A/N: Hey guys! I have reworked the story somewhat! Taking into account everything you have said in the reviews! It isn’t really different, however the way you get to know Ayden in different. Please review! Also if you are enjoying this story check out my other story! I am writing it with my best friend and I actually like it better then this one (ssshhhh don’t tell.) Anyway, it is posted on her account. There is a link to on my profile. Please read it and review! Thanks! Hannah Chapter 1: Incessant Knocking

My god. Is suicide legal?

KNOCK KNOCK

Why should I contemplate suicide? Let’s go straight to murder.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

Screw this.

The large oak doors opened, and its opener was thrown backward as a roar came from those standing outside.

Perhaps yelling at them isn’t the best idea.

Finishing this thought the beast turned to its companion, a female fairy. She was lying on her stomach wings in the air. “Why are all these women complete and total idiots? I have been as rude as I dare to be and yet they keep coming back!” The beast’s voice was a low growl.

“It’s your sunny disposition I think Ayden.” The fairy said dryly.

The beast rolled his eyes. KNOCK KNOCK Ayden groaned and hit his head against the wall. “What do they torture me Tanya?”

The fairy had yet to look up from her book. “I do believe it is because each and everyone of them has read too many fairy tales.”

Ayden groaned, “I wish those words had never been invented.”

This caused Tanya to look up and raise an eyebrow. “Fairy Tale? Really? But I thought you loved it so much!” Ayden glared at her and made a rude gesture with his claws, causing Tanya to laugh. “I know you love me.”

Obviously. If I didn’t, I would have killed you by now. Ayden sunk into a large armchair. “Can’t those wenches understand I LIKE being a beast?”

Tanya’s wings fluttered a bit. “You were a beast before, I believe they simply do not know the difference.”

“If you weren’t my step-sister….”

“I know, I know. You would have slit my throat years ago. Thank the goddess for that connection, eh?” Tanya had known her stepbrother from he was little. Her father had had a fairy lover, who had left the child with him. Ayden’s mother was a powerful witch, who from a previous marriage had Ayden. The two were only a year apart.

Ayden examined his sister. She was beautiful; white blonde hair, big silver eyes, and pale ivory skin. Her silver wings were her best feature, in her opinion. Moving past his those thought, he growled and looked out the window. KNOCK KNOCK NO! Why won’t they leave me alone?!? Every one of them is here to be my Beauty. Do these imbecilic wenches it is the 21st century? How often does true love happen? The majority of the horde considers true love to be something they might view on their favorite soap opera. Idiots. We all know how well those relationships work out. KNOCK KNOCK How can Tanya just sit there so serenely? Oh wait. I recognize that glow. She has put a spell around her head, so she only hears her favorite music.

KNOCK KNOCK I really ought to set the dogs on them. Oh wait- I am the dog. Heh. I suppose the thought that I may enjoy being a beast has even crossed the minds of those women. I mean, of course, the fur does get warm, but I like my mane and horns. They give me a wild appearance!

Which, in retrospect, I am… However, that is not the point.

Don’t they think if I wish to be human I could change it? I mean, in the non-magical world that have pretty good plastic surgeons. And in the magical world I could get my pick of anyone to heal me. Fairies, elves, dwarfs, wizards, witches, magicians, sorcerers, sorceresses, mages, vampires or pixies! There is a long list.

Also, I am fairly competent; I could heal myself. I am one of the best mages the world has seen.

Hmmm. All this talk of sorceresses reminds me of the one who did this to me. It was a sorceress you know. In the other cases of this occurrence usually fairies bestow the blessing. Some may consider the spell to be a curse. I, however, am of a different persuasion.

Anyway it was Eris who did it to me. I have been going over the story continuously since it happened. The reason for which she cast the spell was absurd too! It was all due to a ball at the university we were both attending.

Some may have found her attractive. Long blue hair, light blue skin, white eyes, She was very scrawny and lanky though. She reminded me of a blue flamingo. Her name was Eris.

One afternoon she wafted over to me. Well, perhaps waft is not the correct choice of word. One must be graceful to waft. One afternoon she stumbled over to me. I ignored her as I always did. She was a vulgar girl. I found it beneath me to even give her a second thought. Strangely enough, that day she just fluttered her eyelashes at me.

“Will you go to the ball with me?”

I believe I raised my eyebrows and sneered. “Absolutely not. Don’t disgust me! Besides, I am going with…” I searched the area, and my eye fell on a gorgeous elf I had seen before. “Mandy.”

