Claimed By Labête: The Beast

Elysia He was going to like this, I said, smiling at the pocket watch in my hand. I sat at the edge of the bed, waiting for the perfect moment. I ran my fingers through the watch in my hand. It had belonged to my late father. I’d had it for so many years, and I never thought I was going to part with it until today. Derek was the perfect person to own this, and I knew he was going to love it, and my father would be proud seeing me hand over this to someone worthy of it. I smiled, and it was the perfect day—his birthday. I just couldn’t help but imagine the smile on his face. I walked towards the chocolate cake on the table and picked it up. It had taken me almost all day to make this, but I knew he was going to love it. Sliding the door open, I stepped out into the corridor. Steam-powered lamps shined through the hallway of the manor. My heart raced really fast when I got close to his chambers, but when I reached it, surprisingly, he wasn’t there. I paused for a moment. Where coul

Elysia I had no idea when the laughter started, and I wasn’t even sure what the hell I was laughing about. My cheeks burned, and my stomach ached from how hard I’d been laughing. As I leaned against the wooden table, the man across from me—who I had forgotten the name of—was talking, trembling over his words, and it all sounded like gibberish to me. But he was funny… I think. I wasn’t sure. I was way too drunk, and everything sounded funny to me. I laughed again, louder this time, at something random he’d just said. I was drunk… but not that drunk not to notice what he started doing. The alcohol dulled the ache in my chest, and it made me forget about everything. But I wasn’t so lost in the alcohol enough to miss the way his hand lingered too long on my arm, or how he leaned closer with every laugh, his knees slowly brushing mine, his fingers sliding everywhere they had no right to be. I frowned, and instantly the haze in my head cleared just enough for me to put him in his pla

ElysiaIt had been a month, a complete month since my life fell apart. I was surprised at how the hell I was still standing. I didn’t think I would even be able to survive this long.I sat on the edge of Sylvie’s couch, my legs tucked beneath me, a warm cup of tea in my hand. Her house smelled of freshly baked goods, and I loved it.“I’m serious,” I said, forcing myself to smile as I looked at her. “You can believe I’m over Derek. He can go to hell for all I care.”Sylvie raised a brow, and I knew she wasn’t convinced, not even a little bit. “You know I’m always here for you, right? Whatever you need.”“I do,” I said, stretching my hands to hold hers. “But I’m fine. Sometimes when I think about it, it hurts… a lot, but not as much as it used to. Cathy got Derek, so what?” I smiled.“Fine,” she said, smiling back at me. “I believe you.”I held on to her hand tightly. Coming back to Elyndor was actually the best thing I could have done for myself. I had my mother and my best friend with

Elysia“Elysia… Elysia,” Sylvie called behind me, but I didn’t stop. I walked faster.It felt like I couldn’t breathe, and I would pass out any minute now. I was slowly becoming dizzy, but I still didn’t stop. I was totally confused and had not even a single clue where I was going.By the time I reached the open courtyard, I was gasping for air, hand resting on my knee. It felt like my head had been dipped underwater for way too long, and I’d forgotten how to breathe.“Elysia!”Sylvie finally caught up to me. She grabbed my arm, firm, gently but firm, forcing me to straighten. “What’s wrong?” she asked, worry detectable in every line of her face.I didn’t reply. I was quiet for a very long moment.“Elysia,” she called again. “Look at me.”I turned my head slightly. “What’s going on?” she asked, her voice more softer.“Did my brother say something you didn’t like?” she asked, totally confused.“No… no…” I said quickly, my voice trembling. My stomach twisted, waves and waves of nausea