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
Anastasia I felt extreme disgust at the nature of his crime, the condition of my body, and the realization that the innocence I had fiercely protected had been taken away from me. I didn't have time to dwell on my situation; I needed to leave before he returned.I sat up, slowly dressing myself, feeling the intense ache in my body that had gone unnoticed. The feeling of fabric against my skin ignited a fiery sensation. I desperately pounded on the door, calling out for my father and pleading for someone to come to my rescue. The ancient wooden door stubbornly refused to budge, its metal hinges protesting with each forceful strike of my fists."Father!" I called, uncertain of my location upriver or the distance from the docks. I desperately longed for my father to hear me, no matter what. Hugo had disappeared, leaving me without any remaining companions. "Dad!" But would it be preferable if he couldn't locate me in this place? He would be aware of the situation, and Gray would face co
Anastasia "I'll be fine, I assure you. He's different from Gray. It will be a unique experience." I observed him intently, and he appeared quite anxious, unlike anything I had witnessed from him previously. Despite my best efforts to persuade him, I found myself grappling with my own doubts. "I'm feeling confident and prepared to give it a shot. I'm open to exploring the possibility of a genuine relationship with a partner who has been selected for me," I stated. "I'm ready to explore new horizons.""Take care, please. You have the freedom to decline, and rest assured that Frederick will still cherish you regardless of your decision, I assure you." Hugo tightly gripped my hands, exerting a force that made me fear they would shatter. "I left some sweatshirts on your bed since I noticed you didn't bring many from home. The temperature drops significantly in the mountains after sunset."I encouraged him to direct his attention towards me, positioning myself within his line of sight. I y
Anastasia “What are you up to?” I chuckled, shaking my head in disbelief. The air was cool, our calendar year swiftly transitioning into October and the upcoming holiday season. It was my favorite time of year, but it definitely wasn’t the ideal season for cliff jumping.“I’m ready to dive in,” he said casually, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. “Well, diving right in, I suppose.”“Are you crazy? Can you believe how deep that is?” I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. My gaze shifted from him to the water. I could sense his adventurous spirit, his love for excitement, and his bravery, but this situation was beyond what I was used to. “You must be out of your mind.”“I’ve been eagerly anticipating this moment—to return to this place.” Frederick stared out at the water, and I couldn’t help but feel a sense of unease. His body was covered in a multitude of tattoos, leaving no space untouched. He served as a front-line soldier and held a beta position in my brother’s ran
Anastasia "Hey, you doing alright?" Frederick asked, pulling me close. His embrace was warm, and we shared a laugh, my body trembling against his strong physique. "Pretty decent, huh?" We got comfortable in the splashing waves, water streaming down his face from his wet hair."So, you do this just for fun?" I shouted amidst his laughter, wiping water from my eyes. His body warmth was really effective at keeping the cold at bay. I wrapped my legs around him, feeling the gentle rub of his swim shorts against my leggings. It made me catch my breath. My arms found their way around his neck, resting on his shoulders. Our bodies clung together, drawn like magnets. The tranquility of nature surrounded us, the soothing melody of the waterfall and the rhythmic crashing of the waves filling the air. I leaned in and softly kissed him. I was craving something more, my system filled with intense sparks and fireworks. Holding onto his hair, I felt the intense heat between us, fueling my desire for
Anastasia I unzipped my suitcase and found a pair of pajamas and one of Hugo's hoodies. I held the soft fabric in my hands, giving it a good squeeze in my fist. I couldn't get anything right. Gray had messed up my head so much that even packing my own suitcase felt like a struggle. Sitting on the edge of the tent, I took a deep breath and let the hoodie slip over my shoulders. It was way too big, but it felt like a hug, a small comfort in the middle of my chaos. I slipped into my pajamas, the familiar routine helping to steady my nerves a bit.I held the fabric in my hands, giving it a tight squeeze. I couldn't get anything right. Gray had really messed me up. I was feeling a mix of emotions—depression, loneliness, and hate—all battling inside me.Feeling pretty frustrated, I decided to take off my clothes one by one. The discomfort was like an invisible ghost beneath my skin, clinging so tightly that I had almost gotten used to it. Gray was the one preventing me from living the lif
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