8 comments/ 6340 views/ 10 favorites Hunger For Love By: Manza Chapter 1. Morphin Volkonsky gazed below from his bedchamber on the occupants of his domain. His dark red eyes meandered through the tribes of black-clad Goths, ragged men, women and children that calls this underground hole of Metro Station their home. Clutching his itching throat, he tried to find a way to divert his attention from his thirst. It had been four days since his last feeding and theMembershaven't find a new occupant for theGuest Areafor him to feed on. Most of theGuestsare weak already, so he can't afford to feed from any of them for the time being or else they will certainly die. "What's taking them so long?" he hissed.They should have found a new occupant by now. Tormented, starving, and friendless, he continued to watch the humans from below. Couples strolling around, families gathering together for the night, group of friends hanging along, all seems to mocking his loneliness. Morphin sighed. Why is it that it's bothering him? He had been alone for more than 400 years ever since his family died. He doesn't care about anything else other than surviving, to sustain himself every now and then. To keep himself alive. Morphin sighed again. He keep on saying that, that his self alone is his only ally, that he doesn't need anyone or anything else that will take part on his life, that he can make it through his endless existence without any complication rather than to continue living. But as he watched those people, those humans with finite lives that all are living and surviving in a moving phase along with their loved ones, he's having doubts if being alone is really what he wants for himself for the centuries and even eons to come. Suddenly, from his deep wondering in his inner thought, his phone rang, answering it, it was Carla, the Head of the Members, "Boss, we got a new one." Morphin sniffed the air, he can smell it already. A new fragrance had just arrived inside the Metro Station, and she got a very sweet aroma. "Give her the best room available," he ordered in deep a commanding voice. "Sure Boss," she said and the line dies. Morphin flipped his phone close and using his ability, he Teleported inside the room where his next Guest will stay. In the darkness, he waited. ---------- Thank God I finally found a good place to stay.Willow thought as she entered the room that the woman named Carla had provided for her inside the Metro Station. It's not that bad on her opinion, the room is actually tidy enough. There's a bed, enough to accommodate two people, and a lots of pillows all over, a bathroom with a shower, a little kitchen, a wardrobe and an overused office desk, quite disorganized but not unclean. And to be honest, the entire place is not that bad too. Even though Metro Station is an abandon place where most of the occupants are vagrants and homeless people. The areas outside her room where most of the occupants are staying aren't that bad of a place too. That except for the old stains and graffiti on the walls, everything about the place is neat and tidy, a comfortable place for people to accommodate. Dropping her bags on the floor, she throws herself to the soft cushion of the bed. She's so damn tired after those last four days that she'd been running away from those men commissioned by her parents to take her back ever since the day that she runs away from home. Her Family, the McKenzies, the richest and the most powerful Family in all of Detroit. They have connections on almost everything from banks, hotels, down to the department stores, that why it is almost impossible to hide from them in this city except if she will hide inside an underground hole which is what she's doing at the moment. She let out a heavy sigh. Why does she have to be born a McKenzie? Most people think that she's very lucky for being the only daughter of the richest man in Detroit and therefore being also his only heir. But they don't have any idea how nightmarish her life is with them. Every single day that passes by that she is with them, she experience nothing but them always trying to dictate her life and her future. Telling and sticking into her thick skull things like she will do this when she reached this age or she will do that when the right time comes. She could have tolerated all of those if it will just be her future that they will dictate, she can sacrifice her personal aims for them because they are her parents and she loves them. But when they settled an arranged marriage for her to marry the son of their business partner, that already brought her over the edge. She can tolerate them on dictating her life and her future but she will never allow them to dictate who she will love and most of all, who she will marry. That is why, with as much money that she can bring with her, along with some clothes, she runs away from home, away from her family, away from her friends, and away from the control of her father over her. Closing her eyes, she tried to throw away those negative thought off her head, she's in need of some rest right now. Tired from running, tired from hiding, she needs some time to relax and enjoy the peaceful time of slumber. Resting away all her thought, she drifted into a deep sleep. ---------- When Morphin was certain that the new Guest had finally fallen to sleep, he swiftly and silently moved from the dark corner where he hides to the bedside of the serenely sleeping girl. For the entire hour since she arrived, he'd been restraining himself so badly to not attack her and bite that soft luscious flesh of her and taste that sweet blood. He is not just hungry that he can't almost control himself any longer, but the girl also has the sweetest scent that he ever scented in his life. Sweet, mouthwatering, intoxicating. His fangs are growing and getting sharper already. His burning throat can no longer wait to be quenched by her blood. The girl lies on her stomach, hugging a huge pillow on her sleep. She had a very nice stature, slender shoulder and plump pear shaped waist. She's kind of petite also, probably just standing at 167 cm, or could be a little shorter. She got a very beautiful blonde hair that that ends on her waist and a smooth and creamy complexion. She had a British dialect when he heard her spoke earlier with Carla about the rent, along with an accent that is kind of childish and immature. The only part that is unknown to him is her face, he haven't got a good view of it ever since she'd arrived. He's extremely thirsty and he wants nothing more than to take a bite from her, but a little peek on her lovely face could make a nice appetizer for him before the main course, there would be no harm in doing so. Morphin gently flipped her, amazed on how soft her body was. She still serenely sleeps, unaware of his presence, unaware of everything. Her face is being obstructed by the strands of her hair, giving him of no full view of her. He slowly brushed those obstructions with his fingers, finally confirming his assumption. He was right, she's really lovely, her face is so cute, a combination of womanhood and youth, innocence and wisdom. She looks like the kind of woman who is simple, shy and gentle, the kind of being that he could never be. He crawled above her without bearing his weight to her, caging her completely with his body. Removing the strands of hair that piled up on her shoulder, he exposed her neck while his gaze is still locked on her loveliness. Morphin can't understand it, but there is something on the girl that magnetized him. Not attraction or carnal desire, but something more like instinct, instinct that tell him to be near her. Pushing away those thought, he prepared himself to sink his fangs on her, to sate his hunger. But before he could do so, the girl's eyes opened. Morphin stiffened at first but sooner he realized that she's not fully conscious, for her eyes are still weary and half-shuttered. It's certainly just one of those instances that humans slightly woke up in the middle of their sleeps before going back to deep slumbers again. The girl smiles at him, probably thinking that she's seeing him in her dreams, not knowing that he's more than real. And even though he is, having him on her dream will certainly turns it into a nightmare. The moment could have been simple, but the next thing that happens changes everything, complicate everything. When their eyes met, it was like a cannonball had hit his chest, like a huge explosion that occurred within his being. He jumped away from her, another explosion again. His lips parted as he tried to comprehend. Thunderous bombs blasted again and again. This girl...it's her. A rhythm of echoing boom...he clutched his chest...it was heartbeat. Morphin is hearing his heartbeat for the first time in 400 years. His lungs begun to expand, waking. She was bringing him back to life. Beading in cold sweats, Morphin fiercely shook his head in denial. He can't believe it. This is impossible. He had beenRevived. Something that can only be accomplished by a single person. His destinedBride. ---------- It had been two weeks ever since she moved on Metro Station that Willow had been having this weird feeling. Everywhere she goes, despite of the time and place, she swears to God that she always carry this feeling that someone else is just right behind her, watching every single move and breath that she make. Even now, when she just bought her groceries, for the entire trip from Metro Station, up to the store, and now back again to Metro Station, the feeling of being watched never disappear. "Hi there," Carla greeted her. "Hi," she greeted back softly, almost like a whisper. "How's your stay?" she asked. Beside the extreme paranoia, "Great," Willow said. "The room is good." "Okay, good thing to know," Carla nodded. "By the way, if you need something, anything, just tell us and we'll gladly help." "Sure," she smiled, grateful. "Thank you." As she walked towards her room, one of the two guys who is along with Carla approached her and mumbled something. "What was that for?" the guy silently asked. It was almost inaudible but Willow can sense the anger on his voice. "Nothing," she replied. "I just feel that something weird is going on." "What do you mean?" he asked again. She looked at them and they ceased their conversation and looked away from each other. Whatever it is that they are talking about? They surely don't want her to hear a thing about it. Later that night, Willow gets more anxious, the feeling of being watched didn't ceases and into her dismay, it even gets worst. The people around her are stating to act weird especially Carla whom she thought is hiding something sinister from her, something that might jeopardized her safety and most of all her life. And what makes it a lot worst than? Is that she can't leave the place because she had nowhere to go except going back to her parents. And between that and this, she'll rather choose this. Cocooning herself on her blanket, she tried to stay awake, hyperventilating, afraid to fall to sleep and give that enigmatic being a chance to catch her defenseless. But even though awake, what can she actually do. She knows that the moment that something dangerous gets into her, she'll froze like an ice. "Whoever you are there?" she sobbed, speaking towards the darkness that succumb her room. "Please don't hurt me." ---------- Morphin clenched his hand into fist as he watched her cry. It pains him to hell seeing her in that condition while he can't do a single thing to ease it. And what makes everything a lot worst than it already is, is that he's the reason behind it. Ever since that night that she Revived him, he'd been keeping his eyes on her at every movement that she does. The task wasn't that hard to accomplish since they share the same sleep pattern. The girl is mostly awake at night and asleep in the morning, so it wasn't much of a problem to keep an eye on her. He just wants to keep her safe but ending up scaring her to death. If only he can expose himself to her, he could have run to her side and comforts her. But no, he can't. Not like this, not in these circumstances. If he does, he will surely lose her for good and he doesn't want that thing to happen. His Bride finally settled to sleep. She'd gone weary and tired from all the crying and worrying that slumber had overpowered her willpower to stay awake. Only then that he got the chance to be near her, to touch once again, and as always she emits that calming warmth that sooths him every single time that he watched her sleep. He knows that he'd been scaring her non-stop from all the following, but that is necessary. He wants her to stay safe, to be away from harm, and only he can protect her all the time. Suddenly, a huge sound of explosion emitted from the outside that both startled him and awaken his Bride. In an instance, he disappeared from her field of sight the moment that she opened her eyes. ---------- Willow was awakened by the sound of  an explosion. Scared and grasping heavily for air, she listened to the noises of people running, the banging of metals and screams of pain from the outside of her room. "What's going on?" she asked herself. Shaking in utter fear, she forced herself to move out of her bed to check what's going on outside. Thick smokes, dusts, and the strong stench of gunpowder and gasoline that are spread all over the place is what welcomed her. There are people running, screaming within the black smokes, screaming with either pain or rage. She could hear so many voices but see no one. Her shaking intensified. Maybe it was a really bad idea getting out of her room. The outside is in a total mess. Willow tried to find her way back to her room, but she was in a total astray. The gunpowder and gasoline hurt her eyes that she can't see clearly where she's going. "Get down!" Somebody shouted to her. She immediately complied, at a corner of her field of vision, she saw a huge man who is about to smash her with a baseball bat, but shot him with a huge stone on the head that knock him unconscious. She then felt somebody grabbing her arm, pulling her up to her feet. It was a person dressed in a ragged leather jacket, with black gloves, wearing a mask and goggles. The person removed the mask and goggles and it turns out to be Carla. "What are you doing here?" she exclaimed, trying her best to be audible in the middle of these chaos. It took her some times before replying. "I heard..." she coughed. "Explosion!" she coughed again. "I check it out!" "You should have stayed in your room!" she said. "Now, get back!" "What's happening here?" Willow asked. "The gangsters here started a riot! The entire Metro Station is on chaos right now!" That's actually really obvious at the moment. "MOVE!" she pushed her to the side. She saw that there was another attacker who is approaching them. Carla swiftly picked the baseball bat from the guy that she knocked down earlier and smashed the attacking guy to the face. "It's not safe out here!" she said to her. "Get back to your room!" She wanted to but she can't. The smokes are too thick for her to find her way back to her room. More explosions ignited along with the sound of footsteps that are coming their way. "RUN!" she ordered her. Willow complied immediately hearing the huge panic on Carla's voice, forcing her shaking feet to move, she run through the narrowing corridors of Metro Station, blinded, unsure where she's going and with no safe place to stay. She runs like a helpless hare in the middle of a bull stampede. After running for she does not know how long, her trembling legs finally gave up. Stumbling to the ground, she curved herself into a ball at one corner, needing some security in the middle of all these madness. Then someone she couldn't see said, "Come with me." It was an angel's voice, deep and