Once at the cave, I hopped off the wolf’s back, allowing him to return to his humanoid form. Before entering the cave, he grabbed my hand, triggering me to glance at him.

“Should I carry you on my back?” Alijah asked, gazing at my bare feet.

His words had made me jittery, but it would’ve been impractical for him to carry me.

“N-No... it’ll only slow us down. We don’t want to be in there for too long, either. The crystals can still affect us even if they don’t touch us, and if we follow the trail, we should be fine.” I smiled, leaving me gripping tightly onto him before taking out a luminescent lamp from my bag and placing it on my wrist.

Unlike the raider’s base, this cave had no lighting, making it treacherous to traverse with no illumination source. We weren’t vampires. So, our sight in the dark wasn’t the best.

“Don’t let go of me, okay?” I whispered, feeling my cheeks burn.

His grip also tightened in response to my words.

“I won’t,” Alijah assured with a soft smile.

Without wasting another moment, we entered the cave. As he said, he didn’t let go of my hand while I led him around the forsaken cave. Even though the trail was dark, it was easy to follow, yet it wasn’t long until we ran into trouble since part of the cave had collapsed, blocking the way out that tourists used.

It wasn’t our only path, but it showed that the cave was unstable, which meant lingering wasn’t an option.

It’ll be fine if we go this way; we just need to make two lefts and three rights.

I didn’t want Alijah to worry about our peril, which kept me quiet about our detour. Though it appeared, he suspected something was up as he seemed more jumpy than usual. Hesitantly, we headed deeper into the cave, only for my footing to give away when I stepped onto the new trail.

Fortunately, I held Alijah’s hand, allowing him to tug me up to safety. When my feet were on solid ground again, my hands clung to his shirt as I tried to calm my erratic breathing.

Why is it always a god-darned fall? Get a grip, Rem!

Holding onto the back of my head, the steady wolf held me in place as I shivered where I stood. However, the cave had other plans for us than letting me get my cool back.

“Fuck, Rem... we have to move.” Alijah declared as his ears twitched.

Thanks to the human side that made my biology, my hearing, although good, wasn’t better than a Lycan. Taking his word at face value, I jumped through the small gap while he followed. The moment I did, cracks came from our surroundings, triggering me to run forward with little hesitation.

A slight earthquake occurred due to a mining company nearby, causing the cave to lose its integrity while they worked on their project to mine ores. That would be the only explanation that came to my mind while Alijah and I ran through the collapsing parts of the cave, hoping to find the end.

Sadly, the rocks below me gave away before I could make the final turn. A jagged rock sliced my foot, triggering me to stumble onto the cavern wall.

“Rem, why do I smell blood?” Alijah questioned, unable to see what had happened as sharp pain throbbed through my leg.

“Nothing, we need to—” I tried to answer as he held me by my waist.

Before I could finish, another harder earthquake made everything below me give away as I slipped from Alijah's hands. In a split second, I was airborne as pictures of my previous accident swelled within me.

“Rem!” Alijah reached for me again, only to miss me by a couple of centimeters, just like my brother had.

However, instead of staying safe where he was, he leaped after me, breaking me from the memory that wanted to consume me. He engulfed me in his arms in midair before we plunged into an underground river below.

He held me tightly onto his chest while the current dragged us deeper into the unknown. It wasn’t long before my lungs screamed for air as our surroundings suddenly shimmered red, triggering everything around us to disintegrate.

This cleared a small breathing space for him and me, allowing us to breathe freely for a few seconds before the raging stream claimed us again. Unable to hold onto him, the current separated us and dragged us into an underground lake.

Once I could move freely, I headed for the top, where crystals were glowing. I could see where I was, thanks to the emotions surging within us. When I surfaced, I couldn’t fill my lungs quickly enough before I…

“Alijah!” I screamed only to receive silence.

My heart broke as I peered around the surface, hoping to find him, but he was nowhere to be seen.

Without hesitation or caring for my well-being, I dove back into the depths of the underground lake.

You must be here! Please! Let me—

Even though my small lamp could barely light up the murky water, I reached into the darkness, hoping to catch him—a moment where fate would have to guide me as I was at their mercy.

Please! I can’t lose you! Please! I can’t!

Miraculously, I grabbed onto a hand within the blackness of the depths as it never hit me that the limb could’ve been the people who died there. Using all of my strength, I yanked whoever was in my grip up to the surface, only to breathe a sigh of relief when I saw Alijah.

However, he was unconscious, eyes shut as his forehead bleed from a blow he had sustained while protecting me. There were multiple cuts on his body, too.

Why… did you… No, focus! Get to the shore!

The seconds it took me to reach the shore felt like hours, as every fiber wanted nothing more than to see if he was okay. Once out of the water, I dragged him onto the cavern floor, where my heart dropped again.

