Clara rolled her eyes as Damon growled for the twentieth time since she'd begun cleaning Liam's wounds.

"Will you stop that?" she asked, without turning. He groaned.

"I don't know why you have to clean him up. There's Amelia, Luca, even the maids," he grumbled. Clara rolled her eyes but remained silent.

"This brings me back to old times," Liam said suddenly. Clara closed her eyes as Damon growled again.

"Okay, that's enough! Leave him alone, or I'll beat you up again!" Damon snapped, grabbing Clara's arm and pulling her away. She didn't protest; she knew he was close to exploding.

"Look, I don't fucking care if you're sick or dying. I'm sure as hell not letting you stay here with my wife," Damon muttered, glaring at Liam. Clara couldn't tell if Liam was glaring back; one of his eyes was swollen shut.

"I heard Sebastian's targeting Clara now—he knows she's your weakness," Liam said. Silence fell before Clara turned to Damon, whose expression had turned icy.

"How do you know that?" Damon asked. Liam chuckled lightly.

"How do I know? It's the talk of the town. We werewolves are all involved in this war; news spreads like wildfire. Sebastian wants you dead, and there's only one way to tame the ever-so-magnificent death viper. In fact, all your enemies are after her. You'll be surprised how many packs are against you, wanting you dead. No one's willing to help; you might be alone," Liam said. Clara frowned. "You're all ungrateful! Do you really think, after Sebastian kills him, he won't come after the whole wolf race?!" she demanded, anger rising.

Damon took her hand, drawing her attention. He smiled slightly, wordlessly calming her.

"Do you know what your husband did to them? He destroyed lives, Clara," Liam said, and Clara glared at him.

"Do you know he could stay here with me, and we'd let the rest of you rot in hell? He could, but he chooses to save the rest of you," she retorted, furious.

"Clara, that's enough. Don't exchange words with him. And I don't need their help to win, okay?" Damon said, holding her hand tightly.

"Well, luckily for you, I'm on your side. I know Sebastian's immortal now, and as much as I don't like you, you're the only one who can kill him. Plus, I want to help you protect Clara. I won't let her get caught up in this," Liam said. Clara felt Damon's anger rising again.

"What happens to Clara is none of your business. Besides, she's safe here. Sebastian won't get in," Damon said. Liam scoffed.

"But what if he does get in? The witches are on his side, Damon. Do you really think your buddy Romeo can protect her? He hasn't trained in years; he's gotten lazy," Liam countered.

"So what are you implying, Liam? That you'll stay here and protect my wife?" Damon asked. Liam nodded.

"Regardless of what you think of me, I'm one of the strongest Alphas around. My men will train with yours while I stay here and guard your wife," he stated. Damon let out a humorless laugh.

"I'd rather take her back home with me than let you stay here with her," Damon said. Liam scoffed.

"So you'd rather have her killed than let me protect her? Shows just how much you love her," Liam retorted, further angering Damon. He was about to attack when Clara stepped in front of him.

"Go. I can take care of myself," she said. He frowned. "Clara…"

"Don't you trust me?" she asked. He sighed.

"Of course I trust you, but…"

"Then trust me to handle myself. Even if he has bad intentions, I'll handle him. I don't want you wasting your time here when you should be handling the situation. You said one week, and if you're not back by then, I'll come find you," she said, looking directly into his eyes. He sighed.

"Why does he have to stay here with you?" he asked softly. She smiled, caressing his face.

"Because I don't trust him. I don't want him blabbing out my whereabouts and making things harder for you. Keeping him here is the safest option," she explained. She heard Liam scoff behind her.

"You always see me as the villain," he commented. She ignored him, staring at Damon.

"I'll call or text you every day. If I don't get a reply, I'll come get you," Damon said. She nodded.

"I'll be waiting for your calls and texts every day. If I don't get them, I'll come to you. One week, okay?" she murmured. He nodded, wrapping his arms around her tightly.

"One week. I have to leave before sunrise," he said. She sighed.

"Then go. I'll be okay," she muttered, knowing she was lying. How could she be okay knowing he was going to fight for his life?

"Let's go, Luca," he said, pulling away. Hand in hand, they walked to the car. "Make sure you eat and rest. Don't worry too much about me, okay?" he said. She nodded, unable to speak for fear of crying.

He kissed her, a lingering kiss that felt like a goodbye. She clung to his shirt as he chuckled and pulled away.

"See you later, my love," he murmured, kissing her forehead before getting into the car.

She didn't know how long she stood there until Aunt Amelia brought a blanket.

"Are you okay?" she asked. Clara shook her head, tears streaming down her cheeks.

He was gone.