Its beauty was like a balm to my aching soul that quickly lulled me into a nap.
I would have stayed there all day, but I was feeling the pangs of missing a mid-lunch, and my butt was numb from the frozen rock I was perched on. The shadows around me lengthened from the short April days, telling me it was past dinner time. Looking at the wet beast sprawled contently at my feet, I wondered why I couldn’t feel his overwhelming hunger since we’d arrived at his house. Earlier I’d chalked it up to the steaks in the freezer, but he’d been with me all afternoon, and hadn’t eaten anything. Maybe he’d slunk off to hunt while I napped? But then, he couldn’t have gone far to hunt because of the bond. I couldn’t help a shiver of repulsion as I pictured Beast ripping into a helpless rabbit darting around trees. I guess there was no helping it. He had to eat, and as long as I didn’t have to see it or feed it to him, then I could handle that little fact of his dual life.
It was dark by the time we made it home. I went upstairs to shower before scrounging for something to eat.
While the hot water beat upon me, shots of searing pain ripped through my abdomen. I gasped. My hands braced the wet shower tiles to keep from falling as Beast changed. My bones turned into lava, bleeding through me. I doubled over, gritting my teeth, and sank to the floor. The seconds pounded through me like hours, but, slowly, it faded and I could stand again. I whimpered in self-pity. After the torturous moment passed, the hot water thrummed some of the ache away. At least I wasn’t close enough to hear it, too. The pain was bad enough without sound effects.
Then a thought clicked into place. Why hadn’t I noticed it until now? The bond hadn’t been growing stronger, the pain was different when he changed from the different shapes he took. I barely even felt him changing from human to wolf. It was like that was the natural way of things, like popping a bone back into its natural form. But when he changed from wolf to man, it was like he was going against the natural law, forcibly bending into an unnatural shape. I shook the water from my eyes, still trying to grasp the logic swirling through my mind. Trying to make sense of the supernatural gave me a headache.
Finally, I dried off and donned a gray cotton shirt and charcoal athletic pants. Descending the stairs, I wondered what kind of cereal I wanted for dinner. It wouldn’t be long before I began loathing the alphabetized rows and begged Beast for some real food.
CHAPTER 27—Unexpected Chef
When I stepped off the last stair, the sound of banging pots and pans was the last thing I expected to hear. Striding down the hallway, I opened the kitchen door. Beast’s hairy face turned to me, and I giggled behind my hand at the full view of my unexpected chef in a white apron.
His face shifted into a mock affront. “Laughing at the cook will get you sour food.”
Whatever he was cooking it smelled wonderful. Stifling my giggle, I ask, “Where did you learn to cook?”
“Mammy Hattie always said, ‘work’n makes food taste betta.’ And then she would place a carrot in front of me to chop.” He chuckled, placing two washed potatoes and a cutting board on the island before me. I was so wrapped up in his southern drawl that I guess I missed his hint dropping.
“You want your food to taste good don’t you?”
I looked curiously up at him. His lips curved in a smile, and he cocked a bushy eyebrow. I laughed.
“Yeah,” I said smiling, and he turned to finish cooking the pasta.
His fresh basil pasta smelled absolutely mouth-watering, and my taste buds sang excitedly, until Beast pulled grilled chicken from the oven and piled it on top. My stomach scraped the floor.
Great.
What was it with men and meat? First Kyle and the veal. Now, this? Didn’t he eat enough meat as a wolf?
“Grab a plate,” Beast instructed with a grin.
He was obviously proud of his pasta. How could I tell him I didn’t eat anything that used to breathe? Especially when sushi and steak tartar were his main dietary plan? My eyes flicked to the cereal cupboard nervously. If I insulted him, it would be sugary puffs three times a day. How long could I survive on that when Beast was willing to cook four star meals?
I slipped a plate from the pile. Beast pilled it high, and I couldn’t keep the look of disgust from my face.
His hand froze, midair, with another scoop of pasta on the spatula. “You…don’t like it?”