Eris looked distraught but then said, “Have you asked her yet?”

I pretended to look surprised, and sneered again. “What an idea! Perhaps I shall put this radical thought of yours to use.”

I walked over and sat down beside Mandy. I wrapped my arms around her waist and whispered something charming into her ear. Then I asked her if I could be her escort. Mandy just looked flushed and shocked. Then she smiled and gave me her acceptance.

I went back to my seat where Eris was still waiting. “There you go. I have a date. Aww, don’t look so glum. I am sure Norman will go with you!” Norman was a crude dwarf who resided at the lowest end of the social hierarchy.

It was right about then that she cursed me.

Looking back, I suppose one might perceive arrogance in my nature. But not without reason! I was the most attractive fellow at school! Not to mention the smartest. I mean, who wouldn’t fall for me? I had big blue eyes, thick messy dark brown hair and I was not without wiry muscles. Hell, girls were falling down at my feet.

The saddest part of this tale of woe is that I had to leave the university. Animal-like beings weren’t accepted there. So I retreated to my home and continued my education there. Thus here I am. Over the months I suppose I have gone into Beast-mode. You know: Serious, moody, reserved, and slightly psychotic.

I would not be in this situation if the story had not gotten to the news with a photograph of my human form. Next thing I knew, my house was surrounded with girls who were here to be my Beauty and save me! Luckily I needn’t leave this house for anything. I had servants to be bidding. However I was without company. As much as I hate to admit it, I was lonely. Therefore I brought my sister back home. She threw up a racket but conceded to my will. However, all of what has happened may be due to the fact that I am the crown prince of Ebonia.

“Tanya, do you think anyone would mind if I committed suicide?”

Tanya made a face, “I know I wouldn’t.” She tried to read again, but two more knocks erupted through the air. “May hellish demons take you Ayden! Just see one of the damn girls so they can stop knocking! Some have gotten pretty desperate! I saw some trying to get close to the window and lift their shirts!”

Really now… Ayden rushed to the window.

“Get back here pervert.”

Ayden slowly sat back down and glared at the floor.

Tanya closed her book with a sigh. “You know what? Fine. Here is what I’ll do. I’ll make up a survey and essay for them to do. It will have an anti-lie spell on it and everything. Then you can narrow it down.” Ayden grinned his manic grin at her. Tanya blushed. “Now I am not doing this because I like you, you know! It is because, by royal decree I am stuck here, and those girls are driving me mad!”

Ayden just continued to grin at her. “Of course, whatever you say.”

Tanya narrowed her eyes at him and flew out of the room, however not before she had thrown a pillow in Ayden’s face. He just picked it up and laughed. As two more knocks rang through the house, his good mood was gone. Ayden growled and sank him claws into the pillow. “Damn girls.” He muttered to himself, throwing the now ruined pillow into a corner.

Ayden whipped around as he heard a sigh from the doorway, “Your majesty, could you please stop ruining the pillows?” The speaker was an older man dressed in a clean pressed suit.

The beast king relaxed, “It is only you, Henry. It is a good thing it wasn’t one of those sluts, I probably would have run them through.”

Henry was the steward of the castle, “Very good sir. I am glad to see your good humor has returned.”

Ayden sneered, it was quite fearsome with all the sharp teeth, “What good humor? Since when have I ever been good humored?”

The steward knew his master’s disposition quite well, and there fore ignored these questions. “Your majesty, I was thinking-“

Ayden snorted, “Dear me, you think? Why Henry! I am amazed…”

Henry merely sniffed and continued from where he had left off. “I was thinking you should not spend all your time sulking and growling as these girls knock.”

The prince raised, an eyebrow. “I am a beast, this is what I do.”

Henry sighed, “As your have told me many a time your majesty, however I believe it is not good for you.” Ayden snorted at this. “Why don’t you read a book?”

Ayden waved a dismissive claw, “Read them all.”

“Practice weaponry?”

“Why when I have these?” He held up his claws.

“Exercise?”

“Absolutely not.”

“Write poetry?”

Ayden sent him a bewildered look, “Where the hell did that come from?”

Henry shrugged a shoulder. “I was just looking for something to occupy your time.”

“Well don’t.”

“Alright sir, oh and your might want to get changed into formal clothes.”

“Why might I want to do that?” I can’t leave my home, why bother changing out of what I find most comfortable? Ayden thought irritably.

