AN: All rights to Richelle Mead for characters. All rights to Disney for similar plot of Beauty and the Beast. I am in no way whatsoever profiting from this story.

This story is in the process of being rewritten.

"He who is hideous by heart,

Will be hideous by aspect.

The Moon will control him,

Until Love finds him.

The bloodlust will drive him,

Until he finds Love.

And only Love's hand shall set him free."

The thick silver chains drag on the ground rattling noisily as Dimitri Belikov moves closer to the carriage awaiting him. Though the chains are heavy, Dimitri is used to the weight of them. They are nothing compared to the weight of his conscience and sins heavily resting on his shoulders constantly. Every once in a while, the chains are removed giving him relief from the nuisance, but he can never rid of the past.

A Guardian pushes him urging him to move faster. Dimitri growls softly in the back of his throat causing the Guardians to jump ten feet in the air. If he could, Dimitri would throw his head back and laugh at the intoxicating tell-tale scent of fear. The spiked collar around his neck prevents him from showing his amusement. Handcuffs around his wrists restrict his movement, and his ankles are bound by more chains dragging along his very own ball.

The prize of being the most hated and persecuted man in all of Europe and Asia, Dimitri thinks to himself. For some time, he has spent his free time locked in a dungeon being passed around from one lord to the next. It hasn't been easy, but sacrifices need to be made. Sleeping on the cold hard ground will be worth it in the end; however, it wouldn't kill them to let him take a bath. His shoulder-length hair is matted in dirt and dried blood from his last attack months ago when he allowed himself to be captured in Moscow six months ago. The chains are ludicrous as if they could hold him. Dimitri has allowed humans to think they got him; they finally captured the Beast and are close to killing him. How simple-minded they are to think Dimitri couldn't break the chains. The collar digs into his flesh drawing blood, but if he were to remove it, the wounds would instantly disappear showing his immortality. Silver only hinders him and won't kill him like the others in his pack. Dimitri does grow weary and sometimes questions his motives and considers escape. But finally, he's getting to his destination. The journey will soon be over.

Since the curse was placed upon him centuries ago by a vindictive and powerful witch, Dimitri has been searching far and wide for a way to end his torture. The clues, though small and cryptic, have led him here. So he lets the humans believe the illusion. He lets them have hope only to be snatched away because it's all part of his master plan. A plan that his pack didn't agree with, but he is Alpha, and what he says is law.

Dimitri slowly climbs onto the carriage causing it to sway, and the horses neigh at his weight. On his way, Dimitri hits his head on the roof of the carriage. He curses under his breath for his seven-foot height. The two Guardians joining him laugh at his expense effectively angering Dimitri. He growls and bares his teeth causing the Guardians in the carriage to tense and reach for their minuscule weapons. Outside, orders are shouted left and right as the horses start whinnying in fear for the beast. Not so though now, Dimitri smirks unclenching his fists and breathing in evenly to calm his hot temper. He's not known for his patience, and the past six months have tested him more than enough times. He has failed a couple of times smashing several Guardians against the wall when they have pushed and prodded too far. He's the fucking Alpha of all werewolves, the very creatures of their nightmares, and he will be respected and feared. Singlehandedly, Dimitri could kill his escort as soon as they step out of Bulgaria and the Ozera domain, away from reinforcements. Istanbul awaits, Dimitri reminds himself of the goal and like that, the anger diminishes slightly at the thought of seeing… No. He will not go there. There's only one goal in mind: death.

"Do not let him escape," Lord Lucas Ozera warns giving last-minute instructions and commands. "Or else."

Some of the Guardians swallow hard at the implied threat in the menacing tone of their lord. Pitiful humans, Dimitri scoffs quietly. They revere and respect their lord so much putting their lives on the line for him and his family. Their lord wouldn't hesitate to toss them all to the wolves, literally and figuratively. In fact, it's what Lord Ozera was doing as he remains in the safety of his stone, gated domain. Instead, Lord Ozera sends his young son, his only heir, to escort Dimitri to Istanbul. In the end, humans are selfish and arrogant, and Dimitri remembers that from his past life very clearly.

