Author's Note: Okay, so I know that Belle is kinda angsty in this chapter but I'm sure you would be too if you lost your father and friends to blood-sucking vampires...lol. Anyhow, I hope you enjoy this chap- let me know if I can improve on anything.

Secrets of the Night

Chapter 4

Belle was so tired when she had entered the room she didn't pay any attention at all to her surroundings and fell onto the bed. She sleepily removed her shoes and tossed them on the floor. The soft, downy comforter and pillow felt like heaven- as soon as she laid her head on the pillow, she fell fast asleep and was lost in a world of deep slumber.

She woke up in the middle of the night, though, when she found herself shivering. Groggily she lifted her head from the pillow to see with surprise and alarm that the one of the balcony doors had opened. A cold, whistling wind was blowing into her room and chilling her bones.

Fear chilled Belle`s blood. Anything could come into her room with the door open like that. Quickly, she got up from bed and hurried across the floor to close the door. The floor was icy against her bare feet and the wind traveled up her legs, creating goose bumps on her skin. When she reached the open balcony door, she paused a second and fearfully made her way out on the balcony.

She swallowed hard as she looked over its edge and saw the softly rustling leaves of the forest below and the quiet courtyard of the castle. Belle looked at the moon and stars in the sky, admiring the way the stars glittered like jewels.

She expected to see something below, something lurking in the forest... but she saw nothing. As she looked out at the darkness and vast emptiness below, she wondered where her father was and was suddenly struck by an overwhelming feeling of sadness.

A lump formed in her throat. Tears formed in her eyes as she barely held back a choking sob. She cast a brief glance at the castle. She didn`t want to wake anyone up with her sobs.

Covering her mouth as tears fell down her face, Belle looked out at the vast darkness and stood there, crying. When a cold gust picked up again and froze her skin, she was brought back to the present and realized with a start that she should go back inside.

Hastily Belle wiped the tears from her eyes and hurried inside, shutting the door swiftly behind her. She pulled on the brass lock that secured the doors and made her way to her bed again.

When she reached her bed, she crawled to the middle of it and lay down. She shut her eyes as tears rolled down her cheeks again. She missed her sisters, she missed Frederic and Daniel, she missed her father, and she hated this place.

Belle woke up the next morning to the sound of a dog barking. It was a small bark; the sound of a puppy barking. Along with that she heard a voice that she was sure was Chip's. "Tache! Stop!" Chip said in between gasps. "You're running so fast! I can't keep up, boy!" Suddenly Belle heard scratching on the door and figured it was the puppy. "Stop, don't go in there!"

Belle giggled a little and threw the cover off her, getting up to open the door and greet Chip. She padded across the floor, which was a little bit warmer now that the balcony door was closed. She opened the door and was met with the hyper, happy attention of the puppy as it jumped toward her. She cried out in surprise and the puppy, Tache, agitatedly pawed at her legs, demanding her attention.

"Oh! Good morning to you too!" she exclaimed, looking down at the puppy. It was a fluffy dog with white fur speckled with brown spots.

Chip was standing in the hall in front of her doorway, grinning at Tache's energy. "He is always so lively." the boy explained.

Belle smiled and looked back down at the dog, which was now resting its paws on her legs and staring up at her with pleading brown eyes. "I can see that..." she remarked.

Tache successfully received Belle's attention after much begging. As she stroked the pet, Chip asked her, "Do you like your room?"

Belle looked up and smiled sweetly at the boy. "Yes, it's very comfortable thank you...I will have to thank your master for his hospitality."

After she said this she turned and surveyed the room. It was very nice indeed; with the large, four-poster bed she had slept in, a mahogany night table by her bedside, a large armoire which she had yet to explore, a table with a mirror, a cushioned chair against near the wall opposite the bed, various paintings of nobles and the balcony with its tall glass windows and heavy, elegant blue drapes.

"Do you want to come downstairs? The cook is making a big breakfast because you're here and there'll be lots of food!" the boy exclaimed.

"Oh?" Belle was startled that they would do something like that for their guest. "That's quite nice of the cook...I think I will come down." Belle stepped in front of the vanity and smoothed out her wrinkled dress. She quickly tied her hair into a braid and put on her shoes before she stepped out of the room. Shutting the door firmly behind her, she smiled down at the blonde-haired boy and said, "Come, let's go join everyone downstairs."

