The Beauty Beneath The Beast

Peeta Mellark didn't ask for this. He didn't ask for his father to anger a sorceress and cause her to cast a spell on his castle and all who lived in it. He didn't ask for his father to make a deal with the sorceress to spare himself and his two elder sons exchange for his youngest son being turned into a creature no sane person could ever love and to be left alone, cast aside as a freak.

But that is what he received. And just as a neglected spoon tarnishes, as did the heart of the once caring boy. His only chance to break the wretched curse is to love someone and to have her love him in return before the last petal falls from an enchanted rose that will begin wilting at his 25th birthday.

Poor Peeta loses all hope by the time his birthday arrives. That is until he meets Katniss Everdeen, a young huntress who comes to be his prisoner. But while he loves her, he has little hope.

After all, how can anyone see any beauty in such an ugly beast.