“See!” The king shouts, “The soldiers are weak, because you are weak. Soldiers, kill that creature!”

A guard jams his dagger into her back along with another then another. Emilia kicks each of the guards down then dashes up the stairs. She runs into the palace knocking down anyone who stands in her way. She identifies the prince’s scent and follows it down the halls.

“It’s okay. I forgive you,” Chloe spits up blood with her words.

“We have to protect the pack. We lost sixty-one beasts for good. Thirty-four are injured. She knew the prince before she became a beast.” Borden circles Emilia and asks: “Did you and the prince plan for you to become a beast?”

Being a beast is wonderful. You don’t have to pay bills, you don’t have to worry about food, and you won’t be in the way. You will only make things worse if you go home honey. The lake comforts as if it were Emilia’s grandparent. Don’t you like the wind in your fur? And swimming as a beast is a lot more fun. You get to feel the water run through your fur.

Goddesses, please save me. I don’t want to die. Emilia prays silently. When she closes her mouth, she latches onto a long thick root hanging out of the ground. Her body snaps with the rope, and she stops falling.

Every newcomer leaves Emilia behind.

“Get your butt on the other side!” The leader yells, “Or I’ll kill you myself.”

Emilia looks to the fire then back at the leader then shakes her head.

“As the leader of the beast pack, I, Borden, sentence you to death.” Borden bares his fangs and pounces on top of Emilia.

The beast fails to turn her head to any of these noises. She would be terrible in a pack. She is completely unaware of her surroundings. If a squirrel attacked her, the squirrel has an ability to win. Is this why the other beasts have yet to collect her? She’s blessed she’s the size of a lion.