Chapter 19: Chapter 19

Sierra pov.

As I approached him, lying there lifelessly, tears streamed down my face. I felt helpless, trying to keep his eyes open, hoping for a sign of life. The sight of him made my heart ache with sadness.

I could hear his heart beating loudly, the sound ringing in my ears. It was as if it was calling out to me, urging me to keep fighting for him. His last words, "I love you," echoed in my mind, and somehow gave me a glimmer of hope.

Alex and Nora stood by my side, their faces filled with sadness. They too felt the pain that I was going through. I couldn't explain why my heart was drawn to him, but I couldn't bear the thought of him dying.

With tears still in my eyes, I stood up and ran towards Alex and Nora, my voice shaking as I pleaded with them to go get help. But they just stood there, unsure of what to do.

As I broke down, I noticed the last standing flower, once vibrant and full of life, was now turning black. I pointed it out to Alex and Nora, hoping for an explanation.

"Why is the flower turning black?" I asked, my voice cracking with emotion.

Alex and Nora moved closer to me, but remained silent, unable to provide an answer. The flower turning black was a metaphor for the situation we were in, and it left me wondering what would happen if it died.

I felt like I was going crazy, as if my mind was no longer my own. I didn't know what to do or think. My head felt as if it was about to explode at any moment.

I took out my phone and tried to call my mom, but Alex snatched it from my hand and threw it to the floor.

"What the heck is wrong with you?" she yelled, her anger evident. "You should be glad that the beast is finally dying and we can all be at peace. Do you know how everyone fears when they hear the name or even the sound of this beast? Listen to me, Sierra. This is the best thing that has ever happened to us. Can't you see? We can finally be at peace."

I pulled her hands away and moved towards the beast, pointing at him.

"This beast is my mate, and I have feelings for him. Since I came here, he has treated me with respect and love, and you want me to push all that away because you hate him? I don't care. I am going to save him."

As I put my hands around my head and walked around the room, my head kept pounding, and I felt as if I was about to pass out. Even if I went to the villagers for help, none of them would want to help me.

I kept looking at the flower, which was mostly turning black, and I just kept thinking about what would happen if it finally turned completely black.

Looking at my broken phone on the floor, I still could not believe that Alex had broken it. I was going insane, and my mind felt like it was full of chaos. It was as if a spear had been thrust inside of me, and it was hard to remove.

The room was dimly lit, and the air was thick with the smell of fear and desperation. I could hear my own heartbeat pounding in my ears, and the sound of my breathing was loud in the silence.

I reached out and touched the beast, feeling his warmth and the softness of his fur. It was like touching a living flame, dangerous yet exhilarating.

"Why?" I screamed, tears streaming down my face. I couldn't understand why all of this was happening. I buried my head in my knees, feeling the weight of my sadness.

As I sat there, I noticed the sights and smells around me. The air was heavy with the scent of blooming flowers, and I could hear the gentle rustling of leaves in the wind. The ground beneath me was rough and uneven, but surprisingly cool against my skin.

Suddenly, I felt a hand on my shoulder, and I looked up to see Nora standing over me. "Sierra," she said softly. "You don't need to worry. Maybe the Goddess made a mistake in making him your mate. You'll find someone else to spend your life with, someone who will make you happy."

I wanted to laugh at the ridiculous suggestion. They didn't understand how much I loved him, how much I wanted to be with him. I stood up and walked over to Alex and Nora, staring them down.

"You guys will never know what love is until you've experienced it for yourself," I said fiercely. "This is my mate, and I'll do everything in my power to save him, even if it means risking my own life."

I walked over to the beast and gazed at him, willing him to hold on. The flower was slowly turning black, and I knew time was running out. I wiped the tears from my face and looked at him, wondering what I could do to save him.

"Stop being a fool, Sierra," Alex shouted. "He deserves to die."

But I couldn't ignore the love I felt for the beast. I placed my hands on his face and looked into his eyes. I leaned in, resting my head on his chest, feeling his heart beating rapidly beneath my cheek. It was like a metaphor for our love - fragile and uncertain, but still beating strongly.

"Please forgive me, beast," I whispered as I closed my eyes, feeling a lump form in my throat. The creature in front of me had always been terrifying, but now I saw him in a new light.

Through my closed eyelids, I could feel the warmth of the sun on my face, and the breeze gently ruffling my hair. I could hear the rustle of leaves in the wind and the distant sound of a babbling brook.

"I was so wrong to think you are a monster, and I am so sorry for that. Please do not leave me, I will be all alone I love you," I pleaded, my voice cracking with emotion.

For a moment, there was only silence. Then, the last flower fell from the beast's hand and he let out a heavy breath.

I opened my eyes to see the beast staring at me with an unreadable expression. I felt his hot breath on my face as he leaned in closer.

"I love you too," he said, his deep voice sending shivers down my spine.

As he spoke, a strange light enveloped us, and I closed my eyes against the sudden brightness. When I opened them again, I saw a man standing before me, tall and handsome with chiseled features and piercing blue eyes.

"Who are you?" I asked, my heart racing as I looked around for the beast.

The man walked over to me, placing his hands on my face as he gazed up at me.

"I am the beast," he said, a hint of a smile playing at the corners of his mouth.

As I moved closer to him, I inhaled his musky scent mixed with a hint of pine. It was a heady aroma that filled my senses, making me feel dizzy with desire. I slowly placed my head on his chest, feeling the steady thump of his heart against my ear.

His touch around my waist sent shivers down my spine, making me feel both alive and vulnerable. I didn't want to break away from his embrace.

"Mate," his cold voice rang through my ears, causing a chill to run down my spine. But as he placed his warm hand on my cheek, I closed my eyes and let myself melt into his touch.

This was my beast, and now he was human again. He was the man I loved, and I knew that nothing could ever tear us apart.