Caroline awoke to the smoke engulfing her lungs, she coughed a couple of times before opening her eyes. The sky greeted her and Caroline's face fell. So it hadn't been a dream, last night had really happened.

She slowly pushed herself up with her palms and drowsily looked at her surroundings. Dawn had just broke, and someone had built a fire.

"Hello." Caroline jumped at the masculine voice and faced the man who she presumed had helped her last night. "Who are you?" Caroline hoarsely voiced. She tried to put authority into her voice but fail immensely.

"I'm not going to hurt you Caroline. I just-" Caroline shook her head and interrupted. "How do you know my name? What- Who are you!?" The man stood, and slowly walked over to her.

Caroline shrunk back in fear, she didn't know or trust this man. The closer he came towards her, Caroline couldn't help but notice just how handsome he was.

His messy blonde hair stopped just below his shoulders, and he had enticing blue eyes. Caroline was captivated by him, he coughed trying to regain her attention. He kept his distance but sat and made himself comfortable in front of her.

"What do you wish to know?" He stated casually, as if this was an everyday occurrence for him. Caroline square her shoulders, ready to get some answers to her non-ending questions.

"First, who are you and what do you want with me?" Caroline stared straight into his eyes. He gave her a small smile, "My name is Niklaus, and I'm here to protect you." Caroline narrowed her eyes.

"So, Lord Niklaus…" Niklaus grinned, clearly amused with her, "Please just call me Klaus." Caroline blushed and looked away. "Fine. Klaus, why are you protecting me?"

The smiled slipped from Klaus' face as he grew serious. "You are special. I will not allow harm to come towards you. You have my word." Caroline crossed her arms, and bit her lip.

She was beyond the point of confusion and if there was one thing she hated, it was being utterly confused. "But… I'm not special! I'm just a servant girl! With one friend-" Caroline then realized she had forgotten about Stefan.

Caroline jumped up and began walking when the sores on her feet made her cry out in pain. "Caroline! Sit down, you're only going to make them worse." Caroline slipped and fell towards the ground.

"Stefan… What has happened to you?" Caroline pleaded to herself. Her poor friend had most likely died, and it was her fault. "Stefan is fine. He has been taken to my family home and they are tending to him as we speak." Caroline's head shot up at the mention of Stefan.

"You know Stefan?" Klaus nonchalantly shrugged his shoulders and moved away from her. "Yes, he has been in alliance with my father, for some time." Caroline somehow found herself on her feet and limped her way back towards him.

Stefan was in alliance with his father? What did that even mean? Caroline felt her head swarm with all these questions and the only person with answers was right in front of her. "How did you find me last night?" Caroline asked with determination.

Klaus showed no emotion as he replied. "I could smell your blood, and after I took care of those disgusting beasts I shifted back into my human form. Then I cut you down, why?" Caroline's heart stopped beating.

She took in a large gulp of air before asking her next question. "What- What do you mean you shifted?" Klaus mouth fell into a straight line. "I'm a werewolf." Caroline blinked, once… twice before taking off.

She had absolutely no idea where she was going, but she was no longer going to stay around a crazed man. The woods became a blur and somehow Caroline lost her footing and she fell.

"Caroline, it doesn't matter how far or fast you run, I will always catch you." Caroline panicked and admitted defeat. She turned around and a tear rolled down her cheek.

"What do you want with me? Are you going to kill me?" Caroline cried out. Klaus' face hardened and he sped up towards her, with his hand-held up. Caroline held up her hands in fear and closed her eyes anticipating the blow.

When a soft hand grazed a cut on her upper arm, Caroline's eyes fluttered open and she glanced at him. "We need to take care of the cut, if not you could lose your arm." Caroline felt her heart race and the blood rush to her cheeks.

He was too close for her comfort, so she backed away giving them space. "I thought you were going to strike me." Klaus' eyes flashed to hers before he spoke. "Caroline, I promise I would never hurt you. I will protect you, with my life. You have no idea how important you are, do you?"

Caroline could hear the honesty in his voice. She didn't know if he was a lunatic or what he told her could be true. Could werewolves really exist? She did know that she didn't trust him, but had faith he could take her to Stefan. "I would like to see Stefan."

Klaus turned his back on her and starting walking. Caroline only stood there, not knowing if she should follow him. Klaus groaned and shouted over his shoulder, "Come little one. We will go to your Stefan."

Caroline gave a faint smile and hobbled up towards him, she couldn't look at him so she looked down and sweetly replied, "Thank you, Niklaus." Klaus scoffed, "With your wounds, it will be a two days journey. You don't want to rest?

Caroline grimaced in pain but shook her head defiantly. "No, I need to speak to Stefan. I don't understand what is going on, or what my purpose is. I will trust his word. I will go with you."

She didn't really have much of a choice of not going with Klaus, she knew she would end up alone and most likely dead. Caroline watched as he took off in inhuman speed. She fidgeted with her nerves and took off running in the same direction. "Niklaus! Wait-" Caroline finally couldn't take the pain anymore.

She fell to the ground and pulled her knees to her chest and sobbed uncontrollably. "Caroline, why are you crying?" Caroline's head snapped up and her teeth began to grind when she forcefully pushed herself up and poked Klaus in the chest.

"You imbecile! You left me!" Klaus flinched from her words, but stood his ground. "I went to retrieve my belongings. I never left you!" Caroline placed her hands on her hips "You could have at least told me. I was worried."

For the first time Caroline watched as Klaus' face softened. "I would never leave you… I need to tend to your cut." Caroline pouted but lifted her arm. She let him look at the cut, and after he placed a herbal concoction among it and dressed the wound.

"Now we will go to your Stefan." Caroline huffed and began walking. Why does he keep saying your Stefan like that? Does he think Stefan and I… "Wait!" Caroline shrieked out and smiled. She waited for him to catch up with her, and then turned to him.

"Do you think Stefan and I- Oh no! Stefan is a dear friend and nothing more." Caroline's smiled widened as she saw the rose-colored blush tinted on his cheeks. Klaus sheepishly replied, "No! What?!- No. I don't care Caroline… Just walk."

Caroline decided to let it go and began asking him more questions. Which led to both of them talking about themselves. She found out Klaus' greatest passions was painting and traveling, and she told him her favorite color was blue.

Caroline realized they were starting to become more comfortable with one another, and it brought a smile to her face. They were both so enthralled with each other, neither noticed they were being followed.