Seraphina“You need to heal, my love, as much as I want you to,” he whispered, his smile half-hearted. He entwined my hand with his and idly swirled a curl around his finger. “I’ll hurt you if I do this now; I can’t cause you any more pain.”“I want you now,” I said, pressing my forehead to his and adjusting myself on his lap, feeling him beneath me.“Your body may heal faster because of my bite, but it’s not that fast.” Alexander pulled back, his hand moving from my cheek to my neck, his fingers tracing over the bloody bite from Luca. He took the sponge again, dabbing gently over the wound.“What happened while you were away?” I asked, frowning as disappointment bubbled within me. My thoughts wandered to insecurities: Did he not want me because of what I looked like? Because I’d been with another man? Or because he had his needs met by someone else? “It felt like an eternity.” Why was I thinking like this?“I spent all that time trying to get back to you, and none of it matters.” Wit
Seraphina Even though Alexander tried his best, I felt like I should have died. But thanks to the moon goddess, it didn’t happen. I was just a puppet on a string for her.I woke up to the morning light with an unusual sense of peace. My body was starting to recover, the visible wounds healing, though the emotional scars would linger as long as I allowed them. For the first time, I woke up without worries.“Hey, marry me today,” Alexander mumbled, still half-asleep. I turned to face him, noting that his eyes were still closed and the sheet rested just below his belly button. I had slept remarkably well and felt completely refreshed.“Are you for real?” I chuckled softly, easing myself onto my hands, a grin spreading across my face.“Yeah, I’m totally serious,” he replied.“Sure,” I said, grinning even though he couldn’t see it. At last, he opened his eyes and pulled me close, inviting me to rest my head on his tattooed chest. I traced my fingers over the cursive names hidden within hi
Seraphina I felt the same giddy butterflies I had at our first dinner at the Pazzi. This time, there were no threats from Winona, no Xandriel to fear, and no shadow of Luca. It would be perfect—everything we’d dreamed of and more.In just a few hours, I’d become the Luna that the moon goddess had always envisioned for me.I wore a lace dress with a hint of blue and held a bouquet of wildflowers. Excitement bubbled within me, with no trace of nerves. I could hardly wait to become Alexander’s wife. I chose simple jewelry for the occasion, even though Alexander had picked out lavish, expensive pieces. They just didn’t feel like me.I wondered how he’d be dressed, standing there at the end of the aisle, looking perfect. The entire pack would be present, along with Claudius’s pack. For the first time in a long while, all the humans, wolves, and children would be gathered in one place.I realized that white wasn’t quite right for this occasion. With Margo’s help, Alexander had chosen a col
Seraphina Alexander casually took the diamond-encrusted band from Jamie and slid it onto my finger, placing it next to the beautiful engagement ring. It was exactly what I had hoped for—and more."We've seen the love between these two firsthand, and it's been evident for as long as I can remember. No matter what challenges life throws at them, they always find their way back to each other." Jeremiah paused, clearing his throat. "If anyone has a reason to object, speak now or forever hold your peace."Alexander gave me a nod and a smirk, clearly unfazed by the silence from the crowd. He was confident, knowing that no one would dare challenge him. "I now pronounce you Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Gomez," Jeremiah declared. "Go ahead and give your bride a kiss."At last, the guests erupted in cheers, howls, whistles, and applause. Alexander leaned in and placed a gentle kiss on my lips, keeping it tender and understated despite the audience. I grinned, barely containing my excitement as his l
Hugo I asked my dad, "How did you get Mom to like you?" He nearly choked on his food. My mother set down her wine glass and folded her hands in front of her face, trying to hide from the conversation."You know, her being human and all," I added. "Well," my dad said, wiping his mouth with his napkin and crumpling it in his hand as if searching for a less honest answer. He had new tattoos peeking out from his collar and fresh piercings in his ears. To those outside the pack, no one would guess he was my father due to our stark resemblance. "I—""Alexander," my mother cut him off, her eyes sharp and her tone a clear warning. She’s the only person who can treat Alpha Alexander that way without facing consequences. I still marvel at how she managed everything that happened to her and came out strong. Some say she’s half witch, and if the Moon Goddess wants something, it happens. I’m living proof of her influence."I just asked a simple question," I said. "No one has ever asked how you t
Hugo "Don't worry, it'll pass. Just a little bug," she said, sitting up and casually tucking her red hair behind her ear, as if I had caught her off guard. I glanced at her, and the longer I did, the more it seemed like she wasn't a fan of it.I plopped down on the edge of her bed and just observed her. "If I can tell you're lying, I have no idea how you managed to fool Dad," I remarked. "We're like twins, and our stories are pretty much identical."Anastasia folded her arms and replied, "I don't have a tell," her go-to response whenever she knew I was right. She was just being rebellious, if you ask me."Yeah, you totally do. You know, that little eyebrow raise you do when you're not being completely honest. Oh, by the way, your heartbeat seems to be picking up speed," I remarked with a hint of sarcasm, gesturing towards my ears. She gave an exasperated look, her expression turning somber as she considered whether or not to share what had happened with me. She was really straightfor
