Ryder Kingston is a prince that was cursed before he was born. Coming into the world with a heavy burden on his shoulder. He was supposed to be new hope for his people but he became their worst nightmare. Betty, Ryder's mother, assembled her fellow witches with the hope to usurp her throne. To her, she would get back what was hers at all cost. They couldn't kill Ryder and so had to curse him. Ryder would become a beast with blood lust whenever he got angry. During this period, he wouldn't be aware of things around him and after he morphs back to himself, he would discover to his dismay the people he had killed with his hand. True love was what would set him free but the witches had his mother killed before he would be of age to reciprocate her love. On his way to seek destruction, he meets Elsie, the angel with hidden powers unknown to even her. She tries to help the prince notwithstanding the problems that may come her way. Would she be able to free the prince from the curse? Or will she die like the rest before her?
Chapter one
Ryder Kingston stares at the men longer than he should. The frown was suddenly appearing on his face.
The men all went down on one kneel in fear of what their prince would do to them.
"Your highness, it wasn't their fault," Lucas started but it was already late.
Ryder was already transforming, his head arch backward as the process begins slowly. His arms were the first to morph quickly, displaying sharp long claws. Within seconds, a brown coat covers his light-skinned hand.
Then, faster it went up to his legs. His legs came out big and he seems to have grown taller. The clothes ripped into halves now as he surrender to the rest of the transformation, not that he had a choice anyway.
Ryder's face switch slightly until tusks were coming out and hair was fast covering all his bare parts.
Lucas knew, he knew better than staying behind. Lucas took to his heel, out of the room. He picked the key before he could close the door. He locks the door, trapping the beasts inside.
It was the least he could do if he wanted to live. The moment the beast takes control over the prince, there wouldn't be many talk. It's either he kills or he gets killed.
Lucas waits for two hours in front of the door. He prevented anyone from moving closer whenever they heard the screams of the soldiers or the wailing of cries from inside.
Most soldiers already know what the kingdom is suffering from even though the king had warned Lucas to kill anyone that discover the truth about the prince's identity.
And he had killed so many all these years that he had gotten tired of killing more.
A soft sob started slowly. Lucas place his head against the door to hear clearly what was happening inside.
He glanced at his watch and discover it's approximately three hours.
He unturns the keys and open the door again.
There, laid in between lifeless bodies, ripped skins, broken arms laid the naked prince.
When Lucas walks nearer, he looks up and he could see the tears on his face.
He wasn't crying water, he was crying blood.
"Why!" He started, "Why is this happening to me!" He yells out and Lucas turns to run out again, "What are you doing?"
He made a silent turn and shrug, "You are about to get angry. I don't want to be on your death list," he says jokily and laughs.
Ryder watch him for a moment, fascinated by his choice of words and surprise he would be laughing with the situation at hand, "Are you trying to make me laugh?"
"I can't make you sad, your highness. If you get sad, you might get angry and more of this will happen," he takes a step towards him and picks his robe.
Ryder sigh, with much frustration, " So, I'm supposed to be happy about all this? I'm not supposed to even be said that I killed my men?" His voice has suddenly gotten louder and the fine lines on his face switch slightly.
Lucas went down on one knee, "Will you just kill me now then," he whispers, then look up at him, "I will rather die by your sword than be snap into halves by the beast," he tells him defiantly.
Ryder looks around him, at the bodies of his men. He swallow hard on the lump that had formed in his chest.
"Leave!" He says and turns away. He waited for Lucas to walk out before he walks to a room linking his meeting room to his chamber.
Clad in black trousers and a black t-shirt, Ryder took the space in the window and jump out. He took the secret door he created himself out of the place into the street.
It's very late in the night but to Medgerpines, the day has just begun.
This was what he needed, all that he could get after killing his men with his hands.
He doesn't want to think much about it because Lucas was right. The more he thinks about it, the more anger he would feel.
And it was very dangerous for him.
He took the busy road out, into the market. There seems to be a festival ongoing in the marketplace
Everyone gathers and lets out a lantern after wishing.
Ryder decides to join them. If there was a God that would grant his wish. Then, he would request for him to take away the curse on him.
He lights the lantern and lets it flow away, a wide smile on his face. For a reason, it felt like a God was hearing him and would definitely answer him.
"No! This is not a festival! This is mourning!" A woman screams behind him suddenly.
He turns back and sees that a group of people has suddenly gathered around.
The moon was high in the sky but the women of Medgerpines were not ready to call it a night. Each sat around an elderly woman.
Ryder walks closer.
"Why do you think so?" Another woman asked in return for what she had said earlier.
A woman wails softly, " The God is punishing us. He's punishing Medgerpines. Having a beast as a prince is a punishment."
" I heard he losses control whenever he's beast!" Another supported.
Ryder felt something rush through him. He felt awash with huge sadness. If there was something he didn't know, was that everyone knew what he was.
He thought it was a secret but now, the market women discuss it openly as if it didn't matter.
Why won't it? He was the prince and the only one.
"Is that true?" A soft voice was asking. Ryder stops moving and stares at the young girl.
"The land has been cursed! The only prince is a beast. A beast that can never be tampered with!"
"I heard the witches killed his mother so he wouldn't be able to be human again."
What? Ryder raises a brow. He had never heard it. No one has ever told him about the story behind his mother's death or the curse.
Even his father has refused to set eyes on him with fear that he might kill him.
Most times, he would think perhaps he was the one that killed his mother.
Can that really be true?
The young girl squeezes her face, "Why will they do that to the prince?"
Ryder felt the tears drop on his clothes. He had been battling with the curse since all his born days.
The feelings of anguish and grief that he had been passing through every time he killed people.
Every time he killed people and he couldn't stop himself.
Ryder felt another stab of something familiar.
His eyes shot out suddenly. His body shudders uncontrollably. Fuck! He's angry! He's already getting angry.
Ryder turn around to walk away, to do something so that the innocent wouldn't have to die at his hands. But he couldn't move.
Suddenly, he was switching between beast and his subconsciousness. He couldn't quite move his body as he wish.
It only seemed like he was watching a display.
No! Stop getting angry! Don't fucking get angry!
Ryder mentally screams back.
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