008

Zane's POV

The moment the creature smirked, I knew we were doomed.

It was not but fate, neither was it by the beasts snarling and clawing at the shattered doors of the temple, no.

But it was from something older and darker, buried somewhere beneath us.

As the Scorch's beasts all flooded in, their bones grinding, claws dripping with blood, fangs sharp and ready to tear their prey in pieces as they snarled like death itself.

But, my eyes were not fixed on them, no. I was staring right into the soil of that fucking monster rising from the pit of the seal itself.

It was half wolf and half god, its body shackled in light that throbbed like the heartbeat of thunder.

And….it looked right at Ember, it's dark silver eyes staring right into her soul as though it wanted to burn her.

But….much to my suprise, it smiled.

“You want to burn, huh?” It purred, the corner of his lips curving into a sly smirk. “Then I will fucking light the world on fire for you”

Then, as it went silent, all hell broke loose.

*******

“Back to Back, Ember!” I barked, my fangs and claws elongated as I already began tearing the bone-wolves throat apart.

Almost immediately, Ember's powers charged up behind me, she shone bright as lightning itself, her demeanor fierce as war. She roared, it sounded like music to my ears.

We fought like one, our movements fluid-like, body's in sync, blood and breath tangled.

But, just as the fight became even fiercer and my wolf became hungrier, I suddenly heard it and froze momentarily.

Her blade hit the ground.

I slowly spun my heels, my eyes widened with dread as I saw her drop to her knees, screaming.

She curled up, her body arching as though something inside her was struggling to break free as blood splurged out of her mouth, dark and thick.

Her eyes flickered with something I've never seen before in them; flame and silver.

“Fuck, no!” I roared. “Ember!!”

I killed the last monster between us and caught her before she fell. Her breathing was rough. Her heartbeat was all over the place.

And then, A whisper came to me. Not from her, not from the creatures. From inside me.

"If you mate again... she dies.”

"Your cock will be the blade that kills her." My stomach felt cold. I looked at her, my girl, my mate, my lifeline, and all I saw was death in her.

The curse wasn't just a myth. It was real. And it wanted her dead.

I ran without stopping or breathing. Through blood, smoke, and scary woods, I carried her hurt body like a man pulling his own grave.

She woke up at sunset. The cave we hid in was lit by flickering fire. My arms were wrapped tight around her like she was the only thing keeping me sane. And she was.

"Zane," she whispered, her voice rough like a broken bell.

I didn't move. I couldn't. She turned, crawling into my lap, naked and warm, kissing my throat. Her hands touched my face, chest, and dick.

And damn, I wanted her. But I couldn't have her. "I'm okay," she whispered. "You saved me."

"No," I said roughly, not looking at her. "I put you in danger."

She kissed me harder.

She sat on me. Her body moved against mine, soft and needy. I felt her warmth through my pants and almost lost control.

"I need you," she begged. "I don't care if it hurts me."

I grabbed her wrists, breathing hard. "Every time we have sex," I said roughly, "you get hurt more." "I don't care.”

"I do," I snarled, rising. Blood dripped from my fists where my claws had dug into my own flesh.

"You think I don't wanna slam you into that wall, fuck you so hard you forget your damn name?"

Her thighs tightened.

So did mine.

"But I can't," I said, voice rough. "Because If I take you again, you'll die."

She fell to her knees.

Tears falling.

Begging hard.

“Za….Zane please….please” she whimpered, as she dragged her knees towards me, her boobs bouncing, eyes blood-red and wrecked. “Zane please, I…. I'll fucking die if I don't feel you deep inside me again”

My cock twitched.

But I spun my heels, my back facing towards her, fists clenched to the wall.

The stone cracked in two, my knuckles splitting open as blood oozed from the injury.

“I'd rather bleed than bury you, Ember” I muttered under my breath, voice gruff.

She whimpered again as she curled her body behind me, her sob quiet and I? I just stood there, frozen, my cock hard, dripping with precum.

I heard as she touched herself, I could feel it.

But I didn't even glance at her or stop her.

Because if I did that?

I would fuck her so hard that death itself would gasp and moan.

But then again, I wasn't ready to lose her to my curse, never!

********

Finally, she passed out after a long time of whimpering and sobbing, desperate for my touch.

Just as I was about to exhale deeply, I heard it. A calm, deadly voice cutting through my head.

Alpha Magnus, my father.

“Do you want her to live?”

“Come back home, Son,” he added. “I'll protect her from the curse…..from you”

I closed my eyes, a single tear slipping down my cheeks.

And for the first time in years, I actually considered obeying him.