The Beauty's Hidden Beast

Romeo's POV

I swept across the crowd, walking as fast as I could without running. The last time, Princess was in a wheelchair. This time, though, she didn't have a handicap. I followed her traces outside the estate, toward the labyrinth garden.

Some security men have already found her and aimed their guns at her.

"Freeze!"

They surrounded her.

"On the ground!"

She was standing in front of a fountain in the middle of the labyrinth garden, watching the water sprout into the air. She didn't seem bothered or panicked by the situation.

Rosa was shaking, kneeling, and clutching Princess's leg. Her eyes were wide open, and her lips were trembling. The plate of food she carried was on the ground.

Some children, from toddlers to preteens, both boys and girls, held up its contents. A few looked drugged, their eyes glazed over, and others were hungry and starving. Some nibbled on the food. Some just held it in their hands absentmindedly.

I noticed the secret entrance in the ground and the small access card in her hand, which she took from me together with the condom a while ago, using it as a cover to hide the real thing.

Only certain people were invited to the 'special' after-party events. Their inner circle was tight-lipped and old-fashioned. No modern technology or electronic communication could be used to track their movements. I was never invited and didn't even know who was a member until today.

My first thought was: They invited me because of Princess.

My second thought was: She used Rosa as bait to gain access.

Rosa's lips were cracked and bleeding, whip marks all over her body, probably done by Princess to make her look more convincing.

Princess noticed my presence, tilting her head at the army, which followed me all the way here while pointing their weapons at me.

I tossed a handful of bullets into the air, catching each one smoothly before flashing her a smile, "Did you have fun, Princess?"

My words caused the rest of the security men to point their weapons at me.

"I did, didn't I, Kitty?" Princess' finger went under Rosa's chin and lifted her head. "I could have a bunch of kittens in exchange for her," she said, trying to peel her off her legs. "Do you like being mine that much, Kitty?"

Rosa clutched her arms around Princess' legs, her nails digging into the fabric. She nodded her head frantically, refusing to move and snarling at the kids to stay away from Princess.

Once the children were full, they lay down around the fountain, some leaning on each other, falling asleep with blissful smiles on their faces... until they breathed their last.

"She killed them," one of the security men said, carefully approaching Princess and checking one of the children's pulse.

The rest were too afraid to approach and stood still, their fingers twitching nervously on the trigger but not pulling it. They needed permission, and the person on the other side of the comms had gone absolutely crazy, cursing and shouting.

Princess was no hero. No saint. Humans didn't deserve her mercy, yet her heart was still filled with it.

No one would grieve for the children, no one would shed a tear. They were abandoned. Neglected. Ignored. Unloved. Forgotten. She didn't rescue the children to save them. She didn't spare their lives, but their souls. The world has failed them, and it didn't deserve their light.

She stepped on the man's hand that dared touch the children and pulled the rifle out of his holster, pointing it at the skies, "Empty your magazines," she ordered the security men.

They looked at each other, hesitating. The man pinned under her shoe looked like a helpless bug, each of his movements earning him a step from Princess until his arms spread open, begging for mercy. He had no chance of escaping or fighting back.

Dark, swirling tattoos spread over my hand, the lines twisting and pulsing before I flicked one of the bullets. The bullet pierced one of the men's eyes and came out the other side of his head, "Do it."

To stand a chance against her father, Zeek and I had to become stronger, better, smarter. We had to stop seeing things as they were and see things as they could be.

The rifles fired one round after another, the loud sound echoing through the entire garden. The sky was full of lights, like a fireworks show.

BANG!

The loud sound echoed through the air, causing everyone to flinch and cower.

BANG! BANG!

One by one, they pulled the trigger and released the bullets, shooting the skies.

It didn't take long for the entire complex to be swarming with the guest's security men.

I fanned away the smoke, standing by Princess' side.

"You came to save me," she said, hooking her arms around my neck, "How sweet."

I laughed, wrapped my arms around her waist, and flew up. The smoke hid our departure, and the loud sound devoured Rosa's cry as she clutched her arms and legs around Princess' leg, trying her best not to fall.

We landed on the balcony of our room, blending in with the party noise. I could still hear the commotion below, people looking around and trying to figure out what had happened.

I took the leash from Princess' hand and yanked Rosa up. She squealed and tried to cling onto Princess, but I dragged her into the room and threw her on the bed. "Stay, and don't move. Your mistress and I have some catching up to do," I said and returned to the balcony.

Princess leaned against the railing, allowing me to hug her from behind. Together, we watched the commotion below, the chaos she caused.

Mary approached the garden, and I couldn't help but hold Princess closer, unwilling to let her go. Mary had been following me all along, but I was too distracted to pay her any attention.

