Anne finally found Damien deep in the forest, near the lake.
As she approached the lake, the serene beauty of the water's reflection glimmered before her. He sat on a large rock by the water's edge, his back to her, shoulders hunched in quiet contemplation.
Without saying a word, Anne walked up behind him, her footsteps light but deliberate. She reached out and gently touched the mark on his neck. Damien flinched slightly at her touch but didn't pull away. His hand came up instinctively to cover hers as he let out a heavy sigh.
"I'm sorry," he murmured, his voice low and filled with regret. "For everything. For the bite, for what I put you through. I never wanted to hurt you."
