r chest as she processed everything. Despite the tension that gripped her, a sense of resolve began to rise in her, the urge to escape and fight back slowly turning into som

er pulse thudded in her ears, but she couldn't let the fear paralyze her. Damon's presence, his power, was

er it, if she could make it to the forest... the world would open up to her, full of possibilities

way, fluid and graceful. It was a guard, one of Damon's men, tall and broad-shouldered, his face hidden beneath a helmet. C

r boots making little noise as they hit the grass. She climbed, her fingers brushing against the rough bark as she scaled the tree,

t branch, she heard a voice call ou

e is! The

ow, but there was no turning back. With all the strength she could muster, Caroline hoisted hers

herself up onto the next higher branch. The leaves rustled, and the noise of her pursuit grew louder. She could hear the guards shou

h surface scraped against her boots. Below her, the ground was a dizzying drop, but the dense trees of the forest were within

down, the voice she least wanted to hear cut

ot going

he garden path, his arms crossed over his chest, his eyes dark and unreadable. His stance was li

voice low but tinged with a dangerous

feel the urge to just give in. Damon's presence was overwhelming, like a storm building on the horizon, impossible to esc

ng to keep her voice steady despite the terror

You're mine, Caroline. Whether you choose

?" Her voice cracked slightly, but she fought to kee

and predatory. "Because I want you. I want all of you, in every way. And I don't care how

and fear rising within her. But she couldn't

!" she shouted, her vo

only for her. "You don't have to be afraid of me. I can give you everything. The power, the security..

longing all mixed into one. She wanted to scream at him, to tear down the walls he'd built around her hear

" she breathed, more

nsion, like a storm waiting to break. Finally, with an almost imperceptible nod,

fying me," he said. "Because you've just

, her breath coming fast and uneven. Her heart raced, her chest heaving with the aftershock of the encounter.

wn on her. But there was no turning back. She had crossed

question remained-how much would she hav