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
HugoI yanked the car door open with such force that I thought I might have bent it. As I stepped out, I nearly collided with Darius Henson. He didn't miss a beat, continuing to stride purposefully toward the camp."He didn’t want me to call Anastasia," Darius said, barely pausing. He picked up the pace, surprising me. It was strange seeing him so concerned for his estranged brother. I’d thought Frederick was practically invincible, but here we were. It wasn’t like he was dealing with a raging inferno or that he had to be responsible for everyone."You should have called anyway! As soon as you picked him up, you should have let us know!" I grumbled, trying to keep my tone from sounding too harsh. "It’s been days!""Yeah, I get it," Darius said. "But we weren’t sure if he was going to pull through. Jordan's been taking care of him. He’s in pretty good shape—like a werewolf." As we approached the campsite, Frederick’s scent grew stronger, soothing my frayed nerves. "We didn’t want you t
Hugo“She doesn’t really care about how you look, Frederick. She thinks you’re totally gone!” I said, my frustration boiling over. I had to remind myself that she was in pain, and a quick phone call could ease it. This morning, after waking from anesthesia, I’d seen her kid for the first time. The resemblance to Frederick was striking. I felt a pang of guilt for forgetting to mention their daughter. “Sure thing! Your kid.”“The baby?” Frederick’s eyes widened, sweat glistening on his forehead under the lantern light. He took the cigarette from his mouth with trembling fingers, a look of sheer panic on his face. “Is she alright? Are they alright?”“Oh, by the way, her birthday is on December 23rd,” I added casually, glancing at the floor before meeting his surprised gaze. His panic intensified as he processed the date, the realization hitting him hard.“That was yesterday,” Frederick said quietly, his voice tinged with relief. I couldn’t help but smile, eager to share some great news.
“You know it was me,” I said with a grin, thinking back to those carefree times when we lived simply and without worries.“I reckon I’ve got you outdone this year,” Hugo said, shifting on the couch and moving closer to me across the empty space. Estelle nestled into the warmth of his neck as the fire crackled behind him, casting a warm glow on the tinsel-laden tree. “Hey, I heard the news that you’ve made me an uncle, and I couldn’t be more thrilled! But guess what? I’ve got something even more exciting planned!”“I already said no Christmas gifts this year,” I replied, feeling completely exhausted. My spirit was drained, lacking any kind of festive joy.“Oh, it’s Christmas Eve,” Hugo said with a grin. “Feel free to open one gift.” He stood up from the couch, gently placing Estelle back into her little white lace bassinet. He then crouched under the Christmas tree and retrieved the tiniest box, wrapped in plaid paper with a bow that seemed oversized for its size.He handed me the box,
“Sounds good to me.” I barely comprehended his words, my mind consumed by the miracle of his presence. He was here, alive and whole. That was more than enough for now, and I intended to savor every second of it without interruptions.“Tomorrow,” he murmured softly, pulling me close. I felt that familiar tingling sensation enveloping me.“Tomorrow?” I couldn’t help but chuckle, clutching his jacket tighter. I worried that if we went our separate ways, he might vanish from my life again.“I’ve already checked with your dad and your bro,” Jamie interjected, offering a hand with the ring. “I’m done with this. No more wasting time.” He pressed his forehead gently against mine, his fingers running through the back of my hair as he held me securely. “I’ve always done everything for you, even when we lost touch. I can’t stop thinking about you.”“Hey Frederick, sorry to bother you, but someone’s been a bit restless since you came in,” Hugo said casually, approaching with Estelle in his arms.
“Oh, wait a sec,” I said, reaching into my back pocket and pulling out a small velvet bag with drawstrings. “I thought you might like these.” He looked at me, puzzled, before taking the bag and reaching inside.“Hey,” he grinned as he pulled out a beaded chain with two metal pendants. After his accident, I’d kept his old ones safe, but I thought he’d appreciate some new ones to match his new rank and pack. He draped them around his neck, examining the engravings and pictures. “These are awesome, I really dig them,” he said, running his thumb over the metal image of me and Estelle.“I’ll make sure to keep you and Estelle in mind and look forward to coming back home.” Frederick planted a sweet kiss on my forehead, then gently brushed his lips against mine while tilting my chin up. I tried to suppress my emotions by closing my eyes, but the intensity of the moment overwhelmed me. “Hey, guess what? Seraphina is coming to stay with you! We thought it’d be safer, and I thought you could us
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