Princess chuckled, "She must have been really worried about you."

Mr. Lestat showed up not far behind, his people following. What followed next was heartbreaking as the woman he loved fell to her knees, crying and mourning the lost children.

Mary wasn't able to escape the darkness that crept into her heart. The darkness Princess spread across the estate, turning the once joyful occasion into a funeral and a tragedy.

Mary couldn't unsee the blood, the mangled bodies, the lifeless eyes. She couldn't deny what was there. She couldn't close her eyes and pretend it never happened, but what could she do?

With Mr. Lestat by her side? Anything. He knelt beside her, comforting her, promising he would punish those who did that to the children, and protect her from getting involved. He ordered everyone to search the whole island and capture the culprits.

"That's what you get for breaking my man's heart. You get your heart broken in return," Princess muttered to herself, making my heart swell, "I rooted for you, Mary, but you just had to break your promise, didn't you? Now, I have to deal with your ex, and his smile that reminds me of you and the love he had for you. So annoying."

I was speechless and didn't know how to react, "You didn't just destroy Mr. and Mrs. Lestat's day...for me, did you?"

"Who else? You think I enjoy this kind of shit? I wouldn't even bother coming here if it weren't for you."

I laughed, hugging her from behind, "I didn't think you cared about me this much."

"And what did you think?"

"I was sure you hated me."

"Do you want me to?"

"No."

"Then don't say stupid things."

I chuckled, holding her closer. There was someone who would burn the world for me, and she was standing right in front of me. It was an unfamiliar feeling and a bit frightening.

I was a little worried about her. Worried she'd push herself too far, and worried I wouldn't be strong enough to catch her.

"Do you really hate my smile, Princess?"

"It's going to blind me one day, and then I won't be able to see anything but you," she muttered, clearly bothered.

"You want to kiss it?"

"I'd rather eat it," she said, causing me to laugh again.

"Why do you always say things that can be easily misunderstood?"

"Because I'd rather not speak at all," she said, making me wonder if she wanted me to get lost and stay quiet.

I liked her being at ease with me, I liked her being relaxed, and I liked her enjoying her time with me. But sometimes, I wanted her to be nervous. Sometimes, I wanted her to look forward to the next time, or crave me and my presence.

Maybe it was just the male ego, maybe I was being childish, but I wanted to do it my own way, and not follow her pace. After all, I was older and was supposed to be wiser than her, wasn't I?

"I'm a very patient man, Princess," I said, "I can wait."

"Wait?"

"For the day you'll lose control," I said.

"..."

"You'll look beautiful losing it, Princess."

"..."

"Like the prettiest, most adorable Princess in the world."

"..."

She snorted, "Cocky much? Aren't you, Romeo?"

"And very, very confident."

"..."

"In bed."

"..."

"Or the shower," I said, "The couch, the table, the floor, the kitchen, and the wall."

"..."

"Basically, anywhere is fine with me," I said.

"..."

"As long as it's you, Princess."

Her fingers laced with mine, "We can both meet our sexual needs elsewhere, so I don't think any of us will ever lose it," she said, "Unless one of us wants to," she added.

My nose stroked her neck, "I want to lose it," I said, "Because I haven't lost it before, not even once."

"Never?"

"Never."

She laughed, "What's holding you back? Do you need a pill or a drug?"

"..." I pinched her tight, causing her to chuckle, "You said it yourself. There's nothing more sexy than a man in control, especially when he's losing it. Very, very slowly, and very, very, painfully."

She hummed, "Nothing turns me on more than a man being on the verge of losing it. The way he tries to control himself and the way he tries to please me at the same time. The look on his face when he realizes how wet he makes me by just holding back. Mm, there's nothing more delicious."

My body reacted, of course, my heart racing and my blood rushing south. I wanted to check for myself, to feel how much I affected her by keeping my arms around her waist and letting her lean on me only.

She was enjoying the moment, the attention, and the anticipation. And to be honest, I was enjoying it too. To feel relaxed, and yet, at the same time, on edge.

"Tell me about your previous lovers," she said.

"Why?"

"To kill the mood," she said.

I laughed, spanking her bum, "You are unbelievable."

She laughed with me, and it felt like my chest was expanding, growing, and becoming lighter. I couldn't remember the last time I laughed like I did today, or if I ever did. We chatted and joked for a while until the commotion calmed down.

The security was interrogated, but they were clueless. They were hired for this event and had no idea who the preparators were.

Everyone was shocked. There was no media, no reporters. This wasn't a case for the police.

