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
Anastasia I leaned back on my knees, watching him as he turned to face me, his expression full of concern and emotion. "This test should be done before any final decisions are made. If that’s my kid, you ain’t going anywhere in this area.""I won’t," I replied, meeting his gaze. His eyes were a striking blue, veins pulsing steadily in his neck. As the seconds ticked by, his features seemed to shift, a subtle change that hinted at the tension in his body. "I couldn’t go home knowing that, if the baby is yours," I added, though I was confident he wouldn’t harm me, the anger I had stirred in him was unsettling."I’d like to get the test done!" Frederick approached, grabbing the sheets near me with a sense of urgency, being careful not to touch me directly. "I really don’t care about anything else; I just want to do what’s best for you and our baby!""Hey, Frederick!" I yelled, trying to snap him out of his fixation. He looked up, his surprise evident as he scanned my face for any sign o
HugoFrederick’s usual composure was absent, and his downcast expression struck me deeply. I had never seen him so disheartened, not even after all the years we had worked together. It was clear how much he cared about my sister. His actions, his words, every move he made showed it.“Same here,” I said, taking a casual sip from my own beer. “Hopefully, she can convince him sooner rather than later.” Music from outside filtered in, creating an echoing backdrop. Eros and Jericho were throwing a birthday bash tonight, but I wasn’t in the mood for celebration. Frederick’s birthday was approaching in a matter of days, but he never made a big deal about it. I never understood why.“What if I popped the question to her?” Frederick’s voice was heavy with doubt. “Doesn’t everything just become meaningless?”“My dad’s gotta sign the papers, you know? Until she’s twenty-one, he has complete control.” I took another sip, trying to steady my nerves. “The mate bond doesn’t matter since she’s human.
Anastasia He slammed his hand down on the desk, mimicking a judge’s gavel. His stance was commanding, his tie swaying over the scattered papers. His eyes flickered between their usual color and a vivid sea green. “So, Gray said, ‘Yo, I saw this dude straight up attacking you at the baseball game!’ And Frederick was all like, ‘Oh no you didn’t!’ and went after him.” He shrugged, recounting Frederick’s injuries with a dismissive wave. “He came back home with cuts and bruises, just like his buddies. He’s just a loyal fighter for Hugo, nothing more!”“Gray is totally lying!” I snapped, frustration bubbling over as I confronted my dad.“Or are you trying to cover something up?” he shot back, his voice tinged with suspicion. “After I brought your mother home, she was dead set on returning to Xandriel. I won’t let you go through that again!” His finger waggled in the air, a stern reminder of his authority, his gaze unyielding. “Why won’t you believe me? I’m your father!”“I’m telling you th
Anastasia I walked out of the room, a heavy regret settling over me for even trying to reason with him. The hallway stretched on endlessly, and I absentmindedly ran my hand along the wall, seeking some semblance of stability. A wave of nausea hit me, and sweat slicked my skin, making me feel faint.When I hopped off the front steps of the estate, I sat down on the last one, letting the cool rain drench me. It was a small, soothing relief from the whirlwind of emotions inside. Maybe coming back here was a mistake. My dad’s stance on Frederick was clear—he’d never accept him."Hey, you’re back?" Gray’s voice broke through my thoughts. I looked down, unable to meet his eyes. For a moment, dealing with my father seemed like a lesser evil compared to the tension with Gray.Before I could react, Gray’s strong hands grabbed me and pulled me away from the steps. He held me close, tucking a damp strand of hair behind my ear with a tenderness that contrasted sharply with his firm grip."Sorry,
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