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
Anastasia I unlocked my phone and scrolled through my previous social media pages. A small number, one hundred fifty-seven, marked in red above the direct message icon in my inbox, caught my eye. I tentatively tapped on it with a trembling finger, and that dreaded name appeared, instantly triggering a surge of unease throughout my body. I opened them, scrolling past each one, taking in their contents one by one.8:40 pm: "Where are you currently located? I apologize for the game. Sure, I'm all ears. What's on your mind?"8:50 pm: "Return to your place of residence."9:02 pm: "Please return my call, Anastasia. This has lost its humor."9:10 pm: "I'm not joking around, Anastasia. Please return my call."9:20 pm: "If you don't contact me within the next two minutes, you'll deeply regret the decision to walk away."10:00 pm: "I am aware that you are with him, Anastasia. Please answer your phone."10:50 pm: "You'll never escape my grasp; I assure you of that.""Hey!" I was s
Anastasia "No, Anastasia, no. Never," he declared, his voice firm as I moved closer to him. The electric tension between us intensified, and I resolutely resisted his allure. "He's not the right person for you; regardless of your decision, I will always protect you and ensure that you don't return to Gray. I apologize.""You're unique, Frederick," I said. I held his hand, the rings on his fingers making a gentle sound as they touched, and I examined them carefully, one by one. All of them had a silver hue, yet it was clear that they were not crafted from actual silver.One had a small ruby, another had elegant cursive inscriptions, and another had delicate floral etchings. I couldn't help but admire the intricate artwork that adorned his arm, from his fingers all the way up to his wrist. "What is the significance of this?" I gently ran my fingers over one of the intricate tattoos on his arm. The elegant script, adorned with delicate vines, roses, and lotus flowers, intrigued me, even
Anastasia I couldn't help but grin, and he chuckled in response. I had a sense of being inseparable, as if there was no one else around except for the two of us in that particular moment. As the world around us faded into obscurity, his smile shifted towards me, filled with a sense of gravity and yearning. I couldn't tear my gaze away from his captivating eyes, locked in a mesmerizing connection. I gently caressed his arm, tracing my fingers along his bicep and up to his shoulder, feeling the subtle reaction of his skin beneath my touch."Frederick," I murmured, observing the tension in his jaw and the gentle touch of his hand against my face. I leaned into his touch, closing my eyes, just before he suddenly pulled his hand away from my face. Everything around me seemed to freeze, and the cacophony of the world gradually faded into a distant echo before vanishing completely. "Goddess." It slipped out of my mouth without any restraint, leaving me feeling utterly mortified. I remained
Hugo The breakfast table was rather empty this morning, and I welcomed the silence. There were a thousand voices in my head telling me what was the right course of action to take—the devil and angel on my shoulders. The problems were unraveling one after the other, and I couldn't quite keep track of them. The older we all got, the worse they seemed to get.I was in charge of over three hundred people, some humans but mostly wolves. My dad told me that we wound up in Greece because his pack was stormed by my mother's former alpha, and he sent all the humans here to take refuge."Can I talk to you quickly while Anastasia is still asleep?" Cassius approached me with caution, careful to avoid a listening ear. It was only six in the morning, and from what I presumed, she hadn't gotten much sleep last night. The storms were outrageous, and I knew she was the cause; just her mere anxiety was enough to charge a hurricane. "I don't even know if I should be telling you this because she trusted
Hugo "Frederick, we need to approach this situation with caution; you're aware of that." Keeping any man calm, especially when their significant other was involved, was quite a challenge. However, I prided myself on my ability to do just that. "You can be certain that she won't be leaving; as long as I'm in control, she won't be returning to him.""Control? That's the issue with the male figures in her life. Everyone is vying for power over her. I will always respect her boundaries and never invade her personal space without her consent. She mentioned avoiding alcohol, and I assured her it wouldn't be an issue. Guess what? She's incredibly surprised that I do that! It's quite surprising that she finds respect so fascinating. And Gray—I won't allow that person to surpass me the next time I encounter them." He pointed a finger at me, his demeanor intimidating and condemning. He was clearly overwhelmed by his emotions. "Guess what? She kissed me last night! She planted her lips on mine.
Anastasia The following day, I hadn't seen much of Frederick after agreeing to give this a shot. He had made plans for us to visit his former campground, which happened to be located near the border of Cassius's territory. The thought of it filled me with a mix of anticipation and unease.Gray lingered in the depths of my thoughts, a constant, unwelcome presence. A sense of remorse washed over me, guilt tugging at my conscience as if I had left him behind. But he did not warrant my feelings of guilt. For the past three years, he had kept me captive, both physically and emotionally. I found myself trapped within my own circle of friends, yet no one seemed to notice.I had allowed Gray to remain unnoticed, and that suited me just fine. I dedicated countless hours to convincing myself of my affection for him—despite his monstrous nature—resulting in the gradual erosion of my own identity. I had resided with his consent, a prisoner in my own life.As I dressed for the day, I chose a tank
Anastasia "I'm confused, Victoria. What is it about that particular thing that appeals to girls? It's painful; it's repulsive; it's humiliating." I turned to face her once more, lifting my sweatshirt to expose the marks on my body. She was taken aback by the sight of them, some resembling handprints, others forming straight or jagged lines. My skin was covered in marks, fading below my waistline, and all the discoloration left me feeling marked. "This is not visually appealing.""That's not how it's supposed to be. How could someone get away with such a thing? I'm confused." Victoria sat with her legs crossed, avoiding eye contact with me, as if trying to put me at ease. "What could possibly compel you to remain, despite everything that has transpired?""No, it's like nobody gets it." I reflected on that initial evening with Ekhardt—the moment Gray revealed his true self to me. I had never witnessed such a transformation in him before, and his demeanor has remained unchanged ever sin
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