Beasty (A Royal's Tale Book 2)

by Jennise K

A little weight lifted off my chest, and I nodded. “Yep, probably just the rain and the mist.”

  “Yes, yes, probably the rain and the mist.” River nodded although it was obvious he looked slightly doubtful with our conceived notions.

  “I’m going to shower now. Good night, Riv,” I mumbled. For a second there, I contemplated reaching out and hugging him.

  River took an automatic step back as a fool’s gold of a smile brightened his face. “Night, Olli.”

  I closed the door, sending a still frozen River a small smile.

  But I couldn’t bring myself to move for the next two minutes, my back plastered against the door as I waited for River’s hesitant footsteps to fade away before I let the wobbliness in my legs take over, sliding down on the floor.

  It would have been easier to just put what I had seen off to the mist and rain, like how I was hoping River was doing right now. But I couldn’t.

  Deep inside, I knew what I had seen tonight was caused by anything but the mist and rain. It was the truth laid bare in front of me. What had happened to me on that horrible night last month was also real. And Dominic was exactly the sort of “cat” Beasty was.

  I thought of Twilight and was reminded of the other part of the story. How had I only concentrated on the sun and not the moon?

  I closed my eyes as I took a deep breath in. Then I slowly released it, finally mustering up enough courage to say the words in my mind.

  Beasty.

  Beasty was a werewolf.

  ~

  I plopped myself on my bed after I had showered and changed, thinking back on what I had just realized. In my twenty years of existence, I had always been told to expect the unexpected.

  My Grandma Liz had never failed to instill that thinking in me. She had always told me to expect the unforeseen—grades, reasons why some guy asked me out, the ending of every book I read. I must not be surprised these things happen, for it’s the way things should be, but she added that I had to be wary of these changes, too.

  Growing up, I couldn’t get Grandma Liz. But the memories of why come to me now as clear as day—her warnings about full moons and breezeless nights, about dreams and their hidden signs.

  Her persistent talk about planting wolfsbane in the garden even though it was poisonous to humans. Her theory about dreamcatchers, and the belief of never answering doors after late night howls.

  I had not understood Grandma Liz’s fuss about the supernatural, and I always had questions. Why couldn’t you go out during full moon? Why did you need that awful flower in the garden? Why did she freak out about extra bolts and guns during moonlit nights?

  Now…now I understood.

  Now…I was able to piece it together.

  Werewolves.

  A sudden glow jolted me from my reverie, making me jump up on my bed. I looked to where my phone was as the silent but apparent signs of a pending call filled the screen.

  Unknown Number calling…

  Him.

  I stared at the screen for a half second before—all caution forgotten—I quickly I tapped on the ‘accept’ button.

  “I thought you wouldn’t call anymore?”

  The words left my lips in a rush, and I felt my lips curl in disgust at my own desperation.

  “How else would I keep up with your…progress?”

  I felt my left palm fist beside me. This man was baiting me. My fist clenched harder, but instead I felt myself let out a sigh instead.

  “Beasty…don’t you have a beauty to call late at night instead of some random girl you saved?”

  The silence in the other side of the line didn’t come as a surprise. I almost smiled, knowing that the chances of him replying were slim. I had figured him out that much. And all it had taken were two calls. Just two calls.

  “No,” his voice sounded huskier, darker. I felt myself shudder as I pulled my blanket over my chin slightly.

  “I have a girl in a red blazer.”

  I froze.

  Instantly, the whole air around my dark room grew chilly. I had been wearing a red blazer in the day of the accident—the day everything in my world had changed.

  Gulping, I pressed my iPhone closer to my ear. “Look, Beasty, whoever you are, just…What do you want? Please?”

  The soft thud of a door shut close sounded from the other side of the line, and I waited, silent, for a reply.

  “Why, an update on your progress, of course.”

  “Liar,” I blurted out almost immediately, my clear voice cutting through the frosty silence of my dark room like a two-sided blade.

  “Your answer.”

