It was already sundown and Alec was in the midst of practicing control and it wasn't going well at all. He felt stressed and that made it harder to control his powers.

"Concentrate son," Terence coaxed, now changing into a beast himself. "Deep breaths."

"I'm trying grandpa."

"I know, son, but we must calm your nerves or the change will be harder for you."

"I'm trying," Alec said, he slowly began changing back into a human but his beastly appetite took over. He began splitting watermelons with his claws and gobbling them down like candy! He reverted back to his beast form.

Terence quickly pressed a nerve that made Alec calm down. Alec quickly dropped the fruit and hung his head in sadness.

"How about a break, Alec?"

"But grandpa…"

"No buts kiddo…your nerves are shot and you need rest."

"Can I at least try to become human one more time."

"Alec…"

"Please!"

"Ok son, but only one more time." He said, now ushering him to change.

Alec once more tried to concentrate and the minute he was about to change, he began to feel stressed again and he fell down from exhaustion. He was unable to change from beast to human.

"Alec!" Terence said, now helping him up. "Alright enough."

"But…"

"No buts son. You're doing your best and you've done well. But now it's time for a break. We will continue to practice tomorrow because practice does make perfect."

"I understand," Alec replied gently.

"Atta boy…" Terence chuckled, now rubbing his hands through his hair and then leaving him for some rest.

Alec chuckled, glad his grandpa understood. However, he wasn't in the mood for a nap yet. He wanted to explore. Once he began working around the castle, he began to get a little bit scared.

Creeeeeeeeak

"Hey! Whose there?!" Alec said in horror.

No response.

"N-Now listen…w-who's there?!"

No response.

Alec began to walk around the castle and through numerous hallways and passages. But soon, he realized something terrible. He was lost!

"W-Where's everyone?! Where's my room?!"

He couldn't find anyone or anything that could show him the right way! Every single passage way looked the same.

"Hmmm, maybe if I open this door," He thought, now turning the handle. Suddenly, the door slammed shut on it's own!

"GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!" He yelled, now running down the hallway and screaming in terror. "THIS PLACE IS HAUNTED!"

He ran down the left passages and managed to run down another hallway managed to run into a large suit of armor. Dazed, he looked up and it appeared as if the armor itself began to groan.

"MMMMMM…." It groaned out.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Alec screamed in pure terror, now trying desperately to get away. He was becoming even more worn out due to his screaming and panicking.

Once he turned the corner of another hallway, he could have sworn he heard someone calling his name!

"Alec..." a voice whispered.

His face turned white in terror.

"Alec, where are you?" the voice called.

In the blink of an eye, he saw a figure coming down the dark hallway. He turned in terror and began running the other way until he slipped and hit a wall. He was knocked out cold.

Alec woke up find himself in a clearing. Willow trees surrounded the perimeter and in the center was a small lake so blue, it had to be enchanted. The moon reflected on the lake's surface.

It was a glorious sight.

"Hey, sleepyhead."

"Huh?!" Alec spun around and saw Lucinda behind him. She sat down beside him. "Sorry for the scare back there."

"Wait, that was you calling my name?!"

Lucinda nodded. "Yep, I thought I'd stop by for a visit." She giggled. "I didn't expect you to be such a scaredy beast!"

Alec looked away, and Lucinda was startled-were those years in his eyes.

"Hey, I was just joking." Lucinda said. "I didn't mean anything.

Alec let out a heavy sigh. "It's alright. I've always been a scaredy cat. And now that I'm a beast, I can't even walk past a mirror without startling myself." He looked around. "Uh, where exactly are we?"

"The Enchanted Lake." Lucinda answered. "I like to come here to relax, especially at night. Isn't it beautiful?"

Alwc turned to Lucinda. She was stunning as ever. Her gold hair gleamed in the moonlight. Her ruby red lips smiled perfectly.

"Yeah, beautiful." Alec said, blushing.

Lucinda crossed her legs. "So, having trouble being human again, huh?"

"Yeah," Alec blinked. "Wait, how'd you know that?"

"Beasts are pretty infamous in our realm. Everyone knows the legend of Beauty and the Beast and how's the ride has been passed down from generation to generation." She smiled at Alec. "Y'know, I can help you with your furry condition."

"You can?! Really?!" Alec felt his spirits rising.

"Of course, I am a fairy." Lucinda fluttered her wings. "I know a few tricks that might help you."

"Thanks, Lucinda! You're the best!" Alec said, grinning his fangs at her.

"It's good to see a smile on that face!" Lucinda said. "Stop by my house tomorrow. You know where to find me. See ya!" She lifted herself off the ground and was about to fly off.

"Wait! How do I get back to the castle?!" Alec called out.

"You're a beast! Sniff your way home!" Lucinda replied. She flew away into the night sky.

Alec was confused, but he gave it a try. He sniffed the air a few times and caught a scent. It smelled like...something sweet...and delicious!

Licking his lips, Alec followed the yummy smell. He walked down the trail, he didn't even look where he was going. He just followed the smell.

At last, Alec was back at the castle! He went inside as he kept sniffing. He sniffed and sniffed until he arrived at the kitchen.

There, he saw a scrumptious looking pie fresh from the oven!

"Ah! I see you smelled my dazzle berry pie, Master Alec!" Celia said. "Dig in!"

Alec didn't have to be told twice. He gorged on the pie. His taste buds danced with joy! It was the most delicious, most wonderful pie he ever tasted!

Within seconds, the pie pan was empty. There wasn't even a crumb.

"I'm glad you enjoyed my pie, Master Alec!" Celia said with a laugh.

Alec smiled, showing the purple goo and pie crust pieces in his teeth.

Celia laughed. Alec laughed.

"Well, I'm off to bed." Alec said. "Goodnight!"

"Goodnight!"

Alec hummed a happy tune as returned to his bedroom.

He was really looking forward to tomorrow!

newbienovelistRD: guestsurprise, here's a message from Goldie.

Hey, guestsurprise. It's Goldie. I just wanted to let you know, Nicochan11 messaged me on another site I'm active on and asked me to tell you that she was sorry for what happened. She also apologized to me and I forgave her, but told her the block is still in place. While she understands that I won't lift the block due to respecting your wishes to have her blocked, she is really hoping you'll accept her apology and forgive her."

Nicochan11 realized just how much her actions cost her, but I think anyone who owns up and apologizes for their actions deserves forgiveness. While she knows it doesn't mean we'll do stories for her again, it can at least give her peace of mind, right?