nathan. You’re wasting time.”

“Not yet,” I replied, pulling back slightly to catch my breath. I didn’t want to rush things. Bella was different, fragile in a way that made me want to protect her, even from myself.

“You’re too soft,” my wolf grumbled, “She’s meant to be ours, Nathan. Can’t you feel it?”

“Of course, I can feel it,” I thought back, a wave of possessiveness crashing over me. It wasn’t just the kiss that had me hooked , it was everything about her—the way she looked at me with those big, uncertain eyes, the way she fit so perfectly in my arms. But I needed to take things slow. Bella was still getting used to all of this, and the last thing I wanted was to scare her off.

The next two days passed in a blur, each moment with Bella only deepening the bond I felt growing between us. I caught myself watching her when she wasn’t looking, memorizing the way she moved, the way she smiled. But despite the moments we shared, I could tell she wasn’t fully there yet. There was no deep attachment, no love in her eyes when she looked at me. And it tore me apart inside.

“She’ll come around,” I insisted, “She just needs time.”

“ I hope you’re right.”

I thought back, feeling the gnawing anxiety in my chest. I knew she was meant to be mine, but did she?

When the call came from Lucian, asking us to collect on a debt from some small pack Alpha, I was more than ready to get out of the house and do something. Anything to distract myself from the confusion and doubt swirling around in my head. But Bella insisted on coming along, despite my protests.

“You’re staying here,” I told her, my voice firm.

“No, I’m not,” she shot back, crossing her arms. “I’m coming with you.”

I couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at my lips. She was so damn stubborn. “ it's not a request , Plus I'm not doing anything anyway,” she continued, her eyes challenging me.

“ She’s got fire,” my wolf said, pride evident in his voice. “ I like it.”

“I do too,” I thought, shaking my head in mock defeat. “Fine,” I said, “But stay close to me, okay?”

We piled into the black Porsche. I glanced over at her, noting how her eyes widened slightly at the sleek leather seats and the high-tech dashboard. There was something oddly satisfying about seeing her impressed.

The ride was relatively quiet, except for the constant bickering between Billy and Bobby.

“You know, Billy,” Bobby started, “You drive like an old lady. Slow and careful, like you’re afraid of scratching your precious car.”

Billy shot him a glare through the rearview mirror. “And you talk too much, Bobby. Maybe if you spent less time running your mouth and more time paying attention, you’d be half as decent behind the wheel as I am.”

I chuckled under my breath.

As time went on she got to know both Billy and Bobby.

“When I first joined the pack, I was a mess. Lost, angry… Nathan was the one who pulled me out of that. He gave me a second chance, treated me like a younger brother.”

I felt a pang in my chest at the sincerity in his words. I never asked for gratitude or recognition from the pack, but hearing that… it meant something.

“ You should tell her,” my wolf said suddenly, breaking the moment.

“ Tell her what?” I asked, though I already knew what he was getting at.

“That she’s ours. That you’re her mate. Stop hiding it.”

“Not yet,”.

Maybe it's a beta thing , if I was an Alpha I'm certain I would have told her the very first day.

I didn’t want to overwhelm her, didn’t want to push her away. What if she leaves or hates or rejects me upon finding out I couldn't transform. I didn't want any of that to happen.

When we arrived, I instructed Billy and Bobby to stay with Bella in the car while I went inside. The Alpha of the small pack was a pathetic excuse for a leader. He stammered out excuses, claiming he didn’t have the money, but one look at his lavish surroundings told me he was lying through his teeth.

“ Time to show him who’s boss,” my wolf growled, eager for a fight.

Just as we were about to leave, I heard Bella scream. My blood ran cold.

I spun around, seeing her held hostage by one of the Alpha’s men, a knife pressed against her throat. My vision went red, my wolf howling with rage.

“Kill him,” my wolf snarled, “He touched her. He diessssss he f*cking diessss!”

I didn’t hesitate. I lunged at the man, my claws extending as I slammed him against the wall. The knife clattered to the ground, and I ripped into him, my fury unleashed. He managed to land a cut on my arm, but the pain only fueled my anger. Within seconds, he was on the floor, bleeding and unconscious. I turned to Bella, my chest heaving, the primal need to protect her still surging through me.

“Are you okay?” I asked, my voice rough with concern.

She nodded, her eyes wide with shock. “Thank you,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. The look in her eyes—relief mixed with something else—made my heart clench. I wanted to reach out, to hold her, to tell her she was safe now.

But there wasn’t time for that. But what she did next shocked me , she ripped a piece of her clothing and wrapped it around the arm that had a cut in it. She cared, she actually cared about me, her little fingers touching my skin made the pain vanish for a second. I could only imagine what else her hands were capable of.

There was talk of a small gathering that night, and I could see the excitement in Bella’s eyes as Billy and Bobby’s mates helped her get ready. She looked stunning in that blue dress, her beauty taking my breath away.

But who would have thought that what would unfold that night would literally take my breath away.