All Chapters of Bride Of The Beast: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

55 Chapters

Chapter Twenty One: Pregnancy

The memory of my brothers laughing about the "beast’s snack" and Calani’s crude remarks about the Prince’s size flashed through my mind. Back then, it had been a terrifying joke. Now, it was a question about my dignity."He bit me to save my life," I said, the lie tasting like copper. "The King wanted proof of the bond. Without this, I’d be dead and you wouldn't be standing here alive.”Mirabel flinched, pulling her hand back to her chest. The relief on her face was ugly, it was a sharp jagged thing she couldn't hide. She was horrified for me, yes, but she was also clearly glad it wasn't her skin being marked."I remember what Ricky said," she murmured, looking away. "About the 'beast' wanting something unripe. I used to stay awake at night wondering if Father knew he was sending you to be mauled."I scoffed, “Of course he knew," I said. "He just didn't care because he didn't consider me part of his children."Mirabel looked like she wanted to cry, but she didn't have the right. She ha

Chapter Twenty Two: Sleeping Together

Two days had passed without any issues, or at least, that’s what I kept telling myself.The routine was starting to feel normal, which was the most dangerous thing of all. I woke up, let Calani paint dress me up, and sat through meals where Eilis and I played the part of the devoted couple. But the moment the sun dipped below the horizon and the private wing doors shut, the performance ended. Eilis would disappear into his study or his own quarters, and I would be left alone in the massive, cold bed that was supposed to belong to both of us.I was walking through the gallery, trying to keep my head down, when Denis caught up to me. I was somehow jealous of how Denis manages to look happy almost all the time. And today he also looked to be having the time of his life, his face split by a casual, boyish grin. He had a way of moving that didn't belong in this stiff, cold palace, he swung his arms and leaned into spaces like he owned them."You know, Raven," Denis said, falling into ste

Chapter Twenty Three: Could I Risk It?

Sometime later I woke up slowly, my mind foggy until a rhythmic, blunt friction against my leg pulled me fully into consciousness. I didn't move, I didn't even breathe. I was pressed against something solid and radiating heat, my body angled in a way that told me I was no longer on my side of the bed.I blinked my eyes open, staring into the shadows. My heart stopped.At some point in the night, the distance between us had vanished. I was practically on top of him, my chest flush against his side and my leg hooked slightly over his hip. I felt the coarse linen of his undershirt against my cheek.Then I felt it again. A steady, subconscious movement.Eilis was still asleep, his breathing deep and even, but the "beast" wasn't entirely dormant. His dick was hard, pressing firmly against the bare skin of my inner thigh. With every slow breath he took, he shifted, a low, instinctive hump that dragged the heat of him against me.The terror I’d felt earlier was joined by a frantic, dizzying

Chapter Twenty Four: Envy

EILÍSI woke up with the weight of him still burning against my side. For a second, I didn't move, my heart hammering a frantic rhythm against my ribs.The room was dim, the first grey light of dawn barely cutting through the curtains, but it was enough to see the disaster I’d created. Raven was still asleep, his breathing soft and even, completely oblivious to the fact that my body had spent the night betraying every promise I’d made him.I looked down at the mess of the furs, my skin crawled with a sudden heat. The evidence of my restlessness was everywhere. I could feel the dampness on my own skin, the blunt, lingering pressure in my groin that told me exactly how I’d spent the hours of my unconsciousness.Damn it. I’d told him I wouldn't hurt him. I’d told him I was in control. And yet, I had spent the night humping against his thigh like a common cur in heat.I eased myself back, moving with an agonizing slowness so I wouldn't wake him. If he opened his eyes now and saw me like

Chapter Twenty Five: Family Members

RAVENI walked down the hallway toward the breakfast room, my mind still a mess from the night before. I kept thinking about how Eilís would react when he saw me, and if he’d know I was awake for all of it.I rounded the corner and stopped.Eilís was standing in an alcove a few feet away. He was talking to a noblewoman I’d never seen before. She looked comfortable around him—too comfortable. As I watched, she reached out and put her hand on his shoulder.Eilís didn't flinch. He didn't pull away like he usually did when people got close. He just stood there, listening to her.I felt a weird pull in my chest, but I forced myself to look away. It shouldn't matter to me who he talked to. I kept walking, focusing on the floor until I reached the dining hall doors. The room was already half-full, and the smell of food made my stomach growl. I walked up to the head of the table and gave a small, respectful nod.“Good morning, Your Majesty,” I said, keeping my voice light.The King looked

