Anastasia I’d poured so much of myself into those tiny white pills, never truly enjoying the moment. There was so much I missed out on in Hugo’s territory, and it left me feeling utterly repulsed by my own existence.I nudged Frederick towards Kayln, and an intense, inexplicable unease settled in my chest. I craved his presence, yet felt deeply unworthy of his affection. I closed my eyes again, seeking solace in the quiet of my mind. I envisioned death as a serene, effortless journey—a moment when everything would shift, leaving me enveloped in a profound numbness that would gradually envelop me and then completely overwhelm me.I took a deep breath, savoring the lightness it brought. Jonah’s weight pressed down on me, but I hardly noticed it—his presence felt like a distant echo.A rumble outside broke the stillness, but it wasn’t the rumble of thunder.The door to the tomb creaked open with a piercing screech, finally pulling my attention back to the room. Three figures hurried in
Anastasia “Where is he?” I asked, confusion lacing my words. “Have you seen Gray? I’m really puzzled by how he vanished so quickly. Was he just a figment of my imagination, or was my mind playing tricks on me?”“Don’t worry, he’s not here. I’ve got you.” Frederick’s fingers lightly brushed through my hair, pushing it away from my face with a soothing touch. But his gentle presence seemed to fade, like a fleeting memory. I’d never stayed awake this long after taking those pills, and I couldn’t help but wonder if it had something to do with how close we were, Frederick. “I’m curious why you decided to go to that place without me or anyone else.”“Darius,” I said, struggling to make sense of the whirlwind of thoughts in my mind, “I didn’t.”“I understand that you didn’t,” Frederick’s voice wavered, carrying a note of pain. “Yeah, I get it.”“Kayln,” I murmured, tears welling up in my eyes, “do you have feelings for her?” I noticed Hugo clearing his throat from the front seat, and a tigh
Anastasia "I’m not sure," Victoria admitted, her gaze fleeting and uncertain. "Do you think you could be?" Her question made me shift uncomfortably, and I quickly looked away. I felt exposed, like my every thought and emotion was under scrutiny."Nah, definitely not. I'm not," I said, trying to reassure myself, even though I could sense my mind spiraling. I felt a wave of nausea crashing over me, making me panic. Why would I even suggest something like that, especially in a confused state? "I still feel the same," I added, my voice trembling with unease."Hey, wanna give a test a shot? Just to double-check?" Victoria suggested, her tone gentle but firm. The thought of peeing on that tiny stick made me anxious. If I were pregnant, it could be from one of three different men. The uncertainty gnawed at me. "Might as well give it a shot," she urged, her eyes locked on mine."Yeah, it can actually be painful," I admitted, avoiding her gaze. The truth was, none of us had used protection. "
Anastasia “Hey, can we have a chat?” I said, my voice steady but distant. I didn’t look at him, afraid that seeing his face might completely unravel me. I was dabbing at my cuts and blood with alcohol pads, trying to clean up the mess Jonah had left behind. The silence stretched on, and his pause was almost unbearable.“Yeah,” he finally said, stepping into the bathroom with the same cautious tread he’d used when we first met. I turned around slowly, and as soon as he saw me, he looked away, his eyes dropping to the floor. He stood there, leaning casually against the wall, but I could see the concern in his posture. Blood, cuts, and scrapes peeked out from under my thin undergarments—nothing too severe, but enough to make me feel battered. “Hey there, Anastasia,” he greeted, his voice hesitant, caught between offering comfort and holding back, unsure because we weren’t officially together.“Eh, it’s not that bad,” I said, trying to downplay the pain even though it really sucked. My w
Anastasia “Um,” Frederick hesitated, his voice trailing off as if searching for the right words, “I haven’t exactly been upfront about him either—Darius is actually my brother.”I shot him a surprised look through the mirror. My knowledge of Frederick was still sketchy at best, but since he was my mate, I had been willing to overlook a lot of things. Still, this was news. “Hey, I apologize for not mentioning it earlier,” he continued, his tone shifting to one of regret. “To be honest, he and I aren’t exactly on the best terms, and I never really anticipated that the two of you would cross paths.”I frowned, feeling a surge of frustration. “He didn’t say anything either.” It was as if everyone around me was playing a high-stakes game of secrets, and I was just along for the wild ride. The constant revelations felt like a rollercoaster—unexpected and disorienting.Frederick took a deep breath, his shoulders relaxing a bit. “Maybe he just didn’t want to freak you out. If he really wante
Anastasia “As long as there are no more secrets,” he said, his voice softer now, “they won’t be able to harm us.” The resolve in his tone was clear, a fragile promise of transparency and mutual protection."I would never betray your trust." I wanted to make sure Frederick knew how serious I was. “Hey, I just wanted to apologize for yelling at you earlier without really listening to what you were saying. My bad. You don’t have to worry about me running to someone else just because we had a disagreement. It’s inevitable that we’ll have disagreements. It’s no big deal.” I glanced down, trying to brush off the tears that threatened to fall. I needed him to trust me, and I wanted to trust him in return.Frederick leaned back, his breath still heavy from the earlier outburst. He ran a hand through his disheveled hair, clearly struggling with his emotions. “I could really harm him, Anastasia. I wouldn’t mind being the one to take him out. His body won’t be found; he’ll just be another missi
Anastasia “I’m sorry she used that against you.” Hearing someone else talk about you can be strange. It’s interesting to hear another perspective. Gray attended the baseball game, and I almost had a run-in with him. I might have done it if you hadn’t been there.Frederick’s gaze softened as he looked at me, taking in my appearance for the first time since we’d returned. My chest and abdomen were covered in claw marks, some already gaping and red. Dried mud caked my skin, pulling tight. Some of the marks were healing, but others looked far from okay. “I can’t imagine the pain he caused you. He really attacked you, didn’t he? Did he even try to make it better?”“I’m okay; he won’t be able to hurt me anymore,” I interrupted, trying to steady my voice. Frederick seemed to understand Jonah’s intentions, but I wasn’t ready to hear it. I avoided meeting his gaze, knowing I’d crumble if I looked him in the eye. Still, I glanced up at his face, seeing the gentle, melancholic look in his eyes.
Anastasia He casually shed his clothes, one piece at a time, until he was left only with his dog tags. I gave him the same privacy he had given me, turning my gaze away. It was oddly amusing; we had been naked together before, but now there was this strange tension between us.He eased into the tub behind me, straddling it with one leg on each side. The water gently rippled, creating a soft sound that filled the quiet bathroom. I could feel his eyes on me, sending shivers down my spine.I was startled when his hands suddenly made contact with my back. His fingers traced the marks and bruises with a light touch, creating a soothing sensation. His touch was gentle and almost refreshing, starting at the base of my neck and moving down to my shoulders. His fingers traced along my spine, exploring the contours of my bones and the curves of my hips with a delicate caress.“How much does it hurt?” he asked softly, his fingers trailing down my arms. I closed my eyes, savoring the intimacy of
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