  I gulped again.

  “Werewolf.”

  And the line went dead.

  I felt my heart sink down my chest the same time I also felt a heavy weight lifted off of me.

  I sunk back into bed as I pressed the bridge of my nose with my fingertips, my eyes shut tightly. I counted till ten, trying to steady my palpitating heart.

  If only Grandma knew…they didn’t need the full moon.

  Chapter 4

  Destruction was bound to things as exquisite as he was.

  Amongst the great wonders, amongst the largest of populations of ordinary people—amongst them all, he was exquisite.

  He was something entirely new to me, and all I could do at the reality of existence of a great new world was wonder. Maybe there were others like him. But I was sure nobody would be as exquisite as him.

  My fingers grazed the slight dent on the place where my neck met my shoulders and sighed.

  His mark.

  Our conversation from last night kept going on and on in my mind. I couldn’t get rid of it. I couldn’t get it out. How coincidental was it that only just earlier in the evening, Dominic had all but confirmed my suspicions and then Beasty called?

  He had hung up. And that had confirmed my suspicions once more.

  I didn’t know what his name was—I didn’t even know if I’d ever know—but the knowledge of ever knowing him, even with a stupid nickname I had created during that car accident when I was in the highest peak of frightened delirium seemed enough to last a lifetime.

  I didn’t know if I’d ever come across him again or if I’d ever recognise him if I did. But the thought of ever being in his presence for a minute sated me.

  I didn’t know why he had bit me. But that bite mark served as a confirmation that he had actually happened, and, as stupid as this may sound, I was all right with that. I was all right with his mark.

  Another sigh left my lips as I settled back in my seat. Waiting for Professor Heirnzberg had become a ritual. He was always ten minutes late into his classes. Always. Especially the morning ones.

  “You all right?”

  My eyes darted to the source of the voice and saw a concerned-looking Abigail sitting beside me. She leaned closer, and I smiled.

  “Yes, I’m all right, Aby.”

  Aby visibly cringed and pulled away. “I hate that nickname.”

  I chuckled. “Well, too bad you don’t pick your own nicknames, aye?”

  Abigail eased into her seat as she rolled her eyes. “Well, too bad for you too ’cause you have way too many nicknames yourself.”

  I grinned. “Touché.”

  “Good morning, everyone! Beautiful day here in Berlin today, isn’t it?”

  Instantly, complete silence overtook the entire lecture hall, and everyone turned to face the sharp featured, grey-haired man standing in front of the white board.

  Aside from being eternally tardy, Professor Heirnzberg was a very testy man when the situation called for it, which was a known fact, but today he genuinely seemed to be in good spirits. The people must have thought this because no one dared to reply.

  “It sure is, Professor!” I called out, smiling brightly for extra measure.

  Pleased, Professor Heirnzberg smiled back at me, showing his sharp, perfectly aligned teeth, which almost sparkled under the hall’s bright lights.

  “Good morning, Ms. F
redson! It’s good to see you so happy and healthy!” Mr. Heirnzberg greeted me then turned to face the rest of the class who now returned to talking to their seatmates, squeaking the chairs, and taking out their notebooks.

  One extraordinary thing about Professor Heirnzberg? He remembered every one of his students’ names.

  “This year, the department and I have decided to bring in a very different sort of task for this year’s batch. That means all of you.” He paused and did a sweep around the class, making sure he had everyone’s utmost attention.

  Upon seeing all of our heads turn in attention to him, he sported a pleased smile and continued, “We have conjured up a list of volunteered houses, mansions, castles, and also a palace. All of which hold impeccable amount of history and mystery to stimulate your creative minds into producing something wonderful—a report, an article, or any creative write-up on the things that your assigned place has inspired you.”

  As if on cue, dozens of whispers full of excitement and surprise began floating around the room. I, however, continued to listen intently to Professor Heirnzberg.

