CHAPTER 3: THE NIGHT HE RUINED ME

Aira’s POV

A soft cry tore from my throat as Chester’s mouth pressed against the delicate skin of my neck, his tongue lapping in maddening circles. My fingers gripped his jet-black hair like a lifeline, desperate to ground myself in a moment that felt like drowning in desire.

He kissed me as if I were the air he needed to breathe, hands steady as he held me in his lap. His lips—so soft, so sinfully sweet—left trails of fire over my skin, down to my bare shoulder blades. I felt myself unraveling, skin shivering where his mouth lingered, chest heaving with every stolen breath.

He wasn’t my friend. Not even close. But in that moment, wrapped around him, I wanted to forget everything else. Maybe it was the alcohol, maybe the crushing loneliness we both carried—but I didn’t care. I wanted this. I wanted him.

“Such a beautiful, sweet baby,” he groaned, tightening his hold on me as he pulled my legs around his lean torso, kissing my throat like it was his only salvation. “So… unquestioning. So damn delicious.”

He fed on me like I was something sacred, and I let him.

I was spiraling—hopelessly, foolishly, tragically into something far too fragile to survive.

“Bond with me?” I whispered, my voice trembling like my soul already knew the answer.

He didn’t reply with words.

His eyes, wild and aching, met mine. He leaned in, kissed me softly… then bit.

Slow and deliberate, his fangs pierced the base of my neck, and I gasped as the heat of his Vampiric Essence surged into me—claiming, sealing, binding.

“MINE,” he growled, possessive and primal, licking over the bruise he’d created. His kisses turned frantic, as if trying to bury himself deeper inside my skin.

And I… I gave in completely.

I marked him back, my fangs trembling as I sank them into his skin and gave him everything—my blood, my essence, my heart. The bond mark would fade, but the connection? Eternal.

For one night, we weren’t broken.

We were beautiful.

* * * * *

Aira’s POV

I awoke in the cradle of his body, warm and safe and whole. His arms were draped around me, and his face was buried in the crook of my neck like we were made for this—for each other.

My she-wolf purred softly in my head. We fit together like a heartbeat and breath.

But then everything shattered.

He moved suddenly. Too fast. Too violently.

“Ow,” I whimpered as he shoved me away.

“Shit. Shit. Shit,” Chester cursed, staring at the faded bond mark on my neck like it was a curse he’d accidentally conjured.

He looked… afraid. No. Worse.

He looked disgusted.

He’s regretting it.

He’s regretting me.

My heart cracked so loudly in my chest it felt like a scream.

“Don’t tell anyone,” he said, each word slicing into me like a blade. His voice was detached, his hands fumbling to pull on his ruined shirt—one I’d torn off only hours ago with shaking, desperate fingers.

“W-What? Are you just leaving?” I asked, my voice small and pathetic. Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes.

“Yes. We made a mistake. We were drunk, Aira. We can’t undo it, but we can pretend it never happened. Please… just stay away from me. I don’t want this. I don’t want you.”

And then he left.

Left me naked—not just in body, but in soul.

We had bonded. He had given me his essence. I gave him mine.

How could he make me feel like I mattered—like I was special—only to erase it the next morning?

I thought he had feelings for me. I thought… I thought we had something real.

I dragged the sheet around me, cold and trembling. My hands found the forgotten lighter on the nightstand, and I set fire to the bed that still smelled like him.

As the flames devoured the only proof of our night, I sank to the floor, knees collapsing, sobs breaking free.

I didn’t even notice the smoke choking the air until it was too late.

My lungs burned, my body refused to move.

But honestly?

I’d already stopped breathing the moment he looked at me like I was a mistake.

I gave him everything. I gave him me.

And he left like none of it meant a damn thing.

I must be the only stupid sextuplet to lose her virgin Vampiric bonding essence before meeting her fated mate.

I was supposed to be strong. Royal. Powerful.

Instead, I was ruined. Ashes and bone and heartbreak.

He led me on. He used me.

And now, all I wanted was for the pain to end.

I hate him. I hate him.

Oh Goddess, please… just let me die.

* * * * *

Aira’s POV

THE VISION

“You are not alone, Aira. You need to stay alive. For me… and for you.”

A voice echoed in the darkness. Deep. Familiar. Ancient.

“I know what you’re feeling. I know the emptiness, the betrayal. But don’t let it win. We haven’t met yet, but we are bound. I feel your pain as if it were my own.”

“I might look human… but I’m not. I’m the last surviving Demon.”

My breath hitched.

“Only you can feel me, Aira. No one else. They can’t see who I truly am—not the ones who abuse me in the name of good, not the wolves in righteous skin who pretend to be protectors.”

“Until we meet, we suffer. But I promise—if you live, if you keep searching—we’ll survive this.”

“Find me.”

“Find me in the fire, in the storms, in the coldest caves and deepest oceans. I don’t know where I’m trapped… but I know you’re the only one who can save me.”

“Your soul will know me. I’m a cis male, but my Demon form is… different. Don’t be afraid. Love doesn’t follow rules. It doesn’t care about gender, caste, or bloodlines.”

“I’m enduring all of this for you, Aira. For us. Please… find me.”

“Don’t stop searching. Don’t give up. I love you.”

And then—silence.

I reached out into the smoke, desperate to hold onto him.

“Wait!” I cried. “How will I know it’s you?”

“You’ll know,” he whispered. “Your soul will know mine. Just don’t give up.”

[** NOTE TO THE READERS: A cis male is someone who is assigned male at birth and identifies as male. Also, the Demon in this story is a Transgender. I just want to point out that love is pure and does not see caste, gender, race and religion. Love is not confined to bodies, labels, or norms. It is raw, real, and soul-deep.

Believe in love because it is immensely fulfilling and the very essence of our existence. Remember that not all Demons are evil. Not all Angels are kind. Believe in love. And fight for it. **]