Gaston walked further into the library as if he owned it. He peeked his head around shelves of books, frowning and nodding. Belle stood frozen, holding the door open as he continued to poke around. She finally snapped from her daze and closed the door loudly.

"I never said you could come in," she stated, following him as he ducked down an aisle of books.

"Quite the quaint little shop you have here," he said as he pulled a book from the shelf and began flipping through it.

Belle walked up to him and swiftly removed the book from his hand. "It's a library," she corrected, placing the book back in its spot. "And please leave it."

He stared down at her, his eyes raking over her attire. "My, Belle, you look absolutely ravishing this evening."

Belle looked down, suddenly very aware that she was practically naked. The blush rose up her neck and to her cheeks. She turned and rushed toward her office to put on her robe. "Leave now, Gaston," she ordered as she hurried to put her robe on.

He smirked as he followed her to the office. He leaned against the door frame, his strong arms crossed against his chest. "Please, don't rush to cover up on my account."

She shot him a dirty look and tightened the cloth strap on her robe. "I thought I told you to leave."

He pushed himself away from the door frame. "I thought you were smart enough to realize I was ignoring you." He walked smugly toward her. He reached out, grabbing her wrist and forcefully pulled her into her arms.

"Let go of me, Gaston!"

He bent her wrist, ignoring the wince of pain escaping her lips. He stared at the ring. "I would have given you a bigger one." He released her wrist and wrapped his strong arms around her. She struggled against him. "Stop fighting this, Belle. You know you belong to me."

Belle's eyes narrowed, angrily. "I belong to no one." She placed her hand on his chest trying to somehow break his grip. Her expression turned cold. "But my heart ... my love ... belongs to Ruby. You mean nothing to me. You never have ... and you never will."

His eyes darkened as he stared bitterly down at her. His jaw clenched then twitched. He pulled her impossibly closer. "We'll see about that..." he hissed as he leaned in to kiss her.

She pushed her hand against his face to fight him off. He was strong. Stronger than any person she knew. She was about to cry out for someone … anyone. …

A loud, deep growl filled the office. Ruby's wolf form entered, her snarl showing her large teeth. Her fur stood on end as she stalked closer to Belle and Gaston. When she was only a small step away, her head lowered. Her yellow eyes remained on Gaston. Her paws planted firmly on the ground, she growled and released an extremely intimidating bark.

Gaston smirked at her. He released Belle with a shove causing her to land on the ground. "I was hoping you'd be here, beast." He and Ruby began circling one another. He took off his coat, tossing it to the side, revealing the handle of his blade.

Belle's eyes widened as she caught sight of the handle. "Ruby…" she pleaded, her voice cracking with tears that had yet to fall.

Ruby positioned herself to pounce. Her eyes remained focused on the hunter. Her lip pulled back. Her teeth barred. The growl practically shook the room.

"Let's finish this, beast!" he shouted.

"Ruby, no!" Belle cried out, but it was too late.

…

"Sheriff Swan! Sheriff Swan!" LeFou shouted as he barreled through the doors of the police department.

Emma turned quickly. She had just walked in the door from patrolling. She had seen Ruby running back home and assumed everything was alright. Her stomach knotted at the sound of panic in the small man's voice.

"What's wrong?" she questioned as David rose from his chair, concern covering his face.

LeFou rested his palms on the desk. He was breathing heavily. "Gaston ... he's … he's ... going to kill her…" he managed to respond between breaths.

David turned his attention to Emma. "I thought you just saw Ruby heading home?"

"I – I did..." She turned her attention to LeFou. "LeFou, are you su ..."

"That's where he's waiting for her!" LeFou interrupted, still breathing hard. "He went to the library!"

Without a word, Emma and David strapped on their guns and rushed out of the station.

…

Ruby was quick. Belle had forgotten just how quick until she saw her lunge at Gaston. She had taken the man head on and had him lying on his back. He struggled to get her off. He couldn't reach his knife while trying his damndest not to get bit. Ruby snapped and growled. He grabbed her snout trying to stop her teeth from locking on any part of his body.

"You will not win!" he grunted as his hand slipped. Ruby clamped down, and he screamed.

Belle scurried to her feet. She knew she should go for help, but she was afraid to leave. She couldn't live if he killed her. She searched the office for something, anything. She had to stop this.

Gaston finally pushed Ruby off. He used all of his might to send the wolf flying across the room. Ruby hit the wall and released a yelp. The man hopped to his feet and pulled the knife from his holster. The wolf shook her head trying to regain her bearings.

As he started stalking toward her, blood dripping from his hand, Belle jumped in his way. He stopped and glared down at her. "Move!" he demanded, grabbing her arm.

"No, Gaston!" she protested, using every ounce of strength she had to hold him back. She looked into his dark, blank eyes. "Leave her be!" She could feel the tears forming in her eyes. "Leave us be…"

His glare remained on her as the wolf struggled to its feet. Without a word, he shoved Belle to the side causing her to stumble to the ground again. Ruby jumped to her feet, her nails scratching the wood floor as she ran at Gaston. She leaped in the air to attack. He planted his feet, ready this time, and caught her. He squeezed, crushing her in his arms.

"This ends now..." he sneered as he raised his knife and plunged it into the wolf's side.

Ruby scrambled in his arms, howling as he plunged his knife in deeper. He released her, and she landed hard on the floor. She tried to get to her feet but just fell limp to the ground. Belle screamed and rushed to her. She used what might she had left and pushed Gaston away from her.

"Ruby ... Ruby ..." She touched the wound, causing the wolf to release a weak yelp. She raised her shaking hand that was now stained with blood. The tears flowed, her sobs racked her body. "Oh God ... Ruby ... please ... please don't die..."

Gaston snarled down at her. "She won't die until I finish her." He stepped closer.

Belle shot to her feet. "Stay away from her!"

"How many times do I have to move you, woman?!" He grabbed Belle by the arm and tossed her onto the couch this time.

He stood over the wolf, his blood and her's mixing on the floor beneath his feet. The wolf slowly raised her head, looking in Belle's direction, before returning her attention to Gaston. He raised his blade to end this once and for all.

A shot fired and the knife fell.