Beauty and the Beast

Chapter 4

*******Adam's POV*******
I was in my study staring at my calendar as Lunar hopped up. "Her room is heated warmly master." Ever since Lunar nearly froze Ella, I have him report to me when he heats her room. I grunted in approval and a small knock was heard at the door. "Come in." The door opened to reveal Ella. She looks very nice today. Rebecca must have found some more clothes for her. Why do I think she looks nice, God help me...I clear my throat as I beckon Ella to come in. She has been helping me organize my files. We get to work right away, only a light conversation bouncing between us. I was beginning to like having her around. I hope to do something special for her this month. Lunar had mentioned she liked to dance and had also mentioned she had not seen the ballroom. I sat there figuring out what I could do for her when she cleared her throat. "Sorry, what would you like help with?" I noticed she had finished her pile of files. "Oh sorry, um..." I hand her some of my files. "Just put them on that cabinet there." I heard laughing coming from the slightly open window, so I get up and check. I see Lunar and Nick walking through the snow so I watch them for a bit. Nick was running toward the forest. Ah yes, they are looking for the perfect Christmas tree. I smiled to myself as I remember how we would all go out to find the perfect tree. I turn around to see that Ella had finished the other pile. "Shall we go join the others outside? They are looking for the perfect Christmas tree." I chuckled to myself as her eyes seemed to glow with excitement. "I would love to!" Her soft, calming voice was full of excitement as she rushed out of the study to her room to get her cape. I smiled to myself as I watched her run along with Nick. If only she could see them in their human form...I sighed as I watched Ella chase Nick into the trees. I kept a careful watch knowing the wolves probably already knew we were there. We all made our way to the small lake where we would pick our tree. Nick starts running towards the trees, looking at each one carefully. I stayed by the path we came down so I could watch them and keep them safe. I felt the ground start to shake almost an hour later. I began to become anxious as they still looked at the trees and had fun. Ella's smile was absolutely beautiful. Her red  cape lined with white faux fur matched her complexion perfectly. She  seemed so happy here, but was she truly happy? I never really understood women, even my own mother agreed that I didn't know much about women. I miss my mother and regret every second of that cursed day. 

*******Ella's POV*******
I noticed Adam had not joined us. He kept saying he would rather protect us and let us have all the fun. I fought my thoughts as I realized I was upset that he wouldn't join us. I played with Nick in the snow as Adam kept looking around. Nick through a snowball and instead of hitting me, it flew right past me and hit the tree next to Adam. Nick ducked behind my cape as he looked around me. Adam didn't even flinch as he lowered his gaze and seemed to be starting at something. I sent Nick back up the path to the castle, assuring him that we will bring the tree back to the castle. Lunar stayed with me as he started to mark the tree so we could cut it down. Adam was still staring off in the distance when he suddenly cane toward us. He stopped two trees away and kept looking toward the north side of the trees. Lunar went to question him but suddenly from all sides, wolves attacked us.

*******Adam's POV*******
Ella. I should have known. They want pure blood...the kind only a women can give. Running toward Ella, I made myself a sheild as all the wolves attacked from all sides. I flung them off left and right, as I did my best to keep them away. I turned my back to fight off a wolf from behind and one launched at Ella. Then two more launched. Her screams of terror and pain were more then I could bear. I began to rip through the pile of wolves on Ella as I fought my way to her. I had to get them off her! I kept at the wolves as slowly her body was free of all wolves. She looked up at me tears streaming down her face. "I...I'm...s...s...so..rr...y.." She suddenly became limp and fell into the snow. Her body was torn up quite a bit as her blood has began to stain the snow red. I picked her up gently as I carried her body to the castle.

*******Ella's POV*******
Pain...burning...weakness...what did I just say? Everything went black as I hit the snow. I felt more pain in my life at this moment then I did when Johnathan would confront me. I must have blacked out because when I woke back up I was in the castle, in Adam's study. I tried to move but Adam gently held my arm down. He had been crying? Why? Had he been crying because of me? Ow, oh this pain is unbearable....how badly did those wolves get me? As of he could hear my thoughts, Adam looked up at me. "The wolves nearly killed you.." He looked down again at my arm. I dared look down and all I could see were three huge claw marks down my arm. Rebecca came in and shooed Adam out the door to allow me to rest. "It will be all right dear, Adam made quick work of getting the blood cleaned. He has sent for his personal doctor to come and look at you." I looked at Rebecca. "Did I happen to say anything before I blacked out?" Rebecca simply shook her head and walked out of the room. Adam came back in with two blankets and two pillows. He sent one set down and lifted my head, placing the pillow. He then took the blanket and draped it over me. He laid down on the ground next to the couch I was on. "I...want to....thank....you...Adam...for saving....my....life..I'm..happy here too..." I remember vaguely saying something right as I blacked out again.

*******Adam's POV*******
She is happy here? After nearly dying? I should send for her father....he may tell that man again...but she deserves to have her father here...I will ask when she wakes again. I laid down on the ground, under a blanket as I stared at the ceiling. I couldn't stop thinking about when my personal doctor would arrive so Ella can get better. I cursed myself for sending him away when the curse took over and skipped him. Rebecca came in the room every so often, took check on both of us. I watched Ella the entire time, should she wake up and get startled. I must have fallen asleep because I awoke at hearing a slight gasp escape Ella's mouth. I look at her, my ears pricked up. She was trying to sit up..."Don't do that. You need to stay laying down." She sighed, obviously frustrated but she did say her head back down. I look at the scratches that I was able to treat. They looked very deep, but not deep enough to expose any of her bone. I was worried because without proper care, she could die. "Ella, would you like me to send for your father?" She drew back from me, which shocked me. "N..no! H...he...he'll...just.....t......te....ll........Johnathan.....!" I nodded my head and focused on her deep scars again. Just then, Lunar burst through the door the doctor right behind him. The doctor asked me to leave, when I went to protest he simply shook his head and pointed to the door. I walked out and waiting for what seemed like hours before the doctor came and found me. He told me that the other injuries were nothing more then scratches from their paws. The slices on both her arms were much worse. He explained that he wrapped them both up after putting a salve of honey and comfrey on her arms. He reminded me that I saved her life by cleaning up the wounds right away. With that he said he would come back tomorrow to change her wraps. He left and as far watched him leave I made note to block the path leading to the lake and a few surrounding trees, as well as blocking the lake off so the wolves would forever leave Ella alone.