As Belle walked around the castle with Chip and Tache at their feet, she took the opportunity to look around. During the night, when she had first arrived and when the werewolf had carried her to her room (she blushed at this), the castle had been dark and foreboding. But now in the daylight, with the sunlight shining through the windows and its rich interior, it seemed a friendly and beautiful place to be in.

The floors of the corridors were covered in plush red carpet; paintings encased in decorative gilt frames lined the walls, knights' armour stood on display, the odd hall table appeared in the corridors, holding vases or sculptures and at the end of every corridor was a window, arched at the top and square along its sides.

Yes, this was certainly an intriguing castle...

When she got downstairs to the kitchen, the cook, a hearty and warm man with a moustache exclaimed, "Hello Belle!"

Belle smiled and greeted him and the others. Mrs. Potts was also in the kitchen.

"Hello, dear. Lovely morning, isn't it? Did you sleep well?" she asked amiably as she took teacups down from a cupboard.

"Uh, yes, very well, thank you..." Belle said, excluding the open balcony door.

Mrs. Potts turned and smiled at her. "Would you like some tea? I'm making some right now."

Belle nodded and stood there awkwardly, wringing her hands slightly. The servants were busy in the kitchen or just standing around talking. It was warm and light wooden countertops and cupboards lined the room. As Belle looked around, she noticed Lumiere and Cogsworth standing near each other conversing politely. Standing beside Lumiere was a woman Belle had not seen before.

She was quite beautiful and curvaceous with shiny, dark hair, full lips, a full chest, small waist and curvy hips. All this was accentuated by the outfit she wore; a bustier with a skirt and white apron. Belle, although accepting of her looks, felt that this woman looks outshone her own.

Belle noticed that Lumiere was looking at her with a wide, goofy grin and a sparkle in his eyes. She let a smile slip across her face at this and the woman noticed this. Lumiere's attention traveled from the woman to Belle and he quickly looked back and forth from each woman. His eyes widened.

"Oh!" he exclaimed, startling everyone. He gave a chuckle. "I almost forgot- how rude of me! Belle, this is Babette. Babette this is Belle, Belle la Roux."

Babette observed her coolly for a moment before giving what looked like a forced smile. The two greeted each other. Belle was not sure where the woman's coldness stemmed from but she had a feeling that it had something to do with Lumiere. After that, Babette teased Lumiere with the feather duster and flirted loudly with him. Cogsworth was rolling his eyes and shaking his head and Belle watched carefully.

It appeared that Babette wanted Lumiere all to herself and maybe she was worried that he would take a liking to Belle. He had in a way already; she remembered the night she had arrived- he had been flirtatious and forward. But maybe that was just his nature...

"Belle dear, go take a seat and we'll be right out to serve you." Mrs. Potts told her.

Belle turned to her. "Isn't there anything I can help with?" she asked.

"No, no Madame!" Lumiere protested. "You are a guest in this household- you should not have to dirty those hands!"

Belle smiled uncomfortably.

"Yes...she does not have to work..." she heard Babette mutter as she crossed the kitchen. "She is not royalty you know..."

"No, but she is a guest, mon amour..." Lumiere murmured affectionately as he turned to her.

The affectionate address seemed to work on Babette but she was still bitter about it. She passed Belle a resentful look and made her way to the other side of the kitchen.

Belle was taken aback by this and bothered by it. She had made an enemy already. Babette had decided that she didn't like Belle but there was nothing Belle could do about it.

There was a tense, uncomfortable silence that hung in the kitchen. "Why don't you go sit down Belle? Make yourself comfortable and we'll be right out." Mrs. Potts piped up, softening the situation.

Belle nodded. "All right..." she answered quietly. She left the kitchen and made her way to the dining room. It too was lavish and offered a sense of comfort and ease. She sat down at the long mahogany table and looked at the large windows that gave a good view of the palace grounds. The curtains on the window were a peachy pink that matched with the red cushions of the chairs and sofas. A crystal chandelier hung over the middle of the table and a sitting area lay off to the side with couches and a fireplace.