“Alijah?” My voice quivered as my entire body ran cold.

No… No! You aren’t breathing!

Something snapped within me when I checked his neck for a pulse, but there was none. My breath hitched as I instinctively did compressions before sealing my lips onto his and giving him oxygen. After two breaths, I compressed his chest again.

Dad had taught me how to give first aid if needed. However, I was trying hard not to cry and become a mess.

This is all my fault! My fucking fault! Alijah, please! You can’t leave me! Not now! Please!

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

“You can’t die here! Do you hear me?! You can’t, Alijah!” I tried so hard not to break into a sob, yet I was failing as tears were already rolling down my cheeks.

“No! You can’t leave me!” I screamed, slamming my hands onto his chest as a purple shimmer radiated from my blow throughout his body.

A second later, his eyes flew open, coughing out the water in his lungs as I broke. Everything had happened in less than two minutes, but it felt like hours had passed. I didn’t even let him compose himself when I jumped into his arm, weeping like a small child.

We were both soaked but alive. Feeling his chest rise and fall gave me an unyielding comfort that nothing else could’ve. As I wept, slowly... the crystals around...

“Rem—” Alijah tried to word.

However, more coughs left him as he panted for air. Struggling to catch his breath, he cupped my cheek as I sobbed harder than ever before. All that bombarded my mind was how he almost died because of me again.

“Rem... I’m okay.” His voice was hoarse as I shook my head, continuing to cry.

A soft sigh left his lips when he grabbed my shaking hands before placing them onto his cheeks.

“Rem, look! I’m alive!” He assured with his husky voice.

His hands were so firm on mine that I could barely hold it together.

If something happens to you, I’ll destroy everything to find you, even in death. Nothing will ever… separate us…

Even though I wanted to give up on this fruitless love, I couldn’t control what happened next. Instantly, I pushed Alijah onto the ground, clashing my lips with his. Part of me didn’t care about the rejection I thought would come soon after.

No, I only wanted to feel that addicting warmth I was so used to in my fantasy world. Pinning him down onto the cavern floor with my hands on his chest, I sought for more than I knew I could have.

Please… Just a little more… I want this all to be a nightmare.

Instead of shoving me away, the surprised wolf clasped his hands on my head before licking my lips for permission. There was little hesitation before I met his tongue with mine as a soft hum left him.

While our tango for dominance raged on, Alijah kept one of his hands on the back of my head while the other trailed down to my bum. I could barely breathe while we continued feverishly to make out, feeling my body with a warmth I couldn’t keep a hold of.

A soft whine left my lips as the kiss became hungrier with each moment that passed. When my small lamp shut off because of a timer, it didn’t matter to me how dark it had become. No, all I wanted was to feel his hot breath against mine as every fiber of my being wished for more.

Separating only for a slight moment, I mimicked what Alijah had done to me before, only to meet with his tongue again. A slight moan left his lips when my body fully pressed against his as my hips ground on his.

His hand squeezed my bum, and I couldn’t stop my pursuit of him. If time could stop, this would be my stay.

I love you too much. So much it hurts, Alijah. I can’t… I…

Following the pull of my heart’s strings, I continued to kiss him until all my senses dulled. Until I knew he was alive and breathing while under me. A soft groan left his lips as I continued to buck my hips on his groin, prompting him to thrust into me.

Ah… There’s something hard under…

Letting go of my head, his other hand landed on my bum as well before suddenly pushing us up and forcing me to straddle his lap. With the sudden shift in dominance, I couldn’t help but mewl into our kiss as it raged on.

Saliva dripped down my chin as my tongue continued to seek his warmth. As muddled as my thoughts were, my mind quickly snapped together once I realized how brightly his eyes were shimmering.

Wait… What… What… am I…. What have I done?

His hand traveled from my bum to my chin before leaning into me again, only for me to tear completely from his embrace. As I took steps away from the frazzled wolf, the ache was secondary to the thoughts bombarding me.

“Rem?” He mumbled, out of breath for reasons other than his dance with death.

Ah… I’m no different from all the girls who did that to you so long ago! Stupid, Rem! How could I be foolish!

Shaking my head, I felt stings in my eyes.

I… I attacked… No! How dare you do this to Alijah?! Out of everyone! You! Rem! You know what…

I had let my emotions slip, and I wanted so much more.

I really love you! I love you so much! Please… this wasn’t because I… I didn’t do this without… I’m not like them!

He was everything I dreamed of, plus much more. Around me, the crystals slowly shone brighter, responding to my inner turmoil. It would’ve been a beautiful sight to behold, but to me, I only felt heartbreak.

