Prince of Darkness

Chapter 6

Adam paced in the confines of his room. The sun would be rising soon, which meant that his change back into a man would begin. But will the female be disgusted? His human form, although relatively normal, was somewhat disfigured, still having some of the alarming features from his werewolf form.

The prince ceased his pacing when a stabbing pain exploded in his stomach.

Falling to the ground, he bit back a shout of agony. His fur retracted into his fair skin, the fur on his head turning into long rust-coloured hair. His wolf-like nose melted into a human one, and the fur on his face vanished. His paws changed into human hands...although the claws remained.

The door to his bedroom suddenly opened, a man with a blue eyes and a monocle coming inside. "Master, are you alright?" Getting no response, he continued, "Is there anything you need?"

The prince turned his head to look at the Head of Household. "Yes Charles. Some fresh clothes...and for you to invite the new female to have dinner with me."

***************

Rose was deeply engrossed in a book, when her bedroom door opened. She jumped. Adam's probably here to drag me somewhere.

However, it was Charles who entered the room, closing the door softly behind him. He turned, "Miss Rose, the Master wants to invite you to dinner...and he said he does not want to wait for you," he said.

She crossed her arms, "Well I don't care. He can wait all he wants."

Charles shook his head softly. "I wouldn't do that. Adam, as I'm sure you've realized, doesn't exactly have a good temper."

"I saw that," replied the young woman dryly. A thought crossed her mind, and she questioned, "Why do you think Adam invited me for dinner?"

He replied after a small sigh. "I believe he is desperate for your affection."

The woman was silent for a moment. A werewolf...desperate for her affection? It was impossible. Rose placed her head in her hands. It was all too much to take in.

Charles asked, eyes softening in concern, "Feeling alright?"

She nodded, "Yes, I just don't want to go to dinner."

"I would strongly advise that you do go to dinner. Adam hates it when someone argues with him, let alone when someone doesn't do what he asks."

Belle raised an eyebrow. "Are you afraid of him getting angry at you?"

The man responded. "No, he cannot hurt me. I am half-angel. I'm more afraid of him becoming angry at you. Now...come down to dinner, please."

"Will...will Vincent be there?" the psychic questioned hopefully. After all, he was the first friend I made in this place.

Charles answered. "No. Vincent is taking care of some urgent business." He continued, changing the subject. "Adam really does want you to come down to dinner. Besides, it should help lessen his temper."

Rose sighed reluctantly. "Alright, I guess...I guess I'll go. I'm not going to enjoy this."

***************

Entering the dining room, Rose was unable to resist a shudder of fright at the sight of the prince. The burning fireplace enhanced his appearance by showing how his small fangs glimmered in the light, and how his golden eyes matched the soft glow of the fire.

He tapped a claw on the wooden dining table. "I see you took your time," he growled impertinently.

"I was thinking over if I should show up or not," Rose stated bluntly in return.

Adam clenched his fists. How dare she think about not coming to dinner! He surveyed her attire quickly. "You didn't put on anything respectable," he snarled.

Rose made no response. She simply seated herself at the table with as much dignity as she could muster. Are you really having dinner with him? After the way he's treated you?

The werewolf, instead of sitting, asked from his position. "What...what would you like?" A sudden silence caused Adam to glance at her over his shoulder. The woman sat in the chair, shock in her eyes. Growing impatient, the werewolf demanded, "Well?"

She blinked. Rose replied slowly, "Um...whatever you've got...I suppose." What had caused his sudden request? She had assumed the werewolf would only feed her what he wanted...if he fed her at all.

Her thoughts were broken when a bowl was roughly slammed down in front of her. Almost forgetting her manners, the young woman stammered, "Th-Thank you."

Adam growled, "Eat."

Rose did not hesitate, for fear of angering him further. Picking up a spoon she started on the soup she had been brought. There was quiet for a few minutes, until the young woman asked, "Why did you invite me to dinner?"

The werewolf snarled in warning before replying heatedly. "It is none of your concern."

 "Well it is, and you have a right to tell me!" Rose snapped.

Adam sighed. Running a hand through his hair he asked, his soft tone surprising her. "Why did you fight me?"

"I...I had to protect my father," she answered.

The prince nodded, "You value him very much?"

"Yes, more than anything," the young woman replied.

The creature asked gently, "Then...you would do anything to have him safe? Even marry me?"

Rose stilled, "Wh-What? No!"

The werewolf stood from his seat. He slammed a hand down on the table, making a small crack in it. "You will fall in love with me no matter how long it takes you! I'll keep you here all your life if that's what it's going to come to!" he roared.

Rose flinched at his words. Standing slowly, she backed out of the room, before turning and running towards her own.

***************

Rose ran as fast as she could, before disappearing behind the door of her room, slamming it. He doesn't want my love. He just wants another servant. That's all I am to him. She paused for a few moments, listening for any sounds. She could hear Adam growling in rage and Charles trying to calm him down.

Rose blinked back a few tears. Adam had invited her to dinner...but only for his own selfish reasons. He was the monster she had thought him to be. He was nothing more than a monster.

She was a servant to a monster.

Coming away from the door, the young woman threw herself onto the large bed. She let the tears flow from her eyes, crying herself to sleep.