Once Alec woke up, he met the kind and understanding eyes of his grandfather.
"Morning son…it's time to begin your training today."
"Grandpa, it's still really early." Alec whined.
"Now c'mon…we need to get an early start. That is, unless you like being in this beastly form."
Alec shot up to his feet and Terence smirked. "To the garden."
Outside, Terence brought his grandson to the beauty side of the castle, it was gorgeous compared to the scary forest on the beast side.
"Now then, we need to control your emotions. When you are upset or aggravated, it is easier to turn into a beast. Your emotions are stronger at night and you will be more prone to changing when the sun begins to set."
"What?"
"Yes. So you need to learn to control your emotions period, but especially at night." Terence said, now thinking of something that made him frustrated. He immediately changed into a beast. Alec took a few steps back in surprise. "See?"
"Y-Yes."
"What's the matter?"
"I'm just not used to seeing you change into a large beast grandpa."
"Well, you will become accustomed to it, son. You must calm yourself."
"W-well…"
"Trust me Alec," Terence said, now placing his hands on his grandson's shoulders. "You won't make progress without trusting me."
"Yeah, Alec!" A young voice said. Both turned and saw Ellie walk in with a bag of Cheetos.
"What are you going up so early?" Terence chuckled, now walking over to his young granddaughter.
"I just wanted to see what Alec was doing for his training."
"Well, I supposed you could watch." Terence winked. "Which brings us to our first lesson, being accustomed to your beast form.
"What?"
Terence nodded. "That's right. Once you become adjusted to your beast form, it will be easier to revert to human form. He transformed into his beast form again. "We'll start with a simple beast lesson; roaring." He patted giant stomach. "It all comes from here, not the throat. Take a deep breath first."
Both Terence and Alec breathed deeply.
"Next, start with a growl, don't let it all out at once. Like this. Grrrrrrrr!"
"Like this? Grrrrr!"
"Not bad. But bring a little power under the hood. Think of something that makes you mad. With me, it's someone messing with my rose garden. GRRRRRRRRRRR!"
"Yikes!" Alec gulped. "Well...I really don't no like it when Ellie eats like a pig. Grrrr...And me getting all hot and itchy with all this fur! GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!"
"Atta boy!" Terence cheered. "Now throw your head back and let out a roar!"
Alec closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and growled. Then he roared. Like a beast!
"ROOOOOOOOOOOOOOARRR!"
"That. Was. EPIC!" Ellie cheered. "Way to go, Alec!"
Terence clapped his big paws. "Bravo, my boy! We need to work on it a bit though but not a bad first!"
"Yeah! That's felt pretty good!" Alec replied with a big laugh. "I never thought I could be so scary!"
"Now that you're getting used to your beast form. Try to relax. Relax...breath in and out."
Alec nodded and did what his grandfather said. Within a few moments, he was back to a young man again. He couldn't believe it!
"This is amazing!"
But Terence let out a snarl that made Alec yell in shock! Alec immediately changed back to a beast!
"What?! Oh no!"
"I did that because you have to keep calm, son. If you let one or two things upset or frighten you, your emotions are not as controlled as you think."
Alec let out a sigh of defeat and sat down.
"What's this? You're not giving up are you?" Terence said, now walking over.
"No. Just thinking." Alec said grimly.
"Grandpa…I think he might give up," Ellie said sadly.
"Not on my watch he won't." Terence whispered to her, now changing into his beastly form and letting out an earth-shaking roar. Alec immediately jumped to his feet and saw his grandfather cornering him.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!"
Terence said nothing. He continued to snarl and growl.
"LEAVE ME ALONE! ELLIE RUN!" Alec commanded.
"B-But Alec…"
Terence let out a roar again. Alec was in such shock and panic that he let out a mighty roar of his own that shook the atmosphere. After a few seconds, no one spoke.
"PERFECT!" Terence cried. "Now THAT is how a beast roars!"
"What do you mean?! You almost killed me!" Alec protested.
"No I didn't son." Terence said, now rolling his eyes playfully. "I needed to frighten you enough to where you would have a reason to roar. Roaring comes not just from your diaphragm, but in your heart as well. You wouldn't have done it right unless you felt you needed to."
"Really?"
"Yes. Roaring is a way to fend off trouble and to protect yourself. But we need to practice your strength. The roar was good, but a bit weak. If I was a real predator, you would not have convinced me." Terence said. You must still adjust to being a beast."
"You can do it Alec!" Ellie cheered.
Alec gave his sister a warm smile and patted her head. "Thanks, sis."
Just then, a roar was heard. But it didn't come from Alec or Terence's mouths.
It came from their tummies.
"Whoa…" Alec held his empty belly.
"Ah, that's what a beast gets for skipping breakfast." Terence said. "We beasts have are always hungry. In fact, I have five meals a day."
"Five meals?!" Alec said.
Ellie licked her lips. "Sounds tasty!"
"Alright, let's go and have breakfast." Terence helped Alec up.
"Yes, Sir." Alec said respectfully, now following them towards the kitchen of Beast castle.
In the dining room, Terence sat at the head of the ridiculously long table.
"So, what's on the menu?" asked Ellie with her fork ready.
Terence grinned and looked at the doorway.
A woman wearing a blue and white polka dotted dress, a pink apron, and blue shoes came in wheeling in trays of food. "Cinnamon buns, blueberry pancakes, and scrambled eggs!"
Alec saw her short red hair and kind eyes. "Delia?!"
"No, I'm her twin Celia. I'm the maid, cook, housemaid, gardener, and...and...hm. I think that she it!" She laughed. It sounded like a wind chime flowing gently in the breeze.
"YEAH! Let's eat!" Ellie chowed down as soon as she got her plate. Terence began eating just as messily.
Alec rolled his eyes and tried to grab a fork. But it was hard with his huge paws. After a few attempts, Alex grabbed it, but he squeezed it so hard, it broke.
"Alec, try this." Ellie liked up her plate and ate off of it.
Alec had no choice. He was starving and he broke his silverware. So he carefully picked up his plate and had a taste of eggs.
It was unbelievably good.
Alec soon devoured all the food on husband plate. He looked up and his furry face was coated with crumbs and stickiness. "May I have some more?" he asked shyly.
Celia chuckled. "Coming up!" She pointed her finger at Alec's plate. Another helping of food appeared!
"WHOA!" Alec almost fell out of his seat.
"Oh! I forgotten to mention, Celia is a fairy." Terence said with a mouthful of pancake. "As well as Delia."
"Fairies?! Like, REAL fairies?!" Ellie lifted herself out of her seat. "I LOVE THIS CASTLE!"
Alec laughed. His sister always brings light to anything that happens. "I think I'm liking this castle too."
Terence smiling seeing his grandchildren so happy. He had a feeling Alec was going to make a fantastic beast.
newbienovelistRD: How's everyone liking our story? Let me know where you want to talk about the next chapter, guestsurprise!