Anastasia“I don’t believe he’d actually say that,” I said, raising an eyebrow. It was so out of character for my dad. He was always keen on staying informed about my whereabouts.Hugo’s frustration was palpable, though he tried to mask it. The silence outside was eerie, like the estate was empty. I thought Hugo had a handle on things, but it seemed otherwise.“Hey, can I give my dad a call?” I whispered, feeling isolated without any familiar faces around. A nagging voice in my head, like some sixth sense, kept urging me to leave, but I couldn’t quite pin down why.“No, I already said no!” Hugo’s hands slammed onto the table, making the glasses, plates, and silverware rattle. I leaned back in my chair, taking deep, calming breaths. His face showed regret, like he didn’t really want to be so harsh. “It’s still not safe. Frederick Henson is still after you,” he said, his disdain for the name clear. I didn’t know who Frederick Henson was or what he wanted from me, but I was pretty sure i
Hugo“I’m here to see Anastasia,” the guy said. Dirty blonde hair, tattoos—he was the type who dabbled in booze and substances. The troublemaker. I struggled to make sense of what he was saying. If only I’d known who he was and what he was up to, maybe I could have stopped everything. I had a chance, but I missed it. I’ll always carry that blame. Frederick, on the other hand, was becoming a real handful. Ever since those photos got sent out, Eros’s phone had been off. That was actually a blessing in disguise—it kept him from giving in to temptation. Frederick’s jaw was clenched, his muscles tight. He tried to relax with one cigarette after another, and drinks didn’t help either. He kept getting tattoos to amplify his constant pain and numbness. Anastasia’s name was inked in delicate script over his heart, and my other sister, Estelle’s, was beautifully etched along his bicep. No matter how hard he pushed himself or tried new workouts, he couldn’t reach the level of exertion he crav
Anastasia“We need to keep it quiet and move fast,” she instructed. “You were supposed to go to that party tonight, but we’ve got more pressing issues to deal with.” Her words were cryptic, but I couldn’t really argue with her. Since arriving here, she was the only familiar face I’d seen. Her presence was a small comfort in the midst of my confusion. She snapped the ankle cuff off with ease, as if it were made of plastic, and lifted me off the ground with a firm grip, making sure I didn’t collapse.“I’m a bit confused,” I said as she draped my arm around her shoulders to help me stay upright. My legs felt tingly and weak. “How did you end up here?”“Zen brought us here to help Darius with a business deal,” Margo explained quickly, guiding me through the dim, damp corridors of the old prison. “Hugo mentioned you. Are you doing alright?”“I don’t really know,” I admitted, gritting my teeth as we walked on the wet, grassy floor. The rain stung my wounds, intensifying the pain. “I’m compl
Hugo After a lengthy conversation and my attempts to provide comfort, Anastasia eventually agreed to Diego's treatment. She really wasn't looking her best, not even after Gray did that thing. I could see the exhaustion etched into her face, making her seem more fragile than ever.As expected, Hugo didn’t show any kindness. His face remained stern, almost indifferent."Grab a bite," I said to Frederick, who was just sitting there, lost in his own thoughts. Despite his denial, I casually nudged a dinner plate in his direction on the island. "Hey, Frederick.""I'm not really feeling hungry, Hugo. Everything that made me want to live, it's all gone. My whole life feels empty now." He took a drag off his cigarette, and I was completely taken aback by what I witnessed. He just gave up."Wow, she's actually still alive! That's what's important. She'll keep loving you if you just give her some time. Who knows, perhaps she'll remember!" I shouted out in the midst of the quiet, causing him to
Anastasia This was the guy Hugo had warned me about. Hugo had shown me a picture on his phone and casually mentioned that Frederick was coming for me. Sure, he showed up, but he brought my whole family along for the ride. It didn’t make sense. Frederick didn’t even look in my direction. He stared at the floor, as if it held some kind of magic that would make everything better.“Got any other questions?” Frederick’s voice was flat, and he kept avoiding eye contact. I couldn’t tell if he was just messing with me or if he was trying to test me. I felt so weak, like I had no control. I had gone over every rule and order I’d been given, knowing that breaking them meant trouble. Did Frederick act differently when he wasn’t around my brother? “Sure,” I replied, trying to sound more confident than I felt.“I told him that you said I was running away from you, sir,” I said, my voice rough and scratchy from waking up. It was worse than usual. “Hugo,” Frederick murmured, his voice carrying a mi
Anastasia “I’m a bit confused,” I admitted, trying to process everything he’d said. I had never experienced snow before, and it felt surreal to hear it might be tied to my emotions."We’re buddies, so you’d feel this way around me regardless." Frederick’s words came out flat and uninspired. I couldn’t tell if he was anxious or if he’d just given up on trying to understand me. I didn’t want to end up depending on someone who might let me down again.Diego stepped in, offering a solution. “You should get some rest. I can take you to our room if you prefer, or you can stay here if you’d rather. It’s up to you.”“Our room?” I echoed, feeling disoriented. The idea of a house, a husband, and a child seemed so distant. I was struggling to grasp whether it was all real or just another layer of confusion.“No worries, I’ll crash on the couch,” Frederick said. I couldn’t tell if he was being genuine or if there was some hidden agenda behind his offer. Was he trying to convince me to stay close
I couldn’t stop thinking about that night we shared our first kiss in her room at Hugo’s estate. She looked at me and asked, “Hey, can I ask you something?”“So, like, what’s the deal with all this?” She nailed it, repeating exactly what I’d said.“It means savior,” I explained, my voice strained as tears welled up in my eyes.“And this one?” she asked, pointing again.“Dude,” I thought about the memory as it replayed right before my eyes. After so many losses, it gave me a fleeting spark of hope. “Hey, how can I assist you?” The room was eerily quiet, with only the crackling of the fire and her steady breathing breaking the silence. “You gotta have oxygen,” I added.“Sure,” she replied, giving me a closer look.“Is this okay?” I casually slid my arm between her knees as she nodded, then wrapped my other arm around her back. “You doing alright?”“Yeah,” she murmured softly. I lifted her from the ground and held her tightly. It was the comfort I had been craving, but I still longed for
Feeling the chill, I decided to change out of my damp clothes. Hugo’s attack had left me with painful scars and bruises. The rough texture of my skin under my fingertips, though, seemed to improve with Frederick’s touch. It was strange—I used to see my face as a blemish, but now I actually liked what I saw in the mirror.Frederick helped me get rid of the blood that had frozen in my hair. His hand was warm, and as soon as he laid it on me, I felt the cut beginning to heal. The mate bond was incredible, a testament to how deeply connected we were.I was grateful for the fragments of memory I could recall, but gaps still lingered about the house attack. I couldn’t remember where Jaden or Seraphina had gone. The chaos with Hugo in the kitchen was vivid, but the moments of leaving the house remained hazy.A nagging thought troubled me—whether Hugo was truly dead or if he was simply handling death differently. I doubted Frederick would greet him warmly if their paths ever crossed again. Th
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