Tale As Old As Time: An After Hours FairyTale (Beauty and The Beast) (Gods Series Book 1)

by Elisabeth -

  TALE AS OLD AS TIME

  An After Hours Fairy Tale

  A Novel By,

  ELISABETH

  ©2017 Published by After Hours Publications, Inc.

  www.afterhourspublications.com

  All rights reserved.

  Any unauthorized reprint or use of this material is prohibited. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage without express permission by the publisher.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

  Contains explicit language & adult themes suitable for ages 17+

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  Prologue

  What was it that she drank that drove her to want to be here? Oh yeah, it was that boy who invited her to the house party. She was new on campus, at any school really. Arabella was homeschooled until she finally convinced her father to let her attend college outside of her home. When he agreed, she jumped for joy while he had a sour look on his face. Her father never smiled much around her, but when he spoke of her mother, that was when.

  Arabella shook her head trying to stay in the now. Trying hard to not doze off on this couch. She should’ve eaten something, but even that was a distant memory as her lids shut. Her lids opened again when the boy she had a crush on came to sit down by her. He looked sweet, and he smiled at her, his mouth moved, but she didn’t hear him.

  “What?” She yelled.

  He smiled and sweetly said,

  “Are you okay? Do you want some water?”

  Arabella nodded,

  “Yes, I do.”

  “Okay, come with me.” He said.

  Arabella didn’t think anything of it as she went with him. She looked around for Bernice, but she couldn’t find her. She didn’t notice where they were until they were in a room together.

  “Wait...What are we doing in here? I could get water from the kitchen.”

  “I know, I know but I’m going to help clean you up. You look crazy.” He lightly chuckled.

  “Oh okay.” Arabella couldn’t be happier that there were still good people in the world.

  She concentrated as she walked towards the bed and dropped down on it. She didn’t even feel him on her until he roughly yanked her little blue dress up and her panties down.

  Arabella felt like someone threw cold water on her as she sobered up. The ripping of her panties and the roughness of his palms on the back of her thigh prompted her to turn.

  “Wha-, What are you doing!” She yelled.

  Before she could fully turn around, He forced his palm on her back, holding her down. Fear crept into her veins and was unleashed through her mouth burning her throat.

  “GET OFF!” She screamed.

  Her fear multiplied when she felt another pair of hands grab her arms, holding her down. Her chest burned with anger; her hot tears scorched her skin as they trailed down. The sound of his zipper filled the air as she heard him pulling his pants down, he yelled at his friend,

  “Hold her down dammit.”

  His friend pushed her upper body deeper into the mattress. The odor of weed and alcohol crept in her nostrils from the bed sheets. She growled, kicking with all her might to be able to get out of this but it was no use, they were both bigger than her.

  ~E~

  The sound of the foil ripping erupted in the air and before she knew it, he grabbed her by the waist. Arabella’s hope and love died at that moment. Her true self-was forced out as he forced himself in. The hope in her eyes was driven out, the fire she had was no more. She heard his words. Those vicious words as they escaped his gritted teeth while he held her waist and he forcefully continued to take from her. He took everything from her.

  “You’re lucky. I was the only one willing to give you this. I gave it to a monster. You’re a monster, and you deserve this. No one else will ever have you. No one will want you.”

  His words sunk into her bloodstream as she bled out losing her innocence in such a vile way. Her innocence coated her inner thighs as his words penetrated her ears and made a home in her soul.

  “Say it!” He screamed. “Tell me you’re a monster.” He grunted and lost himself in her fear that took over. He realized that she didn’t say it and without warning, he punched her on her back.

  Arabella gasped loudly and exhaled a sob. A sob so gut-wrenching that caused his friend to feel uneasy.

  “Stop! Stop it!” His friend screamed.

  “No! Do what I say, or you will face the consequences.” He threatened the guy who now didn’t seem like a friend.

  “Say it, you monster! Say the words or I’ll kill you.” He screamed at her.

  Arabella sobbed as she whispered,

  “I am a monster. I deserve this. I deserve this. No one will ever want me.”

  “Louder!”

  “I AM A MONSTER! I DESERVE THIS. NO ONE WILL EVER WANT ME!” She shattered as he climaxed.

  She heard him chuckle as he and his friend left the room. She didn’t hear the whisper of his friend as he proclaimed his sorrow. “I’m sorry.” He whispered but she was destroyed. They left her there on the bed as she chanted to herself,

  “I am a monster. No one will ever want me. No one will love me.”

  Then she heard someone yell her name…

  “Arabella! Arabella! Wake up.” her father shook her.

  Arabella gasped and woke up. It was just a dream. You’re not there anymore. You’ve moved on. She looked around and realized she had fallen asleep on the couch again from studying.

  “Sorry dad.” She apologized.

  “It’s alright. I need to speak with you.”

  “Can this wait? I have to finish my final paper on Greek mythology.” She said realizing she hadn’t typed it all.

