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CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR
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Cathy And The Beast CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE
I gasp for air, my chest heaving with the laborious effort of drawing breath. Hot air leaves my mouth as a loud whistle and my vision blurs until the monster is only a shadowy figure in front of me. A spark of rage ignites in my chest and I point right at him with a fiery accusation. He takes multiple steps back, confusion evident in his expression, but I barely notice it lost as I am in the throes of a full-blown panic attack.“You need to try to calm her down, she doesn't seem rational ,” he says to the three miniature monsters and closes the door behind him with a dull thud as he leaves the room. I want to run after him and demand to know why he is keeping me here, but I can't seem to move. My body is aching and I feel so exhausted all of a sudden.Herb cautiously approaches me, fear and caution warring in his eyes as he takes slow steps towards me. It's as if time has stopped and I have no will left to resist; I watch silently as Herb, one of the miniature monsters, reaches out a
Cathy And The Beast CHAPTER TWENTY SIX
My heart nearly stops beating as Alden speaks to me. A chill of terror runs through my veins. I am a fortress of unanswered questions. What does he mean I am his? What does he mean he is going to make me remember all that we shared? And what does he mean he won’t let me leave?A deranged laughter bubbles up my throat as I challenge him. “You cannot be serious, right?” I hope to keep an air of amusement so that maybe, just maybe he will let me leave unharmed. But no, this man is not joking.He stands twice my size and with one grip, he can break me into pieces, but deep down I have a feeling that he won't hurt me. This thought is ridiculous, because he is a monster, but despite that obvious fact, I am certain that I am not in danger when he is around. There’s no way I can outfight him and win so all I have are my wits and persuasiveness. “Tell me this is all a joke,” I beg, knowing that it's futile.“Do I look, to you, like a person who is likely to entertain the idea of joke?” he says
Cathy And The Beast CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN
We reach the pool and I don't even bother to check if it's safe to swim-all I see is the clean, bubbling water before me, beckoning me in. Without thought or hesitation, I begin to undress myself before the startled servants. My movements are almost automatic as if my muscles are acting of their own accord. When I'm completely naked, I step forward and dip a toe into the water--a test of assurance that soon becomes a full-body plunge into the depths.A shiver runs down my spine as Alden's commanding voice echoes through the garden. "Leave us," he says. I jerk my head in his direction, and see him lounging like a lion on a bench, a tree to his right. I feel exposed, so I hug my arms across my chest tightly.As commanded, the servants slowly retreat from the garden, leaving us alone. I remain rooted to the same spot – perched with my arms across my chest, foot still half submerged in the pool–as Alden watches me from his perch like he holds dominion over all of creation. He is a beast b
Cathy And The Beast CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT
When I query Herb about Alden's whereabouts, his vague answer sends a shiver of dread down my spine. I haven't laid eyes on Alden since he submerged me in the pool and although it has been only a few hours, it feels like days have gone by. His parting words reverberate in my mind and I've been having strange visions since then, making it impossible to stop thinking about him. He is a monster, but I desire him. We have this unexplained connection that brings us to each other, the link that I can't really explain.From the garden, Alden let me find my way back to the room without calling for assistance. “You wouldn’t leave me,” he said with an eerie conviction that left me captivated and uncomfortable at the same time. As I made my way to the room, my legs felt heavy as if some invisible force was trying to hold me back from fleeing.I can feel the walls of this room press down upon me as if they are closing in around me. It's almost as if a familiar comfort is trying to surround me and
Cathy And The Beast CHAPTER TWENTY NINE
“How on Earth did I end up here?” I inch closer to him, feeling the distance between us shrink. “I remember leaving my home in search of the mysterious creature that lived atop the mountain, and I remember running up the path. But nothing beyond that is clear.”“Well,” Alden declared, striding towards me. I could feel my legs quivering beneath me. “It was purely by chance that you stumbled upon this castle and I admitted you in. We felt an instant connection and eventually it became undeniable. We couldn't resist any longer and we made love multiple times.”A lump forms in my throat and I shift awkwardly on my feet. Alden must see how much his words affect me because he has a wicked smile on his face and just continues looking at me as though he wants me to try to speak. I refuse to give him the satisfaction of seeing me squirm, so I suppress the lump in my throat and stand up straight. "Go on," I say with a forced level of confidence.“After a while, you expressed an intention to go
Cathy And The Beast CHAPTER THIRTY
