The Beast Within

The moon hung high over Thornhaven, its silver glow spilling into Ivy's room and illuminating the soft silk of her nightgown. She stood by the mirror, brushing out her hair, her thoughts consumed by Gabriel. Every moment they spent together, every fleeting touch, every look he gave her—it all left her yearning for more. Yet there was always that wall he kept between them, one she was determined to break.

Tonight, she would try.

She wrapped herself in a sheer robe, letting it hang loosely around her shoulders. The soft, pale fabric whispered against her skin as she padded down the dimly lit hallways, her heart pounding in her chest. Gabriel's door loomed ahead, and she hesitated for only a moment before raising her hand and knocking softly.

The door creaked open, and Gabriel stood there, his golden eyes widening slightly at the sight of her. He was shirtless, wearing only dark linen pants that hung low on his hips, the firelight from within casting shadows across his broad, scarred chest.

"Ivy," he said, his voice low and rough. "What are you doing here?"

She stepped inside, brushing past him, and his breath caught at the faint scent of lavender that clung to her. "I couldn't sleep," she said, turning to face him. "And I figured you probably couldn't either."

He closed the door, his expression guarded. "This isn't a good idea," he said, though his gaze lingered on her, betraying the struggle behind his words.

Ivy took a step closer, her robe slipping slightly to reveal more of her bare shoulders. "Why not?" she asked, her voice soft but teasing. "You're always trying to protect me, Gabriel, but maybe I don't want to be protected from you."

His jaw clenched, and he turned away, pacing to the fireplace. "You don't understand, Ivy," he said, his tone sharp. "You think you do, but you don't."

"Then help me understand," she said, following him. She reached out, her fingers brushing against his arm, and he flinched, though he didn't pull away. "Gabriel, you don't have to push me away. I'm not afraid of you."

"You should be," he said, his voice like a growl.

She stepped closer, her hand resting on his chest. His muscles tensed under her touch, and for a moment, he seemed to stop breathing.

"I'm not afraid," she repeated, her voice a whisper.

Gabriel closed his eyes, his hands trembling as he reached up to gently grab her wrists, stopping her from moving any closer. "Ivy, please," he said, his voice strained. "Don't do this. You don't know what you're asking."

She tilted her head, her eyes searching his. "I'm asking you to stop shutting me out," she said. "I'm asking you to let yourself feel something—anything—for once."

His golden eyes snapped open, and they burned with a fire she hadn't seen before. He released her wrists and took a step back, running a hand through his hair. "You don't understand," he said again, his voice low and raw.

"Then explain it to me!" Ivy said, her frustration bubbling over. "Because all I see is a man who's terrified to let himself love, and I don't know why."

Gabriel froze, his gaze locking onto hers. The silence stretched between them, heavy and charged. Finally, he spoke, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Because I can't," he said. "The curse won't let me."

Her brow furrowed, confusion flickering across her face. "What do you mean?"

He turned away from her, his shoulders hunched as if under an invisible weight. "The curse was designed to ensure I could never find true love," he said, his tone bitter. "It punishes me for wanting what I can't have. Anytime I…" He hesitated, his hands curling into fists. "Anytime I feel desire—anytime I get aroused—it changes me. I become something else. A beast."

Ivy's breath hitched, but she didn't speak, waiting for him to continue.

"The first time it happened, I didn't know what was happening to me," he said, his voice haunted. "I thought I could control it, that I could fight it. But the curse is relentless. The more I feel, the stronger it becomes." He turned to face her, his golden eyes filled with torment. "Do you see now, Ivy? No one could ever love a monster like that. No one would ever want…" He trailed off, his gaze dropping to the floor.

She stepped closer, her heart aching for him. "Gabriel…"

"Don't," he said sharply, holding up a hand to stop her. "You deserve more than this—more than me. I've been cursed to live alone, to never have what I want most. And you deserve a man who can give you everything without turning into… into that."

Ivy stared at him, her mind racing. The image of Gabriel as a beast should have frightened her, but it didn't. What scared her more was the thought of him spending his life believing he didn't deserve love.

"I need to think," she said finally, her voice trembling.

His jaw tightened, but he nodded. "Take all the time you need," he said, though his tone was heavy with resignation.

Ivy turned and left the room, her heart pounding in her chest. As she walked back to her own room, her mind was a storm of emotions. She couldn't deny the pull she felt toward Gabriel, but his confession had changed everything. Could she accept him for who he was, curse and all?

She didn't know the answer yet, but one thing was certain: Gabriel's beast wasn't the only thing he was trying to protect her from. He was afraid—afraid of her seeing the man beneath the curse and walking away.

And that fear was what made her pause before closing her door. If he was willing to let her go to protect her, could she truly walk away?