manly. Huge, cold hands hold hers, kneading away her anguish. The relief was magical. The next thing she knows, she's on her feet once again with the angel holding her hand. ---------- Morphin cursed as he tried to find a way to move his Bride out of this current disarray in Metro Station. They'd been running from here to there but he can't still find a safe place to shelter her. If only he could just Teleport them back to her room, he could have done that a long time already. But he cannot risk to expose his true identity to her, especially now that he'd finally come into contact with her, she will surely freak out. The smoke is thinning to where they are heading but they are also getting more exposed to the eyes of the awaiting assaulters that are attacking people that they don't recognize as allies. Morphin cursed again. There are three people ahead of them, all armed with weapons and are itching to use them. He immediately hid his confused Bride behind him when those men dashed towards them for an attack. The first one swings a pipe directly to his head. Catching that piece of metal, he sent him flying with a kick. He punched the second attacker to the face right before he could execute his attack, which immediately knocked him unconscious. The last one succeeded on hitting him on the shoulder, thanks to the distraction that the first two caused him. However, such futile force can only tickle his immortal body. He get rid of the last one spinning him down to the ground The path is cleared once again. And taking his Bride's hand, he dragged her into another run. "Where are we going?" she panted. "A safe place is good idea." "Why all of these are happening?" Morphin's teeth gritted in irritation. It's all because of theCommonerscausing troubles again. TheCommonersare the casual homeless people that stay in Metro Station. They serve as cover ups to make the Metro Station appears like an ordinary abandoned place for the homeless instead of a home of a 492 years old Vampire. But the problem with them not knowing anything about him as the owner of the place is that he also doesn't have any control over them unlike theMembersthat serves him. So whenever they decide to start a ruckus that turns the Metro Station into a chaotic place, he has no any way to stop them. "Just a regular riot day for them, don't mind it. It will end up anytime soon." His Bride didn't like the sarcasm. "You're not helping," she sobbed, her entire body still shaking fiercely in fear. "Sorry." They are already getting far from the commotions but they are also heading deeper into the unoccupied areas of Metro Station. Once Morphin had assured that they are far away enough from the riot of the Commoners, they decreased their phase from running to walking. He looked around, assuring that no one had followed. "I think we lost them." His Bride fell to her knees, panting and sucking heavily for air after all that non-stop running. ---------- Willow felt like her breathing ceases when she took her first glance on her savior. Never in her life had she seen a man this good-looking, if the word "good-looking" is enough to explain his exquisite beauty. In just a single glance, his great features instantly registered in her mind. Heavily layered hair, jet black in general with grey and silver streaks at some strands, his face is flawless attached with a pair of striking crimson colored eyes, a straight nose and a set of full and perfectly curved light red lips that looks smoother than rose petals, a pale skin complexion that almost leveled hers only paler. And even though it is well covered with his white t-shirt and black and heavy coat, the curves, the curves of the muscles of his slender body were very visible on her sense sight even in the darkness. Hunger For Love: The Awakening Willow was wandering through a dark, misty place. She felt confused and at a loss. The last thing she remembered was seeing Morphin. Seeing the look of horror and fear on his eyes as her entire body throbbed in pain. Now there was no pain. There was nothing. No light. No sound. No smell. The dispossession was horrifying. "Morphin?" she called, trying to get her composure. From the darkness, a demonic voice of a woman said. "He's not here, Willow." "Who's there?" "Don't fear me, Willow. I'm just you." Willow flinched when the woman materializes in front of her. Her eyes widened in terror for she is the most terrifying creature she had ever seen. Her eyes were crimson red, her hair's white, and her skin was ashen gray. Yet, it wasn't her horrible appearance that scares her the most. But the fact that aside from the difference on the eyes eyes, the hair, and skin, the monster looks exactly like her. No, it was her. But at the same time, she's not. "Who are you?" "I told you, I'm you. Or should I say I say who you will be." "What do you mean?" And then she heard Morphin's paining voice, muttering her name over and over again, pleading her to come back, to return to his arms. "Willow!" she heard Morphin scream. "You mush hurry, Willow," the Monster said. "Your time is running out." "I don't understand." "You're dying," she said. "Your soul is fading from the world of the living." "What?" Willow said in bewilderment. "Why? How?" "Morphin killed you." "No!" she said in denial. "I don't believe you! He will never do that!" "Maybe not intentionally. But whatever the reason is, you're still dying. And if you do nothing about it, you can kiss Morphin goodbye." "No!" She doesn't want that to happen. She must be with him. She must stay with him. She still has a lot of things to say to him, moments and memories that she wants to build with him. She can't die! "I don't want to die!" The Monster smiled wickedly, "Well, that's up to you." "Tell me what I should do. Tell how I could stay." "You must embrace me." She extended her left hand to her. "You must become me." Willow looked at her from head to toe, both in feaR and disgust. She's a complete embodiment of a fiend. Messy white hair, ash colored complexion, sharp claws, and deadly teeth. And the eyes, they are completely beyond humans and even of a beast. They are eyes of a demon, of a being capable of killing thousands without remorse. The eyes of an ultimate predator. There's no trace of humanity residing on her. Just coldness, bloodlust, and death. "You must become the very being that you feared," she continued. "A monster, a vampire, a murderer, a predator...a Berserker." Willow's unease magnified. Morphin once said that even among the vampires, a Berserker is considered as a very dangerous entity. Feared by many even among their own kind. And in order to stay, she must become that being that even Morphin feared. "Make you choice now. Time is running out." Willow gained comprehension of what the Monster mean upon realizing that she's starting to fade. From her feet going up, she's disappearing. "Me or that?" Willow panted. "Can I really stay with him if I do this?" The Monster nodded. "Yes, and more. All you have to do is accept me." "I will do everything for Morphin," she said and took her hand. And the moment their skins touched, the Monster disintegrated into a black smoke and entered her body through her mouth, choking her. Willow couldn't breath as the strong pressure forced into her. The agony was excruciating. It feels like she's being drowned over and over again. Blinking her eyes, the next thing she knew, she was in Morphin's arms again. He sat on the ground, holding her to him as he rocked her. "I'm gonna join you soon, love," he whispered to her. "There's no point living without you." Those heartfelt words choked her, but what stunned her more was the wetness of his cheeks. He was crying. For her. Slowly lifting her hand, she brushed her fingers against his jaw. He pulled back with a startled gasp. "Willow?" She nodded with a smile. God knows how happy she is to see him along with the fact that she can stay with him forever. But alongside with the delights that are exploding on her heart are the unexplainable hunger and thirst that are tormenting her throat, an unbelievable ferocity that lengthened her incisors. Suddenly, everything around her becomes hazy, her thoughts dimmed, completely governed by her animalistic instinct and need for death. Morphin sucked his breath in sharply as Willow's sunk her fangs on his neck, but greater than that, he was more surprised on how good being bitten felt. For half a millennium, he had always been the predator, the biter. He'd never experience being bitten in return. And now, he realized what he had been missing for it feels so damn good, and when she pulled away and gazed at him, her eyes matched his. That deep bloody crimson red that marked his monstrosity was so beautiful on her. But her eyes are no longer serene, innocent. They are feral, crazed. Berserk. NO! With a growl, Willow pushed him away and disappeared from his sight. Morphin could not see her but can feel and hear her movements which are heading towards the forest ahead. Morphin cursed. There's no doubt about it. What he saw in her eyes had already given him more than enough explanation. As her Creator, Willow didn't just inherit his strength and his abilities but as well as his Berserker nature and it triggers immediately upon her transition. But what makes things worse is that as a newly transcended vampire, she's still in the adjustments state on her new nature as a blood drinker. She's confused and could not think of anything other than to quench the pain of bloodlust. And a newly transcended Berserker is the worst of the worst of combination of a vampire. He tried to follow her by Teleporting but failed. His body feels so numb from the entire night of frenzy, not to mention that Willow had also stolen a lot of blood from him. So he had no other choice but to follow her by foot, which is also a bit of problem because of his wounds. Limping through the trees of the forest, he found a lot of dead animals on the way. Elks, boars, rabbits, and all of them are drained to death and ripped into pieces. As he advanced further, the pile of them never stopped. If anything, the count magnified, along with a more violent way of killing them. Morphin looked up. The sun is getting higher and higher by minutes, but thanks to the foggy nature of the place, the illumination of the rays of the sun is not that bright as it supposed to be. But still, time is not on his side. He must find Willow fast before that huge ball of fire gets rampant enough in the sky to toast them both. Following the blood path that Willow left behind, it leads him into a road where he finally managed to catch up with her. In the middle of the asphalt path, he found Willow lying unconscious. Morphin tried to get to her side as fast as possible, but his weakened body is delaying him. And then he heard the sound of engines and squeaked of tires moving nearer. Gazing ahead at the distant part of the road, a bus is moving fast towards Willow. Morphin panicked and attempted to Teleport once more to save her but still failed in doing so. He tried to move fast enough to move her away from the path of the vehicle that will soon crush her. But it was already too late. The bus is too close now to Willow. The trembling on Lex's knees intensified as they drove nearer to their destination. A few hours from now, they'll be playing for the Inter-High School American Football Championship game, something that their Football Club had dreamed for three years already. In this game, all of their dreams, practices, hardworks, and tears that they invested into the game they love are finally coming into fruitage. Glancing through his teammates, the firm atmosphere is so widespread around them. The usually noisy and enthusiastic Football Club members are now quiet and all carrying serious demeanors, gathering strength and courage for they are about play the biggest game of their Football life. Pulling out his wallet, he looked at the picture of his girlfriend, Lisa. Earlier before they boarded to the bus, she gave him a handmade bead necklace that she made which will serve as his lucky charm for their game. God knows how much he loved this woman. She's everything to him. The childhood friend that gives him the first spark of puppy love and sweetness of the first kiss, the best friend who had always been at his side for the good times and the bad, and the lover that showers his life with love and belongingness. With her, he feels whole, he feels complete. And this game, he dedicates it all for her and for their future. The grand prize of this league is a Full College Scholarship for all the members of the winning team. Being born as one of the less fortunate, Lex's parents cannot afford to send him College. Which means no Degree, no Diploma, no good job, no good salary, no bright future. But if they grab this, all of those will change. If they win the championship, he can go to College and can build a bright future for him, his family and for Lisa. And for that, he will give everything in the line for this game, the game that will dictate his and his loved ones future. "I love you, Lisa," he said, holding the necklace that she made for him. But Lex's thoughts were disrupted when the driver suddenly hit the brake that pushed all of them forward due to the unexpected inertia. "Hey Old Man, what's wrong with you!?" Ricky, their Team Captain and Quarterback complained furiously as soon as he recovered. The club other members snarled their own complains especially those that got themselves hurt. "What's the matter, Mr. Gibson?" Lex asked, moving towards the driver's side. "There's someone on the road." "Huh?" Lex frowned and followed Mr. Gibson's gaze. In the middle of the road, there's an unconscious and unclothed woman who's lying on her stomach. "Holy shit!" He heard Ricky exclaimed from behind and the next thing he knew, Ricky had already jumped off the bus and run towards the unconscious person's side. Mark, Shawn, and Dale had also followed him and inspect the unconscious woman's condition. Covering her with his jacket, Ricky along with the other three returned inside the bus along with the woman. Up close, Lex realized that she's heavily wounded. Blood had painted her blonde hair and her entire body in red. She also got a lot of bruises, contusions, and huge bite marks on her neck and shoulders. "What do think happened to her?" Lex asked Ricky as he settled her on one of the bus' seats. "I don't know," Ricky said. "But my wild guess is she might have been abused and left in the forest to die." That's the most likely theory especially there are evident bruises on her thigh and on the areas near her genitals, so the possibility that she'd been sexuality assaulted is pretty great. "What shall we do then?" "We need to take her to the hospital" Ricky said to him, and then turned to Gibson. "Hey Old Man, take us to the nearest hospital." Gibson nodded and mobilized the bus once more. "Is she going to be okay?" Lex asked. "I guess so." Ricky took her pulse. "Her vital signs appear to be stable. We just need to bring her to safety, fast." "What kind of monsters could have done this?" Lex angrily stated. The feature of the girl, her blonde hair and her innocent looking face reminds Lex a lot of his sweet Lisa. And it pained him so much seeing such an innocent girl in this kind of pitiful situation. She doesn't deserve it. "We can't do anything about it now, Lex," said Rick, sympathizing over him. "Let's just be grateful that we weren't too late in finding her. She can still be saved." Lex took a deep breath and nodded. "Yeah, you're right...I'll go get the first aid then." "Okay." He left them and went to the back side of the bus to obtain the first aid kit. When all of a sudden, he heard a loud growl from where he'd from followed by the deafening screams of his teammates. Disarray