“It is just that your parents, the King and Queen, are coming to visit today…”

Ayden jumped up, growled a violent expletive, and sprinted out of the room.

Darn it! Parents! Bad news, very bad news! Parents expect you to have productive days, not days sitting on your arse and griping about stupid girls who won’t go away. Grrr, it was a girl who did this to me. I really need to remind myself why I didn't have her killed? Oh yes, the fact that she FLED THE COUNTRY. Stupid, awful little girl. As soon as I had turned into a beast I should have run her through with my claws.

Ayden ran into his room, ripping (literally) it apart for his clothes that will fit his beast form. After destroying a door, a cabinet, and his whole bed, he managed to find them. He quickly dressed himself, and looked in the mirror. He no longer was shocked to see a monster staring back at him. Ayden gave few thoughts of how aesthetic he appeared. He glanced over his reflection now. The thinker was a curious creature. There was only one word to describe him: Beast. He was truly a monster. He has thick brown fur, and two curved horns protruding from his head. He had long sharp claws (luckily they were retractable) and big white fangs could sometimes be seen. Only his eyes were remotely human, that was the one physical feature he had retained. His large blue eyes. Damn. My fur is a mess. So doing what any sensible beast would do, he stuck his head under the facet and patted it flat. Good enough! He thought hurriedly as he fled the bathroom and jumped down the stairs. He was on the bottom floor in front of Henry in a manner of seconds. “Where are they? Are they here yet? Did you manage to distract them while I dashed to my room??”

“Sir,” Henry began. “Your parents will not be arriving until four o’clock this afternoon.”

“What?!?” The prince growled, picking Henry up by his collar he snarled, “Why didn’t you inform me of this in the first place?”

Henry sighed, “Well sir, you just left before I could finish my sentence…”

With a sigh Ayden dropped him on the ground. “Oh.” Looking awkward for a moment the beast frantically searched for another topic. Parents? No… The evil girls? No way! Siblings? Have none except… “Where is Tanya?”

Just second after the question was asked Tanya strutted into the room. “How did I know you would call for me brother dearest?” She drawled.

Ayden just raised his lip in a silent snarl.

Ignoring her stepbrother’s violent tendencies, she continued. “So all your dear lovers are working on that survey. And, this will please you, I charmed a certain survey to fly to your true love!”

This caused Ayden to whip around. “You did what?!?”

“I charmed one to fly straight to your true love, even if she isn’t in this crowd. But hey! Don’t worry, no one, not even my brilliant self, will know who it is. The nature of love keeps us from knowing. It is annoying I agree. However all charming the survey will do is ensure your future bride will come here.” Tanya crossed her arms and looked very smug.

Ayden growled, “Why I ought to-“ However just as he lunged at her the doors flew open.

“SURPRISE!” It was the king and queen. Queen Kate smiled, “We thought we would burst in and surprise you a little early!”

Ayden instantly drew back from his lunge. “Hello Mother, hello Father.” His face was molded into a polite one. Only years of practice could get me from a murderous mood to a (seemingly) peaceful one. This is the face my parents know. I was smart enough to make sure this was the only face they knew since I turned 14-years-old.

The king and queen of Ebonia were a happy couple, and decent rulers. King Malcolm was kind and the best at war tactics, although he did suffer from a short temper. Queen Kate was good and beautiful. She had freckles, much to the dismay of the courtiers. However the freckles suited her, and allowed the peasants to feel connected.

“Ayden!” KNOCK KNOCK “What in the world was that?” The queen asked.

“Oh Mother, that was just the horde of females currently ruining my front lawn knocking.” Ayden said charmingly. I can charm. He thought smugly. However now I am a beast. And beasts don’t have to do things like ‘charm’.

“Well darling, why don’t you let them in?” The queen questioned.

Ayden snorted. “What? And have them ruin the castle as well? Nay. Such an act would be foolish.”

The king nodded his head. “I agree with your stance son! However it is about these girls that we are here.”

Dear god, don’t tell me my parents have reached the same idiotic conclusion as those whores!

“We are worried about this, this problem you have—“ Queen Kate spoke, unaware of her son’s thoughts.

The prince rolled her eyes. “I am a beast, mother. Not an alcoholic.”

“Yes, yes we know dear. However we can’t have a beast becoming king of Ebonia!”

“Fine. Give the throne to Tanya.”

