[--Esmarie Cruz--]Kaiser sleeps through to the next morning, which is shocking. But I’m feeling productive the next day, blame that on whatever you want to blame it on. Pleasure or the fact that last night I deliriously considered Kaiser to be my vice.I shudder at the thought, but I’m going to blame it on the cold. This morning the twins are well fed and listening to a cute ten-hour video about the best kiddy songs invented. They play each song, so yay me. But I’m not sitting there in the living room with them.I decided to show more progress by taking a walk around the compound. The large gates are interesting. I don’t have to worry about what’s on the outside. Martha should be coming over this afternoon so we can bake together. I’d also like to go to the beach.Or a lake. Those are the types of places Kaiser and I used to meet. God, there’s so much room in my head now that I have hopes and dreams and I’m not trying to focus on simply surviving. This is life!A honking sound drags
[--Kaiser Volkov--]Why is this evil man here?I rub my head again, trying to chase away the dull ache despite the aspirin I already took. The tension sits there, refusing to ease. “Kaiser, why is the woman you’re fated to, and desperately in love with, living with you?”Damn. I shouldn’t have told him that part. Five years of therapy, and he’s managed to work his way through my defenses, pulling things out bit by bit. He’s a good therapist, I’ll give him that, but I never planned on opening up about this. Hell, I don’t want to share these issues with anyone.“She needs a place to stay. My family ruined her life. She has twins... what did you expect me to do?”He hums, as if satisfied with my explanation, but I can see the wheels turning in his head. I hate that. “Was she married?”I finally look up from my hands, giving him a stare sharp enough to cut through the silence. “I guess. Forced.”“But legally binding, right? So, if your family were to find her, would they even let her get d
[--Esmarie Cruz--]Doctor Jacob heads down the stairs, his feet dragging like lead, and I catch a glimpse of him from the kitchen. He looks beyond exhausted, worn out by the weight of whatever news he’s carrying. The lines on his face are deeper than usual, his shoulders slumped like the world is pressing down on him. I stop stirring the pot on the stove and step toward him before he can make it to the door. Something is wrong, and my gut is twisting into knots.“How’s Kaiser?” I ask, my voice barely hiding the worry.Jacob lets out a deep sigh, the kind that says more than words ever could. His hand lifts to rub the back of his neck, as if trying to work out a kink that’s been there far too long. “Just my advice,” he starts, his tone careful, deliberate, “but what exactly has Kai told you about his past?”I swallow hard. “Nothing, really. I mean, I know enough. He was suffering when we were younger, facing abuse while we were friends. I could see it. His family... well, the way they
[--Esmarie Cruz--]After Kaiser took his meds, I noticed a change immediately. He seemed to slip into a docile, almost hollow version of himself as if the medication had dulled every sharp edge of his being. I couldn't help but assume the second medication—whatever it was—had something to do with depression. God knows, Kaiser needed it. Hell, we all probably did at this point.I helped him to his feet, guiding him down the hall to his bedroom. His movements were sluggish, almost mechanical like he was following my lead without being fully present. When I tucked him into bed, he didn’t drift off immediately. His eyes, empty and distant, shifted between me and the ceiling above. It was unnerving, to see him so vacant. Kaiser was always intense, even when he wasn’t talking, there was always this storm brewing behind his gaze. But now? Now he was just…gone.Fuck, meds scare me. Everything scares me.Eventually, his breathing evened out, and he fell asleep. I stood there for a moment longe
[--Esmarie Cruz--]Martha lingered in the kitchen with me, her hands moving with the easy grace of someone who had done this a thousand times, and yet there was something undeniably warm about her presence. She chopped, stirred, and mixed with calm precision, her eyes occasionally darting up to meet mine, offering a small, encouraging smile. The kitchen filled with the comforting aromas of spices, garlic, and simmering herbs, each scent like a balm, bringing a sense of grounding that I so desperately needed. I tried to focus on the task, on slicing vegetables and stirring the broth just right, letting the familiar rhythm of cooking distract me, if only for a moment.As we worked, the conversation was light, almost aimless. Martha told me a story about her sister’s garden, about the lavender and rosemary she had planted, and how they flourished under her care. I smiled, trying to picture it—the delicate rows of purple blossoms, the strong scent of herbs wafting in the air. For a short
[--Kaiser Volkov--]I’m drowning in darkness, held in its vice-like grip, a weight pressing in from all sides. The air is thick and heavy, each breath a struggle that brings only more despair instead of relief. It’s as though I’m caught in some endless, inky void, with shadows clawing at me, pulling me deeper, binding me tighter. I can hear voices, distant and distorted, like whispers floating through the fog, just beyond reach. I try to make out their words, but they slip away like sand through my fingers, leaving only fragments—broken, mocking echoes that tear through my mind.My head pulses with a dull ache, a rhythm that matches the frantic beating of my heart, which pounds hard enough that I can feel it reverberating through every cell, every nerve. It’s a familiar pain, an old hurt I thought I’d buried, one I thought I’d left far behind. But here it is again, rising up from the depths like some vengeful ghost, and I can’t escape it. I was doing better. I’d convinced myself I was
[--Kaiser Volkov--]Esmarie is in my bed.My mind stumbles over that fact as I feel her body pressed against mine, soft and warm, her breath steady and peaceful. Her head is tucked into my chest, her hair brushing my neck. I’m not used to this—not used to waking up with someone like this. Someone in my bedroom. I keep it as a safe space for myself, and myself alone. It’s too close, too intimate, and my heart pounds faster in my chest, betraying me. I don’t even remember falling asleep, much less how we ended up here like this. My arms are wrapped around her, holding her tightly as if my subconscious has been craving this closeness. But why? Why are we here, together, like this?I try to shake her gently, just enough to startle her awake. I need her to wake up because if she wakes up, then maybe this strange sense of comfort I’m feeling will break. Maybe reality will snap back into place. But she only mumbles something incoherent and shifts, snuggling deeper into my chest, her fingers