What a beautiful home, she thought. I wonder who lived here...That werewolf couldn't possibly own this castle. It would have to have been very rich royalty... Perhaps it had been abandoned and the werewolf had decided to live here. Then a thought struck her. Had he came and taken rule and control over the servants, using threats to get them to cooperate? The thought unnerved her and made her even more curious. She shook her head and stopped trying to figure it out. It was all a mystery.

Twenty minutes passed when the servants arrived with the food. Mrs. Potts brought out some tea for her and poured her a cup while the other servants set down the food. Belle was completely stunned at the amount of food; there were trays of fruit, ham, eggs, crepes, honey, fresh milk, croissants and jellies.

When they had set it all before her, the servants sat down at the table to join her. Belle conversed and laughed with them and as she did, she wondered where the master was. Curious, she asked Mrs. Potts. "Is your master not dining with us?" she questioned, frowning.

Mrs. Potts shook her head, almost sadly. "No...He said he didn't feel like coming down to breakfast today...He's in one of his moods today..." she said this pointedly to the others.

"Why?" Belle pressed.

Mrs. Potts sighed. "It's his disposition- he has a quick temper and gets very sulky."

"Oh..." Belle murmured.

"Although I'm sure if he we're to be in your company he would act better..." Mrs. Potts added, getting her attention.

"Mhmm?" Belle gave her a questioning look.

"I think you would improve his temperament," Mrs. Potts told her with a smile. "Although I would be a chaperone when you are alone with him..." This made Belle's stomach drop. "He has an awful temper and I'd feel so bad for you if you were left alone in the presence of his terrible temper." Mrs. Potts explained.

Belle's face paled and she remembered how close she had been to him last night. "Is he...dangerous?" she asked fearfully.

Mrs. Potts hesitated. "Well...he...tends to throw things and destroy things...and he has never physically injured anyone here but sometimes...sometimes I am just not sure. At times you are afraid that he will hurt you but it's mostly that terrible yelling of his that upsets everyone."

"Oh..." Belle said again, unsure of what to say. She left the servants after a good meal and feeling energized, said she would explore the castle. They warned her not to go in the west wing of the castle though and this only intrigued her more.

Belle made her way around the first floor and found that it looked similar to the second floor. She was moving down a hall when she noticed a door ajar. She stopped and stepped back to explore the room. She could see that it was dim within and as she opened the door it didn't make a sound.

Belle saw that it was a music room. It was large, with a table and couches and behind those were a fireplace. To her left sat a piano and across from her was a large window. There were large pillars in the room and a vast expanse of empty space. Belle guessed that it was a room used for entertainment.

She walked forward and stepped around the pillar to see a large, dark figure sitting on the windowsill. Belle gasped and stopped in her tracks.

She froze as the figure turned to look at her and her heart stopped. She heard a deep, low growl and inhaled sharply.

"What are you doing here?" the voice asked harshly and Belle knew that it was the werewolf.

She gave a quick shrug. "I- I was just taking a tour of the castle..." she said. She folded her hands in front of her. "It's beautiful..."

He sniffed. "Haven't you ever heard of knocking?!" he snapped. "You've disturbed me!"

Belle was taken aback. "Uh..." she uttered. "I'm sorry; I didn't mean to intrude"-

"Well you did!" he cut in.

Belle sighed audibly, knowing that she had found his temper. "I'm sorry- it seems as if I have angered you. I will take my leave now." She whirled and started to go but he stopped her.

"No!" he shouted. Belle stopped and spun around, startled.

"Excuse me?" she asked disbelief in her tone.

He raised an eyebrow. "Did I say you could leave yet?"

Belle became uncomfortable and remained silent as she pressed her lips tightly together. Belle stared evenly at him.

"I am the master of this household. You will leave when I say you can leave." His voice was authoritative and stern.

Belle sighed again and stayed where she was. He got up from where he was sitting and walked over to her. Belle immediately tensed and backed away a bit.

He towered over her and crossed his arms over his chest. He stood there and carefully observed her. She squirmed as his blue eyes swept over her from head to toe and then his eyes rested on hers again.

"You will wear the dresses that are in the armoire from now on..." he informed her. "And you will join me for dinner tonight."

