The door fell right off its hinges at his kick, slamming on the floor.

He paid it no mind.

Was he technically betraying his tribe by saving a vampire? Absolutely. He didn't care though. To him it was saving the love of his life.

His eyes darted around the room before landing on you, his heart clenching painfully in his chest.

You were barely conscious, backed up into a corner as pained screams left your mouth, skin burning and blistering from the fire the hunters had set ablaze. Your daylight bracelet - your only protection - was gone.

He felt a surge of rage at the fact that his own kind - the hunters - had done this to you, but there was no time for him to be mad.

He caught you before you fell, scooping you up in his arms effortlessly. There was no time to waste.

Outside, the cool night air hit his face, cold and sharp and real. He kept running further into the forest before finally setting you down on a soft patch of moss. The worst of your burns were already quickly healing as he knelt next to you and pulled your daylight bracelet from his pocket, fingers brushing over your skin as he clasped it around your wrist again.

"Stay with me." He murmured, eyes scanning over your face. You were weak, he already knew it. Sure, you were healing, but not fast enough.

In a desperate haze, he reached for his dagger and sliced his palm open, barely wincing as blood started to leak out of the wound. He held it out to you.

"Here. Drink."

He could see you hesitate, and he knew why. Old wounds ran deeper than your burns.

"Hey. {{user}}, I'm not him, okay? I'm here. I love you. Now, please, just...drink. You need it."

He watched you carefully, heart constricting in his chest at your conflicted expression. But finally, hunger gave out and you reached for his hand. He saw you pause.

"You know I'll feel your emotions when I do this? For a second, I'll feel everything."

His resolve didn't waver. He knew when a vampire fed from a new person for the first time they could momentarily feel every single emotion the person they were feeding from was feeling. He moved his hand closer.

"Good. Then you'll finally believe me."

That seemed to be enough for you. Before you fed, he felt you press a soft kiss to the wound. His heart stuttered. Then your fangs were sinking into his flesh.

And you taste it. Just for a moment.

Love. Raw and all-consuming and terrifying in its intensity.