I could hear the hurt in his voice. “I,” I started to tell him the truth only to change course. I made myself smile, breathing shallowly so I didn’t to smell the chicken. “It smells great.”
He stared at me, his eyebrow raised. “And I’m supposed to believe that lie? Remember, I can feel what you do.”
My fake smile fell, and I saw no way out of telling the truth. “I’m a vegetarian.”
I flinched away, waiting for his outburst of anger, but I got a soft chuckle instead. I gazed at him, questioningly. If it had been Kyle, I was sure he’d have been irritated and lectured me on how stupid it was not to eat meat.
Beast laughed heartily and plopped the spatula back into the pot. “No wonder you’re a twig.”
My hackles rose. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“You need more protein.” He dished himself a heap of pasta on his plate. I relaxed. He really wasn’t making fun of me? I breathed in relief. Chel had versed me well on how to answer the protein question. I launched into my ten-minute memorized lecture on the pros of a meatless diet and that yes, we do get plenty of plant-based protein, vegetarians’ effects on the environment, and cruelty to animals.
“I have this great documentary we should rent sometime…” he placed a hairy hand on my shoulder, effectively silencing me.
His touch was warm, and my shoulder tingled up to my cheek. I blushed, embarrassed by my monologue. We should rent a documentary sometime? Yeah right.
“I honor your integrity, Tayla.” His voice startled me out of my somber thoughts. “You don’t have to eat any meat while you’re here with me. If you’d told me earlier, I’d have made your portion meatless.”
Mine, but not his. I did not answer, just nodded my appreciation. For a moment, I’d been excited to introduce another person to the vegetarian lifestyle. But, then, what was I thinking? I blushed. He was not a person. He was a meat-eating werewolf. And I’d just lectured him on cruelty to animals. Great.
Sitting at the long, oak table, I looked at Beast as I plucked the chicken out of my pasta. “Did you grow up in the south?” I asked, trying to change the awkward silence.
“Savannah, Georgia. My family still owns a large plantation down there.”
I was intrigued when he mentioned his family, but because of the way his voice hardened at the mention of his family I decided to save those questions for later. “So that’s where all the southern manners come from,” I teased.
His expression changed, and he looked sincerely offended. “Is it so hard to believe there are decent men in the world who know how to treat a lady?”
“Oh,” I raised an unconvinced eyebrow. “Is that what you were doing when you suggested we share a bed?”
“Every once in a while, even gentlemen test the boundaries,” he said with a mischievous grin.
Butterflies fluttered warmly in my abdomen. I’d moved the conversation from awkward to uncomfortable, and I stumbled for a way to redirect it one more time.
“Don’t you miss it?” I asked.
He raised his eyebrow.
“Being so far from home,” I clarified. “Didn’t you want to stay?”
He looked startled. “I thought the reason was obvious.” His voice was humorless with an underlying tone of torment. A heavy silence filled the dining room. Of course he was far from home. He’d been too busy changing into a wolf and stealing girls. I picked at my nails under the table until even that didn’t calm my unease.
“Thanks for the pasta.” I carried my dish to the sink. Suddenly, Beast was there. He reached around me, his hand brushing mine as he took my dish.
“I’ll do
that.” His warm breath tickled my ear, and my stomach flip-flopped at his closeness.
It took effort to speak. “But you cooked. The least I could do is—”
“Go relax. It’s been a stressful couple of days.” He gently nudged my body with his as he took my spot in front of the sink. The contact weakened my knees. Maybe it was a good idea to go, before his closeness overwhelmed me into doing something embarrassing.
“Are you sure?” I wasn’t used to this pampered treatment. He excused me with a slight wave as he focused on pot scrubbing.
Sitting in the warm glow of the library’s hearth fire, I pulled out my mother’s book and flipped to my bookmark. Time lapsed quickly, and my eyelids drooped. Music trickled through my dreams, pulling me back to the present.
I entered the grand room before I realized what I was hearing. Music swelled in the air, thick and full. Beast was playing the piano. His back was to me as his hands floated over the keys like they were natural extensions of his fingers. It was a mournful tune with exquisite vibrations of beauty. I wanted to wrap into its embrace and weep as the music threaded around me, compelling me closer. I had no will to deny its call.