"Christian!" Lord Ozera calls for his son. "Enough weeping, Moira! Christian has a duty to fulfill."

Christian kisses his mother's cheek one last time and waves goodbye to his sisters, Avery and Tasha. The young Hunter Christian stands tall as he walks towards his father to receive further instructions or last words. The mission sounds simple: transport the beast safely to the next location. Even though the prisoner has made no attempt at escape, his wolves have attempted a few times to free him. Each time, there have been deadly casualties, but they have managed to keep the beasts at bay, but it's always best to leave at dawn when the beasts are weaker.

"Give my regards to Lord Mazur," Lord Ozera walks next to his son. "And wish him luck. He is our last hope."

"I know," Christian climbs on his horse and nods towards his father. "The Mazurs will end this once and for all. I just know it."

"Let us pray," Lord Ozera sighs. "Now, go on. Ride and do not stop until you reach Istanbul."

Christian takes command of the unit taking the lead followed by six Guardians, the carriage, and eight more Guardians in the rear. Though there is safety in numbers, Christian pushes the horses to their limits. It might kill them, but death by exhaustion is better than being torn to shreds by powerful teeth and sharp claws. Once the sky darkens, the horses can't seem to go any faster. Anxiety and fear are thick in the air stirring the beast in Dimitri. They have been traveling without stopping sticking to desolate roads in case of an attack, the casualties could be minimized, but it means longer travel time.

The carriage sways violently in the uneven roads causing Dimitri to bump his head constantly. The Guardians no longer snicker more nervous about the darkness settling around them. Every branch breaking, every owl hooting, and rabbit dashing across the road is a reason for Christian to constantly reach for the sword at his hip. He is used to the bloodshed. He has seen wolves and fought them countless times, and he has proven to be a strong Hunter. Despite his stellar record, Christian knows there's a small chance of surviving an attack without reinforcements. There's still a long way to Istanbul, and they are far from any civilization. Christian trusts his companions to hold their own for a long time and will be able to take a numerous amount of beasts down, but they cannot fight against the immortal werewolf in the carriage. If Dimitri decides to join the bloodshed, all is lost. No matter how many times the Hunters sliced and butchered the beast, Dimitri does not die. All other lords have tried different methods, and the monster lives with a smirk on his face. Christian wonders why Dimitri would subject himself to such ordeal and humiliation.

There's no more time to ponder what sick and twisted thoughts run through Dimitri's mind. A horse approaches fast ahead. Christian's hand once more returns to his sword bracing for a battle as his companions do the same. A horse and its rider are nothing to fear compared to the beasts, but it's strange to see someone this far at night time. The rider carries a torch in one hand while the other holds tightly to the reins of a black stallion. Christian relaxes slightly as the figure approaches enough that he can see the silver armor on the rider. But it's not until Christian sees the emblem on the armor that he finally lets out a breath he had been holding. The golden snake is the mark of the Mazurs. The rider is a friend and sight for sore eyes.

"Happy to see me?" the rider calls from behind her helmet.

Christian tries to hold back his smile. It's better not to encourage her bad behavior. "Are you still breaking the rules and escaping, Rose?"

"Not this time," Rose removes her helmet revealing her soft brown eyes, olive skin, and long dark hair a mess from the helmet. Rose smirks proudly and about to burst with excitement. "I have permission. I am leading the welcoming party, and I have Guardians following you since you left Edirne behind."

"And you have decided to grace us with your presence why?" Christian rolls his eyes faking annoyance. He's very happy and relieved to hear they have had backup since they left the last populated area before reaching Istanbul.

"Watch it," Rose arches her eyebrows. "Or I will ask my Guardians to retreat. I am watching your back, ass."

"Oh yes," Christian snorts. "You sure are. You are covered from head to toe with armor. Since when do you wear armor?"

"Shut up," Rose pouts. "I know it is the number one rule to dispose of any restricting equipment, but this was the one condition my father set forth. If I did not agree, I could not help rid the world of the beast." She spits out the last word as if it tastes like vile in her mouth.