  “This is not a one-semester thing and so you have the whole two semesters—and the actual break period if you wish to use that too—to stay at your designated place, compile your story, which is to be inspired by the mystery and history of your allocated house, and so on.”

  “So, Sir, all of these listed places have volunteered or agreed on having a student play resident on their property for the entire year?” Jaydin spoke up from beside me, and I turned to watch him before turning towards Professor again.

  Professor Heirnzberg leaned forward, resting his hands on his table and shook his head.

  “Good question, Mr. Hall. Every student will have three months to stay in their assigned locations. After the three-month period, they may visit the properties if they want to and if the owners allow it. The compilation of their stories may have the period of a whole schooling year, so you may need that extra time.” Professor Heirnzberg eased back up before moving in front of the table, sitting on it.

  “Also, all properties listed are all legally and voluntarily or approved of by the owners. Some of whom also happen to be the governors of this very institute.” Professor Heirnzberg turned to face me directly before he spoke again. “Any more questions?”

  On reflex, I shook my head, then blushed when everyone else echoed out an audible no.

  Professor Heirnzberg smiled, his twinkling eyes still on me.

  “All right then. There are some rules with this task, as this involves actually staying in somebody else’s property. Whether you’ll be staying in the same place as the owners or in a property they happen to own, it is still their property, and it is very risky to have college students lounging in for quite some time, even for a school project. So, each of you will sign a waiver that will bear the signature of your parent or guardian allowing you to take on this project and confirming that if any mishap happens in these locations considered as assets to the landowners, the university and faculty will not be held accountable and you will be completely at fault if proven guilty.”

  I heard as people around me visibly gulped, I myself one of them.

  “You also have the option to refuse to partake in this task whereby you will be given a separate method of earning yourself the same amount of credit this task provides. All of you who do not wish to participate, especially the ladies, please raise your hands so I can finalize the locations to be used by this class.”

  My eyes darted over to Abigail’s. Her eyes met mine, and we both shrugged.

  Placing both options forward in my mind, something told me to choose the first offer. It just seemed more exciting and mysterious.

  Do you really need any more mystery?

  “Well, I did take kickboxing.” Abigail shrugged again as she toyed with her pencil.

  Apparently, yes.

  I sniggered and shrugged, too. “Martial arts.”

  Beside us Jaydin—who did not take any form of combat sports—gulped. “Yep, you girls are all right.”

  As Professor Heirnzberg jotted down the girls’ and guys’ names down on his paper, I let my mind wander to the shining golden eyes I had not been able to remove from my memory for the past month. A loud smack jolted me out of my thoughts, and I straightened in my seat instantly, my eyes now on Professor Heirnzberg.

  “Alright then, the rest of you, please pick only one note from the hat as I move around with it. Remember, no cheating. Only one chit,” he reminded out loudly, as he began walking around the class.

  Three minutes later, as the last person took his own slip of paper, Professor Heirnzberg moved back to his desk while I toyed with the small piece of paper tightly folded between my fingers.

  “Alright then, Andrew, why don’t you start? What did you get?”

  My eyes darted to Andrew, the quiet, dark-haired boy who was from Scotland.

  He unfolded his paper carefully and read aloud, “Shadowood.”

  My breath hitched in my throat. The whole estate was said to be haunted.

  I looked at Andrew, and I felt myself calm down when I noticed how determined he looked. In fact, he actually seemed to be all right with his assignment.

  Gutsy.

  One by one, each of the participating students called out their locations, and each time, my heartbeat accelerated with the feeling of excitement.

  These properties were either haunted or held incredible war-related history and mysteries that would arouse any writer’s mind out there to pen stories. A few even had warm love stories in the background fit to inspire the historical romance author.

  Looking at the paper in my hands, I couldn’t wait till I found out what’s in store for me.

  “Ms. Parker, what did you get?”

  Beside me, Abigail unfolded her paper and frowned. Confused, she looked up at the class and said, “I got…Redanward Estate.”

