[--Esmarie Cruz--]I won’t blame Kaiser for anything besides his obvious fear of getting better. It isn’t really a fear from what I can see; it seems like he just doesn’t believe he can get better. Being diagnosed as schizophrenic at the young age of nine must have been terrifying. What kind of friend was I at that time, that I didn’t notice my best friend was suffering—that he felt he couldn’t share with me?“You’re not crazy, but Kaiser, ignoring your problems is a terrible tactic. You’re doing yourself a lot of harm. I believed you, you know?”His hooded gaze shifts. “What?”“I believed you. When you were crying, I started to think that my being here caused your walls to crack. Then I realized even more that this isn’t on me, Kaiser. You don’t want help.”“Come with me.” He tugs me, and I’m prepared to argue that he’s being a jackass, but he doesn’t give me a chance. I’m taken to his office, and my mind immediately goes to the yellow package I saw yesterday when I was cleaning his
[--Esmarie Cruz--]The wailing of two infants slices through the quiet of the early morning, pulling me abruptly from my drifting thoughts. Beside me, Kaiser stiffens, his gaze turning sharply toward the door of his office. Without exchanging a word, we both rush our and head to his bedroom, instincts pushing us forward. When we reach them, I see that the twins—small, fragile, and loud—are indeed fine, though they’re red-faced and flailing, letting out cries as if their world has tipped off its axis.I have this urge to tell myself it’s unlike my children to cry without reason, to reassure myself that something must have set them off, but I know better. They’re babies—barely two months old. Expecting them to stay calm and content at all times is idiotic, no matter how perfect they seem in their brief, peaceful moments of sleep. I haven’t kept exact count of the days, but I do know that every one of them feels fleeting, a small and precious chapter gone in an instant. I’m afraid they’l
[--Kaiser Volkov--]“Yes, the meeting is still on. I can fly in tomorrow evening.”The man on the screen smiles. “I can’t believe I’m saying this but can we have the meeting virtually? You must understand that my people are slightly frightened to have a werewolf on our turf. As you know, the issues with the former four regions alphas have caused us alot of problems. I am happy to see a new face, and your reaching out makes things alot better. But I discussed it, my people aren’t comfortable.”“I understand but, can I say? Meeting you in person would have dispelled all disbelief. I’m okay having the meeting virtually, but it’s not going to work for me. To form a bond, there must be equal trust. I was willing to come to you alone, but if you don’t trust me that’s fine. Maybe we can reschedule.”The vampire on the screen stares at me for a moment, before nodding. I ended the call and then rubbed my hands over my face. I reached into the drawer of my next to get some painkillers as my hea
[--Esmarie Cruz--]There’s a saying that sometimes life hands you a gift wrapped in shadows. You don’t know if what you’re holding is a blessing or something darker—you just have to feel your way forward, hoping for light but preparing for anything. This saying applies best to my discovery of Kaiser’s feelings for me. Martha and I had an awkward picnic after that.Then she took me back home, where I texted Kaiser. I now regret doing that because he hadn’t returned to the house since then. It’s currently twelve midnight, and I haven’t been able to think about anything else but him.He was in love with me. Is he still in love with me? And I finally understood something that hadn’t clicked into place. Kaiser had told Martha some of his past. She was judgment-free, so he could open up to her. That can explain why he told her about me and the kiss, but he told Jacob, too. and he doesn't trust that man.He wouldn’t have done that had he not... maybe I’m thinking too much into this but goodn
[--Esmarie Cruz--]I stayed quiet as my brain worked through his words and this new revelation. He’s in love with me... how have I gone most of my life not knowing it? He hid it well, but it suddenly explains why I was shocked when he left the next day.“Say something, your silence is far worse.”“The next morning, I came to your room. I was feeling bashful because I couldn’t sleep and I wanted to ask you about that kiss. What it meant, and why you’d run. But you were gone. Kaiser, we’ve been over this I know... but that really sucked.” I brought my hands up, folded them into fists, and pressed them against my eyes.It isn’t entirely shocking... this crush thing now that I think deeply about it... okay, it still is. But I had a chance to find out the next day after Kaiser kissed me, but he was just gone. When I’d gone to tell his father, the man freaked out and the whole house was a ruckus as they searched for Kaiser. That’s when it became my fault.Barry told them I’d kissed Kaiser a
[--Kaiser Volkov--]The shower became my sanctuary, the water cascading down in a steady rhythm, warm and soothing as it enveloped me, washing away not only the grime of the day but a sliver of the turmoil tangled in my mind. I closed my eyes, letting the droplets hit my shoulders and trail down my body, feeling every sensation as though I could cleanse the thoughts clinging to my mind. For a moment, the world was muffled, softened by the steady rush of water, and I breathed in the steam-heavy air, feeling it settle something deep inside me, even if only temporarily.Esmarie. The name alone twisted something raw and aching in my chest. She knows. She knows about the fated mate bond, that thread that pulled me toward her, even if it wasn't one she felt herself—or at least, not enough to keep her bound. She bypassed it, sidestepping the weight and wonder of it all as though it were just another fleeting thing, not the kind of connection most of us would give anything to find. She mentio
[--Kaiser Volkov--]Dinner was nice. We ate quietly, I tasted the vodka right away. It was nice. It did make me crave a bottle, but the meal was delicious so I quickly let go of that thought. I wonder how long that’ll last before I fall back into my pattern of having a million vices. I stole glances at her while I ate. There were many things to take in. Her sleep-deprived eyes, her smile that seemed genuine. And how she could no longer meet my eyes.I should apologize for making her uncomfortable with my feelings, but I feel like bringing it up again would freak her out. How can I go back to living in denial when she knows the truth? With nothing to hide, I feel naked... well there are things to hide. Like her mother’s disappearance. I rubbed my forehead as I ate dinner.Once I finished, I thanked her and offered to do the dishes so she could go get some sleep. I expected her to take the chance, the open opportunity I was giving her to leave this awkward situation but it seemed Esmari
[--Esmarie Cruz--]There was a thumping sound against the door. No one was speaking, but I had a good idea that this wasn’t Kaiser. He wouldn’t knock. He’d say something. The door was built strongly. This is Kaiser’s home, he made sure it was safe. There’s no way for some regular wolf to break the door down.I don’t know why or even how I knew this. Then the noise stopped. It had lasted five minutes, but this was different. The silence was even more eerie, more .... I could smell it. I could smell the scent, it was stronger, deadly. Familiar. Then the noise began again. Like the person was now even more desperate to get through the door.Then the scream came. There was only one screaming, smacking, skin crushing against something. I couldn’t understand it. The person screaming... his voice was clear as day, but the violent sounds were just as loud. If his face was being hit then his voice would have cracked, or muffled.Eventually, I couldn’t take it anymore. I grabbed something I cou
[--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