followed immediately. He also heard the scream of Mr. Gibson, a scream for mercy, and then he was silenced. Afterwards, the bus started to run in an uneven manner. Lex held onto something to keep himself from staggering down. He tried to turn around to check what had caused the sudden commotion but the fierce and unsteady movement of the bus stopped him from doing so. All he could comprehend are the swift movements going on behind him and the snapping sounds that came from one after another accompanied by screams. "No, please!" Rick screamed. "NO! Ahhhh!" And then he was also silenced by a sound of a snap followed by something round that hit his back. Finally, the bus stopped after bumping into a tree or something. Only then that he was able to turn around and see the ongoing disorder that had been invisible to him for quite a while. But the moment that things becomes visible to him, he'd wished that it shouldn't have for it was the most terrible and the most gruesome thing he'd ever seen in his life. He thought that scenes like this only happen in horror and massacre movies, but here he is, right here and right now, experiencing and seeing it personally with his own eyes. A tableau of a bloody aftermath. His teammates' bodies lie scattered all over the bus. Amputated legs and hands, splattered organs, severed heads, one even rolled to his feet, realizing that it belongs to Rick. He immediately flinched away from Rick's severed head, only to feel the edge of the bus on his back. A Dead End. Feeling lost and extremely confuse, Lex's shaking legs were nailed to where he was standing. Beading in cold and thick sweats, he looked around. He could see nothing except ripped body parts of Mr. Gibson and his teammates and the girl that they picked was nowhere to be found. And then out of nowhere, she suddenly materializes. In the middle of the pile of dead bodies, she stood there like a statue, glaring at him with those eerie red eyes of hers, eyeing at him like he's nothing but an insect. Her entire body is soaked in blood, the blood of Rick and the others. With a great fear he'd never known that is wielding inside him, he forced his numbing legs to move and jumped himself out of through the window. But the moment that he landed on the asphalt of the road, he found himself inside the bus again with the demon that he's trying to escape from. What the hell had just happened? Why is he still inside the bus? The Demon remained unmoved with her eyes locked onto him. Lex moved his escape once more and run away from the bus as fast as his legs could allow him. And when he thought that he finally gained enough amount of distance from that hell hole, he suddenly bumped into something. Looking ahead, he realized that it was metallic wall, a metallic wall of a bus, and looking around he realized that he's back to where he came from again. NO! His soul bellowed in denial. He can't die, he can't die here. His family still needs him. Lisa needs him. No. Somebody help him! And then the demon finally moved, inching closer to him, savoring the fear that she planted in him that continually build up by seconds. Lex's head spun and he tried to find salvation from the nightmare that he's into. Minutes ago he was looking forward to the bright future, now he's facing his inevitable doom. "Please, please, no," he begged. But she just stared coldly at him, still reducing the gap between them. "HELP!" he screamed. "Somebody, please help me!" As she gets closer, his entire life flashed through him in complete clarity. He could see his hardworking and loving father, who crushed his bones everyday just to support him and his sickly mom. His mother who's already ridden on her wheelchair due to an illness. He always dreamed of a better life for them. And Lisa, his sweet little Lisa, the love of his life. The fact that he could no longer see her and fulfill all of his promises pains him so much. Why does it have to end up like this? There are still so many things that he wanted to do with his life with the people that he loved. "Please, please, no," he cried, still begging her to spare his life despite the fact that it's futile. She already killed 12 people without a single trace of remorse. One more life won't make any difference. But still, he still wished that there is still a single ray of hope for him. "I don't want to die." And then she opened her mouth, exposing those sharp and deadly teeth. His desire to scream came out as a whimper when she bit her shoulder. Lex was completely paralyzed as pain ripped through him. His breathing becomes labored, painful, and he was suffocating. He was dying and he knew it. His thoughts went to Lisa. I'm sorry, Lisa. It was his final thought before everything went black. Morphin couldn't still absorb what he'd just witnessed. Yes, He had already expected that Willow will be much stronger than him once she's transcended, but he didn't just expect that it will be at this level. As a Cycle of Heritage, a Vampire's Successor whether by birth or by transition will inherit all of their Creator's power along with their own strength, making them stronger and much more powerful compared to the one before them. Willow's carnage had just confirmed that she'd inherited both his Berserk Nature and his ability to Teleport. However, her situation is in a much higher level. Not just that she's a more violent Berserker in comparison to him, but also, her Teleporting ability is in a level so advance that he can't even dream about in attaining. As what he witnessed on her last victim, unlike his Teleporting ability where contact is required, Willow can Teleport things and people without touching them. As long as that object or person is within her field of sight, she can transport them at any place that she desired. Such a very dangerous ability for someone who is very dangerous already. Entering the bus, he found Willow lying unconscious in the middle of her dead victims. Kneeling to her side and placing her on his lap, he slightly tapped her bloodied check, waking her up. "Willow, Willow," he said softly. Willow slowly opened her eyes and meekly blinked at him. "Morphin?" He cupped her face and nodded. "Yes," he said between deep exhalations. "Are you okay?" "No," she said in a weak smile. "I feel horrible. I think I'm gonna throw out any second now." "Things like that always happen on the first day." "I have to tell you, being a vampire kind of sucks." Morphin laughed darkly at her word. "Sometimes. Sometimes it's not bad." "Well, this is definitely not one of those," she panted. "Where are we?" When Willow tried to get up, he immediately stopped her. "No don't move." "Morphin, I'm okay. I can still move." But that's not the problem. He doesn't want her to see the aftermath of her carnage. She will surely be devastated. He didn't want to scare her more than she already is. "Please, no. You don't have to," he said so softly. His mellow words had melted her. "Okay," she smiled in compliance. But when she was about to close her eyes, she just suddenly stared at him and then frowned. "What do you mean?" Morphin frowned in confusion. "What?" "You just say something." "I didn't say anything." "Yes you did," she insisted. "You said that you don't want me to see something. That you don't want me to be scared." Morphin shook his head. "I didn't say anything like that. But..." He trailed off. Yes, he didn't really say those words, but that's exactly what he just...thought. DAMN! Hunger For Love: The Awakening Willow flinched, "Morphin!" she exclaimed, immediately covering her ears. "Why are you shouting?" "I did n...Oh God, please tell me you didn't hear that." "I heard it," she glared at him. "And it was loud." Morphin groaned. He immediately understood what's going on. The Mood Perception that he passed on her had developed into Mind Reading. "Okay, Morphin," she said. "What's going on?" "Nothing." He still insisted though it was pointless. Lies no longer work on her. "Let go of me, Morphin," she demanded. "No." He tried to stop her but she overpowered him and freed herself from his hold. The next expression that she made was unbearable. The moment the hideous scene unraveled to her, Willow immediately fell on her knees and cried. She was about to cover her face with her hands but ceased when she found them covered so much with fresh blood. She cried even more. "I killed them," she breathed. "I killed them." Morphin kneeled in front of her, cupping her face with his hands, he focused her attention towards him. "Listen to me, love. It's okay. You just did what you had to do in order to live. There's nothing wrong with that." "I killed them, Morphin. I killed them! How can you say that there's nothing wrong with that?" "Listen Willow, you're a vampire now. And not just a vampire, you're a Berserker. And a Berserker kills to live." Willow drew a ragged breath as she remembered Morphin telling her about how harsh his life was. How cruel. At that time she'd thought that he was just exaggerating. Now she understood. He was right. The Berserker inside her was satisfied even though the girl in her was horrified. The two part of her were at war and at peace. How could she think like that? Those had been people that she killed. No, kill was an understatement. She butchered them like animals. She sobbed even harder. She wiped her mouth so hard that it almost rub her skin off. "I can't get the taste of blood out of my mouth." "Get used to it," said Morphin. "You'll taste more of that sooner or later." "I don't want to." "You have to. To control the Berserker you must sate it. If you oppose, it will destroy you." "But..." "No buts, Willow," he stopped her. "I'm not gonna let you die. I already lost you once and I'm not going to let that happen again, even if it means sacrificing hundreds or thousands. I don't care. For me, your life is more valuable than that." Willow buried her face on his chest. "I don't know what to do. I'm scared. I'm so scared." Morphin wrapped his arms around her and held her close in comfort. "It's all right," he said, stroking her hair. "I've got you." "Take me home now, Morphin," she pleaded. "I want to go home." "Yes," he said, kissing her forehead. The night had been long for her already. Too long to be exact, and all she wants right now is to be back on her little sanctuary where she can feel secure and at peace in Morphin's arms. Morphin Teleported them inside her room's shower. Twisting the nozzle, the warm water sprayed on them, washing the bloods and dirt that are covering their bodies. Willow moaned on the ecstatic relief. "Oh God, that feels good." Morphin turned her around, took the soap and began washing her back. Willow instantly shivered from his touch. It feels better than the first time that they bathe together. Unlike the first, her body is more welcoming for him, and she can't even have enough. And then she heard his unspoken words again along with the feeling of his hardened erection pressing against her buttocks. Willow bit her lip. She surely loved that idea. "Let's do it," she said over shoulder. "Do what?" She faced him. "You know that I mean. It didn't happen on the first chance, so let's do it now." Morphin looked down and sighed. "We can't." She shrugged. "Why not?" "Because the moment is wrong, I'm so troubled and you're adjusting. Whichever angle you'll see it, this is the worst time to do or even think anything sexually related." Grabbing his shoulders, she spun them and pinned him against the wall. "I beg your pardon?" "What did I say?" he frowned and tried to free himself from her hold but failed since she's stronger than him now. "You said that this is a wrong moment," she said. "And I'm claiming an insult for that, because for me, each single moment that I spend with you are the greatest times of my life." "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to sound like that. And...I also feel the same way." Her smile returned. "Maybe you just need a little persuasion." She kneeled down before him and get to her task. She wrapped her hand around his massive erection and probed his length with her fingers. Morphin groaned in satisfaction, Willow grinned in delight. She then pulled Morphin and impaled him into her waiting mouth. His hands immediately grabbed her hair. Morphin hissed and Willow sucked to bring more of him into her mouth. Her hands on his hips in an instant, drawing him closer, deeper down her throat. Morphin growled as she took him all in, making swallowing motions against his hard length before slowly removing him from her mouth grazing her teeth lightly along his entire member. "I love this, Morphin" she breathed as she ran her tongue along the underside. "You taste so good," she planted a wet kiss on his tip. "I can do this forever." "Please go on," he begged. "Please...before I change my mind. Willow giggled and swallowed him down again, pressing and rubbing her face against his groin as far as possible. Morphin started taking slow, gentle, and controlled thrust against her mouth but immediately turned into a frantic thrusting when Willow increased her pace. "Willow!" he grated as his hips moved in tandem with her head movements. And every time he thrust into her mouth, he reached the back of her throat and further. Willow moaned as she tightened her grip on his hips. She took one final and powerful suckling causing Morphin's undoing. Morphin roared and Willow moaned as his hot seed shot down her throat. He took a few weak thrusts into her mouth before stumbling back, panting. Morphin leaned his back against the tiled wall, supporting him from going down. Willow stood and faced the now breathless Morphin. "Now, do you still doubt me?" He slowly and weakly shook his head. "No, never." She kissed his cheek and whispered, "You taste really good by the way." Morphin growled. And like a shot, he grabbed her by the waist and they landed on the bathroom floor. Willow couldn't breathe as he dipped his head down and tease her left breast. His whiskers grazed her skin and sent shivers all over her while his tongue punished her with pleasure. He was so ferocious that he can almost devour her. Ecstasy assailed her. And while his hungry mouth works on her breast, his hands had also started doing their parts. His left grabbed her right breast, massaging and pinching her nipples while the other had made its way down to her core. She screamed when he entered two fingers inside her, stroking her delicate flesh. And then he moved down replacing his fingers with his mouth. Her breasts tightened in response. Morphin growled as he tasted her. He licked and suckled her up, sliding his fingers deep inside her, wringing her with more waves of pleasure. And in one hot moment, she gripped his hair and shuddered. Morphin laughed in triumph as he continued to lick and pleasure her until he'd drained every last bit of her orgasm from her. When she was finished, he flipped her into her hands and knees and parted her legs. Willow couldn't breathe when he entered her. Roughly gripped her hips, he slammed hard inside her. "Ah God! Yes!" she screamed as he plunged all the way in, hitting her G-spot so hard she came then and there. "You like that, my little girl?" "Yes, yes," Willow moaned, shaking from the intensity of her sixth successive orgasm. "I love it, please give me more. I need more." A powerful thrust slammed into her. She gasped at the deepness of his penetration. Her breasts tingled as he drove himself deeper and deeper inside her. "Grab my hair," she panted. "What?" "I said grab my hair!" she repeated in a more demanding tone. Morphin complied and grabbed a handful of her hair and pulled it back as he took her as rough as he could. Willow shrieked and screamed in pleasure as he ravaged her. The night that she spent with the Berserker Morphin was the best that she had and