He was engulfed in black flames, his skin acting as a canvas for them to flicker upon. The burden of unfulfilled time weighed heavily on him, enveloping him in obscurity. His body struggled against its grasp, trying to remain upright and clear-headed, but the churning sensation in his mind refused to dissipate. He violently thrashed his body, desperately trying to hold on to his sense of self, but the golden light within him was forcibly ripped out. He witnessed his radiant heart stretching away from his soul and snapping away from his body into the abyss. He felt his life force escape with it, leaving him to dissolve into nothingness. As he drifted further into the abyss, a profound sense of emptiness consumed him. The once vibrant colours of his existence faded into an indistinguishable void, leaving behind only a lingering echo of what had once been his identity.
His trembling voice cried out in wailing agony, "Selena." His head shook back and forth, and his eyes closed. He lay on the bed, writhing in pain, with most of his clothing gone. His body, now frail and vulnerable, bore the marks of the battle. Memories tormented him as he clung to the fading hope of her return. In his desperate state, he longed for her presence to fill the void that consumed him, yearning for a sliver of solace amidst the darkness.
She softly whispered, "Shh. Cayden, don't worry." She gently placed her hand on his trembling shoulder, her touch offering a glimmer of comfort in the midst of his torment.
He yelled, "Selena," as if he could hear a voice in the distance.
"Cayden, I'm here." Selena's voice echoed in his mind.
Even though her mind wasn't yet aware of it, she felt calm just being able to touch him. His skin was so sweaty that it almost felt hot. Although her soothing touch had made his agonising movements lessen, she knew he was still far from better. The worst was yet to come. If his fever was any sign, he would not live through the night.
"What should I do?" She made a low, guttural sound.
"We should claim him as our mate. Only after you have claimed him, can I heal him," her wolf mumbled.
There was no other choice. She would have to mark him. She took a deep breath, knowing that marking him would bind them together for life. With a heavy heart, she leant in and pressed her lips against his forehead.
"I will fulfil my promise."
The day had vanished like a clean slate as the night crept across the sky. Her wolf took Selena over into space's stillness and the cosy, glowing moonlight. She undid her robe and transformed into a hybrid. He kicked the last of his sheets away as his seizure returned. By settling next to him, her body resting on his torso and her fingers glided over his face and into his hair, she could calm his anxiety. Even though he was still mumbling her name, being in her arms seemed to ease his pain.
She still held a grudge against him.
"But he hurt me!" Her enraged mind said.
"He did. But it makes no difference to how I feel about him. I still like him. I want him." Her wolf inside her howled. Despite the grudge she held, her heart still longed for his presence and the comfort he brought.
"What about your mother? She will die if Cayden lives."
A tear trickled down Selena's cheek as she paused and shut her eyes.
"He may have made a poor decision, but he feels bad about it. My mother would have preferred this, I'm sure. Mum, I'm sorry," she said inaudibly to nobody.
Her own internal conflict tormented her as she watched Cayden with sad eyes.
She lay in bed, wanting to be close to him and disobeying her earlier argument with herself. The space between its edges was large enough to accommodate four grown men. She was lying on her side, facing him, her arm tucked under her chin. She delicately traced the profile that had unintentionally captured her attention.
"Even a blind girl would find him attractive because he is so incredibly handsome," she mumbled. She couldn't help but wonder how someone so physically appealing could also possess such a complicated and mysterious aura. His presence alone seemed to awaken a whirlwind of emotions within her, making it even harder to resist the pull she felt towards him.
She kissed his parched lips as her teeth grew longer. Her body grew bigger, and her wolf emerged. The she-wolf sniffed her mate, as if trying to assess his injuries.
"Mine!" she growled.
Selena quickly bared her teeth, exposing pointed canines that sparkled in the moonlight. Her instincts compelled her to rip into Cayden's flesh, identify him as her mate, and claim him as her own. As she leant in closer, her breath mingled with his, and she could taste the sweet tang of anticipation on her tongue. Selena drove her teeth into his neck, piercing his skin in a motion that seemed to last an eternity. He let out a gasp that was equal parts, ecstatic and agonising as they entwined their destinies in a passionate embrace. Their connection grew stronger, forming an unbreakable chain connecting their souls.
A brilliant light engulfed them both as Selena withdrew, her mouth stained with the crimson essence of their union. It served as a reminder of their union and proof of the magic that lived on in their hearts. As a representation of their unbreakable bond, the mark she had left on Cayden's neck shone with otherworldly radiance.
Cayden mumbled "Selena" as his body recovered.
Selena marvelled as his wounds healed and his skin's colour returned to a healthy pink. Cayden was still sleeping, but his breathing had gotten relaxed. The thrashing stopped. As exhaustion overtook her, she felt her life force slipping away. The hair receded from her body, and she fell next to him in her human form, naked. She closed her eyes and succumbed to the call of sleep, hoping for one last time that she would wake up the next morning feeling content.