6: PLAYING WITH FIRE

Loud howls of pain and the sickening sound of bones cracking pierced the air as I stood frozen, watching in awe and disbelief as my mate, Azriel, underwent a magnificent transformation. Before me, he morphed into a majestic, golden wolf. My eyes widened with shock, and my mouth hung open in astonishment at the breathtaking sight before me.

The wolf's fur radiated an ethereal glow, illuminating the darkness around us. Its towering height cast a shadow over me, and its eyes, still the familiar golden hue but now tinged with a darker shade, pierced through my soul.

In a split second, the wolf darted forward, closing the distance between itself and one of the vampires—Durcam. With a menacing display of sharp canines, Azriel unleashed a powerful roar, locking his teeth onto the vampire's neck and tearing it away with a force that sent the severed head tumbling to the ground, mere inches away from me.

A scream of terror threatened to escape my throat at the horrifying scene that unfolded before me. I recoiled in fear, my body trembling uncontrollably. Never in my twenty-one years of existence had I witnessed such brutality. The traumatic sight etched itself into the deepest part of my mind, forever haunting my memories.

In a flurry of movement, Azriel pounced on the second vampire, striking its face with a ferocity that shattered bones. The vampire's body went limp, lifeless, signaling his death. My hand instinctively covered my mouth, desperately trying to suppress the rising bile in my throat.

My eyes widened as the last two vampires approach Azriel from behind with a sharp glinting knife in their hands. Unable to hold in my panic, I yelled out. “Behind you!” But my voice had came a second too late as one of the vampires dug the knife into Azriel's abdomen. My heart jumped into my throat as I watched Azriel howl in pain, feeling like I had equally been stabbed.

But I was shocked to find him standing up once more and with an unimaginable speed, he knocked the both to the ground. The force of Azriel's attack shattered bones and sent the vampire sprawling to the ground, their body contorting in pain. Blood stained the dirt as the battle raged on, the scent of fear and violence filling the night air.

The scent of fear and violence filled the air, mingling with the metallic stench of blood. My heart pounded in my chest as I watched in a mix of horror and relief as Azriel swiftly dispatched the remaining two vampires. The lifeless bodies lay strewn across the ground, a grim to the battle that had just unfolded.

As my gaze swept across our gruesome surroundings, I became aware of my own weakening state. Minutes passed unnoticed, and it was only when dizziness clouded my vision that I realized my clothes were soaked in blood. The vampire's bite had left a deep gash on my neck, and I was rapidly losing an alarming amount of blood. Desperately, I tried to stem the flow, pressing my hand against the wound, but my efforts proved futile.

My vision grew hazy, and my head throbbed with an intense ache. It was then that I witnessed Azriel's massive wolf, its steps deliberate and cautious, approaching me. An instinctual fear gripped me, urging me to recoil from his presence. His immense size and the memory of the brutal death he had inflicted on the vampires triggered a fearful terror within me. I couldn't shake the image of him tearing into their bodies, and the thought of him turning his aggression toward me sent shivers down my spine.

Despite the conflicting emotions swirling inside me, I couldn't deny the yearning in my heart to be close to him, to feel the softness of his fur beneath my fingertips. Yet, the lingering trauma and fear held me back, making it difficult to trust fully. The wolf before me had slain four dangerous vampires in a matter of minutes; it wouldn't take him long to end my life as well. 

I wouldn't put him past him to do so after all the trouble I'd put him through. 

As I hesitated, Azriel's massive form loomed over me, his golden fur matted with blood. Instinctively, I prepared to scream, only to find my mouth silenced as his tongue connected with my wounded neck. His licks were messy, and his saliva dripped down my skin, but I dared not resist, fearing further injury.

But surprisingly, i didn't feel that intense pain I was feeling anymore. How is that possible? I couldn't feel the blood dripping on my body anymore but I was too weak to question how he was able to stop my bleeding.

I suddenly felt myself been lifted off of the ground as the world began to close through my vision. My eyes rolled into the back of my head and I was out cold in seconds.

* * * * * * * * 

But surprisingly, I didn't feel that intense pain I was feeling anymore. How is that possible? I couldn't feel the blood dripping on my body anymore, but I was too weak to question how he was able to stop my bleeding.

I suddenly felt myself being lifted off the ground as the world began to close in on my vision. My eyes rolled into the back of my head, and within seconds, I was out cold.

"Go get the pack doctor! Right now!" I heard a familiar voice yell as I was gently placed on a soft surface, which I assumed was a bed. I tried to open my eyes, but I couldn't. Panic set in, and I started struggling to get out of bed.

Two strong hands immediately held me down, triggering my protective reflexes until I heard the voice more prominently. "Relax, Lilah. It's just me. You've lost a lot of blood, but you'll be fine," Azriel whispered soothing words as his hands caressed my arms, creating goosebumps on my skin.

