The Beast Read Free Page A

mother.
    They were just starting to find a sense of normalcy, then her mother died and again everything changed. Her older sisters were shipped off to live in Paris with their aunt, where they could join society like normal young ladies. Henri put new pressure on training, especially on Belle’s. More men were recruited, and in a short time, she was named captain of the next hunting party.
    Five years, that’s all that had past—yet it felt longer. Even now, as Belle stood guard with her Hunters, it was hard to fathom all that had happened. Many great changes—she watched as Jack and Franck swung a body into a cart—and much of it terrible.
    Once the corpses were loaded—which took some time as there were many—the group traveled farther into Vakre Fjell. The lampposts looped the trail around and throughout the woods, then led back to the original entrance. To collect the deceased, the Hunters walked the entire path before they returned home. Absolved in death, these sinners needed their last rites to be laid to rest.
    Though, at times, Belle was conflicted over the truth behind these hellhounds, she did not doubt this ritual. These people may have been victims or maybe they were sinners, but they did deserve peace. Likely, more than others.
    Nearly an hour later, they reached the blessed Glace border. Belle pulled her fur cloak tighter around her. A sheet of white fluff had settled over her and Charming. She had a high tolerance for the cold, but after several hours on horseback it was starting to get to her. Despite her leather gloves, Belle’s fingers were numbing. That is until she flexed them, then they exploded with sharp pain. Her toes weren’t faring any better.
    “Headed to Le Géant Tranquille?” Franck asked as he rode up next to her, a glint in his eye.
    Going to the pub after a hunt was a long standing tradition. No doubt he was remembering his own escapades there with Henri and fellow Hunters. Belle could practically taste the awaiting mug of ale, and feel the warm fire on her skin. They moved onto French land and a gust of cold wind slipped up her sleeve, reminding her that she wasn’t there yet.
    “Yes, we are.” Belle indicated the corpse-filled carts as they rolled out of Vakre Fjell Forest, the rest of her hunting party in tow. “Would you like some help before we leave? That’s going to be some work.”
    Franck looked at the carts. “No, I don’t think even that comes close to the weight you and your men took on tonight.”
    She glanced up at the sky. A small break in cloud cover unveiled a stretch of twinkling stars. “How long does that kind of weight have to be carried?”
    “I don’t know.” Franck sighed. “I’m still carrying mine.”
    Belle dropped her gaze to the ground, nodding. “You have a good night, Franck.”
    “You as well,” he responded.
    Steering Charming onto the main road, Belle started for Contefées. Her hunting party also bid their farewells to accompany her. Franck and Jack would stay behind to tend to the dead. Not a desirable job, but until Jack swore the Hunter’s Creed before the church and God, he had to pay his dues.
    The stallions’ long legs trotted effortlessly through the heavy snow, hastening their journey. Full manes and tails glided behind them. With coats as black as night and necks arched, the Friesians exuded both elegance and power.
    For good reason, the majestic breed was the only kind that Hunters rode. They were locally bred, trained for survival, and Hunter and horse often bonded for life. When Belle was astride Charming, she felt his strength empowering her own. He would fend off the wolves at her back and carry her through the most brutal of snowstorms.
    Reaching the hilltop, Belle halted Charming with a softly uttered command. The other Hunters did the same, stopping in a line abreast with her. No one spoke as they looked down the hill at their sleeping town. Tonight, it was safe.

 

    Contefées sat quiet and settled for the