Alexia's POV
I instinctively placed my hands onto my chest as a sharp, stabbing pain surged through me—intense and sudden, like I was having a heart attack. My face twisted in agony as the searing fire spread from within. I could feel an inferno igniting inside me, a blaze that refused to be contained. My entire body began to burn with unbearable heat, hotter than anything I had ever experienced before. My skin flushed a furious, bright red as if it were reacting to an invisible flame. My eyes became bloodshot, veins pulsating and glowing with crimson intensity, and I could feel the fire licking at my eyeballs, scorching them from the inside out.
The pain was excruciating, overwhelming, all-consuming.
My breathing grew heavy and ragged. I bit down on my lower lip in a desperate attempt to stay silent, but the pain was too great. Blood oozed from the wound, trickling down my chin. Tears streamed freely down my cheeks as I felt something unnatural happening within me—like my very cells were bursting apart, one by one, as though they could no longer contain the force building up inside me.
Then it began.
The fire—real fire—ignited from the soles of my feet, crawling up my legs with a terrifying hunger. It engulfed my thighs, climbed to my stomach, then up to my chest. Within moments, the flames had overtaken my entire body. I could feel my skin burning, blistering, tearing away from muscle and bone. I was completely ablaze, wrapped in fire that came not from the outside but from the core of my being.
Finally, unable to hold back the agony any longer, I screamed—a scream that was raw and primal, a sound filled with pain, fear, and power. The very air around me seemed to respond, flaring up in bright, wild light as my body lit up like a Christmas tree. And then… there was only darkness.
Adrian's POV
I was deep within the mystical forest, surrounded by towering trees and the quiet whispers of unseen creatures. I had just caught and devoured a wild bull, but even that hadn't satisfied the gnawing hunger inside me. That small prey had barely been enough to stir my energy. My thoughts drifted to her—Alexia.
She didn't know, did she? So confident, so bold in a world completely foreign to her. I couldn't help but wonder—was she considered strong in her own world? She had an aura about her, something fierce yet curious.
Alexia… That was her name. Alexia.
The sound of her name echoed in my mind, lingering on my tongue like a spell. I found myself wondering if she could ever accept me—not just as a companion, but as her beast… as her husband. She was quite beautiful, in her own unique, unrefined way. My thoughts drifted to the night I had crafted clothes for her and asked her to wear them. She had been lovely—more than lovely. I had encountered countless females in my time; many had practically thrown themselves at me. But Alexia… she was different.
Images of her delicate skin danced in my mind, the curve of her thighs, the gentle lines of her slender waist. Her odd garments had made her appear rugged and muscular, not someone you'd immediately associate with beauty. But just a change of clothes had transformed her. She was radiant.
My thoughts were suddenly snapped back to the present by a loud, piercing scream. My ears twitched at the sound—it was unlike anything I had heard before. It came from the direction of the cave.
It was her.
The scream was laced with pain, terror, and something more—power. I didn't hesitate. I raced back through the forest, my heart pounding with urgency. Smoke billowed out from the cave as I arrived, thick and black, choking the entrance. I stepped inside, scanning the darkened space. The stone bed, the animal skins, the very walls of the cave were scorched black.
"Alexia!" I called out, my voice sharp with fear. "Alexia!"
I searched frantically until I found her.
She lay motionless amidst the charred remains of the stone bed, her body bare and vulnerable. My heart clenched. I rushed to her side, crouching beside her. I carefully placed my fingers in front of her nostrils.
She was breathing.
I let out a sigh of relief. She was alive.
I looked down at her, concern etched deep into my face. Reaching into my storage pouch, I pulled out a soft animal skin and gently draped it over her to shield her from the chill. I touched her forehead—her temperature was steady. Not too hot, not cold. She was okay… for now.
I gathered more animal skins and laid them out in a corner of the cave, creating a comfortable space for her. Gently, I lifted her and carried her to the new bed, laying her down with care. She didn't stir.
Then, I turned to the stone bed—or what was left of it. I had to repair it. I had to do something.
I couldn't believe it. She had taken the red crystal… and survived. I must have underestimated her strength. She truly surprised me. I watched her closely, her body still and peaceful as she slept. I wondered how long she would remain unconscious—hours? Days? There was no telling. The transformation she went through had been violent and powerful, something even I hadn't expected her to survive. Yet, here she was, breathing softly, alive.
I couldn't stay here in the forest much longer. My tribe was waiting for me, expecting my return. I had already overstayed by two days, and responsibilities I couldn't ignore awaited me. But I couldn't just leave her here alone either—not after what she had endured.
With that thought in mind, I returned to the stone bed I had just repaired. Carefully, I lifted her and laid her gently onto the cool surface. Her body was still warm, her breathing steady but deep. I would need to make clothes for her before we left—something simple but enough to cover her modesty and keep her warm on the journey.
I took several pieces of animal skin from my storage, measured them against her size as best as I could, and began cutting them into the appropriate shapes. I worked quickly but with care, threading sinew through a bone needle and stitching the skins together by hand. It took me around twenty minutes to finish sewing the garments. Once I was done, I gently dressed her, ensuring she was comfortable.
With her now clothed and still resting, I turned to prepare myself. I shifted into my beast form—massive, strong, and capable of carrying her weight without difficulty. I knelt beside the bed, carefully lifted her onto my back, and secured her so she wouldn't fall during the journey.
I still had one more task left—the delivery of the blue crystal I had gathered. It was important, meant for the tribe, and I had already delayed its return far longer than I should have. I couldn't wait anymore. I had to go back.
But bringing her with me felt right. She had wanted to visit the tribe anyway, and I doubted she would mind that I carried her there while she rested. In fact, she might even appreciate it once she woke up and saw that she was safe and protected.
With her securely on my back and the forest path clear ahead, I took a deep breath and began the journey back to the tribe—