Page 16 of Red's Beast

I can do this.

One step after another, I walk toward her house. It’s well within my sights and I just have to make it.

Twenty feet more.

Ten feet more.

Then the first branch breaks.

A loud yelp escapes my lips as I begin running, but sadly, the basket has other ideas. I only make it two feet before the basket slams against my thigh and I trip over my own two feet.

All because of a root I didn’t see.

“No!” I yell as I land on my knees.

Before I can move, hot breath blows across the back of my neck, causing me to shiver.

“Please no,” I mutter.

The monster’s wet nose slides up the tender flesh of my neck into my hair, leaving a trail of moisture on my skin. Sharp teeth suddenly clamp down around the sides of my throat right after his nose leaves my hair. He gently scrapes down my throat toward my shoulders, sending another shiver down my spine.

But it’s not out of fear.

No, it’s something more than that. It feels good.

His teeth leave the base of my neck and are quickly replaced by his nose as he drags it down my spine.

I whimper from his touch, wondering what in the world is happening to me.

I’m terrified, but I don’t want him to stop.

My wolf is enjoying it and seems to be completely content.

With a huff, I feel him slip away. Curiosity gets the better of me and I turn to see him. If I can actually catch sight of the beast, then I’ll know I’m not crazy. It’s not something Nigel made up, but an actual being.

He hasn’t killed me yet, so surely, I can look.

Before I can check both sides of the woods behind me, Grandmother opens the cottage door and lets it slam against the inside wall of the house.

“Lillian, what are you doing like that? I’m about to wither away and starve to death.”

I look at her as I sit on my heels.

“Are you okay? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

“Grandmother, you should be in the house where it’s safe. I don’t want you to see my death.” Though I haven’t locked eyes with the monster, I know he’s probably still lurking behind me, ready to strike.

“Your death? What are you even talking about?” She tilts her head to the side as she looks around behind me. Her lips curve into a frown. “Will you just get inside already? I can smell whatever you brought, and it smells delightful. I’d like to eat sometime today, dear.”

She turns and heads inside the house, leaving the door wide open for me.

I turn fully around, searching the area behind me just to make sure.

And there’s nothing there.

“Oh, you have to be joking. The monster was just here, right at my throat. Where did he go?”

After a second of feeling exasperated, I stand and straighten out my cloak. I head toward the door and finally get inside.

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