That caused Tanya to start. “What are you saying? You can’t! I am, eventually, going to be headmistress of the Fairy Academy! Sorry buddy, but the throne is all yours.”

“Yes, and Ayden you know the throne goes to the male child. Or the oldest girl should there be no boys.” The king added.

“However, I must be married to claim the— Oh no!” Ayden’s eyes widen as the realization sunk in. “You wouldn’t.”

“Dearest…” his mother pleaded.

“Mother you wish to being one of these whores into the royal family? So they can soil the blood line with their stupidity?”

“ENOUGH!” King Malcolm exclaimed. “You will be allowed to try four of the women in that mob. If one of them changes you, you will marry her. If by the fourth one you have not changed, we will change you. We will use the best plastic surgeons and every type of magic to make you human again. Then we will arrange a marriage for you! You have one year to do this.” KNOCK KNOCK “SOMEONE SHUT THEM UP! YOU!” He pointed at Ayden. “OBEY! Kate! Let’s go!” With a final angry nod King Malcolm turned on his heel and walked back through the doors.

“Bye! We love you!” Queen Kate yelled as she went to go catch up with her husband.

Silence filled up the room where Ayden and Tanya stood. After a few seconds, Tanya ventured a, “Ayden?”

He just turned his head up and let out a roar. It was a lion’s roar that was heard throughout the whole castle, by al the women and even by the King and Queen as they left.

YOU MUST FILL OUT THIS SURVEY TO SEE THE PRINCE!

Name: Maleficent Burt

Race: Elf

Age: 19

Country: Tulopian Isles

Hair color: straight Black

Eye color: silver

Height: 5’ 8”

Weight: 120 lb

Skin color: pure white

Other (wings, tails, etc.): pointed ears

Describe your beauty: unearthly beautiful

Why you think you can break the curse: I am a master of elf magic, also I have a great capacity to love!

Describe your personality: Well, I am kind, and smart. I have a dry sense of humor and have a low tolerance for idiocy.

Best feature: My legs, which have won MANY a beauty contest.

Worst Feature: I sometimes, lose my patience…

One thing that makes you unique and different from everyone else: I am a trained assassin.

One thing she didn’t put down on the paper, but the anti-lie charm found: The girl is pure evil.

YOU MUST FILL OUT THIS SURVEY TO SEE THE PRINCE!

Name: Gwendolyn Bono Dea

Race: Fairy

Age: 19

Country: Lilacriatia

Hair color: curly blonde

Eye color: blue

Height: 5’ 2”

Weight: 103 lb

Skin color: perfect beige with rosy cheeks

Other (wings, tails, etc.): gold and light rose wings

Describe your beauty: A fairy tale princess pretty

Why you think you can break the curse: I just want to help everyone I can!

Describe your personality: I am good, very kind, and extremely generous.

Best feature: My eyes; they are large and corn flower blue!

Worst Feature: Well… like once a year, I DON’T want to help somebody! But then I always slap myself and go rescue some mice.

One thing that makes you unique and different from everyone else: Well, I recently helped this nice little girl named Dorothy go home and I gave her these FABULOUS ruby slippers!

One thing she didn’t put down on the paper, but the anti-lie charm found: She never stops smiling and doesn’t do well when you don’t accept her help.

YOU MUST FILL OUT THIS SURVEY TO SEE THE PRINCE!

Name: Erin Maria Stanford

Race: human

Age: 20

Country: Ebonia

Hair color: wavy brown

Eye color: brown

Height: 5’ 9”

Weight: 125 lb

Skin color: olive toned

Other (wings, tails, etc.): none

Describe your beauty: an exotic beauty

Why you think you can break the curse: I pretty much figure that in a world with magic, the prince would find someone like myself (non-magical ya know) refreshing. This (and my gorgeous curves) would make him love me!

Describe your personality: The thing is I might not be the brightest crayon in the box; I am tough.

Best feature: My curves, no doubt about it.

Worst Feature: I wear size 9

One thing that makes you unique and different from everyone else: Well, no crap! I am human!

One thing she didn’t put down on the paper, but the anti-lie charm found: The girl brings drama like no other.

Ayden looked at the three applications he has picked so far. Why again did I pick these three to be part of my four? Oh yes, the evil girl sounded hot, the good fairy was needed because this is a fairy tale, and I needed a human other wise the politicians would burn me. Oh and why else? Why I remember now, every other girl was as shallow as a paper cut and just as painful!

My god. My life sucks.