Page 88 of Red's Beast

Her words start to fade as everything feels like sludge. I can’t comprehend anything as another groan escapes me.

My fingers break. Then my arms. Followed by my legs.

It happens so fast that I don’t even have a chance to scream. It just comes out as one gargled moan.

When a low growl escapes me, Grandmother scolds me for it. “Don’t you be growling at me. I’m the only one helping you through this.”

“I’m trying,” I say with a whimper. “Why is it taking so long?”

“You have to let go, Lillian. Let go and embrace this part of you. It’s time.”

I close my eyes and feel fur sprouting out of my skin. It’s painful as it pushes through each pore. Murmurs from the pack distract me as everyone gathers around me. I refuse to look up, but I hear Grandmother snapping at them to get lost.

I open my eyes for a second, but quickly shut them because what light is out at this time of day is blinding me.

Suddenly, I feel as if I’m falling and everything goes dark, only for me to see a white wolf in the distance running away from me.

I know who it is, and I want her to stay.

“Come here, wolf.”

She stops and turns to look at me, her head tilted to the side. Her glowing red eyes are unnerving.

Is this really what I’m becoming?

Will I always have these jarring red eyes? Can I accept that this is me?

Accept me or die.

What?

Accept me or you will die in transition.

Are those really my two options? What have I ever done to anyone to deserve this? I growl in frustration as I look up at her and meet her gaze.

Think of your fated mate, the beast. He needs us. If we die, then no one will ever find him or break his curse. He has waited over two hundred years for us to be here. Please choose us.

Suddenly, I hear his voice in the back of my mind.

Choose us, Lily.

Beast? No, come back!

It feels like he leaves me and the bond goes quiet. I nearly lose my mind as I wish to hear his voice again.

You’re running out of time, Lillian. Your body is giving out right this minute and your grandmother is begging you to hold on. I can feel everything. You must choose. There is no more waiting. You are either going to be the alpha you were born to be or die as a slave of the pack.

It feels like I fall on my knees as I accept everything. Fine, I choose us.

And with those words passing through my mind, I’m consumed by darkness and uncertainty about what waits for me when I wake up.

Beast

My world is dark, but I see images of everything before the curse. I can see my brother and I splitting wood at the house. Logan, I miss him dearly and wish I could see him again.

When we turn, I can see our parents, standing in the cottage doorway with smiles plastered on their faces. Ma. Pa.

Oh, how I miss them too.

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