Belle furrowed her brow. "What? You mean I don't have any choice? I can't say no?"

He became angry and his eyes darkened. "Would you rather starve?!" he growled.

Belle raised her chin and looked him right in the eyes. "Yes," she answered succinctly. "You can't make me."

The werewolf's face hardened and he growled low in his throat. "You will join me for dinner tonight." he said firmly, glaring at her. Belle returned the stony look.

"No I won't!" Belle cried. He gave a gruff, angry grunt. She ran out of the room when he picked up a chair and threw it across the room. She continued running until she reached her room. She locked the door and hid in fear.

It was mid-afternoon by the time Mrs. Potts came around and knocked on her door. After Belle had told her what had happened, Mrs. Potts replied, "Oh, dear, give him another chance...He just got a little bit angry and it's just dinner for tonight...You don't want to go hungry, now do you dear?"

Belle was sitting against the door, talking to Mrs. Potts on the opposite side.

"I don't want to be forced into something just so I can have food." she said obstinately.

Mrs. Potts sighed heavily on the other end of the door. "Please, just this once..."

"No," Belle said in a shaky voice. "I don't like him. He's too demanding...and controlling. Just like someone else I know..." she added, thinking of Gaston and loathing the fact that she was under someone else's domineering nature now.

"He just wants you to have dinner with him...The master...doesn't know how to ask nicely..." Mrs. Potts explained.

Belle was shocked. "You're making excuses for him!" she cried, indignant.

"I..." Mrs. Potts trailed off.

"He should know how to ask a lady to dinner and he should treat everyone with more respect." Belle said.

"Well...the master is used to having everything given to him and everyone obeying him." Mrs. Potts told her.

"Why do you let him control you?!" Belle asked, frowning. "He is an animal! A monster!"

"Please, lower your voice! You don't want the master hearing you, now do you?" Mrs. Potts warned nervously.

Belle sighed and closed her eyes. "I don't care..." she muttered.

"Please, miss, I just ask that you consider having dinner with him..." Mrs. Potts begged.

Belle sighed heavily. "I'll think about it..." she promised. Mrs. Potts left and Belle was left with nothing to do in her room so she lay down and slept.

It was late evening when she woke up to a harsh, insistent pounding on the door and the angry voice that went along with it. Belle knew who it was and took a deep breath, bracing herself for what was to come. She sat up in bed.

"OPEN UP THIS DOOR!" he yelled. "DINNER IS READY! I TOLD YOU THAT YOU WERE TO JOIN ME FOR DINNER!"

"I'm not hungry!" she yelled. It was a lie and she was using it as an excuse.

"Too bad! You'll just sit there then!" he yelled back.

"No!" she shouted.

He growled and it was an ugly, loud growl full of rage. Belle was a little taken aback by it but she refused to be intimidated by him. He banged on the door and it shook. Belle clutched the sheets tightly, afraid that he might break down the door and barge in.

But she heard nothing more after that. It was only when he spoke again. "Fine! GO AHEAD AND STARVE, YOU STUBBORN, DIFFICULT, INTOLERABLE WOMAN! You'll regret this!"

With those threatening words, there was silence and then a few moments later she heard a door slamming loudly from down the hall.

Belle lay back down and mulled over the quarrel. As she thought about it, she realized that perhaps she had been a little bit rude and that she hadn't given him enough of a chance. But she could definitely justify her reasons- she could certainly point out all the things he did wrong.

As she fell asleep she thought of her father and her sisters. She worried for her father and wondered what her sisters were doing now. A thought struck Belle and she realized that perhaps this werewolf could help her find her father...She could ask him or the servants about the vampires; where they lived, where they traveled...They seemed to know about them...

While falling into a deep sleep, Belle promised herself that she would make an effort to smooth things over tomorrow and approach the werewolf.

The cawing of a raven was the first thing Belle heard when she woke up. The auburn-haired beauty yawned languidly as she propped herself up on her elbows. She looked at the window and squinted. It was a bright sunny day with blue skies.

Belle relaxed for a few moments before getting out of bed and searched thoughtfully through the armoire in her room. She was impressed by the dresses she found in it; they were made of silk and velvet. Never had she seen such luxury in her life before.

