Alexander“Was it really just a one night mistake? What a total jerk, right?” Jamie’s voice was so filled with pain that it almost brought tears to my eyes. I couldn’t bear to look at him.“Hey Jamie, it’s not what you’re thinking.” My voice trembled with guilt. “I wasn’t really into her. Being drunk doesn’t excuse my actions.”The memory of that night still haunted me. A baby was born unexpectedly after a spontaneous encounter. It wasn’t Jamie’s fault, but I couldn’t help but regret cheating on Seraphina. I’ll always have some regrets about how things turned out.One thing leads to another.Jamie rubbed his eyes, frustration clear. “You’ve had so many chances to explain this over the past century, but you missed every single one.” His words cut deep, and I felt the weight of my mistakes crushing me. I messed up, and it was all on me. No one else was responsible.“You have no idea what it’s like, and I’m ready to break free from your influence,” Jamie said, his voice cracking with emo
Seraphina "He’s never taken me to a social event before. So why now?" I wondered, the uncertainty eating at me. Xandriel always seemed to have everything go their way, shaping the world to fit their needs. I couldn’t make it to the party with Alexander since he had plans of his own. That guy was set on attending the event, no matter what. It was quite the ordeal.Alaya gave me a sympathetic glance and said, "I’m not sure, Miss." Her eyes, wise beyond her years, seemed to shield me from the world’s chaos. Despite her youth, she’d seen Xandriel’s misdeeds for much longer than I had. "Honestly, the way he treats you is unreal. I’m amazed you’re still standing!""You know, Alaya, it wasn’t really Xandriel’s actions that hit me hardest," I said, feeling a twinge of sadness as I thought about leaving Alexander behind. I rested my head against the wall, still aching from where Xandriel had slammed it against the stone so many times. It was surprising it hadn’t cracked. "But what he doesn’t
AlexanderWe set up camp about eight miles west of Xandriel’s land. We lay on the ground in the dense brush near the water. I thought starting our journey early and finding a spot to rest would help us be fully prepared for the rescue mission.My body ached so badly that I had to stop. Every muscle in me wanted to push forward, but the pain was overwhelming. It had been too long, and I could almost feel my mate tugging at me, urging me to keep moving.The fire in the centre of our makeshift beds kept the chill of the night at bay. Jamie prodded the flames with a stick, casting occasional glances at me. I had agreed to let him help with the rescue, but we hadn’t spoken since. I intended to keep it that way until I could explain who Jamie really was to Seraphina. I didn’t want anyone overhearing our conversation.“What do you want to do?” Percival asked as he settled down on the other side of the campfire, taking a swig from a flask that gleamed in the firelight.“There’s Jeremiah’s wif
AlexanderJamie still doesn’t fully grasp the harsh realities of war. He doesn’t see why those close to the crown can become targets for rival factions. Sure, if Luna were taken hostage, it could break an alpha or shatter them, but a child? That wouldn’t make much difference. It’s easy to forget just how ruthless people like Xandriel can be. They’re capable of anything.I sank down beside the dense foliage, feeling the rough leaves brush against my skin. I closed my eyes, trying to push away the anxiety gnawing at me as Xandriel’s territory loomed ahead. If I could just make it through one more day, nightfall would bring some relief from this waiting game. But the thought of sitting here, doing nothing but waiting, was almost unbearable.With a resigned sigh, I muttered a prayer under my breath, hoping the night would pass quickly and that tomorrow would offer a break from this tension....SeraphinaI was completely disoriented, overwhelmed by pain so intense that I couldn’t recall t
Seraphina"That’s a pretty wild statement, my friend. The Alpha’s on his way. Let me tidy you up before he gets here," Alaya’s voice jolted me back to reality. I had completely forgotten Alexander was coming. Her words faded into an uneasy silence, leaving me with a growing sense of dread.I stared at the floor, trying to shake off the unsettling forgetfulness creeping over me. “I wanted Alexander to show up so badly, but with each passing second, my hope felt like it was slipping away. He’d rescued me three times now, pulling me out of the chaos Xandriel always dragged me into.” I clenched my fists, knuckles turning white as I fought to hold onto the fragile hope of safety.Then it hit me—how badly I’d messed up each time. The room suddenly felt colder, a sharp contrast to the intense heat of the blazing fire. My teeth chattered slightly, even as the flames roared louder, almost mocking my anxiety."Don’t think like that!" Alaya’s voice was laced with frustration, but her irritation
AlexanderAs I rounded the corner into the last cell on the left, the sharp smell of burning hit me, mingled with the unmistakable stench of death. My stomach churned.The floor was a grimy mess, littered with scraps of food and overrun by a wriggling army of bugs and rats. Broken plates and cups lay scattered as if someone had hurled them in frustration. Water dripped incessantly from the ceiling, forming sullen puddles that made the room look even more miserable. This place was a nightmare for any living being, whether animal or human.I could only imagine the hellish conditions Seraphina had endured for her entire nineteen years. It must have been agonizing to witness Xandriel’s cruelty firsthand and then see Seraphina struggling to adjust to even the slightest hint of normalcy. This room was a stark reminder of that suffering.There she was, slumped against the wall. One arm hung lazily over her body, while the other was cuffed loosely to the wall. Her body was a canvas of bruises
SeraphinaAlexander strolled in with his usual effortless charm, dressed in a perfectly tailored suit that reminded me of our very first date. He flashed a grin, his adorable dimples making an appearance on either side of his face. As soon as he sank into his chair, a flurry of maids and butlers appeared, quickly setting dish after dish of food on the table.“Hey, I missed you,” Alexander said, flashing that grin of his, the one that always made my heart skip a beat. He reached across the table, his fingers brushing against mine. The moment our hands touched, it was like an electric charge zipped through me, sending a wave of warmth straight to my core. This… this was what it was supposed to feel like. Like the Moon Goddess herself was gently pushing me toward Alexander, but despite the undeniable connection, something inside me just wouldn’t let me fully lean in. It’s all my fault.Seeing his face light up with pure happiness, like I was the best thing that had happened to him all da
Seraphina“I’ll always have your back,” I said with a grin, taking a deep breath to steady myself. I tried to stay composed, though it was hard not to feel a bit awestruck in the presence of someone so revered. As I was lost in thought, Alexander suddenly stood up and extended his hand. “Hey, wanna dance?” he asked. I placed my hand in his, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness, and stood up from the table. He led us towards the fireplace, and with each step, my heels clicked softly on the wooden floor. I was surprised by how close we were, and he gave me a warm, gentle smile that made me feel like the only person in the room. With one hand holding mine and the other resting casually on the small of my back, it felt like we were in our own little world, wrapped up in a moment that was just for us.“Hey, Alexander, I have no clue how,” I whispered, nervously clutching his suit jacket. I never expected him to be such a graceful dancer. Given his age, I suppose he’s been to plenty
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