I chuckle and tune out my ridiculous staff. They’ve been stuck with me in this damn curse, through no fault of their own, so I understand their excitement. I know how hard our time locked in this palace, in their object forms, has been. And I pray my mate choosing me will be the end of it.
I focus on Belle’s breathing. It’s deep and steady.
Her scent smells different now. It’s no longer the overwhelming sweetness of her heat, but something richer,warmer. Maybe even more intoxicating. Because now her sweet vanilla bean aroma is mixed with mine. It has an unmistakable deep, wild undertone.
“She’s good for you,” Rosalie says quietly. “Never saw you like this. Even before.”
I grunt, then look down at the perfect creature who walked into my castle and turned my entire world upside down.
“Sire,” Louise starts again, more carefully this time. “What happens when she wakes up? When the heat clears and she’s thinking rationally again?”
Silence falls over the room. The servants exchange glances.
Finally, Rosalie adds, “We just want you to be prepared in case…”
My heart squeezes with a pain so sharp it cuts my breath, but then Belle stirs, making a small sound, and I instantly relax as she settles back into sleep.
“Someone’s whipped,” Gideon mutters.
“Someone’s about to be a wall decoration in the dungeon,” I growl at him.
“But we don’t have a dungeon, my lord.”
“I’ll make one just for you, Captain.”
“Kinky.”
Before I can respond, Belle shifts again. This time her eyes flutter open, at first unfocused and sleepy. Fucking adorable. And still utterly fuckable…
“Pierre?” Her voice is raspy from screaming and still laced with sleep.
“I’m right here, my little omega.” I brush a curl away from her face. “How are you feeling?”
“Like I was fucked by a Beast for days,” she says through a hoarse chuckle.
From across the room, I hear Gideon mutter, “Because you were.”
Belle’s still too out of it to pay attention to the talking sword. She just burrows closer into me, her hand sliding up to my chest, fingers threading through my fur.
“Thirsty,” she mumbles. “And hungry. And sore. And…”
“And?” I prompt when she trails off.
“Horny.”
Every servant in the room groans.
“How,” Felix demands. “HOW are you still horny? The heat broke! Science says…”
“Science doesn’t account for true mates,” Rosalie interrupts. “Their bond amplifies everything.”
“Oh great,” Louise mutters. “Wonderful. Should I start brewing more tonics now?”
Belle’s eyes are fully open now; she’s staring up at me with that heated look I know very well by now.
“Hi,” she croaks.
“Hi yourself,” I rumble back.