It was Beethoven’s “Moonlight Sonata.” One of my favorites.
Beast was so engrossed in the music that he didn’t acknowledge my presence, which was how I preferred it. All I wanted was to let the music wash over me, soothing my soul. Finally, the last note floated in the air. Instantly, I wished he’d start over again, but he spoke instead, breaking the trance.
“You need to know the rules,” he said firmly.
My mood instantly turned sour. “Great. More rules. As if the whole I’m-bound-to-you issue isn’t restrictive enough,” I grumbled.
He turned toward me on the bench. “This is important. You are never to leave the house at night. During the daylight you can explore outside all you want as long as I’m there.”
I snorted, “That won’t be hard since I’m chained to you anyway.”
He ignored me and wiped a fine layer of dust from the glossy piano. “Also, you are not to enter my private quarters.” He pointed to the door I’d tried to enter earlier. “The rest of the house is yours to explore.”
Did he think I was some pet he could command?
“Anything else?” I snapped, wanting badly to throw my book at him.
“No.”
“Good, because there’s a Blu-ray with my name on it,” I snapped, gritting my teeth.
“Sleep well, Tayla,” he said softly.
I left him at the piano and irritably climbed the stairs. This fancy lodge was nothing more than an elegant prison, and I was stuck with Beast as a sole companion. At least I had Liam Hemsworth waiting upstairs in high definition.
Beast resumed his concert on the baby grand below as I bounded two steps at a time up the stairs, to maintain my rational thinking and escape the music’s magical draw. I needed the comfort of being angry with him. It was easier than making sense of the other emotions swirling through my head. Slamming my door, I popped The Last Song into the Blu-ray player and happily curled up in the feather comforter on my bed. It was a tearjerker, but a chick flick was just what I needed.
As the ending credits rolled, my gaze drifted over to the window and the silvery pine trees beyond. The moon hung brightly in the starry night sky. I had lost track of the days. The full moon was only two nights away. How had I let something like that escape my notice? Beast had been vague but serious when he spoke of the full moon. There was something important to it, but what? He turned wolf every day, so what did that leave the full moon for? Would he become a ravaging monster like so many legends portrayed? Trepidation shot through my system like adrenaline, pushing sleep far from me. I ended up watching two more movies before my eyelids finally closed.
CHAPTER 28—Apologies
Saturday, April 7
I stayed in my room, still mad at Beast—mad at life. The curse stripped me of my freedom and now Beast was adding more rules. I couldn’t stand the thought of seeing him, even in wolf form. Around two in the afternoon, whines traveled up the stairs from Beast. I glowered at the door and stomped over to the TV. Turning up the volume on another movie, I drowned out the incessant whines that were making my stomach flop with guilt. He sounded so sad, but I wasn’t ready to make-up.
Night came and the pains of his transformation screamed through my body. You’d think I’d get used to it by now, but it wasn’t something that dulled with every exposure. Curled on my bed, I let the residuals of his change float from me. I stared at the ceiling, hating the bond and this stupid curse. The prospect of being tortured every night for the rest of my life sucked. Minutes turned to hours, and finally, I knew I had to move my stiff body. Gingerly, I straightened my legs and stretched. But the tight gnaw in my gut wouldn’t leave and only intensified from the heady aroma snaking up the stairs. I cracked the door and sniffed. I wasn’t a culinary expert who could dissect a scent or a new dish and tell you all the ingredients, but one thing I did know is the air wasn’t tainted with cooked meat.
My mouth watered, and I listened for any signs of Beast. When none came, I ventured out of my room, tip-toeing to the kitchen. My hand inched the swinging door open. The room was empty. Still no sign of Beast. I pushed through the door and found a delectable array of garlic roasted veggies sprinkled with rosemary over a heap of jasmine rice.
