The Beauty Within the Beast

Chapter One

“Over here,” Luke called.

“Coming,” Eleanor jogged after him, pulling her sticky t-shirt away from her body. People brushed past her, making her feel even hotter.

He was standing by a small pen. The musty scent of horse and hay filled her nose.

The pony was old and grey and flea-bitten, his ribs sticking out under his thin coat, his eyes deep sunken and full of sadness.

“He’s not for sale,” a man came towards them, wiping his hands on a small cloth.

“He’s got no water,” Luke said, angry.

“So? He’s going to be dead by the end of the day.” His grey eyes were cold and hard in his heavy-set face.

“You’re going to kill him?” Eleanor’s fists clenched around the wire fencing.

“Why not? He’s of no use to me anymore. It’ll put him out of his misery.”

Eleanor opened her mouth to argue but Luke’s fingers gently wrapped around her wrist. She pressed her mouth shut to hold her thoughts back.

“There’s no point trying to reason with him,” he murmured, leaning in. “Let’s make him an offer.”

She gave a tight nod and turned towards the farmer.

“What’s your name, sir,” she said sweetly, plastering a false smile onto her lips.

He narrowed his eyes at her, coughed violently, and then spat a large blob of phlegm onto the ground.

Eleanor swallowed hard, resisting the urge to gag.

“David,” he answered bluntly, pulling a pack of cigarettes out of his pocket. He took one out and then replaced it.

“How about we offer you double what you’re getting?” Luke ventured.

David’s head swivelled; it was almost as if his ears pricked at the proposal. Then he sneered.

“You two don’t look like you could afford that. And where are you gonna put him? In your back garden?”

“I assure you he will be looked after and kept comfortable until he passes.”

“Passes,” his laugh was harsh and deep. “He’s a bloody horse, not your Grandad.”

“Well? Do you accept our offer?” Eleanor was growing impatient, her cheeks flushed.

“No. Couldn’t if I wanted to. I’ve already signed him over. Just waiting for him to be picked up.”

“You sick, evil man!” it exploded from her without warning, she grabbed the fence, ready to vault over and throw herself at him. Luke pulled her back, whispering soothing things in her ear. She struggled for a moment, and then went still. This would get her nowhere, except maybe arrested.

“We’ll come back. We’ll figure this out together, It’s OK, sshh.”

She let him lead her away. They strolled past other stalls, selling milk, eggs, cheese, and various other things often found at a farmer’s market.

Her eyes were drawn upwards until they met another’s. They were narrow and hazel, and they flashed liquid gold in the sun. His voice carried across the field on the breeze, and for some reason, it sent a shiver down her spine. His gaze moved away, and she caught the tail end of his smile as he turned. His teeth were bright white, the canines strangely pointed.

She hadn’t realised that she’d stopped in her tracks, and Luke was some way ahead of her. She felt mesmerised by this lean, slightly dishevelled man, who stood in front of a small crowd, gesturing at a painting upon an easel beside him. His words were drowned out by the shouting of the crowd, apparently bidding for it. His white dress shirt was half-open, revealing his tanned chest, and his long black hair blew gently around his face. The grey-silver roots and streaks defied his youthful appearance.

“Do you like the painting?” Luke’s voice close behind her made her jump.

She blushed and averted her eyes.

“Umm…yes, I think so, I can’t see it very well from here,” she said. “I was drawn to it though.”

“Come on then, let’s go have a look. It’ll stop us looking suspicious.”

They wandered over, skirting around the crowd to get a closer look. Eleanor forced herself to focus on the painting, so she wouldn’t be caught staring. It was an old, faded picture of a wolf’s head, lifted as if howling at the moon. There was something off about it though, its eyes were just a little too round, its lips were parted and it seemed like it was laughing. She couldn’t look at it anymore, her eyes were suddenly drawn down, back to his, and she found that the expression in them was the same as the wolf’s. She felt herself pushing past the other people, till she was standing in front of him.

He looked her up and down, his gaze lingering at times, and she thought she saw him lick his lips.

“Is it some kind of artistic self-portrait?” she blurted out.

His eyes widened, and so did his smile.

“I guess you could say that.”

“We need a distraction,” Luke was behind her again, his hand on the small of her back, and she had the urge to shake him off. It felt as if he was interrupting a private conversation.

“What?” she said, harsher than she meant to.

He didn’t even notice.

“We need to create a distraction if we’re going to rescue that pony.”

