My eyes burning with unshed tears, I finally admit, “I miss him.”
“The Beast?” my father asks in a cautious voice.
“Pierre.” I touch the rose again. “His name is Pierre, and he’s… Papa, he’s not what you think. He’s a beast, yes, but under all that, he’s kind. So kind… He gave me a library. He made me laugh. He…” My voice breaks. “He let me go even though I could see it was killing him. Because he knew you needed me.”
Papa is quiet for a long moment. Then he asks softly, “Do you love him?”
“Yes,” I whisper back. “I do.”
“Does he love you?”
I think about Pierre. About the way he holds me like I’m precious. How he watched me explore the library with a soft expression on his monster face. About his booming laughter, his possessiveness and how he makes me feel seen in a way no one else ever has. And all the memories I’m pushing away in the presence of my father…
I feel the bond between us pulling at my chest, desperate to bring me back to him.
“He does, Papa. He really does.”
“Then you should go back.”
“I can’t just leave…”
“Belle.” His voice is firm now. “I’m your father. My job is to make sure you’re safe and happy. And right now, you’re neither of those.”
“I’m safe here…”
He shakes his head. “You’re wasting away, my sweet girl.”
“But you…”
“I have two other children who can take care of me. They’re lazy, but they’re learning. I’ll be fine.” He stands, pulling me up with him.
Our bond flares up again, sharp and painful, and I gasp. Papa’s right. Something is wrong. I can feel it. But I can’t just leave, right?
I look at my father. He’s already stronger than when I arrived, with more color in his cheeks, standing straighter.
Then I look at the rose. Another petal has faded while we’ve been talking.
“Tomorrow,” I hear myself say. “I’ll go tomorrow morning. After I make sure Margot and Claude know what to do…”
“Belle.” Papa’s voice is gentle but urgent.
“First thing in the morning, Papa.”
He looks like he wants to argue, but finally nods. “First thing. Don’t let anything stop you.”
I won’t, I want to say. But the words stick in my throat. Because what if I’m too late?
I lay back in bed, still holding my rose, staring at the ceiling. The bond in my chest aching.
“I’m coming back, baby,” I whisper into the darkness, hoping he can hear me. “I promise, Pierre. Just hold on. Please hold on for me. For us.”
Seven
Beast
I stand at the gates long after Belle’s disappeared into the forest, long after the sound of hoofbeats has faded, long after any sane person would have gone back inside. But I’m not sane. I’m a Beast who just let his mate walk away.
“Sire?” Gideon’s voice comes from behind me. “Perhaps you should come inside.”
