Lily rushed back to Kael’s cabin, her heart pounding in her chest. Jason’s anger echoed in her mind, the memory of his violent outbursts filling her with dread. She knew he was unhinged, but as she remembered that he owned a gun, a chill crept down her spine. Shit, she thought. He’s going to do something crazy.

Meanwhile, Jason was in town, fueled by rage and jealousy. He retrieved his gun from where he kept it hidden, his mind racing with thoughts of what he believed he needed to do. He grabbed two of Lily’s friends, dragging them along as he made his way to the woods.

“You girls are going to hold Lily down while I shoot that monster,” he said, his voice low and threatening. The girls exchanged nervous glances but followed, caught up in Jason’s anger.

As they reached the edge of the woods, Jason scanned the area, ready to confront what he thought was the source of Lily’s change. When they finally spotted her, she was with Kael, their connection evident even from a distance.

“Lily!” Jason shouted, charging toward them. The girls attempted to grab her arms, but she fought back, fear and defiance flooding her.

“Get away from me!” Lily cried, struggling against her friends. But Jason pushed through, his eyes wild with rage. “You’re seeing him? You’re really seeing that monster?”

With a shaking hand, Jason lifted his gun, aiming it at Kael. “This ends now!”

In a moment of instinct, Lily threw herself in front of Kael. “No! Don’t!” she screamed as the bullet tore through the air.

“Lily, are you fucking crazy?” Jason shouted, disbelief written all over his face. But before he could process what had happened, he fired again, and this time the bullet struck Kael.

Lily felt time freeze. Kael stumbled back, shock and pain flickering in his eyes. “No!” she screamed, rushing to him as Jason and the girls fled the scene, leaving chaos in their wake.

“Kael!” Lily cried, kneeling beside him, her hands shaking as she pressed against the wound. “Stay with me! Please!”

Kael’s breath was shallow, his strength fading. “Leave me,” he gasped. “You’re hurt too.”

“No! I won’t leave you!” Tears streamed down Lily’s face as she tried to staunch the bleeding, panic flooding her. “You have to hold on!”

Kael's eyes fluttered as he struggled to stay conscious. “Lily… I can’t…”

“Kael, please! You’re going to be okay!” She pressed her forehead to his, feeling the warmth of his skin slowly fading. In that moment, she thought he might be slipping away. “I can’t lose you… not like this!”

As the reality of the situation crashed over her, she leaned down, kissing him softly, pouring all her love and fear into that one moment. “I need you, Kael,” she whispered, her voice breaking. “I love you.”

Just then, a soft light surrounded them, enveloping Kael. As Lily cried against his chest, she felt his heartbeat strengthen, and his skin began to warm. “Lily,” he murmured, his voice clearer now. “Stop crying. I’m okay.”

Lily pulled back, staring in disbelief as she noticed the wound had healed. The half of his face that had been skeletal was now whole and normal. “Kael?” she breathed, her heart soaring.

From her house, Iona watched the scene unfold, a knowing smile on her face. “You did it, Lily. You broke the curse!”

Lily’s eyes widened. “I… I did?”

Iona called out, her voice carrying through the air. “Love is powerful. It can heal even the deepest wounds.”

With relief flooding through her, Lily looked at Kael, who smiled back, his eyes bright with life. “I’m here,” he said softly. “You saved me.”

Lily’s heart swelled with joy, knowing they could face whatever came next together. She leaned closer to Kael, her expression turning serious. “Don’t ever scare me like that again.”

Kael wiped her tears away gently, his touch soft and reassuring. “I’m sorry, Lily. I’ll always protect you. I promise.”

As they held each other, the chaos faded into the background, leaving only the warmth of their connection. Together, they would find a way to move forward, their love stronger than any curse.