[--Esmarie Cruz--]The man had been pacing back and forth in front of the gate for what felt like hours. From the upstairs window, I had a clear view of him, dressed head-to-toe in black leather. His pants and jacket gleamed under the dim streetlight, and what unsettled me most was the skull mask obscuring his face. He never looked up, never stopped to survey his surroundings—just kept walking in those deliberate, measured steps, like he was waiting for something. I kept watching him, transfixed by the eerie, repetitive motion, unsure if I should feel threatened or if this was some strange coincidence. But everything about him, from the way he moved to his ominous outfit, set off alarm bells in my mind.I was still standing by the window, feeling my pulse quicken with each turn he made when Kaiser, ever so calm and collected, stepped into the room. He didn't say anything at first, just gave me that look that told me everything I needed to know: he’d seen the man too. The knot of fear
[--Esmarie cruz--]That night, I couldn't sleep. No matter how hard I tried, my body refused to relax, as if every muscle was on high alert, anticipating something bad. The room was quiet, save for the gentle rhythm of the twins’ breathing, but it did nothing to calm me. I could feel a strange heaviness settling over me, something that crawled beneath my skin and made it impossible to shut my eyes for more than a few seconds at a time. My mind kept racing, playing back everything I’d seen, everything I’d felt. The man at the gate, the skull mask, the eerie silence after Kaiser had assured me there was no one there. Was I losing it? Was it just paranoia? Or had something—or someone—really been out there, watching us, waiting for the right moment to strike?I know I’m not in the right state, fuck after the hell I’ve faced over the past nine years. I’m a bit... twitchy... maybe.The thought made my stomach churn. I glanced over at the twins, their tiny bodies nestled safely in their crib
[--Esmarie Cruz--]“What are you doing up?” Kaiser inquired.“I need a drink.”He lifts his eyebrow up even higher. “You’re not allowed to drink again, you can’t handle it.”“I’m having nightmares. I need a vice.”I strutted up to him, and shoved him away from the table. I grabbed the bottle of what he had been drinking, and chugged a good amount down. “God, that burns.”He tried to grab it from me, and I moved it away. His arms landed on either side of the counter, caging me in place. His breath fans my face, and I run my tongue over my lips. His eyes drop to it, following the movement and making my heart beat faster. Why is he watching my mouth?“You’re scared, I know. But drinking as a vice can get... crazy. Me, I can’t go a day without drinking. I drank two bottles of beer before coming back home. I cannot live without alcohol. I mean it. I drink every chance I get. You don’t want that to be your vice. I also smoke, and i fuck alot to forget the fucking mess that happens up there.
[--Esmarie cruz--]The low, rhythmic hum of music filled the dimly lit room, swirling through the air like an intoxicating mist. It was slow, the kind of melody that gently beckoned you to sway, even if you didn’t want to. But I did, I wanted to move. He knew that—he always did. He was the one who played it, after all. The volume was just low enough so that we wouldn’t wake the twins but loud enough to pull me under its hypnotic spell.Kaiser leaned back, relaxed, a slight smirk tugging at the corner of his lips as his fingers ghosted over the speaker, adjusting the volume just right. Then, he turned to me with a mischievous glint in his eyes, one that always spelled trouble.“Dance, my little spider,” he murmured, voice deep and teasing.I cringed inwardly at the nickname. I still hate it—little spider—a pet name he won’t drop. But tonight, I was too distracted to protest. The sultry beat of the song had already begun to seep into my veins, making me want to move.Before I could stop
[--Kaiser Volkov--]I woke up with a headache and a hard cock. Which sucks really. There’s also a weight on my shoulder and the sounds of babies crying. So this is already a shitty morning. I move a little bit to check on what’s pressing down on me so I can go check on the twins. Why isn’t Esmarie waking up to do that?She usually doesn’t sleep through their cries- FUCK ME, MARTHA IS GOING TO KILL ME.I glance at the patch of black curly hair, splayed out across my chest. Oh god, I’m such a bad person. I shouldn’t have let my drunken brain run rampant. I don’t know what came over me. This is what happens when I drink and I haven’t had sex in a while.Fuck me! She looked so good in her pajamas, that she needed a vice, and I suggested sex. What is wrong with me? That isn’t even the worst part. That part would be making out with her, groping her hot skin, listening to her moan then... what the hell happened after that?!!We’re not even on the couch anymore. Why do I always do stupid thin
[--Kaiser Volkov--]I called Martha from my truck, the engine idling quietly in the early morning light. The sun was just beginning to rise, casting a warm golden hue over the town, but all I could think about was the weight of the decisions I had made the night before. The phone rang only once before she answered, her voice bright and familiar, cutting through the haze of my thoughts.“Hey, Kaiser. You’re calling me this early, so I can only guess that you did something wrong,” she said, her tone teasing but with an underlying current of concern.I hesitated, a lump forming in my throat as I contemplated how to respond. “Can I come over?” I asked, hoping she could hear the urgency in my voice.“Yes, of course! Come to the bakery. I just started on a pie. Shepherd’s pie—your favorite,” Martha replied, her cheerfulness radiating through the line.Her mention of the pie stirred a flicker of warmth within me, but it was quickly overshadowed by a sense of dread. “Did you know I’d do somet