Hugo"Hey, Hugo!" I opened up the first drawer, grabbed the socks, and tossed them into the suitcase. I didn't mind packing her entire wardrobe. I'd prefer if she never returned here. I was kinda surprised that my dad hadn't noticed her sketchy behavior, but he's totally oblivious when it comes to his little girl. She had grown up, and the boys were well aware of it."Are you getting intimate?" I looked at her as she hopped off the bed and marched towards me. My father was absolutely adamant about not allowing any boys up here, not even remotely. "What on earth?""Yeah, I totally am!" Anastasia snatched the socks from my grasp and forcefully tossed them back into the drawer, slamming it closed. "I'm nineteen, bro," she said, remembering that we were the same age. "Hey, please keep your hands off my things!" Anastasia was a completely different individual. She was really private and got into a lot of arguments. She wasn't my sister, like, at all."But you're supposed to wait, buddy!" I
Hugo“Hey, Cassius and Victoria are already there. You’ll have a blast,” I said, trying to keep the mood light. “You can crash at my place. Some of my buddies live there, but they’re pretty chill.” I noticed her reaction to the mention of “guys,” but I’d make sure no one laid a hand on her. Her safety was my top priority.“This was a terrible idea,” she remarked, not bothering to look my way. Her tone was resigned, and I could sense her lingering concern. The days seemed to drag on, and I knew trouble awaited me when I finally got home.“I’m not keen on sending you back home,” I said as I parked the car and turned to her. She glanced in my direction, her expression showing a glimmer of optimism amidst her concern. “Sure, I can grab your bags for you,” I offered.We entered the front doors of the mansion, which seemed unusually quiet, though faint music drifted from the back. Despite the late hour, nearly midnight, we stayed up, talking and trying to ease the tension.The first floor h
As Frederick closed in on Zion, his eyes burned with a fierce desire for revenge. The effects of the sickness still lingered, fueling his rage. “I’ll get you, you traitor!” Frederick roared, his voice echoing with anger.Zion, though fully aware of the gravity of the situation, fought not just for his own survival but for the peace they all desperately sought. “Anastasia only needs you, Frederick!” he pleaded. “Don’t let your anger destroy everything we’ve worked for!”Just as Frederick was about to strike, a voice cut through the chaos. “Hey, hold up!”Anastasia stepped between them, her eyes a mixture of sadness and resolve. “Frederick, come on!” she called out, her voice trembling with a blend of fear and determination. “We need to find another way.”But Frederick, driven by rage, didn’t even glance her way. His focus remained fixed on Zion, and he ignored her plea.Desperate to reach Frederick, Anastasia called out again. “Frederick, it’s me! It’s Anastasia!” Her voice was laced w
“She’s with Zion,” I said casually, watching his face change as fear and anger flashed across his features.“Who is Zion?” His confusion was clear, and I could see that talking about my sister was only making things worse. My hesitation to be completely honest had led us here, but I had to face the consequences.“Xandriel’s kid,” I explained. The fear in Frederick’s eyes was unmistakable. The gravity of the situation was sinking in.Frederick’s frustration flared again. “Are you serious?” he demanded, his voice rising. “Where are they?”“Hey, Frederick, let’s just hang tight,” I said, trying to calm him. “We’ve got a plan, and I’m confident it’s going to work. You’ve got to trust me on this one.” To be honest, I wasn’t sure if I believed myself, but Victor was our last hope. If this plan failed, it would be the end of the line.“I’m here to lend a hand and sort this out,” Frederick pleaded as I removed the final sensors from him, triggering the beeping monitors once more. Despite his
“You’re not feeling well,” I said nonchalantly, not even bothering to look at him. It was like fate had led us to this moment. It was wild to think we’d end up here, but it felt like it was meant to be.Frederick let out an exasperated sigh, clearly uncomfortable. “I’ve never been sick,” he said, sounding both frustrated and bewildered. The bed creaked as he shifted, and the sheets rustled around him.“Hey, there’s a first time for everything. Just chill,” I advised, watching as he struggled to sit up. To my surprise, he actually listened, though it was clear the pain was taking its toll. “You’re not the strongest, but that’s totally fine.”“I can’t be weak,” he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper, as he noticed the IV tubes snaking into his arms. The sight of him, once a formidable Warrior, now so vulnerable, was unsettling.I was still angry as he said, “You would either be this way or dead.” The room fell into a heavy silence as he stared at me, his expression one of confusi
