Beasts vs beast's. What is the difference?

[Edwardo]

I am really interested in English literature, especially fantasy. I have a question that I can't quite grasp. Say a writer writes:

"They quickly dispatched of the mangy beasts."

That means they killed many beasts, correct?

What about when an author writes:

"The beast's paw passed just inches from his face."
Why is there a ' in the word beasts
but not in something like:
"...throwing it into the beasts gaping mouth."

I don't quite understand why some instance have the ', and some don't.

Could someone please explain it to me?

Thanks!

[5jj]

Welcome to the forum, Edwardo.

"The beast's paw passed just inches from his face." = the paw of the beast.

"...throwing it into the beasts gaping mouth." Typo. It should be "beast's".

[Edwardo]

Aha, thank you.

So was I correct about my assumption about the "They quickly dispatched of the mangy beasts." line as well?

[bhaisahab]

Aha, thank you.

So was I correct about my assumption about the "They quickly dispatched of the mangy beasts." line as well?

Yes, but "despatched of" is wrong.

[Edwardo]

Sorry, that was my typo. The book says off.

Man, you guys are great! Thank you.

[emsr2d2]

The book didn't really need "of" or "off" after "despatched", and nor do you. When you talk about killing, you can just say "despatched" and the context will make it clear what is meant.