“Unexpected quest?” I press. Alden ignores me, running around the room in a frantic flurry, gathering books, reinforcing locks and looking really disturbed. “Alden! Talk to me!” I grab his attention, and he stops in his tracks, facing me with a face contorted with worry.I expect him to say something and explain the situation, yet he changes his mind and calls out for Herb instead. “No! Please don't leave me here alone. I don't want to be stuck in my room again,” I plead, but my desperate plea goes unheard. Herb saunters into the room and narrows his eyes at the glowing orb. His face reveals that he needs no explanation for what is about to happen next.“Please accompany Cathy to her room and make sure she stays there,” Alden says.“Am I a prisoner here?” I hiss through clenched teeth, my fury bubbling like a boiling cauldron. He cannot be serious and I am not planning to move, so I fold my arms over my chest and continue to stare at him.“It is for your own safety, you have to trust
Cathy And The Beast CHAPTER THIRTY ONE
Fully awake, I realize that I have been dreaming and the loud noise is actually the creaks that fill the air as the door swings wide open. I stumble backward on the bed and am faced with the sight of Knox standing in the doorway with a smug smirk playing on his lips. In his hands are folded articles of clothing and all around him is peaceful normalcy.“What is it?” I gasp as I get back to my feet, staring at Knox. He shouldn't have left me alone in here.“Master Alden wants you to have dinner with him and his guests,” Knox answers casually before placing the clothes on the bed. His voice carries a sinister undercurrent that sends a chill down my spine.“Guests?” I ask, my fear making my voice a shrill screech. “Who are these guests?”Knox takes a long pause before answering. “I believe Master Alden would rather do the introductions himself,” he says at last, his gaze burning into me as he turns away to leave.“Wait!” I say sharply, desperation lacing my words and Knox stops and slowly
Cathy And The Beast CHAPTER THIRTY TWO
I step into the silence that engulfs the dining hall, like a raging fire had been extinguished and only smoldering ashes remain. As I stand in the doorway, I shift from one foot to the other, my eyes wide, taking in the scene before me. Anxiety swells in my chest until I finally feel locked onto a figure across the room – it’s Alden. His presence is like a beacon, and I can feel his intensity from where I stand. I don't even know why I am suddenly so nervous. This is just dinner and I don't even know anyone here. I also don't need to prove anything to anyone.The entire table seems to be sizing me up, as if waiting for something to happen. I have never felt so intimidated in my life. Alden sits at the head of the table with a calm exterior. But beneath his mask is a menacing presence, and he stares at me with warmth and desire. I am not wrong, I can see it in his eyes. To his left is an almost identical man, sharing the same horned species but with hair of platinum blonde and a wicked
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Cathy And The Beast EPILOGUE
Eleanor's POVEleanor stood at the edge of the path leading to her childhood home. The house looked exactly as she remembered it. It was as if time had stood still here, but Eleanor knew that everything had changed, especially her.She took a deep breath, her heart pounding heavily in her chest, each step forward feeling heavier than the last. As she approached the house, all the memories came flooding back. All those moments seemed distant now, like they belonged to another life.Eleanor hesitated at the foot of the steps leading up to the front door. Her hand trembled as she reached out. It felt surreal, standing here after everything she had been through. Would they recognize her? Would they believe the story she had to tell? She wondered if they had moved on, if they had accepted her disappearance, or if they had kept hoping for her return.She now regretted turning down Charlotte's offer to come with her, her presence would have helped her nerves. She shook her head, trying to d
Cathy And The Beast CHAPTER NINETY ONE
Alden held me close as we made our way inside the castle. The walls of the castle seemed to close in around us as we rushed through the corridors, each step a struggle as I fought to keep myself together.“Just a little further,” Alden whispered, his voice steady despite the fear in his eyes. “We’re almost there.”Teon and Herb flanked us, their faces etched with concern as they helped guide me down the hall. Eleanor and Charlotte followed closely behind, whispering words of encouragement.We reached the small room just off the main hall, where a large bed had been hastily prepared. I barely registered the soft sheets and the warmth of the fire as Alden helped me onto the bed, his hands never leaving mine. The room was filled with the scent of herbs and flowers.Khimaira bustled in closely behind, her demeanor calm and composed. She took one look at me and nodded, as if she’d seen this a thousand times before. “Let’s get you comfortable,” she said gently, her hands working quickly.Th
Cathy And The Beast CHAPTER NINETY
I stood at that altar, lost in Alden's eyes. The world faded away and the only thing I felt was the warmth of his hand on my cheek. But then, a mocking cough from somewhere around us pulled us back to reality. We turned our heads slightly to see Lorin standing a few feet away, a hint of amusement in his eyes. Alden, ignoring my protests, had decided that he would officiate the wedding. “Shall we begin?” Lorin asked, his voice steady, as he proceeded to stand between us. This was really happening. I took a deep breath, calming my nerves. Alden's hand dropped from my cheeks, but he didn't move away. Instead, he took my hand in his, his touch reassuring. It was as though he knew exactly how I felt and I was grateful for that. The garden was silent and it felt like the only sound I could hear was my heart pounding rapidly in my chest. As Lorin began to speak, his voice carried a solemnity that settled over us all. “This union is more than a marriage,” Lorin began, his words measured.
