ly against the stone floor. Escape wasn't just a desire anymore-it was a necessity. Damon's words, his intense gaze, th

toward the outer wall. It wouldn't be an easy escape, but it was possible. If she could make it over the wall, she might have a chance to reach t

e'd wandered the hills surrounding her father's manor before all of this. She tucked a sma

r. Her heart skipped, and she froze, clutching her clo

ce called from the oth

relief at the sight of her friend. Lydia's eyes went wide as

Lydia whispered, glancing over her shoul

eration. "He's... he's not like anyone I've ever known. He's... contr

"You know he'll come after you. The ki

I don't know where I'll go, but it has to be better than this." She hesitated

you'll need more than just luck." She pulled a small pendant from around her neck and pressed it into

nt, fighting back tears. "Thank you," she whispered, s

quickly. The guards change shifts in jus

the castle's winding corridors. She held her breath at every corner, flinching at every echo. The shadows

the cool night air hitting her like a blessing. The path lay

h step. The wall loomed closer, and she could already see a tree near

e base of the tree, a voic

g away,

le, his gaze sharp and predatory. He had been waiting for her, somehow anticipating her ever

ing a step back, though she knew i

leaving me, Caroline. After everything I made per

I never asked for this. I didn't want any of this." Her voice tremb

. "You think you have a choice, don't you?" His voice was soft, almost gentle, but there was an edge to it

. She felt trapped, cornered by his presence, by the weight of his expectations.

plied, her voice low, "but I

that so?" He reached out, his fingers brushing her cheek, a touch that was both t

racing the line of her jaw. His touch was intoxicating, a dark allure that seemed to s

ed, her voice barely audib

t her skin. "I don't need your surrender," he murmured, his voice

nd for a moment, her defiance wavered. But she refused to let h

h, her gaze steady. "Then let me leave no

rded her. For a moment, silence hung between them, thick w

lips. "But cleverness won't save you, Caroline. I could have guards

she forced herself to meet his gaze, her chin lifted in def

tched her, his smirk fading into a look of cold resolve. "T

asp her wrist in a firm, unyielding grip. His touch was like fire again

ing against his hold, but he held

said, his voice soft but unyie

m for argument. Caroline's heart raced, her mind screaming for escape, but she knew there was

her own. She was trapped, bound to a man who would stop