Caroline’s mind was a whirlwind of confusion, anger, and frustration as Damon carried her through the night. Each step he took seemed to echo in the silence of the forest, a constant reminder that there was no escape. The feeling of his chest pressing against her back, his steady heartbeat against hers, only served to amplify the connection she had fought so desperately to deny. Every part of her screamed at her to resist, to push him away, but it was becoming harder and harder to fight the pull between them.
As they neared the castle, Caroline’s breath caught in her throat. The towering walls loomed before them like a dark, oppressive presence, casting long shadows over the land. The lights flickered in the distance, a faint promise of safety that now seemed so far out of reach. It was a
