Nereus spoke quietly, "Can you just concentrate on yourself for a moment?" His voice was almost a whisper, but there was a high-pitched pulsing that made it hard to hear him clearly. My own breathing was the only thing I could focus on, the rest of the world felt muffled and distant. My body felt paralyzed, frozen in place. Nereus sprang into action, his urgency palpable as he rushed to my bedside. "Anastasia? Diego—something’s happening!" I couldn’t respond; I was too caught up in my own struggle. I watched as Diego worked quickly, shifting a monitor next to the bed and connecting a probe to it. His fingers moved swiftly over my stomach, and I caught a glimpse of a black-and-white shape flickering on the screen."Bell?" I strained to make out the word, but I was certain it was correct. It was a sign of a life that shouldn’t have been—Bellamy’s child.I heard Diego mumble about the baby relying on Frederick’s blood to survive, mentioning a need for a transfusion and a filtration syst
I limped over to the west end of the house and descended the stairs to the tea room. The room had lost its old screen and its charm, replaced by the grim evidence of the fire. The stone walls and paths were smeared with black soot, and the gardens were almost entirely burned away. Bellamy's goons had really done a number on us, especially on me.“Hey, Frederick?” I called softly from the porch door, trying to keep my voice steady. I didn’t have the strength to make much noise, so I watched as his body whipped around until his cold eyes met mine. Despite the distance, he heard me.He looked genuinely startled and quickly got up from his chair. He began to say, “You’re—,” but his words trailed off. Before I knew it, he had lifted me off the ground, wrapping his arms around me in a tight embrace.“I’m alright,” I whispered in his ear, but he didn’t let go. His grip was firm, almost desperate. As I held onto him, I could feel his heart pounding steadily against my chest. The more I clung
His eyes widened in surprise as I pushed him away, placing both hands firmly on his chest. The look of disbelief on his face was evident as I successfully kept us apart. I took another step back, feeling unsteady on my feet.He demanded, frustration evident in his voice, "Can’t you kiss me?" I was at a complete loss, unable to respond. "Hey, was it Bellamy you were searching for?" His question came through like a stab. Tears continued to fall uncontrollably, no matter how hard I tried to hold them back. With a final dismissive glance, I saw him slam the door behind him in anger as he stormed out....AnastasiaI wandered around the bedroom, my mind heavy with memories of Bellamy and the whirlwind of decisions I’d been forced to make. Each choice seemed to spiral into a new complication, tearing apart my marriage, taking Frederick’s life, and leaving me in pieces. Everything that once felt familiar now seemed out of reach, like my routine had shattered along with everything else.The s
"Hey, any updates on the Winona?" I asked, feeling a knot tighten in my stomach. They should already know that Bellamy’s plans had failed. "Any word from my dad?""Sure thing!" Nereus responded."Yeah, Dad called," Nereus continued. Frederick glanced his way but remained silent. Their relationship was strained, despite my father's approval of our marriage. It was clear Frederick wasn't ready to forgive him for sending Gray on a dangerous mission to eliminate him. "Estelle is doing okay," Nereus added. "The Winona haven't said much, but I doubt they'll give up now. We need to stay prepared.""So, how many guys do we still have?" I asked, my voice tinged with concern. It felt like our crew was dwindling, and if another fight broke out, we’d be in trouble. "Are we in trouble? What's important is that we’re working on rebuilding."Nereus’s response was practical, but I could barely focus on his words. I glanced down, hoping to escape from this surreal nightmare. I wanted to believe that w
"I gotta take a chance. I can’t afford to let him slip away," I replied, my heart pounding. The fear of Frederick not understanding or reacting violently gripped me, but I had no other options."Hey Anastasia, I'm really concerned about you," Diego said, his voice tinged with guilt. "I feel like this is all my fault, and I’m getting what I deserve. I just can’t deal with him. And you know what? It’s only going to get more complicated from here.""He won’t harm me," I said, trying to sound confident, though doubts crept in. Frederick’s recent behavior had left me unsettled and unsure of what to expect. His frustration made it hard for him to make decisions, and that made everything more unpredictable. "I don’t think he will.""Well, if he does, Anastasia, we’ll just have to handle it," Diego said, his gaze chilling. The thought of it made my throat feel parched, and I couldn’t shake the dread settling in my chest. I’d left my dad's place hoping to escape from this chaos, and now it fel
“Nah, he didn’t say,” Jamie shrugged. We fell into an uneasy silence. My own thoughts were churning, making the quiet even more awkward. Victoria had mentioned that Frederick doesn’t usually take the guys to DeLuna. That idea just kept circling in my mind, unsettling me further.“Yeah,” I murmured, my face scrunching up with sadness as I looked at Jamie. I couldn’t quite place what I was feeling—loss, fear, or just an overwhelming sense of failure. There was a tension between us that neither of us wanted to address.“Anastasia, don’t worry, we’ll make it through,” Jamie said, his voice soothing but failing to erase the heavy weight of his words. I’d heard those same reassuring words countless times before, always ending in disappointment.“Do you think we will?” I asked, tears welling up in my eyes and a frown tugging at my lips. It felt like hope was slipping away, a new and disorienting experience for me. Jamie pulled me into a hug, and I closed my eyes, trying to find solace in his
“So, I had this really interesting conversation with Anastasia tonight at dinner,” Frederick said, his voice smooth but carrying an unsettling edge. He moved around me, making me feel increasingly uneasy. “Turns out, I’ve been doing things all wrong.”“What’s the deal?” My voice was shaky, barely more than a whisper. Frederick’s presence was oppressive, and I focused on his movements, every breath I took feeling labored.“You have to do everything I say, whether you want to or not.” His words struck me like a physical blow. A wave of panic surged through me, and the familiar sting of PTSD gripped my stomach. It was clear now—he was being manipulated, and they had him exactly where they wanted him.“Hey Frederick, this doesn’t really add up, it’s just not like you,” I struggled to articulate my confusion and fear. But before I could say more, he grabbed a fistful of my hair, winding it around his wrist. He yanked me toward him, and his breath was hot and unsettling against the back of
“It’s painful,” I murmured, my voice barely audible. I was so exhausted that even expressing my fear and sorrow seemed out of reach. Diego inserted a second IV into my arm, and discomfort surged through me. But the worst was yet to come.“The meds will kick in soon,” Diego whispered, glancing between me, Frederick, and the wall clock. His gaze was troubled, and I could see the strain in his eyes as he worked."Hey, Diego! How’s it going?" Frederick’s voice cut through the room, a tense edge to his tone. Diego didn’t acknowledge Frederick’s query. Instead, he focused on me with a pained expression.I shut my eyes, feeling the weight of the situation bearing down on me. “Anastasia, I apologize,” Diego said softly. His words were almost unnecessary—his silence spoke volumes. "There's no heartbeat."Frederick’s grip on my hand tightened as I struggled to comprehend the gravity of what Diego had just said. My mind raced with thoughts of failure and disappointment. The baby was my responsib
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