Disclaimer: This story is based on characters created by L.J. Smith, as portrayed in the TV series created by Kevin Williamson and Julie Plec. All rights to their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended.

Author's Note: This is the final chapter! Thank you all for reading and reviewing. I've loved every minute of it! Enjoy!

BEHIND THE CASTLE WALLS

IX

It was the day before the full moon. Tyler had brought Jeremy and Elena to the Lockwood estate in preparation for the wedding. His primary reason for doing so was to keep an eye on Elena so she did not attempt to flee. He doubted she would, as he held too much over her head to even contemplate such a bold move.

His secondary reason was for her to be safe from him tonight. He had chosen their wedding day to take place on the day following the full moon so as he would have enough time to ensure she be impregnated in time for the next full moon. He could not wait to see her in wolf form. She would surely be a thing of beauty, and together they would rule the night.

Only one more night spent alone. Tyler was pleased with himself, indeed. He took a long bath and stretched his muscles in anticipation of the night's endeavors. He had a plan. He would bring the pack to the beast's doorstep and he would end him. Then Elena would forever be his, body and soul.

Elena was pacing her room. Tomorrow she would accept Tyler Lockwood as her husband. Tomorrow night she would have to submit to his desires. She shuddered at the thought. She could not bear the thought of his hands caressing her. The feel of his lips on hers. Her body and soul cried out for Damon. Would she ever be able to put him out of her mind? Tyler had been correct, in a way. She was bewitched by Damon. She had seen the man behind the beast, and he was beautiful. Even more beautiful than his human guise. Oh, how she longed for his touch. How she longed for him to look into her eyes once more. Sadness weighed down her heart as she realized her dreams would never come true. She would live out her life as Tyler Lockwood's property. A knock on the door distracted her troubled mind.

"Yes?"

"May I come in?" It was Jeremy's voice.

"Of course, brother," she said and the door creaked open.

"How are you faring, dear sister?"

"Better now that you are here."

"I know the sacrifice you are making for me. I am here to tell you I cannot allow it."

"Jeremy. I have made my decision. I will not see you hurt."

"Nor will I see you hurt, dear sister. I will leave this town, go somewhere where Tyler cannot find me, and you can be free."

"It is not merely your life at stake, dear brother."

"Are you protecting someone else?"

"Yes."

"Who… No! You cannot be serious! He is a monster!"

"He is no more a monster than Tyler Lockwood," Elena snapped.

"Do you have feelings for him?"

"It does not matter. What is important – what is reality – is that tomorrow I will be Mrs. Elena Lockwood."

As the sun was setting, Elena felt her body constricting. She could not breathe. She felt the need to inhale fresh air into her lungs and made her way to the stables. She saddled one of the horses and prepared to sit up when a voice from behind her made her freeze in her tracks.

"You should not be outside during a full moon. Did you learn nothing from your previous experience?"

"The moon is not yet up," Elena replied, her voice quivering, "I still have time."

"Time for what?"

"To see you one last time," she breathed, turning around slowly with a multitude of emotions on her face.

"You were coming to see me?" Damon said in a whisper.

"I promised I would."

"And I gave you my word I would come for you," he said and took another step towards her.

"You always keep your word," Elena said, taking a step towards him, her eyes fixed on his.

"I do," Damon said, closing the remaining space between them.

"I am marrying Tyler Lockwood tomorrow," Elena said, tears rising in her eyes.

"Don't," Damon whispered.

"I do not have a choice."

"There is always a choice."

"Not in this."

"Come with me. We will leave this place and never look back."

"I cannot. I have Jeremy to consider, and your home is here."

"My home is with you," Damon said softly, caressing her cheek. "I will make sure your brother remains unharmed."

"You do not understand. Tyler will murder you."

"I would like to see him try."

"No, you would not."

"He does not scare me, Elena. I will fight him for you."

"I do not wish you to fight," Elena said in a pleading voice.

"It is not in me to run, Elena. But I will. For you. With you."

"I suggest you both run," a menacing voice came from behind them.

"Tyler," Elena breathed. "Please…"

"I can feel the moon. It's rising. I would estimate you have about five minutes before you become the hunted," he snarled at Damon.

"What are you speaking of?" Elena frowned, stepping closer.

"Elena, don't," Damon said, pulling her back. "We need to run."

"Why?" she turned to look at him.