she feared that if Morphin returned to his former self is that she won't be able to experience the same intensity of passion that she shared with him. But now, that doubt is past history. Frenzied or not, there's no difference. The intensity, the hunger, and the passion are not just the same but even stronger. Willow screamed as she came again. "Bite me!" She offered her neck as he continually buck hard against her. When he pierced her flesh and drunk her blood, she came again with an anguish cry as he also found his own release and buried himself so deeply inside her as he shook. With a last shuddering groan while still slowly thrusting, he collapsed behind her. But it wasn't uncomfortable. It was relieving. "Okay, I'll take it back," he said between panted breaths. "This is definitely not a wrong time." She laughed. "Told you." Burying his lips against the nape of her neck, he said, "So what do you want to do next?" Willow bit her lips as he felt him growing hard inside her again. "A bath and more feast, 10 to 12 sessions perhaps before I get thirsty again." Nibbling her earlobe, he said, "Hmmm...I like that." END Hunger For Love But moreover, what greatly took her breathe away was the sharp and tough presence that she perceives from him, never in her life that she'd experienced to be near to someone with a presence so intimidating. Oh my God!The guy is dazzling beyond any measure. Shivers instantly sent down her spine. Stunned, Willow remained kneeled down. She didn't even realize that he was already pulling her up back to her feet. "Miss, are you okay now?" he asked. Through an act of pure reflex and instinct, she nodded against him. The guy is astonishingly tall, about 186 to 187 cm in height, another one that could mock her 167 cm. She stared on his body. Overall, he's slender but well muscled. "Yeah, I'm okay." She gulped and took a deep sigh, "Thanks." But the guy doesn't look convince, "Are you sure?" "Yeah," she gasped, half of her mind is still numbed. "How about you?" He had been running non-stop too just like her. Surely, he must have been tired too. "Fine," he said coolly. "Aren't you hurt?" She saw earlier that he was hit by a pipe near his shoulder. He smiled on the concern, "No, I'm completely okay." "But your shoulder?" "Don't worry about it." Willow then realized that that they are too close to each other and his arms are actually wrapped around her. Willow's face reddened especially when their gazes met. Time stopped on her point of view at the very moment and everything around her are completely in black and white, dark and colorless. And the only light is the man who is holding her. "I think we should start moving," he said, bringing her psyche back to reality. "We must find a way out of here." She nodded, putting back into consideration that they are currently in an unfamiliar area inside the Metro Station. "Any idea how can we get out of here?" He pulled away from her and looked around the maze like tunnels of the station. "I think there's an exit on the west side of the station. We can get out through there and move around back to the Main Station. I'm sure that the commotion is all over the time we get back." "So, do you also live here?" His Bride asked as they walked through the tunnels of Metro Station searching for the exit. "Sort of," he smiled. She doesn't have any idea that he's even the owner of the place. He bought the place from the City Government 10 years ago after it collapsed due to a terrorist attack. "How long you've been living here?" "More or less 10 years," he said. "How about you, I haven't seen you before." That was a total lie. He watched her all the time, awake or even asleep. "I'm new," she replied. "Just been here for about 2 weeks, I didn't know that things like this happen occasionally." "Brace yourself because this isn't going to be last, more of those will come in the near future." "I guess I should be careful next time." His eyebrows raised on the statement. All of those times that he'd been watching her, he confirmed one thing. That his Bride is a spineless wuss, shy and very weak hearted. If she talked with more than two people, she can't stop being red. And she shakes so much and sometimes ever froze whenever she encounters things that scare her. So he can't believe that she still planning on staying after all of those hellish experiences that she encountered. "You're still planning on staying after all that had happened?" "I'd rather stay here than go home." "Why?" He can sense the sudden change of emotions that are emitting from her. It's dark and sad. Whatever happened to her back home surely leave a great sorrow on her heart. Her beautiful face looked down. "I don't want to talk about it," she breathed. "I just don't want to go back to my parent, that's all." "But you'll have to deal more of these if you stay." "I rather have it that way." That concerns Morphin even more. Something serious really happened between her and her parents for someone with a weak caliber like her to rather stay in this dangerous place than to be back to their custody. "How about you?" she asked, diverting the topic to him. "Why are you staying here?" "Same reason as the rest of the occupants here, I don't have any other place to go." For over 400 years, he'd been traveling from country to country, city to city, town to town, searching for a new place to stay whenever people are starting to notice that he doesn't age. So far, the Metro Station had been the best place that he found. People come and go, so no one had ever noticed his unchanging looks. There had also been people that agreed in serving him for monetary gain like Carla and the rest of the Members. It was the perfect place for him. He didn't just expect that he will also find the greatest complication of his life in this perfect place. "You do dress well for someone living in this kind of place." He laughed. "Not because we lived in a rundown place that we're also the same, we do patronize some styles too." "I can surely tell." His Bride starts laughing and it placed a smile on his face. It was the very first time that he saw her with a lighten spirit. She's actually more beautiful when she's happy. "Are we there already?" she suddenly asked. "Almost." Morphin can already hear the sounds of the cars from the other side. The exit is not that far already. At the end of the tunnel were stairways that led down towards another tunnel, but this time, there are lights emitting on its end. It was the exit. "We're here!" his Bride said merrily. Morphin was also happy that after that long walk, it finally paid off. But his smile faded when they reached the end of the tunnel. It was already daylight! The sun was high enough that the rays are even occupying already some areas of the tunnel. "Damn!" Morphin snarled under his breath as he took a step back into the shades. "What's wrong?" she asked. "The exit is over there." "Yeah I know." "Then let's go," she started to the exit but goes back to him when she saw that he didn't budge to where he was standing. "What's the problem?" she asked. "It's already dawn outside. Let's leave." He shook his head. "I can't." "Why?" she asked, her heart skipping a beat in terror. "Is someone out there?" "No." "Then let's go." He took a deep, aggravated breath. "The problem isn't the people. The problem is the sun." "You also have sun allergy?" she assumed. "I have it too. Don't worry. The main area is not that far from here. I'm sure we can go around before our skins blisters." "No, not just sun allergy. It's something much worst." "Huh? What do you mean?" He hesitated for a few heartbeats, but he realized that it's better if things will go this way. With that, at least he can minimize the lies and complications. He slowly opened his mouth and run his tongue over his long, pointed canine teeth. ---------- He's Vampire! "Oh no, no, no." Willow's entire body shook from terror as she forced her numbing legs to back away from him. "Are you going to suck my blood?" her face instantly flooded with tears. He inched closer to her. His handsome face curved into a seductive smile. She continues on stepping back until she felt the wall on her back.Dead End!She closed her eyes as he caged her with his body. "No," he breathed in an intimidating way that sent a different kind of shiver down her spine. "But I might consider if you ask." "Are you going to kill me?" His face completely unamused, he sighed against her face. "If I intended to kill you, don't you think you'd be dead already?" She could feel his hands exploring around her body. Starting from her face, her lips, neck, down to her breast and finally he cupped her buttocks and pulled her closer to him. Her fear was instantly mixed with rage and anger. In just a single instance, he let this man touch into place that she never let to be invaded by anyone. "You're a fine woman little girl." "Please," she panted. "Let go of me." "I will," he said. "But not here." One moment she is at the far side of the Metro Station and the next thing she knows is being pinned down on her bed back inside her room.What the hell!She exclaimed mentally. His hands are all over her body again. Ripping the right side of her oversized T-shirt, he exposed her shoulder. She panted heavily in sheer terror.Is he going to suck her dry?She wanted to stop her. Badly. But her entire body is like a statue, he couldn't speak nor move. He grabbed both of her wrists and bent down to her neck. She closed her eyes shut, expecting the worst case scenario. But on her both delight and awe, his hot lips started caressing her skin. His mouth was hot against her cold skin are making her shudder until her muscles knotted. Her eyes almost rolled back over head in pleasure, and to her surprise, her body was actually getting less tense by every second that he continued kissing her until all of her resistance against him collapsed. He could have felt her yielding that he let go of his hold on her. He cupped her face and pressed his lips against her. Willow moaned at the foreign sensation of having her mouth being claimed for the first time. It feels great, and she wants more. And as if someone else was inside her body, her arms moved by their own and wrapped themselves around his neck. He growled in delight and deepened his kisses while she, on the other hand, surrendered herself fully, letting him do whatever he pleases. Willow lost her track of time but it was quite a while that they stayed like that before he decided to end it and broke away from their join. "You still scared of me?" She nodded meekly. Yes, she's scared, very scared. But not just from the fact that she is in her bed along with a vampire, but from the way that he makes her feel. Yes, she's terrified, very terrified, but why is it that her body is telling her something else? He pressed his lips against hers again, groaning on the contact, he pressed harder, flicking her lips this time with his tongue. Willow froze, not knowing what to do. Against her mouth, he growled. "Kiss me back, little girl, kiss me like your life depends on it." She did. When she darted her tongue against his as he had done to her, he groaned and took over. Willow was shocked to find that it wasn't unpleasant. How many times had she dreamed of her first, even believing that she could never had one due to her condition. But she's having it. Right now. But when she began shivering, he stopped and broke away. "You're cold." She was freezing. She's born with a very low resistance, and the event that took place a while ago had pushed that little strength of her to the limit. "Y-yes." He raked his gaze over her, then gave her half-concerned and half-disgusted look. "And quite in a mess too." He glanced over the bathroom, "Clean yourself up, I'll be back later," he said and disappeared. Willow laid there, confused, staring blankly at the ceiling as she tried to gather sense to everything that just happened. Earlier, she was living in a sane world, chaotic but sane. Now, she can't even start to comprehend a single thing after all of the craziness that was instilled in her mind and body. Slowly, she gets off the bed and limped towards the bathroom with her mind floating into spaces. It's either she's having a nightmare or she'd finally gone insane. But it feels so real. He was real. What they shared feels so real. And yet, her logical mind says that it's not. She slammed the bathroom door, locking herself in and turned on the shower. She sank down to the floor, head on her hands, wondering how she would get away from all this lunacy. Metro Station had been her haven that protected her from the searching eyes of her parents. But now it had become a gilded cage. She was trapped with a man that both terrified and thrill her. And the worst part is, she doesn't want to leave. ---------- When he returned, Morphin heard the shower going. He walked to the door and found it locked. He shook his head and Teleported inside the thick steamed room, barely eyeing her balled against the wall as her body getting flickered by the countless drops of water. He lifted her up by her arms, frowning to find her still wrapped with her messy clothes. "You haven't cleaned yourself yet." When she only stared down to the floor, he demanded, "Why?" She still keeps on looking down, refusing to answer. Growing impatient on his Bride's unresponsiveness, he set her away and stripped his clothes. The warm temperature of the drops of water striking his bare skin pleasured him. But not as much as seeing the surprised expression of his Bride upon seeing him unclothed. Her gaze was totally locked on his rock hard erection, like it was the first time that she'd seen one. "Take of your clothes, little girl." "I-I will never..." her words died when he clutched both her shoulder and pinned her to the tiled bathroom wall. "I wasn't asking," he said slowly as he trailed his hands over her semi-torn T-shirt and forcefully ripped them off her. Each slice of fabric forces her to let out a loud grasp, grasps that are music to his ears. "What do you want from me?" she trembled, her arms tightening around her bare breast. He studied her, in a gaze that could almost consume her. The sight of her creamy white skin covered only by her thin undergarment is like an addictive drug to him. Her legs are plump and voluptuous, making him growl on the idea of having them wrapped around his waist when he claimed her while those little fingers of hers are savagely scratching his back accompanied with her sweet screams of pleasure. Not able to resist the urge it any longer, he kissed her, tearing the remaining piece of satin that covers her. She tried to push him away but it was futile against him. He pinned her hands above her head, repeating the same process that he'd done earlier when they were in bed. Her defenses collapse and in no time, he found her kissing him back. He broke the join and met her gaze. Her eyes both state fear and confusion. "Please, stop," she breathed unevenly against the pouring water. "Stop? Why?" "I-I don't want to do this." "But you're body is telling something else." When she looked away, he said, "Admit it, little girl. You want this." "No, no, no," she sobbed, still denying the undeniable truth. "I don't want this. Not like this." Her cries reached him, but not enough to quench the desire that blinds him. "Then let's make a bargain. You stay with me here. We will do things my way. And I'll promise. I won't do anything further than just exploring you." "You'll do that?" "I vow it." She deliberated first for a moment but later agree on his terms. "What do want me to do?" ---------- "What do want me to do?" she asked. At the end of her statement, he instantly turned her and pressed her back against his chest. Of course, she was extremely startled especially that she could feel his huge