Page 4 of Beauty and Her Beasts (Dirty Paranormal Fairytale Haremlan 1)

I clutched my cheek, warmed from the slap, and tried to steady my breathing as I pulled away from the side of the building. The man who interrupted stood just a couple of feet from me.

He said, “Is that any way to treat a lady?”

“Mind your business, stranger,” Collin said. “This is a private matter.”

The man turned his attention toward me. I couldn’t get a good idea of his features because it was too dark out and his face was covered in shadow.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

“I think so.” I faced Collin. “We’re done here.”

“We’re done when I say we are done,” Collin said and took two steps closer to me.

The man who interrupted us charged Collin. As he moved, his form blended and shifted and changed into a large bear as he moved. I gasped as I watched the shift happen right before my eyes. The bear landed with a growl and swatted at Collin whose face had turned ghost white. Collin fled deeper into the darkened alleyway.

But I didn’t care about Collin. Those days were long over.

Besides, I was too busy staring at the bear shifter who had just saved my life. Collin had a habit of getting carried away in his beatings. The last time he hit me, I was covered in bruises and could barely move for weeks afterward. It took everything in me to keep going to classes.

Seconds later, the bear was a man again, and he faced the light, striking me with his intense, gorgeous features. Long blond hair spilled around his shoulders. His face was covered in a thick beard, and his eyes were as blue as the sky on a bright, sunny day.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” he asked.

I nodded. “Thank you. I’m not sure how far he would have gone this time.”

“This time?” The man narrowed his eyes on mine. “He’s laid hands on you before?”

I nodded. “Don’t worry, it will never happen again.”

He approached me and turned my face toward the light. He examined my cheek and huffed. “Let’s get you some ice for that cheek.”

“I have a couple of friends waiting for me in the tavern. I can get some ice there, but I would rather just go home. I need to let them know I’m leaving,” I said.

He nodded. “I’ll escort you.”

“It’s really not necessary. You’ve done more than enough,” I said.

“I insist.”

I thought about arguing some more but I wasn’t opposed to having him hang around a little longer. So, I turned around and headed back inside.

Both of the professors greeted me with warm gazes before their eyes moved to the man escorting me inside the tavern. Their expressions soured. Professor Milton noticed the mark on my cheek and pointed toward me. “He didn’t do that to you, did he?”

“No. He didn’t.” I left it at that.

“Allana, is everything all right?” Professor Lacroix asked, evidently noticing it as well.

I nodded. “It is now. Thanks to him. He’s going to get me where I need to go. Thanks for the evening.”

“Well, maybe we can do this another time,” Professor Milton offered.

I nodded. “I would like that.”

“Until next time,” Professor Lacroix said and then settled his gaze on my newfound friend, “Thank you for taking care of our friend.”

“It’s the least I could do,” he said.

“Goodnight gentlemen,” I said.

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