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
Anastasia “Hey, put on some clothes. We’re heading out,” my dad said, shooting a glare at Frederick, who responded with a menacing growl. Tension crackled between them, and I felt a surge of worry about a potential confrontation. I grabbed a few pieces of clothing Frederick had left on the dresser, hurriedly slipping on some shorts under the towel and pulling on his t-shirt.“Hey, what brings you here?” I shouted, gasping for air and feeling mortified that my dad had witnessed everything. My face flushed with embarrassment.“We’re leaving,” he repeated. Hugo stood in the doorway, his face marked by a deep sense of disappointment. It was clear he had done everything he could to contain the situation.“I’m not going,” I said, casually tossing the towel into a heap on the floor. I crossed my arms, maintaining a nonchalant distance from him. He was breathing heavily, his impatience palpable, like an angry machine ready to break down.“No way you won’t!” he retorted, reaching out to me af
Anastasia “Hey, why don’t you come home with me? Otherwise, Frederick might just have to give in to my charm.” My father’s voice was cold and detached, his words cutting through the tension like a knife. He turned to look at me with a nonchalant expression, his gaze a mixture of indifference and satisfaction. “You’re completely defeated. He has such control over you that you’re even arguing with me about it. Whether we’re friends or not, I won’t let you stay with him. You were never like this!”“Do you really think Frederick did that?” I demanded, my voice trembling with frustration. “Why are you deciding for me?” The anger and hurt bubbled up inside me, a reflection of all the pain I had been trying to hide. “I know what happened between you and Mom. We’re all on the same level—no one is superior to anyone else! You made me miss school, you trapped me in that house, and you never wanted this to happen!” My chest heaved with each breath, and the nausea that had been lurking seemed to
Anastasia “Hey, do you know where Frederick is?” I whispered, aware that their keen werewolf hearing could pick up even the faintest sound. It was a little disheartening that his voice was the one I didn't hear outside the door.“He went to chill out,” Victoria replied. “Hey, can you please open the door so we can talk about this?” I walked across the room with heavy steps, a sense of detachment hanging over me, and I unlocked the door with a casual flick. It swung open immediately.“We?” I turned to see three figures entering the room, their footsteps sounding like a distant echo in my disoriented mind. “Why should anyone else care about this?”“Hey, Anastasia, we just want to make sure you’re safe,” Victoria said, easing herself onto my bed with a casual air. I continued to pace, my thoughts racing uncontrollably.“How can you be sure it’s Frederick’s?” I asked, my voice tinged with skepticism as I adjusted my stance. Victoria crossed her legs, and the guys maintained a careful dis
Anastasia I gently tapped on the heavy wooden door, but no one answered. A sinking feeling settled in my chest, and I let out a shaky breath. After taking a deep, steadying breath, I turned the knob and pushed the door open.The room beyond was serene and impeccably arranged, the epitome of calm. I stepped inside and let the door close softly behind me.I sank onto the bed, enveloped in the comforting scent of his cologne and warmth. The sheets were as soft as I remembered, and the pillows felt like clouds beneath my head. The room was bathed in soothing darkness, a cocoon of peace where I could lose myself. I curled up on my side, clutching the blankets, allowing the familiar scent to wash over me. I never wanted to leave this sanctuary.Yet, my thoughts drifted to Kayln, stirring a pang of jealousy. Even though he claimed he didn’t love her, the thought of him being with her, maybe even in this very bed, stung. Jealousy felt so unbecoming, a bitter reminder of how Frederick’s charm
Anastasia "Sure, sweetheart." He momentarily paused, his intensity fading as he watched my expression reach its peak. He took a deep breath and exclaimed, "Wow, babe!" My legs trembled uncontrollably as his pace quickened, his growl resonating with captivating force. I couldn’t help but let out a scream of relief as he finally slowed down, leaning against me and loosening his grip, the overwhelming tension giving way to a deep, shared satisfaction."Wow," I whispered, feeling his body gently settle next to mine, his warmth enveloping me as he held me close against his chest. The rhythmic thumping of his heart was almost palpable, a fast-paced beat that felt like it could burst through his skin at any moment. I struggled to catch my breath, shifting from heavy panting to a more controlled exhale, trying to calm my racing heart."Anastasia, I really love you a lot." His voice was tender as he brushed the sweaty strands of my hair behind my ear, his hand gently caressing my cheek. The w
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