Regaining her senses, Belle's eyes widened in shock as she recognized the intruder, and she instinctively recoiled, clutching the duvet to her chest in an attempt to shield herself.
"I knew you would be pleased to see me," he said, settling on the edge of the bed with a smirk playing at the corner of his lips.
"What are you doing here? How did you enter my room? I definitely locked the door," she demanded, glaring at him, her heart racing from the violation of her privacy.
"Someone left the window open," he said casually, gesturing toward it. Belle hissed in frustration, cursing herself for instructing the handmaiden to leave the windows open. Why had she left it open tonight of all nights, when he happened to be lurking about?
"You didn't come," he remarked when she said nothing.
"I never promised to come. Besides, I am the King's woman. What would it look like for me to be seen with another man in such a private place? As I mentioned, there are countless ways to…" she began, attempting to rise from the bed, only for him to suddenly grasp her leg, forcing her back down, and hovering over her.
"Quinn, let me go now! We could be caught!" she cried, struggling against his weight, her voice trembling with both fear and anger. He pinned her legs beneath his and held her hands firmly above her head.
His eyes traced her body slowly, moving from her neck to her chest, and a wicked smirk crossed his face as he noticed her nipples, now visible beneath the thin fabric of her nightgown. He felt a surge of triumph as he saw she wore no underwear.
"How delightful it is to see you without anything beneath that gown," he murmured, his gaze sweeping over her body as he let it linger lower, coming to a halt as he stared at her exposed core.
"Are you planning to rape me?" Though her words were defiant, the fear in her voice betrayed her. The thought of him forcing himself upon her chilled her to the bone, but she clung to the hope that he would not be so bold in the safety of the castle.
"I need not force you to have my way. One day, Belle, you will beg to be taken by me. And, as you said, resisting you is far more difficult than I imagined," he confessed, his voice low and heavy, causing Belle's heart to skip a beat. Had he just admitted to desiring her?
"I would advise you to rid yourself of the notion of ever being with me. I belong to the King now, and once a date is set, I will soon be taken by him," she said coldly, determined to shatter his delusions.
"Who says I cannot have you while he does?" His words, laden with disgust, made Belle recoil in further revulsion.
"You bastard! You disgust me," she spat at him, her anger flaring as she tried to push him off.
"Why get so upset over a joke?" He said nonchalantly, wiping the spit from his face, but to her horror, he licked it off his fingers.
Belle's disgust deepened, the vile act causing her to shudder with repulsion. Had he really just done that?
"And you have a remarkable ability to forget things. Do you recall the first day we mated? What did I swear upon?" He asked, locking his gaze with hers, compelling her to remember a moment she had pushed from her mind.
After their union, when they had finished their intimate embrace, he had sworn to kill any man who would ever lie with her after him. At the time, she had believed they would never part, dismissing his words as mere vows of passion. Now, however, a genuine fear began to settle within her, what if his oath was more than just empty words?
"That was before we were divorced. You have no claim over whom I sleep with now, and you cannot kill the King. You stand no chance," she replied, her voice steady but tinged with uncertainty, which only caused him to laugh, a sound that sent a shiver through her. Could he truly mean it?
A sudden knock on the door startled her, and her attention snapped toward it.
"Belle, are you awake?" Hezekiah's voice called from the other side, sending Belle into a frenzy of panic.
"Oh no, I am doomed," she muttered, beads of sweat forming on her forehead.
"Not yet. But be sure to meet me tomorrow night, or we can continue our little conversation here," he said with a teasing undertone, rising from the bed. With a final glance at her, he added, "Do not open the door for him unless you are properly covered. You know what happens when you defy my wishes," before he swiftly exited through the window.
Belle let out a breath of relief once he had gone, her heart still racing. She hurried to open the door for Hezekiah, but then paused, recalling Quinn's earlier warning. Hastily, she retrieved a robe from her wardrobe.
"I am sorry for the delay, I wanted to wear a robe," she said as she opened the door, her apology a way to cover her nervousness as Hezekiah stepped inside.
"It's quite alright. I heard noises from your room and thought I would check on you. Are you having trouble sleeping?" His concern made Belle feel a pang of guilt. How could she be meeting with Quinn in secret when a man like Hezekiah, good, respectful, and honorable, was so devoted to looking out for her?
"Oh, I was just humming a song, trying to fall asleep," she lied, hoping her words would pass unnoticed. Hezekiah was an observer, and she feared he would see through her lie.
"Please, move into my room tomorrow. I am truly worried about you," he suggested, and Belle studied him, puzzled by the urgency in his voice.
Sensing her hesitation, he reassured her, "There will be two separate beds, of course. I would never touch you unless you gave me permission," his words brought her some comfort, and the warmth of his concern made her feel safe.
"I will move in then, but please give me a day to pack," she replied, grateful for his understanding.
"Of course," he said, agreeing without pushing her further.
"I will leave you now. Make sure you get some rest, alright?" He said as he turned to go, and Belle nodded, watching him leave her room.
Once Hezekiah was outside the door, his demeanor shifted. He clenched his fist and struck the wall opposite Belle's room with a sharp blow. He could not believe what he had just perceived. As a werewolf, his senses were finely tuned, and even the faintest scent could not escape him.
He had detected Quinn's presence, and he was certain it was him who was in Belle's room. How dare he enter Belle's room? And worse still, how could Belle lie to him about it? Was she already being swayed by Quinn's influence? The thought angered him more than he could admit.