  “No, unfortunately it cannot.”

  Arabella became more attentive sitting up on the couch.

  “What is it dad?” She became worried.

  She watched her dad pace back and forth as if contemplating on whether to tell her or not.

  “There’s something that I must speak to you about.”

  “Okay? Dad, why are you being so cryptic?”

  “It’s about your scars. I found something. I found someone who can help.”

  Arabella’s heart started to rapidly beat as she stood to her feet. She was now fully awake.

  “You what?” She asked in a whisper.

  “Well, I found someone who can get rid of them all without the pain. Where I work, there are roses. Special roses that are made and not modern medicine. Something beyond the science of today. I’ve tested it over and over, it can help you. It can heal you. I’m sure of it. Now, we don’t have to do this if you don’t want to but if you do, we must go right away. You’ll stay there for a bit and when the whole procedure is done then and only then will you come home.”

  Arabella stared at her father. The joy that she felt inside was beyond anything. She touched the scar on her face; she could finally get rid of this scar. She could be free from the demons that haunted her while she slept. The demons that lurked around even after the extensive therapy she received. She smiled widely as she looked into her dad’s eyes,


  “Yes. Yes, I will do it.”

  “Great!” Her father beamed. “Go pack up. Pack enough for at least a few months.”

  Arabella ran to her father out of pure instinct but stopped when she was about to hug him. She moved back and hung her head,

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to.”

  “It’s alright Belle. After the surgery, you will be able to. Now go pack.”

  She offered her father a smile once more and walked off. She had her back to him when his smile slipped, and the calculating look reappeared on his face.

  *Days ago*

  Alcide hated being lied to, stolen from, and ridiculed but this man in front of him didn’t seem to understand who he was. This was why he hated some mortals at times but still couldn’t bear to leave them because he was once one of them. He didn’t want to think about the time that he was a mortal, it was so long ago that sometimes it felt like a dream. He wished he could forget about it all but the main thing that haunted him till this day was his mortal death.

  He never thought he would’ve met his death as he had but he knew what one’s hatred did to another. Hera was too damn obsessed with him and filled with hatred as if he was the one who made his father step out in their relationship. Yes, he was the result of that affair but it wasn’t his fault nor his problem. He liked to think that Hera although a goddess was just as weak as mortal women when it came to jealousy. He tried to reign in his anger when he thought of it all again but it was times like these that made him go back to it. He had to be thankful though because he made a name of himself when he was mortal and when he died, he became a god.

  He shook his head not wanting to delve into that whole situation. He stared at his current problem who brought these memories up again. This fool, who as of now no longer worked for him stole from him. He stole a rare rose from his greenhouse that kept him at bay. Those roses kept his powers in check and he could control himself much more. He controlled his emotions because if his emotions weren’t in check then many would die.

  Alcide played the surveillance video over for the incompetent being who stole from him.

  John had become obsessed with the rare roses in the greenhouse. He knew they weren’t naturally grown. He experimented on himself as he cut his pale skin and drew blood. Blood slipped from the big gash as it freely flowed unto the floor. He plucked a rose petal and laid it on the gash. Immediately, the rose consumed the blood and the gash closed in the blink of an eye. He looked around and didn’t see anyone not realizing that his boss set up a hidden camera.

  He pulled his briefcase from the floor and plucked a single rose sticking it carefully into his briefcase. He shut it and shoved it under the table as his co-workers entered. He greeted them and started to joke with them as if nothing had happened.

  ~E~

  Alcide stared at the culprit who had broken into his greenhouse taking one of his precious rare roses. He looked the man up and down with disgust shown all over his face. Alcide ‘Beast’ Dios wasn’t known for being a compassionate man. If anything, everyone knew him to be the cold-hearted, bad temper, demeanor and brooding looking man. He was never nice no matter who you were. Whether it was personal or not.

  He looked at the man, to anyone else he wouldn’t have even posed a threat but Alcide now knew better. He looked at one of his scientists who had worked for his company for years now as he shook in his chair. Alcide smirked with no amusement as he drummed his fingers on his mahogany desk trying hard not to punch the older male in the face. He knew not to flip just yet. He had heard enough of the man’s sobs, he didn’t take kindly to a grown man crying and begging like a dog.

  “ENOUGH!” He roared.

  That made the scientist/thief jump almost falling off his seat. He finally stopped begging and spoke coherently,

  “Mr. Dios...please. I’m sorry for taking your rose. Please give me another chance.”

  “You know better Dr. John. You stole from me and thought you could live to tell it, is that it? I gave instructions to every one of my employees when it came to tending to my greenhouse. No one was to dare touch anything on my personal property when they were assigned here but you sir, you disrespected me and disobeyed my orders. Not only are you fired but you will serve your sentence.”

  Dr. John stood up knocking his chair back as he quickly spoke,

  “Please sir, I’ll gladly accept being fired but don’t punish me. I cannot survive in jail.”

