Sierra pov.
As I walked around the castle, his words kept repeating in my head. I take in the sights around me; the intricate carvings on the walls and the high ceilings that make me feel small. The smell of old books from the library fills my nostrils as I walk over to it and sit down. I don't know why I'm feeling sad for someone like him, but for some reason, I feel like holding him and telling him everything will be okay.
After staying in the library for an hour, I start feeling bored. I stand up and walk around, trying to find him. Even if he's a monster, I think it would be nice to have someone to talk to rather than just sitting all day reading books.
As I walk over to the kitchen, I look around and notice how neat it is. I wonder if there's another person living here who does all the work. I'm amazed, but at the same time, I just want to go home and see my mom.
Suddenly, a sound catches my attention, and I hurry to check out what it is. I see him standing with his back facing me, as if he's staring at something. I slowly walk over to him and stand behind him, gazing at what he's looking at. He's still staring at his mother's picture, as if he doesn't want to let it go.
I look up at him, and he looks down at me as well. I want to say something, but I feel as if I'm finding it difficult to speak. I want to touch him, to calm him down, but I'm still a little bit afraid inside of me.
Just then, I feel his hands in mine, and I look up and stare into his eyes. I feel pulled to him by his intoxicating smell, and most of the time, I just ask myself why.
After a long stare, I quickly pull my hands away and look up at him. My eyes fill with tears, and I try to hold them back. The sight of him standing before me, tall and strong, sends my heart racing.
"I am sorry," I whisper, my voice barely audible.
He doesn't say anything, but his piercing gaze never leaves me. I can feel the weight of his stare on me, as if he's searching for something within me. I look down at the floor, unsure of what to do.
Suddenly, he turns around and begins walking back into the room I was forbidden to enter. My heart sinks as I realize I may have pushed him away for good.
"Wait!" I yell out to him, my voice cracking with desperation.
He stops in his tracks and turns to look at me. His eyes are filled with sadness, and I can sense that he's heartbroken. I haven't yet decided whether I'll accept him as my mate, but seeing him like this fills me with a sense of guilt.
"I'm so sorry," I say again, my voice barely above a whisper. "I know you want me to be close to you, but in some way, I've pulled away. I can feel how hurt you are, and seeing you alone in this castle most of the time, I feel pity for you. I just want to say sorry for not keeping you company."
He continues to stare at me, not saying a word. I can feel the weight of his silence, and I look around, feeling ashamed of what I've said.
Just as I turn to walk away, his heavy voice stops me.
"Wait."
I stop and look at him, my heart pounding in my chest. He walks slowly towards me, and I can feel my body trembling with anticipation. I just keep staring at him, unsure of what to do next. It's as if we're two magnets, drawn to each other but unsure of how to connect.
As he comes closer, I can smell the musky scent of his cologne, and it sends shivers down my spine. I can feel the heat emanating from his body, and I imagine what it would be like to feel his touch. A rush of emotions overwhelms me, and I wonder if I'm ready to take the next step with him.
Finally, he reaches me, and I can feel the warmth of his breath on my skin. His eyes meet mine, and I can see the depth of his emotions reflected in them.
"It's okay," he says softly. "I understand."
His words wash over me, and I feel a sense of relief. Maybe things will work out between us after all. As we stand there, gazing into each other's eyes, I realize that he's not just a man but a force of nature, powerful and compelling. He's like the wind, untamed and wild, but also gentle and soothing. I feel myself being drawn into his orbit, and I wonder where this journey will take us.
As he approached me, he lifted his hands up and placed them in front of my face. The sight of his rough, calloused hands made my heart skip a beat. The air was thick with the scent of his musky cologne, mixed with the scent of the forest that clung to his clothes.
"I love you," he said, his deep voice echoing in my ears. I looked up into his intense gaze, feeling both exhilarated and scared at the same time.
My eyes darted down, unsure of how to respond. I could feel his eyes still fixed on me, waiting for my answer. I pushed myself closer to him, willing my fear to dissipate.
"Beast," I whispered, struggling to find the words. "I need time to think about this. I haven't decided if I want to be with you or not."
At my words, he withdrew his hands and stepped back, hurt and fear etched in his eyes. I couldn't help feeling guilty for causing him pain.
As I looked at him, I struggled to find words to describe him. He was both terrifying and alluring, like a powerful animal waiting to pounce.
"Why was he cursed in the first place?" I wondered, hoping to understand the reason behind the curse that had turned him into a beast.
As we stood in silence, he turned away from me and began walking towards the door that I had stopped him from entering before.
But just as he reached for the handle, he paused and spoke again.
"You don't have to stay here. If you don't feel comfortable, you can go back home. I won't stop you," he said, his voice gentle but firm. As he spoke, he closed the door, leaving me alone.
The room was quiet, but for the sound of my own breath. I looked around, taking in my surroundings. The walls were painted a deep shade of blue, and the furniture was dark and imposing. The air was heavy with the scent of musk, and the only light came from a single lamp in the corner.
I closed my eyes and breathed in deeply, trying to focus on my other senses. I could hear the sound of the wind outside, rustling the trees and rattling the windows. The bed was soft beneath me, and I could feel the weight of my body sinking into the mattress.
His words echoed in my mind, repeating over and over again. I couldn't shake the feeling that he was right. I wasn't the first one to leave him, and I wasn't the only one who felt trapped.
I rolled onto my side, staring up at the ceiling. The decision I had to make was a big one. It felt like I was standing at a crossroads, unsure which path to take.
I placed a hand on my forehead, trying to ease the tension building there. Should I go back home, where everything was familiar and comfortable? Or should I stay here and give him a chance, even if it meant taking a risk?
I sighed heavily, feeling the weight of my indecision pressing down on me. This was my mate we were talking about, after all. Whatever decision I made would have far-reaching consequences.
In the end, I knew that there was only one thing I could do. I had to trust my instincts, and follow my heart. Whether that meant staying or leaving, I knew that I would find my way eventually.