Cathy And The Beast CHAPTER EIGHTY NINE
The sun rays filtered in through the large window, casting a soft glow over the room. Charlotte and Eleanor flanked my sides, adjusting and readjusting different parts of my dress. We were gathered in front of a large mirror in the largest room in Alden's castle. I could hardly believe this day had come- my wedding day. It had been three months since the chaos with Lachlan and Lena. Three months since we returned home and had settled into a peaceful routine. But even with the calm, I still found it hard not to look over my shoulders. The weight of the past months still clung heavily to me. “I can't believe it's really happening,” I say gently, almost to myself. “I'm getting married in a few hours.”Charlotte, who had been focused on arranging my hair in the right bun, paused and smiled at me gently. “Neither can I,” she admitted, her voice soft but steady. “It all still feels like a really long dream.”We both turned our attention to Eleanor, who was fussing with the lace of my gown
Cathy And The Beast CHAPTER EIGHTY EIGHT
Cathy's POV Lachlan's fortress was a hive of activity as we prepared to leave. The halls which were once cold and silent, buzzed with the clatter and murmur of voices. It felt strange indeed. Alden had wanted some time for me to recover fully before we left. His arm was wrapped firmly around me, supporting me as we walked through the halls. This place had been home to me for weeks now, but I had never freely walked these halls. We were waiting for the final preparations before leaving, and in the meantime, Alden had called for a meeting with Lorin. We were the last to arrive, as Karken, Eleanor and Charlotte sat around a large polished table in the hall. Lorin, dressed in black robes, stood afar off. The air was thick with tension and I could sense that the moment was heavy with unspoken weight. “Lorin,” Alden began, his face set determinedly. “I believe you have honored our agreement.”Lorin inclined his head in agreement, stepping out of the shadows. “Indeed,” He took another wa
Cathy And The Beast CHAPTER EIGHTY SEVEN
Lorin's departure left a heavy silence in the air. There was a wave of unanswered questions running through my mind and I could not shake my feeling of unease. I was happy to be conscious and reunited with the ones I loved dearly. However, given the events of the last couple weeks, I couldn't be comfortable in my happiness. Paranoia. That was the word. I was expecting something ominous to happen, some bad news or enemy to pop up out of nowhere. Alden returned to my side, his face etched with a mixture of relief and something else i couldn't quite decipher. He took my hand in his once again and I felt a tremor run through me. His presence beside me was a reassuring comfort. Perhaps I was overthinking. Perhaps all I needed was just answers. Maybe, just maybe, our happily ever after had come. “What happened?” I rasped, looking intently at him. “How are you here? Where's Lachlan?” I did not mean for the questions to tumble out in a rush, but I was overwhelmed. Alden squeezed my hand, h
Cathy And The Beast CHAPTER EIGHTY SIX
Cathy's POVI hear chaos in my surroundings from my unconscious state. The clatter pulling me back to reality from a dream I was having about me and Alden and our baby. It was a girl. A beautiful chubby little girl running around the garden to our delight. It was a dream I did not want to wake up from. There was a sudden burst of white light and I could feel warmth radiating through my body. The garden and Alden and the child had all vanished and I was left standing alone surrounded by nothing. I stood confused in this state for a moment before hearing a faint voice calling my name. The voice was unmistakably Charlotte's. My eyelids flutter open, the harsh light of the room making me squint. My head throbbed with a dull ache. I try to adjust my vision to my surroundings, the events of my last moments before passing out come flooding back. Panic claw at me as I remember our failed escape attempt. Eleanor. What had happened to her?As my vision unblurs itself fully, I am in utter shoc
Cathy And The Beast CHAPTER EIGHTY FIVE
The journey north was long and filled with tension. Every rustle of the leaves sent a jolt of panic through Alden, reminding him that they could all be walking into a trap. But he pushed on, fueled by the need to reach Cathy. Finally, they reached the northern fortress. The sun was setting, its rays casting long skeletal shadows on the fortress gates. There was an unsettling quiet in the air as they trooped in through the gates. There were no guards patrolling the gates. It was as though they had heard of Lachlan's defeat and had deserted the fortress. Lorin, seemingly unfazed by the atmosphere, led them through the fortress gates and into the castle. No one spoke, the only sound was the echo of their footsteps on the cold stone floor. It was clear that they were all feeling the weight of the tension that hung heavy in the air. They finally reached a large chamber at the end of a long passageway. Lorin pushed the heavy door of the chamber, letting them all in. The air inside was
Cathy And The Beast CHAPTER EIGHTY FOUR
Alden stared at Lorin, his mind reeling. The sorcerer's words had caused a heavy silence to hang in the air. His actions were no doubt justifiable but they had only his word to support his claims. “Enough about ancient grudges, Beast King,” Lorin rasped, regaining his composure. “I believe you have more pressing concerns.” He added, staring intently at Alden, his yellow eyes gleaming in the torchlit meeting hall. “The whereabouts of your queen, no doubt?”Alden's ears perked up as he shifted in his seat. His gaze flickered to Charlotte, whose knuckles had turned white as she firmly gripped her seat.“She lives,” Lorin said, his voice taking on a strange sympathy. “For now.”Charlotte gasped, her grip tightening on the chair. The words “for now” dripped with an ominous weight. “What do you mean ‘for now?” She demanded, her eyes widening. Lorin finally shifted his gaze from Alden to her, a flicker of something akin to pity crossing his face. “Her life is…in grave danger.” He said slow