She giggled as she thought about wearing the dresses. Why overlook such beautiful gowns when she had the chance to wear them? Belle reached in and pulled out a pale purple gown with a square neckline and a dark purple satin belt that wound around the waistline of the dress. The dress was light and flowed around her slender body and the sash flattered her tiny waist.

She then put on matching lilac-coloured slippers and made her way to the hall. When Belle reached her door, she opened it and peeked out. Looking down the hall both ways, she saw that no one was around. She was looking out for the 'Beast', a name she had started to call him. Belle didn't want him to catch her by surprise; she wanted to catch him by surprise and apologize.

After all, he had given her shelter and offered dinner...She went downstairs to the first floor of the castle and was just about to make her way to the kitchen to find food for breakfast when she saw him seated in a high-backed chair, facing the fireplace (which was not lit). The red curtains on the window were pulled back, allowing for the bright sunshine to spill into the room.

Belle stopped and swallowed hard. She was still afraid of him and she knew his temper was explosive but she didn't want things to get even more difficult with this animosity between them.

Taking a deep breath, she walked forward and watched his face as she approached. He didn't notice her at first; he was too busy staring out the window, looking deep in thought. He looked sulky, with his face resting on his paw and a frown on his face.

It wasn't until Belle stopped in front of him that he turned and noticed her. A look of surprise passed across the werewolf's face but was quickly replaced with fury. His blue eyes narrowed and he growled deeply. Belle trembled at the sound. "You!" he snarled.

Belle sighed, knowing this would be difficult. "Yes, me..." Belle answered.

He seemed taken aback by her calmness and didn't say anything. Belle took the opportunity to speak. "I wanted to apologize for last night..." she began, watching as his face relaxed a bit. "I...realize that I was rude and...inconsiderate for not making an appearance at dinner last night. It was the least that I could do for you after you showed me your hospitality."

He didn't speak and stared at her for a moment. A glimmer of interest and bemusement flashed through his eyes as he looked up at her. "Has anyone ever told you that you speak so eloquently with your words?" he asked, completely forgetting about the topic at hand.

Belle reddened and looked down. "Um...well...no...no one has ever told me that before."

"Mhmm..." he murmured, looking away. He soon turned his attention back to Belle, who was looking at him uneasily. His eyes swept over her figure again, taking in her attire. "I see you that you have found a dress to your liking in the armoire."

Belle looked down at her dress, almost forgetting that she had it on. "Oh! Yes, yes I have."

He nodded and continued observing her, which made Belle even more uncomfortable. She started in surprise when he rose from his seat and moved to stand closer to her. She instinctively stiffened. Slowly, Belle raised her eyes to his and froze when she saw how tall he was. He had stopped in front of her and was staring down at her with those bright blue eyes.

"And you have left your hair down, I see..." he remarked casually, causing Belle to look at her hair. She had forgotten to pull it back; it was loose and she figured she probably looked like a wild woman from the bush.

Belle gasped and jumped when he reached out and took one of her locks in his clawed hands. Her heart beat faster as he moved it between his fingers and carefully sifted his fingers through the lock of reddish-brown hair.

He pulled his fingers away, very slowly, and the lock of hair fell from his fingers to her shoulder. Their gazes met. "You know, Belle, women who wear their hair loose and flowing like you do are thought to be wild and rebellious..." he trailed off, his voice low and teasing. After he uttered those words, a playful grin spread across his face, showing his sharp, pointed teeth.

Belle's cheeks darkened to a deep red. "I am not"-

"I know, I know," the werewolf said quickly. "I was only teasing."

"Oh..." Belle trailed off, looking away.

"But I will allow it in this house..." he told her as he brushed past her. She turned to him as he walked away from her and stopped. Slowly, he turned to face her.

"Will you...join me for dinner tonight?" he asked, a bit hesitantly.

Belle thought for a second. "Yes, I will."

"Good," he said gruffly. "I expect you to be in the dining room by seven."

She nodded but bristled as he became gruff and authoritative again. He looked at her for a moment before leaving the room.

Belle was left alone, so she walked out of the room and made her way down the hallway to her left. It was vast, with a high, arched ceiling. Belle was about to make her way to look out the window at the end of hallway, but then stopped in her tracks when she caught sight of what looked like a library.