She shook herself mentally, returning to reality.

“True. How will you get it out of the pen though?”

He pulled a pair of wire cutters from his jacket pocket.

“I came prepared,” he said, beginning to walk away.

Eleanor dragged herself after him, feeling a burning sensation on the back of her head as if she was being watched. She ran her fingers through her hair, trying to dislodge it.

“You do the distraction,” Luke whispered.

Eleanor laughed at him.

“We’re not in a movie,” she said.

He smiled stupidly at her, his brown eyes full of affection.

“Yes, we are,” he said. “We’re in the movie our life!” He spun round, gesturing dramatically.

She rolled her eyes at him.

“You’re such a drama queen.”

“Oh, how could you?” he sighed, flinging his hand to his forehead, his voice an exaggerated stage-whisper.

“Shut up,” she said, pushing him gently. He turned sharply away like she’d hit him, and tumbled to the ground, his legs kicking up into the air. He finished the movement by jumping back to his feet.

“Show off.”

He laughed.

“So? How are you gonna distract the murderous farmer?”

“Who knows? Pretend to faint?”

“I didn’t know you were an actress,” he teased.

“We’ll see.”

They were back where they started, a few metres from the pen, where David sat on a wooden crate, smoking a cigarette and drinking a beer.

“You’re up,” Luke whispered.

She groaned. Then swerved towards the wire fence, running at it as if she was going to jump over it. Instead, she crashed straight into it, crumpling to the floor and clutching her leg. She cried out as if in pain, rolling onto her back.

“Go,” she hissed.

Luke took his cue and disappeared into a small gaggle of shoppers.

“Help!”

David stood up slowly and strode over.

“What’s wrong with you? What’re you doing anyway? Trying to climb over the fence and steal my pay-check?”

“Yes,” she said, her voice strained. She moaned gently.

“Stupid girl,” he looked pleased.

“Please help me. I twisted my ankle. I think I might’ve snapped a tendon- my foot feels all weird and loose, and it made a really loud popping sound when I fell.”

He opened the gate, taking his time, and walked over to her.

“Can you move your toes?”

“I-I think...” she wriggled them slightly and then screamed. “It hurts too much!”

He huffed and muttered under his breath, kneeling by her foot. He reached out to touch it.

“No! Don’t! Please!”

“That’ll teach you, won’t it?”

Eleanor turned her face into the grass to hide her laughter. Her shoulders shook gently.

“Ah hell, you’re not crying, are you?”

He grabbed her arm.

“Come here, I’ll help you up.”

His back was to the pen as he pulled her to her feet; the pony was gone and Luke was nowhere to be seen.

She made a big show of testing how much weight she could put on her foot.

“Thanks, it actually doesn’t hurt so much now, I can probably limp home.” She let go of him and started hobbling away.

David shook his head in exasperation and turned back to the gate. His mouthed dropped open and his eyes went wide with disbelief.

“Where is he-what have you done with the pony?!” he whipped round but Eleanor had already broken into a run.

“You bugger! You planned this!” he gave chase, swearing and growling at her.

Eleanor slammed into a lean torso. She looked up into honey-coloured eyes-it was the man from the auction. Hands caught her by the shoulders and spun her around, holding her against him.

“Where are you off to in such a hurry?”

“I kinda have a situation here.” She wriggled, but he held her firm.

David’s face was abruptly inches away from hers.

“You little s**t-I’m reporting you right now.”

“Excuse me, sir,” he said soothingly. “What seems to be the problem.”

“This damn animal rights freak and her boyfriend stole my horse,” he gestured wildly.

Eleanor lunged at him, but he restrained her.

“You were only going to murder him, why do you even care?!”

“I’m sorry sir, she gets a little excited.”

She glared at him.

“I’m not a dog,” she muttered.

“I’m pretty sure we can resolve this without having to involve anyone else,” his voice was low and gentle like he was calming an angry animal.

David’s fists were bunched at his sides as if he was ready to attack him.

“How?” he snapped.

“Maybe this will help?” He handed him a roll of money.

David stared at it and swallowed hard.

“Umm-yes. Yes, I think that would do it.”

“Good. Have a nice day sir,” he pulled Eleanor away, leaving the farmer standing there stock-still.

“You didn’t have to do that,” she protested.

“The alternative would’ve been you being arrested.”

“So? I would’ve dealt with it.”

“This way is much easier,” his smile was kind, his eyes soft. “You still have work to do.”

