“Anastasia, don’t go along with it!” Frederick’s voice cut through my resolve, but I didn’t acknowledge him. Bellamy’s smile, so calm and self-assured, told me he was confident he’d come out on top.Bellamy flicked his fingers, signaling two boys from the hallway to help him carry Nereus and Cassius down to the basement. “They’ll be fine,” he said, his tone casual.“Hey, Anastasia, please don’t do this!” Frederick pleaded, but his words barely registered as my tears finally broke free. His shouts echoed through the house, a haunting soundtrack to the chaos.“Just follow my rules and nobody gets hurt. Can’t guarantee the same for others though.” Bellamy placed the knife back on the table with a nonchalant air. “We’re going to take on Cassius’s crew. Let me know who your top fighters are.”“No way!” I protested vehemently, but Bellamy remained unfazed, even as I argued with him.“Sure, we will. Let me know if you want me to start with the pack your dad gave you. Estelle’s here, right? A
AnastasiaCarefully, I stepped over the shag rug beside my bed, avoiding the creaky planks on my desk. The only light came from a thin gap in the curtain, casting a faint glow on my phone. I reached for it, my heart pounding as I saw Jamie's name flash on the screen.“Hey, what’s up?” Jamie’s voice crackled through the phone, filled with an eagerness that made me feel a bit better. I sighed, but a shadow of anxiety lingered just out of reach.“Hey, Jamie,” I spoke quickly into the phone, trying to sound calm. “I’m short on time, so listen carefully.”“What’s going on?” His concern was evident. He’d been trying to reach Frederick and Nereus for days, and just hearing his soothing voice was a small comfort. Jamie was always like a brother to us, ready to defend and support.“The Winona sent some guys our way, and that’s not good news.” I glanced around, making sure no one was listening. “Victoria got a heads-up to evacuate her group. I’m not sure what my next move will be yet, but I’ll
“It’s hard to gauge the season with your mood,” Bellamy said nonchalantly. “You bring the rain.” I closed my eyes at his comment. Xandriel used to blame my mother for the misfortune that plagued her pack, accusing her of being a witch. It seemed the moon goddess had decided to teach her a lesson for not being with her true love.“And it’ll remain dark and gray until you’re taken care of.” Bellamy grinned, casually peeling off his shirt as I glanced his way. I was taken aback by the sight—his torso was covered in an array of scars, each one a testament to a violent past. There were numerous tattoos and dog tags scattered across his skin, but it was the scars that truly drew attention. They looked like relics from a bygone era, as if he’d been sliced or hacked in ways reminiscent of old punishments for rebellious pack members. “Hey, everyone gets a cut!” he joked, but his expression was anything but lighthearted.“I wanna see him,” he said abruptly.“No way,” I responded, trying to keep
I wanted him to feel better as he expressed his discomfort. “Anastasia, I really don’t give a damn!” he snapped. His anger was palpable, and it only reinforced my distrust of Bellamy. I had to go along with his plan, even though it left me no choice but to rely on Diego. I wasn’t going to let him go easily.“Oh man, you haven’t even seen what this dude is capable of,” I said, my voice trembling with fear. “He doesn’t really feel anything. What am I going to do if he takes you away? Frederick, you gotta help your daughter! I’m out here all alone—he’s got me trapped!” My anxiety spiked as I thought about Bellamy’s indifference to life and death. He killed without hesitation, just like the Winona. He was notoriously hard to predict because of it. “Bellamy won’t think twice about taking action against you or anyone else to achieve his goals!”Frederick’s eyes, filled with concern, met mine as he struggled against the chains binding him. “I’ll get him whatever he wants, no problem,” he sai
“So, you picked this place because of its sentimental value?” I teased, my voice laced with a hint of irritation. It was clear that Bellamy was deliberately being unpleasant. Frederick and I had often come here, even after we were married, making it a spot with personal significance.Bellamy chuckled, munching on his food. “Frederick could’ve chosen a more impressive first date,” he said, his comment tinged with sarcasm. His meal was pricey, and it looked like he might have used a Winona card to cover it. “You obviously knew that,” I shot back. “You understand us so well, it’s almost a bit unsettling.” It was apparent that Bellamy had a deep grasp of Frederick, me, and the dynamics of our pack, which made me uneasy.“Oh, I do,” he said, a sly smile playing on his lips. “Who do you think paid your tab that night?” He noticed that everyone was more focused on his drink than his plate, so he pushed his plate aside. I reached out to remove his hand from the top of his beer bottle as he c
He slid a blister pack of pills across the table, and my eyes flicked to it briefly before meeting his confident grin. “Hey, would Christabel change your mind?”“How did you manage to get that?” I asked, a shiver running down my spine. It had been ages since I last saw Christabel, let alone took it.“It’s all about family,” Bellamy said, his voice suddenly devoid of humor. The warmth of his earlier demeanor was gone, replaced by a cold, detached tone. His “happy couple” charade had evaporated, leaving behind a man who expected me to obey. His tone was sharp, as if he was stripping me bare.“Oh, I see,” I replied, leaning back in my chair with my arms crossed. “We can add drug dealers to the list of things I didn’t expect from you.”“Christabel is for people who don’t really care about rules,” Bellamy said, his tone cold and dismissive. He spoke of how the drug moved through clubs like air and how Coke was the most valuable company in America. “You can take it now or later.”“Nah, but
“I’m not doing it,” I said firmly, though my voice trembled. Bellamy abruptly grabbed a handful of my hair, yanking it towards him and pulling me closer. I struggled to find my words, the proximity making it hard to think clearly.“You will,” he said, his tone brooking no argument. I reached out instinctively, feeling his chest beneath my hands. He stared into my eyes, as if trying to see past the surface to my very soul, his gaze tinged with a strange blend of cruelty and pity. “He won’t know the person you’ve become.” His words felt like daggers. “A traitor, killer, and adulteress,” I retorted, the bitterness in my voice clear. He released his grip, and I swiftly moved to create some distance between us. His determination to break us apart, to inflict pain and destruction, was evident. If I weren’t as sharp and resourceful, his relentless drive would undoubtedly lead to our downfall.It was unfortunate that I had to endure Bellamy’s twisted game until Jamie could find a way into thi
“Do you enjoy it when I wrap my hands around your neck?” Bellamy’s voice was calm, but there was a dark satisfaction in his tone. He closed his eyes briefly, as if savoring the discomfort he inflicted on me and anyone around. “So, what’s the purpose? Can this thing bite and scratch? Does it hurt to have a dad?” His words were becoming a blur as I prepared to leave. His presence loomed in front of me, growing fainter with each step I took away.“Guess what? Frederick knows all about what I did to you last night!” The words cut through the fog of my thoughts as Bellamy released his grip just enough for me to catch a breath. He kept me in place, his lips dangerously close to mine, his warm breath brushing against my skin. The pain was sharp, his hands gripping my jaw so tightly that a moan escaped my lips despite my efforts to suppress it. I knew any response would only fuel his twisted satisfaction, so I remained silent, not wanting to give him the pleasure of seeing the mark he left on
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