Anastasia "So, you've been in a war?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady."Yeah, obviously." He leaned back in his chair. "I'm the one who leads the first line of men into battle." Like always, I couldn't help but feel a creeping sense of worry, but this time it was on a whole new level. My dad was talking about these intense battles where people were dropping like flies. Frederick seemed pretty chill about his health, no worries in sight."You never seem to get scared, and you always charge headfirst into battle." I noticed him reclining in his chair, selecting his words with caution."My body is like a weapon, and I have complete faith that it won't let me down," he said in such a relaxed manner that I almost bought into it."Seems like you're quite the warrior," I mentioned to him. "I really apologize for what happened earlier, and I regret how Gray acted towards you.""He just deserves a grave, that's it," Frederick said hastily, his gaze fixed on the flickering candle on th
Anastasia "I wouldn't want you to feel obligated to choose this just because of how it affected me. I'm cool with you doing your own thing, even if it doesn't involve me. I've come to terms with the fact that it's just part of being human." He took a moment to stop and collect his thoughts. "I would never expect you to pretend to be someone you're not. I've done my job if you're happy.""I feel so comfortable and at ease when I'm with you. It's like I can truly be myself." As our conversation went on, I felt an increasing desire to share everything with him. I took a sip from the glass of water, hoping it would give me the courage to strike up a conversation with him. I felt like I was teetering on the edge of a cliff, just waiting for someone to give me a little nudge."Well, why don't you just hang out here in our neck of the woods? You'll never have to worry about wanting anything, I promise. You won't have to worry about feeling any pain anymore. You can rest easy at night, knowi
Anastasia "I'm here now," I whispered. "I'm blessed that the moon goddess gave me a mate; she gave me someone as gentle and kind as you. You make me feel so safe just by being around you. The way you speak to me, as a woman, with careful proceeding, always asking and never taking." "Well, then that's all that matters to me. It doesn't matter to me who you were before you came here or what you've done." Gray said he would destroy anything that happened without his permission, so he would probably try to stop this from happening. "Please eat before it gets cold." The smell of the steak made my stomach turn even more, so I put my hand to my mouth to try to stop feeling sick."Frederick, I don't feel good," I told her. I took another swallow of water until the glass was half empty, hoping it would settle whatever was going on in my stomach. Instead, it made it worse.Frederick looked at me and asked, "What's wrong?" He searched my face for an answer.I swallowed and said, "I don't know,"
Anastasia "I made a mistake; I treated him poorly." As we left the restaurant, I couldn't stop thinking about everything I had said. All the things that had messed me up before were still lingering around, even now. It seemed like no matter where I went, misfortune was always close behind, affecting everyone around me. Man, I really should've just stayed home. I definitely shouldn't have gotten Gray any more ticked off than I already did."Hey, don't blame yourself, Anastasia. It's totally understandable that you reacted the way you did. He gets it." Hugo's voice broke through my thoughts. "It didn't seem fair, so I decided to completely end any chance of a future relationship. I messed it up before it even began."I sighed, trying to push away the guilt. "Frederick went out for the day. I think he went back to DeLuna to check things out. He's really upset that he didn't notice your drink was spiked. This is the first time I've seen him like this. He brought you back, and I saw you i
Anastasia I kicked back in bed, attempting to chill out, but deep down I knew it wasn't gonna happen. I take full responsibility for everything that went wrong here. I completely disrupted everyone's lives."Man, this is not good," I sighed, feeling the weight on my shoulders as I sank into the pillow. I wouldn't really start feeling any better until I had closure with Frederick. I didn't really expect him to want anything else to do with me, but I just wanted him to know that I was sorry. I was really sorry. "I messed up big time.""Hey, Anastasia, it's not your fault. You didn't have any control over what happened, so don't beat yourself up about it. We'll find the person responsible for this." Cassius's voice was reassuring as he gently held my hand, his tattooed fingers delicately caressing mine as if I were fragile. "Frederick dispatched three teams to cover different areas: the highways near the DeLuna, the forest, and the estate. Nobody's getting anywhere near you. You're all
Anastasia "Hey, there's a party tonight and everyone from the pack is going. Plus, no one would even be there to find out if Frederick did it." Cassius's tone was matter-of-fact. "That's the reason he picked tonight. I couldn't believe it when Cassius actually took Frederick's side in the matter. Was I the one overreacting? Gray is something that should be taken care of.""It was a lot simpler before it became your concern, back when none of you were aware of this." I gave him a dirty look as I quickly made my way to the door. "You know, there's actually a lot more to all of this than what you guys are aware of.""Wow, Anastasia, that's really not the smartest idea I've come across." Cassius's voice was sharp. "Why bother defending him? You don't have any justification for it!" He suddenly grabbed my arm, catching me off guard. "It's definitely a red flag when someone resorts to physical violence to cause harm. We can take care of him for good, and you won't have to worry about him a
Anastasia "How can I put an end to these overwhelming emotions?" I was having trouble focusing. "Man, everything is just killing me, Sei." I moved him aside, taking a step back. My heart was racing in my chest, and my mind was filled with a flurry of thoughts. The faucet started spewing water once more, cascading over the edge of the counter. The light from the window dimmed, and the sky filled with dark, stormy clouds, obscuring the sun. I plopped down on my knees and shuffled back against the wall, hunkering down in the corner. I curled up, hugging my knees tightly, and the tears just started pouring out. "I'm really freaked out, Sei, I'm freaking out.""Hey, Anastasia!" Cassius's voice sounded distant, as if he was far away from me. All the light bulbs in the room suddenly burst, showering us with sharp fragments. The windows broke, and wind and rain poured into the room. The thunder was incredibly loud, and I thought the whole place was gonna come crashing down on us."I'm really
Anastasia "Frederick Henson?" The intensity of my father's anger was palpable as his words pierced through the phone. This was a discussion that I never anticipated having with my father, but I was relieved that we were physically distant. "Oh, no, no. I refuse to permit that. He possesses an immense amount of power, effortlessly displaying his incredible strength. I refuse to accept that. She could potentially be injured, and he would remain completely oblivious to his actions.""That's not true, Dad. He would never harm her. Regrettably, there is no solution available. I have complete faith in him; I am confident that he will act in her best interest. If anything, she is the most secure when she's with him. He possesses the qualities of a noble warrior, displaying great honor."I was growing increasingly frustrated; my father's arrogant personality was driving me crazy. I had to summon every ounce of self-restraint to keep my emotions in check and refrain from speaking out. "Who is
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