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Cathy And The Beast CHAPTER ONE
“I cannot believe that you are doing this,” my best friend, Charlotte says as I fold a clean napkin and put it in my backpack. A half-assed smile that barely reaches my eyes is all I can give her in response then I turn away from her to pick up my water bottle. We are on opposite sides of the island in my kitchen, and the room is, unfortunately, not big enough to keep me far from all the judgment and worry radiating off Charlotte.“Cathy, honey, you cannot climb up that mountain,” she says with a dry chuckle. “It’s extremely dangerous.”For a few weeks now, I have been preparing to achieve a personal goal of climbing the semi-tall mountain in our town and reaching its peak, and my best friend could not be more livid about it. She tried to scold me into backing out, then she threatened to call my mom and I still did not budge. When I told her I’d taken the week off work to do this and to recuperate after, she must have sensed that I meant business and would not be talked out of it, esp
Last Updated : 2024-10-29Cathy And The Beast CHAPTER TWO
My eyes flutter open, one after the other, and they are immediately assaulted by the light coming from burning lamps in all corners of the room. Just then, I realize that I am on a very big square bed in a strange dark room so I jerk myself upward, dazed and confused. I look down at my naked body with apprehension. Fear over what might have happened to get me here grips me instantly so I pull the white bed sheet around myself.The room I am in is reminiscent of royal Victorian rooms in both size and aesthetic. It is large and its walls are designed like the set of a movie in which classical music plays constantly in the background. Directly in front of me is a painting of a large dining hall with food spread over the table but no human elements. To my left, there’s a shelf made of glass and wood that’s been painted a shade of brown so dark, it’s almost black. On top of that shelf is a strange variety of empty flower vases arranged in an equidistant manner from one another, and inside
Last Updated : 2024-10-29Cathy And The Beast CHAPTER THREE
A cool breeze blows into the room from the door behind the monster which he has left open since he walked in. The cold, soothing feel and the clean smell of the breeze tell me that it must be nighttime outside this hellscape. The breeze causes the flame on the lamp I’m holding to flicker and for a moment, I fear it might go off, but whatever oil is fueling the fire is strong enough to keep it burning and therefore powerful enough to allow me to maintain my stance.Several feet away from me, the monster’s eyebrows are furrowed to an extent I did not even know was possible. They form mirrored arches of horror over his eyes. His eyes are so red, they pop out of his head like laser beams and his flaring nostrils remind me of my evil boss, Mr. Park, whenever he is about to berate an employee. Beside him, his big hands are still and his fists are tightly clenched as though he is gathering momentum for a very impactful swing. From his reaction, I can see that the painting does mean a lot to
Last Updated : 2024-10-29Cathy And The Beast CHAPTER FOUR
I watch all three servants cautiously before I step off the bed. Even when my feet touch the floor, I still pause for several seconds before making any effort to move forward. None of the servants ask me to hurry but they also do not rush me. They just stare at me in silence as if to say I can take as long as I want because they know I have no choice but to still follow them wherever they are taking me.“Why can’t I just go to this feast as I am?” I ask.All three servants examine the makeshift attire I fabricated out of the bedsheet and I feel them judging me with their eyes. “This will not do for Master Alden,” Herb says.“Okay,” I say with a sigh as I finally begin to walk towards the door. So, this is my life now. Just a few hours ago I was safe in my own home. I was the one who called all the shots. I chose my clothes, chose my food and could go wherever I wanted. Now, I’m in the home of some monster called Alden and have only the extent of freedom available to a prisoner. Outsi
Last Updated : 2024-10-29Cathy And The Beast CHAPTER FIVE
The dining hall is similar to the one that was in the painting I threatened to torch, only slightly less wide. It is a long room with a very high ceiling and no pillars. The lighting in the room comes from numerous lamps that burn so bright everything in the large room is visible to you no matter where you are standing in it. Its high walls are adorned by paintings of all kinds similar in style and feel to the aforementioned one but of vastly different subject matters. There’s one of a war ship and another of a garrison. There is a large portrait of a pale woman staring judgingly at me and another of a really cute baby right next to it. Then there’s the paintings of beasts, some I recognize, some far beyond my imagination. Beasts with yellow eyes, four horns, tails lined with spikes, chests covered in fur, nipples red as a blood moon and tongues longer than their hands that split into two. It is all so gory but also so beautiful.In the center of the room is a large long table. It is
Last Updated : 2024-10-29Cathy And The Beast CHAPTER SIX
I drop my cutlery for a moment so that I can look directly at him when I speak my mind. His eyes are the lightest orange I have seen them be so far. It is as though a layer of glass or coating of clear acrylic has been put over them to make them appear more welcoming and more hopeful. “I did not come to you. I was hiking up the mountain and you tricked me with a cat. I came to a clearing and when I saw you, I lost consciousness.”The right corner of his lips tilts up slightly in a partial smile. “That clearing is my door. You knocked.”“If I knocked then I should be allowed to leave without hassle, should I not?” I ask. With the way the corner of his lips rises a little higher, I see that he is truly amused by what I just said. Clearly, my words are getting to him and I must be making an impression. That thought makes me a little happy.“You are my prisoner,” he says finally. “I will tell you when I want you to leave.”I don’t respond to that. Perhaps because of the manner in which he
Last Updated : 2024-10-29Cathy And The Beast CHAPTER SEVEN
I don’t know exactly when I fell asleep, most likely sometime in the middle of all my crying, but when a loud clanging stirs me awake, I feel slightly well-rested. However, when I raise my body off the hard floor and sit up, I am sore at every single joint and on every single muscle. In that moment, the events that led me to where I am now come rushing back to me and my heart sinks once again. I did not gain my freedom after Alden’s feast like he had promised me. I am still a prisoner and unfortunately, I have been put in worse conditions. While I had been placed in a room before, now, I am in a dungeon which looks like something out of a horror movie. And just hours ago, I had woken up on a soft bed with sheets and fluffy pillows, I now have to place my head on stone and bruise my body against these floors. A lone tear falls from my eyes.Knox, Herb and Teon appear in front of the bars of the cell where I am being kept. I can barely make out their expressions in the darkness but I ho
Last Updated : 2024-10-29Cathy And The Beast CHAPTER EIGHT
“Come over here and sit,” he says. I cannot say that his voice does not do something to me still.I clear my throat. “I would rather stand here, thank you very much,” I say.“I will not speak to you from across the room, Cathy,” he says.Maybe it is because he says my name which is in itself a rare feat or the unusually milder tone with which his words come out of his mouth but I immediately lift my head and look in his direction properly. There is something about him today that is not as menacing as the monster who threw me in the dungeon violently. He is like the one I met in the dining hall before I asked him about Celia. He seems a little more relaxed and less prone to anger. Still, it was the same him who switched up on me suddenly and did all that he did; rescind on his promise to give me my freedom and threw me in a prison from the dark ages, so, I know to tread carefully around him. I walk slowly towards the seat on the opposite side of his desk with my eyes darting across the
Last Updated : 2024-10-29
Latest chapter
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
