SeraphinaI was scared because the chains dragging me along were pulling me down. My pack was under attack, which I welcomed because it might be my way out. I tried not to look around at the chaos, not wanting to see the murders or assaults happening nearby. All I could do was breathe and think about what might happen next.I am Seraphina Grace. The Alpha's favorite “girl," as everyone said.If an outside attack was what it took to free me from him, so be it.My Alpha is Xandriel. He had no mate, and even though I was more of a slave to him, he had me doing most of the tasks meant for the Luna.But I wasn't a Luna.I just tried to be myself.I didn't like Xandriel or how he treated me and other women. He was rude, cruel, and beastly.This raid didn’t surprise me. Xandriel had so many enemies that it was a wonder our camp hadn't been attacked sooner. The chains holding me clanked and jangled, making me more scared.But I was strong and determined to escape."Xandriel's gone, but we hav
Seraphina We walked together from the path up to the highway. The forest was full of trees, muddy, dark, and kinda creepy. This is the first time I ever did this. Xandriel never let me wander far, so I never did. It was a good thing because I would have definitely gotten lost.A black Audi with dark windows and chrome wheels was waiting. In the back seat, where Alexander sat next to me, I kept my hands in my lap.I put some space between us for safety.He growled but respected my request. Alexander was the most beautiful man I had ever seen. His body was sculpted perfectly, and his tattoos were both delicate and masculine. He had two earrings in each ear, and his hair was neatly cut.“Why are you so tense?” he said as he looked out the window. I could be angry and bitter about what he did, but part of me wasn't. No one knew what it was like to be with Xandriel, and I was one of the few who could handle him.Xandriel had no heart or mind, I was certain. Alexander knew that if anyone d
Seraphina Once more, it was raining hard, like it hadn't stopped since I arrived. I asked Alexander to leave me alone because his angry fits were too much for me.That weirdo!He treated me oddly, almost unfairly.I didn't want to leave the room, so I stayed put. I'd never been apart from Xandriel for this long, and we were far away from each other and I’m liking it.Without me, he didn't have much power because he can’t do simple stuff to take care of himself. He can’t even cook a simple meal.When the bedroom door opened, I got scared, my heart racing. I could hear my own pulse in my ears. I didn't dare look back to see who it was. I guess my stay is over, and I can hear someone starting to come in."Are you hungry?" Alexander's voice bounced off the walls, and I trembled. I wanted to act brave, to show no fear. "Do you want to come to dinner with me?" He tried to ask, but seemed afraid of being rejected. It was like he didn't know how. This man wasn't inexperienced, he must've be
SeraphinaI paced my room, the early morning light creeping in. Alexander hadn’t come back since the last time we saw him. I couldn’t deny my curiosity, but they say curiosity killed the cat.His room was on the top floor. I wasn’t sure why I went there, but I did. I climbed the stairs. He lay there, head to the side, right arm under the pillow. The sheet barely covered his belly, exposing the tattoos on his chest and stomach.Alexander was stunning, almost beautiful. His black hair was short and neatly cut. He looked so peaceful asleep.When Xandriel lacked sex, his temper flared. I believed Alexander’s life was also the same as Xandriel, all about sex, always surrounded by eager young women. Maybe it’s an alpha thing to have more than one woman.If I could make Alexander trust me, I could escape this prison-like mansion. I could get away without being caught.I shut the door, fighting my urges. I needed to stay away from him. His rude and careless words didn’t make me care if he got
SeraphinaThe kitchen was massive, with an island big enough for fifteen stools, all granite, black, and chrome. It looked straight out of a damn magazine. A huge handmade wooden cross, carved with a unique design, hung on the wall. It was beautiful, but I doubted Alexander was religious. Picture frames of the pack members lined the walls, like military photos with serious faces.There were hundreds of men but only about twenty women warriors. Even the men were all annoyingly attractive.I perched on a stool while Margo stood at the stove. I felt awkward; I should have been the one cooking, not her, the Alpha's sister."Don't let my brother treat you like crap. He's really a big wimp," Margo laughed, tossing something in a pan and turning on the stove. "I'll swear to it."If Alexander hadn't recognized me as his mate, he would have used and probably killed me. I insisted, "He’s also not above kidnapping. He destroyed my territory, burned it to the ground.""Well, if you're his mate, h
SeraphinaI started feeling bad again. The way Alexander acted showed he wasn't expecting this, and he hated it.“Yoohoo! Alexander boy, long time no see.”Three huge men dragged their chairs to our table. Alexander stiffened in his seat. I stared at the table, sensing these men were powerful without needing to ask."Alexander, boy. Haven't seen you here in weeks," the biggest one taunted, slapping Alexander on the back. Alexander didn't seem like the joking type. His face was usually cold and serious."I had no reason to be," Alexander replied with a half-smile, trying to keep him at arm's length. Something in his eyes told me to stay calm, that everything was fine, or that I'd be fine no matter what. "Why are you here on a Saturday night with nothing better to do?""Of course, you're the business," a man replied. Should I ask to go to the bathroom? Should I avoid sudden moves? I was in Alexander's world, one I knew little about. I’m pretty sure these men had a past deal with Alexan
Seraphina stood by the window, gazing out at the horizon as she began to talk to a butterfly, as if it was listening to her, her voice barely above a whisper."There are individuals who have a burning desire for power in this world," she mused, her tone carrying a hint of contempt. "It significantly undermines their strength and greatly diminishes their prospects for leading a fulfilling life. I saw it firsthand. The girls who prioritised sleeping with Xandriel were clueless about the consequences they'd face. They had no fucking clue what power really meant."She shook her head, remembering the foolishness of those girls. "I was taken aback by his interest in me, and I've mentioned it before. It had an unusual, almost surreal quality to it."Her reflection stared back at her from the glass, eyes filled with memories. "I had no understanding of love until I crossed paths with Alexander. I had no parents, siblings, or any relatives. It wasn't until I arrived here that I had any. Trust
Seraphina"I thought I told you," Xandriel's voice cut through the air like a knife, making me shiver. My whole body shook. He grinned and tilted his head, staring at my scared face. I could tell he loved seeing me afraid. "Wait for me to start eating before you do. This is my house.""Yes, sir. I'm sorry," I stammered, my voice shaking as his grip on my throat tightened. It was hard to breathe, and panic filled me. I tried to stay calm, knowing that showing more fear would only make him happier."Actually, you are not," he paused and then said with confidence, "But you will be." Xandriel let go of me, and I fell to the ground, feeling a mix of relief and gratitude. My body felt weak and tired. I took deep breaths, trying to calm my racing heart.He made himself a plate of food, acting like nothing had happened. Then, he suddenly flipped the table, and the rest of the food crashed to the floor. The sound of breaking dishes echoed in the room.The dogs quickly ran over and started eati
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