“Sure, why not? If I decide to go, I'll join you.” Zen's words felt like a punch to the gut. Aunt Margo popped into my mind immediately. She always seemed to end up with Zen. It made sense, though—she's always been the one looking out for our family's safety, no matter the cost.“I’ll spare your pack, including Frederick, because I know losing you would be even more devastating for him than death.” His words hit home. Frederick would be shattered, but it was a fate preferable to death. I knew it in my bones. Before I showed up, Frederick had lived a carefree life, completely unburdened. The thought of him struggling just because of me was almost too much to bear. “Just thinking about you being with someone else... not knowing if they’re still around or not?” The idea twisted in my gut, a sharp, painful reminder of my place in this mess. “How can I trust that you’ll actually leave them alone?” I wondered aloud, feeling defeated. It seemed like my only option was to go along with him.
Nereus “Hey, Cassius!” I coughed to get his attention. My throat was scratchy and dry from lack of water, and the stench of blood in the room made me feel queasy. “So, how many guards are we talking about?”Cassius glanced up, his face drawn. “He used to pay more attention to us, but now it’s like one or two guards an hour, and he’s completely checked out.” His voice was almost casual, though his eyes betrayed his frustration. “He started with five guys per hour, and now we’re down to this. I guess he thought he’d outsmart us. His brain’s working harder than he intended, handling the logistics.”We were deep in the cellars, the dank atmosphere providing an eerie backdrop to our conversation. I strained to listen to the faint sound of footsteps echoing from the floors above, trying to stay focused despite the disorienting conditions. “Yeah, he’s pretty chill,” I said, my voice tinged with a mix of resignation and defiance. We hadn’t anticipated being turned against each other like thi
Nereus “Sure, I’ll do my best to make sure your sister doesn’t leave the property,” Jewel said, his voice steady despite the chaos.“Huh?” I was caught off guard as he released my chains from their anchor and helped me to my feet. I shut my eyes briefly, trying to steady myself.“Beale is interested in bringing her back to the United States,” Jewel added. “Hey, can you please speed things up with Jamie? I can’t prevent Bellamy from leaving, but I can delay him.” My anxiety surged at the thought of leaving Anastasia behind, but I had no other choice. I carefully positioned Frederick on my shoulder, offering him whatever support I could. I nodded at Cassius, silently hoping he would hold his ground until we returned. Jewel opened the door, and we caught a glimpse of the grounds outside. The trees were bathed in the light of the full moon, casting long, eerie shadows. We had a daunting ten miles of field and bush to traverse before we could find any real help....Nereus As I trudged
I could sense the sincerity in his voice. Frederick had no qualms about inflicting pain deliberately, and perhaps even took some grim satisfaction in it.When Bellamy hinted, “He might be lying,” I didn’t press the issue. After all, who could say what was true or false? That’s why Bellamy ended up in Frederick’s pack, where he could mingle with Frederick and Anastasia, getting to know them better than he might have preferred.“No way, he wasn’t lying!” Frederick’s voice rose, his anger evident. His eyes were wide, and his face twisted in fury. “He said the sex was consensual, and that was true too.”“That’s not Anastasia,” I countered, stepping back slightly. I knew my sister wouldn’t engage in such behavior unless she felt threatened. “You know my sister, right?” It seemed Bellamy might have threatened Frederick's life, adding a layer of danger.“Let him come after me!” Frederick roared, raising his knees and angrily flailing his hands. His rage was explosive, and it was clear he was
I shrugged, feigning nonchalance. "Yeah, my bad, sorry," I said, my voice light and unconcerned. I hoped he wouldn’t notice the slight edge in my voice. "My apologies."When he asked, "Do you want to come and show me how sorry you are?" I felt a knot tighten in my stomach. He was lying there, eyes fixed on me, exhaling heavily with his mouth slightly open. I moved deliberately, positioning myself over him, trying to keep my composure as his desire seemed to overwhelm him. His hands wandered up my legs, slipping beneath my shorts. I shut my eyes, my heart pounding as I silently hoped he wouldn’t discover the knife tucked away at the back of my waistband. I leaned in close to his neck, pressing kisses along his skin, feeling the flush of my cheeks against his warmth. As his hands traveled up my back, I seized the opportunity to grab his wrists and pin them above his head, a mischievous grin spreading across his face in response."Wow, you are absolutely amazing," he whispered, his voic
I felt incredibly weak, my body trembling uncontrollably. Despite the intense discomfort, I forced myself to take deep, steady breaths. I had never felt so close to death, teetering on the edge, as if the goddess herself was reaching out to me.As I glanced down, I saw blood seeping from beneath my clothes near my belly button. The knife had torn up my shirt, leaving it stained and shredded. With trembling hands, I fumbled to wrap them around the blade, trying to stem the flow of blood.Each exhale brought a new wave of blood surging up my throat and spilling from my mouth, choking me. I could hear my name being called from a distance, the sound starting as a gentle murmur and growing louder, echoing in my ears. Was it real, or just a figment of my fading consciousness?“Hey, Anastasia!” Nereus’s voice cut through the haze. He knelt beside me, his eyes wide with concern. His hands trembled, unsure of how to help or where to place them.I gave myself a mental grade of "A-" and tried to
NereusAnastasia’s name echoed through Frederick’s anguished cries, “Anastasia!” He shook his head slowly, pulling her closer and trying to comfort her even in death. I had never seen him so broken. He was like a child, his grief raw and unfiltered, the final straw that had shattered his composure. His humanity seemed to crack, fragmenting into pieces. “Uh, sorry to break it to you, but there’s no heartbeat.” Her heart had stopped—oh God, her heart!“Hey, Frederick!” I shouted, gripping his shirt with frantic hands. “We’ll definitely get Bellamy for this,” I promised. Frederick’s gaze turned cloudy, as if his human side was slipping away, leaving only a fierce, relentless force behind.“Is he still alive?” Frederick’s growl shook the earth, his anger palpable.“No way,” I whispered, a chill of fear creeping over me despite Bellamy’s deserving fate. “I left him in the main bedroom.” He was barely clinging to life. I didn’t waste a moment.Frederick stood, his movements deliberate. “Tak
Frederick grumbled, looking away. "If you lay a hand on me like that again, you’ll find yourself bowing to me in front of your entire pack," he warned. The beast had devoured his humanity, and I felt a pang of sorrow for the man I used to know. It had been an ongoing struggle to reach him through the darkness. As Frederick brushed past me, I knew anyone who crossed his path in battle would face no mercy."Hey, sorry about that," I said, turning to Diego, who was meticulously cleaning his tools and disposing of the sharps. The room fell into a heavy silence. He seemed lost in thought, detached from the chaos outside.Diego broke the silence with a casual observation, "He’s not feeling well," as if it wasn’t obvious. I couldn’t help but feel guilty; I had seen the signs but hadn’t done anything about them."Yeah, I know," I said, resting my hands on top of each other, trying to steady the trembling of my legs. I had no good reason for my anxiety, just an overwhelming sense of helplessne
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