Page 55 of Beauty and Her Beasts (Dirty Paranormal Fairytale Haremlan 1)

ALLANA

Lying with Declan was safe and comfortable, which was profound considering we laid on a frozen ground in front of a dying fire. Though I still worried about how the other two men were fairing with the confrontation with Collin, I was at peace. But the longer I laid with Declan, the more I knew too much time had passed and that made my thoughts a tad bit harder to ignore.

The idea of them getting hurt stabbed at my chest and made an empty feeling settle in my gut.

It was a startling sensation. I had no idea when things changed for me, or at what point I had crossed the point of no return. But I had. I had fallen in love with all three men.

As much as they had all wanted me to give them all a chance so that I could make a decision on which one of them I wanted to be with, I wasn’t anticipating my heart getting in the way. Making my decision was almost impossible. It was probably going to be the hardest decision of my entire life.

I adored each of them and for different reasons and for many of the same reasons too.

This was different. The emotions growing within me, bleeding and shifting and changing into something so beautiful there was only one word I could describe it with.

Love.

I had fallen in love with three different men who each wanted me as bad as I wanted them. How could I choose just one? Could I live with the idea of any of them leaving my life? Could I justify breaking the hearts of two of them for the sake of just one?

I had found myself in quite the conundrum, and I wasn’t sure how I could choose just one of the men. Especially now that I was faced with losing one or more of them, thanks to Collin and his penchant for throwing a fit when he doesn’t get his way. He never could accept no for an answer.

I blame his insanely rich parents. They spoiled him and ruined someone who might have turned out to be a decent human being if he had the right care and upbringing. But I supposed that was just what happened when people put themselves on a pedestal much too high for them.

Declan planted a kiss on my head and settled into our embrace a little more, which helped to keep the worries at bay. At least, his arms helped to keep things manageable. Even if only for a little while. But as time ticked by, so did the comfort in his arms.

As the saying went, all good things came to an end, and Declan’s arms were no different. Despite the peacefulness that remained in his embrace, I felt him stiffen more and more as the minutes ticked by, turning into hours. It was almost dawn and we had yet to see or hear word from Gunnar or King.

Needless to say, I had seen the moment coming. I knew it wouldn’t be long before the time spent within his arms was over. And as we continued to lay there, my anxieties were getting the best of me. He had to be feeling the same thing within me. I couldn’t fathom how something so blissful was shared by only one person.

When he didn’t say or do anything, I took the initiative.

I finally sat up and settled my gaze on the man. He glanced at me with his eyebrows drawn together in confusion.

“What’s wrong?” he asked.

“I was going to ask you the same thing,” I said.

He sighed. “It’s been too long. We should have heard something by now.”

“What do you think is taking so long?” I asked. “I haven’t heard anything on the wind, so that has to be a good sign, right?”

Since the fire had died down considerably, there was nothing to hold back the pure ice within the air. A cold wind blew around us.The sensation reached deep inside my soul, freezing me from the inside out. Despite how much I fought against the urge, I shivered.

Declan instantly stood and then pulled me to my feet.

“Let’s get you inside and in some warmer clothes,” he said and led me by the hand.

I tried to hide the smile that stretched my lips, but it was no use. I admired that he cared about me and my well-being. Though I wouldn’t have minded if he had just pulled me back into his arms and continued to hold me instead.

Once inside, he quietly rummaged through his dresser and pulled out a pair of pants and shirt, and tossed them over to me. I slipped on the pants, and sighed blissfully as warmth bled into my skin. Once I had the shirt on, I felt even better. As I dressed, Declan pulled out his own clothes and got dressed himself.

“Where are you going?” I asked as he slipped on his boots.

“Stay here,” he said. “I’m going to go find out what is going on. I’ll come back as soon as it is safe for you and your father.”

His intense blue eyes took in mine as he closed the space between us and cupped my cheek.“Thank you for the best night of my life.”

I smiled and then kissed me, stealing my breath away.

Within seconds he pulled away and dashed out the door. He wasn’t much for goodbyes and I was quickly learning I wasn’t partial to them either. I watched him disappear out the door as my mind spun. My heartbeats turned erratic, and I couldn’t help the sudden pain and worry that stabbed at my heart.

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