AnastasiaPeople were under the influence of various substances, from acid to cocaine to alcohol. Colorful strobe lights and thick fog filled the space, making navigation tricky. A few months ago, I’d met Gray at a party. He’d been incredibly kind, surprising me with flowers, treating me to a nice dinner, and making me feel special. I had taken care of him in return, and walking away from him had been tough, especially when Hugo had left and the poison of that place had seeped in. Hugo had introduced me to a variety of drinks for the first time.“Oh, uh, no,” I stammered, trying to steady myself as I wobbled slightly. I couldn’t keep up with everyone else’s drinking. My immune system was that of a regular person, and I felt the effects much more quickly.“Hey, let’s go, babe. It’s just nine. Want another one?” Gray’s irritation was clear as he practically shoved the beer into my hand, his gaze sharp enough to intimidate anyone.“Cheers!” someone shouted behind me, and the party’s volu
AnastasiaHis voice gave me chills and sparked a strong sense of longing within me. It was a bit strange, but I actually enjoyed it. His hair was short, black, and faded on the sides with a curly top. He had a nice face, with white teeth and a great smile. I felt like I knew him, even though I didn’t. It seemed like they’d been sent out to ensure everything was secure. Did Hugo really think we were being watched?My brother said, “Thanks, Frederick,” and they exchanged a firm handshake before heading over to join us by the pool. “Hey, Anastasia, this is Frederick. He’s just my beta.”Frederick paused in front of me, his gaze lingering as if he were trying to piece together something that didn’t quite fit. His slightly puzzled expression made it feel as if time itself had stopped. Everything around us seemed to blur and fade, and the sounds turned into distant echoes. All I could hear was the soft sound of my own breath escaping my lips.“I’m the beta; nice to meet you,” Frederick said
AnastasiaI wasn’t exactly a wolf or a witch, but my mom had mentioned the work of the Moon Goddess. "Acacia swung by to pick you up tonight, but your mom said you were out of town.""I'm just hanging out at my brother’s place for a bit," I said quietly. As the first raindrops began to fall, dotting the ground with colorful spots, I shut my eyes, trying to relax. Gray had a knack for saying things that threw me off balance. I held the phone tightly, my hand trembling slightly, and discreetly cleared my throat to mask my concern."Hey, I never said you could go," Gray said, his tone growing more insistent. It was clear he was losing hope of being forgiven. I was so far away now; he couldn’t reach me."He didn’t really give me a choice," I replied, and that was the truth. I reassured myself that I was in a secure position now, with Hugo’s impressive security surrounding me."Me neither." Gray's voice was laced with frustration as he demanded I come home immediately. His words hinted at
AnastasiaCassius knelt a few feet away, his voice pleading, “Anastasia, please,” as he tried to help. I could barely make out his words through my panic, and I didn’t want him to come any closer. I had no idea what was going through my mind or what my next move would be.I shut my eyes, desperately pleading with myself to relax and make the storm disappear. I might have unintentionally caused harm, but I was clueless about what triggered it. The rain and thunder always made me emotional and teary. My anxiety was gradually easing, but it was still overwhelming.Gray gently brushed my hair behind my ear, his fingers lingering there as he spoke softly, “Why don’t you stay tonight?” I plopped down onto his lap, straddling him and facing him. “Hey, what’s your take on this?”“My dad would totally lose it,” I said, chuckling softly. His smile faded, replaced by a dark glint in his eyes that I hadn’t seen before. His lightheartedness had taken a sinister turn, and I was caught off guard by
Anastasia“You can handle it now,” Frederick said, releasing me. Hugo helped me to my feet as Frederick seemed to vanish as suddenly as he had appeared. I wished I could thank him, but he was gone.“You doing alright?” Cassius asked casually, lightly gripping my arms and drawing me close. His playful tone contrasted sharply with my racing heartbeat and uneven breaths. “Hey there!”“I’m good, I’m good, I’m good,” I said, trying to steady my voice. A chill ran through me, as if embraced by an invisible presence. I felt the weight of the secret I had kept for so long pressing down on me, and I knew I had to confess.Cassius guided me up the stairs, suggesting, “Why don’t we head inside? I bet you’re exhausted.” Hugo followed closely behind. My mind raced with worry that Gray might be approaching, adding to my anxiety about what lay ahead.…Hugo I settled into the armchair in the corner of the room, eyes trained on Anastasia’s peaceful form, hoping to hear the gentle rise and fall of he
Hugo Frederick’s gaze was steady, though there was a hint of empathy in his eyes. “I get it. You have a unique connection with her, given how you were created. That’s just how it is for you. We’re made of different stuff, but she doesn’t feel the same way.” I could hear the resignation in his voice. “Sorry, but that’s the reality. I kept repeating myself, hoping Frederick would see the situation for what it was and back off, but deep down, I knew it was a lost cause. I couldn’t think of anything that would make a man walk away from his wife. “I’m trying to keep her away from this guy in my dad’s pack,” I added, my tone filled with concern. “I’ve seen some troubling signs.”“That's who she was talking to on the phone—the guy she’s running from,” Frederick said casually, though there was a hint of tension in his voice.I glanced at him, my gaze serious. “I’m not entirely sure who he is, but I know he’s one of the guys from Pack House Four in my dad's territory.” I pointed towards her a
Anastasia Frederick’s expression didn’t falter. “Sure, no big deal. How about we grab a bite to eat instead?” He suggested, flashing me a warm, inviting smile as he took a seat on one of the stools. “Whether you’ve got the backpack or not,” he added, his tone light and friendly.I chuckled softly, nervously playing with my hands in my lap. I tried to recall the last time I’d enjoyed a meal out. When I looked up at him again, I noticed he was always looking at me with an intense, genuine kindness that was both reassuring and disarming.“We can go wherever you want,” Frederick said, his carefree nature evident in his relaxed demeanor. His love for pleasure and enjoyment was clear, and though I tried my best to keep my composure, I couldn’t quite understand why he was so interested in me.“There’s no need to go out of your way, especially on my account,” I said, my voice tinged with hesitation. I was constantly plagued by fears, slowly eroding my spirit. Gray’s presence loomed in my tho
Anastasia "Here’s how things work: that’s just how it goes for him. I figured she knew what she was talking about because she seemed pretty confident. At home, I had a complete life, but these feelings—these feelings are the most indulgent pleasure I’ve ever experienced."I took a deep breath, absorbing her words. The weight of the conversation and the intensity of my emotions made me feel as if I were on the brink of something profound. It was as though Victoria's insights had opened a door to a world I hadn't fully understood before. I wasn’t sure if I was ready for it, but the thrill of it all was undeniable.“What should I do?” I asked, feeling a knot of anxiety in my stomach. “Hey, Victoria, I’m not sure if that’s such a great idea,” I said, trying to sound as casual as I could. I’d been through this before—guys, their games, their manipulations. “Isn’t that something you should avoid?” I added, thinking about the person waiting for me at home, the one who mattered to me.“The c
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