Venom's Alliance: Loyalty's Fracture

Chapter 16

Kalia's POV.

I found myself in another dream, one that felt way too real. We were in a pool, rain pouring down around us, each drop mixing with the water as it slid down my skin. He was there, his presence magnetic, pulling me closer. His touch sent shivers through me, a mix of comfort and desire. In the dream, his eyes locked onto mine with an intensity that made me feel like I was everything to him, like he wanted to protect and cherish me.

The rain mingled with our breaths, creating a symphony of sensations that made every touch feel more intense. His fingers traced delicate patterns along my arms, neck, and face, leaving a trail of warmth. I could feel the heat of his body against mine, the gentle yet possessive grip of his hands as they held me close. The world around us seemed to fade away, leaving just the two of us.

I reached out to touch his face, my fingers yearning for the warmth and softness of his skin. The anticipation of feeling his skin under my fingertips made my heart race. But instead, my hand met cold, unfeeling marble. The stark contrast jolted me awake, and I found myself in the shower, alone.

The water cascading over me was no longer the warm embrace of his presence but a chilling reminder of the reality I was living. My skin still tingled with the ghost of his touch, and my heart ached with the hunger that the dream had awakened. Guilt hit me as I realized how often I dreamed of him. It felt like I was losing my grip on reality.

Jay had been a dream from the moment I met him until now. He was a dream I could never fully hold, and unfortunately for me, he had to remain that way. This is why I accepted Easton's apologies—not because I wanted to, but because I felt responsible for his injury. I had to make it right; I had promised myself and him.

Two days after Easton got shot, I woke up next to him. His emerald eyes met mine, and he gave me a pained smile. His usually scruffy look was even more disheveled after the past few days, and he needed a shave, but even in that state, he was undeniably handsome. His morning voice was raspy when he spoke.

"I miss talking to you, my angel," he began. "It hurts so much more when you don't speak. It feels like the whole world has gone silent. Your anger cuts deep, your tears make my heart ache, and your pain is my pain. My angel, this physical pain I'm feeling is nothing compared to not having you with me. I'm so sorry, my angel. Please forgive me for that night."

As Easton spoke those heartfelt words, I couldn't deny how beautiful they were, coming from such a captivating man. But I felt oddly numb to the emotions I should've felt. It made me wonder why I had been so drawn to him when we first met, but now, I couldn't seem to get any closer. Every time I got near him, a voice in my head told me to run, even when he said such sweet things. All I could do was nod and watch.

I agreed to his proposal for a real relationship and a honeymoon only because of the guilt I felt when I saw his wound. He almost died because of me, and that was the only reason I was willing to give this new "us" a chance.

As Easton finally fell back asleep, I stayed there, watching over him. His chest rose and fell with each slow, steady breath. At that moment, I realized I couldn't let this man die for me. In a quiet whisper, I said, "I'm sorry." I was sorry for coming into his life, for hurting him, and for making him fall for me when I couldn't fall for him. I was sorry for betraying him and sorry that I would eventually have to do it again, to save both him and myself.

I was sorry that, inevitably, I would run away from him again. Being near him was impossible for me; he reminded me too much of Sebastian, and I couldn't let history repeat itself. I deserved freedom, and he deserved someone who could love him unconditionally. And I knew that it would never be me.