erection pulsing against her buttocks. "Tell me your name, little girl," he softly whispered against her ear. "M-my name is Willow." "Willow," he growled, his hands exploring from her shoulders down to the length of her arms. Lifting them up, he placed them against the tiled wall. "What a beautiful name." Her mind was racing. Not knowing what to do. She couldn't be more unprepared into situations like this and she was a fool to agree into this. But on the other hand, she doesn't really have a choice. He's a man with a terrifying size with a strength that can take down dozens of people single-handedly. It finally then registered into her that she's in a loss-loss situation. He can do anything that he wanted on her and she's powerless to stop him. She drew her head back in surprise when he began running soap down her back going down to her legs. Her face reddened, embarrassed that this stranger man is seeing her this way. She strove hard not to peek back at his huge erection as he moved. But she can't help it, she was intrigued, and his size was eye-catching. She tried not to notice that his body is well built too, that muscles are pulsating all over him, and that he doesn't have even a single ounce of fat. And moreover, she doesn't want to notice that he has 8 evenly chambered packs on his abdomen. Her hands curled into fists as she fights the urge to turn around and dig her nails on them. He scrubbed off the dirt and mud from her knees. When he rubbed against her thigh, her reflexes jerked to shove her legs together. Growling in frustration, he stood up, pressed her back against his chest, and wrapped her arms around his neck. He started exploring her front. His calloused hands caressed her breasts. She whimpered upon feeling those rough palms of his brushed against one of the most sensitive part of her body. "You're skin is so soft," he murmured in her ears before slightly nibbling them with his fang. She shivered. One compliment and all of her defenses and resistance collapsed in an instance. Weird, she knows in her self that she's not that kind of woman who will easily gave in into a man. If there is something where she's extremely good at, that is on resisting men, the one great reason why she's so single. But with him, one word, one kiss, one touch, her mind and body gives up everything and held nothing back. "Spread your legs," he commanded. "But....ahhhh!" Before she could complain, his hand was already on her sex. Two fingers caressed her sensitive flesh, stroking and teasing her. Her legs involuntarily spread open, giving him more access on the most delicate part of her body. "Oh my God!" He sealed her screams with a kiss. She moaned on his mouth while his hands are still exploring her once untouched body. It feels so wrong that this stranger is petting her body. But it doesn't deny the fact that she's very aroused from his touches. In the past, she dreamed a thousand faces and a thousand ways on how she'll be touched on her first time. But those dreams are nothing compared to this reality even if it's with a Vampire. Without breaking any contact that he established, he slowly spun her around so she's facing him. After 10 or so minutes, he pulled away from their joined lips and placed more attention in caressing her folds. He let her scream to her heart's content this time as the speed of his fingers that are coming in and out of her opening augments. And after a dozen more thrust, she screamed wildly and her body clenched instantly, shuddering her through her first orgasm, drowning her in an explosion of pleasure. When he removed his fingers, her wobbling knees instantly touched the floor. Panting heavily, her mind was floating in deep space after experiencing such intense pleasure that she doesn't even know exists. Barely recovering, he helped her back to her feet, supporting her to stay up with his strong arms. He tucked her closer to him, claiming her mouth once again. "Do you want more?" he asked. More of that?Her first orgasmic experience had left her barely standing and she doesn't know if she can still take another wave of that. But as if her body is moving on its own accord, she nodded. He cupped her ass in his hands, lifting her up and raised her to his mouth as if she weighed no more than a pillow. Cradling her, he eased her back to lean her head to the wall. Using every last ounce of strength she had, she buried her fingers on his thick hair as she holds onto him. Running his face against her thigh, his hot lips explored her plump legs, making her senses more sensitive. Magnifying everything, even the drops of water that splashed on her skin heightened the pleasure. And when his tongue first dipped to her flesh, he gave a wild groan against her. Pressing his mouth deeper to her center, he thrust his hungry tongue inside her, licking her thoroughly. Hunger For Love "Yes!" With a cry, she jerked her legs, tightening them on his shoulders, but he held them fast, spreading them again on the way that they supposed to. "God!" he grated, as his tongue snaked inside her. "I'll never get enough of this." "Ahhh!" she cried, then moaned. "Oh my God!" When she came with a scream, he never allowed her to take a breath before he ravaged her for another wave of orgasm much powerful than the last. Her eyes went wild open as she exploded against the greediness of his mouth. As her release slowly subsided, her vision spun, her eyelids felt heavy. And once it was all over, everything around her turns black. ---------- Morphin smiled upon realizing that Willow had actually passed out when he settled her down. Carrying her petite body on his arms, he Teleported them to her room and lay his exhausted Bride on the bed. Once he's certain that she's fast asleep in utmost comfort, he joined her on her bed. Morphin had missed the feeling of sleeping with someone. When he was younger, he had numerous lovers, all beautiful and passionate and had sated his desires. But when he gained his immortality at the age of 27, his body was turned into a walking corpse with no blood, no heartbeat, and no need of oxygen. For centuries, he searched for his Bride, the only woman that canRevivehis undead body. But he soon gave up believing that he could never have one. But he was wrong and extremely glad that he was, because at the moment, she's right here next to him. He can hear her heartbeat, can feel her soft breathing against his face, and can hear the soft snores of her slumber. It was Heaven. She's Heaven. His Beloved Bride. Snuggling Willow closer to him, he breathed her sweet scented hair. Before he met her, surviving for another day was the only thing that matters to him. But now that she's here, he wanted to experience how to live once again. He had already lived his life without his heart for so long, and now, because of her, he had it back. But today was just the beginning, what they shared was only the starting point of his long quest to win her heart. ---------- Willow had always wondered what it would be like to share her bed with someone. She had never experienced it, never felt another person's skin against her own for more than a brief moment. But when she came awoke not so long ago, that bewilderment was finally answered when she found herself wrapped around his arms. And to all honesty, the unfamiliar closeness feels remarkable. His body was warm and soothing. Looking at his face, her breathing ceases, struck, he's actually more handsome up close. His eyes slowly open, expressing shock and then tranquility when he saw her. "Hi," he smiled. Willow's cheeks steamed immediately, "Erm...Hi," she replied breathlessly. "Did you sleep well?" he asked, reaching over to brush her hair from her face. "Yeah. A-and y-you?" He gave her that devilish grin that made her heart skip a beat. "I actually did for once." Suddenly, he removed the blanket that covers her bare body. "What are you doing!?" she exclaimed, trying to pull the cover back. "I just want to enjoy the view," he grinned wider, his gaze running up and down on her, exploring her. "What do you think of me, a Theme Park?" she said, covering her body with her hands. He scooped her and pulled her closer to him. "No," he said, pressing his hand against her cheek. "What I think is that you're a very beautiful woman," then pulled his fingers gently down her face, lightly tracing from her throat, to her breast and then all the way down to my waist. Her eyes rolled back on the sensation. "Irresistible in all aspects." "You're getting silly," she panted. Swiftly, in an inhuman speed that her eyes couldn't catch, he was above, pinning her down to the bed. "I beg your pardon?" Her widened eyes blinked on him, "What did I say?" "You said that I'm being silly. My interpretation on that is that you think that I have a bad taste in women." That's not what she really meant, she just really don't find herself beautiful, attractive, or irresistible. That's all. "For your information," he dipped down and kissed her neck, sending her shiver. "I only choose the best," he said, then moved his head down again for a kiss. Like breathing air or doing any necessity, Willow kissed him back without any second thought, surprised that she's getting accustomed on their very odd connection. Her reply made his kisses grow more aggressive. She tried to return the same favor but his strength overpowers her. And when he pulled away, her lips were dragged up a little like she's refusing to let go of him. "What was that for?" she panted. "Persuasion," he said. "Now, do you still think I'm being silly?" It's kind of shameful but she wants another kiss, "Uhm...Yes." He didn't fail her and kissed her again, more demanding, hungrier than the previous. "Have it your way, I can do this all day." Alright, she think it's already the time to stop, he's getting a little too pushy already. And she fears that she might not be able to resist on the latter part if things will continue this way. "Where are you going?" he asked grabbing her wrist when she tried to get off the bed. Her stomach growled, in a degree that even he can hear. "I'm hungry." ---------- Morphin doesn't want her out of the bed, but witnessing that sexy back of her as she strode naked towards the fridge makes that lost worth it. But when she returns holding a pack of potato chips, his face curved into a frown. "What's that?" "Uhhmm...Potato Chips," she shrugged. "I know that it's potato chips," he clarified and get off the bed, approached her and took the plastic pack from her. "What I'm asking is why you're eating this?" "It's the only one available on the fridge." "Why don't you buy some meat or any other food aside from junks?" She looked down, cheeks tainting in bright red, "I-I can't cook." Fair enough reason. "Can't cook?" he repeated. Morphin sighed and stepped aside the unhealthy food that Willow had been eating. "Get dress," he ordered. "You should be ready when I get back." "Why?" "You'll know when I get back," he said and Teleported to his bedchamber. Leaving Willow, Morphin prepared everything while he was away. He groomed himself with the best pair of attire that he could find on his closet, and made a call to book for a reservation. He's certain that it's nighttime on that place already. And it will be perfect to bring her there for a dinner. When everything was set and done, he returned to her room and found her sitting at the edge of the bed, dressed in a dark blue long sleeve sweater and a semi-fitted jeans, she's swaying and humming a nursery rhyme while her little fingers are drumming her inflated cheeks. He materializes behind her, so she doesn't have any clue that he's around already. He refused to reveal himself for a moment to enjoy the view. She's so cute, she reminds him of a pre-school little girl waiting for her parents to fetch her. "Are you ready?" he finally broke his obscurity as he approached her. She flinched a little on the sound of his voice before looking back. She blows the air in her mouth upon the sight of him, her cheeks burning in redness again. "Yeah," she said, slightly looking down. He pulled her to her feet, and caged her with his body with her face slightly rested on his chest. She inhaled against the fabric of his suit and looked up on him with those big bubbly eyes. "What are we going to do?" she curiously asked. "It's a surprise," he told her. "Now, close your eyes." ---------- You've got to be kidding me!Willow exclaimed mentally. The Vampire had reserved a private garden terrace in a fine restaurant in Italy. Italy! Willow felt so odd and was kind of freaked out that she's in a distant place right now when minutes ago she was in Detroit. But she can't also lie to her self that the experience is spectacular, it was like a dream. Below them lies Rome shimmering in lights at night and the St. Peter's Dome, a place that she only sees in postcards. Her entire body was tense as he walked her to their table. And once they were seated, the Server arrived with a trolley filled with red wine. She refused the alcohol and request for a pineapple juice instead. And as the man poured the red wine to Morphin, he couldn't help to glance on the vampire's sunglasses that hid his blood colored eyes. Of course the man will find it weird that someone is wearing them at nighttime. When they were alone, he took off his sunglasses exposing his crimson colored eyes. "Is it freaking you out?" "The what?" She asked. "The bloody red eyes," he said. "It must have been scaring you." She burst out laughing. "FYI. Everything about you freaks me out." He chuckled. Wearing back his sunglasses, he dragged his chair so that he can be closer to the table, closer to her. "And what part of me freaks you out the most?" She took another drink on her pineapple juice and this time drinking up the entire content. The alcohol could aid her some courage. "Let me think. First you're a vampire, second you can go into places without walking, and third, is that you just suddenly jumped into my normal life and then do things to me that no man had ever done." "Wait!" he exclaimed. "What do meanno man? Are you saying that you're a..." "Yes," she interceded before he could say the wordVirgin. "Yes I am." His jaw almost dropped on the table. "How can you be a virgin at your age?" "Oh c'mon! I'm only 19, and there are thousands of other women that are older than me that haven't slept yet with a man. And I told you, I have sun allergy. Men find it disgusting when they see my skin blisters. They said it turns them off." "Well, they're all stupid," he said in clenched teeth. And then that sexy evil grin that can shake her to her very core emerges on his face. "Or maybe," he reached his hand to caress her face, "they're reserving you for me." Willow doesn't know how to react on the statement. She froze again like what she usually does while he continuously touched her now reddening face. Good thing that the server had arrived with their food and the connection was broken. Only then that she was able to take a breath. The dishes began to arrive one after another with expensive wines accompanying each meal course. Willow savored most of the foods that she seldom tasted even when she as still back at home. "I thought vampires only drink blood?" "We can still eat human foods. It's just that we don't have too since it can't really sate our real hunger...or thirst. But still, it's good to have even just the taste." "Does it taste good?" "C'est exquis comme tes lévres." "What does that mean?" "Delicious like your lips." She shouldn't have asked. She's growing more embarrassed of making him see her reddened like a tomato every single time that he teased her. Like now. "You're being silly." Her body immediately stiffened after breathing the statement. Damn! The Forbidden Words. He glared at her, "Do you want persuasions again?" She hyperventilated, "No