Chapter 10 Belle
Ten
Belle
I wake up to Pierre watching me with that look that means he’s planning something…
“What did you do?” I ask suspiciously.
“Nothing.”
“Beast.”
“I may have… arranged a surprise.”
I sit up, excited. “What kind of surprise?”
“The good kind.” He’s grinning, which on his beastly face is equal parts adorable, terrifying, and freaking hot. “Get dressed. You’ll see.”
I’m already climbing out of bed. He helps me dress, which is still hilarious because his claws aren’t exactly designed for tiny buttons. But he manages, and then he’s practically dragging me through the castle.
“Pierre, where are we going?”
“You’ll see.”
We pass through the entrance hall…still breathtaking even after several days of seeing it like this. The marble gleams, the tapestries are vibrant, and sunshine streams through the tall windows that were dark just days ago.
Then we’re outside, and I stop breathing.
The grounds are spectacular.
The gardens burst with color…roses in every shade imaginable, trees with flowers in full bloom, hedges trimmed into perfect shapes. The grass is impossibly green. In the distance, I can see the forest, no longer dark and menacing but alive with the sounds of rivers flowing and animals living.
“It’s beautiful,” I whisper.
“That’s not it,” Pierre says, shaking his head, a mischievous smile on his lips.
We walk down the main path, past fountains that are actually flowing now, past flower beds that smell like heaven. And then I see them.
Three figures standing by a carriage at the end of the drive.
My father, Margot, and Claude.
“Papa?” I’m running before I realize it, throwing myself into his arms. “What are you doing here?”
“Your Beast sent for us,” he replies, holding me tight. “He sent a carriage and said he wanted us to see where you’re living now.”
I turn to look at Pierre, who’s standing there trying to look casual and failing completely.
“You brought my family here?” I ask.
“I thought you might want to see them,” he responds gruffly. “Since you’ve been worried and all.”
My heart swells. “You ridiculous, wonderful Beast.”
Margot is staring at Pierre with wide eyes. “Uh… hello, Beast?”
“That’s Pierre,” I correct.
Claude looks like he might faint. He mumbles under his breath, “… very large.”
“And very much standing right here,” Pierre growls.
“Papa, are you sure she’s safe?” Margot whispers, but not quietly enough.
My father just smiles. “Look at her face, Margot. Have you ever seen your sister this happy?”
He’s right. I’ve never felt this loved, cared for, spoiled, appreciated…
“Come on,” I tell them, taking Papa’s arm. “Let me show you around.”
The tour takes hours. Papa is enchanted by everything…the gardens, the fountains, the sheer size and beauty of the estate. He keeps stopping to stare at art or architecture, his face full of wonder.
“This is incredible, Belle,” he exclaims as we walk through the rose garden. “It’s like something out of a fairy tale.”
“It kind of is,” I agree.
Margot and Claude are clearly overwhelmed. They keep shooting nervous glances at Pierre, who trails behind us, amused.
“Are you really going to live here?” Margot asks. “Forever?”
“Yes.”
“But it’s so… big. And isolated. Don’t you miss the village?”
“Not even a little bit.”
“What about us?” Claude tries.
I look at my siblings…my lazy, self-centered siblings who couldn’t be bothered to help our father when he needed it most.
“I miss Papa,” I say honestly. “But this is my home now.”
“With him?” Margot sneaks a look at Pierre. “But he’s…”
“Careful!” I snap. “That’s my mate you’re talking about. And he’s being very kind to you right now.”
They both have the grace to look ashamed.
“Your sister is right,” Papa says gently. “She found where she belongs. And we should be happy for her.”
* * *
We settle in the drawing room for tea, and it’s surreal. My father and Pierre chatting like it’s perfectly normal. Margot trying not to stare too much. Claude eating his weight in pastries.
“So,” Papa says, setting down his teacup and turning his attention to me. “You’re happy?”
“Incredibly so.”
Pierre’s hand finds mine under the table, squeezing gently.
“Then that’s all I need to know.” Papa smiles. “I miss having you around but…”
My chest tightens. “I miss you too, Papa.”
“Actually,” Pierre clears his throat in a deep growl that makes my siblings jump, which brings a smile to my lips.
Everyone turns to look at him.
“The castle is large,” he continues. “Very large. Most of it empty. And with the curse being lifted, we can have guests. Residents, even, if they wanted, of course.”
I blink. “Pierre? What are you saying, my love?”
“I’m saying your father is welcome to live here. If he wants. There’s more than enough space. And staff to help him.” He looks at Papa. “You’d be taken care of. And Belle could see you every day.”
My throat closes up.
“You want my father to live here?” I manage.
“Only if you both want it.” His golden eyes are warm with love, his huge paw engulfing my hand.
Papa’s eyes are shining with unshed tears. “That’s very generous of you, Prince Pierre.”
“Just Pierre is fine,” he corrects, giving a regal nod
“What about us?” Margot asks. “Can we come too?”
I instantly turn to my siblings. “You can visit.”
They must read on my face that I’m in no mood to be messed with, especially with my monstrous mate at my side, and just lower their gazes.
Papa reaches across to rest a hand on top of mine. “Thank you. Both of you. This is more than I could ever have dreamed of.”
* * *
Later, when he’s settled in his new quarters, with my siblings on their way home, Pierre and I step outside on our balcony.
The night is beautiful. Clear and warm, with stars scattered across the inky sky.
In the distance, I can hear owls hooting, leaves rustling, all the sounds of life that were absent before.
“Thank you,” I say quietly.
“For what?”
“For bringing them here. For offering Papa a home. For tolerating my siblings.”
Pierre huffs. “They’re growing on me. Slowly. Like fungus.”
I laugh and lean into his warmth. “Thank you. It means the world to me.”
“You mean everything to me,” he corrects, and wraps his strong arms around me, making me feel safe, loved, and at home. He nuzzles my neck. “Though I reserve the right to growl at your siblings if they get too annoying.”
I let out a teary laugh. “Fair.”
We stand there in easy silence, watching the stars, and I think about everything that happened to me in just a few days. From riding here terrified, to save my father, to finding my mate, to breaking a decades-long curse, to gaining a family and a home. More than I ever imagined.
“I love you,” I say.
“I love you too, my little omega.” Beast turns me in his arms, looking down at me with his expressive golden eyes. “My Belle. My mate. My everything.”
“Forever?”
“Forever,” he promises.
Then he’s kissing me, and everything around us fades away.
I have a home. A family. Love. And all the time in the world to enjoy all of it.