The only thing that gives Rose strength to push through all the obstacles to become a Huntress is revenge. The road to her position as the only Huntress has not been easy or paved for her. Rose has had to make her own way and fight against opposing lords and ladies, against her own father. In the end, she prevailed. Now, she is the damn best at hunting beasts, and better yet the last hope to rid them of the Alpha.

Rose glances at the carriage transporting the culprit for so much pain and sorrow in her life. Well, not just her life but everyone else. No matter where the beast goes, his minions follow leading behind bloodshed and death. All the werewolves respond to Dimitri, and with him dead, the others will follow. It should be as simple as it sounds, but if rumors are true, the beast is immortal. Now, is Rose's chance to find out the truth. Nothing and no one lives forever. Death comes to all from lord to vassal, Rose knows this too well.

"Oh I see," Christian smiles widely knowing his next words are sure to piss off the Huntress. "You are turning soft on me, Rose."

"Watch it," Rose glares at Christian and wonders if she can get away with gutting him. Would Lissa be too mad? Perhaps. "You cannot talk to me like that. I am Lady Rosemarie."

Both of them laugh at her words. "You are the furthest thing from a lady. Last time I saw you, there was blood under your fingernails and your dress was torn, and I do not think it was from you fooling around with your fiancé."

"Hold your tongue," Rose says through her teeth. "Do not speak of my private affairs with Lord Ivashkov. Besides, that night I saved Budapest from being completely wiped out."

"Yes," Christian turns somber recalling that night. "And we lost many loved ones."

"Yes, we did," Rose says quietly remembering Lissa. "Have you had many attacks?"

"No," Christian sighs as the teasing ends and the conversation turns darker still. "I mean we had a few minor ones when he arrived in Sofia. The werewolves were easily deterred though, and we had minimum casualties. You?"

"None."

"None?" Christian asks his mouth open in disbelief.

Rose nods. "We have had a rather stressful peace. You know they cannot go long without hunting, killing, and raiding. I suppose they were busy trying to save him."

"They could have many times," Christian shakes his head. "The beasts have had ample opportunities to decimate us and save their Alpha. Yet when they get close, they suddenly retreat."

"Strange," Rose frowns.

"Indeed."

"How many…" The rest of Rose's sentence is cut off by a scream tearing through the still and silent night.

The pained scream echoes through the forest. Silence returns just as abruptly as it was interrupted but not for long. Collective howls rip through the night seemingly coming from all directions. Soon after battle cries join the howling and the dying screams of Rose's Guardians. Rose, Christian, and the Guardians stop their horses and finally unsheathe their swords.

"Protect the prisoner," Rose commands tossing her helmet and torch on the ground. "Form a circle around the carriage and no matter what, do not break formation."

The Guardians climb down from their horses and do as told by the Huntress forming a tight circle around the carriage. Rose holds onto Oscar tightly as her eyes struggle to see in the darkness. There's nothing to see yet. The wolves are busy taking out reinforcements. The sons of bitches are incredibly smart and know without support from the other Guardians, taking on Rose and her companions will be much easier. But they have yet to meet Rose and her sword. She will not let Dimitri escape. Not when her revenge is within grasp. Nothing will stop her from cutting Dimitri's head off and keeping it as a trophy. His death will free her from the horrid past she tries so hard to forget. His death will set her mind free from the guilt she constantly carries.

The pounding of paws against the ground suddenly draws near as does the heavy, excited breathing of the wolves. Branches break off in the distance, and the ground trembles under the brute strength of the beasts. Rose's palms begin to sweat as the sounds draw nearer and nearer. The anticipation becomes unbearable masking her fear. She fears the beasts for what they bring: death or a cursed life if bitten or scratched. But as she glances at the carriage, surrounded by the Guardians, Rose decides she's more afraid of losing him. With adrenaline coursing through her veins, Rose prepares for the battle as the howling is upon them.

"Brace yourselves!" Rose commands as the first werewolf appears from the darkness dripping drool and blood.