Anastasia He traced my fingers lightly, and his eyes darkened with desire. "Then, your pretty mouth might let my name slip out.""And then?" I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper."And then, Ms. Gomez, I’d have you begging me for more." His fingers trailed from my lips to my neck, lightly pressing beneath my jaw. I leaned closer, feeling the intensity of his gaze."And, like, if I do beg you," I said hesitantly, gripping his arms as the snow fell heavily around us. The garden lights barely illuminated the scene."I’d move your legs apart and position myself between them," he said, his voice a low murmur. "I’d savor every moment of our connection, continuing to pleasure you until you were trembling with desire. Even then, I might not want to stop." His words made me shiver, and I struggled to remember how to breathe."I love you," I whispered, my voice trembling as the snow blanketed us in a quiet, intimate cocoon."I really, really love you, more than anything in this world. It
Anastasia "Let’s cut to the chase and get on with tonight’s planned business," Frederick said, setting his glass down with a deliberate clink. He locked eyes with my father, his expression resolute. Most would be trembling in Frederick’s position, but he seemed unfazed."Business?" My dad tilted his head, casually folding his hands over his place settings. He leaned in, his eyes narrowing. "Is that all this means to you?""Do I have to speak your language if I want to get through to you?" Frederick’s voice remained steady, even though Hugo was visibly itching to intervene and diffuse the escalating tension."Wow, you really don’t do it for me, even if you had Xandriel’s head on a stick." My mom’s voice suddenly cut through the room as she slammed her glass onto the table. The impact made me flinch, and Gray’s grip on my skin finally released, eliciting a small gasp from me."Sure, I’ll take care of it," Frederick said with a casual shrug, as if the entire exchange was beneath him."H
Anastasia "She’s had times when you weren’t around due to your business ventures," Frederick continued, his voice tight with frustration. "Mrs. Gomez has done a fantastic job raising her. She spent weeks with my crew, and Hugo mentioned she hadn't been this excited in ages. You left her vulnerable, and those awful guys you associated with left her with lasting insecurities and self-doubt.""You'll be heading out in the morning, right on time, but without my daughter." Frederick's voice was strained, barely masking the anger boiling beneath the surface. It was clear he was struggling to restrain himself from leaping across the table and attacking my father."Just so you know, your daughter is pregnant," Frederick said, standing up and adjusting his suit jacket with a sharp movement. "I can’t marry her for another two years without your permission, but she won’t be going anywhere for good as long as she's carrying my child. I would have preferred if this had happened differently, but y
Anastasia "Oh, so you knew?" My voice was a whisper, filled with betrayal. "You were aware of it, but chose not to act? Frederick," I choked out, tears falling freely now. "I couldn’t help but shed tears, one by one. I was trying my best to keep this from you, but you knew all along!""I gotta do what's best for this pack, Anastasia." My dad’s voice was firm, laced with a tone that brooked no argument. "I gotta let Gray think he's got me fooled, or we'd be in hot water. I really don’t want to see another war break out. I can’t let you be with Frederick until I figure out how to stop Gray from becoming explosive. It’s crucial that I find a way to keep them under control."His words only fueled the anger bubbling inside me. My face felt flushed, my whole body heating with frustration. It was like no matter how hard I fought for a future with Frederick, every step forward seemed to dig me deeper into a pit of defeat. I was drowning in this chaotic mess, feeling like a mere pawn in a gam
Anastasia When we reached my bedroom, Frederick helped me down, his presence solid and reassuring behind me. He had never been in my room before, and I sensed his quiet curiosity as he took in the surroundings.The room felt cold and unwelcoming, the gray walls and off-white curtains casting an unsettling atmosphere. I remembered Hugo’s announcement of heading out with the new pack to kick off the Northeastern Division. That day had marked a turning point, leaving me shattered and dragged back into a life I loathed. My room now seemed to absorb all the pain and loneliness I felt."How did you figure out the location of my room?" I asked, my voice slightly shaky. I slipped off my heels, letting them fall into a haphazard pile beside the bed. The bed itself sat untouched in the darkness, a silent witness to my isolation. It had been over a month since I last slept here, and returning felt disorienting.Frederick observed as I removed my heavy earrings and placed them on the dresser, th
Anastasia "Sorry, but that's not possible.""Wow, that could really have some serious consequences," I said quietly, giving my arms a little rub as I kept a close eye on him. He looked really tense, like he was about to explode with anger. I could tell he was thinking about the things Gray had done. Hey, I really hope you can stick around."Hey, what's up?" Frederick's voice had taken on a deeper tone, reflecting the intensity in his expression. I couldn't help but notice how he kept his cool, even though the situation was pretty serious. But I couldn't help but wonder if he was on the verge of losing it. "Hey, just wanted to remind you to keep things open and honest, alright?" He leaned in and gently kissed the curve of my belly. His touch gave me goosebumps, making every stroke feel charged with energy."He took me to his boat." I could hardly believe what had happened and the actions Gray had taken, as the words slipped out of my mouth."I'll drop by his place." Frederick got up s
Anastasia When I hit ten, I opened my eyes and realized he had vanished without a trace. It was as if he had never been here at all. Overwhelmed, I turned over and let out a scream into my pillow, my tears flowing freely.Yeah, my old man went ahead and signed those papers, and Jordan did the same. I was actually married to Gray before the end of that terrible night, and I had no clue about it. I didn't feel anything anymore. I felt like a complete void, just going through the motions without any real engagement or vitality.I was married to one, and I had slept with another—all in the same night.Mrs. Anastasia Manett, what a gloomy sound it has! I checked myself out in the mirror, my reflection looking a bit dull and gloomy. I grabbed my brush and casually ran it through my curled hair, taking a moment to simply observe as it effortlessly glided through the bristles. I really didn't like the amber hair, and even though Frederick was so fond of it, I felt like I wasn't the same girl
Anastasia "What happens when your father has to step down? He needs a successor." He dug into the pocket of his dress shirt and pulled out a small velvet bag tied with a bow. I watched him approach me again, pulling a string of pearls from the bag and draping them around my neck.Gray had never gotten me a gift, no matter how charitable he was feeling. He didn't know the word kind. This gift told me that he had done something while he was away last night, and I figured as much anyway. It was his way of apologizing without apologizing, or gaslighting me in his best efforts."Thank you," I said. I rolled them around between my fingers, and he watched me with such a heavy, intent stare. I swallowed the lump in my throat, forcing what I could of a smile. He carried on now, continuing to dress, changing out his boxers for new ones, and slipping on a pair of tight-fitting joggers. I could smell his dress shirt that lay in a heap on the floor beside me, soaking in perfume, sex, and alcohol.
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