Hey everyone! Sorry I took so long to update. I got a temporary job at a Halloween store, and I've been working 9-6 most days, and I'm exhausted when I get home. We're nearly ready to open our store, so hopefully things will improve then!

Btw, I'm aware the timing of my story may be off (as far as the curse becoming finalized and all that jazz), but for the sake of my story, the curse is a little slower and won't finalize for a little while longer...

Anyway, now for the story!

Belle

The beautiful woman held tightly onto the Beast as he carried her back to his castle where she would be safe. She knew she needed to tell him about what was going on, but she wanted to wait until she was in the castle where the servants would hear too. Especially since she swore she caught a glimpse of Gaston as Beast carried her away.

I know he thinks he's won, but I don't consider myself 'found' until he actually has touched me. In other words, he has to actually capture me for me to consider him the victor.

It didn't take very long to reach the Beast's castle, and upon entering, the Beast gently placed Belle on her feet. "Are you alright, Belle? Why did you scream?" The Beast looked genuinely concerned for her as he awaited her answer. "I'm happy to tell you what's going on, but I'd also like for everyone else in the castle to know too. That way, we're all on the same page, so to speak." The Beast contemplated her answer for a moment, then nodded in understanding. "Go to the library, I shall gather everyone there for you."

Belle wasted no time heading to the library, where she knew she would have to explain quickly and also come up with a plan. She knew Beast left tracks, so it won't be long before Gaston shows up. A few minutes later, everyone who could move had gathered in the library, with Beast joining them in quiet anticipation of Belle's explanation.

"As you all know, Beast had recently released me so that I may go to my father to help him, and now he has brought me back. Well, he did so because he heard me scream in the woods, and feared I was in trouble... In a way, I guess I am." At this, everyone began whispering and Beast leaned forward, eager to know how he could help Belle. "Back in my village, after Beast let me go to my father, I found him locked in a horse-drawn cart to be taken to an asylum. I begged the villagers to free him, but they said he was raving about a beast in a castle and they deemed him crazy. This man, his name is Gaston, well, I thought maybe he would help me, since he was always so persistent in his advances toward me, going so far as to even ask me to marry him even though we had never courted." Beast let out a growl suddenly, causing Belle to pause for a moment. "I always rejected him, but apparently he can't take 'no' for an answer... Anyway, no one believed me and Gaston didn't seem as though he were going to help me, so I felt I had no choice..." Belle lowered her head briefly before continuing, "I used the mirror to provide proof of my father's words, so they'd let him go. But, the villagers, they panicked. It also didn't help when Gaston began to speak ill of you, Beast, to get them rilled up into an angry mob. He was going to lock me up with Papa so that I couldn't warn you, but then I got an idea. Oh, Beast, I did it to protect you! To protect all of you!"

"What did you do, dear?" Mrs. Potts asked for everyone. "I... I, challenged Gaston..." No one seemed to understand the severity of the situation, so Belle explained further about the challenge she issued, the rules of the game, and what was at stake. At the end of it all, everyone had gathered around her to support her, and pledge to help in any way they could.

"That's just it, if I get help, he may call me out for being unfair, since I stated one of the rules was that he couldn't get any help from anyone... So, I want you all to remain still and do not intervene, okay? And Beast, you need to stay hidden! He will kill you if he sees you! Please, everyone, stay hidden! I'm sure I can handle Gaston, but if. I truly need help, I'll call for you."

No one was particularly thrilled with this, but they agreed so long as Belle would allow them to intervene if necessary.

A loud pounding was heard at the main doors of the castle... "He's here! Everyone, remember what I said! I can handle him, just trust me, please!" With that, everyone scattered to their usual places as Gaston attempted to break down the door on his own. Belle wasn't sure where Beast was, but she prayed he hid himself well enough to hide from the merciless hunter that's hot on her trail.

Belle kept herself hidden upstairs, in a place where she could call out to Gaston, but perhaps her voice would echo across the walls, making it more difficult to determine the correct direction to head in. But, it was also a good place to be able to keep an eye on things downstairs.

CRASH! THUD!

Gaston

The door crashed open and hit the wall as the man in red entered the dark castle in search of Belle, with his gun drawn and ready to face the Beast that took her away. "C'mon out Beast! Release Belle! She's mine!" He called out loudly, his voicing booming off the walls and echoing all around the castle. Gaston listened for any noise, any possible response to his statements, but he was met with silence, until... "You've yet to win, Gaston!"

Belle... But, where is she? Maybe if I can keep her talking, I'll be able to discern her location.

"What ever do you mean, Belle? I found you! That means I won, and now we're going to be late to our wedding..." Gaston called out in response, hoping to get her talking again. "No, you sensed me in the dense woods, and then caught a mere glimpse of me later on. Now, tell me, Gaston... Does simply spotting a deer make a hunter successful?"

Oh no she did not just...

"What are you saying?" The man in the elegant red leather Captain's coat questioned in an annoyed and now confused manner. This woman is beginning to frustrate me to no end...

"That in order for you to truly win, you must actually capture me, not just see me. A successful hunter is not one who simply goes out and spots deer. No, he's the one that catches his prey to bring it home."

Belle's words worked to distract Gaston from attempting to locate where her voice was coming from. The new revelation made him more frustrated than he already was. His breathing became more like huffing and puffing as his shoulders bounced up and down. He was attempting to regain control of himself before he did something stupid.

"So... I must find you and capture you... Then place you atop my horse and ride into the village in the same manner I do when I return from my hunts then shall I? Fine then... Ready or not, here I come. Belle!" Gaston roared as he charged the grand staircase. He knew she was upstairs, but exactly where? He was unsure.

He only had a few more hours to locate Belle, and he wasn't going to waste anymore time... "No more Mr. Nice Guy... I WILL marry you tonight, Belle... That's a promise..." Gaston whispered to himself as he began to search the second floor.