Page 45 of Falling for the Beast

Rage flowed through Thaddeus, and he ripped at the pole, destroying it like it was made of paper. Gavin cowered down, his hands over his head. “Don’t hurt me,” he begged.

“Leave. Aribelle. Alone.” Thaddeus pronounced each word as clearly as he could with the mouth full of sharp teeth.

“Yeah, fine. Whatever.” Gavin trembled as he backed away from Thaddeus.

In the distance, a siren sounded and Thaddeus breathed in a few calming breaths. He had to go, now, before the police came. He sprang past Gavin and bounded to his bike, trying to let go of the anger. Why had he listened to Gavin? He shoved his helmet on and sped off.

This wasn’t good. He hadn’t fully turned in years. He’d been able to hold in the anger…hold in the beast. But the incident at the woods had put him on edge. And now, he’d let himself go. And over what? Gavin? He was a pathetic little creep. Why had he let Gavin’s words goad him into turning?

He’d almost turned when Gavin had grabbed Aribelle in the woods. He’d been able to keep it together, but barely. Having Aribelle there had helped. But almost losing control like that had made the beast in him come closer to the surface. Made changing easier. He shook his head. It was imperative he didn’t slip back into his old ways.

He sucked in deep breaths and tried to calm down the entire way home. His claws retracted, and his size went back to normal, but his teeth were still full and sharp, reminding him of what he truly was. When he pulled up beside the house, Aribelle came running out, a robe clutched around her. “You said you weren’t going out tonight!”

Panic rose in him. She couldn’t see him like this. How would he explain? He dismounted his bike but left his helmet and backpack on. He couldn’t speak, either, because it would come out a growl, or worse, a roar. He strode past her and into the house, willing his teeth to go back.

“You’re going to ignore me?” she shouted as she followed him inside and slammed the door. “Do you know how betrayed I felt when I realized you’d lied to me?”

Oh, no. His anger was starting to boil again. He couldn’t deal with her right now. He started up the stairs, but she pulled on his arm, forcing him to step back down and face her.

“Take that stupid helmet off and talk to me!”

With one fluid motion, the helmet came off. “Enough!” he growled, barring his teeth.

Her eyes widened and she shrank back, and the look of fear and panic on her face made his stomach clench. He’d been a fool to think she might have feelings for him. He was horrific, and now she could see. No, not fully see. He was only half-changed.

His throat constricted as she cowered away from him. He had to show her. Let her see so she would know. He growled and allowed his anger to change him fully into the beast he was cursed to be. Claws extended, and his muscles bulged until he looked like an overgrown monster. The straps to his backpack tore and it fell to the floor with a thunk.

Aribelle closed her eyes as if she couldn’t stand the sight of him.

“Look at me,” he roared. “Look and see what I truly am.”

She blinked, the fear dissolving from her face. She squared her shoulders and took a step closer. Her gaze, now unafraid, grew bolder. “How…?”

“This is what Catherine cursed me to be,” he said, his anger melting away, slowly turning into regret.

She studied him, swallowing, and reached out her hand to touch his cheek. He tried backing away from her, but he was so close to the first step of the staircase that there was no room. Her hand softly caressed his skin. “You didn’t tell me.”

“I didn’t know how.”

She picked up one of his hands, touching the long, sharp claws. “I’m so sorry.”

“What are you sorry for?”

“That you didn’t feel like you could tell me.”

He stared at her, astounded as to what he saw. All fear had left her. Maybe it hadn’t been fear at all. He might have misread her expression. Maybe it was shock? She stood before him, her eyes full of kindness. And something else he couldn’t place.

As the anger finally left him, he could feel himself changing back, his teeth returning to normal. She slipped her arms around his neck and brought him closer until their foreheads touched. “You are special, Thaddeus Walker. I’ve never known anyone as caring, or as selfless, as you are. And even if you turned into a space alien every night, I’d still feel the same about you.”

On impulse, he cupped her face and kissed her, truly touched by her words. All the worry and anxiety he’d bottled up over Aribelle finding out his true nature left him, replaced by an overwhelming desire to show her how he felt about her. He didn’t hold back but kissed her thoroughly on the lips.

Aribelle pulled him close, responding to the kiss. Thaddeus wrapped his arms around her, and the world outside melted away. His heart pounded against his ribcage as fire ignited in his veins. Aribelle was everything he wanted. All he wanted. And she didn’t care about the curse.

When he pulled back and broke the kiss, Aribelle put her head on his chest. “Please don’t run away from me again.”

He hugged her close and pressed his cheek to her head, closing his eyes. Why had he run away? He’d been afraid. Fearful of allowing himself to love someone who couldn’t love him back. But tonight, he held a glimmer of hope that maybe she could. “I won’t,” he said, his voice sounding hoarse.

Chapter 20

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