[--Esmarie Cruz--]“Kaiser,” I moan softly, my voice almost a whisper as I remember the warmth of his lips against mine. Our mouths move together in a rhythm that feels so natural, fitting like the most perfect puzzle pieces coming together. His hands fly to my ass, clutching tight, pulling me closer as if he can’t get enough of me. I can feel the heat radiating from his body, mingling with the warmth of my own, and every nerve ending in me is alive, electric.But then, just as quickly as it started, our mouths tear from each other, breathless and gasping. He moves to my neck, planting soft kisses along my collarbone, and I gasp, overwhelmed by the intensity of the moment. It felt like a scene from a romance movie, the kind that makes your heart race and your cheeks flush.Suddenly, I’m jolted back to reality, my fingers clutching the edge of the sink as I drag myself out of that memory. Last night was a fucking disaster. Okay, not in the literal sense—there were no broken dishes or a
[--Esmarie Cruz--]The rest of my day went fine. And when Martha arrived in a pickup with Kaiser in the front seat, I felt my heart drop into my stomach. Time for that walk. It's time to be brave. Martha had a bright smile on her face as she walked through the door.“Hello, my lovely girl. How are you this morning?”I was able to forget my issues for a second. I beamed at her, giving her a hug. “Hi, I’m so happy you’re here. I hope it’s not too much trouble to watch the twins tonight.”Martha chuckles and brushes me off like I’ve said something silly. “Go get your bag, I don’t mind having the kids for the entire night.”She moved past me and confusion sat in my stomach. I stopped Kaiser from entering the house.“What is Martha talking about?”“We’re camping in the park tonight.”“No no no, I cannot leave them.”Kaiser’s gaze softened. “Trust me. I have done nothing that earns that trust but I am begging you to trust me with this. I won’t hurt you. I promise. Just spend the night under
[--Kaiser Volkov--]The website was set up as a front to buy cupcakes, but they didn’t hide anything. The moment you scroll through the first page, you can immediately find a tag asking if you want information about me. There’s a place to leave reviews. I didn’t leave one; I know a good hacker. Unfortunately, that person happens to be Sam. I was hoping I wouldn’t have to talk to her again.I chucked that conversation up to tomorrow and brought my attention back to Elias. I rubbed my face, my head pounded. What else can I say to him? I want to hit him, over and over again, until there’s nothing left of him but a pile of pulp on the floor.“Get comfortable, boys. You’ll be sleeping here throughout the night.” I gave them my best smile before waving goodbye and leaving the room. They were still tied to the chairs, so this would be an uncomfortable night for them.With nothing else to do, I went up the stairs to my office. As expected, esmarie was wide awake. I should have asked her some
[--Kaiser Volkov--]I was pissed, I don’t think I can even explain what being pissed means. Someone is dying tonight. No, no, that is the wrong mentality. I pulled on the spare clothes Will had brought on and told him to go with Jackson to the hospital. That man did a good job defending the pack, so it is me... and some of the wolves who drove Elias and his men here.I had to count to sixteen to remind myself that violence is never the first option. Yup, that’s as far as my mind can go. I headed into the room where they were being held. I know Will is not happy with how bruised Jackson was but he looks alot better than these fuckers. I actually felt like I was about to laugh.“Give us some alone time, boys. Go back to your wives. Enjoy the rest of the precious festival. Then vet the whole place and everyone. I’m gonna find out how they got in here even if it means I murder a Domeros.”Elias cut me a glare but I wasn’t fazed by that stupid attempt to threaten me. The alphas didn’t argu
[--Esmarie Cruz--]I kept myself firmly between the two massive wolves, feeling the weight of their power pressing against the air. The energy crackled, sharp and threatening, like the moments before a storm unleashes.“Elias,” I said, my voice steady despite the adrenaline racing through me, “you’re breaking the rules. You don’t step into another alpha’s territory without permission. So, here’s the deal—I need you to tell your men to stand down, right now, before Kaiser humiliates you by making you the newest bitch on the block.”Elias’s wolf froze, his molten gaze locked on me, calculating. The sharpness of his fangs glinted in the moonlight as his lips twitched into something between a snarl and a grin. It was clear he was considering my words, and weighing his options, but he was taking too long.The sound of approaching paws thundered through the clearing as more wolves arrived, their growls low and steady. The festival, after all, had drawn in more wolves than this territory had