Chapter Twenty Six: Common courtesy

I turned my head toward the entrance just as the heavy doors groaned open.Eilís walked in, but he wasn't alone. The woman from the hallway was still with him, walking half a step behind. Up close, she was even more striking—her movements were fluid, possessed of a grace that only came from years of high-court breeding or, more likely, the predatory confidence of a high-ranking wolf.Eilís eyes swept over the table, skipping over the King and his cousins until they landed on me. He didn't smile, but his jaw tightened.“You’re late,” the King remarked, though his tone was more curious than angry. He was looking at the woman behind Eilís. “And I see you’ve brought Lady Kiya with you. I thought you were still in the Western territories.”Kiya stepped forward, offering a slight, elegant bow. “I returned late last night, Your Majesty. I couldn't miss the chance to see the new addition to the family.”Her voice was like silk, smooth and perfectly modulated. She turned her gaze to me, her ey

Chapter Twenty Seven: A Stanza

The walk to the library was long. I followed Devon through the hallways, trying to keep my pace steady. My boots made a quiet sound on the stone floor. Every time we passed a window, the morning sun hit the walls, but the palace still felt cold.I was still thinking about breakfast. Eilís had acted like I wasn't even there. Then there was Kiya. The way she had her hand on his shoulder made my stomach turn. I didn't know why it bothered me so much, but it did."You're very quiet, Raven," Devon said. He didn't look back, but I could tell he was waiting for me to say something. "Is the air too thin for you up here? I’ve heard the South is much heavier."I cleared my throat. I had to make sure my voice was high and soft before I spoke. "I'm just tired, Lord Devon. It was a long morning.""I’m sure," he said. He stopped in front of two big wooden doors. "Eilís isn't a morning person. I heard he was out of your room before the sun even came up. He seemed to be in quite a hurry."I felt my f

Chapter Twenty Eight: Fake Mate

I pushed away from the table and walked towards the back of the library. The air got colder the further I went, smelling of dust and damp stone. This was the section Devon told me to avoid. He’d said the guards got jumpy around the old records, but the guards weren't in here right now so technically, I was free to do what I wanted.I ran my hand along the spines of the books. Most were thick ledgers with years stamped on them in fading gold ink. My fingers stopped on a book that was smaller than the others, wedged between two massive volumes. It had no title, just a piece of grey parchment stuck to the spine with a single word written in cramped script: Bonds.I pulled it out and sat on the floor between the stacks. The stone was cold, but I was hidden in the shadows. I opened the cover. The first few pages were filled with diagrams of the neck, showing exactly where the teeth were supposed to sink in. There were sketches of the "Mark"—the jagged scar that was supposed to be a badge

Chapter Twenty Nine: A ball dance

The walk back from the library felt longer than it should have. I was nearly at the turn for my quarters when I saw Kiya. She was standing by one of the narrow windows, her hands folded in front of her. She looked peaceful, just watching the sun.I tried to keep my pace steady, but she turned and offered a small, warm smile before I could pass."Oh, you were still at the library?" she said. Her voice was soft, almost kind. I stopped a few feet away, keeping my hands hidden in my skirts."It’s a beautiful room, isn't it?" she asked, stepping away from the window. She moved toward me with a slow, easy grace. I nodded, not sure where she was going with this."Eilís belongs to these mountains, you know," she said, her tone still light, like she was sharing a fond memory. "He’s part of the pack, part of the cold. It’s in his blood. That’s why we worry about him so much."She reached out then. The movement was so natural I didn't have time to pull back. She ran her fingers through a stray l

Chapter Thirty: A moment in time

The ballroom was way too much. I stood at the entrance, just staring at the hundreds of candles and the crowds of people. It was loud, hot, and smelled like heavy perfume.I smiled when I saw Denis standing with one of the nobles. He saw me and waved, excusing himself from the conversation so he could come to me.“Are you doing alright?” He asked, his signature grin on his face.I shrugged. “I'm okay.” I looked around again, my eyes automatically searching for Eilis.“He's not back yet.” Denis said like he could read my mind. “He's in a meeting with Kiya and the council.”“Oh.” I forced a laugh. “I wasn't looking for him anyway.”“Right.” He chuckled. “You fascinate me.”I frowned. “What?”“You fascinate me.” He repeated. “With how you manage to look gorgeous in every dress.”I blushed, I couldn't help it. “Thank you.” never thought I'd see the day I'd feel a rush because I was called gorgeous.He smiled back. “You're welcome, I just thought you needed to hear it.”“Oh, thank you, you

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