"Because of that," he said, pointing to Tyler who was already on the ground, transforming before their eyes. Damon did not waste any time in picking her up and speeding away into the forest.

"Damon, stop!" she cried out, getting dizzy from the rapid motion.

"I must get you to safety," he said, not slowing down.

"Jeremy – we have to get to him before Tyler does."

"I will handle it. But I need you to be safe first."

Before she knew it, they were at the gates to the castle, and Damon sat her down. She held on to the iron bars to steady herself and watched as Damon opened the gate. She was just about to move towards him when a beast came out of the darkness and pounced on her. She looked up to meet the wolf's eyes and saw his teeth bared, saliva dripping from his snarling snout. As he went for her neck, Elena braced herself for the pain, but the bite never came. Instead the wolf yelped as Damon pulled him off of her.

"Elena, get inside!" Damon yelled, his voice muffled slightly from his protruding fangs.

Elena was about to obey his command when she saw the wolf lunging for Damon, ripping into his neck. She screamed. Finding a tree branch on the ground, she lunged at the wolf, fighting him off. The wolf seemed surprised, and after a staring contest with her, he took off. Elena exhaled in relief and dragged Damon inside.

"Come on, you have to help me," she said, pleading with him to move. Elena managed to get him into the hallway and close the door behind them and she called out for help. "Nameless! Anyone! Your Master needs your assistance!"

"I let them go," Damon coughed.

"What? Why did you do that?"

"Someone once told me… it bothered them that my servants had no will of their own."

"Shh, do not speak," Elena whispered, caressing his pale skin.

"It will soon heal," Damon croaked.

"But you will fall ill again. Like your mother."

"I got you away from him. That is enough for me. Promise me you will not return."

"I promise."

"Good." Damon closed his eyes.

"No!" Elena cried out. She tried to feel his pulse or hear his heartbeat, but remembered he had none. She looked at his neck, where the bite was fading. He was healing. After several excruciating minutes of waiting, Damon opened his eyes and got to his feet.

"Shh, do not cry for me," he said softly, reaching up to wipe Elena's tears away.

"Why should I not cry?"

"Because I am not worth your tears. I was not a good man, and I became an even worse monster. I am deeply sorry for what I did to you and your brother. When morning comes, I shall greet the sun for the last time. You should leave before then."

"No. No, I am not leaving you," Elena shook her head, her tears flowing in a steady stream.

"I will take a turn for the worse shortly, Elena. I wish to spare you from that sight."

"You do not have to."

"What are you saying?"

"Your mother said the blood of one's true love would cure a wolf bite, no?"

"Elena…"

"Drink from me," she implored him, a pleading look on her face.

"No." He stroked her face lovingly. "I will not hurt you."

"Damon…"

"No. You should leave," he said and sped out of sight.

"Damon!" Elena called out after him, but received no reply. She went up the stairs to his room, hoping she would find him there. Her next stop would be the tower room. But Elena did not need to look any further. Damon was indeed in his bedroom, stripped down to his undergarments and cleaning the blood off his neck.

"Let me," Elena said softly, taking the wet cloth from him and dabbing his neck and shoulder. The wound was completely healed. She kissed the skin where it had been. "If you will not drink from me, if you are insistent on giving up, then let me have tonight. Give me that much, then tell me you wish to walk away."

"Elena…"

"I beg of you…"

"No begging…" he breathed, capturing her lips with his.

After what felt like a sweet eternity later, Elena lay with Damon's arms wrapped around her. His even breathing told her he had fallen asleep. She reached out to the bedside table. She pulled out the drawer as quietly as possible and found what she was looking for. A dagger. She had seen it there when she stayed in his room.

"What are you doing?" Damon's voice mumbled as he felt her moving.

Elena took a deep breath and made a deep cut in her palm, stifling a cry of pain. Then she threw the dagger aside and turned over, holding out her hand. "Drink," she said.

"Elena… what did you do?" he looked at her in horror.

"I will not let you go," she said, determined, and put her palm to his lips.

"There is no telling this will work," he protested.

"I love you. I believe you love me too. Now drink and prove it once and for all."

Damon closed his eyes and connected his lips with her palm, drinking deep. Elena's eyes widened at the sensation, and then she saw the wound on his neck return - festering, moving, fading… it was working.

Damon looked up at her in wonder. "My true love," he smiled.

Author's Note: Ok, so I lied… there'll be another chapter – an epilogue. : )