For the very first time, I saw something more than the walls of the home of my owners. Atlas took me out the next evening to the mall. The ceiling dome of the mall was higher than I could imagine and made of the most beautiful glass. Then there were the string of lights that dangled from the ceiling were shining like crystals. The walkways flowed into one another, not even a sharp angle in sight. In the background were soft, melodic music.

The inside of the mall was a beautiful, heavenly contrast to the busy streets and distinct buildings of New York. Stores at every corner. People were smiling and holding hands. There were people walking around quickly and others who walked slowly, taking their time shopping.

My eyes were everywhere. I couldn't stop looking at one time long enough because there was always something else attracting me. I can't thank Atlas enough for taking care of bringing me here. The red crystal sat in the suitcase of our car that was parked in the parking lot.

Atlas's hands were wrapped around mine as he led me down the walkways of many stores. When we passed a certain store, I could smell the freshly brewed coffee and baked pastries. I tugged on his hand to stop him.

He turned to look at me, and I pointed to the shop with a grin. With a lopsided smile, he shook his head and walked into the coffee shop. He ordered me a coffee and a sweet pastry that I picked out.

"You're always eating," he teased as we stepped out.

"I'm not like some people. I do enjoy eating all the delicacies that I could get my hands on. You can't blame me though. I have been holed up in the crystal for so many years," I sighed when I sipped my coffee and it literally melted the pastry in my mouth. "If I ever die, I'll at least die a happy person."

That was the truth.

Today, I told myself to not think about the impending future. I wanted to enjoy life as much as I could and I was determined to make the best memories I could until my last breath.

My eyes caught sight of a small little booth with little figurines. Instantly, I jumped and dragged Atlas with me. He was stronger than me, but he didn't stop me from dragging him.

My eyes roamed the dangling chains on display. There was one of every kind. Beautiful and cute little people, cats, bears, rabbits, symbols, and icons. My eyes landed on a dog and I couldn't stop smiling. I picked it off the display and turned to Atlas. He scowled when he saw what it looked like. It looked exactly like the dog I turned him into.

"Do you see the similarities?" I asked, smiling.

"Don't make me recall it," Atlas replied dryly.

"I want this one."

"No," he responded almost instantly.

"But-"

"It's ugly."

"It's not. I love it. I want it." I pouted my lips and looked up at him with what I believe was puppy dog eyes. He looked down his nose at me for a few seconds before sighing.

"Fine, but I have to pick one that reminds me of you."

I nodded my head. I don't mind at all. I wanted the puppy. Atlas stepped up and looked through the display. When he found one he liked, he picked it off the display and showed me.

It was an old lady. I stopped smiling.

"That's not funny," I said.

His smile grew bigger. I attempted to grab the keychain from him, but he moved it out of my reach.

"Give it to me."

"I want this one. You agreed, remember?"

The owner of the booth stood nearby, watching us. I conceded and stopped trying to get it out of his grip. He paid the owner and took the bagged keychains. I took the keychains out of the bag to look at. A smile on my face when I see the two keychains together.

We spent the rest of the day shopping around. He bought me dresses, shirts, pants, purses, and shoes. Anything that I looked at or touched, he paid for. It was silly and a waste of money, but Atlas assured me he was a rich vampire man.

Halfway through our shopping, Atlas stopped walking. I still had my hand intertwined through his hand when we stopped. I turned to him. I noticed he was grimacing and pinching the bridge of his nose. His pale face looked even paler, if that was even possible.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

He shook his head without looking at me as if he was shaking off the dizziness.

"I haven't fed properly for a while."

Biting my lips, I looked around to see what I should do. Seeing an empty and less traffic corridor, I pulled him in that direction. It was a dead end, but far from prying eyes. He fell against the wall and pressed his palms against his temples.

Looking around once more to see if we were indeed safe, I eliminated the space between us. Pulling back the collar of my shirt, I exposed my neck to him. The distance between us centimeters. I could feel his panting breath on my neck. He inhaled deeply and a low, deep grumble vibrated deep within his chest.

I felt his lips skimming my skin, and I bit my lips, waiting and expecting. Why was I so willing to give him my blood? He could drink any other person.

However, just as the thought came, I quickly shooed it away. Several weeks ago, I couldn't care less. It was different now. I wanted nothing more than for him to drink me. Sink his teeth into my skin and make me his forever.

Before crystal life, I remembered learning about werewolves. They had soulmates—like a string that ties them together. A predestined fate chosen for them. I wondered if it was the same for vampires. Atlas mentioned something about a beloved mate.

I felt his tongue lick my skin, and I shivered. Unable to resist the urge, I leaned into his body. Clutching at his shirt and standing on my tippy toes. I wanted more, and I wanted it bad. What was this feeling?

"Atlas," I breathed a little inpatient.

