Blaine's Beast: An MM Beauty and the Beast Retelling by Joel Abernathy

Author:Joel Abernathy [Abernathy, Joel]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-12-30T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

I waited until the full moon was over to leave, both because Vera needed time to perform the spell that would allow the pack to escort me closer to my grandfather’s cabin since it wasn’t yet the equinox, and because I wanted to spend as much time with Rohan as possible.

On what would be our last night together that week—or forever, if you asked Rohan—I found myself sitting with him in the study as we’d spent so many evenings.

“You know, when we do break the curse, I’m going to miss your other form,” I admitted, glancing over at him as I took a break from my sketching. “You’re not half as warm and cuddly this way.”

He snorted. “You might, but I won’t.”

I paused, thinking over all the other questions I hadn’t gotten a chance to ask him in the midst of the others fawning over what they thought were my last few days with the pack, and Rohan’s brooding. “There’s something I want to ask you.”

“Hm?” he asked, turning the page in his book.

“Why do the others call you Beast, anyway? It’s not, uh, not very nice.”

His mouth tilted at one side. “I told them to. But it’s a nickname my mother gave me when I was a ferocious pup. It’s fitting.”

“That’s cute,” I said, referring to the way he lit up whenever he spoke of her as much as the nickname itself. I hesitated as another of the castle’s mysteries that I’d yet to solve occurred to me. “That’s who the empty place at the table is for, isn’t it?”

He didn’t say anything, but I could tell from the far-off look on his face that I’d stumbled upon the truth.

“Why?” I asked softly. I’d heard of people leaving a place for a recently departed family member, but she had been gone for such a long time, and Rohan was so unsentimental that it seemed an unlikely explanation.

“Do you remember when I told you that there was a price for my attempt to gain immortality?”

“Yes, but the curse—”

“The curse was only part of it. She was the rest,” he murmured, closing his book. “An innocent who paid the price for my sins. My selfishness.”

I touched his shoulder, and I could feel his pain as my own. “I didn’t know her,” I began hesitantly. “But if she’s everything all of your memories paint her as, she wouldn’t want you to carry this guilt anymore, Rohan.”

“No,” he agreed. “I’m sure she wouldn’t have, which is all the more reason I should bear it.” He cleared his throat, standing. “The moon will be full soon. Vera should be finished with her spell.”

I searched his face, frowning. “Please don’t shut me out like that. Not after everything we’ve overcome together.”

“I know you think you’re coming back,” he said softly, taking my hand. “I know you mean it now, but once you’re free, you’ll feel differently. You’ll realize there’s more out there than I could ever give you outside these castle walls.”

“Rohan—”

“Please, don’t argue.

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