I sniffed the air again and looked at the dishes. He hadn’t even cooked meat. The gesture was sweet, and warm fuzzies attacked my chest like a battle between pollinating cotton trees. I sat at the feast and filled up on the caramelized vegetables. I reached for the cup of juice, knocking my plate. That is when I noticed a folded piece of cardstock sticking out from under my plate. Intrigued, I pulled it out. My name graced the top in beautiful calligraphy. I traced the letters. It had the inkwell and quill look. I was impressed.
Opening the card, I was greeted with the same elegant scrawl:
Dear Tayla,
Forgive my harshness last night. The rules are still absolutely necessary, but I should’ve handled it better. You’ve had a lot to process, and I forget how overwhelming everything is at first. I hope you enjoy your meal. If you chose to forgive me, another gift is under the table.
I scooted my chair back, too curious to finish reading. My gaze fell on a pair of scuffed hiking boots. I scanned the length of the table, sure this couldn’t be what he meant. But there was nothing else. What kind of a gift were secondhand boots? Gripping the card, I continued to read:
I have something very special to show you. I’m waiting out front. Dress warm.
Sincerely,
Beast
P.S. Broken-in boots are very comfy. Don’t judge them before you slip them on.
A smile tugged on my lips. He was right. Well-worn boots were snug and comfy. I wasn’t too sure if my foot would fit these boots like the previous owner’s had, but they looked the right size. Images of other teenage girls popped in my head, and I pushed them away. It didn’t matter who’d owned these last. I slipped them on and walked back to my room. They were surprisingly comfortable. I grabbed my hoodie and a trickle of excitement had me throwing it on as I went out the front door.
“So where are you taking me?” I balked at how energetic I sounded. Dang it! How does he manage to deflect my anger so fast? Dinner and a pair of boots and I am all his. Pushover.
Beast turned, and the light slowly revealed a spreading smile. He hadn’t missed the excitement in my voice. “I didn’t think you’d come.”
My skin tickled from the way his warm eyes enveloped me. I could feel his happiness, and I responded to it. A reckless need exploded through me. Tonight I wasn’t going to think about the many reasons why I should hate Beast and just enjoy myself. He was being apologetic, offering to pamper me, and I was inclined to let him. If what he wanted to show me was as thoughtful and delicious as dinner, it was bound to be extraordinary.
“What?” The corner of my lips hitched up. “And mis
s an opportunity to wear these stylish boots.” I lifted my foot, wiggling the heavy boot. I didn’t really care about being stylish, I just knew it would keep the smile on his face, and I surprised myself how much I want to keep it there.
He chuckled and shifted to my side. If I didn’t look at his hairy face, I could almost fool myself into thinking he was one of my fantasy fictional crushes. My eyes roamed over his broad chest, enjoying the way the black shirt pulled taught against his chest. The moonlight dipped along the curves of his muscles like liquid silver.
I licked my lips, and my hand trembled with desire. Shocked, I cast my gaze to the side where the forest stood in all its mystic allure. I had to stop reading so much. I couldn’t shake the feeling of being transported into one of my books.
“So where are we going?” I shoved my hands into the front pouch of my hoodie, forcing them to behave.
He didn’t say anything, but I could feel the intensity of his eyes on me. Had he noticed my ogling? I shifted my weight. Was he checking me out, too? The notion was too absurd to give it a second thought. He made it clear last night he thought I was a child—an annoying obligation. I didn’t care anyway, did I?
“And spoil the surprise?” Beast’s deep voice rumbled in the night air.
I looked up just in time to see him stoop to retrieve an overstuffed backpack and thread his arms through the straps.
“Let’s go.” He beckoned me with his hand, and I stepped forward.
“That looks serious.” I pointed to the bulging pack.
“This.” He hooked his thumbs in the straps. “Is just me over packing. Mammy Hattie made sure her boys knew how to apologize.”
I followed him off the porch. “She sounds really nice.”
An amused grunt wafted from him. “Oh, don’t let that fool you. She was one tough old bird.” Beast turned, handing me a slender flashlight, but didn’t bother with one himself. “And boy, you never wanted her mad at you.”
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