Author's Note: UPDATE! COTB has been rewritten, now titled Claiming of the Demon King! The plot has been expanded on and it is now my own story. This has been posted to wattpad under my winterstarfire pen name. I will leave this version up but if you enjoy please check out the rewritten work!

Contains: Strong-language, Belle/Beast, Belle/Adam, M-Content.

Chapter One

Beauty's Sacrifice

The rose glowed in the moonlight, enchanted and beautiful. He stroked a claw over the fragile glass case, growling as he watched another soft pink petal fall. It was a constant reminder of his fate, cursed into this beastly form until he could earn the love of another, a love that would never come.

The beast raged inside him, clawing away at his humanity. Instincts and anger ruled him now, the man he was all but lost. He groaned, resting his face within his clawed hands. He was once an intelligent and educated man, woman had considered him handsome even. But one mistake had taken that all away from him. Now he was nothing more than an animal. He had nearly all but forgotten what it was to be human.

He clutched his fists, releasing a roar of anguish and rage. His brutal claws ripped into walls and smashed through furniture. It was hopeless.

With one last bellow he let the beast rage free.

X X X

Two Hundred Years Later...

A crisp breeze ruffled her hair, soft brown locks blowing across her eyes. Belle swallowed hard as she eyed the group of men standing before her. They watched her greedily. These men wanted her, she shivered with the knowledge.

Today one of these men would own her. Her father's debts had left her no other choice. It was either sell herself to the highest bidder or watch her father suffer destitution.

"Are you afraid my dear Belle?"

Belle cringed at the deep voice. She turned and glared at the large man standing behind her. "Gaston."

Gaston smirked, running a hand through wild black hair. "Not to worry my dear. You will be mine when all of this is over."

Belle frowned. "What makes you think I want to be yours Gaston?"

Gaston reached out, cupping her chin in one dirty hand. "We will see how you feel once you are lying beneath me in my bed."

She snorted, pulling away from his touch. Several woman gasped, watching them with interest. No doubt they would jump at the chance to be with this man. The hunter was massive, with broad shoulders and a muscular frame. He was also attractive, his features strong and masculine. His black hair was long and straight, tied back from his face. Dark cruel eyes gleamed down at her as his lips curled up into a sneer, as if he'd already won her.

Everything about this man screamed evil.

Let them have him. "I will never want you. You disgust me." There were more gasps. Belle fought a smile of satisfaction.

Gaston leered, "Resolve yourself Belle. You will be mine." He chuckled darkly as he left her to join the rest of the crowd.

She watched his back with dread. Gaston had been trying to win her for years. Each time she refused. She tried to imagine what it would be like as his wife and shuddered. The man was ruthless and cold-hearted. She had no doubt he would treat her badly. Her stomach jittered nervously; any one of these men could hurt her or even kill her.

I may not live out the night…And if she did, she may not want to live another.

"Belle!"

Belle gasped, "Papa, what are you doing here?"

Her father shoved his way through the crowd, clutching a wooden cane. The old inventor had suffered injury and illness over the past year and it had left its toll. His once plump and cheerful face had grown dull and sunken, his short frame frail and bent. "Belle, don't do this."

"Oh Papa." Belle fought back tears, wrapping her arms around her beloved father. "It will be alright, you'll see."

"No Belle!" Maurice clutched at her hands. "Please, I'm old. I've lived my life. Don't throw yours away!"

"Papa…."

"It's time," a cold voice interrupted her. She turned, glaring at the Viscount. He was a thin man, with sickly pale skin and greasy hair. The Viscount was the very definition of greed, the sight of him alone disgusted her. If it wasn't for this man...

"Unless you wish to go back on our deal?" he asked, tapping his fingertips together in front of his face.

Belle raised her chin, resolved in her decision. "No. I'm ready."

The Viscount smirked. "Excellent. After today all your financial difficulties will be over."

Belle nodded. "Very well."

"No Belle…" her father protested.

"Remove the old man," the Viscount ordered. "Let the bidding proceed."

"Belle!" her father cried out as two large man grabbed him under each arm, hauling him away.

"Papa!" Belle reached out to him, but the Viscount grabbed her arm in a painful grip, yanking her away. He pulled her roughly, shoving her up a set of stairs and onto a raised platform. He lined her up with half a dozen other young girls, all of whom trembled with fear.

Giving her one last greasy smile he turned to the crowd. "Gentlemen, welcome! Today we shall bid on these lovely ladies." He waved a hand towards the line of women. "All of them beautiful…and innocent." He gave an evil chuckle, which was followed by hoots and hollers from the crowd. "Shall we begin with this beauty at say, one million?" A small blonde was pulled to the front of the platform.

The bidding began, one girl after another bought and paid for. They were hauled away, some crying uncontrollably, others so pale and shocked Belle wondered if they would die of fright. Finally, after what seemed an eternity her name was called.

"Next we have this stunning beauty," the Viscount announced. "She is by far the gem in today's auction, and the one I know most of you have been waiting for." He grinned evilly.

The crowd laughed. How could they find any of this amusing?

"Please look your fill," he instructed. Belle cringed as each man eyed her with lust. After a moment the Viscount cried, "Let the bidding begin!"

Gaston was the first to bid, however he was not alone. Belle held her breath as the bids went round and round, Gaston always counter bidding each time. She felt her knees begin to quake. Anyone but Gaston, anyone…

Gaston countered again against a portly older gentlemen. The Viscount looked to the older man in question, but the other man shook his head. Oh god, no…Please not Gaston!

"We have another counter bid!" The Viscount was practically squealing with glee. Belle let out a pent up breath, her eyes traveling to the bidder. He was tall and lean, with dirty blonde hair. Dressed in all black he stood before the crowd with an air of confidence.

Gaston also eyed the new bidder with menace, but presented another bid. Without hesitation, the stranger continued to counter Gaston. With each bid Gaston angered, snarling at the other man.

"Once again, countered by the gentlemen upfront." The Viscount squirmed, his hands wringing with excitement. "Do you counter sir?" he asked Gaston.

Gaston's nostrils flared as he glared at the stranger. After a moment he nodded. "My final bid," he growled.

"We have a final bid! Do you counter sir?" The Viscount looked to the stranger eagerly.

The stranger hesitated, looking behind him. Belle followed his gaze to a cloaked figure looming in the shadows at the far back of the crowd. She nearly gasped. He had to be well over eight feet tall and massive, his face and body hidden underneath a dark red cloak. The stranger raised his brow in question.

The cloaked figure gave a curt nod.

"My Master wishes to counter," the stranger announced immediately.

"What!?" Gaston yelled, his face turning red with anger.

"Oh my…my…well…." The Viscount swallowed, clearly pleased beyond measure. "Any counters?"

Gaston huffed, storming away from the crowd. The rest of the men shuffled their feet but none offered a counter bid.

"Very well, sold to the man in the back!"

Belle felt her heart sink; she now belonged to this massive cloaked stranger. Her life had just been irrevocably changed forever.

I hope you enjoy my take on this!