I could do nothing more than snarl as I heard the large front door slam closed. Stepping from my trashed bedroom I looked out over the balcony, watching in annoying as I saw her small body trot into the dense woods. She was a fool, doing what she did and deserved what hid in the shadows of the forest.

At least…that's what I attempted to tell myself.

In reality I couldn't help but hope she would turn back, decide it was too dangerous to escape at night. I wanted to hear that I was right, from her, but also wanted her to be safe. Then again I hadn't exactly radiated safety considering her injured shoulder. I snarled at my thoughts, turning from the balcony with a dramatic swish of my tail only for my eyes to rest on a trembling Cogsworth. My brow arched as he attempted to speak.

"Y-Your Majesty, d-d-d-do you not think it da-dangerous to let her l-l-l-leave in such a st-state?" I took a step forward, causing him immediately to jump back as more curious furniture crowded around the crack from my opened door. Swiftly I grabbed him from the floor, feeling the odd sensation of wood tensing in my palm.

"She made her choice," I growled as Cogsworth leaned away from me.

"B-but Your Majesty…you don't have m-much time," I smirked, seeing the minor pun considering him being a clock before my face hardened again. He was right, in a way. My time was coming to an end. I could sense it from the glowing rose. My mouth opened to respond only for a loud screech to sound from outside.

At that point a rather curious feeling surged through my body. Fear settled into my chest, worry gnawing at my stomach, the anger was gone as my person settled into a sort of trance. "Belle," I breathed, dropped Cogsworth and barreled out of my room, stumbling over a few furniture pieces in the process. My hands dug into the floor to propel my body forward as I slammed against the door, throwing myself outside. Sticking my muzzle in the air, I breathed in the scents before resting on a familiar flowery smell. Another shriek sent a shiver down my spine as I continued onward.

In minutes I could see Belle, stumbling through the woods as two hungry wolves closed in on her. And just as she tripped over a root, landing heavily on her hands and knees, I sprung into action.

I snapped at one of the wolves' necks as I slammed into them, pulling at it as the creature yelped. The other wasn't too far behind, lashing out at my arm as its teeth dug into my skin. I howled, shaking it as it's fangs ripped my flesh before its body smacked into a tree and it let go. The one I had attacked stood and pounced at my back, claws sinking into my back as I attempted to shake it off, kicking a foot out just in time to stop the other from attacking.

The wolf was tossed to the side with a yelp as I panted, lowering myself and giving a warning growl, as the pair seemed to prepare for another attack. One took a step forward and my growl turning into a large roar, the noise enough to scare the pair off. The victory was bittersweet, though, as the pain in my body set in, but that didn't matter right now. I turned to the woman behind me as a startled look settled on her beautiful features. "Are…are you alright?" I panted, reaching out with my good hand for her to take. Hesitantly she took it and let me pull her up as she glanced towards my other arm.

"I am fine, but you're injured," she remarked, looking up at me and for a moment I found myself transfixed. The concern in her features was one I hadn't seen in many years. It forced me to hide the approaching smile as I shook my head.

"It's nothing, come, at least wait till the morning before…leaving." We were both seemingly surprised at what I said but I chose not to add to it nor Belle, as we made the hike back to the castle.

Carefully I pulled the door open for her, my injured arm across my stomach for comfort, but she didn't enter. She looked at me and frowned, "I…I'm sorry for what I did, Beast. Thank you for saving me." The words made my stomach swirl as my head bowed gracefully, gesturing to the open doorway as she nodded and entered.

"I am sorry I lost my temper," I noted after her, "tis…something that happens often." I glanced at her wrapped shoulder as the woman's head turned to the side, a small smile on her lips. It was a graceful smile that I found myself returning. To think this curious and stubborn woman could bring out a side of me I hadn't seen for so long. Maybe…maybe she was worth keeping around.

I followed her towards the stairs as she stopped to wait for me, glancing towards my injured arm again. "We should get that cleaned," she remarked, not waiting for any response from me as she marched up the stairs – admittedly I couldn't help my eyes from wandering south (it had been a while since I'd seen a woman such as her). But then she stopped again, turning back to face me, "We all have our demons, Beast. It's what makes us human."