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
Anastasia Just then, I heard the umpire call “third out” as Frederick gave me one last look before heading back to the dugout to gear up as a catcher. I exhaled the breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding, my breathing slowly returning to normal. Frederick handled things in a unique way—inviting me out for dinner instead of a party. When I mentioned that I wasn’t up for drinking, he was totally fine with it. It was clear he was different from the rest.“Wow, he’s really something,” Victoria gushed, playfully nudging me. I couldn’t help but chuckle at her enthusiasm. “He’s pretty confident that you guys are friends. Just come out with it already and get intimate with him to relieve the tension.”“Hey, Victoria!” I accidentally bumped into her arm, but she just laughed it off. “Wow, I can’t believe you actually said that!”“I can only speak from my werewolf perspective,” she said with a grin. “He’s definitely acting like a gentleman, no doubt about it. I’m not really sure how he’s ma
Anastasia “You’ve got a decision to make, Anastasia. You can hang out with us or head out,” Victoria said, her voice steady but firm.“I said a man doesn’t have to be the reason I stick around,” I replied. I didn’t know Frederick any better than anyone else, but there was something about our connection, the way I felt around him, that made me want to stay. Frederick felt like the one. No matter what I did, Gray was always the one in my past. The Moon Goddess seemed to have left her mark on this, made it her will. My mom used to say, if you don’t listen to her, you’ll end up with all these negative thoughts or imaginary creatures in your head. And honestly, it felt like my whole being was begging me to stick around. Frederick was the one. Whether I went after Gray or stayed with Frederick, he was the one. The Moon Goddess had marked this and made it her will. My mom’s rants about how anyone who doesn’t listen to her ends up with negative thoughts or imaginary creatures seemed crazy, b
Anastasia “I’m not hiding anything!” I protested. “I’m just here to see my brother.” Gray shook me in frustration, his temper fraying.“I’m really frustrated with you, I…” Gray’s eyes were trembling as he looked at me, and I could feel my own eyes welling up. I wanted to make him happy, but why? “Anastasia, I really love you. I don’t get why you’d do this to me. Do you really love me?”“You do?” I asked, stunned. Did he actually care about me? Was this what love was supposed to be?“Hey, I’d love to bring you home with me, if you’re up for it,” he said softly. I knew Gray well and knew what to expect from him. Frederick, on the other hand, was new, thrilling, and cautious. He seemed relaxed and secure, while Gray exuded power and assertiveness. “You mean everything to me, Anastasia, and I’ve been going absolutely bonkers without you.”“Gray—” I shook my head. His mood could switch in an instant, and his emotional grip was powerful. I felt trapped in his manipulation, unsure of where
Anastasia I squeezed my way through the crowd, my voice rising in urgency. “Hey, cut it out!” I shouted, hoping my presence would be enough to defuse the situation. I figured Frederick wouldn’t want to start swinging with me caught in the middle. It would be ideal if everyone just went back to dealing with Gray and the issues that had been mine before I even showed up. “Fine, I’ll go! Just let me get out of here!”Frederick, however, had other ideas. “No way,” he said firmly, his grip tightening as he pulled me behind him for protection.Gray’s voice was a harsh growl as he glared at Frederick. “When did you start giving her orders? Who are you?” He emphasized the word "you" as though trying to figure out who Frederick was, despite clearly having no clue.Frederick didn’t miss a beat. With a dismissive shove, he said, “Looks like you couldn’t resist touching her, huh? Bet you did the same thing with the four on her back, didn’t you? You messed that up, didn’t you?”Gray’s eyes narrow
Anastasia My concern grew as I thought about what Gray might do next. The idea of him confronting Frederick or, worse, involving my dad, filled me with dread. I knew that such actions could seriously complicate things for Frederick. Determined to avoid that, I was ready to do whatever it took to prevent any further escalation between Gray and Frederick....Hugo I tapped on Anastasia's bedroom door, the sound of Victoria's playful giggles and shouts filtering through the wood. It was beyond frustrating to learn that my sister was dating my beta, who was also one of my closest friends. It all happened so quickly; I knew there was no way to change what was meant to be. I couldn't control the whims of the moon goddess, and no matter how much my sister tried to deny it, their connection only seemed to grow stronger. Their bond was undeniable, filled with love, trust, and an undeniable chemistry.Frederick had retreated to his room, his earlier playful mood now a distant memory. I knew 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