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
Anastasia "That's not cool." Frederick echoed what I said, still not looking at me. He let out a few grumbles and shook them off, attempting to keep his cool. I wasn't sure if he was referring to what he had witnessed or simply the act of witnessing it."I swear," I whispered, trying to hold back the tears, but they just kept coming. I gently rested my hands on his back, feeling the strength of his muscles beneath my touch. I could hear him breathing in and out, like my touch was intoxicating to him."I don't cry for myself, but for what I might lose. I gotta be real with you." My voice trembled, carrying the weight of unspoken fears. I just can't keep this to myself any longer. I shut my eyes, let out a sigh, and let the towel fall to the ground. "The sailboat, Gray's sailboat, that's where he kept me." I shivered at the memory. He kept me trapped in that cabin for days. I didn't have a choice, so I ended up listening to him.I cautiously approached Frederick, my steps hesitant. He
Anastasia "Sorry, but that's not gonna happen," Frederick murmured, leaning into me gradually, like he was starting to regain his composure. He sat up and rolled to my side, being careful not to cause any harm. I felt a heavy weight settle in my chest, stress and anxiety gnawing at me. I wondered if I hadn't met his expectations. "Hey," he said softly, his touch on my skin sending a rush of electricity coursing through me. I craved more, yearning for his complete presence."Am I the one at fault?" I asked, a twinge of insecurity in my chest as I pulled the sheet over my body. I was totally out of breath and couldn't seem to pull myself together. Embarrassment washed over me. "Sorry about that." My words were jumbled, coming out in a disjointed mess that barely made sense."Nah, it's not your fault." He took a moment and casually remarked, "A lot is going to change when that happens, and I don't think you're quite ready yet, especially if you're still feeling uncertain. I don't want
Anastasia I absentmindedly traced circles in the sheets with my finger, lost in a sea of anxious thoughts. I just wanted to feel alright; I wanted to be able to relax and release any hold that Gray still had on me. Back in the day, my old man used to have me cooped up inside a lot more than he does these days. My mom didn't put up a fight; she just had faith in him to make the right call. I've heard some stuff about this prophecy that supposedly involved Hugo, but my dad was all like, "Nah, that doesn't match up with the story." Is it possible for it to change? Can the moon goddess change her desires even if we can't? So, get this, my mom was saying how it was actually supposed to be Hugo who ended up with the same abilities as me. I was supposed to be like him, not me.Frederick stayed up late, taking care of the fire and tidying up after dinner. I wanted to assist him, but he was adamant that I take it easy. It was a pretty tough job. He was quite the guy, and he definitely showed
Anastasia As I continued, the elevation gradually decreased, and the soothing sound of waves crashing against the rocks grew louder.I heard growling and howling behind me, a clear sign that Frederick had discovered the presence of those lurking nearby. I hoped he was stronger than them. I couldn't help but wonder how they managed to find us.I stumbled down a steep hill, landing on my hands and knees, watching the key slide across the rocks and into the water. Panic surged through me as I crawled toward the edge. Luckily, the key had a little bobber attached to it, preventing it from sinking.The wind whistled softly, carrying an eerie voice that sounded like someone talking or crying in the distance. Ignoring it, I reached into the gently lapping water, feeling the deep blue swirls envelop my hand as I grabbed for the key. Dirt and rocks tumbled into the waves, and the breeze grew stronger, tickling my ears.Finally, I retrieved the key, gripping it tightly in my fingers until my n
Anastasia I felt my phone vibrate and casually pulled it out of my pocket, unlocking it with a satisfying click. I was actually expecting Gray, but it turned out to be my father’s number. That was pretty strange.“Hey, Dad?” I answered, trying to keep my voice steady. I could hear his frustration through the phone, like he had been trying to keep his cool with every ring.“So, Anastasia, what’s on your mind? You’re out in the Celladros mountains all by yourself with Frederick, huh?” His voice was loud and intimidating, and it freaked me out that my dad was upset about something he shouldn't even know about yet. “I’m fine, I swear,” I said, desperate to make him understand. It was funny how I’d never felt safer, and now my dad actually cared about who I was with.“Cliff jumping? Are you out of your mind? You’re not one of them, Anastasia! He’s not good for you.” People always thought they knew what was best for me, constantly telling me what I should and shouldn't do. I wanted to make
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