Page 129 of The Beast's Heart

Iknew it would all work out in the end. When the promotion hired me to get close to Beast again and convince him to return for this match, I knew I could do it.

Sure, I didn’t expect it to turn outexactlylike this. Given our history, I thought it would be a little easier, if I’m being honest. He was still so stuck in his feelings, obsessed with the past. Alone. Not sure when he last looked at a guy, let alone screwed one. He was probably touch starved AF. Locked away together for six months, how could I possibly fail to get into his bed? And once I was there, I figured it would be easy to get him to see the benefits of returning to the spotlight, to the career he left too soon.

What I didn’t figure was the fucking teacher.

He was supposed to be some old guy. I was supposed to be the only eligible fuck around. It still smarts that I somehow came in second, despite everything I tried to keep them apart. But you know what? It worked out in the end.

Yeah, in the end it really was simple. Money makes the world go round after all, and now the teacher has medical expenses he can’t hope to pay in his lifetime. Medical tourism doesn’t come cheap. At the height of his career, Beast could have helped. Now?He’s poured everything he has into that foundation of his. He’s near broke.

So, who did he call? That’s right. I planted the seed in his head when he came asking about the auction. I aways meant to use the auction as a means to drum up some hype around him again and the promotion was on board— they even donated some of his old stuff. That’s how desperate they were to have him back.

Then, the day before I’m supposed to stream, I get the call. He needs the cash in advance. He will do anything for it. The promotion was all too happy to help out one of their own.

The timing couldn’t have been better.

I hosted the auction, just as I promised. And I made it a huge success. They raised their money for the kids and I got a nice number for my efforts, thanks to the commission agreement Beast gave me. But the best part? The best part was that all the celebs and influencers I got to join because they wanted to be associated with a children’s charity? They got to hear me teasing Beast’s return.

When the media campaign went live in the morning, it spread like wildfire. #BeastIsBack. Fucking A.

He’s only signed on for this one bout so far, but it doesn’t matter. The promotion’s efforts have already been rewarded. The pay-per-view is off the charts. And I know that once he feels those lights beating down on him, once he gets a hit of adrenaline again, once he sees how badly people want him, The Beastwillbe back, baby. Back for good.

Now the big night is here and I’ve been given pride of place, right next to the announcers. They’re the best seats in the house because the house is empty.

That’s a little creepy, won’t lie. The Garden is usually electric with energy from the crowds. Instead, they’re blaring a recording of a crowd. The cheers echo but there is only darkness.

Still not as creepy as Beast’s manor though. That’s for damn sure.

Rod, next to me, does a countdown on his fingers. The lights above the ring flare, music blares, the screens come alive. Rod’s voice booms across the empty arena. “Welcome to tonight’s Leeeegendary Rampage!” I get chills.

Alan, on his other side, says, “You’ve seen the rumors. Now we find out if they’re true. Well, ladies and gentleman, we have an incredible show for you tonight. One that many of us thought would never happen. But you don’t want to hear from me. Let’s get to it!”

The music reaches a crescendo and pyrotechnics go off as the song changes to a rock anthem. The Chevalier rises out of the centre of the stage on a fucking horse. The digital crowd roars and it’s almost believable. How he’s keeping that creature from bolting is beyond me.

He dismounts, gentles the horse and flashes a white smile at the cameras. He’s been making a name for himself over the last few years and this match is set to be a career maker. He’ll slay The Beast.

(Of course, if Beast decides to make a permanent return, there’s always room in such a storyline for a little revenge. God, I love this business.)

Staff come to escort the horse away and Chevalier strikes a heroic pose. As if anyone watching at home is here for him. He takes his time walking towards the ring, smiling and waving at an audience that isn’t there. He’s dressed like a prince, but with added sequins.

“The Chevalier is facing the biggest weekend of his life and the biggest fight yet,” Rod says.

Then the iconic first note of The Beast’s entrance song sounds and the fake crowds immediately go wild, just as I knowthe real crowds are doing wherever they are. Now, it’s finally confirmed that it’s real. The Beast is tonight’s mystery legend.

I’m grinning so hard my cheeks hurt. This might be the best moment of my life.

“And there it is,” Alan says. “Man I’ve missed hearing that chord.”

“It really sends a chill down the spine, doesn’t it?” Rod agrees.

Chevalier does a ham-fisted attempt at looking horrified. They’ve been practicing this match all day, but according to the storyline, he thought he’d be fighting someone else. Even a fresh babyface like him knows that intro though.

The stage washes green. Flames shoot towards the sky. The Beast’s silhouette blocks the entrance as the smoke machines pump atmospheric fog around him.

“Yes, folks, the rumors were one hundred percent true!” Rod shouts. Multiple spotlights pan across the stage and land on Beast. He’s wearing his iconic fur coat, his hair in a wild mane and he looks pissed off. He looks perfect.

He strides towards the Chevalier as if he’s personally responsible for every ill in his life. Chevalier scrambles to the other side of the ropes. It’s beautiful.

“The Beast is back!” Alan shouts, using the tagline I set up for the media. “This is his first time in the ring since he was vanquished over a decade ago.”

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