[--Esmarie Cruz--]I made a split-second decision since none of the options in my head sounded right. I pulled out my cellphone, and quickly took a video of the Elias lookalike while he was still distracted before ducking into the nearest booth. Which turned out to be a photo booth, with a long curtain so thank goodness.I texted Kaiser the picture then I waited for him to call me. After five minutes I peeked out between the curtains. The Elias guy was still there. Looking at everyone. I took a photo before he could turn his head, then I ducked back in. This time I dialed kaiser.He’s a busy guy, I can’t expect him to look at every notification he gets.“I just saw your message. What the fuck is Elias doing in my fucking pack?”“I... don’t know,” I whispered.“I texted Jackson, he’s nearby. He will handle it. Where are you?”“I’m at a photo booth.”“Jackson will get you once Elias has been brought to me. Stay where you are. Don’t move an inch.”“Okay.”Kaiser hung up, leaving me in th
[--Esmarie Cruz--]The next few days of the festival went by quicker than I expected. The end of the first week was exciting, and I even won one of their games. I won two unicorn teddy bears for my children, the amount of freedom I felt being here was enough to silence the the nightmares that normally plagued my mind.And Kaiser, he was different. It was kind of scary how nice and charming he acted towards me. Today was like most days at the festival: lively. In fact, I think the number of people here has tripled. The second week was kicking off with a banger.Martha’s booth was closed today as she wanted to mingle and chat as much as she could with people. I walked around, tried some new food, and finally came across a booth I’d seen on the flyer: Ralph’s fortune-telling booth.I don’t believe in fortune tellers, but this could be fun. I bought a ticket and went in. The aura inside was .... strange if I had to be honest. It felt like I was walking into a whole new world. Someplace th
[--Esmarie Cruz--]After the speech, Kaiser stepped down from the stage, and the crowd around him buzzed with energy. The sun had set hours ago before he arrived, and the festival grounds were lit by warm, glowing lanterns that cast a golden hue over everything. It was the kind of night that felt endless, with laughter still ringing out in the distance and people lingering as if they didn’t want the magic of the evening to end. Kaiser moved through the crowd with ease, stopping to talk with some of the elders who had waited patiently for a moment of his time.I stayed back, watching him from afar. He had a way of commanding attention without demanding it. People naturally gravitated toward him, and he gave each person his undivided attention as if their words were the most important thing in the world. It was...endearing. And maybe a little infuriating. Why did he have to be so him? Ugh.I couldn’t help myself; my eyes followed his every move, like a moth drawn to a flame. The twins s
[--Esmarie Cruz--]The festival today was everything I hoped it would be—fine, entertaining, and so full of life that it made it hard not to feel swept up in the joy of it all. It was a day to forget everything else, to just breathe and soak in the energy of the pack as they celebrated. The music was loud and cheerful, drums beating in sync with the laughter and chatter that echoed through the clearing. The scent of roasted meats, freshly baked bread, and spiced cider hung heavy in the air, mingling with the floral undertones from the petals scattered all over the ground.At one point, someone pulled me into the center of a circle forming on the dance floor, and before I could protest, I found myself swept up in the rhythm of the music. The twins, who were strapped to me in their carriers, giggled and waved their tiny hands in delight. Their laughter was infectious, and soon I was spinning and twirling, letting the music dictate my movements. People cheered and clapped, their voices a
[--Kaiser Volkov--]I laid down on my couch, fully intending to just rest my eyes for a few minutes, but the exhaustion pulled me under faster than I could resist. It wasn’t a restful sleep—more like thirty minutes of uneasy drifting, filled with fleeting images and vague sensations that I couldn’t quite piece together when I stirred awake. My body felt heavy, as if the weight of the day, the festival I needed to make an appearance at later today, the note on my door, and my sleepless night were pressing down on me all at once. For a moment, I just lay there, staring up at the ceiling, listening to the faint hum of the air conditioner and the muffled sounds of people moving around outside.Then my phone buzzed, the vibration cutting through the stillness and dragging me fully back into reality. I groaned softly, fumbling for the phone on the coffee table and squinting at the screen. Doctor Jacobs. The name blinked at me, and for a split second, I debated letting it go to voicemail. Bu
[--Kaiser Volkov--]Elias wouldn’t stop pestering me. Text after text, hour after hour, all asking for the same thing: permission to attend the Blue Moon Festival. The man didn’t just ask—he hounded, pleaded, and occasionally tried to guilt me, then insulted and threatened, as if I owed him anything. But the answer was always the same.No. I didn’t trust him, not with something this important, not with something this sacred. There was a reason I kept him at arm’s length, and his persistence only made him seem all the more suspicious. I could practically feel the tension behind his words, the kind of tension that made you wonder if someone was pushing a hidden agenda. Still, I refused. Firmly. Politely at first, then with less patience. Like telling him to fuck himself in so many words. Even the most cultured terms. Today marked day four of the festival, and if Elias thought I was going to crack, he was sorely mistaken.He couldn’t bully me about other things, so he should know better.