As we were led to the boat, a wave of anxiety crashed over me. Adam, ever protective, stayed right by my side; his presence was both comforting and intimidating. He was tense, muscles taut, and he growled softly, his eyes narrowing at the men roughly handling me. It felt like he was on the verge of unleashing his fury, ready to snap at any moment as they tried to push me into my seat. I could feel the heat radiating from him—a silent promise that he would stand up for me against any threat, even if it meant facing off with those who were treating me so harshly.
It was evident that they reprimanded him for trying to assist me. The only people on the boat, dispatched by the council, were the council members themselves. Every moment of our journey was under their watchful scrutiny, their pie
