Hugo “No way any of my guys would ever pull something like that, not to you or me!” I retorted. All the guys who lived in my house, my closest allies, had always been loyal until the very end. They were my men until they were laid to rest.“I really miss her!” Frederick’s anger was now directed at me. “I don’t care about your opinion on this—the paperwork, the courts. I’ll have your sister!” His face turned red, veins pulsating as he completely lost control. He paced back and forth like a caged animal, his skin morphing into patches of fur around his face and his fangs elongating beyond his lips. “I don’t care what I have to do or who I have to go through. Screw them all!”“Hey, Frederick,” I said, taking a step back and holding my hands out. I was stunned by his words; his entire demeanor had changed since he started dating my sister. He never used words like “mine” before. He had always done everything he could to make sure she felt valued and loved. “Just take a moment to hear wha
Hugo “Yeah, you’ve got me sitting here while your daughter is out there somewhere. We haven’t seen her in hours. Who knows what’s happening to her right now? And you’re just keeping me locked up instead of letting me find her!” Frederick’s frustration was palpable as he howled loudly, banging his wrists against the chair’s armrests. The silver handcuffs dug painfully into his skin.“Arresting you was the only way to bring you here without raising any suspicions,” my father said casually, as Frederick glared at him, eyes narrowing. “Hey, Frederick Henson, could you please do your job?” His voice was unnervingly relaxed. “I need you to take care of Grayson Gomez. It’s crucial that there are no traces left behind. The body should never be discovered. If that’s not possible, then make sure there’s no evidence linking back to me.”“Are you kidding me?” Frederick’s sarcasm was evident, and it clearly irritated my father. “I’m serious, no kidding.” My dad’s tone remained disturbingly casua
Hugo“I’m confident in my strength, so I don’t feel the need to plan.” Frederick’s boots crunched on the glass and hail as the dirt path gave way to gravel, a hundred feet away from his enemies’ demise.“Hey there!” Cassius panted as he caught up to us. I reached out to him for help, my understanding of the task still forming. We were heading straight into the enemy’s lair, fully aware of our mission to eliminate them. “So, how are we going to do this?”“There’s no ‘we,’” Frederick said sharply, continuing to march ahead. I admired his unwavering determination and the immense love he had for my sister. With him by her side, she’d always be secure, even if it meant he had to watch over her from beyond.“You’re not going in there alone,” Cassius insisted, but I brushed him aside. He repeated lines I’d already tried, but none had worked. We had trained for situations like this, though I never expected them to come at us so directly. I hoped Frederick would recall his training and make a
HugoGray’s grin was bloody and unrepentant. “She really enjoyed it,” he taunted, his teeth stained with blood. I had to fight the urge to shove Frederick aside and defend my sister against the cruel words. But deep down, I knew Frederick wouldn’t let me intervene. This was their intense game, where the unstoppable force met the immovable object. “Did it mess with your mind?” Gray sneered. “Remember all those times you imagined her and me together? Did it ever cross your mind how many times I was with her? How many guys have been with her?” His words were designed to provoke, dredging up painful memories.Frederick’s eyes were dark with rage as he struggled to control his anger. “I’ll take my time with this,” he said coldly. “I’ll make it agonizing for you. I’ll start with each tooth, then each eye, making you beg for mercy. Your tongue, your fingers—every part of you will suffer.” I stood frozen by the door, Jewel beside me, as Frederick’s sinister intentions became chillingly clear.
Hugo“Darn it!” I shouted, my scream echoing in the stillness. The pain was raw and relentless, but I couldn’t afford to give up. I forced myself to keep moving through the wreckage, though the stench of decaying flesh grew more intense with every step.And then I saw him—lying there like a discarded rag. The sight of him was almost too much to bear. He wore the same clothes, now burnt and fused to his skin. My mind was clouded with darkness and despair. I bent down, gripping his charred shirt, and shook him with all my might, screaming at him as if he could hear me. There was no feeling left in me when his eyes closed for the last time—just a void where emotion used to be.His body was a grotesque mess. Bones were out of place, arms and jaw dislocated, and his neck was twisted at an unnatural angle. Gaping holes in his chest made it look as though his heart had been ripped out. The fatal wounds were clear signs of his sacrifice. Frederick had stayed to finish the job, even at the cos
Anastasia Hugo walked into the den with his head down, avoiding eye contact. I watched him closely, trying to decipher his demeanor. It was hard to tell if he was in pain or just feeling low, but something about him seemed off. His clothes were drenched in blood, and his shirt was dark with stains. Sweat plastered his hair to his forehead, making him look exhausted.“Hey, what’s up?” I murmured quietly, propping myself up on the couch with the armrest. I was feeling the weight of fatigue; the constant strain of caring for the growing child left me aching and drained.“Um—” Hugo’s voice faltered, choked by his emotions. He turned away from me, which only heightened my anxiety. I’d never seen him like this before. My mind raced with questions—how severe were the injuries? Had my father kept Frederick locked away in the cellar? Had Gray hurt him? The possibilities whirled in my head, speeding by like a blur.Hugo reached into his pocket and extended his hand toward me, revealing a neckl
Anastasia “I’m sorry!” Hugo’s voice cracked, tears streaming down his face. He clutched me tightly, his muscles trembling with emotion. I’d never seen him like this—so vulnerable, so lost. It terrified me. The idea that Hugo was convinced Frederick was gone was too much to bear. I could feel my chest heaving, my stomach churning, ready to spill its contents. “Is that alright with you? Sorry about that!” he said, his voice strained.“He was like, ‘I’m never gonna go, I swear!’ and then he was all, ‘Nah, not gonna happen!’” I felt like my legs were about to give out, tingling with pins and needles. “How can I figure this out?” The pain was like nothing I’d ever experienced, searing through my entire body. It was brutal and new. I took a shaky breath, struggling to stay upright.“Hey, Anastasia!” Hugo’s wide-eyed stare snapped me back to reality. I looked down, horrified to see a steady stream of blood running down my legs. I took a step back, my fingers trembling as I touched the red l
Anastasia “Hey, Estelle?” Hugo’s voice was soft, as he leaned closer, setting a tray on the bed. A glass of water and some bland, unappealing food were placed in front of me. “Hey, Fredericka?”“My mom almost named me that before she realized there were two of us,” I said, my voice trailing off. “It’s like... the stars and Fredericka after her dad. But she’ll never meet him, and it just... hurts.”I took a shaky breath, trying to steady myself as I faced the painful reality of my situation. The room felt too small, too heavy with the weight of all that was unsaid and unresolved.“He’s always by your side.” Hugo’s voice was steady, though I could see the strain in his eyes. I knew he was trying hard to keep it together for me, but deep down, I could tell he was struggling even more than I was. “Hey, how are you doing? Everything alright?”“I feel like I’ve been mauled by a bunch of wild animals,” I said, trying to settle Estelle more comfortably on my chest. I leaned back against the
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