  “I do not care whether you can or can’t survive.” Alcide said coldly.

  Dr. John knew he was fighting a losing battle. He had known Alcide for 11 years now and he knew how he would react which would be exactly like this but he needed to take that rose. He didn’t think anyone would notice one missing but here they were. John knew that even as he was begging, he knew none of it would phase the man. The man simply couldn’t relate to him. John stood there for what seemed like an eternity but was 2 seconds and a thought flashed in his mind. He knew Alcide was looking for a partner to satisfy his needs.

  It was none of his business why or how Alcide convinced these partners to deal with him but he suspected it was the money. He needed to convince his now ex-boss as to why he didn’t deserve jail time. The reason why he stole that rare rose was to help his sick daughter.

  “I... I have something that you would be interested in.”

  This got Alcide’s attention but he didn’t speak. He stared at John waiting for him to go on.

  “I know of someone who can serve as your partner, Arabella. She is beautiful and obedient. She is young, educated, and tight-lipped.”

  “What of it Dr. John, you’re wasting my time.”

  “I can bring her to you.”

  “Why would you do that?”

  “To serve in place of punishment but instead of punishment, she will give pleasure.”

  Alcide stared at John, he didn’t know what game he was playing at but he did need a partner, and he really didn’t feel like listening to John anymore. If he could feel irritated, he would be passed that right now. Just as he was about to turn down the offer, John pulled out a picture of the young woman. Alcide stared at the picture, he didn’t know why that was, but he couldn’t tear his eyes away from her. She was truly beautiful. She had long black tresses that seemed to be endless, her gray eyes which complemented her caramel skin shined brightly as she smiled at the person taking the picture. He couldn’t see much of her body, but those eyes called out to him.

  “Bring her to me.” he heard himself speaking.

  ~E~

  *Days after*

  Arabella couldn’t believe this was happening. She was finally being given a chance to get surgery to fix her scar. She could go around without having to wear makeup every day and not get stared at anymore. She smiled brightly as she looked out the window as her father repeatedly talked about her surgery. He looked just as happy as she did. They pulled up to a house that was a mini mansion. Arabella didn’t ask any questions even when they entered the home and went straight to this mystery surgeon’s home office. She trusted every word her father ever said to her including now,

  “Belle, my baby. I must go now, something happened at one of the overseas labs, and I should go manage that. Don’t worry about Dr. Dios; you are in capable hands. I have to go but remember sweetie; I love you.”

  “Love you too daddy.” She said as she watched him go.

  Arabella sat there for about 30 minutes not knowing what to do, but she felt him the moment he entered. Everything suddenly turned cold, and goosebumps appeared, on her flesh. She didn’t dare turn around until he came around. When he stood behind his desk, Arabella’s eyes grew like a deer in headlights. She strained her neck as she stared up at a giant man who looked like he would kill her in one move.

  “Hello, I’m Alcide Dios, you are?”

  “Arabella Charbonneau… Alcide? That’s another name for Zeus’ bastard demi-god son Hercules, right? Who in my opinion is no hero.”

  He looked offe
nded,

  “If you’re going to insult someone try not to butcher their name, at least know how to say it. It’s Herakles.”

  Arabella shrugged,

  “It’s not like he’s real. It’s a myth.”

  “Doesn’t matter.”

  Arabella didn’t say anything else as she took him in. This man looked like a Greek god. His facial structures were of a Greek god. He looked like Nikos Anadiotis but taller. He had dark features starting from his chiseled jaw which was covered with a light beard that sculpted to perfection with his light mustache bringing attention to his lips which the bottom lip was plumper than the top lip. His naturally sculpted eyebrows were dark and thick bringing attention to his mysterious eyes. His long lashes made Arabella jealous and his thick mane of midnight black hair that was pulled back leaving a bit of curly at his nape made her fingers itch to touch. His nose was straight from top to bottom making her aware of his Greek nose. He couldn’t possibly be human was all Arabella could think of as she looked at him.

  The differences between Nikos and him were that Nikos looked at least a tad bit nicer compared to him, this man’s eyes were the rarest color of gray she’d ever seen. They seemed to pierce through hers and look deep into her soul. His height and build was incredible, he must’ve been seven feet tall and his jet-black hair that was swept back concentrated everything. He was huge both in frame and build that she knew he could crush her with one blow. He looked fake to her and then a snarl snapped her out of her perusing.

  “Excuse me?” She politely asked not realizing he was talking to her this whole time.

  “Why don’t you look like the picture?” He stated coldly.

  “What picture?”

  “The picture that John showed me. I would’ve assumed you were the same person if it weren’t for the slash on your face or the difference in skin color.”

  Arabella nodded,

  “That was my mother’s picture. I don’t get why he would show you that as me. As for my skin, I’d prefer to call it dark, rich espresso. I just don’t understand what my late mother has to do with the surgery.”