AN: Guys, this is a take two. I really didn't like the direction I had gone in with the first go, and as annoying as it is for those who read it, if I didn't start again it was unfixable, in my mind anyway. I am only reposting because I am 100percent happy this time :)

I am a big Vampire Diaries fan, and though I have no hate toward Stefan, I do think he gets away with his actions too easy. So this story explores an idea I had where Stefan goes too far and forgiveness is not so forthcoming.

Chapter 1: Disillusioned

Cheers from the football field echoed through the stands, but to Elena the hum of excitement felt miles away. She smiled weakly at the crowd under the stadium lights, but her heart wasn't in it.

Stefan had promised he would be here. She had waited for him, her gaze sweeping through the crowd, hoping his face would appear at any moment, but with every passing second, her chest tightened further. Stefan hadn't shown up— again.

Lately, he wasn't just missing from moments like these. It was as if he was pulling away from her completely. She couldn't ignore the growing distance, nor could she understand where it was coming from. Things had been going well between them and, after everything they had been through, it made no sense that Stefan would withdraw from her now.

The noise of the pep rally became unbearable, a throbbing beat that made her head hurt. She couldn't stay here, waiting for him. "I need a break," she muttered, to no one in particular, before slipping away from the bleachers. She moved quickly, not bothering to check if anyone had heard her.

As Elena walked further from the field, the noise grew quieter. The cool night air brushed against her skin, a small relief from the suffocating tension that had been building in her chest all evening. She made her way toward the parking lot, away from the blaring lights and noise, and let out a sigh. The shadows stretched long under the dim lamps, and for the first time that night, she felt like she could breathe.

Leaning against the side of a parked car, she let the cold metal press against her back, but the ache in her chest remained. She missed Stefan. Now, all she felt was the weight of their unspoken distance.

"Elena?"

The voice startled her, breaking the silence. She turned and saw a guy standing nearby. Freddy, something, she thought his name was. She vaguely recognized him: tall, broad-shouldered, with a casual grin that didn't quite match the look in his eyes.

"Hey," Elena replied, her voice thin, not wanting to talk.

Freddy stepped closer, his demeanour one of confident ease. "I saw you leaving the rally. Looks like you could use a break."

She forced a small smile and gave a slight nod, hoping to end the conversation quickly. "Yeah, just needed some air."

He moved closer, a dangerous gleam in his eyes. "It's quieter over here. Good spot to talk, don't you think?"

Elena felt uneasy, realising that wandering off alone may not have been the best idea. "I should probably head back— my friends will be looking for me," she lied, trying to step away.

Freddy's grin widened, but there was nothing friendly about it. "Don't rush off," he said, stepping into her space. His voice dropped, colder now. "We could hang out, Elena, isn't it—we could get to know each other."

Elena's pulse quickened, a knot forming in her throat. She moved to push past him, but his hand shot out, gripping her wrist painfully. Panic surged through her. "Let go of me!" Elena snapped, trying to yank her arm free.

Freddy didn't move. Instead, he tightened his grip, fingers biting as he pulled her closer. "Don't be like that," he purred. His free hand cupped her face, his thumb brushing her cheek in a gesture that was anything but gentle, "You're far too pretty to be left all alone".

Before Elena could react, his lips crashed against hers— rough, unwanted. No! Panic surged through her. She struggled, pushing against him will all her strength, but he was too strong, too relentless. His weight pinned her against the car, his hand tightening around her wrist as the other moved painfully in her hair. She wanted to scream, but the sound caught in her throat as Freddy pushed his tongue through her now open lips. This wasn't happening. This can't be happening!

Freddy released his grip from her hair, moving down to undo his own belt. His hips pressed forcefully against hers. Elena felt as if she was drowning all over again.

Then, without warning, Freddy was ripped from her.

One second, his body was crushing her against the car, and the next, he was gone.

Elena stumbled, her ankle twisting painfully, sending a sharp jolt up her leg as she collapsed against the car, her head slamming against the hard metal. Pain exploded through her skull.

Dazed, she touched her forehead, feeling something wet and warm. Blood.

Her vision blurred as she blinked through the pain, trying to make sense of what had just happened to her. And then she saw him.

Stefan.

Relief flooding her chest. He had come. He had saved her.

Stefan stood over Freddy's crumpled form, his chest heaving with fury. Freddy groaned, barely conscious, but Stefan grabbed him by the collar, yanking him up with terrifying ease.

"You hurt her," Stefan growled, his voice dangerously low. Freddy whimpered, limp in Stefan's grip, too stunned to respond.

"Stefan…" Elena called weakly, her voice a plea. "I—"

Stefan's head snapped toward her, his eyes darkening as they locked onto her own. For a brief moment, the fury that had consumed him dissipated. Elena saw the change in his eyes—the anger melting away, replaced by something else.

Stefan's gaze lingered on the crimson trail trickling down her face, his breath hitching. The tension in his body shifted—all thoughts of Freddy vanished from his mind.

"Stefan?" she gasped, confusion and fear flooding her voice.

The change was immediate. His expression twisted, the concern in his eyes replaced by something primal.

Stefan approached before crouching in front of her, his hand trembling as it reached out, fingertips brushing the blood on her forehead. He froze, his eyes fixed on the red staining his skin. "Elena," he whispered, his voice strangled. But it wasn't a plea.

Before she could react, he brought his fingers to his lips, dragging his tongue across them, tasting her blood. In that moment, the last thread of Stefan's restraint snapped. Elena's breath caught in her throat as she watched him shift – his pupils dilated, as black veins spread across his once-handsome face.

"Stefan, stop," she begged, her voice shaking. "Please…"

But he didn't stop. His eyes dark with desire as he leaned in, his lips grazing the edge of her wound. Elena's heart raced as cold fear settled further in her chest.

Elena gasped in pain as Stefan's hand grasped her already bruised wrist, her tears mixing with the blood running down her face. Stefan's lips traced the line of her wound, drinking her in. His grip on her was unyielding, his body pressing closer.

"Stefan, please, you're hurting me…"

But he didn't hear her, his mind lost to the intoxicating flood of her blood. Stefan pulled her to her feet, her body limp, her legs unable to hold her up. His strength was the only thing keeping her upright as he pinned her back against the car, his hand tilting her head to get a better angle on the free-flowing blood.

Elena's tears came faster now, her heart racing with a fear that nearly consumed her.

"Stefan, please," she whimpered.

But Stefan was gone, consumed by the monster inside him, and for the first time, Elena truly understood what he was capable of.