thanks." For the dessert, the server brought Mille-feuille and Fruit Tart. Willow sampled each of the delicacy, savoring their unique tastes. However, her feasting was interrupted by his intensifying stare. His blood red eyes stared at her like he could devour her any minute. They didn't speak until they finished their...how should she called it...Date? Dinner? Whatsoever. He Teleported them back to her room where she immediately jump to her bed, surprise on how exhausted she was. She was so dead tired but at the same time satisfied on the wonderful experience that she shared with her stranger vampire. "Are you going to stay?" He took off his heavy coat and crawled above her. Brushing the strands of hair that are obscuring her face, he dipped down to kiss her lightly and whispered, "Do you want me to stay?" "It depends." "Depends on what?" "It depends on what you're willing to bargain to spend the night with me." Willow could sense it. She's growing more shameless by seconds. She knows that this is not so her. Oh God! She's actually inviting a man to her bed. "I could promise the same thing that I did last time." "That doesn't count," she said. "Aside from that?" "Well, what do you want?" Both her hands reached up to touch his handsome face, "Tell me your name, vampire." He closed his eyes and inhaled against her skin, "Morphin," he said dreamily. "Morphin Sullivan." "Morphin," she repeated. At last, she knows his name. "Would you stay with me?" "If you don't mind?" Willow wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer to her, resting his face on the hollow space of her neck where his warm and shallow breathings tickled her. "Just don't bite." "Don't worry. I'll let you know when I'm about to." Willow brushed his heavily layered hair with her fingers. Closing her eyes, she inhaled his pleasing scent before drifting to sleep. ---------- Morphin came awake with an extreme pain on his groin. Moving swiftly away from the arms of Willow, he fiercely fought the urge not to jump on to her and ravish on her unconscious body and to sink his fangs on her neck. "What's going on?" he grated. Teleporting to his bedchamber where he can't see his Bride, he raided the fridge for blood. He consumed 4 packs but felt no relief, both in hunger and lust. It took him 4 more consumption before his raging body had calmed down. Lost and confuse on what had just got into him, he searched the bookshelf for his father's journal. He was only 6 when he and her mother died. Quite too early on his opinion, but despite of that, his father had prepared everything to aid him in learning everything about their kind if ever he won't be there to do it himself. Scanning through the pages of the journal, he came across a script about Mating. Once in every century, theRed Moonwill rise, signaling the season to mate for all the paired vampires. By the stroke of midnight under the light of the Red Moon, allRevivedvampires will be driven by their instincts and lust to mate with their Brides and it cannot be ceased until the setting of the Red Moon. Symptoms are as follows: +Excessive Blood Hunger. +Sudden Groin Pain. +Sudden Erection. +Nausea. +Uncontrollable Shape Shifting. +Increased Strength and Energy. Once the initial symptoms emerge on males, all Brides have less than a week to thoroughly prepare both their minds and bodies to accept their partners during their most frenzied state. The preparations are extremely essential to avoid severe exhaustion on Brides which could sometimes lead to forced hibernation and sometimes even death. Morphin stared in disbelief as he finished reading his father's journal. He just experienced the initial symptoms, pertaining that anytime soon he will enter into a savage state where he will claim his Bride under the influence of the Red Moon. But the problem is that the journal is concerning about Brides that are immortal vampire women. Not about a 19 year old human girl who had never been with a man. He doesn't know if Willow could withstand mating with him in that state. No. There is a great chance that she might not make it. Even for vampire woman, the Red Moon is quite dangerous if they are unprepared. And Willow is no vampire. She's just a sweet fragile little girl. Mating with him is too dangerous for her. But he can't also stay away from even if he wanted to. Having her company is like a vice to him now. He can no longer spend an hour without seeing her or having her by his side, especially not after all that they'd just shared. He must find a way to get them through this. He must find a way to keep her with him and to keep her safe from him. ---------- He wasn't there when she woke up. And in all honesty, not having that perverted vampire around was more of a nuisance than a relief to her. Lying in the couch while hugging a huge pillow, she waits impatiently for him to arrive, something that she'd been doing for the entire day already. Yes, he scares her to death, and he also forced her to do a lot of naughty things. But she also enjoys the attention and the company, and the way that he make her feel special. With him, she feels that she's important and wanted. Two feelings that are both a complete alien to her. Blinking her shutting eyes, she forced herself to keep them open, to fight her drowses. She doesn't want to sleep yet, not until she sees him. It feels so incomplete that he day is about to end without seeing him. Sounds crazy, right? Feeling something like that to a man she barely knew. But what can she do about if that's the way that Morphin makes her feel. Suddenly, something cold blows around her for a second. Her lips curved into a smile, knowing that it's Morphin's presence. "Waiting for me?" Morphin said, materializing on the other side of the couch. Willow pushed herself up to sit up on the couch, "Uhmm...Yeah," she replied, having that usual blush on her cheeks. "I want to," she yawned, "talk." "About what?" Her expression firmed a little, demeanor getting serious. "Everything," she shrugged. "You, me, the rest of the things that we must know on each other, I want us to know all of them." "And why should I do that?" "Because I will sleep with you if you do." "We already did that?" "I mean I will sleep with you with my legs wrapped on your waist," she corrected. "Get it?" Morphin choked on the statement. It was the first time that Willow caught the witty vampire off guard. "Are you serious?" "Dead serious," she said. "Now, are you interested or not?" ---------- "Name?" "You already knew that?" Morphin said. "Name?" Willow repeated in a higher tone. He sighed in surrender, "Morphin Volkonsky." "Full Name," she demanded. "Oh please, Willow," he complained. "I thought you said that we're going to get to know each other?" "Yes, we are. And we're starting with the basics," she said. "So Full Name?" "Morphin Augustus Volkonsky," he said, suppressing his tongue to word out the last words. But Willow was staring at him in full anticipation that he was forced to give in. "The Second." Willow grinned in triumph. "Okay, Morphin Augustus Volkonsky II. I'm Willow Grace McKenzie, and I'm 19 years old. How about you?" "Depends on which age you're asking, the physical or the calendar?" "Let's start with the physical." "27." "And the calendar?" "492." Her eyes widened. "Decrepit, isn't it?" "You're almost half a millennium." "I was born in Russia during the 1500 from a long family of vampires." Another expression of astonishment flashed on her face. "You were born this way?" "Yeah, unfortunately. I wasn't bitten or anything if that's what you were expecting. And moreover, it doesn't even work that way." "So you're saying that you can't turn humans?" "Well, not exactly," he clarified. "I can turn humans. It's just that it has more requirements than just a mere bite." "Would you be kind enough to explain?" she curiously asked. Morphin shrugged. "I guess there's no harm on it." Willow went all ears, locking her entire attention to what he's about to say next. "Well, first of all. Yes, our bites can turn humans into vampires. However, the bite alone can't cause the transition, it requires a catalyst." "And that would be?" "A vampire blood," he said. "The human that we bit must ingest a vampire blood within 24 hours after they were bitten in order to activate the venom for the transition." Hunger For Love Willow nodded. "But if the bitten human wasn't able to drink a vampire blood within that span of time, what will happen to them?" "Nothing, the venom will just degenerate inside their body. And at normal basis, potent venoms only act as a regenerator to conceal our tracks whenever we fed. After we drink blood from someone, our venom rapidly enters their system and regenerates the damaged tissues caused by our bites, thus, leaving no trace of any vampire feeding behind. It also has an anesthetic effect so that we can bite people on their sleep without waking them up." Willow pursed her lips. "Did you ever bite me?" she sheepishly asked. Almost"No," he said. "I was tempted but I didn't." Into his surprise, his answer placed a frown on Willow's face. "Why? I don't taste good enough." Morphin smiled and reached out to touch her cheek, painting them red the instance that his skin touches hers. "Your blood has the sweetest aroma that I'd ever scented." "Then why didn't you bit me?" she pouted. His hand dropped from her, gaze looking down. "I have my reasons." "Tell me about it?" Morphin sighed heavily. "I-I can't." Willow took his hand and placed them back to her cheek, making his recently awakened heart pondered. "Please Morphin, I want to know." "But..." Morphin wanted to insist on resisting, but when he met her gaze, he saw fire on her eyes. Intelligence. Bravery. And it's telling him that she's prepared for everything. And it greatly stunned him. His meek and gentle Bride is actually keeping such courage. Maybe now could be the right time to tell her everything. But still... "But what?" "You might see things differently after I told you." She gave that 'duh' stare, "Is that something new around here?" Morphin deliberated. Realizing that she's right, he said, "I guess not." From her face, Willow settled down his hand on her lap, caressing his palm with her finger. "I'm waiting, Mr. Volkonsky." Morphin took a deep breath, preparing both his mind and heart to resurface the bitter memories of his past. "My parents died when I was only 6. Let's just say that they experienced the typical life of the vampires that the current generation can watch in classic themed vampire movies. Sleeping in coffins, living in creepy mansions, hunts unwary humans at night, movies where the endings are when the vampires gets captured and burned alive by the town people." "Is that what happened?" "Yeah, unfortunately," he said. "My parents were unaware that in the town where they hunt, the mayor had hired Slayers to take them down. And to make the story short, they killed my parents, and knowing that they have a son, they burned our house too in order to kill me." "How did you survive?" "I was lucky that back then it was on my 3 months hibernation and I was kept by my father at the underground chamber of our house. That's how I survived the fire. And when I woke up, my parents are gone, our house was left in ruins, and I was all alone." Willow squeezed his hand gently. "I'm sorry to hear." Her touches soothed him, making the bitter memories less painful and more bearable than they're supposed to be. "In order to survive, I become a Berserker. A vampire that is blinded by hunger and bloodlust, a monster that thinks of nothing else other than feeding. For an entire decade it stays like that, I killed hundreds of innocent people before I finally gain control over my savage self. And so, after those years of mindless frenzy had subsided, I started to live in a more casual manner as a vampire." She raised a brow on that, "Casual?" "You know, wines, parties...women." Willow pushed his hand away and turned her back from him in annoyance, "Women!" Morphin moved beside her, caressing her shoulders that she repetitively attempted to shook off. "Hey, c'mon, don't get mad. It only lasted 'til I turned 27. After that, I'd never been with a woman aside from you." "Is that true?" she asked, giving him that sad puppy-dog look. "Yes, it's the truth," he said. "I've been in abstinence for more than 450 years, and you're the only woman that I've been with ever since then." "And why should I believe that?" "Because..." Morphin breathed deeply, bracing himself. "Because during the 27th year of my life, I gained my immortality and I become an undead, like a zombie. I'm alive but my body is dead and its basic anatomy that I won't function as a man if my body dead." Her eyes widened. "You mean you were impotent for 450 years?" He nodded sheepishly. "We vampires spend our immortal lives as walking corpses until we meet our destined Mates." "Mates? As in soulmates?" "Yeah, sort of like that." "What will happen once they find their Mates?" "They will be Revived," he said. "Male vampires addressed their mates as Brides, while for females, Lovers. Once the destined couples made a contact, they will revive one another, and they will bring each other's bodies back to life." "Wait a minute." Willow straightened up and shifted her entire body around to face him. She touched his face first, "You're warm," then brushed her thumb through his lips, "you breathe." She then lowers her hand to his chest, "I could feel your heart beating." And lastly, her gaze lowers down on his groin, "And I swear, I saw that thing standing yesterday." Willow then meet his eyes again. "You're Revived," she said. "Does that mean that you found your Bride?" Smiling, he nodded. "Yes." "Who is she?" Morphin took her hand from his chest and placed it back to his cheek, "I think you know the answer to that." ---------- "Me?" Willow backed away from him, eyes wide open in disbelief. "How can it be me?" "Because you're the woman who is meant to be mine above all others." "But I'm not a vampire." "It doesn't matter what you are to become my Bride. If you're the one given to me by fate then it's you." She hyperventilated, trying her best to absorb everything that he's engraving into her. "Since when did this happen?" "Ever since you arrived," he said. "You asked me earlier why I didn't feed from you. The reason was because you Revived me when I attempted to do so. And I'm sure you somehow remember a bit about it, though you might just think of it as a dream." Yes, she does. She somehow remembered something that day. Though it was vague, unclear, and dreamlike, she was certain that she saw a silhouette of a man in her room. And now, she comprehended that it was him. And also... "Were you also the one that had been following me for the last weeks?" He hesitated, then nodded, "Yes, it was me." She groaned in annoyance, "How could you do that to me? I almost died from panic attack." "I know that I caused you unease, and I greatly regret that, but my sole intention was only to keep you safe." "Safe?" she repeated. "Safe from what?" "From people that desire to harm," he said. "Willow, when I watched over you, you've been stalked seven times already, and something hideous could have happened if I wasn't there to protect you." Willow gaped. "WHAT!?" Denying in believing what he's telling her. She knows that she had some ill-luck clinging on her. But to be stalked seven times in just 2 weeks was too much of a misfortune. She shuddered on the thought of the things that could have happened to her. But all of them are nothing more than horrible outcomes that had been prevented. And that's all thanks to him. And yet, despite everything that he'd done, she still dared to flare her nose on him when all he'd done was to do her good. Her anger drained out of her system, realizing how unreasonable she is. It