The door was ajar, and she glimpsed a table with a globe sitting on top of it and a bookshelf beyond, by the window. Belle, fascinated, gently pushed the door open and when she stepped inside she gasped.

It was the biggest collection of books she had ever seen! The library in town was nothing compared to this. Bookshelves reached the ceiling, lined the walls all around. There were staircases leading up to the bookshelves and balconies where the bookshelves were. There was the long wooden table with chairs and the globe; there was a large window with red curtains across from her and a pinkish-coloured sofa that sat across from a fireplace. Like most other rooms, this one had sculptures and paintings lining the walls.

Belle was enthralled and she rushed over to one of the shelves to pull out a book to read. It was a book of geography; of all the different places in the world. She settled down on the sofa and read. She spent an hour reading and enjoying herself. Reading had made her think of home and since the trip she felt like she was at home again.

Just as she closed the book she heard voices coming from the hall. It was Lumiere and Cogsworth, fighting again. Belle smiled and placing the book down on the table, walked to the door.

When she appeared in the hall, it surprised them both. "Oh! Madam!" Cogsworth said in surprise.

"Hello mademoiselle!" Lumiere greeted enthusiastically. "You look ravishing in that dress!"

"Merci..." Belle said, smiling. There was a pause and she spoke. "I have some questions I'd like to ask you about those vampires..." she said with a distressed look.

Lumiere grew solemn. "Oh...it is very unfortunate that your father and friends we're taken by the vampires..." he began. "But perhaps the master's friends can help you get them back again."

"His friends?" Belle asked, hopeful.

"Yes...You see, the master knows others who are also werewolves...They come here often when the vampires launch an attack." Lumiere informed her.

Before Belle could say anything, Cogsworth spoke and looked down the hallway. "Come, let's go inside. We don't want the master to hear us talking about this...He won't like it. Now come." he urged, waving them into the library.

Cogsworth shut the door and the three all sat down. Belle sat on the couch beside Cogsworth while Lumiere sat on one of the chairs.

"So, he and other werewolves have come in contact with the vampires?" Belle asked.

"Oh yes! Nearly all the time!" Lumiere said. "Those vampires never cease to stop their reign of terror. The master and his friends always have to fend them off..."

"Why are these vampires so vicious?" Belle asked angrily. She didn't understand why they had to victimize innocent people for their blood.

Cogsworth gave a long sigh. "That is a long story, madam..." he replied tiredly.

"Well then explain it to me!" Belle cried, becoming frustrated and bringing her fists down on the seat of the couch. "I want answers and I'm not getting any!"

"Mademoiselle, mademoiselle..." Lumiere said soothingly. "That will all come in time...But right now we don't think it is the best time for you to know. It would be too much for you to handle, mademoiselle."

"Try me." Belle replied with a hint of challenge in her voice. She raised her chin and looked steadily at the Frenchman.

Lumiere swallowed hard, appearing uncomfortable. "Mademoiselle, the master does not want us to tell you...You are not supposed to know."

"But why not?!" Belle cried, looking defeated. "How will I be able to ever know if my father is all right?" She stopped suddenly as a sob choked her and she let out an anguished cry. "How...how will I ever see him again?" she whispered in a shaky voice, laden with emotion.

"You can ask the master and his friends to help you," Lumiere told her solemnly. "He...might refuse but I know that his friends are likely to be more sympathetic with you...Some of them lost their wives and children to those vampires..." he added gravely.

Belle gasped. "That's horrible!" She suddenly paled and felt very sick. "What-what if they harm my father and my friends?!" she sobbed, looking stricken.

Cogsworth reached out and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Please, madam, please calm down..."

Belle couldn't stop though; she was hysterical and grief was overwhelming her. She wished her sisters were there. She needed someone to share her misery with and someone to console her.

Lumiere and Cogsworth tried their best to offer comforting words but it was to no avail. Belle turned on her side and laid her head against the couch, weeping. She looked a tragic figure; hazel eyes shining with tears, her smooth skin stained with tears, her slender, slight figure weak and delicate.

She cried until she could no longer and heard the two men shouting for Mrs. Potts before she lost consciousness and passed out.

To be continued....R&R if you like!