Beast

A/N: Hhh, I wasn't gonna write a Shandy AU for this but klaudiapasqui convinced me otherwise. So, here's a Beauty and the Beast AU when I should be working on my book.

It was a stupid decision, but Sandy was not going to marry someone just to be a plaything or arm candy. She just needed somewhere quiet. To think, that's all. And that's how she found herself in the forest and admittedly lost.

The setting sun did nothing to ease her worries and the later it got, the more alive the forest felt. The wind howled as she tried to make her way back to her village, snow seeping into the edges of her dress, dragging her down.

She stopped as a branch snapped, something large and imposing standing in front of her. Its dark fur bristled at the sight of her, large paws kicking up snow as it walked towards her. Sandy swallowed, grabbing the closest branch she could reach.

The thing stopped, looking to the left of them before growling. Shadows flickered in the distance, the buzz of chatter reaching them. Hunters. A way back home.

Sandy moved, darting forward before the trees spun and the cold, wet ground rushed to meet her. She grunted, glaring at the sprung bear trap, thankful it only got caught on her dress and not her leg. She looked back, seeing the monster step forward.

"Help," she yelled, hands shaking as she tore at the skirt of her dress. "Someone, there's a—" she screamed as the monster bared its teeth, white and gleaming as they were large. It hovered over her, red eyes calm and seemingly bored.

"Wait," it mumbled, claws digging into the earth by her head.

Sandy looked at it, chest heaving as she screamed again, loud enough for the hunters to hear. She flinched as the monster ran, disappearing into the thick copse as one of the hunters rushed towards her.

"Are you okay?" he asked, helping her up.

"Mostly," she answered, looking at her torn dress. One of the sleeves were ruined too. "But, there's this, this thing out here and—"

"What are you doing out here by yourself?" the man asked, looking her up and down before his gaze settled on her face. "Aren't you Calvin's new wife?"

Her face fell at that, the small glimmer of heading back to her own home squashed immediately. Sandy bit her lip, opening her mouth to respond. "Yes, but—" she started, stopping when the man grabbed her wrist, pulling her forward.

"We'll get you home, then," he said. "He almost threw a fit when you left."

She shoved him away from her, shouting, "No. I-I can't go back." She didn't want to.

He reached for her again, saying, "Well, your husband wants you back, so let's go."

Sandy frowned, pulling away from him. "He ain't my, no, put me down." She yelled, slamming her fists into the man's back as he picked her up. She twisted, feeling the air rush past her as the man screamed, waving his lantern at the monster.

It roared, swatting the lantern away, the dark pressing around them as it went out. The monster growled, snarling as it stood between Sandy and the hunter.

"What the hell is that?" the hunter mumbled, grabbing his crossbow, shaking as he loaded it.

The monster snarled again, turning towards Sandy. It huffed, lowering itself to the ground and looking at her. She shivered, gripping its fur as it stood before the hunter could call for back up. She gasped, the trees passing by in a blur as the monster took off, heading deeper into the forest.

They soon reached a castle, black stone only visible by the moonlight. Sandy let go of the beast, shaking as she looked around the foyer. She rubbed her arms, unsuccessfully trying to ward off the cold, her torn dress and wet boots doing no favors.

"This way," the beast said, standing up on two legs as it—he went towards the fireplace, one already lit and orange as coals burned.

She watched him sit down, moving to curl up a few moments later. Sandy followed, her shaking subsiding instantly as the fire's warmth caressed her.

"I," she paused, rubbing her hands together. "Thank you." She finally said. It was strange thanking a beast, but he did save her.

"No problem." He said, closing his eyes for a moment. "I'm sorry for earlier. It's. . .been a while since I've seen another person."

She nodded. "I only left my village to clear my head. I'm supposed to be married and, well, I don't want that yet. You got a name?"

"Shadow," he answered, stretching out.

"Sandy," she returned, swallowing as she glanced at her bare legs. "You, uh, wouldn't happen to have any clothes lying around, right?"

Shadow stood, walking off and leaving her alone for a moment. He came back, dumping a large black shirt by her. "One of the maids should be coming soon. To help you bathe." He said, lying back down.

"And what about tomorrow?"

"The choice is yours, go back to your village or stay here."

Sandy hummed in response, the fire crackling as she shifted. "Are you cursed? Last time I checked, beasts don't live in castles."

He chuckled. "Unfortunately, I am. A witch cursed me and now I either learn to love or stay like this forever."

A maid came by just as the prince said, ushering Sandy into a bathroom upstairs. The maid left once Sandy undressed, towels laid out on the counter for her.

Sandy sighed, hot water reaching her chest and warming her from the inside. She could go back to Calvin or stay here. Trade one beast for another. A nicer and true beast instead of a man who just wanted her around to look pretty and bear children.

She got out the tub a few moments later, drying off and changing into the shirt the prince gave her. She found him still by the fireplace, dark fur shifting as he breathed.

Sandy walked towards him, nudging him as she sat down. "I owe you one, so," she paused, looking him in the eye. "I'll stay. And not jus' cause I don't wanna go back to my village."

"Then why?" he asked, his momentary surprise at her announcement leaving him.

"I'll stay and help you break your curse. It's the least I could do." Falling in love didn't sound so hard, especially if it could help someone else. So, she'd try. They could both benefit from it. Shadow would be human again and she'd be happy.