I opened my mouth to speak, but no words came out. My throat felt scratchy, and my voice was croaky. "Shhhh, don't stress it, princess. The pack doctor will be here in no time." He ran his hands through my hair, and I relaxed, leaning into his touch.

To think I had been running away from this man a few hours earlier, but here I was, leaning into his touch as if I didn't have any idea about the trap I was getting into by being vulnerable with him.

I heard the creaking sound of the door, indicating that it was being opened. Footsteps rushed toward the bed, and I caught a whiff of unfamiliar scents.

"Alpha Azriel, you're bleeding!" a high-pitched feminine voice exclaimed with a gasp, and I heard the clinking sound of heels rushing toward him.

"Do not worry about me, Carmen. I need you to attend to her," Azriel commanded in a stern voice.

"But—" Carmen interjected. I wasn't one to hate someone at first sight; after all, I hadn't even seen what she looked like. Yet, I already didn't like her.

"Right now. Do not make me repeat myself," Azriel cut her off abruptly, and thankfully, I didn't have to endure her annoying voice any longer.

"Fine." I heard her heels walking toward me, and a wave of unease washed over me in her presence. Why did I feel so uncomfortable around her? She was just a doctor, after all...

I felt a pair of cold hands on my eyelid, prodding it open and I resisted the urge to rip her hands from my face. "She has lost a lot of blood, Alpha. What happened to her? I can go from there," Carmen asked in a professional voice.

"Vampires. She was bitten by a vampire," Alpha Azriel replied simply.

"Oh, I see. I don't think the bite was deep; otherwise, she wouldn't be breathing right now," Carmen said in a bitter tone she unsuccessfully tried to hide.

"I arrived before they could inflict further harm. I sucked out the venom from her blood before it could spread throughout her body. Now, do you still have questions, or are you going to go back to work?" Azriel's last words were harsh.

I heard Carmen sigh. "Well, as you can see, she has lost a lot of blood, and she needs more blood in her system to function. I didn't bring any blood bags with me..."

"Take mine."

"W-what?"

"I didn't stutter, did I? You think I will wait around for you to go get a blood bag when my mate is on the brink of death?" Azriel's words warmed my heart, but that warmth quickly dissipated as the thought of drinking his blood crossed my mind. There was no way in hell I was going to do that.

'There's really nothing you can do about it. You can't even speak for yourself,' my subconscious mocked, and I internally rolled my eyes.

"If you insist, Alpha..." This time, Carmen didn't bother to hide the disapproval in her voice.

I heard shuffling on the bed and felt Azriel's presence beside me. His familiar sandalwood scent drifted through my nostrils. I immediately started shaking my head, clamping my mouth shut tightly, already anticipating what he intended to do.

But my attempts were futile as he easily forced my mouth open with his hand. With one hand pinning mine down, he bit into his own skin and forcefully shoved his bleeding hand into my mouth. The metallic taste of his blood dripped onto my tongue, and instinctively, I dragged his hand further into my mouth, consuming his blood hungrily.

Minutes passed, yet I couldn't bring myself to let go of him. I tightened my hands around him, squeezing his blood further into my mouth. "That's enough, Delilah. Let go," Azriel commanded softly.

I shook my head, holding his hand in a death grip as I drank his blood like a ravenous beast. Suddenly, his hand was snatched away from my mouth, and I weakly protested. "Shhh, that should be enough for now. At least until they can get enough blood for you. Now, go to sleep, princess."

As if under a spell cast by him, I fell into a deep slumber. I found myself in a vivid dream where the red eyes of the vampires from the woods snarled at me with malice and hatred as I slipped into darkness.

When I awoke, the room was dimly lit, and I could sense a hushed atmosphere. My body felt weak, but the excruciating pain I had experienced before was now reduced to a dull ache. Azriel's concerned face came into view, his eyes filled with relief.

"You're awake, Delilah," he whispered softly, his voice soothing.

I tried to speak, and this time, my voice cooperated, though it was still weak. "What... happened?" I managed to ask, my throat still scratchy.

"You lost a lot of blood, but Carmen managed to stabilize you for now. We'll need to replenish your blood supply soon, though," Azriel explained, his voice gentle.

I nodded weakly, realizing that he had risked himself to save me. The thought of drinking his blood still lingered, and I couldn't help but feel conflicted about it. Yet, there was an undeniable connection forming between us, one I couldn't fully comprehend.

"I... I'm sorry for... drinking your blood," I murmured, my voice filled with regret.

Azriel's expression softened, his thumb gently caressing my cheek. "You had no choice, Delilah. You needed it to survive, and I willingly gave it to you. Our bond runs deeper now, but we'll figure it out together."

His words brought a mixture of comfort and unease. I knew that our connection had grown stronger through the blood we now shared, and I couldn't deny the magnetic pull between us. It was a dangerous game I had unknowingly stepped into, one that would forever change my life. 

I was playing with fire, and I was going to get burned real soon.