I felt the sharpness of his teeth. A second later, he sunk them into my skin. Numbness spread throughout the area he punctured, but a sense of euphoria enveloped me in its arms. My mind is a complete muddle mess. My knees had gone weak and I couldn't hold myself up. Atlas had to wrap one arm around my waist to keep me standing up.

He sucked deeper and harder. I could feel all my blood rushing to that one area and yet I couldn't stop. My entire body sizzled and buzzed with a new feeling. I moaned and fisted my hands into his shirt.

I could barely breathe.

Would he suck me dry? I don't know, but it feels too good for him to stop. I pressed my body harder into his. If I could, I wanted to melt into his body.

Suddenly, he ripped his mouth away from my neck. An animalistic snarl emanated from him. His eyes were glowing red and blood dripped down his chin. I didn't see this before when he sucked me. He still had one arm wrapped around my waist to keep me standing. With his other arm, he grabbed a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped at his mouth before wiping my neck. I tried standing up on my own two feet, but it wobbled like I was a newborn fawn. Atlas's arm tightened around my waist.

"The effects have worn off yet. You are still feeling the waves of euphoria and numbness. Lean into me. We'll have to wait here until you feel better. I couldn't stop drinking and I might've drank more than I should have. You might get dizzy if I release you." His voice was hoarse from drinking me seconds ago.

I didn't mind at all. I rested my head on his shoulder and closed my eyes. I listened to his breathing and allowed the waves to pass through me. I don't know how long we waited, but when I regained consciousness, we were no longer in the empty corridor. We were sitting in the car we drove in and the driver was sitting in the front. They pulled the privacy shade up.

I turned my head to Atlas and saw he was staring out the window with a hard expression. I reached out and touched his arm to get his attention. He blinked and looked back at me.

"Hey." He pulled me into his arms. I rested my head on his chest.

"Did I fall asleep?" I asked and realized how dry my throat was.

He was quiet and I could feel how stiff his body was. I pushed away from his body to look at him. Atlas's eyes met mine.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"I shouldn't have fed on you. I couldn't stop and I took too much. You passed out from the amount of blood loss-"

"I'm fine," I interrupted.

"It was a close one. You are going to need to rest-"

"I will once we are home."

He sighed and rubbed a hand over his face.

"I sense something else is bugging you," I said.

Atlas looked me over and his eyes landed on the part of my neck he was sucking. I reached up with one hand and touched it. Wincing when I felt that it hadn't healed as quickly as it did last time. The painful throbbing in my neck became more prominent.

"Oh," I mouthed.

One corner of his lips curved up, and he shook his head.

"It isn't just 'oh', Ophelia. My bite mark hasn't healed. It seems my body and soul have decided that you are my one and only beloved mate."

"Wait, a minute. Wait, a minute. You're telling me that because I am your beloved mate, every time you suck me dry, I won't heal quickly."

Atlas nodded.

"That's not fair at all."

"It's preventing it from healing. The scars will heal over and create a mark of mine that everyone would see. If it heals fast, the mark won't exist."

I touched the mark on my neck again and winced. He leaned over with one hand and cradled my cheek, pulling my face up towards his until his lips latched onto mine. He kissed me gently before pulling back.

"You're mine now, Ophelia. There is no turning back."

The realization caused a bubbly feeling inside my tummy. This only made me more curious.

"What does beloved mate mean?"

"It means no other person can have you. You're mine."

"Uh, I get that. But what if another vampire bites me and I am theirs as well?"

He snarled, and his eyes burned with dominating fire.

"I'll kill them, but you'll be in extreme pain. Your body will reject the vampire's bite. Many people could die from it and others don't recover completely."

"Fuck...that's just fucked up. I don't know how I feel about this," I grumbled, not liking this idea any further. "Do you get any bad juju on your end if you suck another person besides me?"

He chuckled and pulled me closer to him. "Yes, you aren't the only one who experiences suffering. I can only feed on you. Other blood will only quench my thirst for a while, but it won't last long. I'll crave and want more. Losing a beloved mate is the worst kind of torture a vampire could experience. They won't die if they're strong, but it would be pure hell for them. It's like shoving a hot iron down their throat and expecting them to feel better. Drinking might help with surviving, but it is not the same as drinking a beloved mate's blood. It will strengthen them and their thirst will stay away longer.

Suddenly, a realization hit me. What would my death do to Atlas?

My mood automatically dampened, and I looked away from him toward the privacy shade. I thought about all kinds of possibilities. What could I do to protect him and to save myself? Was there truly no way out of this curse without trading Atlas's life for mine?

Author's Note:

Hello Everyone.

Thank you all for the overwhelming comments. I am happy that you are all safe and still loving the book!

I am looking to read any book on Wattpad right now. So I am up for recommendations. Please post them here if you have any you have recently that stuck out to you!

Leila