Lucien’s POV

The hospital room was quieter than death. Only the soft hum of machines and her faint breathing gave me strength to take another step. Aria lay still, her skin too pale, lips slightly parted, like a fragile flame clinging to its last spark.

I stood beside her again, this time with no hesitation.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered, brushing her fingers with mine. “You should hate me for this… but I can’t lose you.”

I leaned down slowly, my heart beating faster than ever before, and pressed my lips to the place between her neck and shoulder. The moment my fangs broke through her skin, a surge of energy...