She couldn’t really argue with that. The way she chose to see it, the money was going to a good cause.

“Where’s your…” he hesitated as if unsure what to call him. “Friend?”

“He had to go.”

He grinned like he knew exactly why.

“I’ve never seen you here before,” he said.

“I’m usually busy.”

“Do you live nearby?” Then-when he saw her eyes narrow suspiciously. “I can walk you home.”

She laughed.

“I can walk myself home.”

His face fell a little.

“I thought we could walk together. I’d like to get to know you a little.”

“I’ll walk you home then,” she said, striding ahead of him.

“You don’t know where I live,” he said, breaking into a jog to catch up to her.

She stopped.

“Oh.” She looked embarrassed.

“Let’s start again,” he said, amused. “What’s your name?”

“Eleanor.”

“Perfect,” he seemed satisfied.

“And yours?”

His eyes lit up, and he smirked.

“Wolfgang Soulsong, at your service,” he said, sweeping into a low bow, his long hair falling over his face.

She laughed again, shaking her head in disbelief.

“What are you doing?”

“Being respectful.”

She rolled her eyes and for a second, he seemed offended by it.

“So, where are we walking, your house or mine?”

“Yours,” she said, waiting expectantly for him to take the lead. He nodded tightly and walked on.

“Tell me about yourself.”

She shrugged.

“I never know how to answer that. Where do I start? Do you want to know my favourite colour?”

He was following a path she often ran on; as they ducked through the trees, she felt herself begin to relax.

“No, that’s not the stuff that matters. I like knowing what makes people tick.” There was something almost forced about the way he talked like his mouth wasn’t used to the sounds it made.

“That’s a bit creepy.”

He screwed his face up at her, about to protest. She grinned at him, showing him, she was joking.

“Where are we going? There’s nothing but trees in this direction.”

“Is there?” His eyebrows rose comically.

“Yes, trust me, I know. I run here all the time.”

“You run?”

“Yes. I love running.”

“But what are you running from?”

She stared at him quizzically, about to defend herself. Then he laughed.

“Piss off,” she said, a little thrown.

He turned right suddenly, bending down to fit through a small gap in the foliage and there, out of nowhere loomed a small cottage.

“Is this your house?” she seemed dubious. “I’ve never seen it before, it’s so well hidden.”

“No, this is just the gatehouse,” he said, as they passed it.

The house behind it, hidden by trees and covered in ivy and various other plants, was far bigger.

“It’s-it’s like a mansion.”

She’d never seen anything quite like it.

“It’s actually a manor. It belonged to my parents.”

She opened her mouth to question but he was no longer beside her.

“Well. This is me. Thanks for walking with me. It was nice to meet you,” his air of quiet arrogance was gone, he seemed almost shy-he couldn’t meet her gaze. He stood blocking the path to the front door, his stance just slightly too wide for her to get past.

“Umm-yeah-thanks,” this abrupt change in character threw her. “See you around I guess.” She took off running, for some reason feeling ashamed.

***

“What’s this?” She held up the small white stick with the tips of her fingers; she knew what it was, she just wanted to make her admit it out loud.

“It’s a pregnancy test El.”

“You’re pregnant?”

Her mum looked down at her hands, her fingers interlaced so tight that her knuckles turned red. 

“Yes.”

“Mum, this wasn’t the plan. You told me you didn’t want any more kids. We talked about this. You promised that if you changed your mind, we’d discuss it first!”

“Accidents happen El.”

Alex appeared in the doorway, observing them in silence.

“Really? Do they?” She looked pointedly at him, but his eyes were on Beth.

“Well, you wouldn’t know, would you?” she said.

Eleanor winced at the jibe but didn’t let it stop her from berating her mother further.

“What are you going to do about it? You said we couldn’t afford another kid and we don’t have space!”

“Eleanor, I’m an adult. I can make this decision myself. I don’t need your help with this.”

Her eyebrows shot up and she stifled a harsh laugh.

“Really? If you were really an adult you wouldn’t have gotten pregnant in the first place!”

“You’re an adult too Eleanor, you need to start acting like one.”

“What does that mean?”

“You need to get a job.”

“I have a job.”

Beth grimaced.

“One where you get paid. So you can get your own place.”

“I see how it is. Now I’m legally an adult you’re getting rid of me. Great parenting mum, you should definitely have another kid so you can kick them out too. Or maybe you won’t do that with these two because their Dad didn’t disappear on you!” her breathing was fast and shallow, she’d said that all in one go, and her face was growing red, her heart racing.