When Darius mentioned dinner plans, Zion grabbed my arm and pulled me away, his urgency almost making me forget we were pretending. As we walked down the hallway, Darius called out, “This party is going to be one for the books!” I clung to Zion, gripping his wrists for support. My mind raced, trying to take in my surroundings in case things went wrong. Zion guided me into a bedroom and closed the door behind us, marking the end of what felt like an interminable journey.“Hugo,” I breathed, my anxiety spiking as I turned to face Zion. Hugo seemed like a real threat to our plans. “Nah, Zion, I just can’t—I really can’t.”Darius’s voice was reassuring as he said, “I won’t let him lay a finger on you, Anastasia. You just have to trust me.” He mentioned a dinner with friends to celebrate Victor, just as Zion had said. “Just gotta get through dinner, and our armies will be here.”I shook my head slightly, grabbing Zion by the shirt. “Can’t stop him. He’s a force to be reckoned with.” Hugo
“Oh, it’s for Frederick,” I said casually. His name stumbled awkwardly off my tongue. I couldn’t stop thinking about him. I wished we could just be together as we should be—he was the only one I truly loved. We started this journey together. When Frederick wakes up, I’ll be gone, and I have no clue how he’ll handle that.Zion’s curiosity piqued, “How do you do this? Despite everything that’s happened, you still think it’ll get better?” He seemed to have his own scars, a hint of betrayal in his voice.“One day, there’s gotta be a light in the dark,” I replied, trying to stay hopeful. “I didn’t come all this way just to stop now.”Zion placed his hand over mine on the middle console, a casual gesture but one that held a lot of weight. “You good to go? Can you trust me?”“Yeah, I don’t,” I admitted. Looking back, trusting him seemed like my only option. Tomorrow could be a game-changer for Frederick. It’s funny—never thought I’d be the one to take down Winona. Many had tried before me an
“I’ve got a couple of things to mention,” I said, trying to keep my voice calm. “My aunt Margo gets away with it. Frederick keeps his distance. I don’t want him anywhere near them.” I gave a nod to indicate that was settled.“Yeah, I agree,” Zion said, casually crossing his arms and leaning back in his chair. “He won’t be waking up for a few days. Diego has enough power to keep him out for a while. Can we wrap this up?” His casual demeanor masked the gravity of the situation as I paced back and forth in front of Nereus, discussing our sneaky plan.“I can work as quickly as you need me to, sweetheart,” Zion assured, though the term of endearment stung. I felt a pang of guilt for going behind Frederick’s back while he lay unconscious, the weight of my actions heavy on my conscience. “This is our only chance. If we mess this up, we’re all going to end up six feet under on that Winona farm. This is our one shot, so we’d better not blow it.”“So, what’s the game plan?” I asked, trying to f
Curiosity nudged me as I trailed behind Diego and the others. “Do you think he’ll remember anything he did while the wolf was in control?” I asked casually, my voice barely above a whisper.“No way,” Jamie replied. That was the answer I’d hoped for. The thought that he wouldn’t remember my lies or the sting of the needle brought a small, bitter relief. Still, the guilt gnawed at me for causing him pain. Cassius stayed close, a quiet presence as we watched Frederick being carried down the hallway.“You did the right thing,” Cassius said softly, as if sensing my turmoil. But something felt off. The pain of betrayal cut deep, a raw ache I had never experienced before. The treachery felt like a knife twisting inside me.“I wish it didn’t hurt so much,” I whispered, trying to shove the painful memory aside. Suddenly, Nereus burst back up the stairs, blocking our path.“Hey, Anastasia, you might want to come downstairs,” Nereus said, his voice tinged with unease. I shot a look at Cassius, w
Eventually, footsteps roused me from my restless sleep, guiding me to the other side of the bedroom door. When Frederick walked in, I let out a sigh of relief. The deep concern I felt for him was overwhelming, and I could barely stand it."I swung by Diego's office first, but you weren’t there," Frederick said casually, loosening his tie. I closed my eyes, trying to ignore the nagging thought of that ring sitting untouched in the desk drawer."I'm feeling much better," I said, forcing a smile. If he’d been paying attention, he’d have seen through the lie."I noticed that," he remarked, unbuttoning his shirt with a relaxed air. I shifted restlessly on the bed, trying to play it cool and hoping he wouldn’t catch on."Where have you been?" Frederick chuckled as if it was the most ridiculous question. "I got a bit concerned when you weren’t around when I woke up.""I left Rollo to take care of you," I said, watching as he turned away. He placed his rings on the desk and reached for two ne
I tread carefully, trying to avoid rushing and risk encountering more trouble at the cellar stairs. The silence around me was eerie, and I kept my eyes sharp, scanning for any sign of danger. My mind flitted to the idea of calling my dad, but I hesitated. I didn’t want him dragged into this mess, fearing he might try to drag me back home. Maybe it was pride, or maybe it was the fear of his interference.Then there was Estelle. I thought about her growing up, reaching her prime, and hoped she’d never have to rely on her body like I had. It was comforting, though, to see her following in her father’s footsteps in her own way, even if it wasn’t ideal."Anastasia?" I heard Nereus’s faint voice. I picked up the pace, jogging towards the sound. As I rounded the corner, I saw the boys restrained in separate corners, but Nereus was the only one awake."Nereus?" I knelt beside him and quickly worked on untying the ropes burning his wrists. They smelled strongly of wolfsbane. "What did those pe