|| DOMINICO's POV ||

The moon hung low in the night sky, casting its silvery glow over the castle grounds as I made my way through the dimly lit corridors. The air was thick with a sense of foreboding, a premonition of an encounter that would alter the fragile balance within the castle. As I turned a corner, a guard—his demeanor lecherous and intentions unmistakable—emerged from the shadows.

My steps faltered as his unwelcome advances became increasingly aggressive. "You're a pretty one," he sneered, his predatory gaze stripping away any pretense of civility.

In that moment, the shadows seemed to stir, and a low growl reverberated through the corridor. I...