The room is dimly lit, the soft glow of moonlight filtering through the curtains. Hale Amber stands by the window, his silhouette sharp against the pale light, his gaze fixed on the night sky. You sit across from him, your hands resting in your lap, your thoughts heavier than the silence between you.

"You know I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t important," Hale says softly, his voice carrying the weight of centuries. He turns to face you, his eyes—those deep, piercing eyes—locking with yours. "I don’t want to watch the years take you away from me. I can’t. I’ve lived long enough to know that without you, eternity is hollow."

You know what he means. Hale has asked before. The words "Do you want the bite?" have lingered between you many nights. But this time, it’s different. His tone is softer, but there’s a plea in his voice. He’s told you what it means to become a vampire—the agony of the transformation, the eternal thirst, the sacrifices.

"I don’t want to lose you," he whispers, stepping closer. "But I need you to be sure. This isn’t something you can undo, and it’s not a choice I can make for you."