This was a warning. A message. Someone did this to make a point. Someone was telling the guests to behave. Someone who could join their inner circle and gain their trust. Someone who was close, very close.

They didn't know who to suspect, who to accuse. It was a blind hunt, and the only lead they had was the Sinclairs.

In no time, their wrath would fall on me and mine. The Sinclair heir finally showed his true colors, and he had fallen in love with a psycho.

I never cared about my reputation. I did what I did, not to please others, but myself. So it didn't matter if others viewed me in a good or bad light.

Either way, Mr. Lestat approached me himself. Whether to gain intel or make a deal, he was there.

It's too bad I decided to accompany my wife home and won't be back for at least two weeks.

I wasn't lying. We were really in a rush to get home.

· · ─────── · ⊱❈⊰· ─────── · ·

Back at the manor…

Vick stroked Princess's flat stomach, "Isn't it too soon to give birth?"

Skaris ran around the room carrying warm water and towels, preparing for the new arrival. He looked terrified and worried, afraid something would go wrong.

"It's a baby. They come when they are ready, not when we are," she said, annoyed.

Muir laid her on the mattress, helping her into a comfortable position.

"Not just any baby, it's our baby," Vick corrected her, "Where is he? Did he hatch already? How is he breathing? Is he alright?"

"The little pea is busy eating my guts," she said, causing Curtis to whimper and Vick to panic.

"Hold her down," Vick changed his arm into a tentacle, "I'm going to fish him out."

Curtis held her shoulder while Mitchell and Gold spread her legs and lifted her knees, "Push him out! Push him out!"

Bart covered his eyes, "I can't watch this," he whispered, peeking between his fingers, "What if the cub gets stuck?"

"Go fish a carrot," Princess smacked Vick's hand away, "Don't you dare stick your tentacles inside me."

Vick ignored her and tried to shove his tentacle inside her, only to get kicked across the room, crashing into the wall and causing a massive hole in it. He jumped on his feet and rushed back, his tentacle growing longer, "Precious, calm down," he coaxed, "I'm here for you. Let me help."

"He is out!" Bart screamed, jumping up and down, "Look! Look!"

Everyone froze, even Princess, who was mid-kick, and Vick, who was ducking his head. They turned their heads toward her crotch, where Bart was staring wide-eyed.

"What? Where? Why didn't I hear his cry? Where is the cub?" Skaris asked, lifting his blindfold.

The rest panicked and gathered around, their eyes widening, their jaws dropping, their expressions froze, and their hearts stopping.

Princes picked the tiny pea up. He wasn't bigger than a coin, and everyone had to crank their necks and squint their eyes to see him.

The tiny, delicate baby boy wrapped his little hands around her finger, his eight miniature tentacles on his lower half cuddled her palm. He looked up with wide, innocent eyes, his whole little body holding tight as if she were his entire world.

His human features were delicate and soft, his skin fair and smooth, and his eyes light blue. His hair was white, but it had a blue hue, like a pearl.

"I've never seen someone give birth to a half-beast cub," Bart was shocked, "How is that possible?"

"Vick's genes and Princess' blood," I said, sitting beside her. "The baby probably became strong enough to shift after absorbing her blood."

"He looks just like Vick," Mitchell clicked his tongue, "But cuter," he admitted.

Vick fell to his knees before her. He kissed her palm holding the small baby, unable to believe what he was seeing.

Princess was still out of it, her expression a little absent and a little dazed. She couldn't understand what was happening. One moment, she was talking to a bunch of idiots, and the other, a small baby was in her arms.

"Is this my baby?" Her voice was small, uncertain, and a bit scared. She stared at the tiny thing, trying to process everything. The shock was written all over her face, and her eyes were red.

She sniffled, her voice wavering. "I did this?" she whispered, lifting the baby and holding him close to her face.

Seeing her look like that, holding back tears and struggling to maintain her composure, was a scene that would melt anyone's heart. It made us fall in love with her all over again. Tears welled up in everyone's eyes. Even I had to swallow a lump.

Vick was crying and laughing, his smile the brightest and happiest. "You did, Precious," he said, his voice cracking. "You gave birth to a healthy baby boy. Can you believe it?"

She blinked her eyes, trying her best not to cry, "I can't. Not really," she said, looking at the baby again. Silently, she studied his face, memorizing every feature and every detail.

She smiled, and the rest of us took a deep breath, feeling a weight lift off our chests.

╔═══ Author's note ════╗

Welcome to the world, Little Pea. 🥹

Do you like the chemistry between YY and Romeo? He keeps his cool even during the most disturbing moments, which shows the world he grew up in. He became very immune to it, similarly to YY. 🥺

Why do you think YY did what she did and euthanized the children? 👀

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