Alex stepped into the room, his arms folded across his narrow chest, his expression stern.

“If you keep talking to your mother that way you won’t be welcome in our home anymore,” he said firmly.

She stared at him. Silence choked the air in the room. Her fists clenched at her sides, all she wanted to do was scream at him that it was her home first.

Susie, her 4-year-old half-sister slipped past him, climbing onto her mum’s lap.

“Mumma, what’s wrong?” she asked.

Eleanor turned, hiding the angry tears that fell from her eyes. She walked to the door.

“Ellie,” her distressed mother called after her.

“Eleanor, don’t you dare walk out of this house,” Alex said, his voice tight with anger and maybe even guilt.

“Well, you asked me to leave, so I am,” she said.

She opened the door and stepped out into the cold night. She closed it softly behind her and then ran. She wore nothing but her slippers, pyjamas and a dressing gown. She ran swiftly through the trees, angry thoughts slipping through her mind, oblivious to the world around her.

She stumbled suddenly, falling to her knees in the dirt, a strangled, sobbing laugh escaping through her trembling lips.

“That’s what happens when you run in slippers,” she said aloud to herself.

As she looked around, she realised she’d been running along the same path she’d walked down earlier, with Wolfgang. It was like she’d been drawn there, without even realising.

A branch snapped somewhere behind her; the ground crunched beneath heavy boots; someone was following her. They struggled to keep quiet, creeping clumsily through the undergrowth out of sight.

Fear replaced the quiet anger that sat under her heart.

“Hello?” she called softly.

Someone grabbed her from behind, twisting her arms up behind her so she couldn’t move.

“Let go!” she said, squirming and trying to wriggle free.

“Keep still girl,” a man’s voice commanded, and he brought his face close to her ear. She felt his hot breath on her skin, and his body uncomfortably close to hers.

His voice sounded vaguely familiar, but the panic in her blood was blocking her brain.

“Get off me!” she cried, panic flaring up in her chest. “What do you want? Get off!”

“If you don’t quit your squirming, I’ll knock you clean out,” he growled, and dug his fists into her back, sending bolts of pain up her spine.

She believed him and fell still.

Two men slipped out of the darkness towards her. The only light came from the half-moon above them. It was big and high and very close.

They looked ordinary enough, not particularly dangerous or menacing. One of them was wearing farm overalls, and the accent told her that they were locals.

The taller man looked her up and down, calculating. There were laughter lines around his eyes, he looked middle-aged. She couldn’t understand why such an ordinary man would do this.

“She’ll do,” he said, nodding to the man who held her.

“Do for what?” Eleanor asked, managing to keep her voice low and calm. She looked around, observing, planning.

“Tie her up,” he said, throwing her captor a rope, and then lunged at her, clamping a damp cloth to her face. She tried to scream but her mouth wouldn’t comply and then the darkness rolled in and she slumped to the floor.

***

Eleanor blinked slowly, her eyes adjusting to her dimly lit surroundings. The musty scent of animals and straw was thick in the air, and she could just make out the wooden beams above her. She was in a barn. Her arms ached, they were pulled behind her back, she tried to move them but they were still tied, but now around a support beam. Her wrists had gone numb; she could no longer feel the rope digging into her skin.

“Hello?” she called.

The barn door swung open. One of the kidnappers walked in.

“Hi, I’m Tom,” he said, sticking out his hand for her to shake.

She glared at it, raising an eyebrow.

He coughed, embarrassed, and tucked it away in his pocket.

“I brought you some water.”

“How kind,” she rolled her eyes. “I can’t exactly drink, can I?”

“If you promise to behave, I’ll untie you.”

Eleanor was trying to wriggle her hands free of the ropes, but he’d tied them good and tight. She cursed him silently.

“What exactly does behave mean?”

“Don’t try and escape. There are two dogs on guard outside.”

She laughed.

“Good thing I love dogs.”

“They won’t love you,” he said. She couldn’t see his expression, he seemed calm though, like the situation wasn’t phasing him.

“Well? Will you be good so I can give you some water?”

“I can’t make any promises.”

“Here,” he said, crouching in front of her. “I’ll help you drink.”

He held the cup up to her lips, tipping it gently so she could take a sip.

“You’re pretty,” he told her, and it made the hair on her neck stand on end. He was too close for comfort. She turned her head so he’d go away.

