Unlike her new companion, Belle hadn't experienced anything like the Beast in all her life. To her, he was like a monster from a book, something the hero defeated to rescue his lady love. When he wheeled around and roared which such ferocity, she didn't see the desperate fear and anger in it.

She gasped at the volume of his roar and stepped back further. She wanted to be as calm as Ian, wanted to be strong like the heroines in the stories she read, but it was all she could do to let go of Ian's sleeve and bow her head, avoiding looking at the beast.