Beauty, in the Beast World

A Mother's Love, A Villainess's Heart

{AN: There will be a fair amount of time skipping in this chapter as I work to bring everything up to speed on how Lila plans to exact her revenge on the male who killed Tanner. Between this chapter and the next, you may encounter new revelations, so don't be too surprised by the sudden shifts. I'm fully caught up on the Beauty and the Beasts storyline (from the Manhua, not the Webnovel), but since this fanfiction takes its own path, those details aren't entirely relevant here.

I've already decided that our MC in this version is far from a hero or protagonist—in fact, Lila is the villainess. Her story is one of deep betrayal, and the scars of her past have transformed her into the antagonist of this world. Unlike the original narrative, where redemption and love reign, this tale dives into the dark consequences of suffering so profound it leaves no room for forgiveness. Lila's journey is one of vengeance, driven by a relentless desire to balance the scales in the only way she believes possible.

If you're looking for a tale where good triumphs over evil, you can check out my Skyrim Isekai, A Tale of Could-Be Heroes Book 1: Hero, Dragon, Elf. But, if you're drawn to a story where deep wounds fester into something far darker—where betrayal, pain, and treachery breed a villainess with no path to redemption—then you're in the right place.

With that warning, let us continue this tale of romance, vengeance, and sorrow.}

The peaceful air in the cave shattered with Lila's sudden, piercing scream. The stone bowl she had been holding clattered to the ground, shattering upon impact, but it was the sound of her pain that sent shockwaves through the cave. Lyris' head snapped up, his lavender eyes wide with alarm as he saw her hunched over, clutching her lower back. The trickle of thin liquid down her thighs told him everything he needed to know—her time had come.

Without hesitation, Lyris rushed to her side, his arms scooping her up effortlessly. "Zache! Get Atlas, now!" he barked, his usual calm replaced with urgency as he carried Lila towards the nursery in their cave. "And bring water—boil it! She'll need to be cleaned up after the birth."

Zache, ever quick on his feet, scrambled to obey, his heart pounding as he bolted from the cave, his wolf senses on high alert. The weight of Lyris' command hung heavy on his mind, knowing every second mattered. He sprinted through the forest, his mind locked on one thought: Atlas had to be found quickly.

Inside the cave, Lyris gently laid Lila onto the soft bed of furs they had prepared for this moment. She writhed in pain, her magenta eyes wide with fear and strain as another contraction tore through her. Her breaths came in sharp, uneven gasps, and she gripped Lyris' hand with all the strength she had left.

"It's alright, Lilac," Lyris whispered, his free hand gently stroking her dark purple hair. "They'll be back soon. You're not alone in this." His words were meant to soothe, but he could see the panic still lingering in her eyes.

Lila squeezed his hand tightly, her sharp nails digging into his skin as another wave of pain hit. "It hurts..." she gasped, her voice thin and trembling. "It hurts so much, Lyris..."

"I know, my love. I know." Lyris' heart ached at seeing her in such agony, but he stayed strong for her, his hand never leaving hers. He pressed a soft kiss to her forehead, feeling the sheen of sweat already forming there. "You're doing so well. Just breathe."

Outside, Zache's form blurred through the trees as he found Atlas in the midst of patrolling the area, the hulking wolf male instantly recognizing the panic in Zache's eyes. "Lila—she's in labor!" The younger wolf panted, barely able to catch his breath. Without another word, Atlas shifted, his massive paws pounding against the earth as he raced back toward their home.