[--Esmarie Cruz--]I’m startled awake by the sound of groaning, small wails breaking through the quiet of the night. At first, my instinct is to think it’s one of the twins—maybe one of them stirred from a bad dream, or they’re hungry—but it’s not them. My maternal instincts kick in, and I’m halfway out of bed before I realize it’s not coming from the nursery downstairs.It’s Kaiser.His muffled, strained sounds send a jolt of panic through me. He’s somewhere in the room, his voice low and ragged, like he’s fighting off some invisible demon. I fumble in the dark, trying to make sense of what’s happening. Then I hear something else—a small thud. Something shattered.My heart races, adrenaline kicking in. Without thinking, I rush to the ground, finding him crouched beside the bed, knees drawn to his chest. His phone is shattered into pieces on the floor. What the hell happened?“Kaiser!” I reach for him instinctively, wanting to comfort him, to pull him into my arms and figure out what’
[--Esmarie Cruz--]Six months had passed since the decision to leave it all behind. Kaiser and I had talked for hours that night, discussed every possibility, every reason to stay, and every reason to go. In the end, the choice had become clear: London was too big, too filled with memories, too immersed in vampire politics. We needed a place where we could breathe, somewhere small and quiet, somewhere that wasn’t crawling with shadows from the past.Switzerland was nice as well, but it was mostly dominated by humans and some of them feared wolves.That’s how we ended up on a tiny island, tucked away off the coast. It wasn’t anything spectacular to look at—a modest patch of land surrounded by clear, turquoise waters. But it was ours. It was quiet, peaceful, and, most importantly, it was far from the chaos that had once ruled our lives.The house we built wasn’t a mansion. It wasn’t extravagant or imposing. It was simple, with white walls, large windows that let the sun pour in, and a w
[--Kaiser Volkov--]The next day dragged on in a haze of paperwork and thoughts that swirled in circles. I spent the entire afternoon in my office, barely sparing a glance out the window. The harsh fluorescent lights above buzzed, and the clock on the wall ticked steadily, but time felt irrelevant. The pile of letters from the packs still lay on my desk, some half-answered, others still untouched. They kept pushing back, demanding more autonomy, questioning my leadership, and all I could do was work in silence, trying to avoid the looming confrontation that was tomorrow. I had to push back the date of the announcement to ensure i had some loose ends tied. The tension in my body only grew with every hour that passed.I thought of Barry and my mother—where they were, what Jacobs had said. But every time I tried to focus on that, my mind would drift back to the packs, to the growing resentment and fear that bubbled inside me. I couldn’t give them what they wanted. I couldn’t give them co
[--Kaiser Volkov--]After he told me where to find barry, i curled my fist up and slammed it into his face. What a doe eyed son of a bitch. Using my like that, tricking me. Making things so difficult for me. He must have known where to find esmarie. I wonder if he was the reason elias was next to the darkwood, or was that still a coincedence.I left him to grab something i could use to tie him up.Jacobs’s unconscious form slumped in the chair as I finished securing his wrists with heavy-duty zip ties. He was dead weight as I dragged him down the hall toward the basement door, each step echoing off the walls. It struck me how strange it was to use my bright, carefully designed, air-conditioned basement as a makeshift prison, but I wasn’t about to let him slip away. Not yet.At the bottom of the stairs, I tied him to one of the sturdy support beams, pulling the rope taut. He began to stir just as I tightened the last knot, his eyelids fluttering open. I stepped back and crossed my arms
[--Kaiser Volkov--]The weight of Doctor Jacobs beneath me felt surreal. My hands tightened on his shoulders as Esmarie knelt beside us, her movements sharp and determined. Her presence was a force of nature, her voice cutting through the air like a whip as she leaned in, her eyes burning with fury.With him trying to figure out his word it took time, and i was getting ansty.“Why?” Esmarie demanded, her voice trembling with a mixture of rage and disbelief. “Why are you so obsessed with breaking him down? What could you possibly gain from this?”Jacobs squirmed beneath my grip, his face pale, eyes darting between us like a cornered animal. He opened his mouth to protest, but Esmarie leaned closer, her finger jabbing the air near his face.“No! You’re not talking your way out of this!” she snarled. “You’ve manipulated him, attacked his family, and fed information to people who want him dead! Start talking, or so help me—”“Alright! Alright!” Jacobs choked out, his breath coming in shal
[--Esmarie Cruz--]When i woke up the next morning, i found myself in a bedroom. My bedroom. I don’t remember coming here, i don’t even remember where i fell asleep. It was a peaceful sleep. I got up and went i search of kaiser. Before i could there was a notebook on the drawer saying- take a bath, and dress up. I’m with the twins. Bring your phone to the kitchen once you’re done.I smiled, feeling a sense of ease. I washed off last night’s strain, stress, and sweat. After the shower, and brushing my teeth. I took my time, throwing on a large hoodie and a pair of shorts. Then i went in search of my family.The morning sun filtered through the blinds, painting soft streaks of light across the living room. Kaiser moved through the small apartment with ease, his large hands gentle as he cradled Isla in one arm and handed a bottle of formula to Elijah with the other. The twins cooed softly, their giggles a melody of innocence that momentarily drowned out the tension lingering in the air.