wasn't Morphin's fault that she's a walking disaster or a spineless wuss that needs to be protected. And it wasn't also his fault that he's born a vampire and she is his destined Bride whom he needed to protect from the shadows. They are different, and he feared of scaring and losing her because of what he is. Morphin reached for her and held her hands. "Willow, you have all the rights to be angry at me. I treated you so badly. I was so blinded by my desire to keep you that I took for granted your feelings. I want your forgiveness, Willow. I don't deserve it but I want it." Willow lifted their hands up, spread them to their sides as she draw closer to him for a passionate kiss. She then directed his arms to wrap around her waist while hers encircled around his neck. Morphin responds by pulling her closer to him and kissing her in return. Willow kissed him until she was breathless. She pulled for a second to inhale and then resumed claiming his perfect lips again. "I forgive you," she moaned on his mouth. How can she remain mad at him? How can she not forgive him? If he keeps looking at her like she's the only thing that matters. She can't. She just can't. "Anything else you want to tell me?" she said. "Or we can start this now?" "Nope," Morphin said, brushing his lips on her neck, making her purr. "How about you?" "That can wait." ---------- A groan of sheer pleasure rippled out of Morphin's throat as Willow's fingers skimmed from his face, neck, and down to his now bare chest. Her hands trembled slightly, and it was as if the tremors were passed to him. Each quiver, coated with anticipation and then delight. Pushing him down to the couch's cushion, she straightened up above him, straddling his hips. She lifted her shirt and pulled it of over her head. He almost swallowed his tongue. Morphin froze, eyes locked on the naked upper part of her body. Hers was a neat, compact body of soft flesh, smooth skin and luscious curves. Plump, firm breasts perfectly shaped to match his hands, nipples peaked as if ready for his mouth. Willow noticed the odd staring. A brow of her frowning little face lifted. "What?" She asked, glancing back and forth from his stunned expression to her body. "Its like you haven't seen it before." He did. But he never had the chance to admire it, to admire her beauty, both inner and superficial. "I guess I didn't pay attention." Willow chuckled. Bending down to kiss him again, she writhe her bottom against his groin, swelling his manhood to life, struggling for freedom beneath his pants. Teleporting them to her bed, he tossed her to her back and ripped her remaining covers from her. He did a little more job to work on his own before they're both just in bare flesh above the mattress of Willow's bed. He pinned her arms over her head and moved his face close to hers and whispered, "You have no idea how long I've waited for this." She reached for him and cupped his face with both hands, "Then stop waiting." Morphin is still wasn't sure if this was a dream or not. All he knew was the scent of Willow filled his head and he had to be inside her. His heart hammering when he spread her legs apart and positioned his rock hard shaft against her opening. Willow panted heavily in anticipation. But the moment was interrupted when the beast that he contained inside him emerges, wanting not just her body but also to feed from her blood. Morphin pulled back. In huge pain as he tried to return the beast back to its cage. But the urge was too much to handle especially that Willow is just somewhere within sight. So despite their great desire to unite, he must stay away from her. The urge to rip her throat was so fierce. He's losing control. It slipped and broke free until he can no longer remember anything other than his lust for flesh and blood. Every second with her brings him closer to the edge. "Morphin, what's wrong?" Everything! Unable to handle it, he dispersed, leaving his beloved behind. ---------- Willow was heartsick as she exited her unit to do groceries. She hadn't seen or even felt Morphin's presence for days already and the fact that he flee during the night of their supposed to be night of passion, something that he'd been dying to share with her, made her wonder if something bad had happened to him. As she exited the Metro's tunnel, she breathed the evening breeze reeked by the scent of flaming woods and plastic coming from the tall trash bins that were burned by the homeless to warm themselves from the wrath of the cold night. Under the light of the semi-reddened moon, her eyes wondered through them in a random manner until one entity caught her attention. It was Carla and her friends. Morphin once told her that the initial purpose on why she was brought to the Metro Station was to become his feeding source. And since it was them that brought her here on the place, they certainly knew something about Morphin and his nature. "Carla!" Willow called as she approached them. Carla frowned on her but later lightened up when she gained recognition. "Hey," she said. "It's Willow, right?" She nodded. "Yes," she said. "It's me. And I need help." "What can we do for you?" "Bring me to Morphin." The stunned expression on their faces upon mentioning Morphin's name confirmed her assumption. "W-w-what?" said Carla. "I said I want to see Morphin," she said slowly. "So bring me to him." "Willow, I don't know what you're talking about," she breathed nervously. "Carla, please, I need to see him," she pleaded, tears pooling on her eyes. "He was in pain the last time we met and I'm worried that something terrible might have happened to him. So please, I'm begging you. Let me see him." Carla and other two with her, which were revealed to be Barry and Johnson, deliberated whether to allow her to see him or not. But since she already knew too much and there's no point of hiding anything from her, all three of them had come up with a decision to tell her where she can find their Boss. Carla instructed her that Morphin's home is located at a hidden part of the most populated district of the station, the Central Area. At the furthest west, an empty region where no one dares to occupy, the left side has a narrow tunnel that leads into a dead end, a huge brick wall. And somewhere on that wall, there is a hidden door that if opened will lead her to Morphin's bedchamber. As Willow walked the pathway that will lead her to her beloved vampire, sounds of feral growls welcomed her, and by each step that she inched closer to her desired destination, the unpleasant and bloodcurdling sounds grows louder. The loudness and the savagery of the sound grow even stronger when she reached the dead end, as if her presence had amplified the wrath and pain of whoever owns those feral noises. 12 from the left, 7 from below.The location of the certain brick that she must press in order to open the secret doorway according to Carla's instructions. Carla breathed nothing more aside from that, she said that she'd only been on that place for only once when she was recruited to become one of Morphin's new wards, and that experience was even brisk. It was also the first and the last time that she'd saw him personally. The rest of their interaction and communications were all done through the phone. Pressing the said piece of brick, group of other bricks slid down to the floor revealing an iron door. Pushing it inward and entering, Willow found herself in front of a stair that leads upward. Feral growls continue to vacate those dark spaces that surround her. And it surprised her. She was surprise that despite the fact that she's alone in a very scary place where a monster might rip her any moment, she still find some calm on herself. Very far from the her that she knows a week ago who could have frozen like a statue already at the initial sign of danger. The growls of anguish grows louder again, more feral and violent than the last, like it's telling her to go away. Good advice and a sane decision to follow. But at the moment she doesn't feel like to act sanely. Her desire to see him overpowers any rational thinking that she possessed. By the time that she reached the top of the stairs, her eyes widened in admiration on the graceful structure of the room. Huge and contained with sitting area and fireplace, as well as large leaded window where someone could witness the Central Area below. A king size bed with an iron headboard occupying the wall opposite to the fireplace, matching tables with matching chairs and lamps, a rocking chair that stood in front of the fireplace, colorful and well placed rugs on the concrete floor. The smooth walls painted to resemble old leather. A wall cabinet revealing the television and other entertainment appliances, bookcases contains not only book but numerous vintage framed photographs that are probably centuries old already. A door opened into a bathroom of equally large proportion. Another one that is closed and she assumed that it lead into a closet. The room greatly interest Willow but she had no time to investigate especially that from the third door that is composed of concrete iron emits the growls that had been bothering her since her arrival. Willow inhaled and exhaled deeply. "You can do this Willow," she chanted. "You can do this." Twisting the heavy knob, she slid the iron door open and the beast from inside growled even louder in displeasure. Willow gasped as she saw Morphin chained on the wall. His white hair was matted, his breathing shallow. His paler than the usual but his mass is extremely larger. His hands ended in long black claws and when he saw her looking at him, he bared his sharp fangs towards her direction. Willow approached him slowly. Warily. She could not tell if he can actually recognize her. By the way that he is acting, she doesn't think so. "Morphin?" He looked down at her with blood red eyes that are at the verge of control. They are feral and cold, eyes of a predator. "G-g-go!" he grated. "A-a-away!" "What's happening to you?" Her worry filled voice echoed throughout the dim chamber. "M-m-moon...r-red...re-red m-moon!" Red Moon?What the hell is that? "I don't understand." She followed his sharp gaze as he looked down to the floor. A Book? No. More like a Journal. She picked it up and scanned through the pages until she ceased on the part where the pages are quite crumpled. Reading its content while the menacing stares of Morphin are locked on her, her throat went dry when she read the part about vampire mating during and the red moon. During the rise of the Red Moon, all mated male vampires will enter their most savage state to hunt and claim their Brides. Willow shudder on the thought while looking at the current appearance on Morphin. He's crazed, he's huge, and powerful, and he's supposed to claim her body on that frenzied state. Dropping the journal, Willow backed away from him, immeasurable dread consuming her. Her head in great dilemma, she knows that she should be running, away from the place, away from him. But when her eyes that are widened in fear and disbelief met his suffering gaze, and witnessing him chained, sacrificing to keep her safe from him. How can she run? How can she turn her back from him when he's the only person that makes her that she matters? That she's loved. Gathering some composure and courage, she advanced and stood before him, before the beast that could rip her to pieces. "Go away!" he bellowed in a beastly voice, struggling between control and total abandonment on his sanity. "No!" she said firmly. At her words, his eyes lit somehow with both relief and anguish. "Just give me -- give me a minute to process all this okay!" "Run...m-must p-p-protect y-you," he growled, hands shooting forward to claw her. Her heart melted for him, "You did, Morphin. You pay blood for my safety," she said. "So can't we just do this and get over it?" "No...w-w-will hurt you...k-k-kill y-y-youu!" Willow doesn't know what weighs more, her life or to free him from his sufferings. Before she could have picked the initial option, but at the moment, she not so sure. "But..." Hunger For Love Before Willow could finish her words, Morphin's hands grabbed her shoulders. One moment she was with him, and the next things she knows, she's standing in the middle of a field, few feet away from the entrance of the Metro Station. Morphin had Teleported her out away from him. "MORPHIN!" She sprinted towards the Station, intending to go back to him. But before she could get any closer, someone with a huge body grabbed her from behind. "I got her!" he said, as four more men materialize from the darkness. Willow struggled set herself free from them, but the resistance of his petite body was futile against his strength. "Let me go!" A cloth with an odd odor covered her mouth, making her head spun and her sight hazy. Her consciousness slowly fading, "Morphin," was her last word of struggle before everything disappeared. ---------- The Red Moon had completely risen now, and Morphin could no longer resist the pull of his female. The chains are useless now, for their bindings are futile now to his strength. Though he fought with everything that he has to resist the urge, he still found himself Teleporting to where he transported Willow. Frenzied under the moon, he traced her scent. She'd been here but no longer. Her scent is moving away from where he stood. Other odors came to him, scents of human males loaded with aggression, gun oil, cigarettes. He sighted boot prints on the ground. A group of men had abducted her. His claws sank on his palms. PUNISH THEM! They'd taken his Bride, frightened his vulnerable little Willow. He will slaughter them! Every single one of them! With a roar of fury, he could feel the demon coming back. The monster that he buried for almost half a millennium is emerging. Letting the beast free, the Berserker is unleashed. ---------- Willow pressed her ear closer to the wooden door, trying to grasp more perception from the conversation of her abductors from the other side. Minutes ago, she came awoke finding herself locked up inside a single windowed room, in a what she believe is a cabin in the middle of a forest outside of Detroit. She also discovered that her abductors are mercenaries that her parents had hired to seek and retrieve her back home. However, they'd decided that they can squeeze more money from her parents if they will kidnap her instead. The voice of the one whom she believed to be the leader is talking at the phone right now, and with the flow of their conversation, with her being the topic, she concluded that he's speaking with her father, probably bartering about the ransom money. "10 Million Dollars, Mr. McKenzie," he said. "10 Million Dollars in exchange of your daughter's life." 10 Million Dollars? Are they insane? Sure her father can afford it, but her father is not the type of person who will easily liberate that kind of amount. "Good, Mr. McKenzie. I didn't expect that you're this easy to bargain with." Willow's eyes widened, surprised from the fact that her father agreed to their demands that fast. She's kind of anticipated that the cold and calculating William McKenzie will insist some lengthy negotiation before approving, but surprisingly, he didn't. He just agreed like that. Willow sighed. Maybe her parents do care for her more than what she gives them credit. However, she believes that it's kind of late for them to show that and for her to realize it. Resting her back against the door, her thought drifted to Morphin. She remembered how badly pained he was when she left him, when he warped her when he refused her aid. "I wish he's okay," she sighed. When all of a sudden, from the darkness filled forest from the outside emits a feral growl similar to a savage beast, only louder and scarier, shifted her psyche to alert mode. That growl