Alaric's POV
I know that bringing Enzo here shutting him away behind walls and locked doors must feel like I've caged him.
And truthfully, I have. It's not lost on me that his world has been reduced to stone corridors, guarded doors, and my shadow never far behind.
But if that's the price of keeping him alive, I'll pay it without hesitation.
I've seen what his father is capable of. I've seen what hunters do to prey they want to break.
I will not watch him go through that again, the things he said last night in his sleep only made matters worst.
And yet…, when I see the way he glances toward the windows, I wonder if I've simply exchanged one prison for another, wondering if I'm treating him just like his father did.
I've convinced myself it's for his protection but what if it's also for mine?
What if, deep down, I'm as selfish as I am protective, unable to bear the thought of him anywhere beyond my reach?