There’s no way you don’t know how I feel now! Not that it matters after I attacked you like that! Ah… I… I wish…

My gaze shifted towards a luxorite, tempting me to touch one to make all the pain disappear. But that selfish action would’ve put Alijah in danger—something I would never allow to happen. It didn’t matter how much it hurt.

These emotions were exploding.

“I’m sorry, Alijah.” I finally let out, clasping my hands to my chest.

Please… don’t hate me.

Standing up from where I had attacked him, he slowly approached me. However, I refused to look directly at him, shivering right where I stood.

“Rem, why are you apologizing?” He asked.

Did you confuse me with Lilith? It has to be! Right?! But I… didn’t confuse you with anyone! I had no excuse!

“Because... I wanted to be different, but I’m not. I can’t… stop…” I trailed off, voice breaking.

He closed the gap I had created, clasping onto my hands, which trembled.

“What are you saying? You are different,” Alijah reassured me.

Please... Please... stop! You know Lilith will come back! Why are you still being kind to me? Why did you let me kiss you like that? Why…

The kiss at the camp cemented hope within me, and it erupted in me like an unstoppable blaze. I couldn’t control myself anymore—a mistake I had to correct. I didn’t want him to lose his faith in me.

Surely you’ll hate me now!

“No! I’m not different!” I shouted, tearing my hands away from Alijah’s dangerous warmth.

A pulse of energy left me, triggering the cave to shutter at my steps. The crystals around us continued to respond to me as my emotions caused my magic to erupt uncontrollably. This triggered the dark sensation within me, merging my blood lust with my desire to have him.

Drown it!

“I’m sorry... for allowing myself to be ruled by the happiness of seeing you breathe! I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to let them out!” I cried.

“Rem…” He breathed as my eyes remained planted on something other than him.

“No! I… I can’t stop it. My feelings… I… I…” I trailed off, wincing as my head felt like it would split apart.

It was so hard not to assault him. The gods knew how much I wanted it. Sadly, he wasn’t backing down, either.

“Oi, Rem,” the worried wolf called out, firmer.

The simple thoughts of what he could’ve said left me feeling colder than anything else.

“No! It won’t happen again! I’ll make sure of it! So... so... I... Please…” I shook my head, taking a few steps away from him.

I have to get away before I ravish you. Like I’ve done many times in my dreams. Over and over, we made so much love for them, but the reality is much more addictive.

The sensation of his lips still burned on mine.

“Oi, Rem, let me—” he tried to reach me.

I didn’t let him.

“I... am not Lilith, Alijah!” I snapped, gripping onto my shirt, trembling.

“Fuck!” He grabbed onto my arm, yanking me into his arms.

I wanted to sink my teeth into him—every fiber of my being wanted to make him mine. Yet I had to fight that urge.

You aren’t mine to begin with.

One would think this was not my first time with a man, but it was. My first kiss was that night of the bond, too. Well, aside from all the dreams I had with him.

Hah... You must think I’m a slut or something else, but I have known you for longer than…

“I know! I know you aren’t her!” Alijah growled loudly, clinging to me.

He wouldn’t let me go, leaving me to grip his arms.

“You’re nothing like her. You stupid luma,” His voice broke.

I didn’t know the meaning behind his words. No, I didn’t allow myself to see the significance behind them. If I did, I probably wouldn’t have let him leave this cave until I had my way with him.

For a while, he held me as I tried to keep the urges that were swelling within me confined.

“Look,” Alijah mumbled, releasing his hold on me.

I glanced up to see the crystals dimming, changing the scenery. They almost seemed like stars in the night sky. Before, when I was going crazy, the crystals were like light bulbs. In an instant, I felt woozy.

Glancing down, the foot that had been cut had stepped into one of the dimmed smaller crystals. Alijah called for me, noticing my skin color go pale along with every ounce of emotion within me—an instant cure for my panic attack.

Too bad it means…

“We...” I tried to tell him we had to leave, but the words wouldn’t leave me.

Instead, my vision blurred as my eyes rolled back, leaving my drooping body without a grip to hold onto.

“Fuck this.” Alijah cursed, glowing brightly.

The power he exerted was intense while holding onto my limp body. However, everything was too blurry to see, leaving me unable to tell how he opened a way out of the hole we were in as the intensity of his power triggered the cave to collapse.

Once outside on the warm grass, he shifted, picking me up in his mouth. Even though the bond prevented him from harming me, his teeth sunk deep enough so I wouldn’t slip out of his mouth. I barely felt any pain because of what was happening to me.

Instead, all I felt was the familiar embrace of death coming for me. My consciousness wavered while Alijah ran faster than he had ever done before.

Please... whatever you do, don’t kill him... Don’t kill the person I love the most. Please... I beg you...

Those were the last thoughts that crossed my mind when my consciousness finally failed, sending me plummeting into the darkness.