Beast (The Submissively Ever After Series Book 1) by Kim Faulks Read Free Book Online Page A

defense. "No."
    He moved past me, heading for the crouched old man. I knew that voice. I knew why he’d come. I'd always known. Mark wrenched Belle's father to his feet. "Tell me his name, old man. Tell me the name of the man I'm to kill."
    I stumbled backward. My numb feet slid on the slick leaves. A cruel chuckle reached me.
    It's too late. The deal is done .
    I knew in my heart that whatever magic brought me here was the same magic that would bring Belle to the beast’s door. I craned my neck as the two men tussled at the base of the giant pine tree. A sharp hiss, followed by a grunt, had me reeling. Two shadows moved in a slow dance, until one fell.
    "No!" The word tore from my lips. The white shirt blurred in the gloom as the old man fell. I glanced up at the hunter, now knowing the truth. "You sonofabitch! You killed him. You fucking killed him!"
    The leaves shifted under my feet. I slipped and scrambled for a hold. My fingers sunk into the cold earth, stopping the slide.
    "You should've stayed out of this. I warned you. That money is mine and I won't have anyone stand in my way."
    "Too late." The whisper drifted out into the night, followed by a sigh.
    Too late.
    Those words haunted me as I stumbled. The trees crowded in, jostling me from either side. I shoved my way through, sidestepping fallen logs. I ran until my throat burned. One tree looked like the next. Nothing looked familiar. I scampered over a fallen tree. Something snagged my dress as I straddled the mossy log. I hissed at the sting on my leg, sliding my hand down to feel the pointed branch.
    I wrenched the skirt until the fabric gave way and stumbled forward. I had to get out of here. I had to find my way back.
    Back to where? A howl ruptured the air, then deepened, turning mournful. I spun and stumbled, thumping the back of my head and yet knowing what triggered that sound. The beast found the broken body of his only friend. I slapped my hand against the bark, holding on, trying my best not to slide, but I stumbled, knocking into a fallen log.
    I tried to catch my breath, bending to feel the contour. The sharp protruding branch stuck up from the middle. My breath caught as my fingers prodded the slick moss finding the strand of fabric. A sob slipped from my lips. It was the same log. The same damn log.
    I slid to the ground. Icy dampness seeped through the skirt, sinking its stinging teeth into the backs of my thighs. My tears felt warm on my cheek as I shuddered. I drew my knees toward my chest and rocked. I was lost.
    Lost.
    And bitterly cold.

CHAPTER FIVE

    I woke with a jolt, my reflexes slow and my mind numb. The forest was gone and I was back in the frigid house. I shifted, feeling the edge of the counter slide underneath, then I hit the hard ground with a thump. A sickening crunch stole my breath. A small lump squirmed in the small of my back. Something sharp bit me, then it stilled.
    Rats.
    It's a fucking rat.
    Get it off me.
    Get it off!
    A moan tickled the back of my throat as I rolled away, twisting to brush the vermin from my dress. I slapped the skirt and tried to push myself off the floor. I was so cold and my legs refused to work, aching from sitting in one place for so long. The cold of the forest seemed to haunt me. I tried to think, but my thoughts were disjointed, except for one—another few hours like that and I'd have never woken.
    I forced myself to move, gripping the counter, and using it as a lever to work my way through the other side of the kitchen, then back up to the wall. My fingers trembled, sliding against the blistered paint, searching for a doorway. If I couldn't get warm soon, I didn't think I'd make sunrise. The inside of my mouth was hard and dry. I worked up what little saliva I could and tried to swallow. My stomach churned, aching with an intensity that sent cramps tearing through my abdomen. The thought of food made me gag, but water, what I wouldn't give for a sip. Something warm to wrap myself in and stave away