[--Kaiser Volkov--]I can’t believe we fell asleep on the couch again. It seems to be our spot. But it isn’t comfortable, i need to move esmarie to the bedroom with the twins.The dim glow of the moon filtered through the curtains, casting a silvery hue over the quiet room. The twins stirred faintly in their crib, their soft breathing a soothing rhythm in the silence. Esmarie’s warmth against my chest was a comforting weight, her presence grounding me in a way I hadn’t realized I needed.I shifted carefully, not wanting to disturb her, and maneuvered myself to sit up. She murmured something incoherent in her sleep, her hand brushing lightly against my arm before going still again. Her trust, her vulnerability—it humbled me. I slid my arms under her, lifting her gently, and carried her into the bedroom where the twins rested.The twins, Elijah and Eloise, lay peaceful in their crib, the occasional twitch of a tiny hand or the faintest of sighs the only movement. I placed Esmarie down o
[--Esmarie Cruz--]While Kaiser was filling me in on his day, I nodded along, giving him my full attention—or at least trying to. I was still processing everything we’d just discussed about Dr. Jacobs, and my mind was a whirlwind of thoughts and theories. But I pushed those aside, focusing on Kaiser’s words. He looked tired but determined, the weight of his responsibilities as an alpha etched into every line of his face.“And then Martha insisted on giving me a basket of baked goods before I left,” Kaiser said, his lips twitching into a small smile. “I think it was her way of making me feel even guiltier. Or perhaps she wanted me to know she loves me. I’m not even sure why i stopped by the festival on my way here.”I chuckled softly, reaching out to rest my hand on his arm. “Yes, She probably just wanted to remind you that she still cares about you, even if you’re a stubborn alpha who makes mistakes sometimes.”He huffed a quiet laugh, shaking his head. “Maybe.”“Also, did you eat all
[--Esmarie Cruz--]Kaiser didn’t get home until after ten o’clock that night. The house was quiet, the twins fast asleep upstairs, their soft breaths the only sound in an otherwise still home. I paced the living room, my nerves frayed. Sam’s phone call still rang in my ears, and the weight of what I had to tell Kaiser sat heavy on my chest. When I heard the front door open, I froze mid-step.Kaiser stepped in, his shoulders slumped with exhaustion. He kicked off his boots by the door and ran a hand through his hair, his cloudy eyes scanning the room before they landed on me.“You’re still up?” he asked, his voice low but laced with surprise.Without thinking, I crossed the room and wrapped my arms around him in a tight hug. He stiffened at first, clearly caught off guard, but after a moment, his body softened, and he returned the embrace.“Everything okay?” he murmured against my hair, his concern evident.I nodded, but the lump in my throat betrayed me. “Yeah. I just missed you,” I s
[--Kaiser Volkov--]I arranged to meet Mr. Domeros in the grand hall of my work building, a room designed to project power and authority. The vaulted ceilings cast dramatic shadows, and the heavy oak table in the center of the room served as a silent reminder of the gravity of any discussion held there. My guards stood by the doors, their expressions unreadable but their presence a clear warning.Mr. Domeros strode in with an air of self-importance, his dark suit meticulously tailored and his salt-and-pepper hair slicked back. But his carefully crafted image of control was marred by the anger etched into his face. His eyes burned with fury as he crossed the room.“You will release my son immediately,” he demanded before I even had the chance to offer a greeting. His voice echoed off the stone walls, each word dripping with entitlement. This is why elias has no respect, his fucking father is useless.I held my ground, remaining seated at the head of the table, and gestured for him to s