“Why am I here? My family doesn’t have any money. Plus, they kinda don’t want me around anyway. So ransoming me or something would be pretty pointless.”

“I’m sure that’s not true,” he said. “You seem like a lovely girl.”

Her eyes widened incredulously.

“Are you hitting on me?” She laughed harshly.

“Wha-no.”

“You are! Oh my god is this the only time you can gather the courage to talk to a girl? When she’s tied up helpless in your barn?!”

All she could see was the angry glint in his eyes and the curve of his clenched fists.

It occurred to her that provoking him wasn’t the best idea.

“Even if that’s true, it still means I can do whatever I like with you right now,” he said.

He seemed like a rather stupid person who was used to getting exactly what he wanted.

He moved closer, invading her personal space, so close she could smell him and almost hear the beating of his heart. His hands closed firmly around her shoulders.

She didn’t know what else to do. Gripping the beam behind her, she brought her leg up in a swift and fluid motion and kneed him in the groin. He doubled up, clutching the injured area, swearing and cursing angrily.

“You little...”

Alex had taught her to do that, back when he was just her teacher and her life was so much less complicated. She never told anyone that the main reason she’d found him marrying her Mum so hard to swallow was because she’d had a secret crush on him in high school. He’d always looked out for her. And now she hated him.

She braced herself for what he might do.

“b***h,” he finished, wheezing from the pain. He straightened up and, moving so fast his hand was a blur, slapped her across the face. Blood spurted from her split lip.

“That’ll teach you,” he said, but it came out all wrong; in a tiny whisper.

She grinned, tearing the skin further, and spluttered as blood filled her mouth. Terror was pushing adrenaline to her brain.

She spat at him, laughing as she watched it land on his face. He wiped it off with the back of his hand.

Tom leaned down over her, slowly, almost lazily taking hold of her throat. It was not a choking grip, but a restraining one.

Now she decided to take a calculated risk. They couldn’t have travelled very far from her house if she was loud enough someone might hear her. So she opened her mouth and screamed.

There were no words in that burst of piercing sound, just unintelligent noise. And yet it was a desperate plea for rescue.

It carried on the silent night air to the ears of a creature who crouched some distance away. It turned its head towards the sound.

He was not quite human. He stood upright on his hind legs, his arms held loosely in front of his chest. He was covered in dense fur and his head was a wolf’s.

The sound wrenched at his heart. Where he’d once thought he was incapable of any emotion; he was suddenly overwhelmed by a need to protect whoever had called for his help.

He turned and loped off in the direction of the scream.

***

Tom, enraged, clamped his hand over Eleanor’s mouth.

“What’d you do that for?” he snarled. He struck her hard, across the face. Dizzying pain shot through her skull. Her vision swam.

The barn door slammed open; two men came running in.

“What happened?” David demanded, she couldn't see him through the blur in front of her eyes, but she recognised his voice this time.

And then the creature burst through one of the walls, splintering wood before him like confetti. He loved a dramatic entrance.

Eleanor took one look at him and blacked out. Luckily for her.

The werewolf was upon Tom in an instant. He ripped him off her, and threw him aside, smashing him into the ground. He pounced again, sinking his fangs into his thigh, and tearing it wide open.

The farmhand had already fled, but David stood frozen with fear, anger and grief.

“Tom,” he mouthed- nothing but a strangled moan came out.

The werewolf turned on him next. There seemed to be no purpose to his actions, but if anyone had dared to look into his strangely human eyes they would’ve seen in them a calculating intelligence.

He swiped a clawed paw at the farmer, slicing five long cuts in his chest. Blood poured quick from the wounds.

He snarled in the man’s face. Taking the hint, he turned and fled.

The creature returned to Eleanor’s side. With an uncharacteristic tenderness, which looked almost comical on this huge, clumsy beast, he scooped her gently up into his arms. He smoothed her hair back from her face with a large awkward paw.

Then, hugging her to him, he ran. He crouched so low as he sped along that her feet brushed along the ground. But he pressed her face against his chest so that she wouldn’t be hurt by the sharp thorns and scratching branches that grew along the floor of the forest.

Despite his strength and power and might, he was afraid of being watched or followed. His was a very private and secretive existence. The thought of anyone discovering his home filled his mind with dread and rage.

The manor loomed ahead. He breathed a sigh of relief. Safe and sound at last.

He carried the girl into a room and then slipped back outside, to return to his twilight wanderings.

***