doesn't sound anywhere near normal. And if her guess is right, it can only belong to one person who will be more than willing to chase her up to the end of the world. And she wasn't wrong, her assumption had come into a confirmation when after the sound of smashing woods, chaos immediately broke from the other side. Deafening noises of gunfire exploded in concentrated waves, men barked orders with authority, and roars of the seemingly savage creature echoes in fury. Yet, as soon as the supposed to be organized defense shattered, the commands devolve into screams for mercy. He'd begun to kill, and she could do nothing but to wait for him in dread. His onslaughts of brutality both scare and thrill her. To be helpless is nothing new to her, but to be preyed by a predator that she desired to consume her converts that fear into anticipation. Her sanity keeps telling her to find a way to run and escape but her heart that deemed all her reasoning useless dictates her to remain, wait, and let him catch her, disregarding the fact that he's a beast crazed by the moon that can easily rend her to half. Gunfire and screams faded one by one until it was nothing but dead silence. For a very long moment, it was like that. His harsh breathing from outside the door and her shallow hyperventilation were all she could hear. And with a menacing roar, he blasted the door to pieces with a punch. When she glanced up, all that she could see is the outline of a huge creature with hungry red eyes. His breathing was so loud, it sounded more like snarls. His shoulders rise and fell in heavy exhalation. Then Morphin crossed the gap between them while she backed away until her back felt the wall. The light of the reddish moon from the only window finally caught him. So much blood, Morphin was covered with it. Willow's thought registered slowly, vaguely. Unsure if she's going into a shock. Looking at his face, his body, she can't even believe that just hours ago, she'd consider giving her self to him. To this Beast. His eyes narrowed to her, while hers widened. His entire body stiffened, exposing those deadly fangs of his. With a speed she couldn't even see with her naked eyes, he launched to her. She closed her eyes shut awaiting for an impact. She heard the sound of the wall collapsing but felt no pressure or pain. Opening her eyes, she found Morphin beside her, missing her by an inch. His huge claws plunged against the wall. "Run!" he snarled. Willow obeyed and forced her shaky legs to move. As she darted for the exit, she was welcomed by the aftermath of Morphin's carnage. Lifeless and dismembered bodies piled up on the floor, splatters of bloods painted every corner, and the stench of gunpowder and blood burned her nose. Closing her eyes to conceal the hideous scene from her sight, she sprinted across them in pure terror, freeing herself from her cage. Don't look back. Run like hell.She did, sprinting towards the dark and abysmal looking forest ahead. Though she knew that it was completely futile, that sooner or later he will catch her, that she had no chance of escaping, her body continually twitch to accept the battle. Running through the woods, her scent caught the smell of the forest floor, the moist earth, the rocks. And it was soothing, relaxing. It was like...heaven. The scent of the world, the sounds of her breaths, the pounding of her heart, and the cool breeze of air, it was ecstatic, addictive. And then Willow became aware of something fresh. The running was like aphrodisiac. The fact that she is fleeing, the fact that he will still caught her regardless of her resistance, and the fact that he will claim her in the ground like an animal arouse her, excites her. And then a bellowed of rage echoed from the cabin, and her thoughts were instantly filled with terror once more. The images of Morphin's monstrous form repetitively flashed on her head like a complete reenactment of a massacre. Reaching the clearing, her thoughts drifted again. She wanted to, but she can't do it, contradictions plagued her. She loved him but she's afraid. Willow immediately ceased her advance.She loved him.She just said that she loved him. That's what she feel. Then why is she running? Why is she going somewhere opposite to where he is? Her entire life, it was mostly spent to gain acceptance, to beg for acceptance. Acceptance from her parents because she was born a sickly and meek girl instead of a strong boy that can take over their wealth and carry the McKenzie name, acceptance from people, her friends and peers that never understand her situation, and acceptance from her self, because she hate of what she is, and she hate the fact that she can never be the kind person that her loved ones want her to be. And then she met Morphin. He's scary, he's mean, and he's not human. But he accepts her, regardless of what she looks, regardless of her ups and downs, of her good and bad. He wants her just the way she is. And for the first time in her life, she experienced that acceptance that she'd been longing. She'd met someone who is willing to give everything to her, to sacrifice for her, to bleed for her. And then she repays him by running? Willow shook her head. No, she's not cruel to punish the only person who had valued her. The time for running is over. Turning around, under the fully risen Red Moon she waits. Through the dark forest she could see nothing, but she can hear everything. And she can sense that he's drawing near. He's almost there. Closing her eyes, she heard him lunged for her. She felt pain and then tensed for the impact to the ground. When she opened her eyes, he was above her, in all fours. Meeting his gaze, she smiled. Morphin's eyes no longer carry any reasoning or sanity. Whatever controls that he had once possessed are already history, and what she had above her right now is a crazed beast that sees her to be nothing more than a quench to his hunger. Willow didn't resist when he sliced her shirt and bra from her, nor when he bit away her undergarment in a frenzy. Her reflex was to close her legs, but he overpowered her, shoving her thighs wide open. He gazed at her naked sex for long moments, until she was squirming in his grip, surprised at how aroused she'd grown. His mouth literally water, making her whimper. Then his hot and damp mouth descended to her flesh, making her scream with every contact, with every stroke, and every suckled of his hungry mouth. All of her exhaustion, all her worry for him, and the constant dread she'd been battling are all no match for his mouth's furious taking. Her legs fell wide in complete surrender and dug her fingers into his hair, gripping him tight. And when pleasure swelled up in her, her entire body clenched instantly, "Ah, Morphin, yes!" she screamed, rocking to his wicked tongue again and again until her orgasm completely subsided. Arms and legs splayed around her, deadened in fatigue. His initial claiming had completely drained her. But of course, she knows that it's very far from over, they're just barely starting. Morphin ripped his semi-torn clothed away. Naked and crazed, he knelt before her. His swollen shaft pulsated towards her, moist, more than prepared to enter her. Gripping her waist, he turned and positioned her on her hands and knees. She could feel his huge erection slide against her backside, and then jabbed against her thigh. Her shaking hands gave up. Chest pressed against the grass, arms in front of her, gripping to whatever that she can hold onto as she braced herself for the inevitable. Kneeling down behind her, he bent down tonguing her again as he tried to fit one and then two fingers inside her. When he managed to, he released her and parted her legs with his knees. She looked back, saw him positioning his erection to plunge her. She began shaking in anticipation, panting 'please' over and over again. Clapping his palms under her shoulders, he drove into her with all his strength, seating himself so deep. She screamed wildly again, but this time in pain. Morphin growled, plunging another powerful thrust of his hips. She was so clenched around him that she can't almost move. She gasped, eyes watering from the searing pain. She'd always known that he's too huge for her. But to her relief and wonder, he stopped thrusting. Without pulling his throbbing erection within her, he drew her up, putting her back against his chest and wrapping her arms around her neck, a familiar scene, similar to the night in the shower when he first taught her to play with fire. Certain that her arms are locked tightly to him, he skimmed his palms from her shoulders, over her breasts, and then down. He dipped down both of his hands to cup and strokes her between her legs. When her wetness returned, he shoved himself slowly against her, accustoming her with his size. He continued doing that, teasing her with his shallow strokes until desperation hits her. Succumbing to her frustration, she wriggled her hips against him. As soon as she did, he replaced her back to her hands and knees again. Clutching her hips, he slowly withdraws, then eased deeper within her. She cried out, but this time in pleasure. And when she arched her back and worked her knees wide to grant him more admission, he increased his phase, giving her more than what she deserved. Another thrust inside her, more forceful than the last. Each withdrawal and powerful plunges made her whimper and cried out for more. Morphin stretched down over her back, licking her flesh, running his fang on her sensitive skin, augmenting her shuddering. He pushed another deep thrust into her again, and this time, hitting her weak point. Screaming and arching her back even more, she felt his mouth on her shoulder, felt his bite. But unlike what she'd expected, it wasn't painful. If there are words to describe, it was pure bliss. She climaxed once more, stronger than previous that she had before. She screamed in ecstasy to the sky until her throat went dry while she felt her blood abandoning her body towards Morphin's bite. He yelled and then returned to his bite. She did feel him ejaculate, forcefully, pumping his seed inside her, filling her. Yet when he was finished, he didn't stop thrusting. She could tell that he felt no relief. If anything, his need only intensified. Gazing to the sky, the Red Moon is still standing proud above them. It's still far from over, and more is about to come. Gathering up what little strength she got left, she braced herself to accept him, to give up herself to him completely. Long hours of frenzied sex had passed. Mind-blowing sessions of savage pleasure as Morphin had taken her from behind repeatedly. But now, after her repetitive attempts, she finally managed to make him to toss her to her back. But he also pinned her hands above her, and moreover he still didn't refrain from brutally driving into her. "Morphin," she said weakly, biting her lips, fighting so hard to keep her eyes open. The entire night had drained to limits, in a limit that already makes her wonder why she still hasn't passed out yet. "Please wake up." The act was still crazed, monstrous, claiming her without care. But if she truly loved him, she'll accept this façade of him. When Willow tried to kiss him, he buried his face against her neck, biting her, sending her into another wave of bliss. Her eyes almost rolled back over head from the earth-shattering sensation as she tried her best to stay awake. "Morphin," she pleaded again, praying that somewhere from this crazed state of him, her voice could reach him. He let go of her hands and wrapped his arms around her armpit. His sweat-slicked chest slid against her sensitive nipples, his rigid shaft plunging into her relentlessly like there's no tomorrow. Her fingers dug into the taut muscles of his back as he worked with all his might to pleasure her. Tension stole through her, coiling tight. Her head thrashed as she surged beneath him. "Morphin!" she screamed, convulsing wildly around him. When he followed, he yelled out. She could feel his release spurting, his shaft pulsating with each forceful wave. Rising up, he grappled her hips and with one hard push, he emptied himself inside her. With a last shuddering groan he collapsed on top of her, his heart thundering over her. ---------- Morphin's head buzzed and his body ached as he finally sated that hunger that had been tearing at him for days. And when his hazy thoughts finally cleared, it was Willow's face of that welcomed him. "Willow?" he rasped. "Hi," she panted. She looks so lovely, expression pleased, as if she's so happy to see him. "You're back." Morphin frowned in confusion on her words. And then he'd come into realization of what he'd just done. Both of them are naked in the ground, bodies entwined to each other and...ah God, he's still inside her. In the hazy memories of his night of craze, he remembered capturing her, pinning her to the ground, claiming her soft, giving body over and over again under the light of the Red Moon. Possessing her completely, giving him unimaginable, mind-boggling pleasure. He thought that it was all a dream, but now he realized that it wasn't. He did it. He'd claimed her. Willow. His Bride. "I'd had a great night," she said, her breathing forced and shallow. "How about you?" He nodded. "I did." Though the event was a little unclear, the passion that they shared had engraved deeply in his heart. "I hope...I...I wasn't a disappointment..." Morphin shook his head fiercely, disapproving completely. "No, no, you're not. You can never disappoint me," he said, tears of joy started pooling in his eyes. "Never." And then there was a long silence, they just stare at each other's soul windows for a very long moment. "I love you," she said all of a sudden. He stilled, every muscle in his body going tensed. "What?" "I love you," she repeated. Morphin's emotional restrains and defenses collapsed on her words. He stared down at her, tears begun spilling onto her face, wetting her cheek. "Say that again." "I love you...I love you...I love you, with all of me." He cupped her face and kissed her sweetly, "I love you too. I wanted to tell you that for so long." She smiled meekly, "Really? You don't just feel that way because I'm your Bride?" "No," he shook his head again. "Even if you weren't, I will still fall for you. I love you, Willow. Just the way you are." Her bottom lip trembled. "I'm happy to know that...I wish," she panted. "I wish...I could stay with you, forever." But she will. She must. The mere thought of living his endless life again in loneliness burns him in the fiery flames of hell already. He needs her. He needs her love. "What are you saying, love? You're not going anywhere. I'm not planning of letting you go. Ever." He felt her cold and trembling hands cupped his face, "I can't," she said, her eyes halfhooded as she struggled to breathe. A familiar scent then burned his nose, coming from Willow's hand as well as from his own lips, and then tastes them on his tongue. Blood. Horror filled him. Willow's entire body is covered with blood. Her neck and shoulders are savagely torn from his teeth, and the ground that surrounds them is pooled with her own blood. "Oh God, no!" he breathed, choking. "Stay with me, Willow. I'll get you help." "I-I-I'm sorry, M-Morphin..." she coughed as she reached up to touch his lips that were covered in her blood from his feeding. "I-I wasn't strong e-enough...to-to s-stay." He saw the fear and the pain in her eyes, "Willow?" he whispered her name like a prayer. "Willow?" She expelled one last breath before her eyes glazed over and her hand fell limply to the ground where it landed palm up. Unimaginable grief tore through him as he realized he'd just killed her. "NO!" Morphin bellowed from the weight of guilt and pain that assaulted him. He would never have hurt her. Never!