THE SHADOW BEAST AND I

"Marked by Fate":

They dragged both Liana and her father back inside the house, forcing them to kneel before the prince. The prince stood up from his seat, taking slow, deliberate steps toward her father. He bent slightly, his smirk widening as he raised his hand and began to slap her father—not too hard, but not gently either, just enough to humiliate him.

"You peasants are so useless," the prince sneered. "Did you think hiding her away from the world would make men not want her? You dare hide her from me?"

He smirked wickedly before turning to his most trusted servant, the only one allowed close to him. Drawing his sword, he pointed it at the servant and asked, "He's made your lord very angry. What's the best punishment for him?"

The servant bowed slightly and answered without hesitation, "My lord, he dares to make you angry. He deserves to die."

Liana's heart pounded in her chest. "No! Please, don't kill my father! Please, I beg of you, my lord! I'll do anything you want!"

The prince turned to her, his expression unreadable, before striding over. He crouched in front of her, grasping her face—not too harshly, but firm enough to make her flinch. She attempted to break free, her face twisting in discomfort.

"You said you'd do anything," he murmured, tilting his head. "Let's see… will you be my mistress?"

He smirked even more as Liana turned her face away, flinching again. Her father, who had been silent in shock, suddenly erupted in rage.

"You filthy bastard!" her father spat, struggling against the guards. "Don't you dare touch her! Stay away from her, you vile, disgusting pig! I'll kill you with my own hands if you lay a finger on her!"

The prince merely chuckled at the insults, his wicked smile unfaltering. He leaned closer to Liana, his lips inching toward hers. But just as he was about to make contact, a sharp, searing pain shot through his lip.

Liana had bitten him. Hard.

Blood dripped down his chin as he jerked back, cursing. But before he could react, she bit down on his forefinger just as viciously, nearly tearing it off.

The prince stumbled backward, roaring in pain. "You wretched little—!"

One of the guards, enraged by her defiance, shoved Liana down so forcefully that she hit the floor hard, the impact knocking the breath from her lungs. She gasped, her vision blurring as stars danced before her eyes.

A sword gleamed in the dim candlelight as the guard raised it, preparing to strike her down.

But before the blade could descend, her father, seizing the moment of distraction, broke free from the two guards restraining him. With all his strength, he lunged forward and struck the guard about to kill Liana, sending him crashing to the ground.

"Liana, run!" her father yelled, his voice urgent as he bent down to haul her to her feet.

Tears streamed down Liana's face. "No, Father! I won't leave you!"

"Go!" he barked, shoving her toward the back door. "Run, Liana! Run far away!"

The two guards her father had knocked aside were already recovering, rushing at him again. He turned to face them, blocking their path to Liana, his only goal now to buy her time.

Liana turned and fled, her legs moving before her mind could catch up. The Prince, now back on his feet and seething, bellowed, "Don't let her escape! After her, now!"

A third guard dashed after her, determined to catch her before she disappeared into the night.

Liana ran blindly into the darkness, her breath coming in ragged gasps. The cool night air burned her lungs, but she did not stop. She couldn't.

Suddenly, a strange Mist—light, ethereal —rose around her, swirling gently. She didn't notice it at first, only focused on running, but the moment the pursuing guard entered the same mist, he halted, disoriented.

Liana kept running, but the mist seemed to shield her, shrouding her from sight.

Minute later, the guard returned to the prince, panting. "My lord, she....she vanished. I searched everywhere, but I couldn't find her!"

The prince's expression darkened, his rage boiling over. Without a word, get withdrew his sword and, in one swift motion, drove it through the guard's chest.

The man gasped, blood spilling from his lips as he crumpled to the floor, lifeless. The other guards became visibly paranoid.

Liana's father, who had been held down by the remaining two guards, smiled despite his own impending doom. "You'll never win against the light, " he whispered. "For all your evil, you will pay safely."

The prince turned to him, fury blazing in his eyes. "You will pay," he snarled. "And I will find her. I will make her suffer."

With that, he plunged his sword into her father's chest.

Once.

Twice.

A third time.

Blood pooled around him as his body finally fell limp.

The prince pulled out his blade, flicking the blood off before turning on his heel and walking away.

Meanwhile, Liana ran and ran, unaware of the mist still shielding her until her legs gave out beneath her. She collapsed onto the cold earth, her chest heaving, her muscles burning.

Only then did she notice the soft glow surrounding her. Unlike the darkness and cruelty she had just escaped, the mist felt....warm. Safe.

A whisper, soothing and angelic, drifted through the air.

"It's okay....you're safe now. Close your eyes and rest. You will need it."

Liana barely had the strength to fight it. Her heavy eyelids fluttered shut, and she fell into unconsciousness....

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Dear readers

I'm really sorry this chapter is shorter than usual. I haven't been feeling well lately, which has made writing a bit difficult. But I didn't want to keep you all waiting, so I decided to share this part now. Thanks for your patience and support—I truly appreciate it! I'll make it up to you in the next chapter.😊😊😊