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
Seraphina"Can she hear me talking?" I asked, feeling way out of my depth with all this human medicine stuff. Seraphina needed stitches, needles, fluids, and even surgeries to get better, which was weird because werewolves usually heal on their own.Jordan, looking a bit surprised by all the medical gear, replied casually, "She can." He was scribbling notes and checking things off his list, muttering to himself like he always did. Ever since he joined my pack back in 1670, I'd trusted him completely.The door swung open, and Hayes walked in, his eyes flicking between Seraphina and me, clearly trying to find the right words. "Hey boss, I know it's not the best time, but we need to start thinking about how to handle Xandriel," he said with a tired sigh, folding his hands. "They probably already know she's gone and might send some guys over soon.""I'll inform the Mackenzies, but maybe we should pay them a visit instead," I replied. It had been ages since I last spoke to the guy, so a qu
Alexander "What on earth, Percival? Can you be a little more straightforward?" I shot him a look, silently urging him to stop. I wasn't a fan of being questioned when I was on the other side, especially with so many secrets I was keeping. It was clear that Percival was pushing my buttons, and I could feel the frustration bubbling up inside me."Seriously, boss, I don’t get why this is such a big deal now. Who cares? It happened; big deal. Kida was the one at fault, not you." His casual dismissal of the situation stung. Kida was Xandriel’s sister, and while there was only a forty-year age difference between them, the gap in responsibility and impact felt immense. Everything before that night with Xandriel’s sister was about ending the war, not about personal vendettas.I didn’t have a partner, so everything I did was for my pack’s well-being. I had to look out for everyone, especially the women and kids, and I was ready to do whatever it took. Kida had orchestrated a devastating assau
Alexander"When did the Mackenzies and Winona start working together?" Percival asked, casually crossing his arms and strolling around. The floor groaned beneath him, and I could feel the weight of the place settling deeper into decay. Patrick always found it strange to write letters to people who would eventually betray everyone. The floor was littered with debris from fallen ceiling pieces, and the whole place was decaying from water damage and animal activity. It’s wild that I still remember sitting at this table, raising a glass to Patrick’s friendship.I didn’t think it would be until around 1650. A little while ago, he gave us a task to do together. Even after all these years, I can still remember the important dates. Just then, the floor cracked even more, and Percival’s feet suddenly dropped through. My heart skipped a beat, and I scrambled to catch him before he fell into the unknown. I grabbed his arm, but just as I let go, I heard the splash of water and his colorful choice
Seraphina I shifted onto my side, wincing a bit, and saw Alexander peacefully asleep. His head was tilted back, with his massive arms resting on the armrests. I watched the gentle rise and fall of his chest, noticing his tattoos for the first time. A pang of envy shot through me, thinking about any woman who had loved him before me. He's been around for ages, way longer than me, so of course he's had past loves. It made me feel a bit guilty that he was meant to be with me, just a mere human.How are we supposed to live like this? I adored this guy with crazy powers, but I was just... me. Maybe it had been done before, or perhaps there was a way.The sky turned purple, dark storm clouds rolling in and filling the air with the scent of rain. Something felt off, with a sense of unease and impending trouble. I worried about what Xandriel might bring us.Is this really happening? Was I home? Was he really here to pick me up, just like Alaya mentioned? I stayed put, savoring the feeling of
Alexander I leaned casually against the wall, trying to stay composed as Jordan flipped through his clipboard for what felt like the hundredth time. The routine had become a dull blur over the past few days, each moment blending into the next. Exhaustion was starting to wear me down, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that my partner had done something to upset me. Naturally, I was starting to blame myself.A gnawing thought kept circling in my mind: was there something I’d done centuries ago that was causing all this chaos now? It was a tormenting shadow that seemed to follow me, no matter where I turned.Jordan’s voice broke through my thoughts. “The injuries she’s sustained are pretty severe,” he said, glancing up with a grim look. “It might take a while to heal—possibly even a year.” My heart sank at the news. “It’s risky, especially with a war on the horizon,” he added, making the stakes even clearer. If it came down to it, she wouldn’t be able to defend herself, and that was a 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