Page 3 of Beauty and Her Beasts (Dirty Paranormal Fairytale Haremlan 1)

“To the most astounding student I’ve had the pleasure of knowing,” Professor Milton said.

“And to breaking all of the rules,” Professor Lacroix said.

“Thank you, gentlemen. It has been an honor,” I said and knocked back my drink that filled my mouth with both a bitter taste and fire.

“Excuse me,” a familiar voice cut in.

I stiffened. I knew that voice anywhere. It was one I had hoped to never hear again. The very one that haunted my nightmares. I cleared my throat and turned around to face, to the lack of my surprise, Collin Morris. My smile faded and my gaze hardened. “What do you want?”

“I need to talk to you,” he said and shifted his gaze to my two companions.

I hesitated. Couldn’t he tell that right now wasn’t a good time? “I’m busy.”

“It will only take a moment of your time. I promise,” he said.

I groaned. There were only a few things that I knew of Collin Morris. One of them was he never made a promise he intended to keep. Another thing I knew about the man I dated was he never let up when he wanted something. Ever.

“Fine. You have five minutes,” I said to him then turned to the professors, “I’ll only be a moment.”

Professor Milton nodded while Professor Lacroix asked, “Need any help?”

I held up my hand to ward off any further concern. “I’m fine. Be back shortly.”

And that was exactly what I had intended on as I turned and faced Collin again and skirted out of him taking my hand or my arm.

“Keep your hands to yourself and walk. I want to get this over with so I can continue my celebrations with my friends.”

A flash of light burned through Collin’s gaze for the briefest of moments. It was gone as soon as it had appeared. I almost didn’t catch it myself. But if it weren’t for the fact that I knew the temper Collin had on him, I would have also missed it. I quickly learned how to spot a tell on him. This was one of those times.

He was an extremely jealous sort, and though we stopped dating over six months ago, he was still possessive apparently. None of which had me convinced going out the door so he could talk to me was a good idea.

He finally settled his gaze on me and nodded once before turning and walking toward the front door of the tavern. I followed him outside and a couple of steps inside the entrance of the alleyway that separated the tavern from the next building over.

“This is far enough,” I said, keeping my back to the opening and a foot on the sidewalk behind me. “Tell me what is so important so I can go back inside and continue on with my night.”

Collin faced me. He had that devilish, charming smirk on his face. He fooled me once with that grin of his. He wasn’t fooling me again.

“I missed you,” he said. “Horribly.”

I huffed. “That’s what was so important? You called me away from my friends simply to tell me that you missed me?”

I started to turn and walk away, but Collin quickly stopped me by grabbing my arm. I settled my glare on him.

“Wait, please. I’m not finished,” he said.

“Clock is ticking,” I said and pointedly looked at his hand still clutching my arm.

He sighed and released my arm then ran his fingers through his long, black hair. “I have been losing sleep without you. I messed up. I pulled you out here because I wanted to tell you congratulations on graduating, and… I want you back.”

I laughed. Not in the sense of a joke, but the sarcastic sort. The kind that wouldn’t settle well with Collin. It was out before I could stop it.

Collin Morris, as predicted, didn’t take my slight against him well. And in Collin’s fashion, he let me know just how displeased he was with me as he slapped the ever-loving crap out of me. The sharp sound echoed through the alley as I lost my footing and slammed against the side of the tavern.

“You will be mine,” Collin said.

“Never!” I screamed.

“Hey!” A deep voice growled out.

---