Seraphina The skirt had a cool, handmade look with intricate detailing. I didn't really deserve all those fancy things and special treatment. Who knows how much Alexander splurged on that. I plopped down on the bed, sighing as I gazed at it from across the room. I was nervous about the party and the unexpected information I had to keep from Alexander. "Why did I agree to this?" I muttered, fidgeting with the hem of my skirt. It felt like I was in way over my head, and the pressure was starting to get to me. I stood down the hall from the ballroom, trying to collect myself. It felt like I was stuck in the deep end of a pool with no shallow areas in sight. His pack seemed like a tight-knit group, and I had no idea how I'd fit in. I hadn't experienced their lifestyle—I usually just wore men's clothes or rags, never fancy dresses. "Deep breaths," I whispered to myself, clutching my hands together. "You can do this."Alaya helped me put on the dress, making sure I had the right underga
Seraphina "Alexander is like a cherished treasure to me, almost like a son," Darius continued, his tone softening slightly. "This business could really use his help. We'll stand by his side in this war to clear your names, and then he will be mine again. It's important to be cautious about letting other people get too close, or they could have a lot of power over Alexander. I'm not a fan of this relationship, just like Zen. Watch out, you're putting Alexander at risk. He doesn't have room for a Luna in his life."I tried to keep my expression neutral, but inside I was fuming. "Just who does he think he is, playing these games with people’s lives?" I thought, my mind racing with a mix of anger and concern."So, you came here to apologize, huh?" I clenched my teeth and pushed him in the chest, trying to create some distance. I could tell they were not good people, but his threats shocked me even more than when I first met him. "Seriously? Do you honestly think I'm not aware of that alr
SeraphinaI needed a break. I stepped onto a balcony, swinging open the French doors to let the refreshing night breeze cool me down. The sudden chill was a relief. Wow, I hadn’t realized how worked up I’d gotten in such a short time. These events just weren’t my thing. From here, I could see the lake, the shadowy treeline, and the garden wilting as the frosts arrived. When I first got here, all I wanted was to leave, but now I’d do anything to stick around."Hey, I’ve never seen a pretty face like yours around here before." A guy around the same age as Alexander approached me with a creepy grin. He was new to me—definitely not someone I’d seen at the football game. He casually swirled a glass of sparkling rosé champagne in his hand, the moonlight catching its glittering bubbles. "Hey, Bella?"I tensed, my hand gripping the railing as I turned to face him. The unsettling grin on his face made my skin crawl. …"Sorry, I'm not getting it." It was really annoying when Alexander's men, a
Seraphina"You're looking absolutely stunning, like seriously, wow!" His rough hand casually played with a strand of my hair, hoping for a reaction that he wouldn't receive. I shut my eyes, my mind pulling me back into the past, showing me a younger version of myself who would have obeyed this man without hesitation, fearing for my life. My heart pounded in my chest, and I couldn't help but feel overwhelmed by the memories of my past, as if they were happening all over again."Hey, back off!" I growled through clenched teeth as he pressed himself against me, invading my personal space and even trying to search through my skirts with his hand. Panic surged through me, and I felt my hands ball into fists. "Dude, if this is a sneak peek of what life would be like in Greece, I'd rather just stick to defending myself here, on my own turf.""So, you're saying that no woman would want to be in my bed, except for you?" He held onto my chin firmly, and I couldn't help but retaliate by spitting
SeraphinaThe way their friends looked at them with such longing, as if they were the last women on Earth, was impressive. It was clear that this pack hadn’t succumbed to the voracious behavior seen elsewhere. With the goddess’s strength, it would have been easy to take advantage of the weaker ones. Despite having a laid-back leader and someone who genuinely cared, it only took one troublemaker to derail their way of life. I shook my head, trying to grasp how I managed to get so lucky and win his heart of gold.I was startled when firm hands suddenly wrapped around my waist, and I immediately recognized the familiar scent of pine and aftershave. I shut my eyes and surrendered to the embrace, feeling incredibly relaxed. I didn’t want him to ever let me go. He spun me around, my skirt brushing the floor, and his hands gently framed my face.“Hey, sorry I’ve been caught up with stuff today,” Alexander said. “But I just wanted to let you know that you’re looking absolutely stunning, babe.
Seraphina Our bodies pressed closely together, and I spotted Jamie, Leila, Margo, Percival, and even both Winona's familiar faces. It seemed like all the other couples had cleared out, leaving just the two of us. Alexander playfully spun me around so I was facing him. I chuckled, the joy of the moment lifting my spirits, and regained my balance.When I looked back at Alexander, it felt like time had slowed down. My heart skipped a beat as I saw him kneeling on the dance floor, the chandeliers casting a dazzling sparkle on the diamond ring nestled in the box he held. The sudden gasp from the crowd made my breath catch, and the music abruptly stopped, adding to the surreal moment.“ You’re my everything, my love. Seraphina Grace, will you marry me?”My mind raced, emotions swirling in a whirlwind of disbelief and joy. The world seemed to fade away, leaving just Alexander and that glowing ring in front of me. I could hardly process the gravity of the moment, but the warmth in my chest t
SeraphinaThe thought of Alexander meeting his end on that battlefield weighed heavily on me. Once the path is set, he’ll be nothing but dust, and then I’ll make my way to you. We’ll be together again, with no one to come between us. Just as quickly as he appeared, he vanished. I took deep breaths, a wave of relief washing over me, though my muscles trembled, fighting to keep my nerves in check.I fumbled with the corset, which seemed to tighten with every movement, making it harder to breathe. Why does something meant to be beneficial feel so suffocating? What did Xandriel do to mess everything up, even from afar?I watched as the ribbon-like strings spun around my hands, slowly unraveling one prong at a time. I could hear the snaps, the seams in the back of the dress—meticulously stitched by a delicate hand—popping effortlessly.I let the gown fall to the floor and stepped out of it with a sense of relief. As I moved toward the tub, the warmth of the fire gently enveloped my naked b
SeraphinaAlexander closed his eyes, taking a deep breath to steady himself. The lump in his throat was clear, showing how deeply the mention of Xandriel affected him.“Sorry, Seraphina, but he wasn’t here. There’s no way he could have gotten past my security. The room would’ve been filled with his scent. No need to stress. Everything is under control.” He looked into my eyes, searching for some reassurance, but I couldn’t shake my unease. My heart was still racing, and his calm words felt like they were barely reaching me through the fog of my worry.“Hey, take it easy. Your worries are really getting to you. Just know you’re in good hands, okay?” He tried to smile, but it felt like the weight of his own frustration was tugging at the edges of his expression. I could see how much he wanted to fix everything, but his reassurances weren’t quite sinking in.“You’re not angry?” I asked, my voice trembling slightly. He reached out, brushing my hair behind my ear with a tenderness that mad
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