  My eyes widened. Redanward Estate was a huge estate renowned for its nineteenth century smuggling lord of an owner, Gilroy Ohalm. Other than the treasures he hoarded, the intricate number of tunnels connected to the main mansion that lead as far as to the private shores was another feature worth learning, if not exploring.

  Abigail got a good catch, if I say so myself.

  My eyes met her just in time to catch her grinning as she recalled what Redanward Estate exactly was.

  “Ah! A good one there, Ms. Parker!” Professor Heirnzberg exclaimed then turned to me. “And how about you, Ms. Fredson?”

  Sending a small smile to the professor, I looked down at the paper as I unfolded it.

  The name came out clear, and I froze. Despite that, I looked up to his waiting gaze and said my location.

  “Oakenfield Castle.”

  ~

  “I can’t believe you’re going to Oakenfield Castle.”

  Another shiver ran down my arm at the mention of that name, and I pulled my blazer closer to me. “For a castle with such a sinister history and a bucketful of myths, it sure has a very soft innocent name,” I muttered in response.

  Beside me, Abigail scoffed as she leaned forward on the counter. Like the best friends that we were, she also worked in the same store as I did.

  We were in the boutique, and the traffic in the parlour today seemed slower than usual. I supposed it was because of the storm that was forecasted to come later this evening. Not that I believed in weather reports. After all, they were hardly ever right.

  “Did you know the owner is actually one of our university’s governors?”

  I groaned. “Oh great! Just what I need. A strict old man to add to the haunted castle!”

  This time, Abigail laughed. “Don’t let the banshees hear you say that. Reckon they protect the males of that castle a little too fiercely.”

  This time, I shivered again, but from disgust.

  Shaking my head, I decided to kill the time by looking down at the logbook when a hand as smooth as porcelain placed a single strand of rose on it. I l
ooked up—and smiled brightly.

  “Lessie! Is that for me?” I smiled as I reached for the white rose. Lessie smiled at me and nodded. Behind her, I noticed Hugh standing by, smiling at me with gratitude. And I understood.

  The boy got his girl! The friend zone was now dead.

  My smile turned to a grin, and I brought the rose up to my nose to take a whiff of its scent.

  Beautiful.

  “Thank you, Lessie! I love white roses! How was the dance? Hello, Hugh.”

  Hugh smiled as he sent me a small wave. “Hey.”

  Lessie, however, found my palm and wrapped her smaller ones around it. “No. Thank you. I went to the party wearing the pink dress. With Hugh. You were right. I don’t need to change myself for someone else too love me. So, thank you.”

  I was touched. I joined my other palm on hers. “It was my pleasure! I’m happy you made a choice and you enjoyed yourself.”

  I guess that was it. Sometimes one had to just give it a leap, jump into the new. Sometimes fairy tales don’t just involve princes and princesses. They could also include a little lost girl and a strange, golden-eyed beast.

  ~

  “Why are you even going in the library?”

  Abigail and I were on our way to our university. Dusk was at its peak as the lights around the campus shone one by one, twinkling in the early darkness.

  Rolling my eyes, I turned to her and explained, “Because we have an exam coming up next month?”

  Abigail brought both her hands down to her thighs in indignation. “Exactly! Next month, Olivia. It’s still a month away! Why would you want to study on that exam today?”

  I shrugged and pulled open the car’s door and got out, my bag in hand. “I don’t know. The earlier, the better, to be honest,” I mumbled back to Abigail as she got out of the car as well.

  Giving in, she shrugged as well and made a motion to leave. “Oh well. If you decide to do better things with your night, you know where my dorm is.”

  “Yes, Mum,” I called back as I began walking towards the library. Pressing on the lock button, I relaxed when I heard the distinct click and beep of my car locking shut.

  Telling Abigail the real reason for me coming would have sounded ridiculous. But it was true. I was avoiding the solitude of my home because of all the thoughts that were just waiting to crash back in when I’d be in my room. I didn’t want to think about him. And the library provided just the right kind of distraction.